With a number of needs for the Green Bay Packers to address in the draft, these simulations give us an idea of how the first two rounds could shake out.
Every NFL offseason is important but for the Green Bay Packers in 2019, the offseason is absolutely critical. Currently, they find themselves in a mini-rebuild and need to infuse this roster with talented playmakers.
General Manager Brian Gutekunst will have to utilize free agency and possibly even make a trade to bring in new talent, but perhaps even more important is nailing the draft.
Thanks to a trade last year with the New Orleans Saints, the Green Bay Packers have three picks in the top 50 of the draft that have the potential to really make a difference on this team right away.
Personally, with those picks I would like to see them address the edge position, along with tight end and an offensive lineman, but taking a receiver or safety are possible options as well.
Utilizing The Draft Network’s mock draft machine, I ran five different computer simulated drafts to take out any biases that I may have and the big board used has been updated since the combine. With that said, the Green Bay Packers are on the clock!
Mock Draft #1
No. 12: Montez Sweat, Edge – Mississippi St.
No. 30: Noah Fant, Tight End – Iowa
No. 44: Marquise Brown, Wide Receiver – Oklahoma
Both Sweat and Fant had fantastic combines that really raised their draft stock. Many were worried about Sweat’s flexibility and ability to bend around the edge but he was able to silence some of the doubters with his combine performance. While Fant was able to show off his athleticism and ability as a pass catcher. Both would make an immediate impact from day one.
Although Brown was unable to participate due to his foot injury, we know the kind of player he is. The speedy Brown is able to take the top off of defenses as he hauled in over 1,300 yards and averaged 17.6 yards per catch last season. He would give the Green Bay Packers and Aaron Rodgers a legitimate deep threat that could go for a big play at any time.
Mock Draft #2
No. 12: Brian Burns, Edge – Florida St.
No. 30: T.J. Hockenson, Tight End – Iowa
No. 44: Parris Campbell, Wide Receiver – Ohio St.
This mock draft took on the same characteristics as the previous one, but with different players. The Green Bay Packers get their edge rusher in Brian Burns who’s biggest knock was his weight, however, he was able to put on about 20 pounds prior to the combine and still tested ridiculously well. Whether it’s Sweat or Burns at 12, Packer fans should be delighted.
We all know how good Hockenson is and if he is somehow available at pick 30, Green Bay shouldn’t hesitate to select him. Campbell is a smaller receiver but tested phenomenally at the combine and is someone that the Packers could line up just about anywhere on the field.
Mock Draft #3
No. 12: Montez Sweat, Edge – Mississippi St.
No. 30: Chris Lindstrom, Offensive Lineman – Boston College
No. 44: Noah Fant, Tight End – Iowa
Of the five simulations, this draft is my absolute favorite. The Packers get a game changing edge rusher in Sweat and Lindstrom is about as consistent as they come. He is difficult to beat in one on one situations and does really well as a run blocker. Lindstrom would step in day one and fill the hole at right guard for Green Bay.
Fant at pick 44 may be the steal of the draft, and although I don’t like to play the “he won’t be there” card, in this case, he won’t be there.
Mock Draft #4
No. 12: Noah Fant, Tight End – Iowa
No. 30: A.J. Brown, Wide Receiver – Ole Miss
No. 44: Johnathan Abram, Safety – Mississippi St.
Taking Fant at 12 is probably the most realistic slot that the Packers could land the tight end. However, I feel that a tight end at 12 is way too early for that position. I would much rather see an edge rusher or an offensive lineman selected at that spot.
Brown has the ability to take over the slot position for the Packers with the likely departure of Randall Cobb but he isn’t overly athletic. I think the 30th pick could be better used on a different player.
Selecting Abram at 44 would be a good option as long as he won’t be expected to be a full-time starter from day one. As of now his skill set is best fit for the box safety role as he struggles in man coverage. So as long as the Packers have added a veteran in free agency, this pick makes sense.
Mock Draft #5
No. 12: T.J. Hockenson, Tight End – Iowa
No. 30: Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Safety – Florida
No. 44: Marquise Brown, Wide Receiver – Oklahoma
As good and as well rounded of a player as T.J. Hockenson is, I still do not want to see a tight end selected at 12 for the reasons mentioned above.
However, Gardner-Johnson at 30th overall would be a great selection. As a former corner, he has the versatility to line up just about anywhere in the secondary, which defensive coordinator Mike Pettine would love to have. Although it was improved this season, something monitor is his ability as a tackler, which is something he has struggled with in the past, but he does very well in coverage.
The Green Bay Packers have a number of positional needs to take care of this offseason and once free agency begins and we see how active they are, we will have a much better idea of how the draft could unfold for them.
5 responses to “Packers: First two round draft simulations”
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Still need to see what we do in free agency. This could also determine who we look at first in the draft. The first three picks could all be impact players for the upcoming season. A safety and an EDGE player in free agency or an offensive lineman all could impact the order in which we draft players. I can’t wait to see who’s available at 12 and which way Gute and the boys decide to go.
I do like Sweat,Fant and Nasir Adderley as the first three.
You’re dreaming on all of your draft selections.Would be nice,but players won’t be available.As previous Packer Executives do,HOW CHEAP CAN WE GET SOMEBODY.They have to buy more real estate.Oh they spent $ on Tramon Williams.They cut him and should’ve let him be.He’s SUPER Slow and sure the hell doesn’t wanna tackle anyone,unless he’s the 3rd. guy tackling.Wake Up.