2012 NFL Mock Draft: Packers and Penn State DL Devon Still

by Brandon on Dec 13, 2011 5:00 AM CST in Green Bay Packers Draft

It's never too early to write about the Green Bay Packers and the 2012 NFL mock draft! Well, maybe it is, but I was asked about it in the open thread versus the Raiders. My response: best defensive player available.

In the recent SB Nation mock draft, the Packers were linked to Penn State DL Devon Still. He's already been named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, and he's sure to earn a few more awards soon. At 6-5 and 310 lbs. he'd be a fit as a defensive end, and he had 17 tackles for a loss.

I've been giving DE Mike Neal some slack. Not only is he coming back from two major injuries, he's played little football over the past two years. He hasn't done much this season since his return, but he certainly deserves some more developmental time. He does have to do whatever he can do to stay healthy going forward.

On a defensive line that's done little this season, he sure couldn't hurt. One featuring Neal, Still, and NT B.J. Raji could be pretty good in 2012.

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I'd rather get an OLB

but I’d be ok with a DE if he was rated as a better overall player. The OLB is the biggest pass rusher in the 3-4, and can you imagine how screwed we would be if Matthews ever got injured? Add in his hamstring injuries over the past couple years and the minimal results out of the ROLB position, and it makes even more sense to get an OLB. Yes, we keep looking back at having Cullen Jenkins, but again, having a DE like Jenkins is a rare commodity for 3-4 teams. I would feel much more comfortable with another OLB in the 1st round if he is available.

One game at a time...

by Jabooty on Dec 13, 2011 5:12 AM CST reply actions

I agree

I do think we should continue to take the best player available, though. Hopefully that is a beast OLB like Von Miller (I would say CM3, but lightning can’t strike twice, can it?). But if there are no LB’s available that deserve to be picked at 32 overall, maybe TT will trade down.

by J Sr on Dec 13, 2011 7:14 AM CST up reply actions

Um, we have future HOFer Vic So'oto...

can you imagine how screwed we would be if Matthews ever got injured?

We’d actually improve.

13.

by Wiedmann on Dec 13, 2011 1:12 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

Thompson will do what he wants, of course – but another playmaker at OLB has to be near the top of his wish list. If the Packers don’t re-sign Scott Wells, he’ll be looking for a starting center as well, and there’s depth at cornerback & safety to consider with Collins hurt and Charles Woodson aging.

Ryan Pickett isn’t getting younger either, but he’s holding up well. I imagine the DL, while important, isn’t the highest of Ted’s priorities.

by Ebongreen on Dec 13, 2011 7:51 AM CST reply actions

I highly doubt they don't re-sign Wells....

But I think all can agree that the majority of the draft needs to focus on the defensive side this coming year

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by RaY210 on Dec 13, 2011 8:33 AM CST up reply actions

Wells and the future O-line

I wouldn’t be surprised if Wells left – it would fit Thompson’s MO to a T. Player over 30 with an injury history (‘07, ’08), a lot like Cullen Jenkins. Not as big of a medical file, but still – he’s going to command top money for a center, especially if he makes the Pro Bowl this year. With Evan Dietrich-Smith on line and gaining experience, he may be too pricey to keep.

The Packers have a capable enough offensive line, especially at tackle. One would presume either Newhouse or Sherrod will start at LT next year, Lang and Sitton are pretty entrenched at guard, and if Wells leaves the youth movement will continue. They’ll need more depth on the interior, but that’s about it.

by Ebongreen on Dec 13, 2011 10:42 AM CST up reply actions

I'm not positive about this but I don't think this draft has many top OLBs

I would rather us draft a stud DE over an OLB that isn’t much better than Walden or Zombo.

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by Chief Oshkosh on Dec 13, 2011 10:44 AM CST up reply actions

this style of defense isn't really suited for a pass rushing DE though

unless they can be moved to OLB… The D-line really does need more depth though

football does not build character, it reveals character.

by sheehan on Dec 13, 2011 3:29 PM CST up reply actions

I would almost perfer another good CB...

Having another reliable CB along the lines of Williams would allow Woodson to do a lot more roaming of the field. In essence he would almost be a third safety or depending on what happens with Collins, move to safety.

by stratefaced on Dec 13, 2011 8:08 AM CST reply actions

I agree

But DE is probably still more of a concern at this point.

Here is how I would like to see the draft go by round…
1) DE/OLB
2) CB
3) S
4) Offensive player

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by Chief Oshkosh on Dec 13, 2011 10:46 AM CST up reply actions

Still was indeed a beast this year.

And with Pickett possibly in his last few years, it would be nice to have help at DL.

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by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Dec 13, 2011 8:16 AM CST reply actions

Yeah, in the games I watched he was a freakin’ animal! He always seems to get good penetration.

Fire Slocum

by packallday555 on Dec 13, 2011 8:59 AM CST up reply actions

That's what she said.

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by FFXVIKE on Dec 14, 2011 9:33 AM CST up reply actions

Still has to be on the radar.

Perfect fit at LDE, same size as Harrell, the 6’5 300+ lb DE is what helps make a 34 DL effective and the combination of Still, Raji and Neal is very intiguing! I think we need an OLB too, but I think only one or 2 are worthy of 1st round grades. And they’ll probably be long gone by the time the Packers pick. Ronnell from OU, is a late 1st possiblility, but I don’t think he’s 1st round talent. That would seem to me a pick for need and Thompson won’t go there. A quality CB would be a good pick too. Love Tramon and Shields, and House for that matter tho he has to get on the field and show he belongs yet. I can easily see Wood moving to Safety, especially if Collins can’t play again.

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by Strohman on Dec 13, 2011 10:53 AM CST up reply actions

Speaking of Neal

I’ve seen him standing up as a rush OLB in 3rd down situations, kind of odd. Maybe its to help lessen the strain on his knee?

by Shoes31 on Dec 13, 2011 9:30 AM CST reply actions

I’ve noticed this. I’ve wondered if his body is more suited to 260-270 pounds and he might switch positions next year. Though he’s said that Capers simply gives him the option to rush the passer that way.

by MikeDB on Dec 13, 2011 9:37 AM CST up reply actions

Best player availabe

TT will take the best player available within reason. By with reason, I mean that he probably won’t pick a QB or WR, unless Luck or Blackmon fall that far.

We could take upgrades along the OL. Lang has been okay, but could be better. We’ve given up lots of sacks and have had difficulty running the ball. I think our OL tends to be over-rated by the Packer press and fans.

The DL (the guy from Penn State could be a good pick) is now basically Raji and a bunch of ‘guys’. They are all good linemen, but only Raji and Neal have the potential to be outstanding.

We need an OLB opposite Matthews. Walden has played better the past few weeks. Zombo and So’oto have shown potential. But no one has stepped up yet and made the position theirs to keep.

At ILB we have two very good, serviceable linebackers. Probably 4. But none ( Bishop, coming close) are truly outstanding. An upgrade would help stop the run and cover TEs.

The secondary has had problems. Collins’ absence has shown his value to cover so much ground. Neither Peprah, nor Burnett, are up to it. So getting a great safety would be helpful. CB is also a need as Woodson ages.

by MikeDB on Dec 13, 2011 9:36 AM CST reply actions

I have been impressed with Lang this year

Last game he (and Wells) was the reason for Grant’s two TDs

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by Chief Oshkosh on Dec 13, 2011 10:48 AM CST up reply actions

I’m not saying that Lang is a bad player. I’ve tried watching replay of games (haven’t seen all of them) and paying particular attention to the line. I’m not overly impressed with anyone. We’ve given up 33 sacks in 13 games and we are averaging 3.9 yards per carry. We have had injuries across the OL, so that can explain some of it. But I’m not certain that our OL isn’t simply average.

Compare:

Team sacks ypc

Packers 33 3.9
Saints 23 4.8
Patriots 22 4.0
Texans 24 4.3
Ravens 24 4.1

by MikeDB on Dec 13, 2011 2:21 PM CST up reply actions

I wonder how many sacks each player has given up

I would say the OTs have been getting abused the most by far.

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by Chief Oshkosh on Dec 13, 2011 4:05 PM CST up reply actions

I’m sure there is some website that would have that info.

by MikeDB on Dec 13, 2011 4:26 PM CST up reply actions

Konz

If the Badgers Pete Konz fell, I’d snatch him. A beast who can play any line position.

by glblank on Dec 13, 2011 6:33 PM CST up reply actions

Here buddy

Link

13-0
MattFlynn4StartingQB

by arodgb on Dec 13, 2011 6:36 PM CST up reply actions

woah, I've read some people claiming that Bulaga has been one of the best RTs in the league this year

dunno if he’s been ‘abused’ much…

football does not build character, it reveals character.

by sheehan on Dec 13, 2011 8:50 PM CST up reply actions

Bulaga has been very good

As has Lang. Part of those sack numbers are from Rodgers holding onto the ball longer than those other QB’s too. Not saying we don’t need better o-line play (because we do), but the blame does not lay squarely on their shoulders.

by Shoes31 on Dec 13, 2011 9:31 PM CST up reply actions

Best Player Available

Still is a beast, and if he falls to where the Packers will be drafting, I can’t imagine him not being the best player available.

by HawkeyeChad on Dec 13, 2011 3:14 PM CST up reply actions

If Raji moved back to nose a get a few less snaps

He’s being slowed down by being tired and spreading him farther from Mathews allows each side of the line to concentrate on each one instead of being spread too thin trying to black both of them. We do this and we can concentrate on DBs aim the first round

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by Buddhasillegitimatechild38 on Dec 13, 2011 9:45 AM CST via mobile reply actions

tight end

because who wants 5 when you can have 6?

by leftisbetter on Dec 13, 2011 11:13 AM CST reply actions

Based on TTs History

We can expect the best defensive player available to be drafted, unless a top OL falls off the chart. Shields has been somewhat disappointing, and we can assume Woodson will become a safety. Obviously, the Nick Collins situation will have some impact, but the focus of the draft has to be the D.

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by Phana24JeffGordon on Dec 13, 2011 11:26 AM CST reply actions

How has Shields been disappointing?

He still excels at defending against the deep ball. His major weakness is that he isn’t real physical, and WRs can get inside position on him. But I’ve been paying attention to him the last several games, after reading in comments about him being a disappointment, and he seldom gets thrown on. Most throws are going against Woodson, Peprah and Williams (not necessarily in that order).

by MikeDB on Dec 13, 2011 1:25 PM CST up reply actions

I don’t understand Shields disappointment either. He definitely struggled early but he’s been pretty good as of late. Too me, it seems like teams are going at Tramon more than they are Shields.

It definitely seems like teams are going at Peprah any time he’s in man coverage too.

Fire Slocum

by packallday555 on Dec 13, 2011 2:31 PM CST up reply actions

I'm hoping for a top safety myself

We’re going to need a replacement for Nick Collins, especially going off of how the secondary has been playing this year with him out

by vitaminx on Dec 13, 2011 12:35 PM CST reply actions

Just draft the entire secondary of LSU and sort it out later

by MikeDB on Dec 13, 2011 1:25 PM CST up reply actions

Charles Woodson?

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by TrevorR on Dec 13, 2011 2:23 PM CST up reply actions

Woodn’t Woodson play more of strong safety role, leaving Burnett to take over for Collins? That would work, but I’d like to clone Collins and get that speed and ball skills on the back end in there again. It’s been the long pass that has been a problem, and Nick Collins could cover himself some ground getting to those arced passes.

by MikeDB on Dec 13, 2011 2:43 PM CST up reply actions

From what I understand, the two roles area almost interchangeable so I think you could see him in either. But that said, no matter which one Woodson moves into, he’ll probably be used differently than his predecessor was!

The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010

by TrevorR on Dec 13, 2011 4:31 PM CST up reply actions

That is why I think he’d play closer to the line, more similar to what he has been doing. Which would be the more traditional strong safety role.

by MikeDB on Dec 13, 2011 4:39 PM CST up reply actions

Speaking of OLB'ers

The guy I like is Brandon Jenkins from FSU. Not sure if he declares, or where other teams view him, but in this past season they moved him around a lot and had him drop into coverage a few times a game.

On the other hand, this draft class looks loaded with 5 techs.

by Shoes31 on Dec 13, 2011 2:16 PM CST reply actions

A lot of the really excellent OLBs in the 3-4 in the NFL played DE in college and took a year or two to develop. It makes it a harder position to evaluate, though more college teams are playing a 3-4 now, than a few years ago.

by MikeDB on Dec 13, 2011 2:41 PM CST up reply actions

by Jabooty on Dec 13, 2011 4:49 PM CST up reply actions

Still

Good choice but being the top DT in the draft he is most likely gone. I think the Pack has a better shot at either Courtney Upshaw, Billy Winn, Whitney Mercilus or Jerel Worthy.

by glblank on Dec 13, 2011 6:29 PM CST reply actions