Tag Archives: Linebacker

Packers Prospects for the 2024 NFL Draft: Defense

Welcome back to part two of our look ahead at the Packers 2024 NFL draft. If you missed the first part of this series looking at the offensive players, check it out here! Today, it’s time to look at the players on defense the Packers may look at in the 2024 NFL draft.

This list will include players eligible for the 2024 NFL draft that fit those typical Packers thresholds. With this season being such a mystery, the list will be longer than usual; although, like my previous part, I will not be including players like Jared Verse or Kool-Aid McKinstry, because I don’t see any possibility of Green Bay drafting them. The players are also in no particular order.

Defensive line:

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With the four defensive linemen the Packers have drafted recently, I don’t think they draft one early, but you never know.

  • Ruke Orhorhoro – Clemson
  • Keith Randolph Jr. – Illinois
  • Tyleik Williams – Ohio State
  • Leonard Taylor – Miami
  • DeWayne Carter – Duke
  • Brandon Dorlus – Oregon
  • Darrell Jackson Jr. – FSU
  • Kris Jenkins – Michigan
  • Ty Hamilton – Ohio State
  • Maason Smith – LSU
  • J.J. Pegues – Ole Miss
  • Justin Eboigbe – Alabama
  • Alfred Collins – Texas
  • Jordan Kelley – Oklahoma
  • Patrick Jenkins – Tulane
  • John Tuitupou – Hawaii

Edge Rusher:

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This is another position that the Packers have invested in heavily recently. I don’t see them drafting one early, but they might take one later for depth.

  • J.T. Tuimoloau – Ohio State
  • Laiatu Latu – UCLA
  • Bralen Trice – Washington
  • Jack Sawyer – Ohio State
  • Trajan Jeffcoat – Arkansas
  • Rondell Bothroyd – Oklahoma
  • Jordan Burch – Oregon
  • Zion Tupuola-Fetui – Washington
  • Deontae Craig – Iowa
  • Cedric Johnson – Ole Miss
  • Isaac Ukwu – Ole Miss
  • RJ Oben – Duke
  • Ashton Gillotte – Louisville
  • Dayon Hayes – Pittsburgh
  • Jack Sullivan – USC
  • Van Fillinger – Utah
  • Abi Nwabuoku-Okonj – James Madison

Linebackers:

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Another position they have somewhat invested in lately. De’Vondre Campbell has a $14 million dollar cap hit in 2024 and he will be 31. They may still keep him, but I could see them moving on in 2025, which means they may be looking for his eventual successor.

  • Tommy Eichenberg – Ohio State
  • Curtis Jacobs – Penn State
  • Jestin Jacobs – Oregon
  • Junior Colson – Michigan
  • Jamon Dumas-Johnson – Geogia
  • Jackson Sirmon – Cal
  • Edefuan Ulofoshio – Washington
  • Geoff Cantin-Arku – Memphis
  • Travion Brown – ASU
  • Dallas Gant – Toledo
  • Marlowe Wax Jr. – Syracuse
  • Steele Chambers – Ohio State
  • Ben Bywater – BYU
  • Jamoi Hodge – TCU
  • Jack Kiser – Notre Dame
  • Nikhai Hill-Green – Charlotte
  • Easton Gibbs – Wyoming

Cornerbacks:

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This group could be interesting, depending on what happens with Eric Stokes and Rasul Douglas. Can Stokes get healthy and back to the way he played as a rookie? Do the Packers keep Douglas and his $11 million cap hit at 30 years old? Do they extend Keisean Nixon?

  • Fentrell Cypress II – Florida State
  • Shyheim Battle – NC State
  • T.J. Tampa – Iowa State
  • Cam Hart – Notre Dame
  • Duce Chestnut – LSU
  • Jahdae Barron – Texas
  • DJ James – Auburn
  • Jason Marshall Jr. – Florida
  • Denzel Burke – Ohio State
  • Trey Amos – Alabama
  • Deantre Prince – Ole Miss
  • AJ Woods – Pittsburgh
  • Max Melton – Rutgers
  • Decamerion Richardson – Mississippi State
  • Devin Kirkwood – UCLA
  • Alex Hogan – Houston
  • Quinyon Mitchell – Toledo
  • Marcus Banks – Mississippi State
  • Nicktroy Fortune – UTSA
  • Christian Roland-Wallace – USC
  • Storm Duck – Louisville
  • Noah Avinger – SDSU
  • Jakorey Hawkins – Wyoming
  • Micah Abraham – Marshall
  • Daquan Evans – USF

Safeties:

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This is obviously a major position of need. The only safety under contract for 2024 is Anthony Johnson Jr. and he was just a 7th round pick. While he looks like he has some potential upside, they still need to fill out the rest of the group — and will probably be replacing Darnell Savage. They will need at least one starter, if not two.

  • Kamren Kinchens – Miami
  • Andrew Mukuba – Clemson
  • Calen Bullock – USC
  • LaMiles Brooks – Georgia Tech
  • Rod Moore – Michigan
  • Tyler Nubin – Minnisota
  • Caelen Carson – Wake Forest
  • Patrick McMorris – Cal
  • Beau Brade – Maryland
  • MJ Griffin – Louisville
  • Kitan Oladapo – Oregon State
  • Seyi Oladipo – Boise State
  • Bud Clark – TCU
  • Dez Malone – San Diego State
  • Morice Norris – Fresno State
  • R.J. Mickens – Clemson
  • Cooper DeJean – Iowa
  • Kenny Logan – Kansas
  • DeShawn Gaddie Jr. – Ole Miss
  • Evan Williams – Oregon
  • Tra Fluellen – Middle Tennessee State
  • Jack Howell – Colorado State
  • Ayden Hector – Colorado State

As always, you can always view my database if you want a deeper dive on these and other NFL draft prospects.

2022 NFL Draft Linebacker rankings 1.0

This is the first 2022 NFL Draft linebacker rankings for ATB Network. The 2022 linebacker group looks to be weaker at the top versus last year’s class with Parsons, Collins and Davis all going in the top 20. We may only see one linebacker go in the first this draft. The depth, though, isn’t too bad.

You can see the previous part here: https://atbnetwork.com/2021/11/22/2022-nfl-draft-edge-rankings-1-0/

1. Devin Lloyd – Utah

2022 nfl draft linebacker rankings
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Lloyd is probably the only LB in the class with a shot at going in the first round. He has everything you look for in a linebacker in the modern NFL. He has an ideal size at 6’3 235. Long, explosive, and athletic with great range. He has shown he can impact the game in all phases, stuffing the run, in coverage, and as a blitzer. Also an ideal sideline to sideline player.

He shows fluidity in coverage and shows good awareness in zone and man. Lloyd can be fooled occasionally with misdirection. He can also play overaggressive at times and overrun things.

2. Nakobe Dean – Georgia

2022 nfl draft linebacker rankings
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Dean has shown he can also affect the game in different ways. He can cover and he can blitz. He is undersized but very athletic. Dean shows an ability to read run plays and flow to the ball. Dean can get a little overaggressive on run plays. He also can struggle at the point of attack due to his size. Dean could stand to add mass and strength to his frame. He plays best when he is kept clean. Might fit best as a WLB in a 4-3.

3. Terrel Bernard – Baylor

2022 nfl draft linebacker rankings
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Bernard shows great instincts on film. He also brings good overall athleticism to the field. For being a bit undersized he is a good tackler and is a willing hitter. With him having a smaller frame his body might be maxed out around 225ish. This means he might have to play WLB in a 4-3. Lots of special teams’ experience should boost his value. A couple of injuries in his history that need to be checked on.

4. Micah McFadden – Indiana

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McFadden has shown improvement every season, with still room for growth. He has upside due to his highly athletic profile and physical nature. While he wasn’t asked to drop in coverage very often he has shown the athleticism and instincts to be good at it with more experience. He is a good blitzer. He also plays well against the run, although he occasionally will overrun plays. Motor runs 110%

5. Henry To’o To’o – Alabama

2022 nfl draft linebacker rankings
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To’o To’o a transfer from Tennessee has raised his stock this season. While he is a bit undersized at 6’2 228 and looking like his frame is pretty filled out with average length. Overall he is an average athlete, although his explosiveness does stand out. He is at his best playing physical. His instincts while not elite are very good. He also shows some stiffness when asked to change direction. To’o To’o offers very little as a blitzer. He doesn’t show much in the way of ball skills.

6. Leo Chenal – Wisconsin

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Chenal is a huge man who plays a very physical game. He takes on all blockers and does not shy away from contact. He is a heady player that handles communications well. On film, he does not look like he offers versatility in coverage. He may not be able to play on 3rd downs at the next level. He can blitz through and blow through blockers.

7. Christian Harris – Alabama

2022 nfl draft linebacker rankings
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Harris is almost like the opposite of his partner To’o To’o. Harris is an athletic freak, but he struggles some with the mental aspect of the game. He has not shown improvement in coverage. He is explosive as a blitzer. Harris plays physically, and it shows in when he arrives at the ball. Any sort of misdirection gets him caught up.

8. Jack Campbell – Iowa

2022 nfl draft linebacker rankings
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Campbell is a good athlete that shows some good explosion. He is surprisingly good in coverage for a college linebacker, even covering some players out of the slot. His speed and agility of film look to be just average. He is tall with great length that he uses in coverage. Campbell does play too tall which causes him problems with getting off blocks. Plays finesse, you would like to see him play more physical.

9. Amari Gainer – FSU

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Gainer’s calling card is his versatility. He has been asked to do numerous things in the Florida State defense. He can cover slot receivers, stack, and shed blockers, play in the box, etc…Gainer has defensive back athleticism in a linebacker body. He shows a great burst and explosion when attacking a ball carrier.

Having been asked to play all over is also a weakness in that he hasn’t been able to develop his skills. While he plays hard he still lacks some physicality. Also tends to get too high.

10. Chad Muma – Wyoming

2022 nfl draft linebacker rankings
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Muma is another in a long line of 3 down linebackers in this draft. He can cover, rush the passer and play the run. He is explosive and agile. Muma shows great instincts against the run. He is a very good tackler who will lay the wood on occasion. Also, Muma has special teams experience which can only help his prospects.

His straight-line speed and range are only average. While he has decent cover skills they could be a lot better. He also has an injury history that should be checked on.