The Packers can continue to add to their growing defense
Draft season is right around the corner in the NFL. Michael Renner of PFF has been working hard and studying his collegiate film. With the college season coming to an end, prospects are going to enter their Senior bowls and private camps in preparation for draft night.
The full draft order is still unknown due to the ongoing season. However, most projections give the Packers the 16th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. What the Packers would or should do at that pick is rather difficult since everything can change before that point. As the season slows down, it gives Packers scouts and fans more time to look at intriguing prospects entering the upcoming draft.
The Packers suffered injuries on both sides of the ball, especially on defense. Given the depth of the upcoming draft, the Packers could consider drafting a defensive player in the first-round to create a serious brick wall.
Brian Branch, S, Alabama
Branch is one of the smaller safeties in the draft at six feet and 193 pounds. Despite his size, Branch has made 172 career tackles and only missed four times. What really has set Branch apart from the other prospects is his versatility and skill set. In 2022, Branch recorded three sacks and 14 tackles for loss while also limiting receivers to 6.7 yards per reception in coverage.
Brian Branch plays the ball perfectly and gets the win for the Crimson Tide pic.twitter.com/TIsSeYVac2
— Ryan C. Fowler (@RyanCFowler) November 13, 2022
Brian Branch can play at safety, corner, or linebacker if needed. He is able to push back blockers in run defense to create tackles for loss. Yet, he can also track down a receiver and make plays on the ball as well. The versatility, intelligence, and reactions from Branch are unmatched, and ultimately solidify him as a first-rounder. Branch can very well sneak up in the draft and go early like fellow safety Kyle Hamilton did last year. The Packers may not be in a position to draft Branch. However, if he is available, his versatility will be hard to pass up.
Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
Coming in at 170 pounds, Devon Witherspoon may not be physically imposing, but his tape tells a different story. Witherspoon has recorded 11.5 career tackles for loss as a corner. Along with this, Witherspoon recorded a 92.5 coverage grade from PFF in 2022. Opponents had a 34.9% completion percentage for an average of 3.27 yards and 206 total yards.
CB Devon Witherspoon is a stud
When tape matches numbers:
-22 receptions allowed on 63 catchable tgts (only 6 went for 1st downs)
– 3 INTs, 18 forced incompletions
-25.0 passer rating when targeted (per PFF)
-Inside/Outside versatility
-Multiple highlight reel run stops pic.twitter.com/BNRDuHi2xU
— Connor Rogers (@ConnorJRogers) January 5, 2023
Devon Witherspoon is a smaller, coverage-minded version of Brian Branch. The two prospects play with speed and tenacity, and always manage to be in the correct spot. Witherspoon forces pass breakups, and also meets running backs out on the edge. The versatility within his own position is what sets Witherspoon apart as a top prospects. Like Branch, Witherspoon could be off the board quick, but it never hurts to add depth at corner for the Packers.
Calijah Kancey, DL, Pitt
Kancey is a Junior, like the two other prospects, and was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 2022. Kancey recorded 31 total tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks in 11 games. For the career totals, Kancey has recorded 91 tackles, 34.5 for loss, 16 sacks, three pass defenses, and one forced fumble. The statistics on the football field are amazing for Calijah Kancey, but the most intriguing stat is his height.
Calijah Kancey is so smooth yet so strong pic.twitter.com/W283vjmmwV
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) September 10, 2022
Kancey comes in at six feet even and 275 pounds while primarily playing the interior defensive line. Speed is the name of the game, and the power is still there, but it is the swim and spin moves that allow Kancey into the backfield. He is slippery and extremely difficult to hold a block on. Due to his size, Kancey will likely play on the edge but can still slip past centers and guards on the interior. The Packers should certainly have the opportunity to draft Kancey, but he may not be the right pick early on.
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