Packers’ Super Ultimate 2021 NFL Draft Guide: Everything you need to know

The day the Green Bay Packers and the rest of the NFL have been preparing for is nearly upon us. The 2021 NFL Draft should be a doozy with more unpredictableness than ever before. That’s what happens following one of the craziest seasons–both collegiate and professionally–in which a number of players didn’t participate in and those who did were surely affected by the pandemic conditions surrounding them.

The Packers surely have a big board that (hopefully) looks something like this. That will help them stay on track as the first round progresses and surprise players are selected while others fall.

We should get back to some semblance of normalcy with this draft, as it’s the league’s biggest offseason event. It will be a long time until another worthy football event so let’s be sure to enjoy this one. In order to fully prepare you for the Packers’ draft, I’ve prepared not just the ultimate draft guide, but the super ultimate draft guide that has everything you need to know in it. Enjoy!

Here is absolutely everything you need to know about the Green Bay Packers’ 2021 NFL Draft all neatly wrapped up in one guide.

Dates/Times

The NFL’s newish draft format has them claiming three days including primetime television on Thursday and Friday nights before they go back into marathon mode on Saturday. This may drive up television ratings and increase revenue, but it can be hard for fans to tune in for three nights in a row. Regardless, here are the days and times for the upcoming draft:

• Round 1:  Thursday, April 29, 7 p.m. CT (ESPN/ABC, NFL Network)
• Rounds 2-3: Friday, April 30, 6 p.m. CT (ESPN/ABC, NFL Network)
• Rounds 4-7: Saturday, May 1, 11. am CT (ESPN/ABC, NFL Network)

Draft Picks

The Packers may not pick until LATE in the first round, but they are well-stocked with draft picks. This should allow general manager Brian Gutekunst to move up on Day 1 if he so chooses (more on that in a moment). For now, the Packers have 10 total selections that look like this:

• Round 1, pick 29 (29th overall)
• Round 2, pick 30 (62nd overall)
• Round 3, pick 29 (92nd overall)
• Round 4, pick 30 (135th overall)
• Round 4, pick 37 (142nd overall) (compensatory pick)
• Round  5, pick 29 (173rd overall)
• Round 5, pick 34 (178th overall) (compensatory pick)
• Round 6, pick 30 (214th overall)
• Round 6, pick 36 (220th overall) (compensatory pick
• Round 7, pick 29 (256th overall)

Potential for trade?

I told you I’d get back to this shortly. Gutekunst hasn’t been afraid to be aggressive in the first round in any of his three drafts since he took over as the head shot-caller. Could he do it again? Some draft analysts believe he’s a lock to do so and are predicting the Packers to move up into the mid to early 20s to nab a guy high on their board, particularly a cornerback.

Depending on how far they move up, it could cost them one of their fourth-round selections or even their third-rounder. Green Bay has one of the most talented rosters in the NFL so they may not need all 10 selections if it means grabbing a guy who can make an immediate impact. Keep your eye on the Packers as soon as the draft moves into the 20s. Especially if Greg Newsome II is still on the board.

Team Needs

Gutekunst and his staff have worked hard to ensure the Packers don’t have any glaring needs entering the 2021 season. Don’t get me wrong, they clearly have positions they must address in the long-term, but this team made consecutive NFC Championship games for a reason. Here’s a ranking of their needs:

Must find someone who can contribute in Year 1 or 2:

Cornerback

Defensive Line

Maybe not right away, but real soon:

Wide Receiver

Offensive Tackle

Inside Linebacker

Edge Rusher

Should add depth:

Running Back

Safety

Potential Players available at key positions

The following players could or should be available if the Packers stay at pick no. 29:

Elijah Moore (WR), Rashod Bateman (WR), Samuel Cosmi (OT), Alex Leatherwood (OT), Caleb Farley (CB), Trevon Moehrig (S), Elijah Molden (DB), Asante Samuel Jr (CB), Eric Stokes (CB), Zaven Collins (LB)

The following players could be targeted by the Packers if they move up into the mid or early 20s:

Greg Newsome II (CB), Teven Jenkins (OT), Christian Darrisaw (OT), Christian Barmore (DL), Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (LB)

First-round prediction

I believe any of the guys mentioned above could be the Packers’ selection in the first round depending on where they pick. If they stay put, my prediction is officially Elijah Moore, the wide receiver out of Ole Miss. He’s fast, can play in the slot alongside their current wide receivers and is an all-around weapon Matt LaFleur would love to have.

If the Packers move up, which I think they will, my prediction is cornerback Greg Newsome II out of Northwestern. Newsome II is a Packers’ guy through and through and would fit their defense perfectly. It’s unlikely he last until the end of the first meaning Green Bay will have to move up to select him.