Packers plug offensive line holes in 7-round 2021 NFL mock draft

Linebacker has been a problem area for the Green Bay Packers for some time. They elected to move on from Blake Martinez last offseason because, though he had the ability to put up some incredible tackle numbers, he was clearly not stopping the run in the manner that they needed. However, there is a question of if that was Martinez and other linebackers or now-departed Mike Pettine.

Infamously, Pettine’s defenses have been downright bad against the run by design. There is no question that stopping the pass is more important than honing in on the run — but that doesn’t mean you can all but negate addressing the run as well. That has been evident. All that said, though, the Pack still needs some help in the middle.

After transferring to LSU from North Dakota State, Jabril Cox is clearly not the same athlete that he looked to be at the FCS level but he’s still a good, quality player. He undoubtedly needs to be more physical in defending the run but, as Green Bay tries to find roles, he’s one of the best coverage linebackers in the class.

With some proper coaching in the NFL, Cox has the requisite tools to be a starting linebacker sooner rather than later and a high-level one as well. Green Bay has been lacking that type of player and, joining value pieces like Kamal Martin and Krys Barnes, they could finally sort out the middle of the defense.