Green Bay Packers Land Star LSU WR in Recent 2021 Mock Draft

In Pro Football Network’s recent 2021 NFL mock draft, the Green Bay Packers land star wide receiver, Ja’Marr Chase, with their first pick.

The Big Ten and Pac-12 conferences have canceled the fall season, and we don’t know what lies ahead for the Big-12, ACC, and the SEC. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t look at some mock drafts.

Shortly after the 2020 NFL Draft ended, we started seeing 2021 mock drafts being released. While I’m sure they are out there, I don’t think I’ve seen one, yet that doesn’t have the Green Bay Packers taking a wide receiver in Round 1, which is something that they haven’t done since selecting Javon Walker out of Florida State in 2002.

And in Pro Football Network’s recent 2021 mock draft from Matthew Valdovinos, the Packers once again take a receiver. But this time, in what is a star-studded class, they land one of, if not the best receiver in this class, LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase.

Valdovinos acknowledges that Chase is the consensus No. 1 wide receiver in this class among many draft analysts, but admits that he isn’t as high on him due to him lacking “elite athletic ability and he plays much bigger than he actually is.” Valdovinos also notes that working across from Davante Adams will lead to a lot of one-on-one opportunities for Chase and that at 18th overall in the draft, this is an excellent value selection for Green Bay.

Chase put together an incredible breakout season in 2019, hauling in 84 receptions for 1,780 yards at a ridiculous 20.2 yards per catch with a whopping 20 touchdowns.

As his numbers indicate, Chase was a big play waiting to happen. According to Pro Football Focus, of his 84 receptions, 43 occurred 10 yards or more downfield, which was the third-best in college football. When targeted on throws of 20 yards or more, Chase hauled in 24 receptions for 860 yards and 14 touchdowns, ranking first in all three categories.

For a Green Bay Packers wide receiver unit that struggled to make plays with the ball in their hands and where big plays were hard to come by, the addition of Chase to this offense would be a welcomed sight.

Over at The Draft Network, Chase clocks in as their fifth overall prospect in the 2021 class, and for a closer look at his game, here is what Joe Marino had to say in his scouting report:

"“Set the single season SEC record for receiving yards and touchdowns as a true sophomore in 2019. Love the way he navigates his routes – he knows how to attack space, get open and adjust on the fly. Has plenty of variance with his releases, blending hand and footwork with physicality and the ability to reduce his surface area to clear contact.Unfazed by contact in his route stems and at the catch point, savvy with his hands. Hands are plucky and he routinely snatches the football away from his frame. Catching the football is natural to him, smoothly catching the football in stride.Exceptional at tracking, adjusting and positioning himself to win at the catch point. Decisive, physical, shifty and smooth working after the catch. Vision in space is tremendous and he makes terrific decisions with perfectly executed cuts to break pursuit angles and help him corner defenders. Blocks and competes hard on every rep, regardless if the ball is going his way. An alpha in everything he does on the football field.”"

During the last few offseasons, GM Brian Gutekunst has put the concerns around the wide receiver position on the back burner and addressed other needs instead. In 2020 the Green Bay Packers are relying on their young trio in Allen Lazard, Equanimeous St. Brown, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling to set up and provide Aaron Rodgers with some additional help in the passing game.

However, if another underwhelming season ensues from this unit, taking a receiver in Round 1 will seem like a must. Although that’s what just about all of us thought this season. While a lot can change between now and draft night, if Chase is available when Green Bay is on the clock, as of now, I have absolutely no idea how you could pass on him.