Packers 2013 NFL Draft – Fifth Round Pick: Josh Boyd, DT, Mississippi State
The Packers selected Mississippi St. DT Josh Boyd in the fifth round of the NFL Draft.
With their second fifth round pick (167th overall) in the 2013 NFL draft, the Green Bay Packers selected Josh Boyd, defensive tackle, Mississippi State.
PLAYER DETAILS:
Josh Boyd
DT
Mississippi St.
6’3″/310lbs
CAREER NOTES:
From CBSSports.com: Played in 51 career games, tied for third among active players in the FBS… Including 41 starts, has amassed 125 tackles, 18.0 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, a fumble recovery and field goal block … Made an immediate impact on the field as a true freshman and has continued it into his senior campaign … Led all MSU defensive linemen in tackles in the 2011 season by recording 51 in 13 games … Came to Mississippi State following a standout prep career at nearby Philadelphia High School.
COMBINE:
5.14 40 yard dash, 32 bench, 26.5″ vertical, 104.0″ broad, 7.16 3 cone, 4.64 shuttle
SCOUTING REPORT: (from CBS Sports)
Considering how much press linemate Fletcher Cox received a year ago, it is surprising how little Boyd received. After all, he signed with the Bulldogs as a similarly highly regarded prep prospect (turning down the likes of Alabama, LSU, Florida State and Miami among many others), was starting for the third consecutive season and finished last year with just five fewer tackles than the eventual No. 12 overall pick of the 2012 draft.
Perhaps the biggest reason for Cox enjoying so much more fanfare is the fact that he’s a more talented pass rusher than Boyd, whose thick lower body helped make him the more consistent run defender, especially when it came to handling double-teams.
He enjoyed quite the breakout campaign last year (51 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks) after registering “only” 24 stops (7.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks) in 2010 and 17 tackles in three starts (played in all 12 games) as a true freshman in 2009 and thus must prove it wasn’t a fluke, but make no mistake, Boyd has the talent to warrant top 64 consideration.
Commentary:
He’s over 300 pounds, but not the big, unmovable object that you’d like to have inside. The tradeoff is he moves well. He’s more than just a take-up-space type of player. He’s athletic enough to make plays down the line of scrimage or downfield if needed. I wonder if the Packers see him more as a 3-4 DE instead of a DT? He’s going to have to get stronger, maybe add 10-20 pounds. With the future of BJ Raji and Ryan Pickett up in the air after this season, perhaps we’ll be hearing from Boyd in 2014. If he can develop a bit as a pass rusher, the Packers would be very happy with this pick.
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4 Comments On “Packers 2013 NFL Draft – Fifth Round Pick: Josh Boyd, DT, Mississippi State”
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Probably just best DL prospect at the time of pick. Big, strong, with movement is always good.
I wonder if TT is sending a message: He has his roster set. I noticed he had a chance at all the centers and didn’t take one. Evidently the team must be set with EDS and/or another C on the roster.
Curious also if TT ignores Wisconsin players intentionally? Has TT ever drafted a UW player?
PatMc, That’s a good observation. I don’t think he’s drafted one!
Considering that all we heard about during the offseason was “Bigger, Stronger and Faster” this draft was very disappointing. Our first rounder is now the lightest D-Lineman on the roster. Lacy was the fourth RB taken. Is he good? It’s really unknown, considering that his average of not being hit until he’s almost 5 yards downfield! A couple of Offensive Tackles, who are nice and light. The D-Tackle you drafted is at least big. But this draft was suppose to be about changing the “SOFT” label. It didn’t. It’s more of the same.
I don’t think Thompson really cares about Wisconsin one way or another, I don’t think he boosts the grades of players just because they are from Wisconsin.
Not sure about the get 20 pounds bigger comment. Boyd wasn’t drafted to be a NT. I see him as a replacement for one or both of Neal/Wilson by 2014.