Green Bay Packers: 5 Surprise first-round picks in play for 2020 NFL Draft
By Joe Kipp
1. Justin Madubuike, DL, Texas A&M
The Packers were one of the worst teams at stopping the run in 2019. In fact, during the regular season, Green Bay gave up a whopping 4.7 yards per carry. Against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game, they were gashed by running back Raheem Mostert for 220 yards and four touchdowns. The need for help along the interior defensive line is clear.
Enter Texas A&M defensive tackle Justin Madubuike. He’s one of the better run-stuffers in the 2020 NFL Draft and would provide the Packers with serviceable depth on the interior. During his three years as a starter at A&M, Madubuike recorded run defense grades of 80.0, 90.2 and 87.7, respectively, per PFF. He produced 11 sacks, 24.5 tackles for loss, and five forced fumbles over his college career.
At the NFL Combine, Madubuike (6-3, 293 pounds) showed elite athleticism for the defensive tackle position. He finished with a 40-yard dash of 4.83 seconds, a 3-cone drill of 7.37 seconds and performed 31 reps in the bench press. He has the size, speed and strength to be an every-down defensive tackle in the NFL.
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At the very least, Madubuike would be a solid backup plan if the Packers are unable to come to an agreement with star defensive tackle Kenny Clark on a contract extension. Clark’s contract expires at the end of the 2020 season.