Packers Mock Draft v. 2.0

 

The Super Bowl is set up and we are a week from the Kansas City Chiefs against the Philadelphia Eagles in the big game. As for the Green Bay Packers, they need to figure out what will happen with Aaron Rodgers. I, personally, think he will be traded, but I will not predict trades here. It will be an interesting offseason for the Packers. Here is my Packers mock draft…

 

1. Brian Branch, S, Alabama

The Packers desperately need a safety. For whatever reason, they picked up Darnell Savage’s fifth year option, despite the fact that he has had a rough last couple years. Adrian Amos also had a rough year this past season and I don’t expect him back. As it is, maybe Rudy Ford and Savage, and that is not good enough to put it nicely. Branch can play in the slot and at safety. His missed tackle percentage is just 3.2 percent, which is huge after being forced to watch Savage attempt to tackle. Nobody in the secondary is a real good tackler, which is a huge reason why he’d be great in Wisconsin. He’s a good run defender, which is a huge plus since the Packers have had such trouble in that area. Branch is one of my draft crushes early on in the draft process.

 

2. Dalton Kinkaid, TE, Utah

This would be a dream second round selection for the Packers. Kincaid is another if my draft crushes. Green Bay needs a tight end in the worst way. Everybody outside of Josiah Deguara in the tight end room is a free agent. Even if Tonyan comes back, the Packers need an upgrade. He has not been the same the last two years. He caught 70 balls for Utah for nearly 900 yards, scoring eight times. He is a great receiving tight end, as evidenced by his numbers. Kincaid could improve his blocking, but his receiving ability more than makes up for it.

 

3. Will McDonald, EDGE, Iowa State

EDGE is a deep position in this year’s draft, which is why I have the Packers waiting until the third round to take one. Green Bay has a big need at EDGE considering Rashan Gary is coming off a torn ACL and will miss some time in 2023. Other than that, the Packers have just Preston Smith and Kingsley Enagbare. The latter had a nice rookie season, but they have nothing after him and need some depth, especially since Preston could be a cap casualty once his contract makes sense to do it since they could be looking at rebuilding soon with Jordan Love.

 

4. Jonathan Mingo, WR, Ole Miss

Green Bay could really use another wide receiver. If Aaron Rodgers is traded, the Packers will more than likely not re-sign Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb. After that, it is just the three rookies—Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and Samori Toure—under contract for 2023. It would not surprise me to see the team acquire a receiver if Rodgers is traded to the Jets. Denzel Mims could be a target to acquire to see if a change of scenery could do him well. Mingo could be a great target for Love to form a great WR group.

 

5. Wanya Morris, OT, Oklahoma

The Packers need to take an offensive tackle at some point. Who knows how many years David Bakhtiari has left? He has been banged up the last few years. When he plays, he is outstanding. It looks like they have an heir apparent in Zach Tom. They need a RT, though, as I don’t see Yosh Nijman as the long-term solution at the position. A highly-rated recruit coming out of high school, Morris has played both right and left tackle at Oklahoma. That type of versatility is something the Packers love.

 

7a. Moro Ojomo, DL, Texas

The Packers draft a defensive lineman every year, and this one should be no different. I doubt Jerran Reed is brought back. They need depth at the position. I do like the potential of Devonte Wyatt and T.J. Slaton in addition to Kenny Clark being a star along the line. Dean Lowry is likely gone, so they will need to throw a dart to see if they can hit on someone.

 

7b. Tavion Thomas, RB, Utah

This will become an even bigger need if the team moves on from Aaron Jones. The star running back cannot be brought back at the same number, so his contract will either be restricted or he will be extended, the latter being a risk for a running back nearing 30. If Aaron Rodgers is traded, the chances of Jones being let go rise, but they may want him to help Jordan Love since he is a weapon out of the backfield.

 

7c. Joe Tippman, IOL, Wisconsin

His stock may have gone up considerably at the Senior Bowl, but as it is right now, I will have him go here. The interior of the offensive line has not done as well as the Packers would have hoped, especially Josh Myers. He has been maddeningly inconsistent. He can play all around the inside. It’d be a steal in the seventh.