AllGreenBayPackers.Com

Alabama DT Jesse Williams

Green Bay Packers NFL Draft prospect profile: DT Jesse Williams

Player Information:

Jesse Williams, DT Alabama
6-4, 320 pounds
Hometown: Brisbane, Australia

STATS: College stats

NFL Combine:

Bench press: 30 reps

News and Notes:

Didn’t start playing football until he was 15 years old. … Played rugby and basketball before football. … Started career at Alabama as a five-technique DE before moving to nose tackle his senior season. … Totaled 37 tackles and two half sacks as a NT. … Also lined up as Alabama’s fullback in goal line packages. … Blocked a kick his senior season. … Has several tattoos, one of which on his hand says, “I stopped checking for monsters under the bed when I realized the monster is me.”

 What they’re saying about him:   Read more... (670 words + 1 image, estimated 2:41 mins reading time)

• NFL.com: “Williams uses his size, consistent motor and supreme toughness to drain his opponents at the point of attack. His best NFL position is likely at nose tackle, but Williams has enough athleticism to play multiple spots for a 3-4 team at the next level.”
• Bleacher Report: “One of the biggest and strongest interior linemen in this year’s draft, Jesse Williamshas been an anchor for Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide defense for the last two years. There is extensive film of him playing both nose tackle and defensive end in Alabama’s 3-4, and he has experience with one and two gap techniques. He isn’t the athlete or pass rusher Marcel Dareus was coming out, but he is much quicker, lighter on his feet, and more explosive than Terrance Cody, who is currently with the Ravens.”

---- Get AddToAny

Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB Alabama

Green Bay Packers draft prospect profile: Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

Player information:

• Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama
• 6-foot-2, 279 lbs.
• Upshaw surprisingly weighed in at 279 lbs at the Alabama Pro Day, 6lbs heavier than he weighed at the NFL combine. He says he feels “250″ thanks to workouts he’s been doing, but wanted to come in under 270. Reportedly ran a 4.77 40 yard dash.

NFL Combine:

• N/A 40-yard dash
• N/A 20-yard shuttle
• N/A 3-cone drill
• N/A broad jump
• N/A vertical jump
• 22 bench press reps
• 32″ arm length
• 9″ hands

News & Notes:

A two-year starter for the Crimson Tide, Upshaw notched 17 sacks and 31.5 tackles for loss in those two seasons.  He played both defensive end and linebacker, with primary responsibility to get after the quarterback. Upshaw consistently was at his best in big games – doesn’t shy away from the pressure.

What they’re saying about him:

Frank Cooney (CBS Sports): “Alabama coach Nick Saban predicts Upshaw can play outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense or “put his hand in the dirt and play defensive end” in the NFL. Based on his play in college, regardless of where Upshaw lines up, he will probably wind up in a quarterback’s mug. Used as an edge rusher, sometimes as the Tide’s so-called “Jack” linebacker and sometimes as an end, Upshaw thrashes blockers with great hand and arm action and shows ample speed and agility to find his way into the offensive backfield. He has instincts beyond that of a pure pass-rusher, with an uncommon awareness for draws, screens, counters and reverses. Although he was not asked to drop into coverage often at Alabama, he has a fluid athleticism that may allow him to adapt to such a demand.”  Read more... (555 words + 3 images, estimated 2:13 mins reading time)

---- Get AddToAny

Alabama safety Mark Barron

Green Bay Packers draft prospect profile: S Mark Barron, Alabama

Player information:

• Mark Barron, S, Alabama
• 6-foot-1, 213 lbs
• Underwent double hernia surgery but still projects as the draft’s top safety

NFL Combine: (injured, did not participate):

News & Notes:

Barron stepped onto campus his freshman year and tallied 11 special teams tackles, the third most on the Alabama roster. From there, Barron took over the starting safety position and proceeded to rattle off three-straight first-team All-SEC selections. Arguably his most productive season came in 2009, when Barron intercepted seven passes as a sophomore. Two years later, Barron is the unquestioned No. 1 senior safety in the 2012 draft class. Most project him in the top-30 picks.

What they’re saying about him:

Wes Bunting (National Football Post): Has the makings of a heck of a special teams player who can also attack downhill vs. the run game, play inside the box and drive on the football in front of him in the pass game. Isn’t going to be a major threat turning and tracking the football, but his improved instincts makes me think he can start in the league early on.  Read more... (483 words + 1 image, estimated 1:56 mins reading time)

---- Get AddToAny