Three linebackers Packers should consider in first round

Three linebackers Packers should consider in first round
Not many people know about Jerry Hughes, but he could wind upbeing a great linebacker in the Packers' 3-4 scheme.(Alliance Studio / Tom Marvin)
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Rookie Brad Jones was one of the many pleasant surprises on the Packers defense last season, but the team will need to address the outside linebacker position this offseason after Aaron Kampman left via free agency.
Jeremy Thompson s injury concerns make him a risky play next season and Brady Poppinga has failed to transform into the 3-4 outside linebacker the Packers were hoping he would be. Jones performed admirably in place of Kampman and easily outplayed his seventh round draft position, but he isn t the answer for the future.
2010 s outside linebacker class features three first round talents who could be available when the Packers go on the clock in the first round. Here s a breakdown of the three linebackers and why the Packers could improve their defense by selecting one of them.
Brandon Graham, 6-foot-2, 270 pounds
Graham isn t the freak athlete whose numbers will jump off the page, but his relentless attack of the passer and hard work ethic makes him one of the most desirable pass rushers in the class. His 40 yard dash was slow at 4.71 and some wonder whether or not he has the speed to rush from a two-point stance,Women's Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jerseys, but his technique is good enough for him to succeed at the next level.
He is a smart player who lets the game come to him, not making many mistakes and playing until the whistle. Against the run, Graham holds his position well and does not over-pursue from the weak side, rather staying at home and being at the right place at the right time.
The one question with Graham is the same one Kampman had: will he be able to play against the pass? He is able to hide his lack of athleticism when he rushes because of his bulk and high-end motor, but dropping back against the pass is a different story.
Because he played defensive end at Michigan, he rarely dropped back in coverage. The Jets failed on trying to switch Vernon Gholston from defensive end to outside linebacker, so it would be risky for the Packers to take Graham. At the same time, the upside is there with Graham as an outside linebacker.
He is expected to be taken in the first half of the first round, his average athleticism and lack of a true position could cause his stock to fall.
Sergio Kindle, 6-foot-2, 250 pounds
Kindle played defensive end in college but, at just 250 pounds, projects as an outside linebacker in the pros. He has experience rushing from a two-point stance during his time in Texas defensive scheme, so he has that going for him as 3-4 outside linebacker prospect.
Of the three first round prospects, Kindle has the most all-around talent and has no true liabilities in his game. He plays well against the run, uses a combination of speed and strength to get to the quarterback, and can cover against the pass as well.
If there was one knock on Kindle s game, it would be that he lacks the strength to compete at the line of scrimmage against the run. His technique while taking on blockers will need to improve against bigger tackles in the , but as a whole he gets the job done.
Character concerns have come up with Kindle as he was suspended for three games in 2007 after a DWI arrest and also fled the scene of a crash in June of 2009. Despite his mishaps, he is active in Texas community service program, visits patients at the Austin Children s Hospital, and seems to have righted his wrongs of the past.
As it is for Graham, Kindle s tweener label could cause him to drop in the draft, but the skills are there and he could be a great fit across from Clay Matthews.
Jerry Hughes, 6-foot-1, 255 pounds
Hughes has flown under the radar for the majority of the offseason, but he could end up being the best of the three linebackers. Last season Hughes led all of college football with 15 sacks, using a fantastic burst and quickness to get to the quarterback as a defensive end.
Hughes separates himself from the other two linebackers by his quick pass rushing ability. He doesn t play against the run as well and does not project to cover as well as a player like Kindle, but his pass rushing ability would make him a fierce bookend in the Packers 3-4 defense.
Despite being an excellent athlete, Hughes technique has been questioned and many wonder if he will make the transition to outside linebacker at the next level. At 255 pounds, most teams see him as an outside linebacker.
He has good strength and uses his long arms to gain separation when pass rushing, and his game speed is better than his 40-time (4.71) would suggest. He is the rawest of the three linebackers and will need to play smarter and learn to play under control, but the talent is there for Hughes to be a special player.