My Take -> Packers Centric Mock Draft

Greetings, G-Force.

I hope you’re happy, healthy and vaccinated. I’m ready to get back to living the life I enjoy living. I hope you are, too.

As I write, I sip Suavecito Anejo. Salted rim. On ice. I listen to the Dirty Heads self titled album. I absolutely love this album. Definitely my most listened to album over the last 4 years or so.

While raising two kids and running a business in a pandemic, I haven’t had spare time to indulge as deeply in my NFL Draft hobby. So, my draft preparation is at a serious low.

Nonetheless, I thought I’d take a stab at a Packers centric mock draft. Here goes:

Round 1 - Zaven Collins, ILB, Tulsa. My ideal choice is Christian Barmore, DL, Alabama. The Packers desperately need an addition to the DL. It’s not a deep DL class, so the Packers must address DL early on. Barmore is the best in this years class. But, unfortunately, I don’t think he will be available. So, I choose Collins. Collins has tremendous burst to the football. Reads and recognizes the play. Terrific skills in coverage. Talented blitzed. Sheds blocks and diagnoses plays. Chance to be a high impact starter for a long time. Plays with high end athleticism.

Others I considered: Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State; Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama; Greg Newsome, CB, Northwestern; Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech; Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota.

Round 2 - Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue. Moore is a fit for the LaFleur offense. He’s also a return weapon. It’s my belief that the Packers need a gadget WR more than a perimeter WR right now. Moore would be an entertaining addition to this roster.

Others I considered: Dillon Radunz, OT, North Dakota State; Spencer Brown, OT, Northern Iowa; Asante Samuel, CB, FSU; Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB, Syracuse; Quinn Meinerz, C, UW Whitewater; Pete Werner, ILB, Ohio State; Trey Sermon, RB, Ohio State; Landon Dickerson, C, Alabama; Levi Onwuzurike, DL, Washington.

Round 3 - Alim McNeil, DL, NC State. High effort player. Showed decent pass rush skills along with being talented in the run game. Had good production. Big body. Decent quickness.

Others I considered: Osa Odighizuwa, DT, UCLA; Robert Rochell, CB, Central Arkansas; Aaron Robinson, CB, UCF; Wyatt Davis, OT, Ohio State; Jackson Carman, OG, Clemson; Michael Carter, RB, North Carolina.

Round 4 - Ambry Thomas, CB, Michigan. Like his versatility. Has ability to play in the slot and on the outside. Plays with intelligence. Willing tackler. Also brings return skills.

Round 4 - Benjamin St-Juste, CB, Minnesota. St-Juste has length. He uses his body well. He brings a turn and run style of play to the table. He looks like he could be molded into a quality CB.

Others I considered: Cornell Powell, WR, Clemson; Shi Smith, WR, South Carolina; Jaylon Moore, OT, Western Michigan; D’wayne Eskridge, WR, Western Michigan; Emerson Smith, EDGE, Northern Iowa; Derrick Barnes, ILB, Purdue.

Round 5 - Daelin Hayes, EDGE, Notre Dame. I’ve long enjoyed his game. Exceptional length. Great personality. Would fit the locker room. Smiling personality off the field, intense in the field. Could step in and immediately help the defense as a rotational player.

Round 5 - Brenden Jaimes, OT, Nebraska. Has experience at both RT and LT. Great athlete. Moves well. Slides and jabs. Potential to start on Day 1. Competitive mentality. Frame to add muscle. Dig his game.

Others I considered: Demetric Felton, WR, UCLA; Javan Hawkins, RB, Louisville; Frank Darby, WR, Arizona State; Jamie’s Sherwood, S, Auburn; Ihmir Smith-Marsette, WR, Iowa; Ta’Quon Graham, DL, Texas; Damar Hamlin, CB, Pitt; Paddy Fisher, ILB, Northwestern; Tony Fields, ILB, WVU; Errol Thompson, ILB, Mississippi State

Round 6 - KJ Britt, ILB, Auburn. Had a great Senior Bowl. Showed his strength. Plays with pizazz. Good physicality. Fearless tackler. Would instantly help special teams units.

Round 6 - Thomas Graham Jr, CB, Oregon. Tough, spunky, playmaking CB. Plays with personality. Confident. Plays tougher than his size presents. Likes to be challenged. Plays with desired CB mentality.

Others I considered: Trill Williams, S/CB, Syracuse; Jermar Jefferson, RB, Oregon State; Ian Book, QB, Notre Dame; Sage Surratt, WR, Wake Forrest; Justin Hilliard, ILB, Ohio State; Keith Taylor, CB, Washington; Tre Norwood, CB, Oklahoma; Lorenzo Neal, DT, Purdue.

Round 7 - Jonathon Cooper, EDGE, Ohio State. I really like his upside. At times, he absolutely dominated. Other times, he disappeared. I loved his effort in the BCS semifinals. He was hungry. He was nonexistent in the championship though, but as a potential R7 prospect, I’ll take a shot.

Others I considered: Dez Fitzpatrick, WR, Louisville; Ben Mason, FB, Michigan; Justin Raine, FB, Northwestern; John Bates, TE, Boise State; Hunter Long, TE, Boston College; Adrian Ealy, OG, Oklahoma.

My focus was on continuing to build up the defense. The Packers must add talent to the DL. The Packers must add depth to the CB position. The Packers must add athleticism at ILB. The Packers must add talent at OT. The Packers must add a gadget WR.

Gutekunst is loaded with 10 picks. He has tight salary cap restrictions ahead of him. He must hit on draft picks this year to load up the roster with players on their first contracts. I have faith.

Go Pack Go!

Talkin’ S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com