Draft Prospect #2

Continuing my series on the Packers most likely draft picks w/ the 32nd pick in the draft...  This is a player who has been on the radar since he declared for the draft as a true Jr.  He fits a need of the team and is generally rated in the Top 20-35 players.

Justin Houston is a 6'3 270 lb DE/OLB from Georgia.  He fits the mold of both a 43 DE and a 34 OLB w/ his size and physical characteristics and if drafted to play OLB he could drop 10 lbs to gain slightly more quickness.  What Houston is most known for, and what he at times focuses too much on is as a pass rusher.  When attacking the QB, Houston shows a good explosive first step and get off to reach and threaten the edge!  He has a good bull rush besides his speed rush, but needs to broaden his other moves and pass rush repetoire, notably missing is a spin  move at this time.  Houston is blessed w/ long arms and large hands that he uses to control the OL and disengage to make plays.  Has the ability to keep the OL hands off his body to gain an advantage when pass rushing.  While he has improved his hand usage it is still a work in progress, but the tools are there to become a 12+ sack OLB at the next level.

In run defense, Houston is solid when setting the edge and again using his long arms to disengage, but has to learn to work w/ his hands better to really advance in this area.  He is good in pursuit as well, but sometimes lacks the tenacity to chase plays to the far sideline.  Houston has an advantage in transitioning to a 34 OLB role over some of his counterparts in the draft, being that Georgia switched to a 34 D prior to Houstons Jr Season.  He has experience playing in a 2 point as well as 3 point stance.  He does however have alot of work to do to become a complete NFL OLB.  While he has experience playing upright, he was still used almost exclusively as a pass rusher.  But at least there is film of him dropping into coverage.  In pass coverage Houston will struggle and be a liability in man schemes.  But he has some experience dropping into zones.  He has good enough athletic ability and quickness to become competent in zones, but needs better awareness in any coverage situation, as do most hybrid DE/OLB players. 

Houston is a player that may or may not be available when the Packers pick.  His size, athletic ability and experience in both 3 and 4 man fronts is a bonus that may get him drafted before the 32nd pick!  He is a player who likes to play moving forward and attacking and will likely have issues when asked to play in reverse.  There are plenty of 34 OLB in the NFL w/ very similar size and athletic ability who have succeeded.  The best comparison for Houston is likely Terrell Suggs who is rarely used by Baltimore in coverage!  In a similar situation Houston could become nearly as good!  The other comparison is LeMarr Woodley...  If Houston turns out to be anything close to them he will have a long and productive career in the NFL.  THe Packers would have to feel extremely lucky if he were to fall into their laps!  He would be an excellent compliment to Matthews in Capers D, especially in a 2-4-5 role, but also in base 34.  My guess is that Houston will go before the Packers pick at 32...