We are more than halfway through the season and the Green Bay Packers are 7-2, but still the team has a few holes it needs to fill. Here is my second Packers mock of the season...
1) Marvin Wilson, DT, Florida State (previous: Jaylen Twyman)
The Packers desperately need a defensive lineman. Green Bay is 22nd in the league in yards per carry allowed and allowed Dalvin Cook to run all over them in a loss a few weeks ago. They need another big lineman in the worst way, especially to help free up Kenny Clark, who is constantly being double teamed. Kingsley Keke has not developed as much as they would have liked. Dean Lowry and Tyler Lancaster are not starter worthy. Wilson was one of the top recruits coming out of high school and has been a star for the Seminoles. In his career, he has 15 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks. He would be a great fit next to Clark.
2) Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State (previous: Terrace Marshall)
Olave is a beast for Ohio State, and the Packers desperately need another target for Aaron Rodgers. With Allen Lazard out, the Packers passing attack has hit a bit of a wall. The Packers have wanted to upgrade the position, but they have their price. Last season, they tried to trade for Robbie Anderson. During the 2020 draft, they tried to trade up in the second for a receiver, but did not have a fourth round pick due to the Jordan Love trade. Finally, they tried to sign Emmanuel Sanders as a free agent this past offseason. He would rather play in a big city in warmer weather, so he signed with the Saints. He is a big play guy for the Buckeyes, having averaged more than 16 yards per reception in all three seasons. Olave has caught 19 touchdowns in his career, including 12 in 2019.
3) Asante Samuel, Jr., CB, Florida State (previous: Cole Van Lanen)
I am old. I vividly remember his dad playing with the Patriots, Eagles and Falcons. Kevin King is a free agent and he spends a lot of time on the injury report. With all the money being thrown at extensions for cornerbacks this offseason, it makes it less and less likely King is brought back, especially since they will need to re-sign Jaire Alexander to a monster deal in a few years. They could take one earlier than the fourth, but I have them waiting because I think they like the development of Josh Jackson and Ka’dar Hollman, not to mention they have Chandon Sullivan in the slot, who is a very solid corner. You can never have too many good corners, though. Samuel already has three interceptions this season and six passes defensed. He could fit right in with Jaire, Jackson, Ka'dar and Chandon.
4) Cole Van Lanen, OT, Wisconsin (previous: Tariq Castro-Fields)
Even with David Bakhtiari just signing an extension, the green & gold has a stop-gap at right tackle right now with Rick Wagner and Billy Turner. Van Lanen could be the future at right tackle for Green Bay. Wisconsin has put in some good offensive linemen the past 10 years with Travis Frederick, Ryan Ramczyk, Kevin Zeitler, among others. The Badgers lineman led college football with a 90.4 grade from Pro Football Focus last season. He is a member of the Outland Trophy watch list and could be a finalist when all is said and done. Van Lanen is off to a great start this season, so he could go higher than this.
5) Janarius Robinson, EDGE, Florida State (previous: Isaiahh Loudermilk)
Preston Smith has not been great this year, especially considering the money he gets paid. Rashan Gary out-produces Preston when he is on the field. The Packers could use another pass rusher if Preston is cut loose. Regardless, if he comes back, you can always use more pass rushers. He has three sacks on the year after having three sacks last season.
6) James Empey, C, BYU (previous: Kobie Whiteside)
Corey Linsley is a free agent and Empey would be a solid pick who could fight with last year's pick Jake Hansen for the starting center spot if Linsley. The Packers have always had luck finding offensive line gems in the later rounds.
7) Deslin Alexandre, DL, Pittsburgh (previous: David Anenih)
One way to try to fix your most glaring need is to draft multiple bodies at the position. I think Dean Lowry is a candidate to be let go, so the Packers could go with a few defensive linemen to help both the the starting line and reserves.
