I think the Packers biggest needs are on defense, but sometimes the board just doesn’t cooperate. The offense gets some fireworks to play with in this one, but the defense wasn’t totally left to waste.
Here’s a look at our very balanced Mock #8:
.
.
Round 1
The first four players off the board were Edges, so I had to snatch the last top-tier guy in Montez Sweat. I’m not a huge fan of taking him this high. He has a great frame at 6’5 with a monster wingspan and a killer first step, but he’s not as agile as the other premium rushers and he needs to add strength. He had a really good Senior Bowl week, which gives me some confidence to take him here.
At 30, I still wanted defensive help and Jeffery Simmons fell. At 6’3 300, he has great size to dominate the line with elite power and torque. The downside is there’s some character issues with how he treats the ladies… this could be a tough call in real life. I pulled the trigger on the talent in a the mock.
.
Round 2
I’m going really out of character here. This is probably the earliest I would entertain taking a running back and it would only be if the clear cut number one guys was there.
He was.
Josh Jacobs is 5’9 216 – he runs low and his compact frame is tough to locate behind a zone blocking scheme and even tougher to bring down. I’m really intrigued by what he could do in a Matt LaFleur offense. I love Aaron Jones, but I love him even more sharing time with Josh Jacobs.
If he is paired with Jones on the field at the same time, he certainly can lead block (keep an eye on number 8):
Josh Jacobs out here blocking like they tryna tackle his baby son pic.twitter.com/wGFBieGpLW
— CBS Sports Hate Account (@TuasBodyguard) January 19, 2019
.
Round 3
I saw a lot of my targets fall off after I uncharacteristically took a skill position player early. Luckily, there’s still some talent on the board and I went with Elgton Jenkins, whose dominant Senior Bowl practices cemented by appreciation for him. He can step into the starting Right Guard position on day 1.
.
Round 4
With the first 4th rounder, I took Darnell Savage. I think he’s a great safety prospect with man cover abilities and he keeps dropping to here. He was the best DB at the Senior Bowl, so I’m fine with grabbing him here every single mock.
The second 4th rounder was a little harder. I like Linebacker Dakota Allen, but he went one spot before my pick and there wasn’t much of my 4th round board left. Without a lot of options I liked, I went with my BPA: DeMarkus Lodge, a 6’1 receiver with amazing ball skills. He’s quick, fast, and has great acceleration. His routes need work, but he could challenge for reps outside or in the slot right off the bat.
.
Rounds 5-7
I’m doing most of my analysis on the top half and will start digging deeper as time goes on.
Targets still on the board:
- G Garrett Brumfield
- TE Zach Gentry
- OT Dennis Daley
.
Analysis
The offense headline here is Josh Jacobs and DeMarkus Lodge bringing some heat to the skill positions. Both would contribute and potentially start, but Jenkins would be an immediate full-time starter for sure.
On the defensive side of the ball, Sweat has a lot of potential to become a great Edge, but the Packers will need more and free agency would be a good place to start. Simmons was an unexpected find at 30. There’s no denying his talent, but if he gets suspended, the whole investment could be flushed. Savage at safety will stabilize the back-end.
The Packers will need another Edge and Safety along with a Tight End. This draft brought a lot of talent, but still left some holes.
.
Of Note
- Nick Bosa slipped to 3rd for the third time in a row (this time behind Brian Burn – no way he goes #1 overall – and Josh Allen); I don’t know if this is just an algorithmic oddity, but I just can’t see him falling to 3.
.
Check out our PFTW 2019 Mock Draft Archive to see how other scenarios played out!
.