Offensive lineman? Check. The Packers, with two first-round picks, were able to add a stellar lineman to the fold at No. 12 in the NFL Draft. Now, the focus turns to defense, where they have a void on the edge waiting to be filled.
The Packers got decent returns from Kyler Fackrell last season, but Nick Perry could be heading out the door after logging just 1.5 sacks on the year. Fackrell alone is far from a consistent force to be reckoned with, and so the Packers need to capitalize on a strong edge class.
Montez Sweat might not fit the Packers as well as a Brian Burns or a Jachai Polite, but by prioritizing the offensive line with their first NFL Draft pick, the Packers have put themselves in this position. Still, Sweat is a very solid prospect in his own right. He’s still developing, but as I wrote in my Saturday Spotlight article on Sweat, there’s a lot to like.
"Sweat is a still-developing edge rusher who’s at least decent at almost everything. Sweat has some bend, but not enough, as he sometimes gets re-routed by tackles. He has good burst, but he doesn’t fly off the line all the time. He shows flashes of bullish strength, but he needs to improve on that, nonetheless. Sweat’s length, motor, and production make up for the natural inconsistencies that most college players have. He has room to improve. But the prospect, Montez Sweat, brings a lot to the table."
Sweat had a good week of practices at the Senior Bowl, which could have elevated his stock, and if he tests even remotely well at the combine, he could be gone well before No. 30. But in this NFL Draft mock, he’s still available, and the Packers decide to take a chance on him.