AJ Hawk 6'1", 248 lbs, 31 1/8" arms, 40 was a 4.64 and the 10 yards split was 1.57, vertical 40", broad jump 9'7".

Gute's minimums 6’1.2”, lighter than 227 lbs, or with shorter arms than 30.25”, slower 40 time than 4.61s, a 10-yard split slower than 1.62s, a vertical jump lower than 32”, or a broad jump lower than 10’1”.

So Hawk was slightly too short, slightly slower in 40, and less broad jump. Yes the game has changed but it is interesting.

Bonus Desmond Bishop 6' 3.88", 239 lbs, arms 32.75, 40 was 4.8, 10 yard split 1.61, no jumping recorded.

Just thought I would put the measurements and combine results to two good ILB of the Packers. Hawk was successful because he was football smart. We need an ILB that is football smart.

Here is where the RAS really matters. Payton Wilson: 9.86 RAS . Wilson is a rare specimen. Unbelievable for a man his size. I particularly like his height at 6'4. Would be a QB's worst nightmare on a third down blitz. Ya, he is really ancient; at 24 in five years he might even lose a step off his 4.43 forty! Hopefully, he falls because of his "old age". I say if he is there at 25 run quickly up to the table and make him the newest impact playmaker for the Green and Gold. He will not be "a reach" After his combine I doubt he lasts until 41.

While pure speed and athletic ability is a key, ILB's have to have instincts. They have to be able to see the plays happening before they actually happen.
TJ Edwards has been a pretty good ILB in the NFL. He was an undrafted free agent. He is 6' 230 lbs, ran a 4.87 40 time. Yet all he does since coming to the NFL is make tackles. He will be going into his 6th season. He has had 288 solo tackles, 516 combined tackles. One of the reasons why he is able to be a starter in the league is because he has the instincts. He knows how to get himself into position to make plays.

Unless they sign someone, I feel like GB will most likely draft 1-2 off the ball LB's. I feel like within the first 3 rounds they will take one. While I like McDuffie and feel like he was one of the most improved players last year, they still need to find someone else that can play alongside Walker.

There are only 3 linebackers in this draft that can come in and start right away. Edge Cooper, Payton Wilson and Junior Colson. If the Packers dont come away with one we are in trouble at LB. Cooper is going to end up going round 1. He will not be there at either round 2 pick of ours. I'm still hoping we can sign Jerome Baker.

What was Campbells problem?
Injuries and slowing down.
This is no longer a 3-4-4.
Moving guys inside No longer
will be answer.

Only issue I have with Wilson is past injury history, especially shoulder for a LB. If he checks out medically, probably goes in 2nd.

Wilson spent his first season at NC State in 2018 recovering from a high school knee injury. He suffered a second knee injury during summer training camp and redshirted his true freshman season at NC State. He suffered a season ending shoulder injury in the second game of his junior season.

My bet is they like Edgerrin Cooper.

latest report has Packers exploring signing Denzel Perryman

What about Jeremiah Trotter Jr.? Perhaps he doesn't measure up, whatever that means, but he looks like a good "football player". It doesn't hurt either that his Dad played the position in the NFL.

I expect Gute to move up in Round 1 to get the OT/OL guy he wants. I also think may use some of our remaining draft capital to move up, again, to grab another guy he likes and it's probably a DT. I have no idea if any LB is even on his radar, at this point. Actually, I have no idea who anyone, at any position, is on his radar other than maybe OL Graham Barton. I'll leave it to Gute to do the drafting. Mock drafts, with no consequences attached, are my kind of thing. GO PACK, GO!!!

A name to pursue. Isaiah Simmons. #8 pick in 2020 draft. Best LB in that class. 6'4 235lbs and runs 4.3s. Arizona missused him and traded him to the Giants for a 6th rounder last year. He has been bounced between Safety and LB and has had decent stats.

At Clemson he played both LB spots, both CB spots, and both Safety spots. A true hybrid with excellent coverage skills and a sure tackler. I don't know why he hasn't become a star but Arizona and the Giants were not good teams the last 3 or 4 years.

This guy is worth a flyer. He is a bigger, faster Edgerrin Cooper. Faster than Wilson too with no injury history.

I think the Pack should get Cooper. First round if necessary. Any ideas picking an OT is nonsense.

I like what it appears Gute is doing. He got his two top signings although letting Jones go was tough. Signing Dillon for depth was very smart. And now Gute can pick a replacement RB and not have to rely as a starter. But can draft for future.

There is also rumors of talks with S Hyde and LB Perryman. This would give the Pack veteran starters and then draft high for S and LB depth.
Potential late season starters.

Hope this works out this way

At this stage, they're looking for another "2" in the 4-2-5 and for a true SAM to play in 4-3 base. One of those guys has to be a heady, athletic type who can cover and can fill in the run game. That's a Rd 2 pick, probably. You still want athleticism, but I'd be giving up a some of that in one of those two picks for guys who show extremely well on tape.

Edgerrin Cooper would be a great prospect to pair with Walker. Both are fast and quick, good tacklers, instinctive, are prototypical 3 down backers for the 4-3 or 4-2-5, and be used to attack over the front to pressure the QB.

Most draft "experts" have him pegged for the 2nd. The Packers have him pegged for a Lambeau Field visit. I would not be shocked to see Gutey drafting him as their first selection, if they like what they hear from the young man.

Many would call him a reach at #25. I wouldn't.

He'd be a starter day one and make Hafley excited...while making fire-breathing LB coach run game coordinator, Campanile, ecstatic.

PLEASE, no RAS guys that can’t tackle.

No Junior Colson? Epic fail.

Great article! Like seeing these position analyses with a highlight on what the Packers usually look for. Keep them coming!

I would not overlook Junior Tolson. While Cooper is probably the top guy, followed by Wilson, I would be thrilled with Tolson at Mike and Gray at Sam.

Can I be the 1st to complain if Oren Burks and Devondre Campbell start at LB for the league leading 49er defense next season?

Let’s keep in mind that probably none of these prospects will be a difference maker in year one. They’ll undoubtedly get one. And maybe he will even start. But MLB is going to be a weakness for this team in 2025. That’s what was decided by day three of free agency and Campbells decline.

Everyone has weak spots. IF MLB is the weakest spot on the roster, we are in a pretty good position. 🧀 💪🏻

This situation is ridiculous! A FA was the play for a MIKE. These kids in the draft are depth or developmental pieces. That won’t help the 1’s on game day 🙄

Take a shot on Isaiah Simmons, a very reasonable FA linebacker who is better than Cooper, the top rated LB in this class. Or we could just wait and watch him get scooped up by another team. Just like all the others.

Isaiah Simmons, New York Giants, 26: At this stage of a player’s career, draft grades still matter. Simmons was the eighth overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals. He had 105 tackles and four forced fumbles in 2021 and 99 tackles along with career highs of four sacks and seven passes defensed in 2022. So, his career was on its way, right? Nah. Toward the end of training camp last summer, he was traded to the Giants for a seventh-round pick.

In 17 games with four starts in 2023, he had 54 tackles, one sack and three passes defensed. He played 40-plus percent of the snaps in only two games. According to PFF, he played 166 snaps in the box, 137 on the defensive line and 65 in the slot. In 2022, almost half his snaps came in the slot. In 2021, he played more traditional linebacker.

Simmons is an interesting and talented player. At 6-foot-4 and 238 pounds, he’s got the size to play linebacker. Is there any fit in Green Bay? I would say he is better than Cooper, bigger and faster too. Another comparison, but not to say he is as good as, Micah Parsons and Simmons are almost identical in measurements and speed. Parsons played LB @ Penn State. Maybe if signed, a team could use him the way Dallas uses Parsons.

Lost Baker too-Seahawks 1 year $7 million