In Recent 3 Round Mock Draft Packers Land Coveted LB Prospect

In this recent three-round mock draft, the Green Bay Packers land a coveted linebacker but miss out on the top wide receiver talent.

It’s that time of the year where mock drafts are being made left and right, but at this point, most still just cover the first round. As draft analysts get further down the rabbit hole that is the NFL draft, we will start to see more rounds included.

However recently, Chad Reuter of NFL.com has just released the second version of his three-round mock draft. In Reuter’s first version which came out at the beginning of February, he had the Green Bay Packers selecting Kenneth Murray, Jalen Reagor, and Ben Bartch. In my opinion, an absolute home run for the Packers if the board were to actually fall this way.

Now armed with some new information, Reuter has one final mock draft before the NFL Combine takes place and shakes things up a bit. So let’s see who he has the Green Bay Packers selecting this time around and as always, I’ll give my takeaways after each pick.

Pick 30: Patrick Queen LB – LSU

Takeaway: Sticking with the linebacker position, Reuter has the Packers selecting Patrick Queen out of LSU in the first round. Although wide receiver is a desperate need for Green Bay, this is a very deep class that affords the Packers the ability of not having to draft one with their first pick. But we can’t say the same thing about linebacker, so if Queen or Kenneth Murray is available, it’ll be tough for Green Bay to pass either one of them up.

It’s no secret that the Packers need to add some speed to the middle of their defense so may I present to you, Patrick Queen. Queen is a physical linebacker, with great range, coverage ability and can he be an impact player on all three-downs in the NFL.

During his final season at LSU, Queen totaled 85 tackles, 12 of which were for a loss, with three sacks and an interception. He was also excellent during the College Football Playoffs and according to Pro Football Focus, Queen allowed only 165 total receiving yards in 355 coverage snaps.

Overall I think Packer fans would have to be excited about this selection.

Pick 62: Harrison Bryant TE – Florida Atlantic

Takeaway: Two rounds in and the Green Bay Packers still haven’t selected a receiver, but don’t let Harrison Bryant’s tight end label fool you, he certainly has the potential to be a difference-maker in the passing game.

Bryant is a tight end that can be moved around the formation. Whether out of the backfield, in the slot or out wide, he can be a factor in the passing game. However, at least initially, if the team that drafts him is going to ask him to put his hand in the dirt, they won’t be setting him up for success.

During his 2019 season, Bryant eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark, with 15.4 yards per catch and seven touchdowns. Although he could develop into a matchup problem at the NFL level, my biggest concern is how quickly he adjusts. Tight end is one of the more difficult positions to transition to, and the Packers need a playmaker in the passing game now.

Pick 94: James Proche WR – SMU

Takeaway: If we make it to the third round of the real NFL Draft and the Green Bay Packers haven’t selected a receiver yet, I’m sure many fans will be a bit irked. But in Reuter’s latest mock, they land James Proche of SMU with the 94th pick.

One of the more experienced receivers in this draft, Proche has nearly 50 games under his belt and has totaled almost 4,000 receiving yards at over 13 yards per catch with 39 touchdown receptions. He’s got fantastic hands, adjusts well to catch off-target throws, and is a decent route runner as well.

However, at 5’11” – 196 pounds, he isn’t the biggest receiver and he also isn’t the fastest. I think this pick could even be considered a reach at this point and given how badly the Green Bay Packers need a receiver, if after three rounds they leave with just James Proche, it’s a bit of a disappointment.

Overall, between the tight end selection in round two when he may not even contribute much right away and only coming away with James Proche at the loaded wide receiver position, I’m not as big of a fan of this draft from the Green Bay Packers’ perspective as I was of Reuters first version.