3 of 5

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

Inside linebacker

1. Reggie Ragland, Alabama: The top prospect at his position this year, Ragland is a run-stuffing force in the middle who is trying to prove that he can also remain on the field on third downs. The 2015 SEC Defensive Player of the Year has the size you look for in the middle and the open-field tackling skills you want against the run.

2. Deion Jones, LSU: A Butkus Award finalist as the nation's top linebacker, Jones projects as an inside linebacker for a 3-4 NFL team. He has limited starting experience but had an eye-popping 2015 season as a senior, leading the Tigers with 100 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and five sacks.

Defensive line

1. Sheldon Rankins, Louisville: Of course the Packers would be interested in a player such as DeForest Buckner or Shaq Lawson, but Rankins feels like the first defensive lineman they could feasibly land at No. 27 if he fell. Rankins had an impressive 2015 season for the Cardinals, starting 13 games and totaling 13 tackles for loss and six sacks as well as 58 tackles, four quarterback hits and a fumble recovery.

2. Jarran Reed, Alabama: Chances are high that Green Bay could walk away from Day 1 with a new Alabama player for its roster. Like his teammate Ragland, Reed was a leader of the Crimson Tide championship defense in 2015, finishing with 56 tackles, one sack, two pass breakups, eight quarterback hurries and a fumble recovery.

Tight end

1. Hunter Henry, Arkansas: Though it's unlikely Ted Thompson would select a tight end in Round 1, Henry may be available for the Packers at No. 27. The Razorback finished second on the team with 51 catches for 739 yards and three touchdowns in 2015. His speed and athleticism are what is missing from the Packers' pass-catching corps currently.

2. Austin Hooper, Stanford: In a shallow tight end class, there's a noticeable drop-off between Henry and Hooper: the latter amassed 74 catches for 937 yards and eight touchdowns in two seasons at Stanford, only slightly more than Henry had in one season at Arkansas. However, Hooper is athletic with long arms and soft hands.



Offensive line

1. Jason Spriggs, Indiana: While it's unlikely Thompson would target an offensive lineman this high (Spriggs is projected to go late in the first round), the Indiana prospect is near the top of the Packers' big board and would be feasible at No. 27. If the Packers aren't able to re-sign David Bakhtiari next offseason, they'll need a future starting left tackle on the roster. Spriggs could be it.



2. Germain Ifedi, Texas A&M: Thompson values versatile college offensive linemen, and Ifedi had experience at both right tackle and guard for the Aggies. That could make him a nice target as insurance in case the Packers have to let either T.J. Lang or Josh Sitton walk in free agency.

Outside linebacker

1. Darron Lee, Ohio State: Thompson would likely show some rare emotion if Lee happened to fall to the Packers in the first. He started all 13 games in 2015, finishing with 66 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. He has experience rushing off the edge and defending the run in coverage. He could move inside in the NFL, but would be a versatile linebacker in a 3-4 or a 4-3 scheme.

2. Leonard Floyd, Georgia: Floyd moves fast for a player his size, getting into the backfield quickly to disrupt the quarterback. He had a whopping 74 tackles in 2015 and is without a doubt one of the best athletes at any position in this draft class.