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Green Bay Packers find true ‘Packer person’ in Jake Ryan

By Keegan Matheson

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The Green Bay Packers have finally selected an inside linebacker in the 2015 NFL Draft, finding Michigan standout Jake Ryan in round four. After missing the 2013 season with a torn ACL, Ryan moved from the outside to the inside in 2014 and dominated with a punishing, downhill tackling style. In this entire draft class, you’d be hard-pressed to find a harder worker than Jake Ryan.

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Standing at 6’2″, 240 pounds, the Michigan team captain ran an impressive 4.65-second 40-yard dash to go along with 20 reps on the bench press. After recording 112 tackles in 2014, 14.0 of which went for a loss, Ryan was nominated for the Lombardi Award which is given annually to the top linebacker in college football. Scouts note that Ryan is an absolute film fanatic and he will fit the ideology of a “Packer person” perfectly. Michigan was Ryan’s only FBS offer out of High School, and he’s entirely self made.

Ryan remained available until the fourth round because these incredible intangibles helped to elevate him to a level that does not match his physical talents. While his straight line speed will not be an issue at the NFL level, he’ll need to prove that he is able to change directions quickly enough to remain involved in plays and track tight ends in man coverage. Ryan can also get stuck on blocks near the line of scrimmage due to limited length, but again, his game is raised by unmatched effort.

This old-school linebacker will compete from day one for the Packers’ vacant inside linebacker position alongside Sam Barrington. Carl Bradford, a fourth round selection just last season, will be given an equal opportunity at the job along with any further picks or undrafted free agents. I hesitate to say that he’ll walk into a starting role in his rookie season, but his game will thrive in competition.

Ryan may not be the last inside linebacker added by Green Bay before the weekend is up, and without an elite option at the position, this depth of options will prove valuable. Both Brad Jones and A.J. Hawk began 2014 as the interior starters, but finished the season on the sidelines as Barrington and Clay Matthews took the reigns.

The hope is that Clay Matthews will be able to kick back outside where he can bookend with Julius Peppers and get after opposing quarterbacks. Don’t discount Jake Ryan as an outside option, either, where he began his Michigan career. Much like the situation unfolding between safety and cornerback with the selections of Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins, a flooding of young talent into the linebacking corps could allow for Dom Capers to exercise some creativity. Ryan could also contribute heavily on special teams this coming season

After passing on Eric Kendricks in round one and Paul Dawson in round two, it appears that Ted Thompson may have ranked Jake Ryan higher than most entering the draft. Few will rival the preparation and instincts of Ryan, which Thompson places huge value on, but he must become more consistent in man coverage and block shedding before entering any conversation for the starting job. If his college career is any indication: don’t bet against Jake Ryan.

Next: Packers must be trusted with Ty Montgomery pick

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