Cornerback is probably the biggest need for the Green Bay Packers after both Tramon Williams and Davon House left the team in free agency. But cornerback may not be the top target for general manager Ted Thompson in the first-round of the NFL Draft. Instead, the Packers may be looking for an inside linebacker. Getting a Day 1 starter at the position would allow Clay Matthews to return to his preferred position at outside linebacker.
But are there any ILBs worth taking with the No. 30 overall pick? ESPN NFL Draft Insider Todd McShay seems to think so as he projects Green Bay to take UCLA's Eric Kendricks in his Mock Draft 4.0.
"The Packers could look at a cornerback here, after losing Tramon Williams and Davon House in free agency, or at a defensive lineman, but their biggest need is at inside linebacker, and Kendricks is the highest-ranked ILB on our board," McShay wrote. "He is the best cover linebacker in this draft, and while he doesn't have ideal size or strength for the position, he holds up well against the run in large part due to his playmaking instincts."
Kendricks stands 6-feet tall and weighs in at 232 pounds which is indeed a bit undersized. But the Packers ranked 23rd against the run last year (119.9 yards allowed per game) while also surrendering 26 touchdown passes. Kendricks would hopefully improve both areas.
While moving Matthews to inside linebacker had a far more significant impact on the defense than initially expected last year, it did limit his ability to get after opposing quarterbacks. Drafting Kendricks would likely allow Matthews to move back outside and focus more on the pass-rush, where Green Bay finished tied for ninth.
