The Packers need at the linebacker position is two-fold: they could use an additional starting caliber presence but they also need more overall depth at the position.
With that said, I get the sense, based on how the Packers approached free agency at this position, that they are more comfortable with the current makeup of the linebacker room than those on the outside looking in.
Jeff Hafley’s defense is going to emphasize putting Quay Walker in consistent positions to make plays. Isaiah McDuffie played in Hafley’s system during his final year at Boston College, and Eric Wilson has played over 2,000 career defensive snaps, and was asked to fill in last season when the defense faced obvious passing situations.
On top of that, as Brian Gutekunst has pointed out on a few occasions, this is a nickel league, meaning that even though the Packers utilize a 4-3 base defense now, they will primarily have just two linebackers on the field.
If the Packers are in fact comfortable with where they sit at linebacker, that is a good thing because this is not a strong draft class at that position. The talent pool gets even smaller when taking into account previous athletic thresholds that the Packers have often stuck to when addressing this position. If the Packers want to find immediate help, they will likely have to act swiftly in the draft.
Although much of the conversation around this position has been on who will be the Will, the Mike, and the Sam linebackers when in base, Gutekunst’s focus is on finding versatile defenders so that the Packers have options and are prepared for any potential injuries.
With only five linebackers on the roster, and Gutekunst mentioning earlier this offseason that added depth would be needed as they shift to a 4-3 scheme, drafting at least two linebackers is likely on the Packers’ radar.
With linebacker one of the bigger needs that Gutekunst and the Packers will have to tackle, here are six prospects to know and to keep your eyes on.
Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M
Oct 28, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (45) celebrates a tackle against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the second quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Dustin Safranek-USA TODAY Sports
Height: 6-2
Weight: 230
RAS: 9.34
Consensus board rank: 42
Breakdown: The combination of Cooper and Walker would give the Packers an extremely athletic linebacker duo. Cooper’s athleticism and ability to eat up space and makeup ground turned him into one of PFF’s highest-graded run defenders in 2023. He was also very effective as a blitzer, totaling 14 pressures, and has the range to cover ground in coverage as well.
Payton Wilson, NC State
Oct 28, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack linebacker Payton Wilson (11) celebrates after scoring a touchdown on an interception during the second half against the Clemson Tigers at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Height: 6-4
Weight: 233
RAS: 9.88
Consensus board rank: 44
Breakdown: Wilson would make an immediate impact in coverage, helping to improve the Packers’ middle-of-the-field defense. Last season, Wilson held opponents to just 9.2 yards per catch and forced three pass breakups and three interceptions. He was also a very reliable tackler, missing only six of his 129 attempts. Wilson had the fifth-highest coverage grade among linebackers in 2023.
Trevin Wallace, Kentucky
Kentucky’s Trevin Wallace recovers the fumble and moves the ball against Florida Saturday afternoon.
Sept. 30, 2023
Height: 6-1
Weight; 237
RAS: 9.65
Consensus board rank: 120
Breakdown: Wallace is relatively inexperienced, with just over 1,300 career snaps, although that hasn’t stopped the Packers before. However, he is young, athletic, and possesses excellent upsides–all characteristics of a Packers draft pick. Wallace needs some refinement and his biggest impact right away may come on special teams. Last season, he made noise as a blitzer and was fairly reliable as a tackler.
Jordan Magee, Temple
Sep 17, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Temple Owls linebacker Jordan Magee (6) reacts after a tackle against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the first half at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports
Height: 6-1
Weight: 228
RAS: 9.29
Consensus board rank: 234
Breakdown: Gutekunst wants versatility at linebacker, and Magee provided that at Temple, able to take on different responsibilities, impacting both the passing and running games. In 2023, he allowed only 7.1 yards per catch in coverage and ranked 38th out of 200 linebackers in run-stop rate.
Curtis Jacobs, Penn State
Oct 22, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions line backer Curtis Jacobs (23) pressures Minnesota Golden Gophers running back Mohamed Ibrahim (24) during the third quarter at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Minnesota 45-17. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Height: 6-1
Weight: 241
RAS: 8.43
Consensus board rank: 165
Breakdown: Jacobs played up around the line of scrimmage and was asked to blitzed fairly often during his time at Penn State. He’s a physical defender who is more than willing to take on blockers and missed only 12 of his 112 attempts the last two seasons. Jacobs also has the athleticism to operate in space, which Penn State also asked him to do.
Cedric Gray, North Carolina
Oct 14, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels linebacker Cedric Gray (33) in action against the Miami Hurricanes in the second half at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports
Height: 6-1
Weight: 234
RAS: 8.04
Consensus board rank: 95
Breakdown: A highly productive and experienced linebacker, Lance Zierlein of NFL.com writes that Gray would be best suited as a weakside linebacker in the NFL. If that is how the Packers view him as well, then that means playing Walker at middle linebacker. Gray had good ball production with five interceptions in three seasons and was very active, often around the football, with 54 career pressures and 374 total tackles. It is worth noting, however, that he did miss 14.6 percent of his tackle attempts last season, which ranked 132nd out of 200 linebackers.
