Green Bay Packers Get Immediate Help in ESPN 3-Round Mock Draft

The NFL draft is oh so close and draft analysts are putting out some of their final mock drafts before next Thursday. Over at ESPN ($$), Todd McShay and Mel Kiper did a joint mock draft, alternating picks, and when it came to the Green Bay Packers, they were able to land some immediate help.

In addition to alternating picks, the duo of McShay and Kiper also added a little twist. While their previous mock drafts were speculating what each team would do, this mock had them playing the GM role, picking who they think is the best fit for each team.

Here is how that three round mock draft turned out for the Green Bay Packers along with my takeaways:

Pick 29: Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State

"Kiper: “Since McShay took Bateman, I’ll settle for a starting tackle for Green Bay. Jenkins, who played right tackle in college, is extremely physical in the running game.”"

Takeaway: This is a home run selection in my book—about as good of a possible outcome as we could hope for. Jenkins is an immediate Day 1 starter who will not only provide stability to the tackle position —which is very much needed — but having him allows Elgton Jenkins to stay inside.
Jenkins is an experienced player with nearly 2,700 career snaps and as a pass-blocker these past two seasons, he hasn’t allowed a single sack and only 11 pressures. On top of that, he was also one of PFF’s ($$) highest graded run-blocking tackles in 2020.

Jenkins is an excellent athlete and plays through the whistle. I really can’t say enough good things about him. By landing Jenkins, the Green Bay Packers have solidified the right tackle position for the next decade.

Pick 62: Patrick Jones, Edge, Pitt

"McShay: “Oklahoma State’s Tylan Wallace and Michigan’s Nico Collins got some consideration here regarding the ongoing need for pass-catchers. But ultimately, I liked Jones’ fit with a team lacking depth on the edge.“"

Takeaway: The edge position is one that hasn’t been talked about much this offseason for the Green Bay Packers with The Smiths and Rashan Gary already on the roster, but it could be a big need in 2022. So I won’t be surprised at all if we see an edge selection in the first few rounds, but admittedly, I’m not very high on Jones at pick 62.

While his overall pass rush numbers the last two seasons are solid, with 99 pressures and 19 sacks, as Ross Uglem put it in the CHTV Draft Guide, “the raw numbers look better than the actual game tape.” It’s also worth noting that on a similar snap count, Jones saw his pressure total fall from 62 in 2019 to just 37 in 2020.

Jones has been more impactful as a run defender than a passer rusher, grading out as the ninth-best edge defender against the run last season over at PFF. While that has its value, in the NFL where the name of the game is getting after the quarterback, is this a selection that makes sense at pick 62?

Pick 92: Cade Johnson, WR, South Dakota State

"McShay: “It might be a little bit of a reach, but we can’t go three rounds and not get the Packers a receiver. Johnson is really good in space and can be dangerous out of the slot.”"

Takeaway: Cade Johnson does not meet the typical height and weight thresholds that the Green Bay Packers covet at the receiver position, but he is an ideal fit for the Matt LaFleur offense.

Johnson would give Green Bay a true slot receiver, something that they haven’t had since Randall Cobb, as well as someone who can be used pre-snap as the motion man and on designed touches—helping achieve that illusion of complexity.

He’s an explosive player, averaging 9.3 YAC after the catch over his career. Johnson also brings needed return ability to this special teams unit as well. He would add an element to this offense that has been missing. But as McShay pointed out, this might be a bit of a reach.