NFL Combine Important Shopping Stop For Packers

For second-year General Manager Brian Gutekunst, the NFL Combine set for Feb. 26-March 4 will be an important one.

Adding to the defensive cupboard for DC Mike Pettine, giving quarterback Aaron Rodgers a few extra weapons, adding to the overall quality speed and depth of Coach Matt LaFleur's first the team. All are keys for Gutenkunst and his scouts.

The Packers have six picks in the first four rounds, two in the first round  -- 12th and 30th. That means six of the top 128 players -- three of the top 75 -- in the country will be available. Every pick could be a difference-maker.

Here's a name you may want to track heading into the combine and the draft. Louisiana Tech's Jaylon Ferguson, three-time All-Conference USA pick with more career sacks and tackles for loss to his credit than any other active FBS player. A fifth-year senior from Saint Francisville, LA, the 6-5, 262 pound edge rusher finished his Louisiana Tech career with 45 sacks, thanks to 17.5 in his final season. He broke the career record of 42.5 set by Terrell Suggs of Arizona State University.

Any Packer fan who watched the team struggle defensively all season knows the team needs some speed coming off the edge. Ferguson will give Green Bay that speed. And I wouldn't be surprised if another early pick went with a speedy outside linebacker.