Mock Draft Survey Has Packers Taking Miami LB Denzel Perryman in Round One

The top three vote-getters in our sixth annual survey all play the inside linebacker position with Perryman edging out Bernardrick McKinney and Eric Kendricks.

Miami linebacker Denzel Perryman—Sam Sharpe, USA TODAY Sports.

Miami linebacker Denzel Perryman—Sam Sharpe, USA TODAY Sports.

In Cheesehead TV's sixth annual pre-NFL Combine survey of internet mock drafts, Miami linebacker Denzel Perryman appeared more often than any other player as being selected by the Green Bay Packers with the 30th pick in the first round, being listed in 19 of 113 such projections.

Perryman was first-team All-ACC and third-team All-American selection as an inside linebacker on the Hurricanes defense, making 110 tackles, 9.5 for a loss, two sacks, three forced fumbles, one interception and five passes broken up as a senior.

Known for his hard hits, Perryman is reminiscent of another former Miami linebacker, Jonathan Vilma, although some would argue a "poor man's version" tag might apply. Measuring in just under 5-11 at the Senior Bowl, Perryman doesn't have prototypical height, but he is thickly built with 244 lbs. on his frame.

Over the course of his college career, Perryman started 37 of 47 total games, including 26 straight to close out his career, starting every game his junior and senior campaigns.

At CBS Sports' NFLDraftScout.com, Perryman is compared to longtime NFL veteran London Flectcher, a player that never missed a game due to injury in his 16-year career.

Typical of mock drafts, the results primarily have to do with the biggest perceived need on the team's roster and that would again appear to be the case in 2015. A.J. Hawk and Brad Jones are likely to be released, part due to ineffectiveness and part to clear space on the team's salary cap. Clay Matthews, meanwhile, would seem to best fit as a movable chess piece rather than a full-time inside linebacker.

The top three vote-getters all play the same position with Perryman barely edging out Mississippi State's Bernardrick McKinney, whose name appeared 18 times. UCLA's Eric Kendricks finished third, appearing 12 times.

Minnesota tight end Maxx Williams was the top non-inside linebacker, appearing in 10 mock drafts.

Nearly an exercise in futility, not only has our annual mock draft survey never correctly predicted the Packers' first round draft pick, the player being named most often in each of the previous two years hasn't even been drafted in the first two rounds.

In 2014, our survey indicated the Packers would select Notre Dame nose tackle Louis Nix, who was selected in the third round by the Houston Texans. In 2013, the survey came up with Alabama center Barrett Jones, who didn't come off the board until the fourth round to the St. Louis Rams.

Safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix's name appeared fifth-most last year.

To be fair, the lower the Packers pick, the more disparity there is among selections, and understandably so. If the Packers had a Top 10 pick in the draft, there would be far fewer names appearing as a possibility.

Results were tallied from 113 mock drafts with a large majority listed in a database at WalterFootball.com. A few more notable ones not listed in the database were included, such as a few at NFL.com. A range of opinions were included from well-known analysts such as Mel Kiper, Charles Davis, Daniel Jeremiah, Rob Rang and Dane Brugler to amateur fan bloggers. Those that included errors were excluded.

Results of the Survey

  1. Miami inside linebacker Denzel Perryman (19)
  2. Mississippi State inside linebacker Bernardrick McKinney (18)
  3. UCLA inside linebacker Eric Kendricks (12)
  4. Minnesota tight end Maxx Williams (10)
  5. Oklahoma defensive lineman Jordan Phillips (6)
  6. Florida State defensive lineman Eddie Goldman (5)
  7. Florida State defensive lineman Mario Edwards, Florida State cornerback P.J. Williams (4)
  8. Oregon defensive lineman Arik Armstead, Texas defensive lineman Malcom Brown (3)
  9. Washington outside linebacker Hau'oli Kikaha, Virginia ourside linebacker Eli Harold, Washington linebacker Shaq Thompson, Michigan wide receiver Devin Funchess, TCU inside linebacker Paul Dawson, Iowa defensive lineman Carl Davis, Miami (Oh.) cornerback Quentin Rollins (2)
  10. Washington cornerback Marcus Peters, Wake Forest cornerback Kevin Johnson, Utah defensive end Nate Orchard, Ohio State wide receiver Devin Smith, Pittsburgh tackle T.J. Clemmings, UCLA defensive end Owamagbe Odighizuwa, Kentucky outside linebacker Alvin "Bud" Dupree, Ohio State defensive lineman Michael Bennett, Colorado State tackle Ty Sambrailo, Oklahoma wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham, UCLA defensive lineman Ellis McCarthy, LSU defensive lineman Danielle Hunter, Floria outside linebacker Dante Fowler, Clemson inside linebacker Stephone Anthony, LSU cornerback Jalen Collins (1)

Previous Mock Draft Survey Leaders

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Comments (47)

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lmills's picture

February 12, 2015 at 10:52 am

I'd be fine with Kendricks or Perryman in the first round. I think DT would be another reasonable guess for our first pick, but there's such a dropoff at ILB after the first 4 or so that we wouldn't have another shot at a good one in the second round. I hope one of them is still there at 30 and TT takes him. Value meets need. Just like last year.

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Evan's picture

February 12, 2015 at 11:37 am

I think I'm starting to like Shaq Thompson a lot. I really like his versatility - safety, OLB, ILB, special team - and his size/speed. From what I've read, he can tackle and cover.

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RCPackerFan's picture

February 12, 2015 at 12:48 pm

I like Thompson a lot as well... I also like Beasley a lot as well... Problem with both players is they likely will be long gone by 30.

Currently on CBS Beasley is rated 15th and Thompson is 18th. Not that that is the end all be all, but that kind of shows that they likely will be gone before they pick.

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TKWorldWide's picture

February 12, 2015 at 09:57 pm

So you want Thompson to draft Thompson.
I see what you did there.

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Evan's picture

February 12, 2015 at 11:15 am

dp

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HankScorpio's picture

February 12, 2015 at 01:08 pm

I like that the top 3 guesses are ILB. It's the only hole on the roster, IMO.

Just don't reach for ILB. A guy that can play will help no matter the position he plays. A guy that can't play won't help anyways.

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MarkinMadison's picture

February 12, 2015 at 01:12 pm

I'd expect them to take at least two at the position, plus a UDFA. If they are really going to cut Hawk and Jones, the depth will be too thin not to do so. They need to create competition, and hope that they have at least one guy rise to the top. This kind of reminds me of the RB position two years ago.

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FITZCORE1252's picture

February 12, 2015 at 02:50 pm

I would be good with them taking two like '06 with Hawk and Hodge. Hopefully with more impactful results this time around though.

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MarkinMadison's picture

February 12, 2015 at 01:13 pm

I'd expect them to take at least two at the position, plus a UDFA. If they are really going to cut Hawk and Jones, the depth will be too thin not to do so. They need to create competition, and hope that they have at least one guy rise to the top. This kind of reminds me of the RB position two years ago.

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zoellner25's picture

February 12, 2015 at 03:28 pm

Perryman's measurables = Chris Borland

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Tundraboy's picture

February 12, 2015 at 06:44 pm

That would work. After Hawk that would be a godsend.

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aj's picture

February 12, 2015 at 03:36 pm

I've been a supporter of picking Perryman for a while now. Streaks can be broken, and I hope this mock draft streak ends with us getting Perryman.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

February 12, 2015 at 05:52 pm

I don't see an ILB worthy of a first round pick other than those likely to go in the teens. The mock will change after the combine.

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ES 1957's picture

February 12, 2015 at 06:00 pm

Mayock ranks Dawson as the top ILB and I agree with him. He has McKinney 2nd Perryman 3rd and Kendricks 4th. He has Thompson listed as a safety. I think any of these guys would be a massive upgrade over B Jones and Hawk at this point. Don't necessarily need to draft 2 at this position if Lattimore, J Thomas or Bradford can play.

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Rustyweezee's picture

February 12, 2015 at 06:19 pm

Thomas & Bradford are wild cards. They liked Thomas last pre-season, but Bradford's going to get a good look, being their 4th round pick last year. It will be interesting to see if they've progressed. But if the Packers pick an ILB in the first round, those two guys are a spot lower on the depth chart.

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Rustyweezee's picture

February 12, 2015 at 06:15 pm

I'm wondering if many of the Perryman picks were early mocks. As draftniks look at the tape, the more we hear he's a 2 down, straight ahead LB and dropped on some boards. But, like someone here already mentioned, Borland got the same tepid reviews last year. I'm still hoping for Kendricks. However, I'm starting to warm to the idea of taking an OLB, since that position seems to have plenty of pass rushers this draft.

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Imma Fubared's picture

February 12, 2015 at 06:31 pm

I just hope that whomever we draft at linebacker he is tall enough (5'10 really?) to knock down a two point conversion at the goal line since Ha Ha at 6.1 wasn
t.

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TKWorldWide's picture

February 12, 2015 at 07:25 pm

What, really, is your purpose?

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Packer_Pete's picture

February 12, 2015 at 08:18 pm

I think Imma is just the lone remaining Vikings fan on CCTC, now that Cow is gone. So flying the purple flag is the only thing I can think of. Otherwise, the dude seriously needs professional help.

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4thand1's picture

February 12, 2015 at 10:43 pm

No the dumbass hates Ha Ha. I think it was because he was laughed at his whole life.

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zoellner25's picture

February 12, 2015 at 09:14 pm

An ILB I loved was Zach Vigil from Utah state, was a monster in their bowl game. Nice later round option

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NewNikeShoes's picture

February 16, 2015 at 11:49 am

After doing some research, I concur.
He seems like a FA the packers should call.

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4thand1's picture

February 12, 2015 at 10:42 pm

Is it me or does Perryman look a lot like Lawrence Taylor?

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NickPerry's picture

February 13, 2015 at 04:26 am

LOL... Nope good call, he does look like Taylor.

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Evan's picture

February 13, 2015 at 08:21 am

I was thinking Lavar Arrington.

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packsmack's picture

February 13, 2015 at 10:18 am

I've been on the Perryman train for a couple years now. Love the kid.

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Jamie24's picture

February 13, 2015 at 10:53 am

Personally I think the best ILB in the draft is Vic Beasley. He's 6'3 235lb with long arms, big hands, and insane speed and burst. Screams Bobby Wagner to me.

For whatever reason he played as an edge rusher from Clemson, but I think that's just a matter of playing him out of position. Hopefully everyone else views him as a diminutive OLB instead of what he could be as an ILB and we can snatch him up late in the round.

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johnnyd17's picture

February 13, 2015 at 06:28 pm

trade down...twice perhaps...

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slit's picture

February 13, 2015 at 07:11 pm

Paul Dawson is the best linebacker in this draft, hands down. Perryman would be a nice option, if Dawson isn't available. Other good options in the first round - Malcolm Brown, Eddie Goldman, Melvin Gordon, Marcus Peters, Jaelen Strong(if Cobb leaves).

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TKWorldWide's picture

February 15, 2015 at 08:03 am

Character issues with Dawson?

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slit's picture

February 15, 2015 at 11:23 am

Yes, but that's for Ted & company to decide if the juice is worth the squeeze. Just looking at what they do on the field, Dawson is a game changer.

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NewNikeShoes's picture

February 15, 2015 at 04:32 pm

Like slit said, depends on the confidence the coaches have in his play.
Packers coaches are phenomenal at developing troubled players, like Woodson, so I'd think they could take a chance at him.
Dawson also has Daniels and Peppers to slap him some sense too.
I see him(Dawson) going in the 2nd and 3rd more than I see him going in the 1st.

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slit's picture

February 16, 2015 at 09:47 pm

There's a better chance of the Bears making the playoffs next year, than Dawson going in the 3rd round...

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TKWorldWide's picture

February 13, 2015 at 09:43 pm

I think we all assume B Jones and AJ Hawk will be released.
When will that happen?

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

February 14, 2015 at 05:08 pm

Well, guessing pretty soon. Hawk has an $800K roster bonus (not sure when that kicks in - GB often prorates them over the course of the season) and a $250K workout bonus. Brad Jones has a $300k roster bonus and a $200K workout bonus.

Workouts usually occur in April, so one might suspect that Hawk and Jones won't be around to collect $500K in workout bonuses, which count against the cap once earned. In their cases, I see no benefit to waiting until June 1 to cut them, as the cap hit and savings are the same in either case as far as I can tell.

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TKWorldWide's picture

February 15, 2015 at 12:29 am

Addition by subtaction. Talent wise AND cap wise.

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HankScorpio's picture

February 16, 2015 at 09:23 am

The cap purge has begun across the NFL. I'm hoping soon with Hawk & Jones.

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4thand1's picture

February 14, 2015 at 11:43 am

At this time last year I was hoping for C J Mosley and a lot of boards had him coming to GB. Not crazy about the Packers drafting another young body on the DL but they may have to. There should be a good ILB in round 2 and they have done really really good in round 2 as of late. I see BAP. If Gordon was on the board at 30, Ted would snatch him up.

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Evan's picture

February 14, 2015 at 01:31 pm

Gordon? Boy, I really hope not.

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RCPackerFan's picture

February 16, 2015 at 06:40 am

I would have absolutely no problem with them taking Gordon at 30.

I loved the used car salesman, but he looks like he is done, and Starks is in his last year.
Gordon would add pure speed to the RB position.

Everyone wants to talk about how Gordon would have to be a 3rd down receiving RB with the Packers. But that isn't how the Packers run their offense. They like to use each RB for complete series. That means each RB gets carries, has to block and catch passes.

If they were looking for a pure 3rd down RB I would go out and get CJ Spiller. But since they like the everydown RB, I would consider Gordon.

Gordon is one of the players in the draft that can come and and make a huge impact. Any time you can get an impact player, regardless of position, you have to take them.

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NewNikeShoes's picture

February 15, 2015 at 04:35 pm

I dunno why, but this linebacking class seems kinda weak to me. Hella overrated players(Randy Gregory) or unrefined, athletic players(Shaq Thompson).
IMO, our ILB need is causing us to overrate some prospects. I see Eric Kendricks as kinda like AJ Hawk, in that he has the instincts, but not the athletic ability(I dunno, he probably could change my opinion in the combine). Denzel Perryman is pretty awesome, but a little short and a little slow.. Mckinney has the greatest potential, but he's just slow-footed sometimes. I'd rate all of the ILBs we want in 2nd-3rd round. I promise you, either McKinney or Perryman and Kendricks will be in the 2nd-3rd. Dawson too.

With that said, the best thing TT can do is to trade down, acquire picks, and tackle our needs in the 2nd and 3rd round itself. that leaves us with a lot of manuvering room in the last 4 rounds.

I'm a little new to FBall scouting and mocking, so I'd appreciate it a ton if I'd get critique on what I said.

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4thand1's picture

February 15, 2015 at 08:41 pm

At the start of the year I predicted 25+ sacks for Matthews/Peppers. They ended up with 18, 11 for CMIII. Clay move to ILB after the bye and the Packers reduced Peppers snaps. If the Pack would have had better help in the middle they would have come close.

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RCPackerFan's picture

February 16, 2015 at 06:41 am

I have heard reports/rumors that the 49ers may be looking to trade Patrick Willis.
Would you go after him?

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HankScorpio's picture

February 16, 2015 at 09:07 am

Depends on how badly the 49ers are trying to move him, IMO. I wouldn't give up a day 1 or 2 pick. But I would be very interested if the compensation were a day 3 pick.

Willis ended the season on IR so a medical evaluation enters in to the equation.

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RCPackerFan's picture

February 16, 2015 at 09:37 am

I don't think they would get more then a 3rd rounder out of him if they planed on doing that.

If they could get him for a 4th rounder, i would probably do it. That would be only if he has proven himself that he will be ready.

Thompson has had some very good 4th round picks, so I wouldn't want to throw one away. Bakhtiari, Sitton, Lang were all 4th round picks.

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HankScorpio's picture

February 16, 2015 at 10:22 am

I was thinking more like a 5th, RC. Which is kind of a fire sale. Teams have fire sales all the time so it is not out of the question. But Willis has been a great player over the years and the SF fanbase is a little restless with Harbaugh's dismissal. Sending Willis packing for a 5th would not ease that level of tension, IMO

From the Packer point of view, I think a 5th is what they are looking at in terms of a comp pick for EDS signing in Tampa. So giving one up would not leave them sitting things out in that round.

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RCPackerFan's picture

February 16, 2015 at 03:26 pm

yeah, for me, 4th would be the highest i would go. 5th I would do it.

But I guess the question is would they be letting him go if they can't get a trade done? If that is the case i say offer a 6th or 7th and see if they take it. If you could get him for a 6th or 7th, I would definitely do it.

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