The NFL Draft is just a few weeks away. The Packers have some glaring holes they need to address. I decided to run a three-round mock draft using Pro Football Focus. The Packers own the 23rd, 54th and 87th picks in the first three rounds. Here’s who I grabbed for the Packers.
Round 1, Pick 23: Tennessee Edge James Pearce Jr.
James Pearce Jr. is not the type of player Brian Gutekunst typically looks for in terms of size. Despite Pearce weighing just 245 pounds, the Packers have hosted him for a pre-draft visit already. Gutekunst has always valued pre-draft visits, and they are usually a decent indicator as to which players he tends to grab.
Pearce ran a speed 4.47 40-yard dash at the combine. He made noise in the SEC as he was a first-team All-SEC selection in both 2023 and 2024. In 2024 he led the Volunteers with 13 tackles for loss. By picking Pearce, the Packers would be adding a speedy piece to the pass rush.
Pro Football Focus rated this pick an A.
Round 2, Pick 54: Ole Miss Cornerback Trey Amos
The Packers have had several departures at cornerback this offseason. Despite adding Nate Hobbs in free agency, the corner room is still thin. The Packers will need to grab a cornerback early if they want to compete this upcoming season.
Trey Amos measured at 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds at the combine. I think the Packers could very well double dip in the SEC in the first few rounds. Amos earned first-team All-SEC honors in 2024. He led the Rebels with 13 pass break ups and was tied for the most team interceptions with three.
Amos earned an 8.37 relative athletic score. Pro Football Focus rated this pick an A+.
Round 3, pick 87: Utah Wide Receiver Jalen Royals
With Christian Watson likely out for most of the upcoming season due to the torn ACL he suffered at the end of the 2024 season, the Packers will need to add a receiver capable of taking Watson’s place as the deep threat.
Jalen Royals logged a 4.42 40-yard dash. Not only does adding a speedy wide receiver like Royals benefit the Packers now, but it also provides them with some insurance moving forward as both Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson are entering a contract year.
Royals earned first team All-Mountain West conference honors in 2023 and second team conference honors in 2024. Royals led the team in 2023 with 1,080 receiving yards. He ranked second in FBS with 15 touchdowns. Those 15 touchdowns were a school record.
Pro Football Focus rated this pick a B.
Pearce would provide more speed to the pass rush. Amos is a quick and physical corner who would pair well with newly acquired Nate Hobbs and Royals would provide more consistency within the wide receiver room and offer major insurance moving forward.
The Packers have the opportunity to plug some holes in this upcoming draft. Let’s hope the urgency, as previously stressed by Brian Gutekunst, is shown in the draft.
