2018 Packers Seventh Round Pick James Looney

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THE PICK: JAMES LOONEY, DT, CALIFORNIA
HT: 6-2 3/4 WT: 286 40-yard dash: 4.89

Projected Round: 6
Stock: Rated number 21 out of 168 DT's, 216 / 2196 TOTAL

QUICK TAKE (Tom Silverstein): Sounds like an inside guy similar to Wilkerson who can play inside or end. But he doesn't have pass rush ability, or hasn't shown it, and is relatively small to play the run. Big hands, but his arms are short. Not as tall as Dean Lowry, but seems somewhat similar. Really good athlete.

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Combine Invite: Yes
Height: 6026
Weight: 287

PD3X AKA "Official"
40 Yard Dash (ET): 4.89
40 Yard Dash (HH): 4.87
20 Yard (ET): 2.84
20 Yard (HH): 2.75
10 Yard (ET): 1.67
10 Yard (HH): 1.62

225 Lb. Bench Reps: 28
Vertical Jump: 35 1/2
Broad Jump: 09'05"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.37
3-Cone Drill: 7.32

PRO DAY
Dates: 03/20/18
Hand: 10 1/2
Arm: 32
Wingspan: 77 3/8

Height: 6026
Weight: 287

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STRENGTHS
Looney is a legitimate athlete, showing good initial quickness and agility to create big plays at the line of scrimmage, as well as when trailing in pursuit. He fires off the snap, exhibiting the body control to twist and get skinny through gaps to create immediate problems as an interior disruptor or when looping as an outside (and even stand-up) rusher. Looney also shows good hand technique to wrench himself free, including effective pull-push and rip moves. Despite a somewhat top-heavy frame, Looney shows good balance to hold up as a run defender, keeping his pads low due to good knee bend, as well as the upper body strength and length to lock out and the core flexibility to anchor or set the edge. Befitting his last name, Looney has a fun-loving personality (and work ethic) that makes him popular with teammates and coaches, being voted a team captain each of the past two years. -- Rob Rang 2/3/2018

WEAKNESSES
A bit of a jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none type who already shows refined technique and therefore may lack the upside to excite scouts... Possesses a bit of a 'tweener, top-heavy frame with relatively long, slim legs for an NFL defensive lineman which leave him vulnerable to cut blocks. Further, his "blocky" upper body gets caught often by roaming offensive linemen, leaving Looney almost always fighting someone to get to the ball-carrier. Looney shows good short-area quickness but tops out quickly, as well, lacking the sustained speed or flexibility to be a traditional edge rusher and lacks the bulk of an every-down run-stuffer. - Rob Rang 2/3/2018

COMPARES TO
Frostee Rucker, Cardinals - As if you needed more than the fact that "Frostee and Looney" sounds something you'd find on The Cartoon Network, the 6-3, 280 pound Rucker (a former Southern Cal standout) has carved out of 12-year NFL career despite elite size due to his versatility and technique.

IN OUR VIEW
Agile, strong and experienced now in multiple schemes and positions, Looney may prove one of the more under-appreciated defensive linemen of the 2018 class - with a chance to match his brother Joe's status as a 4th round pick back in 2012.

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2016

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Highlights

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Combine

Pro Day

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Draft Analyst Dot Com

Bio:
Three-year starter who was named Honorable Mention All-Pac-12 as both a junior and a senior. Made 41 tackles (9.5 for loss) with 3.5 sacks and one forced fumble in 2017. Posted 54 tackles (eight for loss), 3.5 sacks and one forced fumble in 2016. Recorded 36 tackles (three for loss) and one sack as a sophomore. Redshirted the 2014 season after transferring from Wake Forest. Left the Demon Deacons following spring workouts in 2014 after playing in six games and making three tackles as a true freshman.

Pos:
Underrated defensive line prospect with potential at a variety of positions and in a multitude of schemes. Bends his knees, plays with proper pad level and fires off the snap with an explosive first step. Resilient, effectively uses his hands to protect himself and get off blocks and fights hard to make plays. Plays with a nasty attitude and attacks assignments. Disruptive defender who can bend off the edge and displays a closing burst. Focused on by opponents but rarely knocked off his feet and flashes the ability to bull rush blockers off the line.

Neg:
Easily sealed from the action often. May need a bit of time to grow into an NFL position.

Analysis:
Looney is a hard-charging defensive line prospect who gets the most from his ability and comes with good upside. He can be used as a three-technique tackle or potentially a two-gap end in time, but Looney should contribute off the bench early in his NFL career.

[George Cumby]

Looney is my annual 7th round DL pick that I am rooting for who will inevitably be off the roster in three years.

I am here for you, James.

[Zool]

[woodbuck27]

Finally... an exciting (well at least 'almost' exciting) Third Day Draft Pack by the Green Bay Packers.

Headline:

Packer Nation Goes Ecstatic, as James 'Big Bird' Looney...

Gets the nod from the Packer War Room.

Sesame Street joins the celebration:

[Fritz]

Any relation to Joe Don?

[HarveyWallbangers]

Guy was on my short list heading into day 3. After Shepherd was off the board, he was my top rated 3-4 DE. Probably had as much to do with a lack of quality 3-4 DEs this year.

[Brandon494]

Could provide depth in the future, solid pick. I like the fact his brother is an NFL OL though, could help him grow faster with his development.

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GBPG:

LOWDOWN: Played in 36 of possible 37 career games during his career, including 35 starts from 2015 to 2017. Was the only player from his team to participate in the NFL combine. Also was the only defensive lineman among the top 40 attending who finished in the top 10 in his position group in the six measurable skill tests. He finished second in the 20-yard shuttle (4.37), third in the vertical jump (35.5), seventh in the 3-cone drill (7.32), tied for eighth in the broad jump (9’5”), 10th in the 40-yard dash (4.89) and tied for 10th in the bench (28 reps). Had three tackles in the East-West Shrine Game. Had 130 career tackles at Cal, including 20.5 for loss, along with eight sacks, two forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and five QB hurries. An honorable mention All-Pac-12 selection in each of his final two seasons. Played at Wake Forest his freshman season in 2013, contributing a half sack, three tackles and a fumble recovery. His brother, Joe, is an offensive lineman for the Dallas Cowboys. “I think I have great quickness, a good body frame, that can transfer to the league,” Looney said. “Whatever the coaches want to do with me, I just want to benefit the team. … This is one of the greatest organizations in sports.”