2018 NFL Mock Draft: Early June Edition
By Jon Dove
26. Green Bay Packers- Vita Vea, DL, Washington
The Green Bay Packers are still operating Dom Capers’ 3-4 defensive attack. It has worked well in the past as scheme that creates a ton of pressure. However, a lot of the success depends on having a run stuffer at nose tackle.
Green Bay has had a hard time finding a long-term replacement for the retired B.J. Raji. This has created holes in the run defense and made life harder on their inside linebackers.
Washington’s Vita Vea is a massive individual who would be able to solve this problem. He excels at occupying blockers and plugging the middle of the defense. His size and strength make it tough to move him off the line of scrimmage.
Vea is more versatile than a typical nose tackle thanks to his surprising quickness. It allows him to generate some pressure on the quarterback and make plays away from his frame. Vea is a defensive tackle who will register a high number of tackles.
Green Bay could also use some help at the running back position. They are counting on converted wide receiver Ty Montgomery to maintain the success he had late last year. However, he’s more of a change-of-pace runner and not someone who’ll move the chains.