Green Bay Packers Final 2021 NFL Mock Draft Roundup & Takeaways

We’ve made it, friends! It is finally the week of the 2021 NFL Draft, which means one last edition of ‘Mock Draft Roundup & Takeaways.’ In just a few days there will be no more speculation or mock drafts; we will know who makes up the Green Bay Packers’ 2021 draft class.

But until then, as we’ve done each week for a few months now, we are going to dive into some recent mock drafts, taking a look at who the draft analysts have the Green Bay Packers selecting, and I’ll of course be providing a few thoughts as well.

So for the final time, let’s do this.

Jack Borowsky – Sports Illustrated

Pick 29: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech

"“The back injury history is why Farley may drop this far in the first. He has a lot of upside and could be great alongside Jaire Alexander. Green Bay is in win-now mode and can deal with any potential long-term problems if Farley can be very good early in his career.”"

Takeaway: I’ve said it before, and I’ve written about it as well, but to me, this is the best-case scenario in Round 1 for the Green Bay Packers. I know there is the injury history, but at pick 29, I’m willing to take that risk. Farley is considered by many the top cornerback in this deep class and was potentially a top-10 pick before his recent surgery–the value here is incredible. He’s CB2 immediately in Green Bay and has the potential to be a fantastic NFL player. Sign me up.

AJ Schulte – Pro Football Network

Pick 29: Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas

"“Green Bay has valued athleticism and versatility all along their offensive line. Texas tackle Samuel Cosmi posted a 9.99 RAS, ever so close to a perfect 10. His tape suggests he owns all the tools to be an excellent pass protector at the next level. He has played both left and right tackle in his career, checking off plenty of boxes for the Packers.”"

Takeaway: We will see how the board falls, but I feel that this is a very likely pick for the Green Bay Packers at 29. Cosmi is a very experienced player, he plays a premier position of need for the Packers, played a majority of his snaps in a zone-blocking scheme, and he is well-rounded, performing very well against the run and the pass. That just sounds like a Packers selection to me.

Cody Benjamin – CBS Sports

Pick 29: Landon Dickerson, IOL, Alabama

"“After sniffing around WR and LB, the Packers invest up front, where they lost Corey Linsley and must protect Aaron Rodgers.”"

Takeaway: While, yes, the Green Bay Packers did lose Corey Linsley in free agency, as good as Dickerson is, this is a pick that would go heavily against the grain for them. The IOL is just not a position that the Packers value in Round 1–even taking Elgton Jenkins in Round 2 was a bit unusual. On top of that, it feels like they’ve been planning for Linsley’s departure already by drafting Jenkins, extending Lucas Patrick a few seasons ago, and drafting three IOL — including a center — in 2020.

Luke Easterling – Draft Wire

Pick 29: Carlos “Boogie” Basham, Edge, Wake Forest

Takeaway: Edge hasn’t been talked about much, but it is one of those under the radar needs for 2022 and beyond. Like Cosmi, Basham is a pick that feels very Packers-ish. He is a highly experienced and productive college player and a terrific athlete as well. In addition to lining up as a traditional edge rusher, he can put his hand in the dirt and line up at 4-tech in Joe Barry’s defense to also help provide the IDL with a boost as well–which, as we all know, is needed.

Chad Reuter – NFL.com

(TRADE) Pick 21: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech

"“Farley’s back procedure might cause him to fall down draft boards a bit, but his size and athleticism on the outside will drive the Packers to offer up the 29th overall pick and two late-fourth-round selections for the Colts’ slot.”"

Takeaway: Another Caleb Farley sighting, but this time the Green Bay Packers moved up to pick 21 to get him. While oftentimes with trades, there is a lot of guesswork, this feels like a very real scenario. The Colts are a prime candidate to move down due to needs to fill and a lack of draft capital, while Brian Gutekunst has shown us that he isn’t shy about going up to get his guy. And a free-falling Caleb Farley could absolutely be his guy.

Mel Kiper/Todd McShay – ESPN ($$)

Pick 29: Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State

Takeaway: Where do I sign up? I love this pick. If you follow along with my work, you know that finding a starting caliber OT is at the top of my to-do list, and Jenkins is someone who will hold down the right tackle position in Green Bay for the next decade. If he’s on the board at 29, that selection is about as easy as it gets.

Michael Fabiano – Sports Illustrated

Pick 29: Terrace Marshall, WR, LSU

"“The Packers’ top needs coming into this draft are wide receiver, cornerback, and offensive line. I think they’ll appease Aaron Rodgers after taking Jordan Love in Round 1 last season and give him another weapon in the passing attack with Marshall.”"

Takeaway: Admittedly, I still have my doubts about the Green Bay Packers taking a first-round receiver–especially in such a deep class. Marshall averaged over 100 yards per game in 2020 as LSU’s primary slot receiver — which would be a nice added element to the Packers offense — doing damage in all parts of the field. However, he’s not strictly a slot receiver either, as he took a majority of his snaps in 2019 on the boundary.

Benjamin Solak – The Draft Network

Pick 29: Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State

"“Jenkins isn’t a perfect scheme fit for wide zone approaches, as he isn’t necessarily super springy on his feet—but as the backside blocker, he can wash down defensive tackles with his displacement power, paving massive cutback lanes. And in true pass protection, his aggressive sets will work well to keep Rodgers clean early in the down.”"

Takeaway: I’ll be brief, yes, please.

Mike Tanier – Pro Football Network

Pick 29: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame

"“The less said about the Packers’ linebacker situation last season, the better. Christian Kirksey is now in Houston, though he filled the wrong lane when his boarding number was called and a dozen travelers beat him into the airplane. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah looks like he was rendered using CGI, plays with a careening style, and he is fast enough to have played slot corner for the Fighting Irish.”"

Takeaway: Remember when I was discussing Terrace Marshall, and I said that I have my doubts about the Packers taking a receiver in the first round? Well, I feel even more strongly about that when discussing the linebacker position.

With that said, if they’re going to buck that trend of taking a first-round linebacker, I absolutely understand why they would do that Owusu-Koramoah. The Notre Dame linebacker would bring a coverage ability and range to the position that the Packers have never had. He’s extremely versatile, able to play in the box, as the free safety, and he was quite effective in the slot as well.