Trade up to take QB Brett Hundley highlights 3rd day of 2015 NFL Draft for Packers
By Phil Watson
Nov 16, 2013; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners fullback Aaron Ripkowski (48) catches a pass in the end zone against the Iowa State Cyclones in the second half at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Round 6, Pick No. 206
Aaron Ripkowski, FB, Oklahoma
6-foot-1 3/8, 238 pounds
With All-Pro fullback John Kuhn entering his 10th NFL season, the Packers might have been looking ahead to the future—or at least providing Kuhn with some training-camp fuel—by taking Oklahoma fullback Aaron Ripkowski with the first of their three sixth-round picks.
Ripkowski was a typical fullback at Oklahoma, in that he seldom touched the football. As a senior, he had seven receptions for 38 yards and a touchdown and carried the ball just six times for 13 yards, scoring three times.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein called Ripkowski “an old-school blocking back who will have a hit or two each game that wows the crowd and gets his teammates fired up.”
But he has a tendency to duck his head before contact, which can cause him to lose sight of his blocking target and will also lean into his block too quickly, which can cost him power and leverage.
Ripkowski was an All-Big 12 second-team selection as a senior.
“As a fullback, realistically, you always look at free agency as our only option,” Ripkowski told the Green Bay Press-Gazette of his surprise at being chosen. “I heard a few things through the grapevine here and there and going on visits, and I had my hopes up a little bit on getting drafted and it just turned out the way I wanted to.”
Next: Round 6, Pick 210