Green Bay Packers: Dairyland Express mock draft battle

Jacob Westendorf

Ed Oliver, DT Houston – For the first pick there were plenty of options available. Noah Fant went one selection above Green Bay in this simulation, which took away any offensive player worth taking in the top 15 off the board. Personally, this pick came down to Oliver or Brian Burns. Both players could be impact starters, but I went with Oliver here because I believe the addition of the Smith’s at least temper the need to draft an EDGE that early. Green Bay would have to love their options should the board actually look like this. In fact, in this event, trade down possibilities should be explored, but since there are no trades, Oliver is the man.

Notable players available: Brian Burns EDGE, Montez Sweat EDGE, Devin Bush LB

Mike Wendlandt

Brian Burns, EDGE Florida State – T.J. Hockenson went at Pick 11 to Cincinnati and Ed Oliver went ninth to Buffalo, leaving Burns as the best prospect on the board for the Green Bay Packers. The edge isn’t as big of a need as it was earlier in the offseason, but a guy like Burns is a great complement to the power of the Smiths’ and the craftiness of Fackrell. He’d immediately come in and be the most explosive linebacker on the team, with an ability to turn the corner not seen since Clay Matthews was young.

Notable players available: Noah Fant TE, D.K. Metcalf WR, Devin Bush LB, Andre Dillard OT

Gage Bridgford

Brian Burns, EDGE Florida St. – Green Bay grabbed two EDGE rushers in free agency, but I didn’t care and grabbed another one in Burns. Burns is arguably the best pass rusher in the draft this year, and he has the ability to make an impact from day one. His bend is some of the best that we have seen in recent years, and his added size at the combine showed that he can be explosive despite adding that extra weight on.

Green Bay grabbed two edge rushers, but Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith are both more power-based guys, whereas Burns can do a lot with his speed around the end. They can also rush all three of them at the same time if they put Smith as the three-technique with the other two on the edges.

When I picked, I was hoping Ed Oliver would fall to me. He didn’t, so my mindset became who was the best player on the board. That was Burns. Bush is an interesting piece, but I don’t like him at 12 for Green Bay as it’s too high for me to take him. Adderly is a similar option. He would fill a need, but I like him much more at 30 than at 12. If Jawaan Taylor is on the board, he may be the pick. With Dillard being the top available tackle, it was an easier decision.

Notable players available: Devin Bush LB, Nasir Adderly S, Andre Dillard OT

Brandon Carwile

Brian Burns, EDGE Florida St. – I have a really hard time believing Ed Oliver will be there when the Packers are on the clock. That is why I am going with Brian Burns, the edge rusher out of Florida State. Burns is one of the better athletes in the 2019 class and displays an arsenal of pass rush moves on his college tape. I truly believe his ceiling is endless as he could reach double-digit sack totals in a short amount of time. He would be nice to pair with Za’Darius and Preston Smith who two solid starting edge rushers to learn from. All three can be on the field at the same time potentially seeing that Za’Darius can be an effective three-technique defensive end. Let’s load up on pass rushers and allow this to be a top-10 defense again.

Notable players available: Noah Fant TE, Devin Bush LB, Andre Dillard T