Grading Each Packers Draft Pick

The Green Bay Packers are stocked up on young talent as they prepare to create the most competitive training camp possible. OTAs begin this week meaning we all will get our first look at the newcomers.

Tramon Williams will return wearing no. 38 while Jimmy Graham and Muhammad Wilkerson are looking to get acclimated on a new team. There will be plenty of storylines to look out for this week, however, the rookies should be peaking everybody’s interest.

11 picks were used to improve a team that missed the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade. Let’s revisit each pick by grading the selection.

Round 1, Pick 18- Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville

Grade: B+

Sorry for everyone that wanted a pass-rusher early on, but Alexander was the right pick. Green Bay needs more aggression defending the pass and he brings just that. Even with a smaller frame, Alexander isn’t afraid to get in the face of a bigger guy that he just locked down. The Packers secondary needs more edge.

Round 2, Pick 45- Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa

Grade: A

Whenever you get a guy who was mocked to you in the first in the second round, it’s a steal. There was potential for Jackson to go to Green Bay with the 14^th pick, but his questionable speed sent his stock down a tad. With no clear-cut option on the outside opposite of Kevin King, the 2017 NCAA interception leader could step in right away.

Round 3, Pick 88- Oren Burks, LB, Vanderbilt

Grade: C+

Burks’ play style has a place in today’s NFL, but he probably wasn’t worth a trade up. The former safety turned linebacker fits the mold of versatility the Packers look for on defense. Don’t be surprised to see Burks lining up where Morgan Burnett used to as the occasional safety.

Round 4, Pick 133- J’Mon Moore, WR, Missouri

Grade: B

Aaron Rodgers needs someone to step up in Jordy Nelson’s absence and Moore appears to be a likely candidate.

Round 5, Pick 138- Cole Madison, G, Washington State

Grade: B+

Green Bay may need Madison to move from tackle to guard, but his size/athleticism alludes it will be a seamless transition.

Round 5, Pick 172- JK Scott, P, Alabama

Grade: D

With Justin Vogel now out the picture, Gutekunst better hope he got this one right. Before Vogel, the Packers struggled to flip field position in their favor. Scott was one of three punters taken in the fifth so it’s hard to get excited over his selection.

Round 5, Pick 174- Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR, South Florida

Grade: C-

Valdes-Scantling found success at two D-1 schools after starting his career at NC State. He’s very raw as a route-runner but possesses superior athleticism. He may have to make his mark on special teams.

Round 6, Pick 207- Equanimeous St. Brown, WR, Notre Dame

Grade: C

He’s got a great name, but he wasn’t able to produce much as a senior at Notre Dame without quarterback DeShone Kizer. Perhaps they can rekindle their chemistry on the scout team.

Round 7, Pick 232- James Looney, DE, California

Grade- D+

Looney has good size for the position (6-3, 287 pounds), but it will be difficult for him to separate himself from other members on the defensive line.

Round 7, Pick 239- Hunter Bradley, LS, Mississippi State

Grade: B-

Hopefully long snapper isn’t a concerning topic for quite some time.

Round 7, Pick 248- Kendall Donnerson, LB, Southeast Missouri State

Grade: D

Just another camp body.

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