I had Green Bay going cornerback in the last Packers mock, but the more I think about it, I believe the Green and Gold goes with a pass rusher in the first. That is if the Packers don’t trade down a bit. Drafting a player who can get after passer not only is the best friend of a suspect secondary, but it frees up Clay Matthews to line up either at outside or inside linebacker depending on the down and distance. In long yardage plays, defensive coordinator Dom Capers could use Nick Perry and Watt on the outside, while having the Claymaker rushing up the middle. It makes perfect sense. Watt is equally good at both rushing the passer and defending the run. J.J.’s little brother tested really well at the combine as well. The former Wisconsin standout led the Big Ten in sacks with 11.5 and was a second team All-American. The one concern I have with him is his injury history. He missed his entire redshirt freshman season. He also just switched from tight end to linebacker in 2015.
2. Sidney Jones, CB, Washington (previous: Joe Mixon)
Jones was one of the top cornerback prospects in the draft before suffering a torn Achilles tendon. He said he expects to play by September, but that might be pushing it. However, Jones should be at or near full strength for the stretch run. Even though going into the season with Damarious Randall, Quinten Rollins and Davon House as the top three corners is not ideal, it would be hard to pass up a talent like Jones. The former Washington Husky does not have ideal size, weighing less than 190 pounds, but he has everything else you look for in a cornerback. Jones has tremendous instincts and ball skills, which Ted Thompson likes in corners. But some are concerned whether he can come back with the same speed and quickness. If he does, then this is a tremendous value pick. Knowing Thompson’s history, don’t be surprised at all if he takes a wide receiver likes Penn State’s Chris Godwin here in preparation for next offseason when Davante Adams is a free agent.
3. Desmond King, S, Iowa (previous: Ryan Anderson)
King is in the mold of Micah Hyde, whom the team just lost via free agency. There is a solid chance he won’t even make it to this pick, but this would be a typical Ted Thompson pick if he does. King could have (and perhaps should have) came out after his junior season and been a first round pick. As a junior with the Hawkeyes, he had eight interceptions, winning the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation’s top defensive back. He, as well as his Hawkeyes, had a bit of a down season in 2016. Still, he intercepted three passes and was once again an All-Big Ten first team selection. King is a ball hawk, as evidenced by his 14 career interceptions. He is also a solid tackler. The knocks on him are his size and speed. Because of those, he will transition to safety in the NFL, much like Hyde. King is a very good replacement for Hyde and would be a possible steal in the third round.
4. Sean Harlow, OG, Oregon State (previous: Harlow)
Harlow was a tackle in college at Oregon State, but will need to move inside at the next level. Green Bay lost a starting guard (T.J. Lang) and super sub (J.C. Tretter), so they need to rebuild the inside of the offensive line. He has become a bit of a trendy pick for the Packers at this spot. Thompson has dominated when it comes to drafting offensive linemen in the middle of the draft. He has experience at both tackle spots, so he is versatile, but he will need to play inside the NFL. Harlow has solid strength, which will help him at guard.
5a. Joe Williams (previous: Ejuan Price)
The Packers have Ty Montgomery, who had a solid season last year after stepping in for the injured Eddie Lacy and James Starks. The questions aren’t with Montgomery’s talent to be able to play running back, but whether he can be an every down back. I believe he can be a 10-15 carry a week player. However, the Packers need a complement and Williams could be that player. He is a good athlete with a great speed. Last year, he ran for 1,420 yards and 10 touchdowns in only nine games. In his last seven games, he rushed for at least 149 yards six times. That includes a 332-yard and four touchdown performance against UCLA and a 222-yard game in the Foster Farms Bowl against Indiana. However, he has major red flags. He was kicked out of UConn for credit card theft and then a month-long retirement during last season, only to return when Utah was depleted at running back. On the field, ball security was an issue. He fumbled six times in his two years with the Utes. Williams is also a bit old for a rookie, as he turns 24 prior to week one. But if Green Bay is okay with his past, he would be a great pick at this point in the draft.
5b. Robert Davis, WR, Georgia State (previous: DeAngelo Yancey)
With Davante Adams a free agent next offseason, Montgomery’s permanent move to running back and Trevor Davis being in the doghouse much of last year, I fully expect Green Bay to draft a wide receiver this year. Davis’ numbers with the Panthers don’t wow you in any single season, but he finished his career as the school’s all-time leading receiver, despite never posting a 1,000-yard season. He was consistent, though, having at least 700 yards in all four seasons. In the toughest game of the year in 2016 at Wisconsin, Davis had eight catches for 93 yards and an impressive touchdown catch. At 6-3 and 219 pounds, he has terrific size for the position. He is still a raw prospect, but Davis has the ability to become a very good receiver in the NFL, especially if he has a quarterback like Aaron Rodgers throwing him the football.
6. Keionta Davis, DE/OLB, UT-Chattanooga (previous: Sojourn Shelton)
After losing two pass rushers in free agency, Green Bay drafts two to take their place. You can never have too many of them. Despite playing in the FCS, he earned an invite to the the Senior Bowl due to his 10.5-sack season in 2016. Against Alabama this past November, Davis held his own with four tackles, a half a sack and a forced fumble. He was an FCS All-American his last two seasons with the Mocs. At 271 pounds, he might be a bit too big to be a 3-4 linebacker, but he is worth the gamble. Davis will have to get used to playing against elite talent every day, but he has the ability to stick around.
7. Chunky Clements, DL, Illinois (previous: D.J. Jones)
Green Bay was able to improve the depth on the defensive line with the signing of Ricky Jean-Francois, so defensive line is not a huge priority, but Clements could add to the depth along the line. He may have a first round name, but he has red flags, which will push him down to the bottom of the draft, if he is even drafted at all. Clements can be dominant at times, but he lacks consistency. He has the ability to become a very solid defensive lineman, but needs to put it all together. He has a poor motor and can disappear in games. As a defensive tackle, he has had 18.5 tackles for loss and four sacks his last two seasons with the Illini. If the coaching staff can turn Clements’ motor on for every snap, he could be a solid player. He is worthy of a seventh round flyer.
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