Green Bay Packers: Matt Miller’s 7 Round 2021 NFL Mock Draft Hits Several Key Needs
By Paul Bretl
Mock Draft season is in full swing; however, we haven’t seen many — and I don’t think I’ve looked at any — seven rounders in the early stages. But that all changed recently as Matt Miller, formerly of Bleacher Report, launched his new site and released his full 2021 NFL mock draft with the Green Bay Packers addressing several key needs.
When I think of the Packers’ top needs to address this offseason, cornerback, offensive tackle, interior defensive lineman, and receiver all come to mind. And Miller was able to find some help for Green Bay at each of these positions–even double-dipping at receiver, which I’m sure fans will appreciate.
On the flip side, two fairly significant needs that he was unable to address were edge rusher as well as running back. However, it’s worth noting that the Green Bay Packers’ three compensatory picks were not factored in because it is unknown at this time where they will be selecting, and of course, you can’t reasonably expect every need to be taken care of in the draft.
With all of that said, it’s time to dive in. Here is who Matt Miller has the Green Bay Packers selecting in all seven rounds of the 2021 NFL Draft. And as always, I’ll provide my thoughts on each selection.
Round 1, Pick 29: Nick Bolton, LB, Missouri
"“Nick Bolton is a bit of a classic ‘backer at 6’0” and 241 pounds, but he’s shown the speed and instincts to be a three-down threat. Bolton is super quick working to the sideline and lays the wood as a tackler. In a league fixated on three-down linebackers (which will only increase following the Super Bowl), Bolton’s stock could take off with a strong pre-draft process. As it stands, Bolton is a value at No. 29 overall and a perfect fit in the middle of the Packers’ defense.”"
Takeaway: I still have my reservations about the Green Bay Packers selecting a linebacker in the first round. Typically this just isn’t a position that they spend premium draft capital on, and with Krys Barnes and Kamal Martin already on the roster, they could feel that it is less of a need.
However, Joe Barry is now the defensive coordinator and is going to be running a version of Vic Fangio’s system. In a recent article by Tom Silverstein of Packers News, he mentioned that Green Bay is missing “the big play inside linebackers that make the scheme especially difficult to beat.”
Could this be enough to make the Packers select a linebacker early on? We will have to see. When it comes to Bolton, he can get it done as a blitzer, run defender, and in coverage.