The Packers have a well-rounded team and can afford to take the best player available.
In this simulation, the Packers got the most value when they went for pass defense. It may not be what we think of as the Packers biggest need, but it’s never a bad idea to strengthen the pass defense.
Here are the results:
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Round 1
Andrew Booth, Jr – Cornerback
Profile: Booth is an island corner with fantastic speed. He has a much bigger wingspan than the typical 6’0 200 prospect, which allows him to surprise quarterbacks with his deflection range. Highly competitive, he’s physical at the catch point and in tackling. He sometimes overplays double moves, but there’s not much to not like. He is a CB1 caliber prospect.
Analysis: The Packers would love tot get Rasul Douglas back and, even if they do, there’s no such thing as too many cornerbacks. Booth would allow the Packers a ton of scheme flexibility and depth. Worst case scenario is he’s a top corner with Eric Stokes in case the Packers can’t afford Jaire Alexander.
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Round 2
Jaquan Brisker – Safety
Profile: A 6’1 200 defensive back, Brisker is a very versatile defender. Great in zone coverage, where he reads quarterback well and breaks on the ball with confidence, he’s also physical in the run game.
Analysis: The Packers have a nice safety tandem in Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage, but (at the time I’m writing this) they are both entering the last year of their contract. The Packers value versatility and athleticism in their safeties and Brisker brings both.
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Round 3
Josh Paschal – Edge
Profile: With good size at 6’3 275, Paschal is a quick gap-shooting pass rusher who plays with great leverage to overcome average raw strength. He has a good burst, uses his hands very well, and has shown the ability to slide down and play on the line, as well.
Analysis: The Packers don’t have a lot of edge rushers under contract beyond this season and Paschal gives them the size the like on the outside. He’d fit nicely in a Preston Smith role, but could also give them the option to slide down to defensive end on occasion.
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Round 4
Calvin Austin III – Wide Receiver
Profile: Maybe the fastest player in the draft in terms of football speed, the 5’9 165 speedster isn’t going to run over anyone, but he will run past everyone. A track star who walked on to the football team, Austin is a disciplined route runner who breaks ankles after the catch. At the Senior Bowl, no one could stick with him – he is a big play waiting to happen.
Analysis: Thresholds be damned, the Packers need some receivers and Austin could bring a new kind of big play element to the offense. MVS was fast, but Austin is faster and comes with a lot more moves. Matt LaFleur could figure out a way to get him a role in the offense.
Otito Ogbonnia – Defensive Line
Profile: A line anchor, the 6’4 325 Ogbonnia is a powerful bull rusher who is still developing his moveset. He can hold double teams when he keeps his pads low and makes use of his wrestling background when shedding blockers. He’s not much a pass rush threat with a lack of speed and quickness, but he can hold a strong point in run defense.
Analysis: The Packers desperately need more help on the defensive line. No one outside Kenny Clark has shown star potential, but Ogbonnia could be minor upgrade. If nothing else, he would make short yardage defense with Kenny Clark and TJ Slaton something that opposing offenses would have a very hard time with.
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Analysis
Booth and Brisker could be secondary cornerstones for years to come. The Packers have strength there as it is, but with a lot of guys on contract years, they could use some young defensive backs. There’s no such thing as having too many good defensive backs in a passing league.
Calvin Austin could help the passing offense, providing a big-play waterbug player the Packers have long lacked.
Paschal and Ogbonnia are a couple mid-round defenders that could become immediate role players.
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Of Note
The Lions went with Garret Wilson at 2. They’ve made a lot of mistakes taking receivers high in the past, but I think their current GM, Brad Holmes, will be wiser.
For this mock, I drafted against the board from FanSpeak – Steve Shoup.
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