Green Bay Packers NFL Draft prototype: Defensive line

As the Green Bay Packers finally begin the week leading up to the 2015 NFL Draft in Chicago, the team remains poised to address several needs on the defensive side of the football. Over the past several weeks, I’ve gone through Ted Thompson‘s ten draft classes from 2005 to 2014, using his tendencies to determine prototypes for each position and what it could mean for the Green Bay Packers this offseason.

Most recently, I combed through the 18 offensive linemen selected by Thompson, coming to the conclusion that his prototype is a 6’4″, 310 pound lineman that played tackle in college, and determined that he has found the most success in rounds four and five. Today, we move across the line of scrimmage to examine the 16 defensive linemen that the Green Bay Packers have selected under Thompson.

This group of players will not include players like Nick Perry, who was drafted as defensive linemen but with the intent of being used as an outside linebacker in Dom Capers’ 3-4 defensive scheme. With Datone Jones poised for a breakout season at defensive end across from the high-motor Mike Daniels, B.J. Raji is also looking to return healthy and recapture his 2010 form. Letroy Guion, Josh Boyd, Khyri Thornton and Mike Pennel figure to compete for real playing time from the reserve roles, but room remains for improvement across this unit.

Defensive line — 16 selections — 1.6 selected per draft by Thompson

2005: Round 6 (180), Mike Montgomery — 6’5″, 276 pounds
2006: Round 6 (183), Johnny Jolly — 6’3″, 310 pounds
2006: Round 7 (253), Dave Tollefson — 6’4, 263 pounds
2007: Round 1 (16), Justin Harrell — 6’5″, 300 pounds
2008: Round 4 (102), Jeremy Thompson — 6’4, 262 pounds
2009: Round 1 (9), B.J. Raji — 6’2″, 335 pounds
2009: Round 6 (182), Jarius Wynn — 6’5, 273 pounds
2010: Round 2 (56), Mike Neal — 6’3″, 285 pounds
2010: Round 7 (230), C.J. Wilson — 6’3″, 295 pounds
2011: Round 6 (197), Ricky Elmore — 6’5″, 255 pounds
2011: Round 7 (233), Lawrence Guy — 6’5″, 300 pounds
2012: Round 2 (51), Jerel Worthy — 6’2″, 308 pounds
2012: Round 4 (132), Mike Daniels — 6’0″, 291 pounds
2013: Round 1 (26), Datone Jones — 6’4″, 283 pounds
2013: Round 5 (167), Josh Boyd — 6’3″, 310 pounds
2014: Round 3 (85), Khyri Thornton — 6’3, 304 pounds

Sep 4, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3, right) scrambles against Green Bay Packers defensive end Datone Jones (95) during the first quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

The Prototype:

Thompson has selected a defensive lineman in each of his drafts with the Packers, and you should expect that trend to continue. Green Bay’s general manager has admitted to studying these past drafts to critique his own strengths and weaknesses, and he should quickly notice that the defensive line has not been his strongest group of draftees.

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While several prospects such as Datone Jones, Josh Boyd and Khyri Thornton are still far too young to judge, Thompson has had little success outside of B.J. Raji, who some consider to be a disappointment himself. Many of these picks, especially higher selections like Justin Harrell, were brought about by Thompson’s “best player available” draft strategy. In terms of pure value for the draft position, Mike Daniels may be his top pick thus far.

When we look to the prototypical body, it’s important to divide these names into nose tackles and defensive ends. Along the line as a whole, however, Thomspson has consciously tried to move away from the space-eating Ryan Pickett types, and towards longer athletes such as Datone Jones (or Julius Peppers in the linebacking corps).

At defensive tackle, Thompson prefers to stay at 6’3″ or under, which is likely driven by the necessity of strong leverage on the interior. While the hulking Raji is the prototypical NFL nose tackle, smaller bodies such as Letroy Guion have enjoyed success there in this scheme. For Thompson, I believe that raw strength and leverage are the primary grading factors, but the nose tackle absolutely must be able to create backfield disruption by collapsing the pocket to some extent.

At the end positions, Thompson goes over 6’4″ regularly, but it’s important to look at this critically. Two 6’5″, 270 pound bodies can be very different from one another. Thompson is now seeking athletes like Jones, who I consider the Packers’ prototype at the position, that have the length and bend required on the edge to profile as pass rushers. The thickness and core strength in Jones’ midsection also gives him run-defense prowess, so it’s important to keep an eye out for long bodies with strong cores.

Impact on 2015 NFL Draft:

Inside linebacker remains the most critical position for Green Bay to address, while a case could also be made for a cornerback before touching the defensive line. The lack of needs on offense, however, could push a lineman higher up Green Bay’s board, perhaps in the third or fourth round. Green Bay has plenty of spots to fill on their 90-man roster, as well, so expect Ted Thompson to flood the team with 7th round selections and undrafted free agents, several of whom will be big-bodied linemen.

Let’s take a look at some mid-to-late round prospects that could fit Thompson’s prototypes:

Jan 1, 2014; Pasadena, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal defensive tackle David Parry (58) tackles Michigan State Spartans running back Jeremy Langford (33) during the second half at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Grady Jarrett, Clemson – At 6’1″, 304 pounds, most consider Jarrett to be a man without a home in a 3-4 scheme, but I see him having more versatility than that. Jarrett comes with bullish strength, and Thompson has hit with a similar prospect in Mike Daniels. With 30 reps of 225-pounds at the Combine and some of the best leverage in this class, Jarrett would be a tantalizing option. Unfortunately, he may leave the board before the Packers select in round two.

David Parry, Stanford – One of my favorite sleepers in this draft class, Parry has freakish strength (34 reps) and a top-end motor. He features a quality bull rush that can collapse the pocket, and could make for a quality rotational lineman around the fifth round.

Ray Drew, Georgia – The once-hyped five star recruit never quite met the lofty expectations, but comes with impressive length at 6’5″, 282 pounds. He looked much stronger in 3-4 fronts as a defensive end, and could make for a high-ceiling project in the sixth or seventh rounds.

Xavier Williams, Northern Iowa – The former wrestler has fantastic strength and leverage on the inside, fitting Thompson’s prototype at 6’2″, 309 pounds. He needs to create more backfield disruption to make it in the NFL, but as a lottery ticket at the end of the draft, the productive Williams is worth a shot for his scheme fit.

B.J. Dubose, Louisville – Dubose comes with a nice body for the end position at 6’4″, 283 pounds, and could profile as a run-defense specialist as a late-round project. His leverage needs work, but Dubose has excellent hand use and can out-muscle blockers as a 3-4 end.

Joey Mbu, Houston – Mbu is a high-character team captain out of Houston with a quality frame and 35″ arms. He gets by on effort alone when trying to collapse pockets, but could surprise at the next level if his technique is coached up. Mbu should be a seventh round pick or priority free agent.

You’ll notice that I leaned more towards late-round prospects here, and that’s where I see Thompson’s value being. With a quality group of reserve players, especially the unknown factor that Thornton brings, defensive line can wait for Green Bay unless a can’t-miss prospect falls to their second or third pick.

The Packers’ use of a 3-4 scheme can give them an advantage with certain late prospects, as their value will be higher to Green Bay than it would be to a 4-3 team. Keep in mind that B.J. Raji is only back on a one-year contract, so the Packers could take a swing at finding his long-term replacement should he leave in 2016.

Next: Green Bay Packers offensive line prototype

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