Nick

Barnett

Barnett struggled as a sophomore, but he’s only going to improve. If Bates can use him like he did Zach Thomas in Miami, Barnett should be a top ten IDP mainstay in the coming years.

With so much cap room, it’s surprising the Packers haven’t approached Barnett to this point. There is some thought they will move Barnett from his natural MLB position to accomodate Abdul Hodge, but Barnett doesn’t appear eager to make the move.

Coach Mike McCarthy says it isn’t anything serious.

Barnett was held out of practice earlier this week with a knee injury.

With quality third-round pick Abdul Hodge behind him at MLB, Green Bay would get their three best linebackers on the field by moving Barnett outside. This would crush his IDP value and currently makes Barnett a risky re-draft pick.

Barnett recorded 7 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 Int. versus the Panthers. It hasn’t taken the second-year pro long to establish himself as one of the top linebackers in the NFC.

Nick Barnett will be a three-down backer on the weak side, and Chris Kelsay will presumably move back to defensive end. Moats is tentatively penciled in as the starter, though the Bills are expected to target a speedy outside linebacker in the draft.

Nick Barnett will likely play the weak side. Sheppard racked up 70 tackles in only nine starts as a third-round rookie and will be an IDP to target fairly early in 2012 drafts. He averaged over 6.5 tackles per start in 2011.

The move clears Barnett’s $3.5 million base salary off the books and frees up just over $3 million in cap room. Barnett turns 32 in May, but graded out as a top-ten 4-3 outside linebacker in Pro Football Focus’ 2012 ratings and should have some gas left in the tank. He’s also “scheme versatile,” having played in both 3-4 and 4-3 schemes. We suspect Barnett will find a starting job in 2013.

Barnett started all 16 games in each of the past two seasons, but he did miss 12 games in 2010 for the Packers due to a wrist issue. He underwent wrist surgery in October of 2010, but it hasn’t been a problem since. Barnett also was limited in practices late this past season with a knee injury.