Green Bay Packers: Skill position players to target early in the draft

A.J. Brown – Ole Miss

D.K. Metcalf is the former Rebel getting all of the attention because of his workout at the NFL Combine, but Brown is a great player in his own right. He may even be the more polished receiver of the two players. The comparison he has received recently to Pittsburgh Steelers star JuJu Smith-Schuster is appropriate. Brown represents a player that could play on the outside, while also allowing them to get bigger and more explosive in the slot. That’s something Matt LaFluer and Brian Gutekunst both stated a desire for at the receiver position. He should be part of the consideration when Green Bay is on the clock at pick 30.

Deebo Samuel – South Carolina

Without question, Samuel has one of the best names in the draft. He’s not just a name-value player, he’s also an assassin in the slot. Think Randall Cobb in his prime, but bigger. Bigger players don’t have any more luck in avoiding injury, but it cannot hurt. Samuel’s footwork as a slot receiver is unmatched. He would help tremendously in the jet motion plays that LaFleur likes to run.

N’Keal Harry – Arizona State

Harry is one of the more polarizing prospects in this year’s draft class. Some love him and think that he is comparable to Davante Adams. Others get worried about his lack of separation on tape and think he’s more like Laquon Treadwell. The Green Bay Packers have notably been in attendance for his best game as a college prospect. Brian Gutekunst also had a front row seat at his pro day. Harry has the ability to win underneath and make plays after the catch. He also tested as a much better athlete than Adams did coming out of Fresno State.

Hollywood Brown – Oklahoma

Brown was getting top-10 buzz in this year’s draft before it was revealed that he had a Lisfranc injury in his foot that he would need to recover from. He was unable to work out at the combine, and will not be able to before the draft in April. None the less, Brown’s biggest gift is his speed. He has a ceiling like Desean Jackson as someone a defense always has to account for. If they don’t he’ll be dancing in the end zone after 60-yard touchdowns. It’s possible the Packers will look at his size and deem him unworthy of an early selection, but they are starved for big plays in the passing game. That remains Brown’s biggest strength.