The Green Bay Packers have a chance to win the Super Bowl next year, but they are a flawed 15-1 team, particularly on the defensive side of the football. The Packers have been hemorrhaging touchdowns, as they've struggled to maintain pass rush and keep the defense going.
According to pick256 of Mocking the Draft, a pass rusher is of premium importance, and defensive end Nick Perry of the USC Trojans is their target. Perry is definitely one of the best (if not the best) pass rushers out there.
Green Bay needs some help up front, especially someone who can get to the QB. They could look at a 5-technique to slide in next to B.J. Raji but grabbing a guy like Perry to play opposite Clay Matthews is irresistible. Matthews saw a decline in his production this year as he faced more double teams than ever before, partly due to the ineffectiveness of Erik Walden. Perry was one of the top pass rushers in the nation in 2011 and should be able to make the conversion to OLB.
It's debatable as to whether Perry will be around this long on the draft board, but he'd definitely be a steal, and could join fellow Trojan Clay Matthews in providing an emphatic pass rush, with Perry going in and replacing the below-average Walden. Green Bay could end up winning a championship, but it doesn't de-emphasize how important defense will be for this team.
To discuss the NFL Draft, head to Mocking the Draft. To talk about Perry on the Packers, go to Acme Packing Company. To talk about Perry with USC fans, head to Conquest Chronicles.