The Packers need a lot of help on defense. The biggest need on defense is Edge rushers. It’s a class deep in Edge rushers. The Packers have two first round picks. All of these are true, but that doesn’t mean things always work out like we expect they will. Mock 26 shows us that.
Here’s the results:
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Round 1
Byron Murphy (CB) – Only a few Edge guys went in the top 11 for a change, and, to be honest, after Bosa, Allen, and Ferrell, I’m not sure I’m in love with any of the next guys. Polite is a bit of a specialist, Burns is undersized, and Sweat has the best frame of the three, but may be the worst pass rusher. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t mind either of them at 12, but with all 3 available, I’ll roll the dice and go with who I think is the best corner in the draft in Byron Murphy. Great in man coverage, great feet, great quickness, and hits harder than his 180 pound frame would suggest, I have no problems grabbing him at 12.
N’Keal Harry (WR) – By the time 30 rolled around, the other first round Edge targets were gone. You could say I gambled and lost, but I don’t consider a stud corner to be a loss. I turned to offense on this one and grabbed N’Keal Harry. At 6’3 215, he’s a physical route runner, with a fluid release, good hands, and great timing on his jump balls. I resist calling out player comps, but in a lot of ways, he reminds me of a taller Davante Adams.
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Round 2
Michael Deiter (G) – I don’t like player comps and I don’t like homer picks, so this draft is full of surprises. Michael Deiter has a great frame at 6’6 320, giving him a solid anchor against power rushers, but he has more mobility than would be expected for his size. He’s played all over the line, but was far more successful on the inside. He’s a player that looks like he could play any scheme and has plenty of mobility for zone blocking.
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Round 3
Taylor Rapp (SS) – Easily the best strong safety in the draft, Taylor Rapp has shown the versatility to function as a Free Safety in a pinch due to his range. I don’t want to count on that, but in the 3rd round, he’s still great value. Very athletic, with good instincts and anticipation, he has just enough size 6’0 200 to play up in the box.
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Round 4
David Montgomery (RB) – The 4th round always seems to be loaded with talent and this mock was no exception. David Montgomery is a 5’10 215 pounder with good change of direction and cuts even if he lacks the coveted explosion for the spark plug backs. He has good balance through contact and can convert short yardage. He doesn’t have breakaway speed, but he’s a unique power back who reads cut and does better in zone blocking than in power blocking schemes, where he struggles to find hole. A great fit fo the Packers.
Tytus Howard (RT/G) The 4th just always seems to be littered with a bunch of athletic big men that could play Right Tackle or Guard in the Packers new zone blocking scheme. This time, I picked Tytus Howard from the litter. Another 6’6 lineman, there were some concerns about the level of competition he faced at Alabama State, but he gave the top edge rushers fits at the Senior Bowl, where he was the only lineman to stop Montez Sweat with any consistency.
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Round 5
Foster Moreau (TE) I had my eye on some Tight Ends this round, but 5 of the first 8 picks of the round were Tight Ends and it left me grasping. I may have reached a bit for Foster Moreau, but those Day 3 guys can blend together. While not athletic to split out with regularity, he has good catching skills and the versatility to play H Back. He should be great rotational depth in the Tight End room.
Round 6
Maxx Crosby (Edge) Every passing round looked more and more bleak for Edge and I didn’t want to reach. However, I really like the value of Maxx Crosby in the 6th. He has a big wingspan and uses hand technique and length rather than explosive athleticism or brute strength. He’s a crafty player and maybe a bit of a project, but he showed a lot of potential at the Senior Bowl.
Joe Giles-Harris (ILB) WIth the second pick in the round, I went with one of my new late round draft crushes in Joe Giles-Harris. A very smart player with the range to roam the middle, the skill to blitz inside and the hustle to be a special teams demon, he stock has fallen after some injuries cropped up, but the potential is still there to be an enforcer in the middle.
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Round 7
Jimmy Moreland (CB) I already have a draft crush for Jimmy Moreland. He went to a small school, but he stepped up at the Senior Bowl. He’s only 5-10, 179, but with heavy college production, including 18 interceptions and 63 pass breakups, he strikes me as a poor man’s Jaire Alexander. I hate having comps, but I can’t get it out of my head.
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Analysis
Last year, the Packers manufactured pressure early in the year and were able to get quite a few coverage sacks. Grabbing another CB1 for this team will only lead to more coverage sacks (Fackrell szn!!!).
Took Rapp in the 3rd as maybe the best Strong Safety in the draft, even though there were Free Safeties I would have rather had. I think between guys like Josh Jackson, Tramon Williams, or any of their other projects they have a better chance at finding a free safety on the roster.
Offense gets a jolt with Harry and Montgomery and Howard will help shore up the line.
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Of Note
- TJ Hockenson went 8 to Detroit – that’s pretty high for a Tight End… but it is Detroit
- 5 of the first 8 picks of the 5th round were Tight Ends – could that become where Tight End runs start?
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Check out our PFTW 2019 Mock Draft Archive to see how other scenarios played out!
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