In most mock draft simulations I run, I’m trying out different scenarios to see how the Packers could approach the draft. This one was different. For this one, I took 4 players of varying positions that have popped up at each of the Packers’s draft positions and put them out – one pick per day – into Twitter polls to see who the Twitterbrain would select.
Note: This draft took place after the Combine, but before the big signings were made in free agency (we’ll do another later to see if that changes anything).
The results are below, with the same level of analysis I give all my mocks.
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Round 1
Brian Burns (Edge) The draft starts off with a popular pick at a position of need with Brian Burns, an elite talent with the unnatural physical gifts for an edge rusher that can only be had with a top 15 pick. Maybe the player with the most potential in the class, he proved he has the athleticism and polished moves to get to the quarterback all year. Then, at the Combine, he answered any concerns about his weight by showing up at 249. He could be a steal at 12.
Devin Bush (ILB) Packers twitter loves inside linebackers and after Devin White, Devin Bush is the other stud in the class. He’s 5’11 237 with a powerful frame. He showed sideline-to-sideline ability in college and cemented that with a 4.44 time at the Combine. Athletic, with good burst, he shoots gaps to find both running backs and quarterbacks. Like seemingly every Inside Linebacker coming out of college, he needs to improve his tackling form, but everything else is there.
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Round 2
Irv Smith (TE) With the defense bolstered, Twitter went to the needs on offense in the second round. Irv Smith is firmly entrenched as a top 3 Tight End in this class and is clearly the best blocker of the bunch. He may also run the best routes, but he’s the smallest of the group at 6’2 and lacks the catch radius and jump ball ability of his Iowa counterparts. Still, he’s a really good Tight End.
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Round 3
Deebo Samuel (WR) Even if he wasn’t named after Zeus Lester’s character from Friday, I would love Deebo Samuel. He’s the ultimate slot receiver in this year’s draft. He was dominant at Senior Bowl and put up a 4.48 at the Combine. With decent size at 5’11, he also sports a 39″ vertical to show his explosiveness.
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Round 4
Johnathan Abram (S) Twitter went back to defense in the 4th round to fill the hole at Safety with Johnathan Abram. A tough strong safety with a linebacker mentality, Abram boosted his stock with a 4.45 40 time at the Combine. A fluid athlete, even if he doesn’t have the coverage anticipation or ball skills of a free safety, the speed makes him a unique hybrid.
Bobby Evans (G/T) Twitter loves to gnash teeth about how important it is to take offensive linemen early, but when you get down to it, the 4th round is the perfect place for the Packers to grab offensive lineman and the availability of Bobby Evans proves it. Evans has weaknesses on the edge, particularly with his kick step and catching speed rushers, but he was great on pulling, which should make him a very good zone blocker.
Read more: Packers, Zone Blocking, and the 2019 NFL Draft
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Round 5
Bryce Love (RB) There’s a lot of questions around where Bryce Love will go in April. He’s super fast an elusive – a great runner – but offers nothing in the way of power or blocking. His running skills make him very valuable as a complementary player and earned him Heisman runner-up honors in 2017. However, he tore his ACL late last year, which will surely hurt his stock. He’s a great investment for the future.
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Round 6
Dru Sammia (G) Well look at that, another great zone blocker in the 6th round! Dru Sammia is built a little thin for a lineman at 6’5 305, but his lack of top-end strength is offset by his athleticism and great technique. He struggled at Senior Bowl, which will probably drop him to Day 3, but there’s a lot to like for a zone blocking team.
Devine Ozigbo (RB) There’s a lot of good complementary backs available in the later rounds and Devine Ozigbo looks like one of the better ones. At 5’11 230, he’s built like a power back, but has good feet and agility for his size. He’ll need to be more patient to run in a zone blocking scheme, but he has big play potential as evidenced by a pair of 60+ yard touchdown runs last year.
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Round 7
Austin Seibert (K) With the last pick in the draft, Twitter went with Mason Crosby’s heir. If there’s a kicker worth drafting this year, it’s Austin Seibert. I’m a big fan of powerful legs and this is a guy who kicked a 70-yarder in high school. Video.
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Analysis
There’s a lot to like in this class. The defense gets a top pass rusher and inside linebacker to fortify the second level and provide a lot of pass rush, plus a versatile safety for the back end.
On offense, Evans and Sammia could be a pair of starters in a year. A top tight end helps LaFleur and a slot receiver and running back with lots of skills should give the offense a jolt.
Well done, Twitter!
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Check out our PFTW 2019 Mock Draft Archive to see how other scenarios played out!
Check out Packers Draft Central for all our 2019 NFL Draft coverage!
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