Green Bay Packers: Dairyland Express mock draft battle 2.0

Gage Bridgford

Ed Oliver, DT – Houston

Notable Players Available: Christian Wilkins, Jonah Williams, D.K. Metcalf

The poor drafters blessed me today by allowing the third-best player in this year’s draft class to fall to me at number 12. Oliver is a monster inside, and he is going to be a dominant player at the NFL level. He pairs up with Mike Daniels and Kenny Clark for the next year to give them one of the best fronts in football. He also gives a transition plan if they move on from Daniels next year. Oliver can be the next Aaron Donald. When you can get that at 12, it’s a no-brainer.

Jacob Westendorf

Brian Burns, EDGE – Florida State

Notable Players Available: T.J. Hockenson, Devin Bush Jr, Andre Dillard, Jonah Williams

I’ve been banging the drum for Brian Burns all offseason, so I was ecstatic to see that he was still on the board when it was my turn to be on the clock. Za’Darius Smith is going to be used primarily on the interior on passing downs. That means edge rusher is still a primary need in my estimation. Burns gives the Green Bay Packers a different skill set that they do not have currently on their roster. Burns can bend the edge with speed and athleticism. Skeptics will immediately make jokes about Jamal Reynolds, but those are unfounded. Burns is the pick, and Packers fans should be ecstatic if that is the case.

Brandon Carwile

Devin Bush, LB – Michigan

Notable Players Available: Montez Sweat, Brian Burns, Jonah Williams

Why pass up on possibly the next Roquan Smith or Darius Leonard? I selected Bush over the edge rushers and guard/tackle Williams because Bush may have the highest ceiling of them all. He’s a three-down linebacker that can make up for Blake Martinez’s lack of athleticism. Bush can step in a play right away and eventually replace Martinez if he is not re-signed after next season. Bush makes up for his lack of size with explosive speed and quick processing to beat blockers to his landmarks. Not to mention Bush has longer arms than Martinez. I have the Green Bay Packers getting the stud inside linebacker they have lacked under Aaron Rodgers tenure.

Mike Wendlandt

Brian Burns, EDGE – Florida State

Notable Players Available: Drew Lock, T.J. Hockenson, Noah Fant, Devin Bush, Andre Dillard

While the months have passed, more players have popped up on the Packers radar as possible first-round picks, but I’m stubbornly still riding the Brian Burns train. With his elite bend and acceleration off the edge, Mike Pettine would have a pass rushing weapon he has never really had. The skill set that Burns brings to the table is something the Green Bay Packers haven’t had since a prime Clay Matthews or Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila. A quartet of the Smiths, Burns, and Fackrell on third downs with Daniels or Clark with a hand down on the line is a nightmare for an NFC North that doesn’t really have any great offensive lines. The value is just too good with Burns to pass up.