Desperately needing some help with the Packers anemic pass rush, Green Bay general manager Ted Thompson selected USC linebacker Nick Perry with their first-round selection in the 2012 NFL Draft on Thursday night.

The Packers had seen a sudden run on pass rushers leading up to their No. 28 overall selection, beginning with gifted South Carolina outside linebacker Melvin Ingram being taken at No. 18 by San Diego. Many Packers fans were hoping that Boise State's Shea McClellin would fall to them, but he was snapped up at No. 19 by NFC North foe Chicago.

After New England traded up to get Syracuse's Chandler Jones (No. 21 overall) and Houston selected Illinois' Whitney Mercilus (No. 26 overall), Perry was next up on Thompson's draft board. And after the season-long defensive meltdown that was the 2011 season, Green Bay is hoping they got the high-end motor player to be paired opposite Clay Matthews.

"He's got that kind of juice," Thompson said Thursday night of Perry. "We're looking forward to getting him with (outside linebackers coach) Kevin (Greene) and (defensive coordinator) Dom (Capers) and seeing what we do. He'll jump in with our guys and compete with our guys and see how he stacks up."

Last season, for all of the embarrassment of riches the Packers had on offense, the defense proved to be their undoing once the playoffs rolled around. Despite a league-best 15-1 regular season record, Green Bay was last in the NFL in yardage allowed (411.6 per game) and only collected 29 quarterback sacks, second worst in football.

"I'll be glad to be across from Clay," Perry told reporters via conference call shortly after he was selected Thursday night. "(I'll help) create problems with him, be a force on the other side. I will do whatever it takes."

Ironically, the Packers outside pass rush is comprised of two linebackers hailing from the same alma mater, USC. Last season, the Trojans were off of the radar screen as part of sanctions stemming from Reggie Bush accepting improper benefits years earlier. But while Lane Kiffin's team was ineligible for BCS consideration and postseason play, they were still ranked #6 in the country when the season ended.

While at USC, Perry started 22 games in the last three seasons. In former NFL defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin's four-man front Tampa-2 defense, Perry held down right defensive end. Perry was one of the most productive pass rushers in the Pac-12, racking up 21.5 sacks (including 9.5 last season) and knocking down six passes. Speed has always been a huge part of Perry's upside.

"I don't think there are many guys his size who run a 4.5 with a 38 1/2-inch vertical jump," Capers told reporters Thursday night.

If there is a concern, it is with how Perry fits schematically with Capers 3-4 defense, as opposed to Kiffin's 4-3. Thompson dismissed any concerns about Perry making the transition.

"I talked to him tonight," Thompson said of Perry playing linebacker rather than defensive end. "He's pretty fired up about it. He seems good to go."

The second and third rounds will take place Friday evening beginning at 6 p m. (CST); the final three rounds will begin Saturday morning at 11 a.m. (CST).