The only mock draft I will do. Post Combine, post Free Agency. No simulator used, just the CBS and Draft Network Big Boards as a guide. Tried to keep things realistic in terms of player availability at a certain spot, although that gets hard in later rounds.
Operating under the following personal prejudices and guidelines (all just my opinion):
1A: Christian Wilkins. DT Clemson. 6’4” 305. This would feel better with a trade down to the mid teens, but I am not allowing myself to speculate in that direction. It is hard to evaluate the Clemson D-Line, but Wilkins is the real deal. He is not just a great D-lineman, but he is a plus athlete for the position, a durable player, with excellent character, intelligence, work ethic, and leadership. Most importantly, he is great at interior pass rush, something Pettine really values. Barring major injury, he will start immediately and will be a defensive leader for 8-10 years.
1B: Dalton Risner. OL Kansas State. 6’5” 315. The packers really need to rebuild the offensive line. Risner is tough, athletic, durable, and versatile. He can play any position on the line, and will probably start out at OG, but eventually would settle in as Brian Bulaga’s long-term replacement at RT.
2: Juan Thornhill. Safety Virginia. 6’1” 200. I really want to go WR or TE here, but the depth at those positions is SO much better than at Safety, I will wait for a bit later. Thornhill has good tape from Virginia, showing decent range, intelligence, and ball skills. He really rocked the combine tests, and may be able to step into the starting lineup immediately, allowing Tramon to go back to corner where he belongs.
3: Miles Sanders. RB Penn State. 5’11” 215. Aaron Jones is the #1 but can he stay healthy? Jamal Williams may not be a great scheme fit. Sanders has good size and speed. Runs with power and elusiveness. Decent receiver out of the backfield.
4A: Mecole Hardman. WR Georgia 5’11”” 185. A true slot receiver to replace Randall Cobb. He’s got tons of speed, twitch, and YAC ability. Route running not superlative but good enough. Can return punts. College stats won’t jump out at you but might be a better pro. McLaurin and Isabella also good options, but will probably be gone in the 3rd..
4B: Kahale Warring. TE SD State. 6’5” 255. A fast riser on draft boards. Only played one year of HS football but already has a knack for route running and has good film for scouts. Like Thornhill, he rocked the combine and went from a late round to a mid round pick. He might even go as early as the 3rd round, but I am hopeful he will last until the 4th with the excellent depth at TE this year. He is a bit of a project, but the packers have some depth ahead of him and can bring him along slowly.
5: Ben Banogu. Edge TCU. 6’5” 245. Depth at OLB. Pure speed rusher.
6A: Carl Granderson. Edge Wyoming. 6’5” 245. Depth at OLB. Worth a shot. Sets a decent edge and has twitch but needs to learn how to pass rush. Has experience dropping into coverage. Pretty athletic.
6B: John Cominsky. DE Charleston. 6’5” 290. Okay. this guy is probably not going to make it to the 6th round, I admit it. But I think I would take him a round earlier if I had to. The secret is definitely out on this small-college dude who was recruited out of HS as an option quarterback. He ran a 4.69 40 at the combine and did pretty well in the agility drills.
7: Austin Seibert. Kicker Oklahoma. 5’9” 185. Cheaper than Crosby. Whatever.
There ya go - Beef in the first round. A few mid-round weapons. Depth and projects at the end. Did not get a LB. That is a problem.
Operating under the following personal prejudices and guidelines (all just my opinion):
- No trades. As much as I want Gute to trade down at least once, trades are too unpredictable and are off the table.
- Strengths of the draft: Abundance of elite talent on defensive line and pass rusher. Excellent depth at TE and WR. Below average talent and depth at CB and Safety.
- Packers biggest needs in order: OL, DL, Safety, TE, WR. I know most people don’t have DL this high, but Mike Daniels seems to be fading a bit. Mo Wilkerson is not a sure thing. Lowry is above average. Clark is the only stud. The packers need help here.
1A: Christian Wilkins. DT Clemson. 6’4” 305. This would feel better with a trade down to the mid teens, but I am not allowing myself to speculate in that direction. It is hard to evaluate the Clemson D-Line, but Wilkins is the real deal. He is not just a great D-lineman, but he is a plus athlete for the position, a durable player, with excellent character, intelligence, work ethic, and leadership. Most importantly, he is great at interior pass rush, something Pettine really values. Barring major injury, he will start immediately and will be a defensive leader for 8-10 years.
1B: Dalton Risner. OL Kansas State. 6’5” 315. The packers really need to rebuild the offensive line. Risner is tough, athletic, durable, and versatile. He can play any position on the line, and will probably start out at OG, but eventually would settle in as Brian Bulaga’s long-term replacement at RT.
2: Juan Thornhill. Safety Virginia. 6’1” 200. I really want to go WR or TE here, but the depth at those positions is SO much better than at Safety, I will wait for a bit later. Thornhill has good tape from Virginia, showing decent range, intelligence, and ball skills. He really rocked the combine tests, and may be able to step into the starting lineup immediately, allowing Tramon to go back to corner where he belongs.
3: Miles Sanders. RB Penn State. 5’11” 215. Aaron Jones is the #1 but can he stay healthy? Jamal Williams may not be a great scheme fit. Sanders has good size and speed. Runs with power and elusiveness. Decent receiver out of the backfield.
4A: Mecole Hardman. WR Georgia 5’11”” 185. A true slot receiver to replace Randall Cobb. He’s got tons of speed, twitch, and YAC ability. Route running not superlative but good enough. Can return punts. College stats won’t jump out at you but might be a better pro. McLaurin and Isabella also good options, but will probably be gone in the 3rd..
4B: Kahale Warring. TE SD State. 6’5” 255. A fast riser on draft boards. Only played one year of HS football but already has a knack for route running and has good film for scouts. Like Thornhill, he rocked the combine and went from a late round to a mid round pick. He might even go as early as the 3rd round, but I am hopeful he will last until the 4th with the excellent depth at TE this year. He is a bit of a project, but the packers have some depth ahead of him and can bring him along slowly.
5: Ben Banogu. Edge TCU. 6’5” 245. Depth at OLB. Pure speed rusher.
6A: Carl Granderson. Edge Wyoming. 6’5” 245. Depth at OLB. Worth a shot. Sets a decent edge and has twitch but needs to learn how to pass rush. Has experience dropping into coverage. Pretty athletic.
6B: John Cominsky. DE Charleston. 6’5” 290. Okay. this guy is probably not going to make it to the 6th round, I admit it. But I think I would take him a round earlier if I had to. The secret is definitely out on this small-college dude who was recruited out of HS as an option quarterback. He ran a 4.69 40 at the combine and did pretty well in the agility drills.
7: Austin Seibert. Kicker Oklahoma. 5’9” 185. Cheaper than Crosby. Whatever.
There ya go - Beef in the first round. A few mid-round weapons. Depth and projects at the end. Did not get a LB. That is a problem.
