Green Bay Packers: 2021 NFL Mock Draft Roundup 1.0

It’s always draft season in the NFL. Here is a look at who the experts have the Green Bay Packers selecting in the upcoming 2021 NFL draft.

With the Green Bay Packers at 9-3 and with their sights set on the NFC’s No. 1 seed, for many of us, we haven’t put much thought into the upcoming NFL Draft. The hope is that the Packers have a long Super Bowl run in them, and we can enjoy the remainder of a special season before turning our full attention to April’s Draft. With that said, in today’s NFL, it’s always draft season.

Although the 2021 NFL Draft is still over four months away, there are still plenty of mock drafts being released. So as we begin to inch closer to the Senior Bowl, the NFL Combine, and eventually the draft, who are some names at the college level to start keeping your eyes on?

With the salary cap restrictions that face the Packers — as well as the rest of the NFL — due to no fans in the stands from COVID, I wouldn’t expect Green Bay to sign many new faces via free agency, or at least not many big names. Rather, the draft is where they are going to make most of their key additions.

As far as what positions they could target early on, well, there are a few. While the offensive line has held up incredibly well this year, Green Bay needs a long term solution at right tackle. Cornerback is another position to keep tabs on as Kevin King may windup elsewhere, and although we’ve seen some improvement this season, Josh Jackson isn’t the answer.

It certainly wouldn’t be a bad thing to get Kenny Clark some additional help inside on defense, and of course, another receiver is always an option as well. Or, as has often been the case, GM Brian Gutekunst could throw another curveball and select a position or a player that not many had focused on.

Regardless, there is still plenty of time to hash that out, but for the time being, let’s take a look at who some of the draft experts have the Green Bay Packers selecting with their first pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Josh Edwards – CBS Sports

Pick 29: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame

"“Jeremiah Owusu-Koromoah is closer to a safety than an off-ball linebacker. He has a thin frame and shows strength in coverage. Green Bay could also take a shot at wide receiver or edge rusher.”"

Quick Takeaway: A versatile LB, but as we’ve seen over the years, would the Green Bay Packers spend a top draft pick on this position? My guess is no.

Mike Tanier – Pro Football Network

Pick 29: Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama

"“The Packers linebacker situation has been ugly this year: Christian Kirksey was a free-agent bust, and the Packers have been forced to play all sorts of late-round rookies and inexperienced defenders beside him. Dylan Moses can step into one of the inside linebacker positions and solve an immediate problem. He’s an explosive downhill defender and a nasty tackler, and like most Alabama linebackers, he has solid instincts and diagnostic chops.”"

Quick Takeaway: Once again, it’s easy to look at this team and see LB as a position of need, but it’s been that way for a while. I just don’t think the Packers value the position enough to select it in the first round.

Trevor Sikkema – The Draft Network

Pick 29: Jay Tufele, IDL, USC

"“Build defense from the inside out—always. Right now, the Packers cannot stop the run the way they need to. Give Green Bay another strong presence with his hand in the ground next to Clark and you’ll be able to improve the rest in time.”"

Quick Takeaway: Listed at 6’3″ – 315 pounds, Tufele is a good athlete for his size, who has shown he can be effective against both the run and passing games. Over two seasons, he recorded 64 tackles, 10 of which were for a loss, along with 6.5 sacks and an interception.

Brent Weissman – The Draft Network

Pick 29: Terrace Marshall Jr, WR, LSU

"“For years now it seems like we are asking ourselves to imagine what Aaron Rodgers could do if he had more than just Davante Adams at receiver. Well, we shall ask the question no more as the team adds one of the country’s best in LSU’s Terrace Marshall. Marshall is a home run vertical threat who has tremendous size and speed. He would be an outstanding complement to Adams and allow Adams to have more one-on-one opportunities.”"

Quick Takeaway: A player who can line up in the slot or out wide, and according to Joe Marino of The Draft Network, Marshall “excels in contested situations” and “runs routes with terrific timing.” He also has very good hands. In only seven games this season, Marshall has 731 receiving yards at over 15 yards per catch with 10 touchdowns.

Ryan Wilson – CBS Sports 

Pick 29: Terrace Marshall Jr, WR, LSU

"“Marshall played in the shadow of Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson a year ago but he’s a legit prospect. He has 48 receptions and 10 touchdowns in seven games this season, and he’s averaging 15.2 yards per catch. Imagine Rodgers having Davante Adams and Marshall on the field at the same time.”"

Quick Takeaway: Is this the year the Green Bay Packers select a WR in the first round? If so, maybe it’s Terrace Marshall who is a name to keep your eyes on moving forward.

Oliver Hodgkinson – Pro Football Network

Pick 29: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa

"“It’s been 23 years since Tulsa had a linebacker selected in the NFL Draft and 43 years since they had a first-round prospect. That could all change this year with Zaven Collins receiving serious first-round buzz. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound linebacker has been the heartbeat of a Tulsa defense that has been one of the most impressive in the nation. Collins has the athleticism, versatility, and tackling ability to be a starter in the NFL as a rookie.”"

Quick Takeaway: I think we’ve already covered my thoughts on the LB position. Until I see otherwise, I have a hard time imagining the Packers spending a top pick on the position. But as I said in the intro, Gutey has surprised us before.