Jerel Worthy isn't an ideal fit for the Packers' defensive scheme, based on what he did in college. (Getty Images)
When Michigan State defensive lineman Jerel Worthy, a first-round pick in the eyes of many, slid all the way to No. 51 overall, the Green Bay Packers decided to go and get him. Green Bay shipped the 59th and 123rd overall picks in the 2012 draft to Philadelphia for the opportunity to select Worthy.
Worthy earned All-America honors in 2011 thanks to his disruptive play up front for the Spartans. He had 50 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks in his junior season, plus blocked a field goal to give Michigan State an Outback Bowl victory.
Questions about his compete levels drove down his stock at the draft, though ? the knocks on Worthy were that he didn?t give 100 percent each play and appeared to wear down over the course of games, especially in the rugged Big Ten.
Worthy?s size (6-foot-2 3/8, 308 pounds) and quickness made him an intriguing candidates for a lot of teams, despite those issues.
Michigan State utilizes a 4-3 defense, which means Worthy has to do some transitioning to Green Bay?s 3-4. He does not appear to be an ideal fit at nose tackle as a space-eater, meaning the Packers likely have him ticketed for one of their end spots. Ryan Pickett should get another crack as Green Bay?s left end, but the right side is up for grabs. Mike Neal is suspended for the first four games of the 2011 season, and Jarius Wynn, who started four games last season, is hardly irreplaceable.
It could take some time for Worthy to get acclimated in whatever role he winds up in, but it?s worth noting one specific feature of Green Bay?s defense that could play to his advantage.
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