Green Bay Packers 2021 NFL Mock Draft Roundup & Takeaways 13.0

The NFL Draft is now less than a month away, and after a brief hiatus, Mock Draft Monday is back! In version 13.0, we will take a look at who the draft analysts have the Green Bay Packers selecting in the first round of some very recent 2021 NFL Mock Drafts, and as always, I’ll provide my thoughts on each selection.

Ian Cummings – Pro Football Network

Pick 29: Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas

"“Taking the long-term upside philosophy into account, Samuel Cosmi makes a lot of sense here. Cosmi tested as one of the most athletic tackles ever at his pro day, and he also has the length and power necessary to be an impact starter. In Green Bay, he allows the Packers security for the future, and he also allows Turner to have more flexibility across the line.”"

Takeaway: Cummings notes that OT isn’t a top need for the Packers, and while it can be debated whether or not it’s priority No. 1, at worst, it’s priority No. 2 in my book. The tackle position is extremely thin in terms of depth, and if Green Bay lands a Day 1 starter, it will allow them to keep Elgton Jenkins inside.

Standing 6’7″ and weighing 309 pounds, Cosmi has three years of experience at Texas and over 1,500 pass-blocking snaps. During that span, he has allowed six sacks and 47 total pressures, which is something he improved upon each season. As a run-blocker, he was PFF’s 20th highest graded tackle in 2020.

Jeff Kerr – CBS Sports

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

"“Aaron Rodgers is disappointed the Packers don’t draft a wide receiver in the first round (again), but at least this isn’t a quarterback. Owusu-Koramoah has the explosiveness to make an instant impact in a 3-4 defense, specifically in the pass rush. Green Bay needs help on defense and this is the move.”"

Takeaway: As I say every time I see a mock draft with Owusu-Koramoah, I don’t expect the Green Bay Packers to take a linebacker in Round 1, but if it’s him, I get it. He would bring speed and a coverage ability to the linebacker position that they just haven’t had.

Michael Fabiano – Sports Illustrated

Pick 29: Amon Ra St. Brown, WR, USC

"“The Packers add a wide receiver this time around rather than Aaron Rodgers’ replacement (it still sounds dumb). St. Brown would join his brother, Equanimeous, in the land of cheese.”"

Takeaway: Well, we’ve seen St. Brown mocked to the Green Bay Packers previously, but it sure hasn’t been in the first round. St. Brown tallied over 1,000 receiving yards in 2019 and nearly 500 in only six games during USC’s shortened 2020 season. He also combined for 13 touchdowns over those two years.

St. Brown is someone who can line up out wide or in the slot, which is an ability that Matt LaFleur covets, and overall I really like his fit in this offense. With that said, pick 29 seems rich.

Adam Rank – NFL.com

Pick 29: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech

"“I could see you (the Packers) being super stubborn with this whole “never drafting a receiver” thing, so I would suggest some depth on the offensive line. Because losing David Bakhtiari was a huge blow last year. I say go with Darrisaw, who will develop into a nice player for you.”"

Takeaway: Well, we have another surprise in Round 1. I have yet to see a mock draft that has Darrisaw falling all the way to the Green Bay Packers at pick 29. He’s most oftentimes been a top-15 pick and is considered the third-best tackle in this class behind Penei Sewell and Rashawn Slater.

In 294 pass-blocking snaps this past season, Darrisaw didn’t allow a sack and just six pressures. He was also PFF’s second-highest graded pass-blocker and their second-highest graded run-blocker as well. If the Packers land Darrisaw, he is that Day 1 starter that I referenced above–however, when it comes to selecting him, I wouldn’t hold my breath on that one.

Eric Edholm – Yahoo! Sports

Pick 29: Levi Onwuzurike, IDL, Washington

"“Onwuzurike makes sense, too. Green Bay has three defensive linemen of note (Kenny Clark, Kingsley Keke and Dean Lowry) currently in the picture and could use Onwuzurike’s penetration ability and versatility up front.”"

Takeaway: The Green Bay Packers need to bolster the interior defensive line position this offseason, but it’s unfortunately not a very strong draft class. Onwuzurike is considered one of the top prospects at this position after a strong 2019 season –his first as a starter — and he is an explosive athlete as well; however, he may be limited early on given his smaller 293-pound frame. As big of a need as this is, I’d rather see the Packers go a different direction in Round 1.

Drae Harris – The Draft Network

Pick 29: Terrace Marshall Jr, WR, LSU

"“Aaron Rodgers has asked for more offensive weapons for years. They finally listen to him and draft Terrace Marshall. Marshall has the size and speed that will be an excellent complement to Davante Adams.”"

Takeaway: This is another fairly uncommon pick based on the past mock drafts that we’ve looked at, and it also comes at a position that the Green Bay Packers just don’t spend first-round picks on. But Marshall is a special player; standing 6’2″ – 205 pounds, he has good size but the speed to match.

He has ample experience both out wide and in the slot, and over his final two years, he was targeted 134 times, hauling in over 70 percent of those passes for 1,402 yards and 23 touchdowns.

Chris Trapasso – CBS Sports

Pick 29: Carlos “Boogie” Basham, Edge, Wake Forest

"“Basham can play any position up front in Green Bay, and we know the Packers like versatility in their defensive linemen.”"

Takeaway: The Green Bay Packers are set at the edge rusher position heading into 2020, but as we’ve seen, that hasn’t stopped Brian Gutekunst in the past from making certain selections. And on top of that, there is no such thing as too many pass-rushers.

During the 2018 and 2019 seasons, Basham recorded at least 52 pressures each year, along with at least seven sacks, including 11 in 2019. During the shortened 2020 season, he tallied 25 pressures and five sacks in seven games. Basham would also post five forced fumbles and 36 tackles for loss over his career. Basham’s size, athleticism, and ability to play inside just screams Green Bay Packer.

Pete Prisco – CBS Sports

Pick 29: Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue

"“Can you imagine Moore in their offense? He would add a dimension in the passing game that would really create issues for a defense. Yes, he is small, but he can fly.”"

Takeaway: In terms of skill-set, Moore is a great fit for Matt LaFleur’s offense. He’s a true slot receiver, something the Packers don’t have, he can make plays after the catch, and he would be a great weapon pre-snap as well as on jet sweeps and screens. W

With that said, I’m not sure he’s on Green Bay’s board–or at least not in Round 1. I believe his injury history — playing in only seven games the past two seasons — and his 5’7″ height are two big reasons why the Packers wouldn’t select him this early.