The secret has been out for quite some time now. The term base defense is turning into a fossil. For the eighth straight year, the number of defensive snaps with at least five defensive backs has gone up.

Even in 2011, the Packers used a 2-4-5 alignment 62 percent of the time.

The reason of course is the influx of the passing game. The Packers were torched all over the field in the NFC Championship Game to the tune of 493 total yards and 12 pass plays of 15 yards or more.

That’s where Josh Jones comes in. His bio may say safety, but defensive coordinator Dom Capers is thinking other things.

“That was the first time doing linebacker drills,” the 6-foot-2, 220-pound Jones said with a smile after finishing up a Packers’ rookie practice.

Think of LeRoy Butler 2.0. Butler did a great job of playing the run and attacking the passer, but Jones is going to be a step further. With his speed and coverage skills, he can take an inside linebacker job right now in a nickel defense — which is what the new “base” defense is.

“I expect to contribute in any way I can, regardless of what my role is,” said Jones. “I can do a lot of things for a defense.”

That’s exactly what the Packers want to hear. The buzzword in the NFL right now is versatility. Running backs that are more worried about touches as opposed to just carries. Quarterbacks that can gallop 10 yards in a blink and sling it 70 yards and quick defenders that can seemingly play just about anywhere.

“I love the game so much and I would hope that it’s visible when I play,” Jones said.

While everyone else was gushing about combo stars Christian McCaffrey and Dalvin Cook, Jones appears to the defensive equivalent from last month’s draft. Even if Jones doesn’t technically start, he will likely play the majority of the game anyway.

Jones is a tremendous lift for a defense that has looked befuddled guarding running backs out of the backfield. And just when you think you have that solved is when you get gashed with a long run between the tackles or give up a backbreaking 10-15 yard quarterback scramble on third down.

Jones is meant to stop those things. Think of him as Gorilla Glue. Capers will be able to stick him into just about any situation and be confident that Jones will be able to hold firm. He’s fast enough to attach himself to wide receivers. He’s big enough to body up tight ends and he’s got enough nasty to stampede the line of scrimmage.

Jones may not put up the numbers, but he’s going to be a guy that quarterbacks are going to want to locate right away. Lose track of him and the unassuming 22-year-old will suddenly turn himself into a linebacker and blow the play up.

Jones is listed as a safety. Just don’t expect him to be planted in center field because he has so much more to offer.