The Packers have a few supplemental picks, which makes it even more likely that Brian Gutekunst – who has been aggressive in past drafts – will move up again.
With the way the talent tiers break out, there might not be a good opportunity for the Packers to move up in the 1st round. If a coveted prospect were to fall in the 2nd round however, Gutey may be ready to jump up and grab them.
We wanted to see how a draft like that might play out.
Here are the results:
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Round 1
Greg Newsome II – Cornerback
Profile: Newsome looked like a big riser as a sophomore, but injuries have clouded his assessment. A long corner with quick reactions and disruptive length, Newsome isn’t very strong, but is a proficient wrap-up tackler. He’s still developing as injuries have slowed his progress, but he ran a 4.38 at his pro day and only allowed passer rating of 31.7 last year.
Analysis: The Packers need a cornerback to upgrade Kevin King’s post. Newsome has all the things you could love in King, but with more speed. Unfortunately, he also has the same injury red flags as King. With Farley, Surtain, Samuel, and Horn all off the board, Newsome may be the best available player at the next tier if the Packers want to get a corner early.
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Round 2
*Trade* – Colts
Packers traded Round 2 Pick 30 (#62) and Round 3 Pick 28 (#92) for Round 2 Pick 22 (#54)
Zaven Collins – Inside Linebacker
Profile: The total package, Collins can drop into coverage, play the run strong, or edge rush. A physical freak who can cover sideline to sideline and frequently comes up with big plays. Collins processes and plays fast. Last year, he was PFF’s highest graded linebacker (91.1) and won the Bronko Nagurski Award for the nation’s best defensive player.
Analysis: The Packers need an offense tackle, badly, but even with the trade up, there were already 11 offensive tackles off the board. Collins is a true difference maker on defense at a position where the Packers have long lacked a dynamic playmaker. Even with Barnes and Martin, the Packers could use a premium player. The game is evolving and Devin White showed how a versatile inside linebacker can impact a game.
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Round 3
No picks due to trade
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Round 4
Spencer Brown – Offensive Tackle
Profile: Big and nasty at 6’9 310, Brown is smooth into pass sets, but can still struggle with elite athletes on the edge. He has a good punch, and strong hands and doesn’t let guys go after he locks up with them. In the pass game, Brown shows good smarts in blitz and stunt pickups. He fires hard off the ball in run blocking, but his anchors suffers due to high center of gravity.
Analysis: The Packers need a right tackle and Brown is a good fit at the position. Given how quickly the top tiers of tackles went early, the Packers are lucky to get a prospect like this on Day 3.
Bobby Brown – Defensive Line
Profile: Powerfully built at 6’4 315, Brown is quick out of his blocks with a jolting drive and the ability to move blockers backwards. He’s not a twitchy guy, but he wins with power and has the ability to stand up double teams and bring force to the trenches.
Analysis: There were a lot of skill guys available here and even some nice cornerback talent, but after trading away a Day 2 pick, I chose to go with a bread and butter selection and upgrade the defensive line. The Packers re-signed Ty Lancaster, but that looks like a depth move more than anything else. They need more talent on the line and Brown is a strong presence that could pair well with Kenny Clark for a formidable two-man front – a front the Packers seem fond of.
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Round 5
Marlon Williams – Wide Receiver
Profile: A big slot receiver at 6’0 220, Williams manhandles smaller slot corners. He’s quick out of breaks, but only ran 4.59. Speed is not his game, but he’s sure-handed, making circus catches and contested grabs regularly. Once he has the ball, he breaks tackles and is tough to bring down.
Analysis: The Packers seem to favor taller receivers, but for the slot, Williams is a reasonably-sized option. The team needs receivers for the future and could stock up in the middle rounds from this deep class. Adams, MVS, and Lazard are all very different receivers and Williams would add to that skillset diversity with his power game.
Javian Hawkins – Running Back
Profile: A 5’9 195 scat back, Hawkins is a twitchy outside runner, who excels in jet sweeps. He hits top speed quick and top speed is fast (he ran a 4.38 in high school). Moves good in space and slips out of tackles with cuts so fast he sometimes gets ahead of himself. His build doesn’t look like it can hold up to a full workload and he needs to improve his vision at the next level, but he can be a dynamic complementary back.
Analysis: After passing over skill guys earlier, I went after them in the 5th round. The Packers had a lot of success with Tyler Ervin in a gadget role and the offense looked different when he was out. Hawkins is the kind of guy who can bring that element back to the offense and improve an already-elite unit.
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Round 6
Bryce Hargrove – Guard
Profile: A 6’4 310 guard, Hargrove is very mobile, and pursues contact with an aggressive mean streak. His ability to slide in front of rushers makes him a good fit in a zone scheme and his ability to knock guys around with his hands is a good trait in any scheme.
Analysis: The Packers would prefer a top center, but this mock didn’t leave a lot of centers on the board. Instead I went with a guy who could take Elgton Jenkins’s spot, allowing him to move to center. I think Jenkins is more valuable at guard, but Hargrove is a very capable prospect and Jenkins may be the only guy the Packers have who could play at Linsely’s level in the middle.
Shemar Jean-Charles – Cornerback
Profile: A clingy corner, Jean-Charles led the nation in passed defensed with 17. At 5’11 180, he struggles to clamp down taller receivers and hold the edge in run support, making him a better fit in the slot than the perimeter where he played in college. Showed smart play in both zone and man schemes, making him a versatile, though undersized, cover corner.
Analysis: The Packers need a lot of help in the secondary and Jean-Charles could fit in a number of roles, including special teams help.
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Round 7
Shaka Toney – Edge
Profile: A 6’3 240 edge rusher, Toney flies off the ball with a great speed rush. He leans well and dips his shoulder to get under tackles. He also uses his hands well, but lacks the bulk and strength to power past anyone. Looks like a good situational speed rusher at the next level.
Analysis: The Packers have valued hybrid edge rushers who have the ability to play the run and pass. That’s great for base sets, but when the game is close late, the defense can always use another speed rusher.
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Analysis
I’m not a fan of trading up and I don’t value Newsome as highly as a lot of other people do, but I still really like the way this class played out. I think Zaven Collins was worth the trade up this time and the Browns that came on either side of the line could both be starter upgrades. Throw in some niche skill position help and a possible new center and this could be a draft class with lots of immediate impact. Shaka Toney would be a steal in the 7th round.
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Of Note
Quarterbacks went in the first 3 picks, which seems to be the norm after the big trades.
For this mock, I drafted against the board from Ross Uglem – Packer Report
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