Green Bay Packers: Mock Draft Battle 1.0

Mike: Patrick Queen LB – LSU

The Green Bay Packers’ biggest needs reside at inside linebacker, wide receiver, defensive line, and offensive tackle. When running this draft simulation, all the top defensive linemen and first-round receivers were already off the board, as well as tackle Josh Jones, who might’ve been the pick. But the chance to get one of the best defensive players on one of the most dominant teams in college football history was too much to pass up.

Queen as a true linebacker is the closest thing in this draft class to Deion Jones or Devin Bush. The only knock on him is his lack of elite power which could hurt him in run defense. But his positioning and pure athleticism make up for it, allowing him to flow to the football without issue and consistently make sure tackles.

If Brian Gutekunst can bring in a run-stuffing defensive tackle or two (hello, Michael Pierce?) then Queen can be an instant Pro Bowler for Mike Pettine. We haven’t seen anything even close to his ceiling.

Kenny: Kenneth Murray ILB – Oklahoma

I was really excited to see Murray still on the board at 30. The Green Bay Packers’ biggest hole right now is at inside linebacker and it needs to be filled with a stud. With all the sub-packages that Green Bay runs with extra defensive backs on the field, there needs to be an athletic linebacker patrolling the middle, filling gaps, and running sideline to sideline. Last year, I thought that could be Devin Bush, but he was taken two picks before the Packers spot at 12.

Now, with Blake Martinez out the door, this is the time to get someone to be everywhere for this defense.  Martinez, while being a sure-handed tackler, could not cover a lot of ground quickly or cover much more than the grass he was standing on. Murray is explosive to the ball and has nice instincts. He has every trait of a playmaker for years to come. While taking a top-tier receiver was extremely enticing, there are plenty of guys who can be big weapons in the passing game that will be available in later rounds.

Paul: Tee Higgins WR – Clemson

We all know that the Green Bay Packers’ biggest needs include wide receiver, inside linebacker, along with tackle. And even though I had the option of selecting both Patrick Queen and Kenneth Murray at this pick, I just couldn’t pass up Tee Higgins.

Higgins would immediately take over as the deep threat on this Packers team. Essentially what they were hoping Marquez Valdes-Scantling was going to turn into. Higgins has shown that he can create separation vertically, has a huge catch radius, and the combination of him and Aaron Rodgers would be quite a force in the red zone. Not to mention that Rodgers loves to take his shots downfield, and Higgins would provide him with a reliable target.

Sign me up for Tee Higgins in this Packers’ offense with Davante Adams.