Packers Mock Draft

It is almost time. This is my final Packers mock draft. They could go anywhere early. I could see OT, WR, DL, ILB or CB. I also could see a trade down.

1. Ross Blacklock, DL, TCU

The more I think about it, the more I think the Packers go defensive line. Two of their biggest needs are offensive tackle and wide receiver, and those are the two deepest and best positions in this draft. They don’t need to take one of those positions in the first to get an impact player. Kenny Clark is a free agent after this upcoming year, and while he will be re-signed, he needs help. Dean Lowry is decent, but Tyler Lancaster is not starting-caliber. Green Bay was destroyed in the run game last year and that needs to change. Yes, Aaron Rodgers needs weapons, but wide receiver is so good this year in this class that they can wait until day two to address it. I would not be surprised one bit if the Packers trade down either.

2. Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado

Due to his injuries, he will fall in the draft, likely to the late second. When healthy, though, he is lethal. The Packers need another weapon to go along with Davante Adams and Aaron Jones. I think Jace Sternberger is ready to take a big jump. Shenault was looked at as a first round pick prior to the combine, so he could be a steal with Rodgers as his quarterback. He can play both the slot and outside. He is a big receiver, which the Packers love. He would be a perfect pick in the second round to go with Adams and Lazard.

3. Tyler Biadasz, C, Wisconsin

People may be upset that while it is an offensive lineman, it is not a tackle. Biadasz would be tremendous value at this spot as one of the best centers in the draft. He was the leader of an offensive line that helped Jonathan Taylor rush for more than 6,000 yards in his three-year Badger career. Starting center Corey Linsley is a coming up on the last year of his deal. Kenny Clark, Aaron Jones, David Bakhtiari and Kevin King are all free agents after this upcoming season as well. I doubt the Packers will be able to re-sign them all, so Biadasz would give them a starter if they were to let Linsley go elsewhere in free agency.

4. Antonio Gandy-Golden, WR, Liberty

With a receiving class this good, it would make sense to take multiple players at the position. He ran a 4.60 40-time, which is disappointing, but he is a big receiver who can make the tough catches. The Packers like the big receivers who can go and make the tough catches in the cold when the weather turns poor. I think the Packers will come out of the draft with multiple wide receivers and Shenault and Gandy-Golden would be a nice start. Let Gandy-Golden, MVS, EQ, Kumerow and Funchess fight for roster spots.

5a. Troy Dye, LB, Oregon

Green Bay has done its work on inside linebackers, but have not really valued the position in the past. Maybe that switches after Mike Pettine got called out by Blake Martinez, but even with the acquisition of Christian Kirksey, they still need another inside linebacker to play with Kirksey and the Smiths. Dye is a three-down linebacker who has good speed and range. He is a tremendous tackler who also is a decent cover man as well.

5b. Trey Adams, OT, Washington

Green Bay would have loved to draft an offensive tackle earlier, but the draft fell this way and still ended with a solid player in Adams. Ricky Wagner was signed to a two-year deal as a stopgap to bridge from Bryan Bulaga to the new tackle. He had a great career at Washington, but had injury issues. He was an athletic tackle, but an ACL injury in 2017 and a back injury in 2018 has robbed him of some athleticism. At this spot and with 10 picks, I think he is worth the risk for the Packers.

6b. A.J. Green, CB, Oklahoma State

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 doesn’t have great speed, which would push him down the boards, but his size and length are ideal. He’d come in and compete for a position with players like Ka’dar Holman, one of the picks last year.

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. Austin Mack, WR, Ohio State

Why not take another receiver? Odds are you’ll hit on at least one. He is another big receiver, but Mack was not as productive. He did not even reach 1,100 yards in his four-year Ohio State career and never had over 361 yards in a year. He ran the fastest 40-time out of the OSU trio of receivers in this draft class. He’ll be there to compete for a spot, which is what seventh rounders have to do.

7b. Jason Huntley, RB, New Mexico State

If a running back falls to them they like on day two, it would not surprise me to see the Packers take one early because both Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams are on the final years of their contract. Jones and the Packers have mutual interest of an extension, but I don’t see him as a workhorse back. Green Bay could take a running back high to replace Williams when he leaves after the season. Huntley is a smaller back with speed to burn. He’d come in and compete with Dexter Williams for the third running back spot.