Green Bay Packers: 7 Realistic Predictions for 2021 NFL Draft

Green Bay Packers take a WR below 6’0″

Not only under Gutekunst but going back to Ted Thompson’s days as GM as well, the Green Bay Packers have loved those big-bodied receivers. Since 2013, the Packers have taken 13 receivers in the draft, with only one of them being under 6’0” and only two of them being below 195 pounds. This is much more than a trend but more of an organizational philosophy.

But with Matt LaFleur at the helm, this is an offense where a slot/gadget receiver can thrive and help create that “illusion of complexity” that LaFleur strives for.

Now, I will admit that the Packers don’t need this skill-set to be effective—it’s not a must. As we saw in 2020, utilizing Allen Lazard, Davante Adams, and Marquez Valdez-Scantling pre-snap, in the slot and on designed touches worked just fine. I mean, they were the top scoring offense in football.

However, that doesn’t mean the Packers shouldn’t try to add a new element to the offense either. And this is the perfect draft to do so as it is loaded with slot/gadget receivers, including Kadarius Toney, Rondale Moore, and Elijah Moore, to name a few.

Anyone one of those players — along with several others — would add some juice to this offense with their explosiveness and YAC ability. This type of selection really goes against the grain for the Packers, but with LaFleur calling the plays, it makes a ton of sense.

The Green Bay Packers take 2 CBs and 2 WRs

As I’ve already mentioned, this is a very deep cornerback and wide receiver class, which is terrific news for the Green Bay Packers, who need to begin restocking both. Ideally, the Packers are able to find an immediate impact player at cornerback for the 2021 season, but they also need to plan ahead as well, with Jaire Alexander being the only player that we know will be on the team in 2022–everyone else’s future with the team hinges on how 2021 plays out.

At the receiver position, it is similar, although not as bleak for the 2021 season. The Packers had the top-scoring offense in football last year and are returning Aaron Rodgers’ top-3 targets while also adding Devin Funchess to the mix. Now, that doesn’t mean they can’t upgrade the position, they certainly can, but it doesn’t come with the same urgency as cornerback.

However, looking ahead to 2022, the Packers currently don’t have anyone under contract. While I do expect a Davante Adams’ extension to take place and believe that either — or both — Lazard and Valdes-Scantling could be back, we don’t know with any certainty what the future holds for those two. Meaning it’s time to plan ahead.

So given the state of each of those positions coupled with the quality and depth of the cornerback and receiver classes, my prediction is that Green Bay tries to load up with two prospects from each position group. I’ll also point out that in three of the last four drafts, the Packers have taken three players from the same position group, so it’s not as if this is some wild thought.