Thursday, April 26, 2012

2012 NFL Draft: The Green Bay Packers Select USC's Nick Perry In The First Round

Over the past few years, I've usually hoped that the Green Bay Packers would add a dynamic pass rusher to their defense. So when they drafted USC's Nick Perry at the end of the first round, it warmed my heart to see them filling one of my favorite draft needs. At 6-3 and 271 lbs., he's fast and strong for a player his size, and his pass rushing is NFL worthy.

He's something special as a pass rusher. It's all the other parts of his game that I worry about.

Mocking The Draft's Dan Kadar called him "a scary prospect (in a bad way)." He didn't play against the run in college, making him questionable as a starting 4-3 DE, and he showed "no coverage skills" which makes him questionable as an every down outside linebacker in the Packers's 3-4 defense.

Maybe his pass rushing skills alone are worth it. I'd rather they had drafted a pass rushing defensive lineman, but obviously they didn't think any of them had a first round grade, or were better than Nick Perry. I'm still excited about what he can bring to their team as a pass rusher, but only time whether he can become an every down player.

At least at first, defensive coordinator Dom Capers doesn't seem to envision Perry as an every down player.

No comments: