Packers Select Derek Wolfe in Third Round of #MockFour
Cincinnati defensive lineman Derek Wolfe was the selection of the Packers in the third round of the #MockFour internet mock draft.
For the second round in a row the Packers selected a defensive lineman in the #MockFour internet mock draft. With the 28th selection in the third round, Green Bay took Derek Wolfe of Cincinnati.
Playing the part of Packers general manager, Zach Kruse and myself were in agreement about selecting Wolfe, arguably the best pass-rushing defensive lineman still on the board, and something the Packers could sorely use from that position.
Wolfe was a very productive college football player totaling 37 tackles for a loss and 19 1/2 sacks in four years. He also helped Cincinnati grab at least a share of the Big East Conference title three times during his tenure and helped them earn berths in two BCS bowl games in 2008 and 2009.
Other positives about Wolfe are that he's been healthy and durable, has no major character concerns and was named All-American Strength and Conditioning Athlete of the Year by the National Strength and Conditioning Association in April of 2011.
At 6-5, Wolfe is also slightly taller than the Packers prefer most of their defensive linemen, and how he plays with leverage will be a concern.
At the very least, Wolfe should be able to play a nickel pass-rushing role in his rookie year with the ability to easily become a three-down player in the NFL in a short amount of time.
Combined with the selection of Clemson's Brandon Thompson in the second round of #MockFour and the free agent additions of Tony Hargrove and Daniel Muir, the Packers would suddenly have plenty of depth along the defensive line in such a scenario.
The Packers #MockFour draft so far...
1.28––Alabama linebacker Dont'a Hightower
2.28––Clemson defensive lineman Brandon Thompson
3.28––Cincinnati defensive lineman Derek Wolfe
Comments (14)
April 18, 2012 at 12:28 pm
Really like this draft!!! Quality help on defense with a high potential to contribue THIS year.
April 18, 2012 at 12:33 pm
I would wet myself if the draft went this way.
April 18, 2012 at 12:44 pm
Draft looks good but I see Ted picking a DB in rd 3
April 18, 2012 at 12:49 pm
Wolfe is being grossly underrated in a league where half the teams run out of a 3-4 base yet want the flexibility (size + athleticism) to flex big bodies inside. He's one of only a handful of legitimate 5-tech's in the entire draft.
He won't make it to pick 28 in round 2. I like him more than Brockers or Coples.
He's going in the top of round 2.
Brian Carriveau
April 18, 2012 at 01:11 pm
I wouldn't doubt it. He has too many positives and very few negatives.
April 18, 2012 at 12:50 pm
Can he hold the point of attack and play the DE? I don't think, regardless of how good he is in that aspect, TT will draft a situational rusher in the first 3 rounds.
If he can, then it seems like a terrific pick, and a terrific draft so far. DL not a problem anymore, more talent at LB...
Brian Carriveau
April 18, 2012 at 01:10 pm
Yes, I believe he can hold the point of attack. Will he be able to do it from Day 1? I'm not sure. But I think he should be able to do it in short order.
April 18, 2012 at 02:00 pm
After watching highlights of him against Vanderbilt (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDmtB05eJII), my take is that holding the point is his best trait. Nice job extending his arms, even with blocks engaged, identifying the ball carrier and making the tackle at the LOS.
His first step seemed slow to me, as well as his closing speed, though. Don't know if that translates to a good interior rusher in the pros. (all that from 1 highlight video of 1 game...)
April 19, 2012 at 12:40 am
He's no Cox, but then again who is in this draft. I hope the kid goes to a 3-4 team so he can show his ability.
April 18, 2012 at 01:45 pm
Okay, if things went like this, I suppose it would be perfect. Too bad there was a run on Corners in the third(including a major reach for Dennard by the Bills), because now we're looking at project Corners. Oh well.
The beef would help tremendously, and I like the height dimension that Wolfe would bring. I think it May have been Oppy that brought up how big the passing lanes would be with DJ Smith out there and short D-linemen.
April 18, 2012 at 03:42 pm
Thanks Packsmack for opening the door for an "I told you so".
I thought NT's Fangupo or Anunoby in rounds 5-7 would be better value than Thompson in round 2 and knowing there was good DE help (incl Wolfe) in rounds 3-5. I suggested Iloka the S. And even though Brian didn't like him I would have stayed at DB: Fleming, Robinson, or Norman.
Or I would have gone against script in the 2nd and taken A.J. Jenkins who I think will be a solid # 2 WR and maybe a # 1.
April 18, 2012 at 04:08 pm
While I agree the defense needs mucho help, I have watched TT's drafts and he always fills the holes first. A ceter and a safety, I think will be in the first few rounds for sure. This is going to be a strange draft. There's going to probably be a big change coming soon to the roster. With Rodgers, Mathews, Jennings, Finleys and Radji's among others contracts are up in the next two years. TT may start drafting players to make up for the ones he can't sign.
April 18, 2012 at 04:35 pm
SO...three rounds and no OLB. I thought that OLB do most of the pass rush in a 3-4 not D-Line or ILB?
April 18, 2012 at 04:45 pm
We won a SB, with big contribution from the D, with just CM3 as the OLB. But Raji and Jenkins were bringing pressure constantly.
We need more pass rush. If it's from the other OLB spot, if it's from the DL, if it is from a situational rusher (Hightower would be a rusher in nickel and dime), doesn't matter.