With it being draft season, I have decided to make a Packers
mock draft. I’ll make a one-round mock in the days leading up to the NFL Draft
in four weeks. The Packers have not really made a huge splash in free agency,
but they did let Bryan Bulaga, Blake Martinez and Kyler Fackrell go elsewhere.
To replace Bulaga, the team signed former Wisconsin Badgers standout Ricky
Wagner as a stop-gap until they get another offensive tackle ready. They are
replacing Martinez with Christian Kirksey, who is a mild upgrade when healthy,
I think. Unfortunately, he has only played nine games combined in his last two
years. Fortunately, two of the biggest needs for the team, wide receiver and
offensive tackle, are also the two best and deepest positions in this draft
class. Without further ado…
1. Patrick Queen, ILB, LSU
With wide receiver and offensive tackle
being the best and deepest positions in the draft, I figured they could wait
around to take one if they can get a really good inside linebacker. After
Kenneth Murray, Queen is the next best inside linebacker. Even with the signing
of Christian Kirksey, the Packers still have a gaping hole at the position.
Over the years, Green Bay has de-valued the position, but they have to do
something at the position. Queen will become another inside linebacker to
likely go in the first round the last two drafts, joining Devin White. He has
the athletic ability to cover backs and tight ends, which the Packers
desperately need because tight ends killed Green Bay in 2019. This would be a perfect
pick for the Green & Gold if he lasts to 30. If Queen and Murray are gone,
it wouldn’t shock me if they trade down.
2. Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State
Wide receivers are all over the place.
Aiyuk could go in the late first, but I have seen him fall to the late second
or even the third. Green Bay signed Devin Funchess, but he will likely fight
for a spot on the roster and will certainly not prevent Green Bay from taking
one or two. There is no doubt Aaron Rodgers needs more help, and this would
certainly help. Aiyuk would bring the YAC back to the Pack. He is great in the
open field and could do damage with 12 as his quarterback. I expect multiple
wide receivers taken.
3. Ben Bartch, OT, St. John’s (MN)
Green Bay went to the state next door to
grab an offensive tackle. With Bulaga to the Chargers, the Packers need a
long-term replacement at the position. Green Bay signed Wagner to a two-year
deal, but he is not the long-term answer at right tackle. Bartch comes from the
Jonnies, a Division III power in Minnesota. Of course he’ll have to answer
questions about the level of competition, but he has all the tools to be
successful. Bartch is an athletic offensive lineman, being a converted tight
end. He is a terrific pass blocker and being relatively new to the position,
the Packers would be a perfect place for him since he can sit for a year or two
behind Wagner before being thrown in.
4. Calvin Throckmorton, OL, Oregon
After taking Bartch in the previous round,
the Packers decide to grab another offensive lineman. Green Bay could always
use offensive lineman. Let Throckmorton come in and battle it out with the
current linemen. The Packers love their versatile linemen and the former Oregon
product is just that, having starting experience at tackle, guard and center.
It is always good to get competition on the offensive line.
5. Jon Runyan, Jr., OG, Michigan
The Packers use the offensive line strength
in the draft to its advantage. Runyan has great bloodlines, as his father was
an All-Pro offensive tackle. He has experience at tackle from his time with the
Wolverines, but projects as a guard in the NFL. Runyan is a solid pass
protector, which would help him get drafted here. The two rookies can come in
and compete with Cole Madison, Lane Taylor and Billy Turner.
6a. James Proche, WR, SMU
When I said the Packers should draft multiple
wide receivers in this draft, I meant it. Proche could be drafted higher than
this. He has arguably the best hands in the draft. The Packers need to take
advantage of this deep and talented wide receiver class. Proche would come in
and come in and compete with Funchess, Jake Kumerow, EQ and MVS for roster
spots. After Aiyuk, this is what Green Bay needs at the position: competition.
6b. Benito Jones, DL, Ole Miss
Green Bay also has a major need at
defensive line and it could very easily use a selection in the first two days
on one. Kenny Clark needs help, and even he is a free agent next offseason, but
I have no doubt the two sides will get a deal done soon. Still, Dean Lowry is a
decent player, but Tyler Lancaster should not be starting. Jones was a highly ranked
recruit that chose Ole Miss and had a very solid career with the Rebels. He
could come in and compete with Lancaster and last year’s fifth-round pick Kingsley
Keke for a starting position.
6c. James Morgan, QB, Florida
International
Ah yes, what a story this would be:
James Morgan drafted by the hometown team. The Green Bay native went to Bowling
Green before finishing his career with FIU. With 10 draft picks, Green Bay can
afford to take one, especially since Tim Boyle is the backup as of now. Back
when Ron Wolf was the General Manager, he would take one every year. That
helped bring the Packers Mark Brunell, Matt Hasselbeck and Aaron Brooks. They
traded all three players for better draft picks than they used on them. He has
a strong arm, but he has work that needs to be done to make him a solid NFL
quarterback.
7a. Quintez
Cephus, WR, Wisconsin
I was not going to
let this Packers mock go by without the requisite homer Wisconsin pick. This
time, it is Cephus, the big wide receiver. His lack of speed will hurt him, but
he has no problem going over the middle, which is what Green Bay coaches love. After
missing 2018, he came back in 2019 to lead the Badgers in receptions, receiving
yards and receiving touchdowns. He has good, strong hands. I think Green Bay could
take three receivers in this deep class and have them all duke it out and see
who is left standing at the end.
7b. James Pierre, CB, Florida Atlantic
Like defensive line, cornerback is
another position that it would not surprise me if the Packers took one sooner.
Tramon Williams has not been re-signed yet, and is at the end of his career
anyway, not to mention Kevin King is a free agent next offseason. He is a good
run defender and has good size at 6-1. He is raw, but has potential.
