2021 Packer Draft Review

[CheezWizHed]

Thought it would be fun to review how the 2021 Draft picks faired in their rookie year:

 

1 29 Eric Stokes CB Georgia

This pick caused a lot of surprise, followed by grumbling and complaining. Stokes silenced many of those complaints with the best Packer CB rookie year I can think of. He wasn't perfect out there and dropped a few potential INTs, but he was very solid and showed a lot of veteran poise out there. The Packer D would've been lost without his solid play this year. Really excited to see him and Alexander (with Douglas?) starting together. It has been a long time since we have this much upside at the CB position.

 

2 62 Josh Myers C Ohio State

Took the starting role right out of the gate and proved it was earned in his first few games. He looks like a wide-body masher, but has good athleticism to go with it. I can't think of any serious mistakes he made out there, but remember MANY times when he and Runyan combo blocked a huge hole up the middle. I look forward to seeing that for many years. Too bad injuries marred the season, but once again an excellent start to a career.

 

3 85 Amari Rodgers WR Clemson

I have to admit that I didn't expect much from a rookie WR and he delivered just that. I was hoping to see a little more wiggle and athleticism from him, but maybe he will show that more in year 2 when the game starts slowing down for him? Didn't show much on ST either. I was surprised to see how much difficulty he had in catching the ball (two fumbles and several times where you could see he was fighting himself a bit) given his experience in college. Given how many WRs we might lose this year, he will have ample chances to step up. Hopefully he has the big year 2 jump because he needs it.

 

4 142 Royce Newman OL Ole Miss

Could Royce continue our string of excellent 4th round OGs? I have to admit that I couldn't wait to get him out of the starting lineup late in the season. But even at that, I was surprised to see Patrick start at RG over him (I was anxious to get him out as C also). Newman was strong in run blocking, but really needs improvement at pass block. He struggled mightily at picking up stunts. However, he isn't that far off from being very good. Certainly has the tools, but just needs to clean up some technique and understanding of how the OL is being attacked. I wouldn't be surprised (or disappointed) to see him starting next year again.

 

5 173 T.J. Slaton DT Florida

Slaton played a backup role at NT and was very inconsistent - which isn't surprising for a 5th rounder. Some plays, he was blowing up the OL and others, he was being blown up. Certainly has the physical attributes for an NT and has more upside than any other backup DL we have. Should see him more next year. Hopefully, he can resurrect the #93 Gravedigger image in Lambeau once again (pun intended).

 

5 178 Shemar Jean-Charles CB Appalachian State

Didn't see too much of SJC this year, except on ST. For such a small CB, I expected more speed and quickness, but looked pretty ordinary out there. Often trailing his man in coverage when he did see the field. Time will tell on him.

 

6 214 Cole Van Lanen OL Wisconsin

He did a nice job amping up the crowd on Christmas Day (the one game I saw in person). That is all I recollect from him this season. Nice to have the hometown boy on the team. Looks like he needs work on his strength and technique to make the squad next year. Good development opportunity for him.

 

6 220 Isaiah McDuffie ILB Boston College

Didn't get on the field much and only a bit on ST. Seems like he has the physical capabilities, but needs more coaching. I'm guessing he had little coaching for ST last year. Will have a good shot to fill the backup ILB role next year with both Burks and Sommers most likely on the way out.

 

7 256 Kylin Hill RB Mississippi State

Looks like a 7th round steal. Looked great in pre-season and decent in the regular season. Seemed to understand both how to setup his blocks and how to pass block; which is rare for a rookie. Did ok with kick returning, but I felt like he was just getting into the role when he got injured. Unfortunately, an ACL tear might take him out of most of next year.

 

All in all, it seemed like a very good rookie year with a lot of positive immediate contributions and future upside. Rodgers was probably the most disappointing, but rookie WRs rarely contribute right away; x2 for a rookie with AROD.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

I've heard it said that if a team drafts three immediate starters, that's a great draft. And in Stokes, Myers and Newman, they got that. I think there is also potential starter upside in Slaton. Rodgers needs to grow, but as you said, he is likely to be thrust into a more prominent role next year by default. Jean-Charles and Van Lanen weren't impressive, and will have an uphill climb to make the team next year. McDuffie looks like a solid developmental ILB to keep around, and may set himself up for playing time depending on what happens with Campbell this offseason.

 

Hill looked extremely intriguing before going down with his ACL injury. He's got some nice explosiveness and wiggle to him, and a very similar running style to Aaron Jones. It'll be interesting to see how he recovers, and if that explosiveness comes all the way back. If it does, they might have unearthed a future gem there.

[reillymcshane]

It was a good draft. You get a couple quality starters as rookies you're doing pretty well (especially for picking that late). Good for the Packers.

 

Stokes looks really solid. And Myers was good when healthy - although Myers over Creed Humphrey was a bit of a surprise at the time. Humphrey was great as a rookie. Let's hope Myers can stay healthy this year.

 

I thought Rodgers would find some sort of niche as a rookie - but he just never found his footing. Let's hope things click this year.

 

Finding mid and late round gems is just icing on the cake.

[GAME05]

It was Ron Wolfe who said the mark of a good draft class is getting three starters.

[homer]

Great recap, CWH. Thanks for putting it together.

[Joseph Zarr]

Really hopeful Kylin can come back and take off from where he was pre-injury. Agreed: he looked like an absolute steal. The Packer RB room truly is stacked and that is a beautiful thing. I think, all-in-all, the draft class had a solid first year all things considered. I'm curious to see if they keep Newman inside or kick him out to RT eventually as he gains more strength. He had his ups and downs but improved in the second half of the season. It looks like they should have picked Creed Humphrey - that kid is special...not many rookie Centers are shoe-in Pro Bowl picks. Myers looked fine but Humphrey looked like a perennial All-Pro candidate.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Really hopeful Kylin can come back and take off from where he was pre-injury. Agreed: he looked like an absolute steal. The Packer RB room truly is stacked and that is a beautiful thing. I think, all-in-all, the draft class had a solid first year all things considered. I'm curious to see if they keep Newman inside or kick him out to RT eventually as he gains more strength. He had his ups and downs but improved in the second half of the season. It looks like they should have picked Creed Humphrey - that kid is special...not many rookie Centers are shoe-in Pro Bowl picks. Myers looked fine but Humphrey looked like a perennial All-Pro candidate.

 

Only thing I can figure was that they determined Myers was a better schematic fit. If I remember right, Myers did grade out as a bit better athlete. Maybe they figure a more athletic center is needed in their zone blocking scheme?