With the 2021 NFL Draft in the rearview mirror, here is a waaaaaaay too early 2022 Packers mock draft.
1. DeMarvin Leal, DL, Texas A&M
The Packers waited until the fifth round to take a defensive lineman during the 2021 draft. Kenny Clark desperately needs a running mate. I have confidence either draft pick T.J. Slaton or an undrafted free agent can become a good player for the Packers. However, until that happens, I still think the defensive line is a big need for the Green & Gold. Everything starts up front and if the Packers want to become the defense they want to be, the defensive line needs to step up.
2. Jadon Haselwood, WR, Oklahoma
I have mentioned it before, but as of now, the Packers have zero wide receivers signed beyond this season. Obviously they just drafted Amari Rodgers, but I wonder if he will play the role of Tyler Ervin, as opposed to the Randall Cobb role. Davante Adams and Allen Lazard will likely be back, but with the uncertainty surrounding Aaron Rodgers, I wonder if Adams will be eager to re-sign. Ultimately, I think he will because money is money, but I wonder if MVS, Funchess and EQ will be brought back. They could use another receiver.
3. Jake Ferguson, TE, Wisconsin
The Packers have used multiple picks on tight ends recently with Josiah Deguara and Jace Sternberger. Deguara is a jack-of-all-trades tight end who will play the H-back quite a bit and Sternberger hasn’t panned out yet. Robert Tonyan is a free agent in 2022 and he could look to leave if 12 isn’t back. Marcedes Lewis is most likely gone without Rodgers. Ferguson is a tremendous receiver out at tight end and would look even better if the quarterback position wasn’t so choppy. However, in his first game with Graham Mertz in 2020, he caught three touchdowns. I am sure Jake would not mind staying in his home state.
4. Vederian Lowe, OT, Illinois
Green Bay took three offensive linemen in the 2020 draft, and three more in the 2021 draft. They are committed to making the offensive line one of the best units in the NFL (if it isn’t already). Billy Turner likely has one or two more seasons with the Packers. I don’t know if Royce Newman is looked at as the long-term answer at right tackle. If he isn’t, then they will have to look in the draft for that player.
5. Tomon Fox, EDGE, North Carolina
I am kind of surprised Green Bay did not draft an EDGE rusher in the 2021 draft. I guess the board did not fall that way. Preston Smith will have played his last down with the Packers and he will not be brought back in 2022 and there is a possibility Z is gone as well. I think they’ll extend him, but it is not a foregone conclusion. Even if he is brought back, you need more pass rushers than just Z and Gary. Fox will be at North Carolina for a sixth year, so he may not be drafted by the Green & Gold due to his age. He has 13.5 sacks in his last two seasons, so he is a productive pass rusher.
6. Bryce Thompson, CB, Tennessee
The Packers like to draft cornerbacks. They drafted a pair in this past draft, including one with their top pick. It is the fourth time in the past five drafts that they have grabbed a cornerback at some point. Kevin King, Josh Jackson and Chandon Sullivan are all free agents after 2021 and no one knows if they will be re-signed. A cornerback could be drafted higher if I am being honest.
7. Brad Hawkins, S, Michigan
Adrian Amos’ contract is coming up shortly, and this pick is just depth. I like Vernon Scott, but I could still see them taking a safety if they like a guy on the board.
