2017 Packers Mock Draft v. 2.0

Version 2.0 of my Mock Draft has some significant changes at the top:

1st Round, Pick 29

CB Kevin King – Washington

King is 6’3” and ran a 4.43 second 40 yard dash. His measurables are outstanding for a CB, and he would be able to immediately step in and make an impact at Green Bay’s most pressing need. He demonstrated really good ball skills in college. He will need to increase his strength, show the quickness to play against shorter, shifty WRs, and improve his tackling technique. However, King’s rare combination of size and speed, gives him the potential to be an elite CB in the NFL.

Previous Pick: OLB TJ Watt – Wisconsin

2nd Round, Pick 61

OLB Tyus Bowser – Houston

Bowser was a player I assumed would go from a mid-rounder to a top 15 pick during the pre-draft process. He’s an outstanding athlete as a pass rusher, and usually guys with Bowser’s skillset zoom up draft boards.

Bowser played both basketball and football his first two years at Houston, and decided to focus solely on football before his Junior year. He had a really strong 2015, but his 2016 season got off to a rocky start. An altercation with a teammate resulted in a broken orbital bone, but he still managed 8.5 sacks in just 8 games.

Bowser provides an electric speed pass rusher on the edge who has the athleticism to play zone coverage against Tight Ends. He likely won’t be a factor in running situations early in his career.

Previous Pick: CB Fabian Moreau – UCLA

3rd Round, Pick 93

CB Ahkello Witherspoon – Colorado

I’m not sure the Packers need to double up on Cornerback in this draft, but the depth at the position should provide excellent value in the 3rd round (I also don’t think Cooper Kupp is going to last this long). Witherspoon is another 6’3” CB with mid 4.4 speed. He would need more development than Kevin King, but gives the Packers two players on the outside who can matchup with any WR in the league. Witherspoon can take a year to learn behind Davon House before taking over, and Rollins and Randall can handle the slot coverage.

Previous Pick: WR Cooper Kupp – Eastern Washington

4th Round, Pick 134

RB Brian Hill – Wyoming

I love the patience and balance Hill runs with. He’s not the battering ram that Samaje Perine provides, but he would be a great secondary runner behind Ty Montgomery. There’s not one flashy skill he possesses, but he will wait for a hole to form (sometimes even completely stopping to allow his blocking to develop), which will transition well to the Packers’ running scheme.

Previous Pick: RB Samaje Perine – Oklahoma

5th Round, Pick 172

G Jake Eldrenkamp – Washington

Eldrenkamp is one of two holdovers from my first mock draft:

2017 is a weak draft for offensive lineman, but I think Eldrenkamp can be a steal. TJ Lang may be easier to replace than we think because the Packers don’t ask their Guards to pull, so there is less difficulty transitioning to the position out of college. Eldrenkamp brings good athleticism, length, and bend to the position, but needs to put on some more weight and strength. Best case scenario he would be the starting Right Guard, otherwise he could be expected to be a good depth player who would develop into a starting Guard once he adds more functional strength.

Previous Pick: G Jake Eldrenkamp – Washington

5th Round, Pick 182

OLB Ejuan Price – Pittsburgh

I’m keeping Price in this spot for version 2.0. Even though he duplicates a lot of what Bowser provides, the Packers need more pass rush.

Price has injury concerns and stands only 5’11”. But he has one thing that will get him drafted in the middle rounds. He is an explosive force as a pass rusher. He’ll bring about Elvis Dumervil comparisons because of the size, but like Dumervil also has the explosiveness to blow by Tackles and the moves to get back inside. He will be limited to a pass rush specialist because he’ll get engulfed in running situations.

Previous Pick: OLB Ejuan Price – Pittsburgh

6th Round, Pick 212

DL Rashaad Coward – Old Dominion

Coward has great size and strength. He has the capability to be a good early down lineman in the 3-4. His production will be limited to running situations early in his career, with the size and athleticism to develop some pass rush ability later.

Previous Pick: QB Joshua Dobbs – Tennessee

7th Round, Pick 247

WR Krishawn Hogan – Marian (IN)

Hogan is big, athletic, and put up ridiculous numbers in college. Since he played against NAIA competition, he’ll have a long transition to being an NFL Wide Receiver, but as a 7th round pick the Packers can wait for him to develop.

Previous Pick: CB Brian Allen – Utah