It is officially NFL Draft month, Packers Fans!!
For the most part, this mock-draft series has been full of fun scenarios that would be interesting but not necessarily plausible. Now it is time to get serious and start mocking realistic outcomes for the Packers during the 2021 NFL Draft.
The Packers have retained a vast majority of their starters from last year. The front office has faith in this group of players, but they also understand that keeping them together for an extended period of time is a pipe dream. This mock gives the Packers an insurance package for beyond 2021.
Round 1, Pick 29: S Trevon Moehrig, TCU
Trevon Moehrig is an instinctual defender who can play all over a defense. New DC Joe Barry preaches pass rush and ball skills as the crucial parts of an elite defense, so Moehrig would be a perfect fit in an already talented secondary. The addition of Moehrig would also allow Darnell Savage to put his versatility on full display. However, there is some clear eye discipline for Moehrig to work on at the next level. Packers fans love watching a first-round draft pick play sparingly but it normally works out in the end. Moehrig would be worth the wait.
Round 2, Pick 62: WR Amari Rodgers, Clemson
Speaking of perfect fit, Amari Rodgers coined Green Bay and Aaron Rodgers as his dream destination. This pick would be a mirror image of the AJ Dillon pick. Last year, the Packers had Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams’ contracts expiring. This year, the entire WR group could be gone next year. Rodgers would be given a few opportunities to show off his quickness and reliability, but this pick would be for depth beyond 2021.
Round 3, Pick 92: CB Tyson Campbell, Georgia
Tyson Campbell was a successful college cornerback, but what makes him such an enticing prospect? The rate at which he continues to progress. Campbell has taken huge leaps each year at Georgia and throwing him into an NFL locker room should only continue that trend. Kevin King’s deal was more a rental property and that still leaves CB as a major position of need. The Packers need youth/depth at CB and Campbell needs a place to grow, seems like an easy decision to me.
Round 4, Pick 135: OT Jaylon Moore, Western Michigan
David Bakhtiari’s ACL injury and the departure of Corey Linsley makes Green Bay’s offensive line substantially less deep than it was in 2020. There are a few candidates of breakout players that can step up until the All-Pro tackle returns, but the Packers are still in desperate need at OL. Moore has excellent size and athleticism but lacks consistent footwork. The Packers can — and should — draft Moore and mold him into the next great Packer tackle.
Round 4, Pick 142: WR Frank Darby, Arizona State
Similar situation to the Amari Rodgers pick. Packers need plan for when Allen Lazard, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Devin Funchess and Equanimeous St. Brown aren’t on the roster next year. Amari Rodgers would break the typical Packer WR mold, but Darby gives Lafleur’s offense the preferred big bodied WR.
Round 5, Pick 173: CB Kary Vincent Jr., LSU
I am a Kary Vincent Jr. stan. Sue me. If you don’t think he can play at the next level then go watch the competition he was playing against at LSU — hint: he was already playing against pros. Give me a ball-hawking, three-year starter in the SEC in round five every day of the week.
Round 5, Pick 178: S Tariq Thompson, SDSU
Tariq Thompson was a decorated college DB. Questions on if his size and athletic ability translate have probably been heard since he was in high school. Hasn’t affected him yet, don’t see why it would affect his transition into the NFL. The Packers love creating competition at a position through the draft, and this pick would put Thompson behind the eight ball. But with his scrappy mentality, it might be perfect fit.
Round 6, Pick 214: : LB Paddy Fisher, Northwestern
Round 6, Pick 220: LB Tuf Borland, OSU
Packers had the worst special teams in the history of football…okay maybe that’s not statistically accurate, but it sure felt that way. Fisher and Borland bring energy and pride to help Maurice Drayton’s new special teams units.
Round 7, Pick 256: OG Tommy Kraemer, Notre Dame
Tommy Kraemer is a run-blocking machine. However, the NFL is a passing league. Kraemer has his work cut out for him, but he could develop into a rotational player for the Packers down the line.
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Kirien is a big fan of the Packers, Beer, and Battlestar Galactica. You can follow him on twitter at @KirienSprecher.
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6 responses to “Mock Draft: Packers add speed and depth in key positions”
Thanks, Kirien. I like some of what you did here; however, I have concerns over the complete absence of DL help. Not knowing who was available at each spot, I can’t say who specifically I’d pick, so here are a couple conceptual comments.
If nothing else, I’d replace Borland (whose athletic testing was bad enough to probably have him red-lined from Gutey’s board) with the best available DL at that point, and bring in another LB or two through UDFA.
Also, I don’t mind Thompson as a pick in a vacuum, but having already taken a S and 2 CBs, I probably would have picked another OL, a RB, a TE, DL, or edge rusher at that spot (if it ended up being OL, then I’d pick one of these other positions with the 7th-rounder in place of Kraemer).
I agree 100%. In my opinion, we should target one prior to a 2nd WR or 2nd Safety. Although picks 142 & 178 provide depth, I’d rather take two shots at DTs or trade up for one.
Thanks for this, as I always appreciate mock draft content leading up to the big day. I will say though that I’m struggling with taking a safety in round 1 when we already have Amos and Savage. There are too many glaring needs at OT, WR, CB and D-line to pass up there.
if we get Tyson Campbell in the third round it will be a successful draft!!!!