Green Bay Packers: 2021 NFL Mock Draft Roundup & Takeaways 6.0

It’s Monday Green Bay Packers fans, and you know what that means; it’s time for the 2021 NFL Mock Draft Roundup version 6.0, along with my takeaways of each selection.

Last week’s edition featured quite a few linebackers going to the Packers at pick 29. For me, I have my doubts about whether or not that would actually happen. Primarily Green Bay only selects premier positions in Round 1, and linebacker does not fall into that category.

Obviously, it depends on how the board falls, but cornerback should be a top priority this offseason for the Packers. They need to find another out wide option opposite of Jaire Alexander because the current in-house options likely aren’t going to cut it. And whoever ends up being CB2 needs to be prepared for a lot of targets as quarterbacks avoid Alexander.

A few other positions that I believe the Green Bay Packers should address early in the draft include offensive tackle, they need a swing tackle for 2021, and someone who can be the tackle of the future. Along with an interior defensive lineman, an edge rusher assuming Preston Smith is released, and a receiver.

As I do each week, I’ve gathered up several recently released mock drafts to see who the draft analysts have the Green Bay Packers selecting in Round 1, why they made the selection, and I give my quick thoughts on each pick.

Dalton Miller – Pro Football Network

Pick 29: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota

"“Rashod Bateman seems like the forgotten man in the 2021 NFL draft class, but he shouldn’t be. His 2019 tape was outstanding, and although 2020 wasn’t at the same level, his traits persist.Bateman has good size and athleticism, but his flexibility and short-area quickness allow him to consistently separate. He’s also no slouch at the catch point and has no issues playing in inclement weather. Aaron Rodgers just needs one more weapon that he can count on down in and down out. Bateman could put the Packers over the top.”"

Takeaway: Folks want the Green Bay Packers to take a receiver in Round 1 so badly. Is this the year it finally happens? This would be a selection to get excited about; Bateman is a solid route runner, has good ball skills, and put together an impressive career at Minnesota.

He participated in the shortened 2020 season, but his most impressive year statistically was 2019. That season, Bateman hauled in 60 receptions for over 1,200 yards at a ridiculous 20.3 yards per catch with 11 touchdowns. He was primarily used out wide that year, but something worth noting is that in 2020, Bateman had 193 snaps from the slot to 118 on the boundary.

Lance Zierlein – NFL.com

Pick 29: Landon Dickerson, IOL, Alabama

"“This could be a perfect fit thanks to Dickerson’s ability to play guard or center. However, the number of career injuries are mounting (suffered season-ending ligament damage in December), and his medicals will be a focus. Great leader and great fit if healthy.”"

Takeaway: Corey Linsley is likely to leave, but as is, the Green Bay Packers can absorb his absence. Instead of drafting an interior offensive lineman, who is versatile as Zierlein points out, and had an excellent 2020 season, I assume if Green Bay is going to take a lineman in Round 1, it’ll be a tackle or not at all.

Ben Linsey – Pro Football Focus

Pick 29: Nick Bolton, LB, Missouri

"“Bolton isn’t going to win any awards for his athleticism, but the guy brings the heat. He totaled 98 stops — or tackles categorized as “wins” for the defense — over the past two seasons at Missouri and has some of the best instincts you’ll see at the position. That allowed him to record two interceptions and eight pass breakups on just 29 targets in 2019 despite lacking high-end athleticism.While Green Bay would love to add a receiver here, there isn’t a ton of value on the board, and linebacker remains a need after the team let Blake Martinez walk in free agency last offseason.”"

Takeaway: Whether as a blitzer, against the run, or in zone coverage, Nick Bolton can do it all and would give the Green Bay Packers a presence at linebacker that they just haven’t had. However, the big question is, will Brian Gutekunst select a position in Round 1 that the Packers haven’t typically valued over the years with Krys Barnes and Kamal Martin already on the roster?

Chris Trapasso – CBS Sports

Pick 29: Carlos Basham Jr, EDGE, Wake Forest

"“Assuming Aaron Rodgers is retained, the Packers have some big financial decisions to make this offseason. In this scenario, Basham might have to replace Preston Smith up front.”"

Takeaway: I feel that the edge position is an underrated need for the Packers this offseason. It is likely that Preston Smith will be cut, which provides Green Bay with $8 million in cap savings, leaving Za’Darius Smith and Rashan Gary along with some other unproven players.

Now, that’s a very good pair of edge rushers to have, and we will have to see how the defense operates under Joe Barry, but Green Bay had a lot of success with three edge rushers on the field at one time. Again, the question is whether or not Gutey addresses this need in Round 1, but I believe he does at some point.

Ryan Wilson – CBS Sports

Pick 29: Tyson Campbell, CB, Georgia

"“Campbell is a long cornerback who can match up against an NFL team’s No. 1 wideout. He’s still learning the position, which means his best football is still in front of him.”"

Takeaway: Not recently, but we’ve seen Campbell mocked to the Green Bay Packers a few times during our Mock Draft Roundups. At 6’2″ – 190 pounds, Campbell has excellent size for a cornerback, and he has the athleticism to match. In his pre-draft scouting report, Drae Harris of The Draft Network notes Campbell’s ability in man coverage as a plus. Durability was also a concern, but he remained healthy in 2020.

Kyle Crabbs – The Draft Network

Pick 29: Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State

"“I would really love to give the Packers a wide receiver here except, well, they never actually take them here. So instead, Teven Jenkins of Oklahoma State is the pick. He can pair with David Bakhtiari to give the Packers a talented pair of tackles to help keep Aaron Rodgers (who isn’t going anywhere) upright and scorching opposing defenses.”"

Takeaway: I really do like this selection — and thank you, Kyle, for noting that Aaron Rodgers isn’t going anywhere. According to Pro Football Focus ($), over the last two seasons for Jenkins, which has spanned 623 pass-blocking snaps, he hasn’t given up a sack, and he’s allowed just 11 total pressures.

My Pick via TDN Mock Draft Machine

Pick 29: Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida

Takeaway: Being 100 percent transparent, Jenkins was the top OT available while I was on the clock and that’s likely who I would have taken. However, with just highlighting him above, I went a different route with Kadarius Toney.

I’m not going to pretend like I know whether or not the Green Bay Packers will take a receiver in Round 1, but I also didn’t expect Toney to be available, and I couldn’t pass him up. Toney would give Green Bay a presence in the slot that they haven’t had since Randall Cobb, and he would be a great fit in the LaFleur offense with his ability in open space and as the motion man.