Packers 2021 NFL Draft Big Board: Final Version
The Green Bay Packers are putting the final touches on their Big Board with the 2021 NFL Draft week finally upon us. You can bet your bottom dollar general manager Brian Gutekunst is working diligently to map out draft strategies and ensuring his staff is prepared for every scenario.
The Packers have had to use those plans under Gutekunst, as he’s made a trade in the first round in all three years. That could come into play again this year with Green Bay potentially moving around to nab the player they like the most.
In order to help give us an idea about who they might target, I’ve put together this final version of the Big Board based on rankings from both PFF and The Athletic. I’ve eliminated 16 players from the jump as guys who either player positions Green Bay wouldn’t select this high (quarterback and running back) or guys who ranked in the top 15 of either site’s big board. After that, I ranked the players using a combination of their rankings, athletic abilities and positional value for the Packers. Let’s dive in!
With the 2021 NFL Draft nearly upon us, here’s the final 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 positions:
- 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
- Jaycee Horn, CB (Previously 1)
20. Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota (Previously 9)
Rashod Bateman has been all over the place on my board. He wasn’t ranked at first, then jumped into the top 10 and now falls all the way back to 20. The more I think about it, he just doesn’t fit alongside Davante Adams. Green Bay needs a more explosive no. 2 who can stretch defenses and play in the slot if necessary. That just isn’t Bateman’s game.
19. Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Florida State (Previously 15)
18. Jayson Oweh, edge, Penn State (Previously 17)
17. Jaelan Phillips, edge, Miami (Previously 18)
16. Kwity Paye, edge, Michigan (Previously 16)
These three edge players are much higher on most analyst’s boards. They fall here because of Green Bay’s current situation on the edge with Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith and Rashan Gary all under contract in 2021. The Packers could definitely target an outside linebacker later in the draft, but unless the right guy falls, this isn’t it.