1) Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama (previous: Derwin James)
A month ago, he was talked about as possibly going as high as No. 4 to Cleveland. I don’t know what changed. I, obviously, have no inside information, but I just get the feeling Green Bay goes defensive back at 14. He had an impressive combine, running a 4.46 40. Fitzpatrick is a hybrid cornerback/safety, and would play all around the defense, much like Derwin James would if he were to be drafted by Green Bay. New defensive coordinator Mike Pettine likes these kinds of guys, and would be a nice fit with the Green & Gold. He is a ballhawk, which is what the Packers need, as the Packers only intercepted 11 passes last season, good for 20th in the league. Fitzpatrick has nine career interceptions, including six as a sophomore in 2016. And when he picks it off, he can do some damage, returning four of his nine career picks back for touchdowns. Much like James, the versatile defensive back would most likely cover the slot with the Packers, with Kevin King and Tramon Williams covering the outside receivers. This would be a home run pick for the Packers, and many mock drafts have him sliding to this spot. It is perfect that the best player available is also a major position of need.
2) Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado (previous: Dorance Armstrong, Jr., OLB, Kansas)
The cornerback market is so talented, I could see Green Bay taking another in the second round. Oliver makes a lot of sense for the Packers at this spot, should he be there. Pettine loves to play press coverage, and that is where Oliver excels. He has great size for a cornerback and has good speed as well. Oliver only picked off three passes in his three-year college career, but did pick off a pair of passes in 2017. The former Colorado Buffaloes corner has a chance to be a really good cornerback, but might benefit from playing behind King and Williams as a rookie, and then take over for Williams in 2019. People might wonder why I have Green Bay going defensive back in the first two rounds when pass rusher is such a big need. I think it is interesting that Green Bay has not been connected to any pass rushers in free agency and have mostly been connected to top defensive backs in the draft. I do believe the Packers will take one on the second day, but Oliver is too good to pass up at 45.
3) Lorenzo Carter, OLB, Georgia (previous: Braden Smith)
Green Bay waited until the fourth round to select a pass rusher in last year’s draft and wait until the third in this draft. The former five-star recruit had a good career for the Bulldogs, but people expected more. Even though he only registered 14 sacks in his four years, he was a playmaker for his defense, forcing six career fumbles. Of those six, half of them came last season. Carter dominated the combine, running a 4.5 40-yard dash and had a vertical leap of 36 inches. He is still a bit raw, but I think he could develop into a really nice pass rusher. Carter looked comfortable and was more aggressive in 2017. I think they are higher than many on Vince Biegel and Reggie Gilbert. The latter had a sack in two games and last year was a wash for Biegel after missing the first half of the year.
4a) Michael Gallup, WR, Colorado State (previous: Gallup)
I would love if he falls to this spot, as he could line up across from Davante Adams with Randall Cobb in the slot. However, if he is there in the back half of the third, Brian Gutekunst could make a jump and trade a fourth and one of their three fifths to move up and grab the Colorado State wideout. Green Bay released Jordy Nelson earlier in the offseason, and Randall Cobb is a free agent after the 2018 season. As of right now, Geronimo Allison is the guy who would line up across from Adams. He is okay, but didn’t progress as much as people wanted. Ted Thompson always thought ahead, knowing which players are free agents the next offseason. Gallup caught 100 passes for more than 1,400 yards for the Rams in 2017, and has a tremendous combination of size, speed and athleticism. He could even go as high as round two.
4b) Dalton Schultz, TE, Stanford (previous: Hercules Mata’afa)
There are a number of solid tight ends in the draft, and Green Bay would be wise to grab one in the mid-rounds. Wisconsin’s Troy Fumagalli would be another option here. Tight end is not much of a need as it was at the start of free agency after the Packers signed Jimmy Graham. However, Graham is not a permanent solution at the position since he is 31, so Gutekunst will need to draft someone to learn and hopefully be a contributor in a few years. Schultz is not the most gifted athlete, but he is physical and will help more blocking than he will catching the ball. He is the opposite of Graham, so he could be a nice complement to the former Seahawk. Stanford has a reputation of putting some solid tight ends into the NFL, from Zach Ertz to Coby Fleener to Austin Hooper. He has nice size, and could develop into a nice safety valve for Aaron Rodgers.
5a) Hercules Mata’afa, EDGE, Washington State (previous: Schultz)
Green Bay needs all the edge rushers it can get. Mata’afa is an interesting prospect, as he was a undersized defensive tackle. The 254-pound lineman had a great year in 2017, sacking opposing quarterbacks 10.5 times and having 22.5 tackles for loss, earning All-American honors. In his last two years combined, he had 15.5 sacks and 36 tackles for loss. He is one of the more intriguing players in the draft, and with 12 total picks, the Packers can afford to take a flier on someone like Mata’afa.
5b) Alex Cappa, OT, Humboldt State (previous: Taron Johnson)
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 probably 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. There were questions about whether he would be cut this offseason, and it does not look like he will be, though, Regardless, the organization will need to look for a right tackle of the future. Bulaga is a very good right tackle, but he is hurt quite a bit. 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. In the middle rounds, Green Bay has found some offensive linemen gems, including Corey Linsley, David Bakhtiari, T.J. Lang, J.C. Tretter and Josh Sitton.
5c) Riley Ferguson, QB, Memphis (previous: Reginald McKenzie, Jr.)
Back in the Ron Wolf era, Green Bay would take a quarterback virtually every year, even with Brett Favre already on the roster. Then, they were able to trade away Mark Brunell, Aaron Brooks and Matt Hasselbeck a year or two after they were drafted and received higher picks than what it took to draft them. That is never a bad strategy, and Ferguson has the tools to be able to compete with Brett Hundley for a roster spot, and at the very worst, a spot on the Practice Squad. After taking over for first round draft pick Paxton Lynch two seasons ago, Ferguson has made his mark on the program. In his two seasons, Ferguson threw 70 touchdowns and just 19 interceptions, including 38 touchdowns and nine picks in 2017. His slight frame is something to watch, as many don’t know if he’ll be able to hold up in the pocket and take the beatings quarterbacks do. His 40-time was also nearly five seconds, so he won’t be able to make many plays outside the pocket.
6a) Leon Jacobs, ILB, Wisconsin (previous: Ferguson)
Jacobs was a monster at the combine, finishing second at the combine in 40-yard dash time among linebackers, only trailing UCF’s Shaquem Griffin. Jacobs also put up 26 reps on the bench, which was tied for fifth among linebackers. After moving around the field, he settled in at linebacker as a senior. Jacobs sacked opposing quarterbacks 3.5 times in 2017 after registering only three sacks combined in his previous three years with the Badgers. He also had 10 tackles for loss as a senior. The former Badger has experience playing both inside and outside linebacker positions, and is also a solid pass defender, as evidenced by his two interceptions this past season. He also had a pair of fumble recoveries, including returning one for a touchdown against Iowa. I believe he is best suited for inside linebacker, and could become a very good inside linebacker in the NFL.
6b) Nick Gates, OT, Nebraska (previous: Skyler Phillips)
Green Bay will likely take multiple offensive linemen in this draft, as the reserve linemen were suspect last season when called upon. He played tackle at Nebraska, but would likely move inside in the NFL. He was an honorable mention All-Big Ten in 2016 and 2017 as the starting left tackle for the Cornhuskers. Despite being a projected late round pick, Gates decided to go pro. He is a project, so it will be tough for him to earn a spot on the roster.
7a) Reginald McKenzie, Jr., DL, Tennessee (previous: Michael Joseph)
Even with talented players rotating on the defensive line like Dean Lowry and Montravius Adams, the latter has not been on the field enough. You can never enough talent on the defensive line, just look at the Eagles, which just won the Super Bowl last year by having a deep front. A Wisconsin native, McKenzie is the son of Oakland Raiders General Manager (and former Packers director of player personnel) Reggie McKenzie. He is a raw prospect, but he has the ability to become an impact player at the next level. Despite being a five-star prospect coming out of high school, he never made the impact many thought he would at Tennessee. McKenzie declared early for the draft anyway, but there are some questions about his work ethic. If he puts it together, watch out. Much like Hercules Mata’afa, Green Bay can afford to take a flier on someone like McKenzie.
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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