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Packers 2015 NFL Draft – Fourth Round Pick: Jake Ryan, OLB, Michigan

Posted on by Mike Reuter

With their fourth-round pick (129th overall) in the 2015 NFL draft, the Green Bay Packers select Jake Ryan, OLB, Michigan

PLAYER DETAILS: 

Name: Jake Ryan
Position: Outside Linebacker
School: Michigan
Height: 6’2″

Weight: 240 pounds

CAREER NOTES: 

He came in and started as a redshirt freshman for Michigan in 2011. As a sophmore he took a huge step forward and led the team in tackles, including: 4.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, and 16 tackles for loss.  He lost most of his 2013 season to a knee injury. In 2014 he moved to middle linebacker where he finished the year with 112 total tackles, 14 for loss, two sacks, one interception and two forced fumbles.

COMBINE:

40-yard dash: 4.65 seconds

Short shuttle: 4.20 seconds

Three-cone drill: 7.11 seconds

Vertical: 34.5 inches

Broad jump: 120 inches

Bench: 20 reps

NFL.com draft profile (oddly enough the NFL.com draft profile has his best comparison as Desmond Bishop)

SCOUTING REPORT: 

“A two-year captain and the 2014 Michigan team MVP, Ryan is a self-made prospect who eats, drinks and breathes football and while he has some athletic limitations, he is the type of player who will make his coach smile and cry when describing how important he is to the team. After a standout sophomore season, Ryan battled through an injury-plagued junior year and looked lost at times when he moved inside as a senior. He has a great feel for the game with natural instincts to close on the action, but the farther from the ball, the less comfortable he feels. Ryan competes with an overachieving attitude and is the type of player who will outplay his draft slot – projects best on the outside where he can blitz, leverage the field and use his strengths.” – cbssports.com

 

VIDEO:

COMMENTARY:

He’s a hard-working football player who has a nose for the ball. He had a knee injury that cost him most of his 2013 season but bounced back nicely last year in 2014. Only missing 6.5 months to an ACL injury is quite the impressive accomplishment. He doesn’t appear to be quick enough to be consistently good in coverage, but put in the right situations where his instincts can take over on the pass rush and against the run, he can be successful. It’ll be interesting to see where the Packers play him, I wonder if his versatility at OLB and ILB ends up getting him playing time because he can play at the position where Matthews isn’t on any given play.

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Mike Reuter lives in the Twin Cities and is a graduate of the University of St. Thomas. He is a mobile tech enthusiast, a 19 year Gopher Football season ticket holder and a huge Packers fan. Mike is a writer with AllGreenBayPackers.com and you can follow him on twitter at @uofmike.

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11 thoughts on “Packers 2015 NFL Draft – Fourth Round Pick: Jake Ryan, OLB, Michigan”

  1. I like this one.

    Although I have to admit that he reminds me a little of AJ Hawk. Maybe it’s the hair…

      1. This is more like it. If he’s going to play ILB – I’d take AJ Hawk with a 4th round pick any day and twice on Sundays. I’m starting to think they really are planning to have WILB be covered (literally hah) from within. Ricchardson? Bradford? Thomas? Or maybe CM3?

        If he’s at OLB, we needed depth and a guy that can step up once Peppers/Perry/Neal move on. Hubbard et al is no sure thing.

        1. Ahem, Bearmeat: looks like TT is starting to take nice prospects to overcome the underwhelming picks in the first 3 rounds. There were 4 more rounds, UDFA, and a possible signing beginning May 12, after all.

          TT passed on Marcus Hardison, but I think Ryan is a solid pick.

  2. We needed someone playing next to Barrington that could play more in space, cover TEs and RBs. I’m not sure this is the guy? But, I like this kid. He’s a football player and a leader.if Barrington happened to get hurt, this kid could step into his spot. He will definitely help the STs

  3. I do like that Ryan adds some beef in the middle. He should be able to help against the run

  5. Solid 4th round pick. Hopefully he can help solidify ILB position group or play OLB if CM3 continues to play inside. Thanks, Since ’61

  6. Maybe not the quickest guy on the field, but I love his speed, ability to force fumbles, and lay a big hit. Loves to study film and apparently is a leader on the field. Great job TT! ILB now is Barrington, Jones, Bradford and a UFA or Palmer. I’ll take it!

  8. Not fast. Can’t shed blocks. Not a big hitter. Overhyped Big10 player.

    By jove, we’ve found AJ Hawk’s successor.

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