Per NFL rules, the Green Bay Packers are allowed to host up to 30 draft-eligible players (excluding “local” prospects, such as those in the UW system or nearby regional schools such as Northern Illinois) for in-person visits. The Journal Sentinel is tracking the visits and supplying profiles based on information from sources and published reports.
GREEN BAY – It’s still questionable whether Louisiana’s Jaden Dugger gets drafted, but when you’re a 6-foot-5, 240-pound linebacker with 35-inch arms and a respectable 40-yard dash time of 4.61 seconds, you’ve got a shot.
Dugger wasn’t invited to the combine but he followed up participation in the East-West Shrine game with an impressive pro day showing in Lafayette, Louisiana.
Dugger has drawn interest from the Green Bay Packers and will make a top-30 pre-draft visit there, according to a league source.
In addition to his 40 time, Dugger had a 34½-inch vertical leap and a 7.0-second three-cone drill, all of which show athleticism to go with his impressive senior-year numbers.
Dugger, who played his freshman and sophomore years at Georgetown, transferred to Louisiana after two years. He earned first-team all-Sun Belt honors after recording 125 tackles and four sacks in his final season.
Dugger was a safety for the Hoyas and earned second-team all-Patriot League honors his sophomore year after posting 43 tackles, including four for loss, three sacks, one forced fumble and two interceptions.
Dugger said he was determined to show everyone at his pro day that he was NFL material.
“It’s very important to show coaches that you’re coachable,” Dugger said. “The ball’s in their court. They make the decision to choose you or pick you up. I’m trying to show I’m coachable.”
Dugger started just three games in his first year in Lafayette but moved into the lineup full-time as a senior and became a force on defense. He played middle linebacker in the Ragin’ Cajuns defense at around 228 pounds but showed up at the East-West game weighing around 240 pounds.
Because of his background at safety, he could be a solid cover linebacker in nickel situations. He may have a difficult time playing inside in the NFL because of his size. He registered 17 reps on the bench press at his pro day and probably doesn’t have the frame to be a run-stuffer.
However, his 35-inch arms could make him an intriguing strong-side linebacker who can handle tight ends at the line of scrimmage and in coverage.
Dugger will likely be a late-round draft pick or priority free agent.
Jaden Dugger’s pro day results
This article originally appeared on Packers News: Louisiana linebacker Jaden Dugger to make pre-draft visit with Packers
Reporting by Tom Silverstein, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Packers News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
