Everyone is a draft expert these days, so take this for what it’s worth — members of the Green Bay Packers front office are reportedly high on Miami inside linebacker Denzel Perryman and Utah cornerback Eric Rowe.
Draft Insider reports that senior personnel exec Alonzo Highsmith is pushing for Perryman, which shouldn’t come as a surprise, considering he also went to the U. Rowe appears to be a guy who has been discussed at length.
So who the hell are these guys?
Perryman is the next Ray Lewis, of course.
We’re kidding, although he was third-team All-American and first-team All-ACC as a senior, when he had 110 tackles. In short, the scouting report says that Perryman is tough and hits hard, but is a liability in coverage.
This is from NFL.com:
Early down linebacker who can make plays against the run but will struggle if isolated in coverage. Perryman is a lunch-pail worker who enjoys the physical part of the game. Can be a highly productive NFL player but ceiling looks to be limited.
That sounds a little too much like A.J. Hawk to me. He was a lunch-pail worker with a limited ceiling and he also sucked in coverage.
Ugh…
But hell, the guy appears to be able to wrap up and lay some wood, which is something Hawk was never able to do.
As for Rowe, the best comparison may be to the dearly departed Davon House.
He’s tall, at 6-1, which would immediately make him the tallest corner on the Packers roster.
Rowe likes to mix it up with receivers and is said to be a good tackler. The knock is lack of deep speed, even though he ran a 4.4 40.
Rowe had 59 tackles, one interception and 13 passes defended in 12 games as a senior.
Both of these guys are expected to be late first or early second-round selections.
If TT wants the best ILB in the first the only one to take is Stephone Anthony. If you look at his combine results he has basically same measurables as Clay Matthews only faster. He needs better instincts or reps, however Matthews had little experience when he came out of USC. You cannot teach Anthony’s speed and size. Think of those two together on the field.
The discussions regarding Perryman if not a smoke screen has to be if the Pack can get him in the second round. Rowe could have a chance in the first, hopefully some team puts him ahead of Johnson so Johnson may be available at 30, Anthony at 30 would not disappoint either.