Green Bay Packers to put Rashan Gary at outside linebacker

Former Michigan defensive end Rashan Gary was selected No. 12 overall by the Green Bay Packers in the NFL Draft on Thursday night. Gary now has a new team, and he’ll be learning a new position very soon.

Gary will be playing outside linebacker for the Pack.

“He’ll start in the outside linebacker room, and then he’s a guy because of his size and speed and versatility that you’d hope you could move him around the front,” Packers scout Joe Huber said. “He’s done some stand up stuff already, and he’s a guy who’s had to play multiple positions and move around. So, probably needs to learn some of the drop stuff, but I do think as far as rushing the passer goes he’ll be ready.”

There will be a learning curve for Gary, as he will have to learn how to drop back in coverage, but he has the speed to and vertical prowess to (potentially) be an asset in pass coverage .

Gary’s combine numbers are reason enough to see how he can play at OLB. The 6-4 277-pounder ran a 4.58 40-yard dashed, benched 26 reps of 225-pounds, and had a 38” vertical. Gary is a physical specimen and the Packers aim to showcase his athleticism.

“I think he’s a guy who gives you a little more versatility to move around the front... side rusher, outside rusher, 5-technique, do all that stuff with him,” Huber said.

It sounds like the Packers are open-minded as to how they’ll utilize Gary. He may become a defensive swiss-army knife of sorts for Green Bay on D. Gary’s upside is undeniable, his ceiling is high, and it’ll be interesting to see what his sack total is at the end of 2019.