1. Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa (previous: Marcus Davenport)
As much as Green Bay needs pass rushing help, the team could use another cornerback as well. If the last two years has taught us anything, it is that you can never have too much depth at this position. The last two years, the Packers have had to start players like Josh Hawkins and LaDarius Gunter. Not ideal. I would also be in favor of signing a top corner in free agency, such as Trumaine Johnson. A cornerback group of Johnson, Jackson, Kevin King, Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins would be terrific. Another reason to draft a cornerback high is because of the uncertainty of safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. To say the former Alabama star had a poor 2017 season would be an understatement. If he has another bad season in 2018, I would let him leave in free agency next offseason and move Randall to safety, which he played at Arizona State, and I think he would excel at. Jackson is a playmaker and a ball hawk (no pun intended). He led the FBS with eight interceptions and has the size and athleticism to be a terrific corner. Fans in Wisconsin remember him well, as he was the only Hawkeyes player to score points in Iowa’s trip to Camp Randall in November, picking off two Alex Hornibrook passes and returning both for scores.
2. Arden Key, OLB, LSU (previous: Billy Price)
Now, I don’t think he will last until the second round, but if they do indeed add four compensatory selections, there is ammo to move up. Key could be available in the late first if the Packers wanted to trade up. They did it in 2009 in the first year under Dom Capers, drafting Clay Matthews, and it would not surprise me if they do it again. Green Bay has a major hole at pass rusher, and Key is one of the best in that area in the draft. He had a poor season in 2017 with only four sacks, which pushed his draft stock to the area that it is now. If he were in the 2017 draft, he would have been a top five pick. As a sophomore, Key was a monster, sacking opposing quarterbacks 12 times in 11 games and only went sackless in two of the 11. The drop in production from his sophomore to his junior year is concerning, as is his leave of absence in the beginning of 2017. However, his talent is undeniable. Key is the best pass rusher in this draft. He has all the physical tools and shows flashes of greatness. However, the LSU standout takes too many plays off and just goes through the motions on occasion. Maybe it is just him not caring and trying not to get hurt because he knew he was going to go pro as soon as the season ended or maybe it is something else. This would scare me quite a bit, honestly, but if his motor is on, he is a top five player in the draft. I just hope he would not turn out to be another Jerel Worthy.
3. Anthony Miller, WR, Memphis (previous: Miller)
I believe one of Randall Cobb or Jordy Nelson will be cut this offseason if they don’t take a significant pay cut. I do believe Miller can take the place of the departed. Even if they are both kept, which I think is unlikely, both are free agents next offseason, so Brian Gutekunst would be wise to take one relatively high in the draft. I have a hard time seeing the Packers keep three wide receivers making at at least $10 million when they could spend that money on defense. Ted Thompson is no longer the GM, but he dominated when drafting wide receivers in the second and third round: Adams, Nelson, Cobb, Greg Jennings, James Jones. Even though Thompson is not the GM any more, Miller could be the next in that line. The former walk-on has been a monster the last two seasons, having at least 95 catches and 1,400 yards both seasons. Even when the other teams know where the ball is going, Miller still comes through. In six of Memphis’ games this year, he had at least 140 yards receiving. Against UCF in the Conference USA Championship game, he did all he could to try to help the Tigers win, catching 14 passes for 195 yards and three touchdowns in the 62-55 double overtime loss. Miller has the potential to be a great slot receiver for the Green and Gold. McCarthy should look to get him the ball in different ways, much like Kansas City does with Tyreek Hill. The Memphis product has a chance to score any time he touches the ball. There is better depth in this wide receiver class than it is better at the top, so they could get a solid receiver prospect in the second or early third day.
4. Troy Fumagalli, TE, Wisconsin (previous: Mike Gesicki)
I would prefer Gesicki, even as a die-hard Wisconsin fan, but I think he’ll go in the third round. I would love for him to fall to the fourth, but Fumagalli would be a nice “consolation prize.” He is one of the more complete tight ends in the draft, as he helped Jonathan Taylor have a record-breaking freshman campaign at Wisconsin, as well as catching 135 passes in his career. He has good hands and the athleticism to become a very good tight end. Fellow former Badger Lance Kendricks is the only tight end currently on the roster, and I think they will draft one to develop and then sign one. With Martellus Bennett gone and Richard Rodgers possibly gone, a tight end is a major question mark this offseason.
5. Austin Corbett, OL, Nevada (previous: Jamarco Jones)
Just like the cornerback depth, the offensive line depth was also put to the test in 2017, and did not perform well. Jahri Evans is a free agent, and is getting up there in age anyway. Corbett may go higher than this, as he had a great senior season with the Wolfpack. He was a four-year starter for Nevada, and was the team’s left tackle this past season. Even though he was a tackle in college, he will move inside at the next level. Corbett’s versatility would be attractive to Green Bay.
6. Jake Wieneke, WR, South Dakota State (previous: Michael Joseph)
This is the second wide receiver I have the team drafting after selecting Miller in the third round. I could see Green Bay taking another since I believe Cobb or Nelson is gone this offseason and Jeff Janis is a free agent. Wieneke dominated the FCS level, catching 288 passes for 5,157 yards and 59 touchdowns. In three of his years, he had 16 touchdowns and at least 1,300 yards receiving. He has the size to be a solid NFL wide receiver, and is a good route runner with terrific hands. Obviously, his biggest question will be his competition week in and week out. However, he did play nationally ranked TCU in 2016 and dominate, catching eight passes for 196 yards and a pair of scores. I think he could end up being a steal if he lasts until round six.
7a. Drew Bailey, DE, Louisville (previous: Bailey)
He has perfect size for a 3-4 defensive end at 6-foot-5 and 294 pounds. Obviously, a seventh round pick is just a stab in the dark, and I think at least one defensive lineman will be drafted by the Packers. He had a very solid year as a junior, but his production fell off in 2017, having no tackles for loss and just a half a sack this past season after having nine and two, respectively, the year before. The Packers could use some depth for Dean Lowry and Mike Daniels.
7b. Natrell Jamerson, S, Wisconsin (previous: N/A)
I have added this pick now, as it was announced recently the Packers acquired a 2018 seventh round pick from Buffalo in a 2016 trade involving outside linebacker Lerentee McCray. I decided to give the Packers their second former Badger in the draft. Jamerson is coming off being named the Defensive Most Valuable Player of the East-West Shrine Game after recovering a fumble and returning it for a touchdown. He started all 14 games this season and missed just one tackle in 811 defensive snaps this past season. Jamerson, like all other late round picks, will have to prove himself on special teams, and he has the speed to do just that.
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