Packers: Four-Round Mock Draft 2.0
By Brennen Rupp
The NFL Draft is a mere 35 days away. Green Bay Packers general manager, Ted Thompson has done a good job of re-signing key pieces. As the Packers head into the draft the two glaring needs are at inside linebacker and tight end.
The talent in the draft at the tight end position is bare. Hunter Henry is regarded as the top tight end, but it would be a reach for Thompson to take him with the 27th pick. If Henry is Thompson’s target, don’t be surprised if The Sly Silver Fox trades out of the first round. Tyler Higbee, the tight end out of Western Kentucky is also an option in the fourth-round.
The top inside linebackers will likely be off the board once the Packers are on the clock with the 27th pick. If that is the case Thompson will have to find a linebacker in the later rounds to pair with Jake Ryan. Enough talking let’s get to the results of my latest four-round mock draft.
First Round: Noah Spence, OLB, Eastern Kentucky. If it weren’t for his off the field red flags Spence would be a top 15 pick. Taking a player with red flags in the first round or any round for that matter is not Thompson’s M.O. But, keep in mind since his arrival at Eastern Kentucky, Spence has been a model citizen. If Spence is there when the Packers are on the clock Thompson and company should run to the podium to select the edge rusher.
Second Round: Kamalei Correa, OLB, Boise State. “Two outside linebackers in the first round? You sir are crazy.” That’s likely what’s being shouted at the computer as you read this. With Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers, Nick Perry, Jayrone Elliott, and Datone Jones, the Packers don’t have a desperate need for an outside linebacker, let alone two. However, Peppers will be a free agent after this year and will likely retire. Both Perry and Jones will be free agents after this season as well.
The Denver Broncos proved that you can never have enough capable pass rushers. Correa is too talented to pass up if he’s on the board when the Packers are on the clock in the second-round. Correa has been compared to Matthews, why not pair him with Matthews?
With this pick also take into consideration Peppers‘ age, and Perry’s and Datone’s durability issues. Defensive coordinator Dom Capers always says, sacks come in bunches. With that stable of edge rushers the quarterback take-downs would be coming in bunches every game.
Third Round: Deion Jones, LB, LSU. Jones is undersized for a traditional 3-4 inside linebacker, but so is Ryan Shazier. The Packers need a quick inside linebacker, with sideline to sideline quickness that can cover. Enter Jones. Jones and Ryan could form a solid duo at inside linebacker for the Packers for the foreseeable future.
Fourth Round: Cole Toner, OL, Harvard. Josh Sitton, T.J. Lang, David Bakhtiari, and J.C. Tretter will all be free agents in 2017. The 2015 NFL Draft was the first draft that Thompson didn’t take at least one offensive lineman. That won’t happen again this year. Toner has the ability to play right tackle or guard. Aside from Tretter the depth along the offensive line is highly questionable. With Toner the Packers would be getting another versatile, Ivy League lineman.
Fourth Round Compensatory: Sean Davis, S, Maryland. Davis can play safety or cornerback. His best position is safety where he can be unleashed near the line of scrimmage. Davis would give the Packers insurance in case Morgan Burnett or Ha Ha Clinton-Dix ever went down. He’d also be another piece to help the improving special teams unit in Green Bay.
Fourth Round Compensatory: Hassan Ridgeway, DL, Texas. Ridgeway can play the five-technique or nose tackle. Ridgeway has an explosive first step and good short area quickness. He’s got the power and athleticism to be a three-down lineman. He holds his own against the run and would help improve the Packers interior pass rush.
This mock draft didn’t yield a tight end. But with Jordy Nelson returning and a healthy Ty Montgomery, the Packers offense will be just fine if Richard Rodgers is the starting tight end in 2016. Continuing to add pieces to the defense should be Thompson’s focus. The secondary is set for the future with Sam Shields, Damarious Randall, Quinten Rollins, Micah Hyde, Ladarius Gunter, Burnett, and Clinton-Dix. Now he needs to focus on adding pieces around Mike Daniels and Matthews in the front seven.