We are just under six weeks away from the NFL Draft and NFL draft boards are starting to take shape. I thought it would be a good time to formulate a list of a few realistic options at different positions of who the Packers could be targeting at pick #27.

In the coming weeks be on the lookout for my positional rankings and big board.

Defensive Linemen

Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor- At 6'1" 311lbs he is one of the strongest players in the draft. He put up 31 reps of 225lbs at the Combine and also showed his athleticism by running a 5.05 40 yard dash. A lot of Billing's game right now is predicated on strength; it works very well for him in college but he will need to learn to use his hands better, particularly in the pass game. Billings is a tireless worker, a menace disrupting plays on the inside and chasing ball carriers on the outside with surprising quickness. Billings can get in trouble losing his gap responsibilities when he tries to make a play in the backfield, but he does a good job penetrating, often times making the runner adjust behind the line of scrimmage. I’d like to see him keep his head up in those situations to diagnose the play better and then disengage from the blocker. Billings would be a great replacement to the retired BJ Raji.

Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama- Much like with Billings, Jarran Reed is primarily a two down run stuffer at this point of his development. Reed, who stands 6'3" 307lbs, has very good lower body strength and can hold his ground vs double teams. He does a nice job making plays off his frame and will chase ball carriers but doesn't get consistent penetration. Reed has a long ways to go to be a pass rush threat but his ability to play the run, and eat up blockers to allow the linebackers to make plays is top notch.  Along with nose tackle, Reed has the versatility to play some defensive end in the Packers 3-4 defense.

-Other defensive lineman to consider: Kenny Clark, UCLA; A'Shawn Robinson, Alabama; Vernon Butler, Louisiana Tech, Chris Jones, Mississippi St.

Outside Linebackers

Leonard Floyd, OLB/ILB, Georgia- Floyd is a very unique prospect having played both outside linebacker and inside linebacker in Georgia's 3-4 defense. Floyd is 6'6" 244lbs and looks more like a wide receiver than he does edge rusher. He tested well at the combine running a 4.60 forty yard dash, and vertical jumping 39.5 inches. Floyd could best be described as wiry, and needs to add a good 10lbs of muscle to his frame to consistently hold up vs NFL offensive tackles. I think Floyd's best position with the Packers defense is to have him learn both inside and outside linebacker responsibilities and let him and Clay Matthews play interchangeable roles and wreak havoc on opposing offenses. 

Emmanuel Ogbah, DE/OLB, Oklahoma St. - When watching Ogbah play you see a very linear athlete who has been uber productive at the college level. At 273 lbs. he is a bit heavier than you'd like a 3-4 OLB to be, however that is similar size to Nick Perry. Like Perry, Ogbah has a strong upper body but doesn't possess the hip and ankle flexation to consistently threaten the edge when rushing the passer. Ogbah is said to be a coach’s dream, and if broken in slowly he could develop into a very good pass rusher in the NFL.

Other outside linebackers to consider: Noah Spence, Eastern Kentucky; Kevin Dodd, Clemson

Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama- Ragland is a divisive name in the draft community. Some people feel he is nothing more than a two down, run stuffing, old school linebacker while others feel he has the ability to play all three downs. The 247lb Ragland has a thick lower half and understands gap assignments incredibly well but when it came to obvious passing downs Alabama often asked him to switch to OLB and rush the passer. Some will say this is because he was effective doing so, while other contend it was to hide his deficiencies in coverage. I tend to think it was a combination of the two. While Ragland won't be able to run with the Jimmy Graham's or Ameer Abdullah's of the NFL he showed enough on tape that he can play zone coverage and get to his spots. I think Ragland would be a good fit in Green Bay's defense and would start immediately. Having said that, if Packer fans are expecting Ragland to make several plays behind the line of scrimmage a game they will be disappointed, that isn't Ragland's game. Ragland will be solid in all facets, will be a tone setter, and can be a leader of the defense.

Darron Lee, ILB, Ohio St. - After Darron Lee's impressive performance at the Combine I think the chances he falls to pick #27 are slim, but you just never know. Lee is a side line to side line playmaker this defense hasn't really had at inside linebacker. Lee can chase down ball carriers, run with tight ends and be seemingly everywhere on the field. Lee is relatively raw at the linebacker position and it shows. He will too often miss a tackle, or not be able to shed a block to make a play. Lee's athleticism makes him a very intriguing player who the Packers would love to be able to leave on the field all three downs. Again, it may be wishful thinking to believe he can fall to the bottom of the first round.

Other inside linebackers to consider: Jaylon Smith, Notre Dame; Su'a Cravens, USC

Tight Ends

Hunter Henry, TE, Arkansas- I'm going to first say I don't believe Henry or any other tight end is worthy of pick #27 in the draft, but he is however ranked #1. Henry boasts great size, and is a fluid athlete. He displays good hands and the ability to stretch the seam. Henry is a functional blocker although he needs work on his refinement and consistency. He isn't going to make many people miss once he has the ball but he is a good route runner and can find open spots in zones. I think he'd be an upgrade over Richard Rodgers, however it wouldn't be a gigantic improvement.

Other tight ends to consider: Tyler Higbee, Western Kentucky; Austin Hooper, Stanford; Jerrell Adams, South Carolina, Nick Vannett, Ohio St.

Offensive Lineman

Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana- Spriggs was one of the Combine's biggest winners. He was a top performer in just about every drill. Piggy-backing off his solid week at the Senior Bowl and some pretty good college tape, Spriggs shouldn't have to wait until Friday to hear his name called. Spriggs has the length and athleticism to effectively keep speed rushers outside and the ability to move his man some in the run game. Where Spriggs struggles is in his ability to anchor. He needs to develop core strength and get a little more "sand in the pants" to withstand bull rushes from stronger defensive ends. The Packers could look at an offensive tackle early if they fear David Bahktairi will be too expensive next year when his contract is up. They've also proven they don’t' have a competent swing back up tackle on the roster.

Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio St. - Decker isn't quite the athlete Spriggs is, he is however a better blocker when it comes to the run game. He has exceptional feet getting to the second level and can really maul linebackers. He uses his length well in pass protection but needs to work on consistency with his technique. Decker has a tendency to play a little high which can allow defenders to get into his chest. Overall Decker is a solid tackle prospect who could play either side, or kick inside to play guard even at his height.

Other offensive lineman to consider: Germain Ifedi, Texas A&M; Cody Whitehair, Kansas St

Wide Receivers

Josh Doctson, WR, TCU- Going in the direction of wide receiver doesn't make a lot of sense but I thought it should get mentioned,  just in case. Josh Doctson is one of the more exciting prospects to watch in this year's class. His ability to high point the football with graceful ballerina-like body control is amazing to watch. Doctson doesn't break a lot of tackles after the catch and will have to get stronger, but he has an enormous catch radius and outstanding vertical ability. Doctson is the type of wide receiver who could start his career slowly but then emerge into a team’s #1 threat on the outside.

Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor- Coleman is a bit undersized at only 5'11 but he has blazing speed, clocking a 4.37 forty yard dash at his pro day. Coleman is electric with the ball in his hands. He has the ability to make a defensive player miss a tackle in a phone booth and has the acceleration to reach top speed instantly. Coleman does have a case of the dropsies from time to time and ran a very limited route tree at Baylor. Packer fans are constantly screaming about a deep threat, and Coleman would certainly fit that bill.

Other wide receivers to consider: Michael Thomas, Ohio St.; Tyler Boyd, Pittsburgh; Will Fuller, Notre Dame