Green Bay Packers: Five post-combine mock drafts
By Paul Bretl
With the completion of the NFL combine, new mock drafts have been released, and here is who the Green Bay Packers will be taking in the first round of five of them.
After the combine is over there is always players moving up and down the big boards depending on how they performed. While combine performances aren’t everything, along with the film it does play a factor in determining where NFL prospects will be drafted.
As far as talent goes, this is a first round where the Green Bay Packers can address their need for an edge, a tight end or an offensive lineman with an immediate impact playmaker and that is what a majority of these mock drafts have them doing.
Luke Easterling – The Draft Wire
No. 12: Montez Sweat, Edge – Mississippi State
Sweat put together a fantastic combine and jumped up many big boards and may even be a top ten pick at the moment. He is at his best with his hand in the dirt as a 4-3 defensive end and is incredibly explosive at the snap. Sweat’s final season at Mississippi State, he posted 14.5 tackles for loss and 12 sacks.
No. 30: Noah Fant, Tight End – Iowa
Fant is another player who was able to show off his athleticism at the combine, so much so, that as of now I wonder if he will even be around at pick 30. But if he is, I have no problem with the Green Bay Packers selecting him. Fant runs a diverse route tree and has great hands, he’d be another weapon for Aaron Rodgers to utilize in the passing game immediately.
Matt Miller – Bleacher Report
No. 12: Devin White, ILB – LSU
A lot of people feel White is a consensus top ten pick, but there have been a few mock drafts that have him linked to the Green Bay Packers. While edge is a high priority, if White is available at 12 it would be quite difficult to pass on him. The 2018 Butkus award winner has great range which helps in coverage and his a solid tackler. White would make an impact on the front seven from day one.
No. 30: Jaylon Ferguson, Edge – Louisiana Tech
Yes, the Green Bay Packers do need to address the edge position but selecting Ferguson at 30 is a stretch. He put up impressive numbers at Louisiana Tech but it’s not as if he was facing an SEC or Big Ten schedule week to week. It doesn’t appear on tape that Ferguson has the athleticism you would desire at edge and unfortunately, we couldn’t see him test at the combine since his invitation was revoked due to an off the field issue.
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Daniel Jeremiah – NFL.com
No. 12: Noah Fant, Tight End – Iowa
As noted above, Fant had a terrific combine but I cannot get on board with drafting a tight end with the 12th pick. At this point in the draft, I want to see the Packers get their edge player, an offensive lineman or if someone such as Devin White or Ed Oliver happened to fall to them.
No. 30: Erik McCoy, Offensive Line – Texas A&M
I would love to see the Green Bay Packers select an offensive lineman in the first round, but given how Jeremiah’s board fell, McCoy isn’t it. Kansas State’s Dalton Risner was still an option and his bigger, more athletic frame is more appealing to me, especially as a tackle. Also, by selecting Fant at 12, edge still needs to be addressed and passing on Clelin Ferrell at 30 would be a hard thing to do.
Ryan Wilson – CBS Sports
No. 12: Rashan Gary, Edge – Michigan
Gary is athletic and had a fine combine but on the field, he doesn’t do anything particularly well and will take some time to develop. In regards to Gary as an NFL player, Joe Marino of The Draft Network has said:
"“By year three, Gary has the upside to be a productive starter in a multi-front defense.”"
A project is not what I am looking for with the 12th overall pick, the Packers need an immediate impact player. Also in this scenario, Devin White, Montez Sweat and Ed Oliver were all on the board at 12.
No. 30: Noah Fant, Tight End – Iowa
We have seen Fant’s name quite a bit in these post-combine mock drafts and if he is there at 30, the Green Bay Packers should definitely consider taking him.
Kyle Crabbs – The Draft Network
No. 12: Brian Burns, Edge – Florida State
If there was a knock on Burns last season it was his weight but he was able to put on about 20 pounds and still performed incredibly well at the combine. In his last season at FSU, Burns posted 15.5 tackles for loss, along with 10 sacks and has a very high ceiling. If he is available at 12, the Packers shouldn’t hesitate to take him.
No. 30: Johnathan Abram, Safety – Mississippi State
Abram had a productive final year at Mississippi State, recording 99 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, three sacks and two interceptions. He has good range and can make an impact in the running game. Some areas of concern are that he struggles in man coverage, although he did have limited opportunities and he can miss tackles.
Joe Marino of The Draft Network had this to say about Abram:
"“In today’s NFL, Abram will struggle to see the field on an every down basis.”"
Next. Packers should target Justin Houston. dark
We still have about a month and a half before the draft takes place, so there is still plenty that can change especially with upcoming pro-days. However, the combine was a big step into understanding who will be available at each of the Green Bay Packers first-round selections.