Joe Thomas could turn some heads in the Green Bay Packers LB competition

GREEN BAY, Wisconsin  -- It’s no secret that both the inside linebackers and the special teams both went through major struggles last season for the Green Bay Packers. The coaching staff rotated numerous players through both groups and seemingly found a combination that worked at linebacker but never could figure out what to do with the special teams. The kick-off return unit, both coverage units, and the blocking for punts and field goals all could have been classified as arguably the worst in the league. Unfortunately, a player that could have made an impact on both defense and special teams had his season end before it ever really got going.

After the 2014 NFL Draft came to its end and teams and undrafted free agents were scrambling to find fits, the Green Bay Packers ended up signing three inside linebackers after not taking one in the draft. Among them was Joe Thomas, a highly productive player out of South Carolina State. As a senior, Thomas recorded 116 tackles (84 solo), 7.5 sacks, and broke up 5 passes on his way to being named the MEAC Defensive Player of the Year, an All-American, and a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award which is given to the best defensive player at the FCS level. Coming out of the college ranks, Thomas was known as an undersized yet very physical run-stuffing linebacker that was the main cog in a defense that led the FCS level in run defense.

During last year’s training camp, Joe Thomas competed in ...

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