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5 players the Green Bay Packers should move up to draft

By Rucker Haringey

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 23: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers in action against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on December 23, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 23: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers in action against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on December 23, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images) /
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ORLANDO, FL – JANUARY 01: Kentucky Wildcats linebacker Josh Allen (41) runs during the Citrus Bowl game between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Penn State Nittany Lions on January 1, 2019 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL – JANUARY 01: Kentucky Wildcats linebacker Josh Allen (41) runs during the Citrus Bowl game between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Penn State Nittany Lions on January 1, 2019 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. Josh Allen

The Packers were smart to let Clay Matthews leave via free agency, but they will miss his pass rushing ability from the outside linebacker position. Clearly Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith will be expected to pick up some of that slack, but there’s no law against having three dominant pass rushers on the edge.

Allen is projected to go in the Top 5 because of the combination of his potential and production. He dominated SEC offensive lineman at Kentucky. His speed and bend off the edge also gives him the potential to refine his craft even further at the NFL level.

The former Wildcats star also projects to be a player who can put his hand in the dirt and rush the passer from defensive end when the Packers go to four-man fronts. That’s an edge he has over the free agents Green Bay signed this offseason.

If the Packers want to move up and nab Allen they’d need to move up to No. 3 to feel really comfortable about their ability to grab him. That might cost them both of their first round picks, but adding a potential double-digit sack guy would be well worth that investment.

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