Green Bay Packers 2021 NFL Mock Draft Roundup & Takeaways 15.0

Well, here we are with the penultimate edition of ‘Mock Draft Roundup & Takeaways’ as the 2021 NFL Draft is now just eight days away. Again, due to a four-round mock draft for the Green Bay Packers that I posted on Monday (and you can find that here), this series was bumped to Wednesday, but of course, it wasn’t going to be forgotten about.

As always, here is a look at who several draft analysts have the Green Bay Packers selecting in some recent mock drafts, and I’ll provide my thoughts on each selection.

Pete Prisco – CBS Sports

Pick 29: Elijah Moore, WR, Ole Miss

"“They have to get more help for Aaron Rodgers to go with Davante Adams. Moore can fly and he’s impressed inside as a slot player.”"

Takeaway: Elijah Moore hasn’t been getting much first-round buzz — a little here in there — but is someone who should be in the conversation. He had a monster 2020 season and would give the Green Bay Packers a true slot receiver as well as someone to fill that gadget-type role, which is something that they are currently missing.

Peter Schrager – NFL.com

Pick 29: Elijah Moore, WR, Ole Miss

"“Moore’s incredible three-game finish to his college career opened a lot of eyes (39 catches, 602 yards, 5 TDs). He’s a late-first-, early-second-round prospect who could find himself making big plays for a Super Bowl competitor as early as next season.”"

Takeaway: In his first mock, Schrager had the Green Bay Packers taking LB Nick Bolton–which is didn’t move the needle and seemed unlikely. This selection is much better. But while Moore fits what the Packer offense looks for under Matt LaFleur, will Green Bay spend a first-round pick on a receiver?

Luke Easterling – Draft Wire

Pick 29: Jamin Davis, LB, Kentucky

"“There are other needs that could be addressed here (offensive line, cornerback, wide receiver), but the Green Bay defense needs a difference-maker in the middle. One of this year’s fastest-rising prospects, Davis has exactly the kind of skill set to fill that need.”"

Takeaway: Davis is a tremendous athlete and would give the Green Bay Packers range and coverage ability — three interceptions and a PBU — at the linebacker position that they’ve been missing. While Davis has plenty of upside and untapped potential, he does have just one year of starting experience. Linebacker has been a popular choice in these mock drafts, but it’s a selection that goes against the grain for Green Bay.

Ryan Wilson – CBS Sports

Pick 29: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota

"“Bateman could find his way into Round 1 and it wouldn’t be a surprise. He had a stellar 2019 campaign and the easiest way to regain that form is to line up in an offense with Aaron Rodgers as the QB.”"

Takeaway: This is a home run selection if the Packers are able to land Bateman. He is a very polished receiver who can win downfield as well as at the line of scrimmage; he has a diverse route tree, made plays for Minnesota in all parts of the field, and can line up in a variety of spots. This is one of those picks where you immediately say, “they nailed it.”

Steve Palazzolo – PFF

Pick 29: Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State

"“Jenkins can step in as a starter after an outstanding career at Oklahoma State that saw him grade at an impressive 90.1 in true pass sets over the last three years. Jenkins is also a powerful run-blocker who ranks above the 87th percentile in run-blocking grade on both gap and zone runs. He fills a big need at right tackle and allows Billy Turner to kick back inside to guard.”"

Takeaway: The size, the athleticism, his ability as both a run blocker and a pass blocker, Jenkins has everything you want in a starting offensive tackle. On top of that, he goes 100 percent until the whistle blows–which I absolutely love. In landing Jenkins, the Packers would have solidified their right tackle position for the next decade.

Nick Farabaugh – Pro Football Network

Pick 29: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa

"“The Packers certainly have needs elsewhere outside of linebacker, but it’s a position that Green Bay will need to address at some point in the draft. With great value here thanks to Zaven Collins dropping slightly, the Packers are all over this scenario. Collins can be the big, athletic enforcer that this Packers’ defense needs. With impressive coverage ability on top of that, Collins should fit in nicely.”"

Takeaway: Standing 6’4″ – 260 pounds, Collins looks like a throwback at the linebacker position, but don’t let that fool you; he can move and would bring some juice to the linebacker position. He finished the 2020 season allowing only 5.4 yards per catch in coverage while coming away with four interceptions and tallying four sacks. Again, I wonder if the Packers will spend a first-round pick on a linebacker, but if they do take Collins, I’d understand why.

Andy Herman – Packer Report

(TRADE) Pick 21: Greg Newsome, CB, Northwestern

"“With the top three corners off the board by pick 20, Brian Gutekunst makes the call up to move to pick 21 to get the last top corner on the board. Green Bay finds an immediate starter in Newsome, who could originally find a spot in the slot with King and Alexander on the outside. With King likely to move on in 2022, Newsome and Alexander should become the two long-term starters on the outside for Green Bay.”"

Takeaway: This is a very Brian Gutekunst-esque move, trading up to get his guy in Round 1. Newsome would be CB2 right away in Green Bay, forming a dynamic duo with Jaire Alexander, as Andy mentions, not to mention that Newsome’s ability in zone coverage makes him an ideal fit for Joe Barry’s defense.

Trevor Sikkema – The Draft Network

Pick 29: Eric Stokes, CB, Georgia

"“The Packers can’t fully rely on Kevin King to be their starting outside corner come crunch time. They have to do their best to upgrade the secondary.”"

Takeaway: Stokes is someone who is flying under the radar but is a real possibility for the Green Bay Packers in Round 1. He was a very consistent player the past two seasons at Georgia and, at times in 2020, was a shutdown corner, posting five games where he didn’t allow over 10 receiving yards, according to PFF ($$).

Stokes has plus ball skills, ran a blazing 4.25 40-yard dash, he can play press-man or zone, but Drae Harris of The Draft Network believes he is best suited for zone coverage–which again, we are going to see a lot of under Barry.