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Packers 2021 NFL Draft Big Board 3.0: A diverse top five

By Brian Sampson

TALLAHASSEE, FL - SEPTEMBER 03: Christian Darrisaw #77 of the Virginia Tech Hokies in action during the game against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium on September 3, 2018 in Tallahassee, Florida. Virginia Tech won 24-3. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL - SEPTEMBER 03: Christian Darrisaw #77 of the Virginia Tech Hokies in action during the game against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium on September 3, 2018 in Tallahassee, Florida. Virginia Tech won 24-3. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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The Green Bay Packers’ front office is fully locked in with the 2021 NFL Draft set to begin on Thursday, April 29th–just over a week away. They are putting the last touches on their Big Board after a full year’s worth of work and finalizing their rankings for Round 1.

General manager Brian Gutekunst has been unpredictable during his tenure as the lead decision-maker. Sometimes he’s traded down. Other times he’s traded up. There’s no saying what he’ll do so we might as well be prepared for every scenario.

After removing 15 prospects in the top half of the draft–either at positions Green Bay wouldn’t touch (quarterback and running back) or other guys that would require them to trade way up for–I’ve ranked the top 20 prospects on the Packers’ big board. This combines a best player available approach with positional need. Let’s check out who I’ve left off before diving into the ranking.

With the 2021 NFL Draft just over a week away, here’s an updated version of the Green Bay Packers’ big board ranking their best players in Round 1.

Players Excluded:

Quarterbacks:

  • Trevor Lawrence
  • Zach Wilson
  • Trey Lance
  • Justin Fields
  • Mac Jones

Running Backs:

  • Najee Harris
  • Javonte Williams

Other Top Players Excluded:

  • Rashawn Slater, OT
  • Micah Parsons, ILB
  • DeVonta Smith, WR
  • Jaylen Waddle, WR
  • Patrick Surtain, II CB
  • Ja’Marr Chase, WR
  • Penei Sewell, OT
  • Kyle Pitts, TE

20. Dillon Radunz, OT, North Dakota State (Previously NR)

19. Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia (Previously 17)

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

17. Jason Oweh, EDGE, Penn State (Previously NR)

16. Kwity Paye, EDGE, Florida (Previously 13)

With the exception of Dillon Radunz (more on him in a second), this first group doesn’t necessarily gel with the Packers’ needs in 2021, but have the talent to warrant being selected in the first round. Green Bay doesn’t have an immediate need for another edge rusher with Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith and Rashan Gary returning this season. However, both Smith’s futures are up in the air which means Gutekunst could select an edge rusher for the future if he really likes one that falls to him.

As for Radunz, there are projected to be a few offensive tackle prospects available when Green Bay is on the clock at no. 29. It will depend on who they like the most if they go in that direction. I’m not a huge fan of Radunz, but he had a great Senior Bowl which could vault him into the first round.

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