2012 Packers Mock Draft: Looking At USC's Nick Perry
by Brandon on Feb 20, 2012 10:00 AM CST
in Green Bay Packers Draft
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PrintThe Green Bay Packers currently have the No. 28 overall selection in this April's draft. The player currently (subject to change over the next several weeks) ranked as the 28th best player according to CBS Sports.com is USC's DE Nick Perry. And last week he was also the player projected to go to the Packers by Walter Football.
At 6-3, 250 lbs., he could convert from a college DE to an NFL outside LB. He certainly has the pass rushing abilities; his 9.5 sacks led the Pac-12 last season. He only had one outstanding college season, but he was a four-star college recruit, so his talent is legitimate. Plus he's got that USC connection so he can be compared to Clay Matthews.
Unlike Matthews, who played some linebacker in college (he started at defensive end in his senior season), Perry "doesn't have much experience in this area." He'll be watched closely at the combine and at USC's pro day to see if he can make the transition.
Another problem is that he might be long gone by the time the Packers are on the clock. The mock draft at CBS Sports.com has him going to the Chargers at No. 18 overall.
What is your impression of him?
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Of the Top 3 OLB prospects.
Ingram, Upshaw and Perry, He is clearly the one who I see as the most natural 34 OLB. And the one I want most for the Packers. I see Ingram and Upshaw as better DE prospect than OLB prospect. Didn’t Perry play the same role that Matthews did for USC. Part of my thinking is that he and Matthews were used in the same way. IKD for sure and could be wrong. After Perry, I would be OK w/ Ingram and Upshaw to a lesser extent. But would be looking to the group of Mercilus, Branch, Curry and Irvin.
Our Biggest Challenge is how we deal w/ Success!
I think Matthews stood up some his senior season. From all the highlights I’ve watched, Perry always has his hand down. He seems athletic enough to convert though. They use him to QB spy every so often, and he looks pretty fluid doing it.
by packallday555 on Feb 20, 2012 1:27 PM CST up reply actions
Wow, just watched some of Irvin. He’s raw but he seems explosive and strong. He doesn’t seem to know any pass rush moves. Seems like he just tries to run right past the guy, and when that doesn’t work, he comes to like a complete stop and tries to change directions on his guy. What’s crazy is, it actually works for him because of how good he changes directions! Imagine if someone taught him to just spin move instead of coming to a stop like that. Just getting taught how to better use his hands in general could improve him a lot!
It would probably take a year for him to make an impact but I think he could develop into a really good player.
by packallday555 on Feb 20, 2012 1:59 PM CST up reply actions
I'm a BIG Irvin Fan!
I think his upside is higher than any 34 OLB prospect in this draft. If he measures out at 245 he should be able to gain an extra 10lbs w/o much if any loss of explosiveness. Like I said in another tread, being raw can actually be an advantage sometimes. Means they don’t have alot of old habits to break. If we can get him at 60, I think in a year or 2, he could be nearly as good as Matthews. You can teach alot to young pass rushers (moves, better hand usage, techniques), but you can’t teach that kinda explosiveness!
Our Biggest Challenge is how we deal w/ Success!
Same here. I agree that he’s got the most upside of anyone. His change of direction is pretty amazing. And though he doesn’t have a great bull rush now, I think he could develop it, because of those long arms. I wouldn’t mind taking him with our 2nd round pick.
I know you had mentioned Curry in another thread too, and I like him as a 2nd round guy too. He’s not as explosive but he seems like a solid power rush guy, who would be able to set the edge.
I just started watching some tape on youtube today, and man, there seems like a lot of 3-4 OLB prospects.
by packallday555 on Feb 20, 2012 8:36 PM CST up reply actions
Irvin is a project and his Bowl Game showed how much of one he is
and I’d only spend a 4th rd comp pick at best.Certainly not a player I’d cry about not getting and wouldn’t waste time doing any trade/swapping picks for him.His counterpart whose name I think is White looked better and says a lot or requires no more said.
IMO,as like the above,Vinny Curry is perfect for us and will give us what we need game 1
“impact " and make it hard for to listen to Roy Orbisons’ song…“CRYING” if we don’t.
Nobody's said he's not a project.
He is raw… As I and Packallday mentioned. But his potential is higher than any OLB in the draft, w/ the possible exception of Perry. Every OLB prospect is a project! Simply due to the fact that most of them played w/ their hand on the ground in college, including the ones in the 1st rd. If he has a terrific combine, which I expect he will, he is going to be heading up to 2nd round status. Also the fact that he is so “raw” can be a blessing. Means he doesn’t have alot of bad habits to break that might slow his development.
Our Biggest Challenge is how we deal w/ Success!
So he's raw with potential and high upside
and the combine may boost him to the 2nd rd in the draft.How exactly does a 2nd rd guy who is a project of that magnitude going to impact the team now….he won’t(rotational0 and a 2nd rd pick is just to high for him over another who can play and impact now.By that time,CM3 is burnt out and thats a downside of projects in rd 2 over play now guy you need.
Unless he comes in at or close to 250lb and can learn pass rush techs really fast as in one camp…a 2nd will be too high even if he looks good in shorts.
I’d take him after we get the now guy only.
The window appears wide open for the Packers but drafting projects in lieu of now guy,closes the window faster than it may have opened.
You don't seem to understand...
ALL 34 OLB are probably going to be situational players as rookies. 1st rd, 2nd rd or 5th rd. doesn’t really matter. All the 34 OLB in the draft aren’t going to be full time players. And if they are they would be liabilities in coverage and maybe against the run. Thats not really much different than Irvin… We lucked out and got Matthews and he was able to play very early, but thats more the exception than the norm.
Our Biggest Challenge is how we deal w/ Success!
Even Clay Matthews didn't start every game as a rookie.
13.
"Skip, once again, stop it; Be an analyst; don't be a douchebag."
That had more to do w/ injury
He probably would have started from day 1, but had a hamstring injury thru training camp and didn’t unleash him to the 4th game vs Minn, IIRC, where he punked AP and took the ball from his hands and for a TD.
Our Biggest Challenge is how we deal w/ Success!
P-F-R has him playing in all 16 games, but only starting 13 of them.
13.
"Skip, once again, stop it; Be an analyst; don't be a douchebag."
Maybe so, but
it was his (hamstring, IIRC) injury that prevented him from earning the starting spot before the fourth game.
Severely limited him in training camp.
"Perfection is not attainable,
but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence!"
After further review,
The Munsters of the Midway still suck,
Skol is a four-letter word,
abd those upstarts in Detroit couldn't beat the Little Sisters of the Poor.
That change of direction
Should help him alot in coverage too. He definitely needs experience in that aspect, but should be able to bcomee a good coverage LB based on his athleticism.
Our Biggest Challenge is how we deal w/ Success!
Packer Draft
I would think about swapping picks with the Rams and giving them James Jones in return. Now we take Upshaw or Claiborne.
If your serious...
Your on Crack if you think Jones and #28 would get us the 2nd pick in the draft! I DO hope your kidding!
Our Biggest Challenge is how we deal w/ Success!
This might not even be enough to get the Ram’s 1st rounder next year.
"I agree but dont agree"
by juggernaut400 on Feb 20, 2012 1:06 PM CST up reply actions
The Rams have no incentive to give up the #2 pick.
Guys picked at the top aren’t getting stupid money anymore.
The do have a Great oppotunity to move down tho..
They probably aren’t looking for a QB, while Cleve, Wash and Miami are looking for a QB! They hold the key to the draft… Those 3 teams might all be interested in moving up to get RG3. St L is VERY likely to trade that pick and get another high draft pick in return. Cleveland has the best chance w/ 2 1st round picks, if they choose… They certainly don’t have incentive to move all the way down to #28 tho.
Our Biggest Challenge is how we deal w/ Success!
But I thought Cleveland was sold on Colt McCoy?!
The amount of needs that franchise has is unreal. They need a proven running back (Hillis isn’t that at all), a solid 1-2 punch at WR (possibly more than that), a decent pair of CBs, and an actual offense.
Can they get that with McCoy? Eh. We’ll see. He got thrown to the wolves this year, and the wolves damn near killed Colt McCoy…
Author at Acme Packing Company, a Green Bay Packers blog, and Editor at BT Powerhouse, a Big Ten Basketball blog
Yes, I am on twitter. If you have to ask, you're streets behind.
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Feb 20, 2012 9:11 PM CST up reply actions
Cleveland
A proven RB can be gotten later. You could easily get on in the 2nd or 3rd. I like Polk from Washington. He reminds a little of Ahman Green. They drafted Greg Little last year at WR, so that should be one, but they do need another. And they got at least one of their CB in Haden. Yeah they have needs, but a franchise QB is a must, and I doubt too many people think McCoy is that guy. If they don’t then your still looking at Wash and Miami.
Our Biggest Challenge is how we deal w/ Success!
We would need to give up a LOT more than that to acquire the Rams pick
It would probably cost us two 1st Round Picks, a 2nd Round pick this year or next year, and James Jones just to get it.
One game at a time...
We'd have to trade Nelson, Jones, AND our next two first round picks to get the #2 pick...
Not worth it.
Author at Acme Packing Company, a Green Bay Packers blog, and Editor at BT Powerhouse, a Big Ten Basketball blog
Yes, I am on twitter. If you have to ask, you're streets behind.
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Feb 20, 2012 9:24 PM CST up reply actions
Their owner on competition committee can't solve ALL their problems...
Author at Acme Packing Company, a Green Bay Packers blog, and Editor at BT Powerhouse, a Big Ten Basketball blog
Yes, I am on twitter. If you have to ask, you're streets behind.
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Feb 20, 2012 11:48 PM CST up reply actions
In that case,
we might as well just
trade Rodgers, Jenning, Nelson and Finley
for about 15 first round picks.
"Perfection is not attainable,
but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence!"
After further review,
The Munsters of the Midway still suck,
Skol is a four-letter word,
abd those upstarts in Detroit couldn't beat the Little Sisters of the Poor.
Multiple Mocks suggesting Nick Perry could be the Packers' pick at 28.
Scott Wright’s Draft Countdown is another.
Author at Acme Packing Company
Same
I would love getting Perry at 28, and his play in college really doesn’t make you think he should go higher than that. But he is gonna impress everyone at the combine, there’s going to be comparisons to Clay, and some team is gonna overdraft him based of that and his potential.
I’ve watched some clips on YouTube.
FWIW, he doesn’t jump out on the highlights for me. I see a player who does what he’s supposed to do – eventually get to the QB. I don’t see him as a sack artist cleanly beating his man off the snap and getting quick sacks in one-on-one situations. I see the QB holding the ball too long and him getting coverage/effort sacks. Those are going to be harder to come by in the NFL. At the moment, I’m not that impressed – despite the notion that two USC guys at OLB would be kinda cool. :-,
I remain more interested in Curry or Mercilus as “pure pass rushers”.
I'd rather have Ingram in the 1st...
and Kendall Reyes in the 2nd. And if TT goes DL in 1st (Brockers, Cox, Poe) then I want Bruce Irvin in the 2nd at OLB. I would also be happy w/ Chase Minnefield, Stephon Gilmore, or Mike Adams at #28.
Perry is a smart player with a high motor.
I never saw a play he took off and he fights the entire game. People around the program said they really like his attitude and coachable nature. He had talent and I think he would make a great addition to the team.
There is nothing wrong with me cheering for players that are former players for my teams. Unless they become a Viking.
by Giant_in_la_area on Feb 20, 2012 11:51 AM CST via mobile reply actions
Yes
But he will be gone by 15.
"I agree but dont agree"
by juggernaut400 on Feb 20, 2012 1:07 PM CST up reply actions
Needs development
Perry is athletic and gets a solid jump of the line, and he plays with a high motor. He has limited pass rush moves, however. The USC interior linemen gave him a lot of help in the footage I watched, forcing the QB to shift around in the pocket to the outside. Guy has potential, but needs coaching.
by GreenBayPackers on Feb 20, 2012 12:23 PM CST reply actions
Any OLB prospect does
Guy has potential, but needs coaching.
Very few OLB prospects for a 34 OLB have much if any experience in coverage and need to work on a larger variety of pass rush moves. There just aren’t many ready-made 34 OLB that come out of college. Even the ones w/ experience in a 34 college scheme need alot of coaching and improvement in their game.
Our Biggest Challenge is how we deal w/ Success!
Totally agree
These prospects with a legitimate shot of transitioning to a 3-4 OLB are going to run through all the drills at the combine and pro day to see if they can make the transition. Any LB under serious consideration for the 1st round is probably going to be evaluated by Ted Thompson, and as a former LB himself, he’ll probably know a starter when he sees one. He’ll look for guys who have the potential and who they can coach up.
What they can do, and what they were asked to do in college, can be two separate things.
Agreed
Yeah, he kinda seems like a one trick pony – try and bat the OL’s hands down, and blow by him outside. Granted, he usually gets at least half a step on the guy doing so.
by packallday555 on Feb 20, 2012 1:30 PM CST up reply actions
Would we move up a few spots for him?
I wonder if some of the other OLB/DE prospects are gone and Perry (or someone else) is still there, would TT get ancy and trade up to make sure they get him?
Shit happens when you win championships
Only if it were a value to move up for them.
Thompson isn’t a guy that gets antsy and reaches for a player. It would take a guy he has rated near the top10 falling into the 20’s for Thompson to make a move up in the 1st round. A real difference maker… Otherwise its just not in Thompson’s nature to get anxious hoping a player falls to him.
Our Biggest Challenge is how we deal w/ Success!
I doubt he will still be on the board at 28
from everything i have read, he didn’t play in a bowl game, so he has had all this time to work on these drills and he will probably post some really good numbers at the combine and senior day, and it will probably move up his stock.
OLB vs DE/DT
I’m sorry, but a 250lb OLB does not interest me in the first round. We need a 300lb DT/DE to eat up the run and put a pass rush on. The 3-4 is built for LB to shoot the gaps on pass rush or outside rush (in the case of #52). The three DT/DE’s need to be athletic and powerful to bull rush/block. We have numerous 250lb LB’s and only one gets a good rush. But we also only have 1 good DT/DE (Raji) as Pickett is old, Jolly’s in jail, and Jenkins is gone. With a front four pass rush the DB’s look better as they did during the SB run. 1 good down lineman and 2 pass rushing LB’s will do nothing more than open up the middle of the field. I still think DT, DE, RB are the best first three picks.
34 Defense
Is built on having 2 playmaking OLB. THe DL are supposed to eat blockers, play strong against the run, but they don’t have to be pass rushers! Look at Pitts… They led the NFL in scoring D and D based on yardage but got only about 5.5 sacks from the 4 top DL. The Packers have one of the OLB they need in Matthews obviously, but they have a HUGE gaping hole at the other OLB. It can be done in different ways, but that is the essence of the 34. You need to have 2 OLB who can make plays! We only have one. Jenkins kinda played that role for the Packers in ‘10. What we need is another pass rusher, whether it comes in the form of an OLB or DE. Both would be ideal. The Packers think Neal has a chance to be the Jenkins for them, but another DL that can penetrate isn’t a must. Another OLB to provide pressure opposite Matthews provides the same boost to the D, maybe even more than a DL would.
Our Biggest Challenge is how we deal w/ Success!
Definitely more
Another OLB to provide pressure opposite Matthews provides the same boost to the D, maybe even more than a DL would.
Neal/Wynn/etc > Walden/Zombo/Jones/etc
"I'm here to talk about the economy today -- about the need to get four quarters of strong, consistent performance. That wasn't another Jay Cutler joke, I swear. It could be, but it's not."
Is built on having 2 playmaking OLB. THe DL are supposed to eat blockers, play strong against the run, but they don’t have to be pass rushers! Look at Pitts… They led the NFL in scoring D and D based on yardage but got only about 5.5 sacks from the 4 top DL. The Packers have one of the OLB they need in Matthews obviously, but they have a HUGE gaping hole at the other OLB.
Right. I think if we get that other OLB, it’ll make it so we’re able to essentially just find big guys who can hold their gaps, which isn’t that hard to find. Plus, getting that other OLB probably allows our defense to be more unpredictable. This draft seems to be a really good one for 3-4 OLB’s. I’d like to see us get one because of it.
by packallday555 on Feb 20, 2012 8:39 PM CST up reply actions
wot?
okay i know i haven’t been around much or confronted much of the crazy talk lately, but i really have to chime in here.
first things first, what’s important with early picks is that you get a good and talented player that fits your scheme. size and need are important to be sure but really the guy being a good to great player is more important. therefore if a guy is 250 but is a playmaker and can take pressure off clay then there is definitely value in the pick.
next i have to say that i am sick of people saying we need a rb in t by e first three picks. the pack really dont for two reasons. one, rb is a dime a dozen postion where an undrafted guy like arein foster is as likely to be great as a top 10 pick like ap…so there typically is not value. next the packers dont really run that much to demand a top end rb. mix these reasons with the fact that a rb was drafted last year and its just not happening nor is it needed.
by PackApologist on Feb 20, 2012 9:46 PM CST via Android app up reply actions
Yeah, to think that RB is a strong need is ridiculous
BUT WE MIGHT LOSE GRANTHE WAS OUR STARTING RB!!!!!!
13.
"Skip, once again, stop it; Be an analyst; don't be a douchebag."
Nick Perry
I admit, I haven’t seen a lot of film on him. Most of the film is from 2010 or 2009. I saw one game of him against Washington in 2011 though, but I wasn’t impressed.
Strengths
The one strength Perry has is his initial burst off the line. He’s explosive. He also has a motor. He lacks an arsenal of moves, but makes up for it by not quitting.
Flaws
He doesn’t have many moves. He literally is a one trick pony until he can develop an arsenal of moves, which will take some time through practice. Other problems I read on him through scouting reports are that he overshoots his gap and gets pushed out of the play while pass rushing. The biggest problem is when the OT times his burst off the line. When his speed is figured out, Perry can’t get off his blocks. It’ll be like watching Walden get tied up to the blocker all over again. I also sense that he’s getting a little more hype than he deserves being from USC.
I asked one of my good friends from Oregon what his thoughts were on him. Even him, who watched him for a couple years, said he’s not worth drafting in the 1st Round. True, he’s not a draft expert, but he has seen him on multiple occasions. Overall, I have a bad feeling about Nick Perry, but will be honest and admit I haven’t seen much game film on him from 2011. I base mine off the scouting reports and obviously from someone that has watched him play before. Judging him from the 2010 or older highlights are unfair to him.
Everyone here knows I value the OLB position more than the DE position at this point, but I would prefer drafting Fletcher Cox over Nick Perry. The OLB I covet most is Vinny Curry from Marshall. He’s only a 2nd Round Prospect right now, but I feel after the combine, he’ll jump into the first. He also got stuck playing for Marshall, which isn’t a school that has an abundance of talented players. Had he played for USC, perhaps he would be a 1st Round Prospect right now…
One game at a time...
I think the guy I like most it Ingram out of South Carolina. He’s not super explosive but he’s got a pretty good arsenal of moves, and is violent at the point of attack. He does a good job of getting into his guy and knocking them back off balance. He stands up every so often to and looks pretty natural doing it. He also does a good job of setting the edge. Of course, I think he’ll probably go before us but if he drops to 18+ I’d be happy if we traded up for him.
Get a legitimate DE
Don’t get a DE “who could also be an OLB”. We DO NOT NEED ONE!! We need a Monster DE, who can pass rush and make an impact. We have Walden and Zombo, who while not great sack threats do the job of Linebackers well. The sack threats of the Packers are Clay Matthews, Charles Woodson, and a Defensive End. Not the other Linebacker! Get Mercilus, Still, or (praying and crossing fingers) Upshaw. Franchise Flynn and get the ’phins second round pick in a trade.
Mercilus and Upshaw
Would be OLB for the Packers! They aren’t 34 DE. Still would be a DE for the Packers, but he will be long gone by the time the Packers pick. For that matter Upshaw and Mercilus probably will be gone to! Apparently you don’t understand how the 34 Defense works or what it needs from certain positions.
Our Biggest Challenge is how we deal w/ Success!
I'm sorry, but what?
We have Walden and Zombo, who while not great sack threats do the job of Linebackers well.
You know outside contain & coverage are part of the job of a LB, right?
I’d love to get Upshaw or Mercilus, they’d be great opposite Clay.
13.
"Skip, once again, stop it; Be an analyst; don't be a douchebag."
FYI
3-4 DE’s = 4-3 DT’s
3-4 OLBS = 4-3 DE’s
Mercilus would be an OLB. Thus being out point why it’s very rare to find pass rushers out of the 3-4 DE position.
One game at a time...
^This^
"Perfection is not attainable,
but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence!"
After further review,
The Munsters of the Midway still suck,
Skol is a four-letter word,
abd those upstarts in Detroit couldn't beat the Little Sisters of the Poor.
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