1) Marcus Davenport, OLB, UT-San Antonio (previous: Josh Jackson)
Trying to figure out what the Packers will do in the first round is difficult. First off, we have no track record on new General Manager Brian Gutekunst. Secondly, Green Bay has a number of ways it could go. It wouldn’t shock me to see the Packers go Washington nose tackle Vita Vea. A Vea/Clark/Daniels defensive line would be fantastic. It would surprise me, but it would not stun me if Green Bay drafted Alabama wide receiver Calvin Ridley in the first round. I will go back to my original mock pick and have them taking Davenport, though. However, with a big combine like many think he will have, I could see him going prior to 14. He had a great Senior Bowl, with five pressures on 25 pass rushing snaps. Davenport is raw and struggled in Senior Bowl practices, but he has the potential to be a dominant pass rusher. Green Bay desperately needs someone to get after the passer, as it ranked 23rd in quarterback pressures in 2017. One thing he will need to improve upon is stopping the run.
2) Anthony Miller, WR, Memphis (previous Arden Key)
I have had Miller going to Green Bay in all three of my mocks. I am a huge fan. This may be a reach for him a little bit, and the Packers may be able to trade down and still get him. Even if both Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson are kept, Miller still makes a world of sense. First, he is a deep threat the Packers sorely lack, and second, both Cobb and Nelson are free agents next offseason. Green Bay has always been one step ahead. They know when players are becoming free agents and plan ahead. The Packers could always sign someone like John Brown in free agency and eliminate the need of a deep threat, but I still believe the Packers will draft a wide receiver regardless. 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.
3) Alex Cappa, OT, Humboldt State (previous: Miller)
Jason Spriggs has not panned out, and the Packers lack depth along the offensive line. Justin McCray should slide into right guard, but Bryan Bulaga will not be ready for the opening of the season and will likely start the season on the PUP, which will cause him to miss the first six weeks. Green Bay will need a starter the first several weeks, if Bulaga is not a cap casualty. If he is cut, though, the organization will need to look for a right tackle of the future. I think they would sign a player like Justin Pugh to take over until Cappa is ready. The depth along the offensive line is lacking, regardless, so the Packers should take a few linemen in the draft. Spriggs has struggled and Murphy is not ready. Bulaga is hurt quite a bit, and the Packers may look to the draft for a possible replacement.
4a) Nick Nelson, CB, Wisconsin (previous: Troy Fumagalli)
You didn’t think I wouldn’t have a Badger going somewhere, did you? Last mock, I had Troy Fumagalli go in this spot, and his former teammate goes in this spot here. Nelson could help in two areas, both in the secondary and in the return game. With the Badgers, he had 21 pass break-ups, which was the most in the country. In his one season with Wisconsin, He has decent size and does not lack for confidence. Nelson is a terrific cover guy who was second-team All-America by CBS. His biggest question mark is his speed, so he could eliminate that with a good run at the combine, which could push him into the second day. One concern for me about his coverage is the fact that he is a little handsy. He was able to get away with quite a bit at Wisconsin, and would be worried about him being called for quite a few holding penalties in the NFL. This cornerback class is pretty deep, so Nelson could be great value here early on day three. Nelson also would compete to be the punt returner. I believe Trevor Davis’ days are limited. For punt returners with at least 15 punt returns, Nelson finished third in the Big Ten in returning, averaging 8.6 yards per return. He also scored a touchdown on a return against Michigan last season.
4b) Ian Thomas, TE, Indiana (previous: N/A)
After the Martellus Bennett saga last season and with Richard Rodgers being a free agent, the Packers are in need of a pair of tight ends. I believe they should both sign one and draft one. Tight end is one of the toughest positions in football to step in and make an immediate impact, especially in the Packers offense. Thomas had a solid season for the Hoosiers, ending up third on the team with 376 yards receiving on 25 receptions. He is a big target who has solid speed for a guy his size. Thomas will need to improve his blocking, but he is capable of doing just that. The former Hoosier is a really raw prospect, but has the talent to make some noise and is well worth the risk at the end of the fourth round.
5a) Mike White, QB, Western Kentucky (previous: Austin Corbett)
The Brett Hundley experiment has failed thus far, and I expect the team to draft someone to come in and compete with Hundley. Ideally, the team finds a taker for Hundley and the Packers are able to trade him for something, but after what he showed (or didn’t show) last year, I doubt that will happen. I don’t see any way Green Bay does not try to sign a backup quarterback after what happened last year after the injury to Aaron Rodgers. White had poor protection at Western Kentucky, but still completed nearly 66 percent of his passes and threw 26 touchdowns and nearly 4,200 yards. The former pitcher, not surprisingly, has great arm strength, and is accurate as well. I am a fan of White’s, and I think he could be a steal in the fifth round.
5b) B.J. Hill, DL, North Carolina State (previous: N/A)
Last year, the reason the Philadelphia Eagles won the Super Bowl was mainly due to their tremendous defensive line. I expect Green Bay to draft a few defensive linemen. The Packers have had some luck finding solid players in the middle of the draft, including Mike Daniels, who was drafted in round four in 2012. Hill can come in and compete with Quinton Dial for a roster spot.
5c) Skyler Phillips, OG, Idaho State (previous: N/A)
Another depth pick for Green Bay. I expect the Packers to draft multiple offensive linemen. The depth was just not good last season, outside of Justin McCray. Phillips is really strong, particularly in the upper half. He can play either guard or center and would provide depth in the interior of the offensive line after drafting an offensive tackle on day two.
6a) Shaquem Griffin, OLB, UCF (previous: Jake Wieneke)
Many know his story, as he lost his left hand due to a rate prenatal condition, but that didn’t stop him from becoming one of the best pass rushers in college football. Following the move to outside linebacker, Griffin registered 18.5 sacks and 33.5 tackles for loss in two years. He has tremendous athletic ability and will not be outworked. However, the hand question will not go away. As a pass rushing outside linebacker, he would need to use his hands quite a bit. Griffin might have to drop some weight and go back to his old position of safety, where he does not have to use his hands quite as much.
6b) D’Montre Wade, CB, Murray State (previous: N/A)
Wade is a three-year starter at cornerback who has good size for the position. His ball skills were on display last season, picking off a career-high six passes. In 2016, he had 15 pass break-ups. He has speed and is a solid tackler as well. Wade was also the primary return man for the Racers, and the Packers need a return man in a big way. Coming from a smaller school, he will have to prove himself, perhaps more than most, as the competition is the biggest knock on small school players coming out of college. He is a developmental prospect, but could become a good one in time.
7a) Lowell Lotulelei, NT, Utah (previous: Drew Bailey)
Lotulelei is the brother of current Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Star Lotulelei. Lowell is a strong run stuffer who is not much of a pass rusher. He has talent, but is overweight and does not work hard enough to shed it. Lotulelei was very solid in 2016, but was a major disappointment this past year, which has pushed him down to this spot. If a team is able to flip his switch, he could become a solid player. But that’s a big if. In the seventh round, Lotulelei is worth the risk.
7b) Natrell Jamerson, S, Wisconsin (previous: Jamerson)
The former Wisconsin Badger transitioned to safety from cornerback this past year and looked like a natural. He is a little undersized for the position, which will push him down quite a bit. The Florida native had 3.5 tackles for loss and two picks this past season, including returning one back for a score against Northwestern. Jamerson was 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. He also has returned kicks during his Wisconsin career, including returning one back to the house in 2015 at Maryland, which may help him make a roster.
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