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Green Bay Packers: Ted Thompson and Linebackers

By Keegan Matheson

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With the 2015 NFL Draft mere days away, Green Bay Packers chatter is building around their foremost position of need: inside linebacker. The departure of Brad Jones and A.J. Hawk has left a hole alongside Sam Barrington in the 3-4 scheme run by Dom Capers, and with Carl Bradford the only rostered player in the conversation, Ted Thompson will look to the draft.

Over the past several weeks, I’ve been analyzing Ted Thompson’s ten draft classes from 2005 to 2014, using his past picks to help determine the Green Bay Packers’ prototype at each position. Most recently, defensive linemen went under the microscope, and I determined that Thompson values a strong leverage man on the inside with the ability to push the pocket, preferably, under 6’3″, and has begun to target longer athletes with thick cores from the end position.

The linebacking corps will see a similar theme, as two very different athletes will be needed at inside and outside linebacker. The inside position calls for a more instinctual and heady prospect with abilities in passing situations, while the outside, as you can see from Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers, calls for an athletic specimen that can turn the corner and get after quarterbacks.

To begin, let’s first look back at the 12 linebackers selected by Ted Thompson:

  • 2005:  Round 4 (125), Brady Poppinga  —  6’3″, 259 pounds
  • 2006:  Round 1 (5), A.J. Hawk  —  6’1″, 245 pounds
  • 2006:  Round 3 (67), Abdul Hodge  —  6’0, 235 pounds
  • 2007:  Round 6 (194), Desmond Bishop  —  6’2″, 241 pounds
  • 2009:  Round 1 (26), Clay Matthews  —  6’3″, 255 pounds
  • 2009:  Round 7 (218), Brad Jones  —  6’3″, 230 pounds
  • 2011:  Round 6 (186), D.J. Smith  —  5’11”, 239 pounds
  • 2012:  Round 1 (26), Nick Perry  —  6’3″, 271 pounds
  • 2012:  Round 5 (163), Terrell Manning  —  6’2″, 237 pounds
  • 2013:  Round 6 (193), Nate Palmer  —  6’2″, 248 pounds
  • 2013:  Round 7 (232), Sam Barrington  —  6’1″, 246 pounds
  • 2014:  Round 4 (121), Carl Bradford  —  6’1″, 250 pounds

Oct 26, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Green Bay Packers inside linebacker A.J. Hawk (50) against the New Orleans Saints during the second quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The Prototype:

In terms of the outside linebacker position, which should only be addressed in the middle rounds or later, it’s important to focus in narrowly on Clay Matthews and Nick Perry. Both bring huge athleticism to the table with power and speed from the edge, and although Nick Perry has a long way to go, he does represent the prototype. Much like Datone Jones at defensive end, this is a long athlete with a thick and powerful core.

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On the inside, we can see a physical trend developing all the way back to A.J. Hawk in 2006. Despite his many naysayers, Hawk led an extremely productive career in Green Bay, and given that Thompson seemed to value him higher than the general opinion would have suggested he should, I still see Hawk as the prototype.

The majority of inside linebackers selected by Thompson sit in the 6’1″-6’2″ range, weighing within 10 pounds of 245. This continued in 2013 with current starter Sam Barrington, and again in 2014 with Carl Bradford, who I profiled as a dark horse candidate earlier this offseason. Ted Thompson has dipped as low as 5’11” with D.J. Smith, however, and I firmly believe that he value’s instincts over inches.

Impact on 2015 NFL Draft:

Ted Thompson’s love for targeting the “best player available” may sway the Packers from inside linebacker in round one, but I cannot envision Green Bay leaving the second round without a new partner for Barrington. The top-5 group of inside linebackers will be ranked five different ways by five different teams, but there remains a real possibility that all options will remain on the board when pick number 30 rolls around. Let’s take a look at some potential targets:

Oct 12, 2013; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins linebacker Eric Kendricks (6) tackles California Golden Bears running back Brendan Bigelow (5) after a short gain in the second quarter Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Eric Kendricks:  The 6’0″, 232 pound Kendricks was a tackling machine at UCLA, and would give the Packers fantastic instincts on the inside. His main draw to Green Bay would be his abilities in coverage, but he’s no slouch against the run. This is a high-character pick that fits the Packers’ philosophy, and could go as early as number 30.

Paul Dawson:  The TCU star recorded 136 tackles in 2014, including 20 for losses. Dawson also excels in pass coverage and has owned the 2nd level throughout his career with plus instincts. After an ugly Scouting Combine, however, some character issues have arisen that may send him deep into the second round or further. It would be out of character for the Packers, but his tape may be just enough to tempt them.

Stephone Anthony:  Anthony comes with many of the skills that Green Bay covets on the outside, but in the form of an inside linebacker. With a 4.56-second 40-yard dash time from a 6’3″, 246 pound frame, Anthony is a downhill playmaker. Although round one may be a bit early for him, Green Bay’s pick in round two may be too late.

Denzel Perryman:  The tree stump from Miami is one of my favorite prospects in this class, and was the heart of the Hurricanes defense in 2014. His height is an issue at 5’11”, which leads to issues in coverage, but Perryman can dominate as a seek-and-destroy tackler on early downs. This isn’t the best scheme fit of the group, but Perryman could be available in round two.

Alani Fua:  Let’s give the outside linebacker position some love with BYU’s Fua, who measure in at 6’5″ and 238 pounds. Fua ran a 4.73-second 40-yard dash and has flashed potential rushing the passer and dropping into coverage. As a project in the 5th round or later, his body fits Thompson’s prototype.

Deiontrez Mount:  Louisville’s Mount represents a late-round flier that Ted Thompson may choose to take on a physical project at outside linebacker. Mount recorded five sacks in 2014 and impressed with a 4.62-second 40-yard dash, but many scouts question whether he can consistently rush the passer as a standup outside linebacker. At 6’5″, 243 pounds, it’s worth a shot.

Zach Vigil:  Utah State’s Vigil is my sleeper at the inside linebacker position, recording 9.0 sacks and 20.5 tackles for losses in 2014. Vigil is an instinctual leader that should be a valuable backup and special teams contributor at his worst, but in the sixth or seventh round, he’s worth a look for his potential to be more. While he can get lost at the line of scrimmage, he fits the prototype at 6’2″, 240 pounds, and was a huge producer in college.

Next: Green Bay Packers: The case for Eric Kendricks

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