NFL Combine: Three inside linebacker prospects the Packers should keep an eye on
There's no other way around it: The Green Bay Packers struck gold in 2021 when it signed De'Vondre Campbell. The former Atlanta Falcon was expected to come in and compete for a starting job. But, lo and behold, he eventually earned first-team All-Pro honors after producing the best season of his career. Campbell cost an […]
There's no other way around it: The Green Bay Packers struck gold in 2021 when it signed De'Vondre Campbell.
The former Atlanta Falcon was expected to come in and compete for a starting job. But, lo and behold, he eventually earned first-team All-Pro honors after producing the best season of his career.
Campbell cost an infinitesimal $2 million in 2021. I don't know about you, but I would think he's in line for a big payday, which is not what the cap-strapped Packers want to hear.
Potentially losing the sixth-year linebacker would be a tough blow to the defense. Not only did Campbell play at an All-Pro level, but he's a three-down linebacker, which is a very convenient trait to possess.
The good news is that Green Bay's other starting inside linebacker, Krys Barnes, is an exclusive rights free agent, meaning he's basically a lock to come back (if GB wants him back, of course). However, he isn't a three-down 'backer like Campbell. This is evidenced by the juxtaposition between Barnes' 48.4% defensive snap share and Campbell's 91.6% share. And, of course, the tape.
Unlike Barnes, Campbell is far from a lock to return, which will likely leave the Packers searching for someone to take his place in this year's draft. The Packers say they want Campbell back, but that's more lip service, than anything. Of course they want Campbell back. The question is: can they afford him?
So, which linebackers should Green Bay keep an eye on during the combine?
*Please note this exercise only lists healthy players who have been invited to the combine
Chad Muma, Wyoming Cowboys
Pre-combine target range: Round 3
Muma is a prospect that really fits what defensive coordinator Joe Barry is looking for when it comes to the second level of his defense. He's actually a converted safety, so he is better in coverage than most prospects. But, he's also effective in run defense and can get after the quarterback. Muma was one tackle shy of leading all FBS schools in 2021 (142) and racked up 5.5 sacks over the last three years of his career.
The four-year player been described as "wickedly smart" by his coaches and his instincts are off the charts. Right now, he's projected mostly to be a third-round pick, but that could quickly change if he tests well at the combine.
Muma has all the qualities and traits to eventually evolve into a three-down linebacker for the Packers and it's likely he makes a strong impact in Year One, no matter where he lands.
Brandon Smith, Penn State
Pre-combine target range: Round 4-5
Smith will be a work in progress, but the hope with drafting him in 2022 is that he can spell Barnes (if he returns) on passing downs. The kid is athletic as hell and can fly, but his fundamentals and processing need work.
Smith's speed and athleticism may be enticing enough for defensive coordinator Joe Barry to try and talk his superiors into taking Smith. I mean, Micah Parsons even said Smith is more athletic than he is. And above all else, Barry values athleticism when it comes to his second-level defenders.
“What it’s (the NFL game) evolved to is speed, quickness, athleticism,” Barry said on a podcast called Rams Revealed before the start of the 2020 season. "You have to be able to have those traits to play linebacker in the National Football League, especially if you’re going to be an every-down linebacker. If you’re going to play on first, second, third down and not come off the field, you have to be able to run, bottom line.”
The former Nittany Lion will be a test of patience and will be a reflection of Barry and his staff's ability to develop players early on, but he could certainly be the next big thing if things break the right way.
Nakobe Dean, Georgia Bulldogs
Pre-combine target range: Round 1-2
Right now, a lot of mock drafts have Dean falling to the mid-to-late 20's in Round 1. Some projections have him as far down as the second round. I doubt that will hold up once he works out at the combine. But for now, I'll take it.
If he does last until pick No. 40 and if the Packers fail to bring back Campbell, then Dean could easily come in and be a Day 1 starter for this defense. His sideline-to-sideline speed, coverage range, and abilities as a pass rusher make him that three-down presence a la Campbell and his effort and toughness is already at an NFL level.
There are questions surrounding his size, but that's not a dealbreaker by any means. Lavonte David was considered undersized coming out of Nebraska and he's been one of the league's best off-ball 'backers over the last decade.
Featured image via-Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
