Green Bay Packers: 2020 Mock Draft Roundup & Big Takeaways 4.0

With the Green Bay Packers’ season now officially over, let’s take another look ahead and see who the experts have them selecting in the first-round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Well, the season certainly didn’t end as we had hoped with the Green Bay Packers once again getting whooped on the road in San Francisco. And much like their first meeting in Week 12, the Packers fell behind quickly and never really gave themselves a chance to win.

Although it’s disappointing, overall this was a very successful season. This time a year ago Green Bay had missed the playoffs for the second straight year and had recently hired their new head coach Matt LaFleur. But in just on season, they went 13-3 and made it all the way to the NFC Championship game.

While they’ve certainly come a long ways in a short amount of time, as we saw against the Niners, they have a ways to go as well if they want to be considered true Super Bowl contenders. And that all starts with addressing important needs in the upcoming NFL draft.

Some of their big needs include a wide receivers, an inside linebacker, a tackle and yes, and interior defensive lineman. So as I’ve already done a few times this season, I’ve rounded up a number of mock drafts to see who the experts have the Green Bay Packers selecting in round one of the draft. Let’s dive in!

Michael Middlehurst-Schartz – USA Today

Pick 30: K.J. Hamler WR – Penn State

"“Aaron Rodgers desperately needs another trusted target beyond Davante Adams, who had eight of the 10 catches by Packers receivers in the divisional round. Hamler’s penchant for turning quick hits into long gains would make him a winning option for the two-time MVP.”"

Takeaway: Wide receiver is going to be a popular position for Green Bay in these first-round mock drafts and K.J. Hamler is a name to know. Get him the ball in the open field and watch the magic happen as he is incredibly dynamic and he would give the Packers a true slot receiver. It’s also worth pointing out that he was a very good return man at Penn State as well. However, a concern is his size, or lack thereof.

https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1046204672003002368

Josh Schrock – NBC Sports

Pick 30: C.J. Henderson CB – Florida

"“The Packers draft another young corner to bolster their pass defense. CJ Henderson is an exceptional athlete with great man-coverage skills. He has quick feet, long arms and fluid hips that help him excel in press coverage”"

Takeaway: Here is a name and a position that I haven’t seen at all when it comes to the Green Bay Packers’ first round pick. And while corner may not seem like a high priority, especially given the draft capital spent there in recent seasons, this selection would make sense.

Jaire Alexander is turning into a shutdown corner, while Kevin King put together a breakout season, however, after those two there are some question marks. Tramon Williams is 36-years-old and a free agent, Josh Jackson rarely saw the field, Tony Brown was cut, and Ka’dar Hollman just finished his rookie season. While cornerback may not be a favorite selection among fans, I can understand why.

Luke Easterling – The Draft Wire

Pick 30: Kenneth Murray LB – Oklahoma

"“This defense was much improved in 2019, but there’s still a huge need for a three-down difference-maker at the second level. Murray is athletic and physical, with all the physical and mental tools to make an immediate impact in Green Bay. His vocal leadership and big-play mentality would be a welcome addition to this unit."

Takeaway: As we just saw against the 49ers, Green Bay needs to give Kenny Clark some serious help in the middle of the field and with Blake Martinez a pending free agent, addressing the ILB position early in the draft almost seems like a must at this point. Enter Kenneth Murray who has displayed great range, has been solid in zone coverage, and is a fine tackler.

Joe Marino – The Draft Network

Pick 30: Jalen Reagor WR – TCU

"“Aaron Rodgers needs more weapons in the passing game and Jalen Reagor brings a skill set that otherwise can’t be found among Green Bay’s current group of receivers. Reagor is an electric athlete that can take the top off the defense and is a threat to create big plays after the catch.”"

Takeaway: There it is, another wide receiver and a very explosive one at that. Which as we’ve seen, this offense desperately needs. Jalen Reagor is a big play waiting to happen and with the Packers he would give them a deep threat, similar to what they were hoping Marquez Valdes-Scantling would turn in to.

Benjamin Solak – The Draft Network

Pick 30: Prine Tega Wanogho OT – Auburn

"“It’s not a sexy pick, but it’s a necessary one. Both Bryan Bulaga and David Bakhtiari are playing out of their minds this season, but Bulaga needs a new contract this offseason and Bakhtiari needs one next offseason. This is not a secure position long-term, and it isn’t necessarily protected against injury as well, even if both Bulaga and Bakhtiari grab extensions.Prince Tega Wanogho is such a good fit here. Really, any developmental tackle is, and I like Wanogho the best of the bunch. His athleticism is truly special, and given his inexperience at the position, it isn’t hard to extrapolate to a much more consistent player in the near future with NFL coaching.”"

Takeaway: As Solak points out, this isn’t a sex pick but I do like it a lot. The Green Bay Packers have a decision to make this offseason when it comes to free agent RT Bryan Bulaga. For me it’s an easy one, you bring him back. And ideally, also draft a tackle in the early rounds to sit and learn behind him for a year or two.

Tackle is one of the premier positions in the NFL and they certainly don’t grow on trees. Fortunately, for the Green Bay Packers they’ve had two of the best in the game for a number of years now. However, it is time to start planning for the future and many of those other offensive positions – receiver ,tight end, running back – don’t matter if Aaron Rodgers doesn’t have time in the pocket. I really do like this pick.

There is still a long ways to go before draft night with plenty of workouts and film watching to be done, so obviously things will change as players move up and down draft boards. But at this stage, these are five prospects to start keeping your eyes on for the Green Bay Packers as the draft process unfolds.