Green Bay Packers 2021 NFL Mock Draft Roundup & Takeaways 4.0

Well, unfortunately, the offseason is here are a few weeks earlier than what we had all hoped for. This means we will begin taking a look back at the Green Bay Packers’ 2020 season, discussing free agency, and of course, deep-diving into the 2021 NFL Draft.

Over the last two months or so, I’ve already posted a few editions of ‘Mock Draft Roundup & Takeaways’ as a way to slowly begin familiarizing ourselves with some players who could be available for Green Bay in Round 1. And as more mock drafts are released, I’ll continue to post these articles more regularly.

The Green Bay Packers now officially have the 29th overall pick, and with that, a few positions that they could focus on include cornerback, offensive tackle, edge-rusher, wide receiver, and maybe, an interior defensive lineman. Or who knows, maybe Brian Gutekunst goes off the radar again.

So with all of that said, let’s take a look at who the draft experts have the Green Bay Packers taking with their first selection in the 2021 NFL Draft and why they believe that player is a good fit.

Mel Kiper – ESPN

Tyson Campbell, CB, Georgia

"“Did you watch the Packers’ secondary get torched by the Bucs in the first half of the NFC Championship Game? 2017 second-round pick Kevin King, who is now a free agent, was picked on by Tom Brady. Green Bay has to find a consistent starter opposite Jaire Alexander. Campbell has the talent to be that guy, though he had an up-and-down career at Georgia.His issue? He was too inconsistent from snap to snap. But the former five-star prospect is a gifted athlete in a 6-2 frame, and this pick is all about projecting him to improve under NFL coaching. Based on talent alone, Campbell would be a top-15 pick, but his tape could see him drop to Round 2.”"

Takeaway: At 6’2″ – 185 pounds, Campbell has a similar build to Kevin King, who he in all likelihood would be replacing. As Drae Harris of The Draft Network points out, Campbell would be the best fit for a defense that utilizes press coverage with some zone mixed in. In 2020, Campbell allowed a completion rate of 65 percent on 46 targets for 11.3 yards per catch with five touchdowns, one interception, and five pass breakups.

Chris Trapasso – CBS Sports

Tylan Wallace, WR, Oklahoma State

"“Regardless of who’s the quarterback in Green Bay in 2021, he’ll need another downfield target. Wallace can be that guy.”"

Takeaway: Is this the year the Green Bay Packers finally take a wide receiver in Round 1? Honestly, I have my doubts, but I do think they address the position at some point. Wallace posted a monster year in 2018 with nearly 1,500 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. In 2019, he recorded 895 yards with eight touchdowns, and most recently, 922 yards with six touchdowns and 15.6 yards per catch.

Daniel Jeremiah – NFL.com

Tutu Atwell, WR, Louisville

"“I know the Packers don’t traditionally draft wide receivers in the first round, but I love this potential fit. They don’t have anyone with Atwell’s skill set on their offense. He is a blur who can be utilized on jet sweeps and to stretch the field. He would be the perfect complement to Davante Adams and Allen Lazard.”"

Takeaway: As Jeremiah mentions, Atwell would be a great change of pace for this Green Bay Packers’ offense with his speed, and he would be an excellent fit for the LaFleur offense with his ability to be utilized on jet sweeps and as the motion man. Atwell has blazing speed, but it is worth noting that his size could be a reason that the Packers don’t select him.

Over the years, it’s quite obvious that Green Bay likes bigger-bodied receivers. Atwell, however, measures in at 5’9″ – 165 pounds. Not exactly close to the usual 6’0″ – 200 pound minimums that the Packers usually target. Now, I’m not saying this is a deal-breaker and that they absolutely won’t take Atwell, but it’s certainly worth noting.

Oliver Hodgkinson – Pro Football Network

Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa

"“What better way to improve your defense than with the best defensive player in college football? Tulsa linebacker Zaven Collins won the Bronko Nagurski Award after a breakout campaign for the Golden Hurricane. Collins showed ability as a pass-rushing, run-stuffing, pass-covering linebacker in a season that saw him rack up some gaudy statistics in just eight games.”"

Takeaway: I’ve said it before here, and I’m going to say it again; until I actually see the Green Bay Packers take a linebacker in Round 1, I don’t believe that it’s going to happen. As we’ve seen throughout the years, it’s just not a position that they value highly.

On top of that, I think the Packers are perfectly comfortable heading into 2021 with Krys Barnes and Kamal Martin as their top-2 linebackers. Not to mention that the combined cap hit for those two this upcoming season is only $1,627,765.

Steve Palazzolo – Pro Football Focus

Tyson Campbell, CB, Georgia

"“With Kevin King heading toward free agency, Campbell brings a similarly sized replacement to complement Jaire Alexander on the other side. Campbell is a fluent mover for 6-foot-2, and he ranks in the 98th percentile in coverage grade when playing zone. His size, movement skills and production fit well within Green Bay’s zone-heavy system.”"

Takeaway: Cornerback is my No. 1 position that the Green Bay Packers have to address this offseason. Other than Jaire Alexander, they don’t have another realistic option on the roster at the moment to line up across from him. I have to do more film watching on Campbell, but on the surface, I have no issue with this pick.

Benjamin Solak – The Draft Network

Asante Samuel Jr, CB, Florida State

"“In Asante Samuel Jr., the Packers decide to attack the mold that was successful with Alexander: a quick-footed and aggressive corner well suited for the zone defense that Mike Pettine mains. Green Bay will suffer on one-on-one matchups for size with Alexander and Samuel as its starters, but both have quality ball skills to play aggressively through the catch point.”"

Takeaway: Again, I’m a big fan of the cornerback selection. According to Pro Football Focus ($), this past season, Samuel allowed a completion rate of 59.4 percent on 32 targets for only 9.4 yards per catch. He also allowed just one touchdown, came away with three interceptions and five pass breakups. At 5’10,” a few of Samuels’ snaps came in the slot, but he was primarily lined up out wide.

Ryan Wilson – CBS Sports

Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue

"“The Packers have neglected the position for long enough. And while Aaron Rodgers almost convinced us that all he needs is Davante Adams, the NFC Championship Game reinforced that Green Bay needs a legit No. 2 WR and Moore offers that and then some.”"

Takeaway: Another wide receiver, and up to this point, Rondale Moore is a popular name that many have Green Bay taking in the first round. Moore is a traditional slot receiver, a position that LaFleur doesn’t need, but one that the Packers don’t have at the moment and could use for a change of pace.

Moore had a huge freshman season in 2018, totaling 1,258 yards on 114 receptions with 12 touchdowns. Unfortunately, in 2019 he suffered a knee injury and played in just four games, and in 2020 with the pandemic, he played in only three. Once again, it’s worth noting Moore’s size as he stands at 5’9″ – 180 pounds.

All stats via Pro Football Focus ($)