Green Bay Packers Target No. 3 — Jarrad Davis, LB, Detroit Lions

Trades within a division are very rare. Mostly because teams don’t want to ship someone to a rival and have them play very well. It’s a high risk chance that teams usually don’t take. However, this trade would actually work out fairly well for both parties.

Jarrad Davis isn’t living up to expectations in Detroit, and Jahlani Tavai is playing just as well if not better. Davis just doesn’t match the hybrid scheme Detroit has in place. He’s more of a thumper and Detroit needs more than that. However, in a 3-4 scheme, Davis could fit right in as a MIKE.

Currently the Packers have Christian Kirksey, who’s doubtful with a shoulder injury, and Krys Barnes, an undrafted rookie as the starting linebackers. Kirksey is showing he is a solid middle linebacker in a 3-4 however, both of them are smaller linebackers who are more built to play in coverage. They don’t have that traditional run stuffing linebacker and Jarrad Davis fits that description perfectly.

For Davis, coming to Green Bay would help his career a lot. He is at his best following his instincts and playing close to the line. The Packers scheme will let him do that. Green Bay likely won’t have to give up too much for him because the Lions have a lot of depth at linebacker. Davis is set to hit free agency anyway. It would be smart if Detroit got something for him instead of just letting him walk.