Green Bay Packers 2021 NFL Mock Draft Roundup & Takeaways 10.0

We are another week closer to the 2021 NFL Draft, and that means a number of new mock drafts have been released. While we saw a little more variety in last week’s edition of ‘Mock Draft Roundup & Takeaways,’ for the most part, many draft analysts still have the Green Bay Packers taking a linebacker or a receiver in Round 1–although recent history says otherwise.

But I digress. Here is who the Packers are selecting in some recent mock drafts, and of course, I’ll be providing my thoughts on each selection.

AJ Schulte – Pro Football Network

Pick 29: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OT/G, USC

"“Corey Linsley likely goes on to be one of the highest-paid centers (in free agency). While Elgton Jenkins can fill that role, that leaves a guard spot open.To complicate matters, right tackle Rick Wagner is no longer on the team. Lucas Patrick only has a year left on his deal. As such, there are plenty of spots open for the Packers to consider. Luckily, Alijah Vera-Tucker has played multiple roles in college from right guard to left guard to left tackle. Adding his versatility and athleticism to the Green Bay offensive line would be a boon to their offensive line.”"

Takeaway: Well, right after I mention how most mocks have the Green Bay Packers taking a WR or LB, Schulte hits us with Vera-Tucker–a versatile lineman from USC. Vera-Tucker played left guard in 2019 and left tackle in 2020 for the Trojans. Over those two seasons, he allowed five sacks, four of which came at tackle, and 15 total pressures, with eight at tackle.

Whether the Packers think that he can stick at tackle will play a major role in this selection. For starters, while Linsley is likely gone, they have plenty of options along the IOL, and typically, this isn’t a position they address in Round 1–so if Green Bay views Vera-Tucker as an interior player, I don’t see him being in play at this point. For what it’s worth, Drae Harris of The Draft Network projects Vera-Tucker as a starting guard in the NFL.

Chad Reuter – NFL.com

(TRADE) Pick 22: Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern

"“Cornerback is a position of need for the Packers, and Newsome is the top outside starter remaining on the board. Green Bay trades its fourth- and fifth-round selections in this deal, but may be able to recoup some of that expense by way of a 2022 compensatory pick for the likely departure of free agent CB Kevin King.”"

Takeaway: Brian Gutekunst has been at the helm for three drafts now, and he’s traded up in the first round every year–so this certainly is in play. Cornerback is a huge need for this team — the biggest in my opinion — and if they feel Newsome is their guy, I have no problem with this. He is coming off an excellent 2020 season where he allowed just 12 receptions on 34 targets for 93 yards, an interception, and seven pass breakups.

Josh Edwards – CBS Sports

Pick 29: Jamin Davis, LB, Kentucky

"“Green Bay needs to get stronger up the middle. Jamin Davis is a late riser but multiple teams have a first-round grade on him and he is only scratching the surface of what he could become.”"

Takeaway: Davis is a name at the LB position that I haven’t seen mocked to the Green Bay Packers yet. This past season, Davis recorded three sacks, a whopping 106 total tackles, three interceptions, and a pass breakup. However, I’ll continue saying what I’ve said this entire time: until I see Green Bay take an LB in Round 1, I won’t believe it.

Also — and take this as you will — but on PFF’s big board, Davis is the 7th rated LB and 85th overall prospect. Over at The Draft Network, he is the 11th rated LB and 113th rated prospect.

Chris Trapasso – CBS Sports

Pick 29: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa

"“Collins is a hulking linebacker with high-end coverage and blitzing ability.”"

Takeaway: If the Green Bay Packers are going to break the mold and draft a linebacker in Round 1, you hope that it’s for a player like Collins. Whether against the run or the pass or as a blitzer, he can do it all. And reportedly, he and the Packers have already met as part of the pre-draft process.

Todd McShay – ESPN

Pick 29: Levi Onwuzurike, IDL, Washington

"“Sure, Green Bay could look at receivers Elijah Moore (Ole Miss) or Rashod Bateman (Minnesota), or even Clemson running back Travis Etienne if it were to lose Aaron Jones to the open market. But the Packers have continued to look elsewhere in Round 1 during the Aaron Rodgers era, which suggests they might do so again. And lining up Onwuzurike (another opt-out) next to Kenny Clark on that defensive line forms a problem for opponents.”"

Takeaway: This is a very thin IDL class this year; however, once again, it is a big need for the Green Bay Packers. Onwuzurike opted-out of the 2020 season, but in 2019, he recorded 24 run-stops, the 15th most among IDL, and he also logged 31 pressures with an overall grade from PFF of 82.5 that ranked 23rd.

Cody Benjamin – CBS Sports

Pick 29: Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State

"“A LB would be smart, as would a WR. But adding an immediate starter at right tackle would also do wonders for Aaron Rodgers and Co.”"

Takeaway: Sign me up for this pick today. The Green Bay Packers need a potential Week 1 starter at OT with David Bakhtiari injured, and they also need to find their right tackle of the future. And Jenkins can be both. Over the last two seasons, which has spanned over 620 pass-blocking snaps, Jenkins hasn’t allowed a sack and only 11 total pressures.

Vinny Iyer – Sporting News

Pick 29: Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan

"“The Packers need to think about the near future of Aaron Rodgers’ pass protection with right tackle shaky opposite locked-up elite left tackle David Bakthiari, with Rick Wagner released and an upgrade needed from Billy Turner. Mayfield has stood out on film with his size, length and strength and can develop into a smooth blocker a la the Broncos’ Garett Bolles.”"

Takeaway: Another selection that I really like. Mayfield isn’t as experienced as someone like Jenkins, but he took a big step forward from Year 1 to Year 2 at Michigan–even with the smaller sample size this past season. He still has room to develop as a player, and Kyle Crabbs of The Draft Network projects him as a “high quality starting offensive lineman.

Eric Eager – Pro Football Focus

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

"“The Packers have a need at wide receiver, and some reports indicate they are going to lose Corey Linsley, the league’s most valuable center, as well. However, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah has been what the Packers have lacked on defense since before their last Super Bowl victory, a linebacker who can comfortably play all three downs in the modern NFL. The former Notre Dame star has the highest projected playmaker rate at his position.”"

Takeaway: Another linebacker for the Green Bay Packers, but what Owusu-Koramoah would bring with his versatility and coverage ability is an element that this defense just hasn’t had. This past season he had 215 snaps from the box, another 328 from the slot, and operated as a third safety against spread offenses. While I still have my doubts about the selection, if Green Bay were to select Owusu-Koramoah, I’d get why.