Green Bay Packers: Post combine mock draft review
By Paul Bretl
Mel Kiper – ESPN
No. 12: D.K. Metcalf, Wide Receiver – Ole Miss
No. 30: Noah Fant, Tight End – Iowa
The Green Bay Packers addressed defense in free agency and Kiper has them giving Aaron Rodgers some weapons in the draft. Some of the issues we saw offensively in 2018 can be attributed to the wide receiver play, not including Davante Adams of course, but we did see Rodgers rapport with his rookie receivers develop as the season progressed.
While Metcalf put together an incredible combine, with numbers that we have rarely seen from someone his size at the receiver position, he suffered some injuries in college and his overall numbers weren’t anything to write home about. Over his career he would haul in 67 receptions with 14 touchdowns and 18.3 yards per catch, showing off his big-play ability.
Metcalf has the tools to turn into a dominant receiver but his skill set as a route runner is still a bit raw. However, he can outrun most defensive players and once the ball is in his hands, he is very tough to bring down. With all of this said, this is still too early for a receiver to be coming off the board for the Packers given the other needs they have to fill.
On the previous page, we went over the Green Bay Packers need for a tight end and if they can land Fant at pick 30, it is a no brainer. Like Hockenson, Fant did very well at the combine and although he may not be as skilled of a blocker as Hockenson is, Fant’s ability is nothing to turn your nose up at.
He would be an immediate weapon for Rodgers and would challenge Jimmy Graham for starter reps from day one. Fant’s athleticism will allow LaFleur to create mismatches as he has the ability to stretch the field, while also running a diverse route tree that will help him get open on the short to intermediate routes and he will make those difficult contested catches. If Green Bay ends up with Fant at this point in the draft, we should all be thrilled.