The NFL draft is vastly approaching and the Green Bay Packers have some holes to fill. They already added some solid signings in free agency, 2 edge rushers, 1 safety, and an offensive lineman. These moves free up Gutenkunst from drafting for need, instead he will be able to draft best talent available. Let’s dive into this mock draft and see who we’d taken. You also can do your own mock draft by visiting thedraftnetwork.com
With the first pick I have the Packers taking interior defensive lineman Ed Oliver out of Houston, weighing in at 287 pounds and standing at 6’2”. With the addition of 2 edge rushers in free agency, plugging in Oliver into the line with Clark and Daniels would be very scary for opposing offensive lines. Ed Oliver’s ability to penetrate with quickness off the snap and utilize his hands to play through contact makes him an ideal fit as a three-technique in a 4-3 alignment. While he lacks size, Oliver plays with tremendous leverage and offers the play strength needed to exchange power on the interior. By year three, Oliver has the upside to become one of the NFL’s premier defensive playmakers against the run and pass.
With the Packers 2nd pick in the first round I have them take tight end TJ Hockenson out of Iowa. Standing at 6’5” and weighing in at 243 pounds, this guy can do it all from running great routes to blocking his ass off. Hockenson is terrifically balanced as a football player and it doesn’t take more than a few reps to know he’s an immediate starter at the NFL level with scheme diversity. The challenge for Hockenson’s tape? Listing a weakness. Hockenson is comfortable in any number of roles, giving comfort that he’ll be fine in west coast offenses or vertical passing offenses alike. He’s a scheme transcendent prospect. The Packers need to draft a tight end this year, might as well get the best one if he’s there at pick 30.
With the 44th pick in the 2nd round I have the Packers taking Chase Winovich out of Michigan. Standing at 6’3” and weighing 253 pounds this kid is better than everyone thinks he is, good bend, good size, good technique, and an INSANE motor that doesn’t stop. With some good NFL coaching he can be a great pass rusher in the league. Chase is a great example of an overachiever, he is a highly polished defender who illustrates a great understanding of the game and how to defeat blocks. The dude plays every snap like it could be his last. What makes him such an intriguing prospect is that he blends a hot motor with outstanding hand usage, processing skills and play strength which gives him playmaking upside against the run and pass.
With the 75th pick in the 3rd round I have the Packers selecting offensive tackle Michael Deiter out of Wisconsin. Standing at 6’4” and weighing 304 pounds might need to develop for one year and hopefully become a full time starter next season. Michael Deiter is a scheme diverse prospect who will bring a diverse set of tools to whichever NFL franchise drafts him. Deiter has excellent mobility and his play in space allows him to be a lead blocker on boundary plays and screens. Deiter has the needed anchor and mass to hold his ground in one on one situations and has the lateral mobility to be an effective interior pass protector, despite a lack of length to consistently land strikes first against defenders.
7 responses to “3 Round Packers Mock Draft”
I like it. Did something similar but had safety in first 3 rounds and picking Gerald Willis in 4th but I would be happy to have this draft haul
Do you really think Hockenson is gonna make it to 30??????
I don’t which means he might 😉
TEs aren’t traditionally valued that highly unless they are uber athletic like Fant (hint) but every year there are players that get drafted considerably higher and lower than the draft pundits think. No one was picking Jaire that high and very few were picking Josh Jackson or Harold Landry that low, but it happened.
I just did a mock draft………12
T.J. Hockenson
, TE
Iowa
30
Johnathan Abram
, S
Mississippi State
44
Parris Campbell
, WR
Ohio State
75
Amani Hooker
, S
Iowa
114
Beau Benzschawel
, IOL
Wisconsin
118
Stanley Morgan Jr.
, WR
Nebraska
150
Elijah Holyfield
, RB
Georgia
185
Ryan Bates
, OT
Penn State
194
T.J. Edwards
, LB
Wisconsin
226
Trace McSorley
, QB
Penn State
I do like Oliver at 12,but Hochensen won’t be there at 30. I’d rather take Hochensen at 12 if he falls in our lap. If we’re going offense with the first pick he’s the pick for me. If we’re going defense at 12, I’d wait and see who falls in our lap. I like several picks like Devin White,Montez Sweat,Rashan Gary, and Brian Burns. All these players lit up the combine. Draft day I know trades will take place as soon as Murray goes to the Cardinals. Teams will be calling to trade for Rosen. I predict a lot of excitement in the first ten picks. When the smoke clears and the Bengals pick at 11 the Packers will be looking at BPA on defense first and then Hochensen is my pick if they go offense.
Let’s just not forget the offensive line. I believe the scouts have done their homework and we must draft a plug and play lineman in the top three or move up for a second pick in the second round and grab the best OL available with the second pick in the second. I know we need a safety too. The first four picks will be crucial and the talent available is top notch at our positions of need.