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2017 NFL Draft: T.J. Watt to the Green Bay Packers?

By Taylor Johnson

Mar 5, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers linebacker T.J. Watt runs the 40 yard dash during the 2017 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers linebacker T.J. Watt runs the 40 yard dash during the 2017 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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The 2017 NFL Draft takes place later this week in Philadelphia, PA. No doubt T.J. Watt will have his name called. It’s just a matter of when and to what team. More than a few mock drafts have the former Wisconsin linebacker being selected by the Green Bay Packers.

T.J. Watt came to Madison knowing his last name would draw comparisons to older brothers J.J. and Derek. But the younger Watt brother wanted to leave his own footprint on the Wisconsin Badgers football program. He did, and is now in a position to hear his name called night one or early on in night two of the NFL Draft.

Must Read: NFL Schedule Release: Green Bay Against Ex-Badgers

Picking 29th in the first round, the Packers could be in a great position to pick up the former Badgers linebacker.

With obvious needs on defense, Green Bay will be looking for plenty of dynamic players in this year’s draft. T.J. Watt is one of those players that could give the Packers much-needed help.

The two would match really well considering like Wisconsin, the Packers also play a 3-4 defense. Green Bay loves to have their outside linebackers rush the quarterback in many instances. They’re looking for that guy who would play opposite Clay Matthews to disrupt the passing game both rushing and dropping in coverage. That is something Watt excelled at in Wisconsin his last season in Madison.

Watt was third on the team in tackles with 63, led the Badgers with 15.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks last season. He also recorded one interception that he returned for a touchdown. Remember, it was only his second full year playing outside linebacker.

With so many mock drafts out there today, it’s tough to really pinpoint where a player will go. Throughout the past few months, some sites at one point had the Packers selecting Watt. But if you have hopes set sky-high that Green Bay will select a player from Wisconsin for the first time since 2001, you could be highly disappointed.

Zach Heilprin of Landof10.com writes that he believes Watt and the Packers are a perfect fit. Other mock draft outlets believe the same as well. If Watt is still available at 29, this could be a great pick for Green Bay.

Next: 2017 NFL Draft: Wisconsin Badgers Draft Projections

The 2017 NFL Draft begins with round 1 Thursday, April 27 at 7 p.m. CT. Rounds 2 and 3 will be Friday, April 28, and rounds 4-7 will finish out the draft on Saturday.