Recent Mock Draft has Packers Making Not 1 but 2 Trades

In this recent mock draft from Benjamin Solak of The Draft Network, the Green Bay Packers make not just one but two trades within the first three rounds.

We’ve seen a lot of mock drafts at this point but over the past week or so we are starting to see a few more with trades taking place. And in a recently released mock draft from Benjamin Solak of The Draft Network, he has the Green Bay Packers not just making one trade but two within the first three rounds.

If this were to actually happen, I don’t think any of us would be terribly surprised. In Brian Gutekunst’s short tenure as Packers GM, he has shown that he is willing to make trades to get the player that he wants.

In 2018 after trading back initially in Round 1, he would then trade up to grab Jaire Alexander. Then in Round 3 that same year he would also trade up for Oren Burks. And of course just last year, he traded up in Round 1 to grab Darnell Savage.

So if he does it again in this year’s draft, I wouldn’t be shocked. But let’s take a look at who Solak has the Green Bay Packers moving up to grab along with his reasoning for each move. And as always, I’ll provide my takeaways.

Round 1, Pick 27: Patrick Queen LB – LSU

"Trade Details:Packers receive: 27th overallSeahawks receive: 30th overall, 2021 fifth-round pickYes, the Green Bay Packers should consider getting aggressive in trade-ups. They’re only a few pieces away from having a complete roster across the board and linebacker is a big hole, especially with Blake Martinez entering free agency. Patrick Queen is worth the minimal capital spent to jump the Baltimore Ravens, who have a big LB need, and secure him as a long-term starter."

Takeaway: From Rounds 5 through 7 the Green Bay Packers have five draft picks and really at that stage those are just lottery tickets that teams aren’t banking on, but they hope one or two pay off. So if giving up a fifth-rounder to get Patrick Queen is what it takes, then I am all for it.

Queen has very good sideline-to-sideline range, he was reliable in coverage at LSU, and he can step in from Day 1 and be an effective 3-down linebacker in the NFL. This skill set is exactly what the Packers have been missing in the middle of their defense and it could be what puts them over the top as Solak mentioned. Sign me up.

Round 2, Pick 52: K.J. Hamler WR – Penn State

"Trade Details:Packers receive: 52nd overallRams receive: 62nd overall, 192nd overallAgain, with three sixth-round picks and two in the seventh, why shouldn’t Green Bay be looking to make strong moves for key players. The Packers desperately need an underneath, slot receiver with yards-after-catch ability to compliment their group on the outside. K.J. Hamler’s hands aren’t consistent, but his playmaking ability makes him worth the inconsistent play."

Takeaway: Another trade! This time it is to go up and get a player that should provide this Packers’ passing attack with a much-needed boost. During his two seasons at Penn State, Hamler totaled almost 1,700 receiving yards at nearly 17 yards per catch along with 13 touchdowns. He was also an effective return man, which would be quite beneficial to the Packers as well.

To put it simply, the man is electric with the ball in his hands and he would give Green Bay a presence that they just didn’t have in 2019.

However, there are two major red flags when discussing Hamler. The first being drops and the second being his size. At the combine, Hamler clocked in at just under 5’9″ and at only 178 pounds. Going back to the Ron Wolf days, the Packers have very strict guidelines as far as size requirements for receivers, and Hamler doesn’t meet those.

While Gutekunst has shown that he does certain things differently, it is still fair to wonder if Hamler is actually on Green Bay’s radar.

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

"Ben Bartch is far from a finished product, as you’d expect for someone out of a D-III school like St. John’s. That’s okay — the Packers will have time to develop him into the RT of the future after Bryan Bulaga leaves, and that learning experience should secure him as a starting-caliber talent."

Takeaway: This time the Packers stay put and get what they hope to be is their right tackle of the future. However, as Ben points out, if Bartch has to start Week 1, then Green Bay is likely in some trouble. But as a developmental prospect, he has the size, athleticism, and the tools to be an effective tackle at the NFL level. He just needs a year or two to refine his game behind a veteran such as Jared Veldheer.