Green Bay Packers seven-round mock draft 2.0
By Paul Bretl
Pick No. 44: Jerry Tillery, DL – Notre Dame
Notable players available: Johnathan Abram, Chris Lindstrom, Deebo Samuel
Although through free agency and with the 12th pick, the Green Bay Packers have addressed the defensive front, I was surprised to see Tillery still there at 44 and couldn’t resist. This is one of those situations where addressing the offensive line or safety positions would have been an option, but I decided to go with the talent.
Tillery has great length and is very athletic, scoring a 9.7 on the RAS scale, which is right up Green Bay’s alley. His best trait is as a pass rusher and getting into the backfield, where he totaled seven sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss in 2018. There is still work to be done in the running game, but similarly to Burns, Tillery won’t have to play every down with Kenny Clark and Mike Daniels available.
Getting pressure up the middle is becoming increasingly more important each season as the quick passing game in the NFL continues to become more dominant. Tillery would also give the Packers the option of letting Daniels walk at the end of the 2019 season if that makes sense when we get to that point.
Pick No. 75: Deionte Thompson, S – Alabama
Notable players available: Terry McLaurin, Amani Hooker, J.J. Arcega-Whiteside
Even with the free agent signing of Adrian Amos, who is a tremendous addition, safety is still a position of need entering the draft. Current option Josh Jones struggles mightily in coverage, while Raven Green is still a bit of an unknown.
Thompson has fallen down some big boards due to his play at the end of last season but there is still plenty to be excited about, especially at pick 75. He’s a bit undersized but plays very physically and is not afraid to lower his shoulders to make a tackle.
There is still some development that needs to take place as he struggles in man coverage but he works very well in the single high safety role. His range in the secondary, as well as his ball skills, gives him that big play potential, which is something that the back-end of this Green Bay Packers secondary has been lacking in recent years.