Friday, February 22, 2013

The NFL Combine Is This Weekend: Who Are The Packers Watching?

The answer is everyone. The Green Bay Packers are sure to focus their scouting in some areas, but they'll be watching every player. You never know who they might select. Two years ago, wide receiver was a low priority until they selected Randall Cobb in the second round. And last year, cornerback wasn't considered a need but they drafted CB Casey Hayward at the end of the second round. This year, they need to focus on the defensive front seven (I expect they'll address the center position later in the draft) so the big day is next Monday, when the defensive lineman and linebackers work out.
This is as good an article as any because Georgia (and the SEC) is loaded with top talent on the defensive line and at linebacker. DT John Jenkins is a run stuffing defensive lineman who won't provide a pass rush, but any help on the defensive line would be appreciated and he's projected to be available late in the first round.

At linebacker, OLB Jarvis Jones should be long gone (a likely top 10 pick) by the time the Packers are on the clock. LB Alec Ogletree may move inside in the NFL and could be of interest to the Packers, but he might be better suited as an outside linebacker in a 4-3 scheme and he had a little arrest recently.

So Monday is the day to watch and see how the mock draft rankings re-shuffle after all these top prospects record some official times, and we can re-look at who the Packers might select in April.

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