The Green Bay Packers have signed their second, second-round pick, inking safety Josh Jones, Friday.
#Packers S Josh Jones, one of their second-round picks, just signed his contract. Same with #Bears 2nd rounder TE Adam Shaheen.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 19, 2017
The signing of Jones follows that of the Packers’ top draft choice (and their first second-round pick), Kevin King. Both players will be looked to to bolster the Packers’ coverage units, this season.
Jones was the surprise pick of the draft for the Packers. Green Bay seemingly has four legit safeties on their roster, besides Jones.
However, it now appears that Jones — who is both big and fast — will be utilized at inside linebacker. That’s an area where the Packers were ineffective in 2016.
Their top inside linebacker, Jake Ryan, isn’t a playmaker. He doesn’t have a single sack or interception in his two years in Green Bay. Blake Martinez was a disappointment as a rookie and Joe Thomas, although decent in coverage, is a liability in other aspects of the game.
Is Jones the answer for the Packers?
They utilized safety Morgan Burnett occasionally in the same hybrid role, last season.
It’s certainly also worth mentioning that Burnett is entering the final year of his contract.