Green Bay Packers: 7 Round Mock Draft Addresses Key Needs

The Green Bay Packers address some key needs while they plan for the future elsewhere in this brand new seven-round mock draft.

Mock Draft season is in full swing and with the combine now complete, we are starting to see more and more mock drafts that go beyond the first round. However, we still haven’t seen many go the full seven and that is what I wanted to provide today.

In deciding who to take with each selection, it was a combination of best available and team needs both for the 2020 season as well as beyond. In the end, I think it turned out quite well. I was able to land some playmakers at positions of need, plan for the future elsewhere, and I really like some of the late-round value that I got with a few of these picks as well.

Of course, to do this I utilized The Draft Network’s mock draft machine, which is tremendous and below you’ll find each of my selections along with my reasoning for making each pick. Now let’s dive in and see who I have the Green Bay Packers selecting in a full-blown seven-round draft.

Round 1, Pick 30: Kenneth Murray LB – Oklahoma

Right now there are two players that I really want the Green Bay Packers to end up with in Round 1. And that would be either Justin Jefferson or Kenneth Murray. Well, Jefferson was off the board and I chose to take Murray over the other top linebacker, Patrick Queen.

Murray put on a show at the combine and displayed that the speed and overall athleticism that we see on tape is no fluke. With his sideline-to-sideline range and ability as a blitzer, Murray would step in on Day 1 give the middle of this Packers’ defense some much-needed juice and playmaking ability. Not to mention that from a team and locker room perspective, he would be a great addition.

Round 2, Pick 64: Brandon Aiyuk WR – Arizona State

It’s no secret, we all know the Green Bay Packers’ offense needs a dynamic weapon or two added before the new season begins. So may I present to you, Brandon Aiyuk, who is a big play waiting to happen. In 2019, Aiyuk totaled nearly 1,200 receiving yards, has a career average of 17 yards per catch, and according to Pro Football Focus, he has a career YAC average of 9.9 yards, the most in this year’s stacked wide receiver class.

The addition of Aiyuk would give this Packers’ passing game an element that they certainly didn’t have last season. Matt LaFleur and Aaron Rodgers would just need to find ways to get him the ball in the open field and watch him go to work.

Round 3, Pick 94: Ben Bartch OT – St. Johns

With the uncertainty around Bryan Bulaga’s future in Green Bay, tackle is priority No. 1 for me this offseason. However, given how the board fell in the first two rounds, it didn’t make sense to take one with either of those first two picks. But with that said, I really like landing Ben Bartch in Round 3.

Now, if the Green Bay Packers need him to step in and start Week 1, well, he’s definitely going to take his lumps. But if Bulaga is back or they sign Jared Veldheer for 2020, then this is the right selection. Bartch has the size and physical tools to be a successful tackle in the NFL and it was reassuring to see him have success at the Senior Bowl.

He’s a developmental prospect and a year or two learning as a backup could do wonders for him and hopefully provide the Packers with their long-term answer at right tackle.

Round 4, Pick 126: Leki Fotu IDL – Utah

As much as the Green Bay Packers’ defense had improved from 2018 to 2019, stopping the run was a major issue for much of the season. And as good as Kenny Clark is, he needs some help inside to help take some of the burdens off of his shoulders.

Listed at 6’5″ – 330 pounds, Leki Fotu is very strong and has good athleticism given his overall size and frame. At this point in his career, he isn’t much of a pass-rusher and is likely a rotational player on early downs. However, what he can do is take up space and hold his ground in the interior of the defensive line. Which is something that this Green Bay defense could use.

Round 5, Pick 157: Darrynton Evans RB – Appalachian State

Whether it’s for the 2020 season specifically or planning ahead, adding a running back should be on the Green Bay Packers’ to-do list. For one, having a third option other than Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams certainly isn’t a bad idea and in an offseason press conference, Matt LaFleur mentioned the importance of a third running back.

On top of that, both Jones and Williams are in the final years of their rookie deals. And while in a perfect world we would love both of them to be back for 2021 and beyond, at this point we don’t know how it’ll play out. So planning ahead is always a positive.

Round 6, Pick 172: Quintez Cephus WR – Wisconsin

This is a historically deep wide receiver class and if the Green Bay Packers have the opportunity to add a second or even a third option, well then they should take it. Now I know Quintez Cephus had a rough showing at the combine, especially in the speed drills and that could be concerning, but in Round 6 I have no problem taking a flyer on him given what he has put out on tape.

While his 40-yard dash time wasn’t very good, he certainly doesn’t play that slow. He’s a physical receiver with very good hands, has a nice release at the line of scrimmage to help create space, and he has shown that he can haul in off-target passes. As I said, despite his overall combine performance, I have no problem with this selection in Round 6.

Round 6, Pick 189: Nevelle Clark CB – UCF

If the right opportunity presented itself, I would have taken a cornerback earlier than the sixth round. While it flies under the radar, after Jaire Alexander, Kevin King, and Chandon Sullivan, there are a number of question marks at the cornerback position.

Tramon Williams is a free agent, Josh Jackson couldn’t find playing time, Ka’dar Hollman is still an unknown, and Will Redmond in his limited coverage snaps struggled.

While at this point Nevelle Clark’s game still needs some work, he has the size, athleticism, and has shown that he can make plays at the cornerback position. He’s a developmental prospect, but that’s what you get in the sixth round.

Round 7, Pick 201: Antonio Gandy-Golden WR – Liberty

I’ve already taken two receivers but in Round 7, I thought landing Antonio Gandy-Golden was a steal. In his two seasons at Liberty, he totaled over 2,400 yards, which includes just under 1,400 receiving yards in 2019. Along with 20 total touchdowns and over 16 yards per catch. A great value pick in my opinion.

Round 7, Pick 219: Lavert Hill CB – Michigan

As we’ve seen in the past this Green Bay Packers team can never have too many options at cornerback. And as I previously mentioned, with the cornerback room lacking depth adding an experienced player like Lavert Hill who has gone up against some of the best Big Ten receivers certainly isn’t a bad option. Especially in Round 7 where every pick is a lottery ticket that we hope pays off.