This is the sixth in a position-by-position series evaluating the Green Bay Packers needs entering the 2011 draft.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Need level: Moderate to high
On the roster: DE Ryan Pickett, NT B.J. Raji, DE Howard Green, DE C.J. Wilson, DE Mike Neal, DE Jarius Wynn, NT Jay Ross, DE Curtis Young and DE Justin Harrell.
Free agents: DE Cullen Jenkins.
Outlook: The line improved when Pickett got healthy, Raji began to play like a first-round pick and Green came in and offered some relief, but the run defense wasnt that good down the stretch. At times, the Packers were able to stifle offenses on first down and create better down-and-distance situations, which greatly aided the whole defense. A big problem for the Packers is that Jenkins, the best pass-rusher of the bunch, is as good as gone after not receiving any offers to stay. Then consider that the hefty Green and Pickett have been unsupervised for three months and might be letting their weight go and Neal is coming off a torn rotator cuff and has shown susceptibility to injury. Wilson came on late in the year and showed that with a strong off-season and continued improvement he could replace Jenkins at right end. Hes a good run defender, but nowhere near the inside rusher Jenkins is. Neal could fill that void. He showed in the Washington game that he can be a disruptive force in nickel situations, but again, he has to show he can make it through a season. Wynn was up and down all year and needs to use his physical talents better when pass rushing. Harrell is coming off a torn ACL, and while he looked good in camp last year and made the team, hes an injury waiting to happen.
Eye-opening stat: In the 13 games in which Green played, the defense allowed opposing runners to average 4.5 yards per carry.
Whats available: There is help at this position for 3-4 teams like the Packers, especially at the end of the first round where there will probably be a run on ends. Theres probably not a lot of agreement among teams on which player is the best of the group, so its hard to say who will be available. Iowas Adrian Clayborn has a birth-related nerve condition, Temples Muhammad Wilkerson looks the part but is very raw and Ohio States Cameron Heyward is enormously strong but far from a sure thing. On the third day of the draft, GM Ted Thompson could think about sturdy Mississippi State end Pernell McPhee or powerful Southern Arkansas lineman Cedric Thornton to beef up his run defense. Late in the draft there will be an opportunity to pick up a sleeper because of the depth at the position.
Bottom line: Thompson doesnt have to come out of this draft with a high pick at defensive end, but given the way injuries have hit this unit in recent years, he better make sure he has plenty of depth. Right now, he doesnt. Ideally, Thompson would like Neal to step in and take over all of Jenkins duties, but he has to protect himself if Neal is injury prone. Wilson could also step in and replace Jenkins or Green on run downs and the Packers wouldnt lose anything. If Thompson is able to add a pass-rushing outside linebacker then it will take some pressure off him to replace Jenkins rush with a lineman.