The third-year linebacker has made strides while others have fallen behind.
Like all teams, the Green Bay Packers require a plethora of edge rushers in order to consistently pressure the quarterback. Unlike most teams, the Packers plan to use their top pass rusher at inside linebacker in their base 3-4 defense. That puts added strain on their remaining outside linebackers, a group that includes Julius Peppers, Mike Neal and Nick Perry. Peppers enters the season holding down one of the two starting spots. However, Green Bay may choose a relatively unheralded player over the Neal and Perry for the other one.