2019 Green Bay Packers draft preview and predictions

[brewcrewdue80]

The more I read about projections on Devin White as an immediate impact and certain Pro Bowler, has me wanting to draft him at 12 if available. Just by looking back at history I don't think GB has had 1 MLB pro-Bowler in my lifetime. With the Edge guys we signed in FA it would seem like a great match to pair for quite awhile. He seems valued around 10-16 so 12 isn't a reach on him.

[Point Beer Is Best]

In terms of drafting a QB, one strategy may be to trade pick 44 this year for someone's #1 next year, then use those two #1's next year to have enough ammo to get in range for a QB you'd like. A guy like Rodgers falling to is something we'll likely never see again.

[LouisEly]

In terms of drafting a QB, one strategy may be to trade pick 44 this year for someone's #1 next year, then use those two #1's next year to have enough ammo to get in range for a QB you'd like. A guy like Rodgers falling to us is something we'll likely never see again.

I'd be all for that. The QB class next year should be stronger with Tua, Fromm, Herbert, and Eason possible entrants.

 

I'm not sure if #44 is high enough in the 2nd to get a 1st next year; typically those have to be in the 30's because of the risk of a disastrous year injury-wise turning that 1st round pick into a top-12 pick. GB might have to include another mid-round pick this year or a conditional pick next year.

[homer]

They could maybe trade out of the late #1 pick this year into the 2nd round and get a 2020 first back as well. Cleveland doesn't have a 1st round pick. They might want to get in at #30. They're at #49 so there would have to be some other picks involved to make it work.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

They could maybe trade out of the late #1 pick this year into the 2nd round and get a 2020 first back as well. Cleveland doesn't have a 1st round pick. They might want to get in at #30. They're at #49 so there would have to be some other picks involved to make it work.

 

I'd deal #30 for #49, a 4th and a 1st in 2020, depending o what they do at #12. There will be starting-caliber safeties, ILBs and offensive linemen there at #49. I also think that while there's a chance that Cleveland could be very good, there's also a strong possibility with a new coach and inexperienced QB that things crash and burn.

[brewcrewdue80]

Well, way to go out on a limb NFL.com with prospect grading. Based on their grades there are 0-once in a lifetime players, 0-Perrenial all-pros, 0-Future All-Pros, 0-Pro bowl Caliber players, and just 4 that have a chance of becoming a pro-bowl player. (Q. Williams, Jeffery Simmons, Allen, and Bosa) And then 25 instant Starters. Followed by 120 that have a chance to become starters. Below that they call for backups or special teams. I'm just floored they list so few a pro bowl caliber players or even having a chance! Jeffery Simmons is the one who they tagged higher than I see in mocks. CBS Sports has 6 mocks only 3 with him mocked in 1st round and all outside top 20.

 

Anywho, I get the feeling that trading down just a little at 12 and trading up just a little at 30 they still get the same valued player as picking 12 provides but picking 30 wouldn't provide(except taking Simmons and that flak)

Maybe when it's said and done, you've gained a top of the 3rd round pick with the maneuvers.

[JosephC]

These 8 guys are looking like a near lock to be off the board at #12:

 

Quinnen Williams/Alabama

Nick Bosa/Ohio State

Josh Allen/Kentucky

Ed Oliver/Oklahoma

Devin White/Louisiana State

Rashan Gary/Michigan

Kyler Murray/Oklahoma

Montez Sweat/Mississippi State

 

It's a draft, anything can happen, but looking at the resumes, combine numbers, and things that are being said...the Packers would be extremely fortunate if any of those guys made it down to #12.

 

Next guy would likely be TE-T.J. Hockenson/Iowa, but I think there has only been one TE picked in the top 15 in the last 12 years (Ebron to Detroit at #10 and IMO he was a disappointment). There are teams picking in that area of the draft who could really use a TE though. Hard one to call but I wouldn't rule him out.

 

The buzz over WR-D.K. Metcalf/Mississippi really seems to have died down, although he still would have to be considered a good bet to be picked in the top half of round one. Chances are better than 50/50 he makes it to #12.

 

OT-Jawaan Taylor/Florida really seems to be a riser. Always having that first round grade, he seems to get ignored when he skipped most of the combine stuff. But now seems to be a hot name as teams have gone back and looked at his tape. Doesn't have major character concerns, but has been fat in the past and also had a couple minor incidents. The Packers did interview him at the combine, and I wouldn't be surprised if he's the #1 target at #12. I think chances are only about 50/50 he is available there.

 

OT-Andre Dillard/Washington State seems to have it all on paper. Good player. Extensive history playing in a good conference. Very good workout numbers. I have some concerns with that offense that he came out of, lots of those spread OL'men have struggled when entering the NFL. But overall, there is not much to dislike with this guy, especially a team that has a pass happy offense. Just how serious LaFleur is about running the ball might be the determining factor if the Packers grade Dillard as a top 12 pick. There also could be some concern with how he'd fit at a right tackle since he profiles more as a left tackle type, and the Packers would obviously be asking him to play right tackle if they picked him.

 

Even though he is grading a bit further down the board, it really wouldn't be all that shocking if the Packers "reached" for LB-Devin Bush/Michigan at #12. ILB is a huge need. And while Bush is short (5'11"), he brings the speed and athletic ability (4.43 in the 40, 40 1/2 inch vertical jump) and would give the Packers a dynamic at inside linebacker that they haven't had in recent years.

 

While I don't think they would pick him at #12, DT-Jeffery Simmons/Mississippi State was in Green Bay a few days ago on a visit. Injured his knee in a workout that will cost him all of next season, but he had a solid top 10 grade prior to the injury and has really been a beast on the field for Mississippi State. Overcame a very controversial incident that happened before he arrived at Mississippi State but has been, by all reports, a model citizen during his time there.

 

I'm leaning towards thinking Jawaan Taylor is the guy they want at #12.

[LouisEly]

Made a couple of changes to the mock. With Cole Madison reporting, I took Ben Powers out of the 5th round and replaced him with Josh Oliver, TE, San Jose St. It had been bugging me that I didn't have Oliver somewhere in there.

 

Also put Ka'Dar Hollman in the 7th. I hadn't seen Toledo's pro day results, but Hollman supposedly ran a sub-4.40 with a 38.5" vertical and he has the desired length/size (6'0", 196) the Packers look for in a corner.

[Jenkins5]

Wolf in the 90s was smartest GM. Pick late round QB every year, groom them and see if they become anything. 4 of their 7 went on to have very nice careers & started a lot of games elsewhere.

 

1992 Ty Detmar 9th round

1993 Mark Brunell 5th round

1995 Jay Barker 5th round

1996 Kyle Wachholtz 7th round

1997 Ronnie Mcada 7th round

1998 Matt Hasselback 6th round

1999 Aaron Brooks 4th round

 

Stumped me that a guy groomed by Wolf never took similar actions in TT. If any turn into solid backups who look like they can start, that trade capital.

 

I’m high on Boyle. Kid just has just a talented arm. Learning under Aaron & figuring out how to be more than just an arm talent is big for him. Hundley never had the arm & just timid with ball. Don’t think he had very high Football IQ & struggled reading defenses.

 

 

Think there are some solid developmental guys to look at in draft for day 3. Don’t think Jackson or Greer make it but those are guys I’d take in 4th if there.

 

Thornton has everything you want in QB but has just never fully clicked. At one point people that he could be future #1 with Luck type pro style ability. Never made it over hump & shined.

 

Minshew is a guy I’d love! May never be full time starter but he has Moxy poise, and little gunslinger in him. A more athletic & stronger armed Flynn type guy.

 

Shumur has size, arm, and IQ. From football family & dad head coach in New York.

 

Stick, Finley, Stidham all have tools that can be developed.

 

McSorley is just a competitor who is worth a late flyer to see if he can actually be a NFL QB. Fails, maybe you can get him passed I’m only QB ego & throw him in slot like Edelman or some teams wanted him to play S

[Point Beer Is Best]

The Packers are hosting QB Drew Lock (a potential top-ten pick) tomorrow, and also had interest in hosting QB Daniel Jones (another potential first rounder) but couldn't line it up. I can't see them pulling the trigger, and hoping this is a Jedi move where Gutey gets a QB-needy team to jump up in front of them to push the position players down to him. Almost zero chance they take a QB in the top half of round 1 after giving out a record contract to Rodgers one year ago.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

The Packers are hosting QB Drew Lock (a potential top-ten pick) tomorrow, and also had interest in hosting QB Daniel Jones (another potential first rounder) but couldn't line it up. I can't see them pulling the trigger, and hoping this is a Jedi move where Gutey gets a QB-needy team to jump up in front of them to push the position players down to him. Almost zero chance they take a QB in the top half of round 1 after giving out a record contract to Rodgers one year ago.

 

Highly doubt that they are looking at at QB at #12, but #30 is a prime spot for a falling QB. That 5th year option is huge if the QB turns into a franchise guy. Rodgers is the same age as Favre was in 2005. Although Rodgers hasn't shown the waffling retirement tendencies Favre did during the later portion of his career, he's also had more injuries, so if a QB falls to #30, it isn't out of the realm of possibility that they pick one. That #30 pick could also be very valuable if a QB falls and another team wants to jump into that spot to grab him.

[pacopete4]

I’d be interested to see how Aaron treats his replacement if drafted this year or next.

[bjkrautk]

We're in smokescreen season, and GB leaking that they are hosting a 1st round QB in a year they have 2 first round picks (but don't have an immediate need for a QB) is every bit in-keeping with this time of year.

 

My time to read up on prospects is rather limited, but there are quite a few G/T options who could potentially start inside for a year, and slide over to RT when Bulaga is a Free Agent (or injured). At #12, the Packers could have their pick of all the O-Linemen in the draft...which usually doesn't happen.

 

I'd like to see them get a lineman, receiving option (TE preferred...but I doubt Fant is going to last to 30), and a defensive starter (LB or safety) with their first 3 picks.

[Point Beer Is Best]

We're in smokescreen season, and GB leaking that they are hosting a 1st round QB in a year they have 2 first round picks (but don't have an immediate need for a QB) is every bit in-keeping with this time of year.

 

My time to read up on prospects is rather limited, but there are quite a few G/T options who could potentially start inside for a year, and slide over to RT when Bulaga is a Free Agent (or injured). At #12, the Packers could have their pick of all the O-Linemen in the draft...which usually doesn't happen.

 

I'd like to see them get a lineman, receiving option (TE preferred...but I doubt Fant is going to last to 30), and a defensive starter (LB or safety) with their first 3 picks.

 

They are hosting Jonah Williams as a G/T prospect. Despite signing Billy Turner to essentially be your starting RG (projected line would be Bak/Lane/Linsley/Turner/Bulaga which is pretty damn good), the OL is still a high priority given that Bulaga is entering his final year and has had availability concerns due to injuries. Williams (or another prospect) is then there to provide depth at G/T in '19 and take over at RT in '20. Plus with Cole Madison returning, they've also got a guy who can back up G/C and push Lane for playing time if he falters. Even with taking Williams, however, they still lack a guy who can play LT which is obviously concerning and needs to be addressed also.

[LouisEly]

We're in smokescreen season, and GB leaking that they are hosting a 1st round QB in a year they have 2 first round picks (but don't have an immediate need for a QB) is every bit in-keeping with this time of year.

The highest that the Packers have drafted anybody they have brought in for a visit this decade was Oren Burks last year (3rd round). They've never brought in a 1st or 2nd round pick for a visit.

 

Their M.O. is that the top picks they bring in are either as backup plans in case the guys they really want are gone, or are smokescreens. Might be enticing someone to trade up ahead of them, either at #12 or #30, to increase the chances that the guy(s) they really want fall to them.

 

Lots of OTs brought in for visits, but Risner is conspicuously not one of them.

[reillymcshane]

Well, the draft is about a week away.

 

I'm still seeing some fluctuations on a few of the top guys.

 

I think we can safely say that the following guys WON'T be around for the Packers:

 

- QB Kyler Murray

- DE Nick Bosa

- DE/OLB Josh Allen

- DT Quinnen Williams

 

After that, you have a group of guys that probably won't drop to us, but if we get a few teams picking QBs ahead of us - you never know. We should be thrilled to get any of these four guys. They include:

 

- DT Ed Oliver (he's been moving up boards and rarely falls to GB)

- OT Jawaan Taylor (only seen him fall to GB on a couple of mocks, so probably not)

- DE/OLB Montez Sweat (had a health issue arise, but that doesn't seem to be a concern now)

- LB Devin White (another guy who probably won't reach us - most mocks have him gone earlier)

 

And then you have guys who have a good chance of dropping to, but could get taken. This includes:

 

- TE TJ Hockenson

- LB Devin Bush

- OT/G Jonah Williams

- Edge rushers Brian Burns, Clelin Ferrell, Rashan Gary

- WR D.K. Metcalf (not my favorite pick, but I've seen some mocks with GB taking him)

- DT Christian Wilkens (A guy who has been rising in some mocks. I've even seen him in the top 10 on a few boards, and I saw one mock with the Packers taking him at #12 - which I think is too high - but that's just me.)

 

Of this group, my favorites are Bush and Hockenson. After that Jonah Williams. The edge rushers listed make things really interesting, as some mocks have any of these guys going in the top 10, and some have them going in the 20s. So you just never know which might be there or not. I would be okay with any of them, but I like other guys better.

 

For our second pick at #30, I've seen all sorts of selections for Green Bay. Here's some of the more common names that I've seen:

 

- WR Marquis Brown

- WR AJ Brown

- WR N'Keal Harry

- OG Chris Lindstrom

- TE Noah Fant (assuming we don't take Hockenson)

- S Jonathan Abraham

- S Nasir Adderly

- I've even seen the Packers linked to a quarterback, including Drew Lock and Daniel Jones (assuming either falls)

 

The #30 pick is really hard to predict. It's really about waiting and seeing what galls to you - and grabbing value. If a guy like Greedy Williams fell to us, or Cody Ford, or Christian Wilkens - just to name a few players - we would be thrilled to get them at #30.

 

I'm not a fan of picking a QB - even if we think it's good value. Our time to win is now, and I don't want to be spending a #1 pick on a guy who won't start when we have a lot of other positions of need. And if the guys does start due to injury, he won't be that good. Plus there's the who drama that would start - with people wondering if Rodgers is going to be replaced.

 

The best thing for Green Bay would be for other teams picking QBs in round one - Lock, Jones, Murray, Haskins are all strong possibilities to go in the first round. If that happens, it would push other players to us - both at #12 and #30.

[OnTheBlack]

Well, the draft is about a week away.

 

I'm still seeing some fluctuations on a few of the top guys.

 

I think we can safely say that the following guys WON'T be around for the Packers:

 

- QB Kyler Murray

- DE Nick Bosa

- DE/OLB Josh Allen

- DT Quinnen Williams

 

After that, you have a group of guys that probably won't drop to us, but if we get a few teams picking QBs ahead of us - you never know. We should be thrilled to get any of these four guys. They include:

 

- DT Ed Oliver (he's been moving up boards and rarely falls to GB)

- OT Jawaan Taylor (only seen him fall to GB on a couple of mocks, so probably not)

- DE/OLB Montez Sweat (had a health issue arise, but that doesn't seem to be a concern now)

- LB Devin White (another guy who probably won't reach us - most mocks have him gone earlier)

 

And then you have guys who have a good chance of dropping to, but could get taken. This includes:

 

- TE TJ Hockenson

- LB Devin Bush

- OT/G Jonah Williams

- Edge rushers Brian Burns, Clelin Ferrell, Rashan Gary

- WR D.K. Metcalf (not my favorite pick, but I've seen some mocks with GB taking him)

- DT Christian Wilkens (A guy who has been rising in some mocks. I've even seen him in the top 10 on a few boards, and I saw one mock with the Packers taking him at #12 - which I think is too high - but that's just me.)

 

Of this group, my favorites are Bush and Hockenson. After that Jonah Williams. The edge rushers listed make things really interesting, as some mocks have any of these guys going in the top 10, and some have them going in the 20s. So you just never know which might be there or not. I would be okay with any of them, but I like other guys better.

 

For our second pick at #30, I've seen all sorts of selections for Green Bay. Here's some of the more common names that I've seen:

 

- WR Marquis Brown

- WR AJ Brown

- WR N'Keal Harry

- OG Chris Lindstrom

- TE Noah Fant (assuming we don't take Hockenson)

- S Jonathan Abraham

- S Nasir Adderly

- I've even seen the Packers linked to a quarterback, including Drew Lock and Daniel Jones (assuming either falls)

 

The #30 pick is really hard to predict. It's really about waiting and seeing what galls to you - and grabbing value. If a guy like Greedy Williams fell to us, or Cody Ford, or Christian Wilkens - just to name a few players - we would be thrilled to get them at #30.

 

I'm not a fan of picking a QB - even if we think it's good value. Our time to win is now, and I don't want to be spending a #1 pick on a guy who won't start when we have a lot of other positions of need. And if the guys does start due to injury, he won't be that good. Plus there's the who drama that would start - with people wondering if Rodgers is going to be replaced.

 

The best thing for Green Bay would be for other teams picking QBs in round one - Lock, Jones, Murray, Haskins are all strong possibilities to go in the first round. If that happens, it would push other players to us - both at #12 and #30.

 

The only way I'd like to see them take a QB is if Murray falls to us at 12 or some other equally unrealistic scenario. Not since Rodgers has the best or 2nd best QB fallen like ARod has(I wonder how much of that is because of Arod). And when we drafted ARod, Favre was already talking about retirement whereas Rodgers just re-upped for 4 more years and has implied this won't be his last contract in GB if it's up to him. If he can avoid the concussions, it won't be up to him, but he's plenty talented to be "just" a pocket passer. He would be even better IMO if he didn't scramble as much.

 

Long way of saying that I'd would be real upset if they took a QB as opposed to the last time we had a HOF QB in their mid 30's when it made some sense.

 

I'm gonna guess that we take Oliver at 12. You're probably right, he's probably gone, but these mocks are so incredibly unreliable and there are always a few teams that pick a guy in the top 12 that most people had going in the 20's. I also do not want anything to do with Metcalf. Great, he's huge, he's strong, he's fast. He wasn't the best WR'er on his own team. WE have big, physical WR'ers. He could end up being like Thomas was in Denver with Peyton, taking WR'er screens 50 yards on a regular basis, but I'm not confident.

 

30th-I'm gonna guess it's Irv Smith. I don't think Fant falls to 12 and I really don't think Hockenson does. I could actually see the Packers moving up 4-6 spots if someone falls, but if not, I think we'll just take the best skill player available.

[OnTheBlack]

And just a quick aside, I don't have much of an opinion on Nasir Adderly one way or the other, but it would be nice to grab a nephew of an Packer great.

[OnTheBlack]

I actually don't think his problem was arm-related at all. He graded out pretty well in both. His big flaw was he had some of the worst pocket presence I've ever seen. He would start scrambling with guys still 10 feet away, which in the NFL isn't possible to be effective while doing unless you're Aaron Rodgers. You have to be able to stand in and get rid of a pass with every millisecond of protection you have. He was incredibly skittish as a starter and would bolt when he saw anybody even starting to break through his protection. This is a lofty standard but always one of the reasons I've loved watching him play - Tom Brady. Next time you see a Pats game, watch how late some of his throws are made. He will stand there and complete his whole motion with guys inches away from him and sometimes just take absolute shots on his release. He knows he can't run away, so he uses every little second he gets.

 

 

Brady's also a master at just shuffling his feet in the pocket and creating time that extra half a second for his guys to get open. Just the most underrated part of his game. And I don't see him get those big hits all that often. I'm hoping rather than scrambling as much, Rodgers tries to play a LITTLE bit more like Brady moving forward. Just pick his spots better, don't bail out and look for the TD when you can get the 1st down.

 

That said, Rodgers is like a savant at making guys miss. I'm sure most people here play sports, but it's easy to practice something perfectly, it's very difficult to do it at the levels we've all competed at. The way Rodgers is able to use his footwork, tuck that shoulder and avoid pass rushers coming at him full speed is exactly how you teach QB's to avoid the pass rush, almost like a punt returner who can make the first guy miss just because they're coming at you with a head full of steam. It's amazing how Rodgers has made some of the game best miss by perfecting that move. Both hands on the ball, a little pivot and tuck that inside shoulder to make yourself a smaller target and able to move as soon as the pass rusher misses.

 

Just seeing someone who could get to you and bailing...that's not a recipe for success.

 

Hundley, like dozens and dozens of QB's had all the talent need to be a very good NFL QB. But he bailed too quickly.

 

But lets also keep in mind, he was getting his shot right as GB's offense was getting it's most outdated and our receivers were as bad as any time in McCarthy's reign at getting open on their own. So he was probably not much different as the starting QB for the Packers than probably a third of the other starters would be and most of the backup's in the NFL. He had good games and terrible homes games.

 

 

But early on I thought he'd be a guy we'd eventually get a nice pick for, perhaps even a 2nd rounder. His size, arm strength, what looked like improved accuracy and then my belief that McCarthy and Clement were Quarterback whisperers. That did not come to fruition.

[brewcrewdue80]

Reilly what I read on Drew Lock at 30 was the extra year the Packers have. Holding him being a 1st rd pick. With the idea playing off to Farve comparison in age when drafting Rodgers. I dont believe the mock choice, its just one of those history choices like Brewers drafting an OF 1st pick.

 

Im still feeling the draft is all over the place that trading down will happen at 12 or up at 30 depending how it plays out with their draft board. I think an OT is the first choice if Hockensen is gone by 12. Carolina is a team seemingly mocked to trade up to us at 12(probably a history thing choice) us to 16 then. Taking a 4 pick drop with the 1st rd rated OL, I'd expect they have their guys still then.

I recall there being an absure trade idea on at least 2 mocks where GB trades 30 for like a 3rd rd pick and that teams 1st rd in 2020 on the idea that the team will be .500 at best so GB would return like a 15th 1st rd next year. Considering how this draft isnt stocked in regards to value, trading down both 1st picks for that kind of scenario could be really good outcome for GB.(suggesting say 12 for 16ish& top60 value, and then 30 for a 2020 higher 1st& top 75 pick.) You'd lose a 1st but gain 2 top 75 and then have 2 1st choices to play with next draft. In that maybe you see the roster and new coach's scheme play out and learn the weakness to draft for with the 2 first picks in 2020.

 

It's going to be a long draft night thats for sure for GB fans. (Unless they use 30 and trade up to a top 6 pick)

[JosephC]

I don't see the Packers taking a receiver at #12. J'Mon Moore looked like a big zero last year, but Gutekunst is probably really happy with Valdes-Scantling and St. Brown. Adams plus a returning Allison plus those two rookies is a pretty decent start. I still find Kumerow interesting as a depth option. The Packers probably will take another receiver somewhere along the line for depth purposes, but I'd be pretty surprised if they take one before round three. I've kind of crossed off D.K. Metcalf as a possibility strictly on the need factor. Gutekunst doesn't have enough of a track record to draw any conclusions yet. But the track record of the standard NFL GM will show you that 10/10 GMs say "take the best player available" but actually "take the best player that fills one of the two or three biggest need areas." I don't expect Gutekunst will be any difference despite whatever "GM speak" comes out of his mouth.

 

I still think these are the big need areas and are spots that get filled with the first three picks: TE, OT, ILB, S, DE. I've been on the fence as to how big of a need five-technique is, but have been talked into including it by some other people. I'd guess the first three picks are all dedicated to those five positions. By then the field will be so thinned out that the two spots that don't get filled will get thrown in with the "secondary needs" and Gutekunst fills the holes best he can....some of the top secondary needs would be OG, OLB, CB, S.

 

A big question is if Gutekunst sees Devin Bush as a strong 3-4 ILB possibility or is he just limited to being a 4-3 weak side linebacker due to his lack of height? I think Bush is a STRONG possibility at #12 if Gutekunst and the coaches think he's a fit to play next to Martinez in the defense. That's just kind of the way the board is shaking out.

 

Best candidates at #12 seem to be TE-T.J. Hockenson/Iowa, OT-Jawaan Taylor/Florida, LB-Devin Bush/Michigan, OT-Andre Dillard/Washington State. I'm kind of leaning towards Jawaan Taylor being gone, but maybe he makes it down to #12 as teams tend to de-value right tackles. Dillard seems like he's a far better fit as a left tackle which could de-value him a bit on the Packers board.

 

Best candidates at #30 seem to be S-Johnathan Abram/Mississippi State, OT-Dalton Risner/Kansas State, S-Taylor Rapp/Washington, OT-Greg Little/Mississippi, OT-Kaleb McGary/Washington, TE-Irv Smith, Jr./Alabama, S-Chuancey Gardner-Johnson/Florida. McGinn thinks that OT-Max Scharping/Northern Illinois is a possibility here, so I'll include him as a surprise possibility. I'm guessing TE-Noah Fant/Iowa will be picked ahead of #30.

 

Best candidates at #44 seem to be S-Nasir Adderley/Delaware, S-Delonte Thompson/Alabama, S-Juan Thornhill/Virginia, ILB-Mack Wilson/Alabama, DE-Zach Allen/Boston College.

 

If Jawaan Taylor is off the board at #12, I'd guess that Gutekunst would be shooting for something like LB-Devin Bush at #12, OT-Kaleb McGary at #30, S-Juan Thornhill at #44 and then any one of a number of tight ends at #75.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Here's my best guess at a Packers mock for next week:

 

1st Round (#12) - Brian Burns, OLB, Florida State - The Packers are going to get crap for this pick from uninformed fans that see Burns as Jamal Reynolds 2.0. Burns is a completely different kind of player, though. He fits the body type Pettine likes for his pass rushers at 6'5" with extremely long arms, and while he played in the 225-230 lb range, he was up to 250 lbs at the combine, and still ran and tested very well. He's got the frame to add an additional 10-15 good pounds. This draft is extremely deep at Edge, and the Packers take advantage by grabbing a guy that would have Top 5 talent in any other draft.

 

Alternatives: T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa; Ed Oliver, DT, Houston

 

1st Round (#30) - Dalton Risner, G/T, Kansas State - I personally love Risner's pedigree and work ethic. I think he's a terrific fit for LaFleur's zone scheme, and will immediately slot in as a starting guard, while eventually taking over for Bulaga at RT. He's a good athlete and known as a terrific locker room guy and leader to boot.

 

Alternatives: Cody Ford, G, Oklahoma; A.J. Brown, WR, Ole Miss

 

2nd Round (#44) - Juan Thornhill, S, Virginia - I really hope he falls this far, as I think Thornhill is the best safety prospect in the draft, and is the perfect CF-type safety to pair with Amos. Terrific ball skills and awareness, along with CB-like speed and solid tackling ability.

 

Alternatives: Max Scharping, G/T, Northern Illinois; Deebo Samuel, WR, Georgia

 

3rd Round (#75) - Jace Sternberger, TE, Texas A&M - Sternberger is one of those guys who does everything well. I think this is the year they draft a TE to groom behind Graham, and eventually take over in 2020.

 

Alternatives: David Montgomery, RB, Iowa State; Tre Lamar, ILB, Clemson

 

4th Round (#114) - Mecole Hardman, WR/KR, Georgia - Speed, speed and more speed. Hardman is a guy they can immediately insert as the #1 kick and punt returner, while working into the slot. Not a big guy, but more well put together than Trevor Davis.

 

4th Round (#118) - Germaine Pratt, ILB, N.C. State - It would be spectacular if Pratt lasted this long. He's a big, fast ILB who is solid in coverage and would be a nice complement to Martinez. He'd be an instant starter.

 

5th Round (#150) - Mark Fields, CB, Clemson - Smooth cover corner who is basically a finished product and used to the big stage. Not all the measureables you want, but as solid and dependable as they come. Micah Hyde type.

 

6th Round (#185) - Will Grier, QB, West Virginia - One of the higher rated QBs is going to fall, and Grier has enough red flags that he might be that guy. Nice developmental prospect with questionable arm strength.

 

6th Round (#194) - L.J. Scott, RB, Michigan State - Was once a potential high round pick, but battled injury last year. Solid runner and receiver out of the backfield. Big, strong back and probably a little faster and more slippery than Jamal Williams.

 

7th Round (#226) - Mitch Hyatt, T/G, Clemson - This year's version of the typical Packer pick of a solid college tackle who they intend to move inside to guard.

 

So, this draft gives the team three immediate starters (Risner, Thornhill, Pratt), a potential future Edge stud who will rotate in his rookie year (Burns), a potential game-breaking returner and situational receiver (Hardman), a solid future starter at TE in Sternberger, solid rotational depth in Fields, Scott and Hyatt, and a talented developmental QB in Grier.

[True Blue Brew Crew]

Here's my best guess at a Packers mock for next week:

 

1st Round (#12) - Brian Burns, OLB, Florida State - The Packers are going to get crap for this pick from uninformed fans that see Burns as Jamal Reynolds 2.0. Burns is a completely different kind of player, though. He fits the body type Pettine likes for his pass rushers at 6'5" with extremely long arms, and while he played in the 225-230 lb range, he was up to 250 lbs at the combine, and still ran and tested very well. He's got the frame to add an additional 10-15 good pounds. This draft is extremely deep at Edge, and the Packers take advantage by grabbing a guy that would have Top 5 talent in any other draft.

 

Alternatives: T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa; Ed Oliver, DT, Houston

 

1st Round (#30) - Dalton Risner, G/T, Kansas State - I personally love Risner's pedigree and work ethic. I think he's a terrific fit for LaFleur's zone scheme, and will immediately slot in as a starting guard, while eventually taking over for Bulaga at RT. He's a good athlete and known as a terrific locker room guy and leader to boot.

 

Alternatives: Cody Ford, G, Oklahoma; A.J. Brown, WR, Ole Miss

 

2nd Round (#44) - Juan Thornhill, S, Virginia - I really hope he falls this far, as I think Thornhill is the best safety prospect in the draft, and is the perfect CF-type safety to pair with Amos. Terrific ball skills and awareness, along with CB-like speed and solid tackling ability.

 

Alternatives: Max Scharping, G/T, Northern Illinois; Deebo Samuel, WR, Georgia

 

3rd Round (#75) - Jace Sternberger, TE, Texas A&M - Sternberger is one of those guys who does everything well. I think this is the year they draft a TE to groom behind Graham, and eventually take over in 2020.

 

Alternatives: David Montgomery, RB, Iowa State; Tre Lamar, ILB, Clemson

 

4th Round (#114) - Mecole Hardman, WR/KR, Georgia - Speed, speed and more speed. Hardman is a guy they can immediately insert as the #1 kick and punt returner, while working into the slot. Not a big guy, but more well put together than Trevor Davis.

 

4th Round (#118) - Germaine Pratt, ILB, N.C. State - It would be spectacular if Pratt lasted this long. He's a big, fast ILB who is solid in coverage and would be a nice complement to Martinez. He'd be an instant starter.

 

5th Round (#150) - Mark Fields, CB, Clemson - Smooth cover corner who is basically a finished product and used to the big stage. Not all the measureables you want, but as solid and dependable as they come. Micah Hyde type.

 

6th Round (#185) - Will Grier, QB, West Virginia - One of the higher rated QBs is going to fall, and Grier has enough red flags that he might be that guy. Nice developmental prospect with questionable arm strength.

 

6th Round (#194) - L.J. Scott, RB, Michigan State - Was once a potential high round pick, but battled injury last year. Solid runner and receiver out of the backfield. Big, strong back and probably a little faster and more slippery than Jamal Williams.

 

7th Round (#226) - Mitch Hyatt, T/G, Clemson - This year's version of the typical Packer pick of a solid college tackle who they intend to move inside to guard.

 

So, this draft gives the team three immediate starters (Risner, Thornhill, Pratt), a potential future Edge stud who will rotate in his rookie year (Burns), a potential game-breaking returner and situational receiver (Hardman), a solid future starter at TE in Sternberger, solid rotational depth in Fields, Scott and Hyatt, and a talented developmental QB in Grier.

 

This would be a home run draft in my eyes. Those first 3 selections especially. Well done. I hope it works out this way. They really NEED a safety like Thornhill. I hope he's on the board at #44.

[pacopete4]

Can someone put together a really crappy draft to balance out all these good predictions so I’m not disappointed in a week? Please and thank you!

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Can someone put together a really crappy draft to balance out all these good predictions so I’m not disappointed in a week? Please and thank you!

 

Sure! This is one I saw yesterday. Horrible!

 

1st Round (#12) - D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss

1st Round (#30) - Drew Lock, QB, Missouri

2nd Round (#44) - Irv Smith Jr., TE, Alabama

3rd Round (#75) - Jachai Polite, EDGE, Florida

4th Round (#114) - Andy Van Ginkel, ILB, Wisconsin

4th Round (#118) - Wes Farnsworth, LS, Nevada

5th Round (#150) - KaVontae Turpin, WR, Texas Christian

6th Round (#185) - Cole Tracy, K, Louisiana State

6th Round (#194) - Tyler Roemer, T, San Diego State

7th Round (#226) - D’Cota Dixon, S, Wisconsin