Datone Jones
Datone Jones is a hand to glove fit for Green Bay’s 3-4 scheme. Coming from UCLA’s pro defense, Packer scouts could see his length and the talent to play anywhere along the defensive front. Versatility is a must because of the sub packages used to defend the potent NFL offenses. Jones is an ascending player with a bag of pass rushing tricks, including a rip, arm over, and club move. Eddie Lacy’s toe injury that required fusion of bones, gave several team’s pause before drafting him. The Packers’ medical staff had their own grade on his injuries. Ted Thompson traded down from pick 55 and took the Alabama running back at 61. Thick and powerfully built, he excels tackle to tackle using one cut to get downhill. A zone runner, he has good body lean. Lacy does have an injury history. David Bakhtiari will compete with Bryan Bulaga at left tackle, but may eventually move inside to guard or right tackle. He’s a solid and consistent pass protector despite his high cut long-legged build. Athletic with good movement, he possesses good balance and agility. To make an impact on the field he will need more bulk, core strength, and technique work. JC Tretter broke his ankle on May 21st during OTAs and will be out for six months. The Cornell graduate is very athletic and technique conscious. A smart and active competitor, he was a quarterback in high school. He came to college as a tight end, but moved to left tackle in 2010 and projects inside at guard. Johnathan Franklin was the second of two running backs drafted, but the four-year starter and Bruin career rushing leader may be the more dependable player. Franklin may be used in more passing situations and Lacy running on rundowns. The Pack would like to get back to the 2008 and 2009 years when Ryan Grant averaged 6.4 and 7.9 yards per catch. Franklin has soft hands and is a willing pass protector. Micah Hyde has his work cut out for him with Sam Shields and Casey Hayward ahead of him on the depth chart. The former Hawkeye has been impressive covering veteran receivers in OTAs and stripped the ball from James Jones to keep him from scoring in one instance. Hyde has experience at both safety and corner. He is very confident and competitive in his ability to make a play. He will also contribute on special teams. Josh Boyd is buried on the depth chart but will have an opportunity to make the ballclub once the pads come on in training camp. A three-year starter with good athletic ability, he has raw talent. He keeps working toward the quarterback drawing blocks which caught the eye of line coach Mike Trgovac when working out Fletcher Cox in 2012. He gets push up the middle and is a quick inside penetrator. Nate Palmer started his career at Illinois and played there in 2009 and 2010, then transferred to Illinois State and was very productive with 117 tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss, and 17 sacks. At his pro day he ran a 4.73/40, 35.5/VJ, and 10-5/BJ. He is a developmental linebacker with long arms. Charles Johnson started out at Eastern Kentucky where he was expelled then went to Antelope Valley Community College in California where he caught 24 passes, sat out a year, then enrolled at Division II Grand Valley State in Michigan. He sat out one year as a redshirt, then caught 128 passes for 2229 yards and 31 touchdowns in two seasons. Johnson is big (6020, 215), athletic, fast (4.4/40), and physical. He dominated the competition at his level. Kevin Dorsey only caught 18 passes his senior year after the Terrapins went through numerous quarterbacks because of injury. He caught 45 passes as a junior. During his pro day he ran a 4.46/ 40, 38/VJ, 10-10/BJ, and 17/BP. A developmental type receiver he has good measurables at 6014, 207 and long arms (33 ¾”). Sam Barrington is an active and athletic four down linebacker who is instinctive in his play. He has good arm length to ward off blocks and big hands to control blockers. A good tackler, he can play in coverage and will contribute on special teams. GRADE: ABOVE AVERAGE.
Box 235 Hiawatha, IA 52233