1) Derwin James, S, Florida State (previous: Marcus Davenport)
I would love for him to be there. He is a play maker who can play all over. Need him to play in the box? He can do that. Need him to play center field? He can do that too. How about playing in the slot? James can do that too. The former Florida State standout can do everything. He is a queen on a chess board. Green Bay’s biggest need is pass rush, and James can help out with that, even from the secondary. He has sacked opposing quarterbacks 5.5 times in his 26 games as a Seminole, including 4.5 as a freshman in 2015. James also added 15 tackles for loss in his two-plus seasons. The Packers desperately need a player who can cover the slot as a cornerback, as well as a playmaker in the secondary, which they lack.
2) Dorance Armstrong, Jr., OLB, Kansas (previous: Anthony Miller)
Kansas football is a dumpster fire, but Armstrong was a bright spot for the 1-11 Jayhawks. He had a down season in 2017, only registering two sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss. But he was a monster in 2016. As a sophomore, he had a whopping 20 tackles for loss and sacking opposing quarterbacks 10 times. If Green Bay doesn’t draft a pass rusher in the first two rounds, the fans will riot. The Packers were in the bottom third of the league in pressures last season, and while I do believe there is some talent with Reggie Gilbert and Vince Biegel, they need more. The days of Clay Matthews as a premier pass rusher are over, but he could be a fantastic inside linebacker. I believe new defensive coordinator Mike Pettine would like to use him in that spot, but they need more pass rushers, and Nick Perry has a hard time staying on the field. He has good size to be a 3-4 edge rusher, and while he did not impress at the combine in the 40 (4.87 seconds), but he did well in the three-cone drill, 20-yard shuttle and the 60-yard shuttle.
3) Braden Smith, OG, Auburn (previous: Alex Cappa)
Green Bay is reportedly interested in the Auburn lineman, and sent offensive line coaches to the Auburn Pro Day. The Packers could have a need at right tackle. Justin McCray was pretty good at the position last season, but Smith could be an upgrade, or a very good backup, which Green Bay needs. Smith was a three-time All-SEC pick and had 41 career starts for the Tigers. Smith could also play right tackle as well, and Green Bay will need somebody to play that position until Bryan Bulaga comes back if the former Iowa standout is forced to start the season on the PUP list. With Smith’s versatility and athleticism, he would be a perfect fit for the Packers on the second day.
4a) Michael Gallup, WR, Colorado State (previous: Nick Nelson)
I doubt he falls to this spot, but I think Green Bay should run the card up if he is still available at the top of the fourth. 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. The Packers could sign a free agent wide receiver like Cameron Merideth, but still, they could use a No. 4. As of right now, Geronimo Allison is the No. 3. 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) Hercules Mata’afa, EDGE, Washington State (previous: Ian Thomas)
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.
5a) Dalton Schultz, TE, Stanford (previous: Mike White)
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.
5b) Taron Johnson, CB, Weber State (previous: B.J. Hill)
Johnson was a standout who was invited to the NFL Combine, despite not being an FBS player. At the combine, he had an embarrassing moment, as he was drilled in the head during a catching drill. Johnson is a former wide receiver, so he has solid hands, despite what happened at the combine. The four-year starter had six career interceptions and finished his career as Weber State’s career leader in pass break-ups with 42. He has decent speed for a cornerback, but his size may force him to play in the slot. Johnson is not afraid to stick his nose in for a tackle. He could come in and fight for a roster spot with players like Herb Waters, Quinten Rollins and Lenzy Pipkins.
5c) Reginald McKenzie, Jr., DL, Tennessee (previous: Skyler Phillips)
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.
6a) Riley Ferguson, QB, Memphis (previous: Shaquem Griffin)
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.
6b) Skyler Phillips, OL, Idaho State (previous: D’Montre Wade)
I expect the Packers to draft multiple offensive linemen, especially if they keep all 12 picks. The depth was not great last year along the offensive line. 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. Grabbing two interior linemen who can play multiple positions would be big, as they try to rebuild the depth at the position.
7a) Michael Joseph, CB, Duquense (previous: Lowell Lotulelei)
This is obviously a depth pick, as this would be third cornerback (I counted James since he’d cover the slot most of the time). Joseph won this year’s Cliff Harris Award, which honors the nation’s top small-college defensive player, and became the first Division III player to ever win the award. Joseph, at 6-feet tall and 180 pounds, is a little slim for the position, so he’ll need to put on some weight. He had eight interceptions this past year and twice had three picks in a single game. Joseph is a sleeper in this year’s draft, and like all small school players, there will be questions about the competition he faced while with Duquense.
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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