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Packers 2021 NFL Draft Board 2.0: Cornerbacks at the top

By Brian Sampson

Nov 2, 2019; Stillwater, OK, USA; TCU Horned Frogs safety Trevon Moehrig (7) turns to run after an interception during the fourth quarter of the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium. Oklahoma State defeated TCU 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2019; Stillwater, OK, USA; TCU Horned Frogs safety Trevon Moehrig (7) turns to run after an interception during the fourth quarter of the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium. Oklahoma State defeated TCU 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports /
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The 2021 NFL Draft is set to kick off on Thursday, April 29 with the first round of the annual event. As of now, the Green Bay Packers hold the 29th overall pick, but that could change considering the unpredictableness of general manager Brian Gutekunst throughout his tenure as the one in charge on Draft Day.

This big board ranks the top prospects the Packers would love to have. It consists of a rankings system that subjectively combines their top needs with the top players available. For example, I’ve eliminated 16 players from the start either due to positions Green Bay would never target with their top pick (quarterback and running back) or other top players who have no chance at being available when the Packers are on the clock. The following are the players I’ve excluded with one newcomer to the list, Patrick Surtain II.

Players excluded:

  • Quarterbacks
    • Trevor Lawrence
    • Zach Wilson
    • Trey Lance
    • Justin Fields
    • Mac Jones
  • Running backs
    • Najee Harris
    • Travis Etienne
    • Javonte Williams
  • Other top players
    • Ja’Marr Chase (WR)
    • Penei Sewell (OT)
    • Kyle Pitts (TE)
    • Rashawn Slater (OT)
    • Micah Parsons (ILB)
    • DeVonta Smith (WR)
    • Jaylen Waddle (WR)
    • Patrick Surtain II (CB) (Previously 2)

With the 2021 NFL Draft less than a month away, here’s an updated big board consisting of the top prospects the Packers could target with their first pick.

Good players, not great fits:

20. Nick Bolton, ILB, Missouri (Previously not ranked)

19. Terrace Marshal Jr, Wide Receiver, LSU (Previously not ranked)

18. Jamin Davis, ILB, Kentucky (Previously 15)

17. Azeez Ojulari, Edge, Georgia (Previously 20)

16. Zaven Collins, ILB, Tulsa (Previously 19)

15. Jaelan Phillips, Edge, Miami (Previously 18)

14. Gregory Rousseau, Edge, Miami (Previously not ranked)

13. Kwity Paye, Edge, Michigan (Previously 17)

12. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, ILB, Notre Dame (Previously 16)

These players have a lot of great skills and many of them are much higher on actual draft big boards due to their talent. However, they aren’t the greatest fits position-wise for Green Bay or the front office has proven to not prioritize their position.

Guys like Ojulari, Phillips, Rousseau and Paye might be in play for the Packers if they didn’t already have Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith and Rashan Gary manning the outside linebacker position. As for the inside linebackers on this list–Bolton, Davis, Collins and Owusu-Koramoah–the Packers don’t prioritize the position. They could likely use an upgrade over second-year pros Kamal Martin and Krys Barnes, but it seems unlikely they’d go that route with their top pick.

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