Green Bay Packers Mock Draft 3.0: The Return of Trader Ted

Any other year we would be looking forward to the NFL draft kicking off this week, but with a couple weeks added between the Super Bowl and the draft, even the most rabid NFL fan may have started suffering from mock draft fatigue.

So to try to keep things a little more interesting, I decided to do a full 7 round Packer mock draft and include some trade scenarios. Ted Thompson hasn’t gone a draft without making a trade; in fact he has made a trade in the first 2 rounds in all but the 2005 and 2011 drafts.

Here is my attempt to get inside the mind of Ted Thompson.

Round 1: Pick 21 Traded to Oakland for picks 36 and 67

Despite trading for Matt Schaub, the Raiders still need to find their quarterback of the future. And with both the Browns and Raiders both reportedly having interest in Derek Carr, Reggie McKenzie uses his connection with Ted Thompson to jump ahead of the Browns, who pick at 26, and select his franchise QB.

Round 2: Pick 36 from Oakland

Jimmie Ward – S, Northern Illinois, 5’11”, 193

Even at pick 21 it’s doubtful the Packers have a chance at Ha-Ha Clinton Dix or Calvin Pryor, the top 2 safeties in the draft, so they trade back and get another starting caliber safety, as well as an additional 3^rd round pick. Ward’s play making ability (11 interceptions and 4 forced fumbles during his college career) and his coverage skills make up for the fact that he is a bit undersized.

Round 2: Pick 48 from Baltimore

The Ravens are without their original 4^th and 5^th round picks which were traded to Jacksonville in the Eugene Monroe deal. So to recoup one of the picks, the Ravens agree to move back 5 spots and collect the Packers 5^th rounder in exchange for pick 48.

Austin Seferian – Jenkins – TE, Washington, 6’6”, 262

With the top 2 tight ends, Eric Ebron and Jace Amaro, likely off the board by this point, the Packers trade up to secure one of the only other proven pass catching tight ends in this draft. Seferian Jenkins will be a tough matchup for NFL defenses in the passing game, and he has the size to develop into an excellent run blocker.

Round 2: Pick 53 Traded to Baltimore for Pick 48

Round 3: Pick 67 from Oakland

Trent Murphy – OLB/DE – Stanford, 6’5”, 250

The Packers top 3 outside linebackers have all been prone to injury during their careers, so in the 3^rd round they get some insurance in the form of Trent Murphy, who led the nation in sacks with 15 last season. Murphy has experience playing both defensive end and outside linebacker, which would make him an excellent fit if the Packers run some type of hybrid defensive scheme.

 Round 3: Pick 85

Jordan Tripp – LB, Montana, 6’3”, 234

Tripp had 100 tackles, 2 sacks and 3 interceptions his senior year.  There may be some adjustment coming from a small school like Montana, and moving from a 4-3 outside linebacker to inside in a 3-4, but with Tripp’s athleticism and coverage ability, I think he could challenge Brad Jones for a starting spot in the Packers’ lineup early in his career.

Round 3: Pick 98

Jarvis Landry – WR, LSU, 6’, 205

There is always an ebb and flow with evaluation of talent before the draft, some player’s draft stock rises and some player’s draft stock falls.  Landry is one whose stock has fallen quite a bit in the past couple months. Landry ran a very slow 4.77 40 at the combine, but improved on his time at his pro day running a 4.58. Although he lacks in elite size and speed, he has excellent hands and is a polished route runner.  Landry caught 77 passes for 1,193 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, and could be a steal late in the 3^rd round.

Round 4: Pick 121

Brandon Linder – OG, Miami, 6’6”, 311

Linder has started 42 career games playing mostly right guard and tackle, but has also taken snaps at center. Although the Packers typically select offensive tackles and convert them to guards and centers, Linder’s ability to play almost anywhere on the offensive line would make him an intriguing option for the Packers.

Round 5: Pick 161 Traded to Baltimore for Pick 48

Round 5: Pick 176

Khyri Thorton – DE/DT, Southern Mississippi, 6’3”, 304

Thorton won’t put up huge sack numbers, but he has the strength and size to eat up double teams as a 5 technique in the Packers scheme.  He had 30 tackles for a loss to go along with 5.5 sacks during his college career.

Round 6: Pick 197 Traded to Dallas for Picks 229 and 238

Dallas is without their 6^th round pick because of a trade with Kansas City for linebacker Edgar Jones. To get back into the 6^th round, Dallas trades picks 229 and 238 to the Packers for pick 197. Even with this trade, Dallas still has 4 picks and the 7^th round, and the Packers get a couple more shots at finding some hidden gems in a talent rich draft.

Round 7: Pick 229

John Brown – WR, Pittsburgh State, 5’10”, 179

The small school prospect ran a blazing fast 4.34 40 at the combine. With his small stature, Brown probably won’t break a lot of tackles or be a very effective blocker in the NFL, but with his speed and elusiveness he can be a playmaker once the ball is in his hands. Brown was also a very effective kick returner in college, averaging 26.9 yards per return.

Round 7: Pick 236

Bennett Jackson – CB, Notre Dame, 6’, 195

Jackson started 26 games for the Fighting Irish over the past 2 seasons, with 11 passes defended and 6 interceptions. He may never develop into a starter in the NFL, but he could be a solid backup who will be able to contribute with his kick return and special teams coverage ability.

Round 7: Pick 238

Ryan Carrethers – NT, Arkansas State, 6’1”, 337

Carrethers’ draft stock never rose like some thought it would during the pre-draft evaluation process, which may be partially due to a mediocre combine showing. His squatty build makes him ideally suited to play nose tackle in a 3-4 defense, and with BJ Raji signing a one year deal, the Packers need to think about finding his eventual replacement.

Ian Hanley is a writer at PackersTalk.com. PackersTalk.com. You can follow him on twitter at @Ian_M_Hanley.

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