Green Bay Packers 2021 NFL Mock Draft Roundup & Takeaways 12.0

The Green Bay Packers have been active this free agency period; it’s just come in the form of retaining their own players and a number of salary cap-saving moves. But in terms of outside additions, they are yet to make any.

So while we wait to see what’s next for them in free agency, it’s Monday! So let’s take a look at who several draft analysts have the Green Bay Packers selecting in Round 1 of the 2021 NFL Draft, and as always, I’ll give my thoughts as well.

Dalton Miller – Pro Football Network

Pick 29: Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida

"“This was almost Melifonwu. As much as the Packers need a receiver, cornerback is their biggest need still. However, Kadarius Toney is a better player than any of the cornerbacks still on the board, and he gives this offense a weapon they don’t currently have.”"

Takeaway: As I’ve said, given the Green Bay Packers’ history, I have my doubts about them taking a receiver in Round 1, but passing on Toney would be difficult. He is tailormade for this LaFleur offense with what he can provide before the snap and with the ball in his hands, and on top of that, he’d give the Packers a more traditional option out of the slot.

Doug Farrar – Touchdown Wire

Pick 29: Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern

Takeaway: Newsome has become a draft darling among many in Packer nation, and understandably so. Newsome is coming off an impressive 2020 season where he allowed only 12 receptions on 34 targets, and he has the right skill set to play in a number of different defensive roles and systems.

Joe Marino – The Draft Network

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

"“Green Bay’s defense would benefit greatly from a second-level defender like Owusu-Koramoah who brings terrific speed, range, and coverage ability to the table. While he’s a smaller linebacker, that doesn’t mean he isn’t physical and willing to take on blocks and play off contact. He would increase the overall speed of the defense and provide a skill set that is currently missing from the unit.”"

Takeaway: Like receiver, the Green Bay Packers taking a linebacker in Round 1 is one of those things where I’ll believe it when I see it. With that said, I understand why they’d take Owusu-Koramoah. He would give them a coverage ability and sideline-to-sideline range at the linebacker position that they just have not had in this defense.

Lance Zierlein – NFL.com

Pick 29: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State

"“Parsons could slip due to character concerns, but his explosiveness, range and versatility would be hard to pass on with his high-impact potential.”"

Takeaway: My thoughts here are pretty much the same as what I just said in regards to Owusu-Koramoah. If Parsons fell to 29 and the Green Bay Packers took him, I’d get it.

Emory Hunt – CBS Sports

Pick 29: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC

"“One of the better technicians in the class, Vera-Tucker can play either guard or tackle at the next level and has excellent ability in pass pro.”"

Takeaway: Vera-Tucker has experience both at guard and tackle at USC, and the Green Bay Packers need added tackle depth for the 2021 season, but they also potentially need their right tackle of the future for 2022 and beyond. This pick hinges on how Green Bay views Vera-Tucker; if they see him as an NFL tackle, then this pick is in play. But if they see him as a guard, I don’t see it happening.

Chris Trapasso – CBS Sports

Pick 29: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa

"“Collins would give the Packers legitimate three-down ability at the linebacker spot.”"

Takeaway: Well, a lot of linebackers this week. Collins had a highly impressive 2020 season and is someone who can be effective against both the run and the pass, and as a blitzer as well.

Benjamin Wilson – Football Outsiders

Pick 29: Christian Barmore, IDL, Alabama

"“Christian Barmore is the top defensive tackle in the 2021 class and would be a good value here. Cornerback could be an option as well if wide receiver isn’t the pick. All I’m saying is that the Packers are a hard team to nail down, but they tend to draft players earlier than their EDP so selecting Barmore would be somewhat of a move in the opposite direction.”"

Takeaway: We haven’t seen much of Barmore to the Green Bay Packers because as the top IDL in a weak class, he is oftentimes gone before they’re on the clock. It’s hard to hate this pick given the Packers’ need at the position as well the lack of overall depth. Barmore can be moved along the defensive front, lining up in several gaps, and was effective as a pass-rusher and against the run.

Mark Schofield – Touchdown Wire

Pick 29: Levi Onwuzurike, IDL, Washington

Takeaway: Just as I say Barmore hasn’t been available often at pick 29, he is on the board once again, but Schofield likes Onwuzurike more for the Green Bay Packers. Onwuzurike opted-out of the 2020 season, but as a full-time starter in 2019, he was PFF’s eighth highest-graded IDL. Again, this is a huge need for the Packers, but is this the best value at this point in the draft?

Rob Rang – Fox Sports

Pick 29: Creed Humphrey, IOL, Oklahoma

"“As long as Aaron Rodgers is in town, protecting the league’s MVP should be priority No. 1. With the Packers losing Pro Bowl center Corey Linsley to free agency, the club should take advantage of this year’s underrated group of interior blockers. Humphrey’s grit and experience in a heavy shotgun scheme should make his jump to the NFL a relatively smooth one.”"

Takeaway: Humphrey is the best center in this class and put up ridiculous testing numbers at his pro-day. And while the Green Bay Packers are now officially without Corey Linsley, I still wonder if they would make this selection. History tells us that they won’t draft an IOL in the first round. This, of course, isn’t a knock on Humphrey; Green Bay just chooses to address more premier positions in Round 1 typically.