Green Bay Packers: Dairyland Express mock draft battle

Jacob Westendorf

Dalton Risner, OL Kansas State – The second pick didn’t yield as many great options as I would have hoped, but that doesn’t stop me from taking an impact player. Risner is one of the best offensive linemen in this draft. He could be an above average starter at both guard and tackle. Think Cody Whitehair, but with the chance to be an above average tackle. Nasir Adderley was considered, but I don’t love any of the safeties enough to take one in the first round. Jeffery Simmons was intriguing as well, but I did not want to spend a first-round pick on a redshirt player. Essentially the pick came down to Risner or Garrett Bradbury. I took the player I thought had a better chance of playing tackle at a high level in the event Bryan Bulaga has to miss some time.

Notable players available: Jeffery Simmons DT, Garrett Bradbury IOL, Nasir Adderley S

Mike Wendlandt

Noah Fant, TE Iowa – This is a dream scenario with Fant dropping to Pick 30. Tight End is a tricky position to evaluate in mock drafts as the history of first-round tight ends is sparse and underwhelming, but the two Iowa players look to buck the trend and have the tools to do so immediately. Fant especially could be a game breaker. He’s more explosive than Hockenson and brings a lot of Jimmy Graham/Travis Kelce comparisons, so it makes sense that he could come in and learn from Graham and finally give the Packers a tight end of the future.

Notable players available: DeAndre Baker CB, Nasir Adderley S, Jerry Tillery IDL, Dalton Risner OL

Gage Bridgford

Noah Fant, TE Iowa – Fant’s teammate T.J. Hockenson went off the board at 11, and I felt taking Fant at 12 was too high to go. Getting him at 30 made a ton of sense. He’s the clear best tight end left on the board, and he might be more pro-ready than his teammate is. His route-running is great for a tight end, and he fits the modern tight end mold that has been developing over the past few years with his pass-catching mentality.

Tight ends can take a year or so to develop, although there can be outliers, so, with two tight ends already locked in for next season, Fant wouldn’t be forced into playing for he absolutely needed to. He could spend a year working on his skills with the veteran tight ends and give Aaron Rodgers a threat up the seam for the remainder of his career.

A.J. Brown was extremely tough to pass on. He’s been moving up my board as of late and fills a need, but I couldn’t pass on Fant’s talent. Tillery has been viewed by some as a possible first-round pick, but I see him more as a second-round guy. Also, after going defense with the first pick, I wanted an offensive guy. Lindstrom is one of the best offensive linemen in this class, but guard isn’t as big of a need with the signing of Billy Turner.

Notable players available: A.J. Brown WR, Jerry Tillery IDL, Chris Lindstrom IOL

Brandon Carwile

N’Keal Harry, WR Arizona State – Give Aaron Rodgers another weapon with the second first rounder. Harry has a ton of upside and fits the mold for what the Packers want to do at receiver. He had good college production and is a big target standing at 6-2 228 pounds. Harry is strong at the catch point and also has the tools to be a vertical threat. He could play in the slot as well which is a potential hole for Green Bay if no one emerges to replace Randall Cobb. Harry is a first-round talent because of shiftiness after the catch and ability to recognize and beat different types of coverage. It’s been far too long since the Packers drafted a receiver at the top of the draft.

Notable players available: Chris Lindstrom IOL, Nasir Adderley S, Dalton Risner OL