Green Bay Packers: Top team needs entering 2021 NFL Draft

5. Nickel/Safety

This seems like an oddly specific need for the Green Bay Packers, but new defensive coordinator Joe Barry has stressed that the nickel position is important for defenses nowadays and that it will be important for this Packers team. Finding a safety or corner who can lock down the middle of the field in coverage is absolutely crucial in today’s pass-happy NFL.

Versatility will be the name of the game for this add. Current Packers safety Darnell Savage does some of his best work at the second level in a robber type of role, and he does succeed in man coverage at the nickel spot. So, if not a corner, a versatile safety could be the target for Green Bay.

One name that sticks out in that category is Oregon’s Jevon Holland. Holland sat out in 2020 because of obvious COVID concerns, but he has shown the versatility to play two-high or down at the nickel position. His instincts and football IQ are very high relative to this class of defensive backs.

Another obvious target for the Packers is Washington’s Elijah Molden. While he may not meet their size thresholds, Molden is a darn good football player who thrives near the line of scrimmage. He has great transitional quickness and has the alpha mentality. He flies downhill to make plays and could be a Budda Baker type for the Packers.

An off-the-radar guy to watch would be Stanford’s Paulson Adebo. While Adebo has played outside corner most of his career, he thrived in the box, closing quickly downhill to make plays against the run. Adebo has the ball skills and tackling ability to fit the nickel spot, and fits the Packers athletic thresholds.