Packers Day 2 Mock Drafts: Trading Up & Staying Put

The 2021 NFL Draft has begun as the first round is complete; however, that doesn’t mean you can escape the mock drafts quite yet. The Draft Network has updated their boards, taking into account the players that have been selected. So I decided to run through two different scenarios for Day 2 of the draft for the Green Bay Packers.

The first is if the Packers decide to stay put at pick 62 and pick 92. The other is if Green Bay tries to move up. I think that there is a realistic chance of this happening. With less information on players this year compared to years past — especially in the mid to late rounds — I have a feeling that those selections are more expendable. On top of that, Green Bay still has nine picks left, which is a lot.

I’m also anticipating a run on offensive tackles and wide receivers in Round 2 as there are a lot of quality players left at each position. This could also spark action from Brian Gutekunst, with those two positions still being big needs.

However, I won’t be trading back for the two big reasons mentioned — a lack of info and already having nine picks — I don’t see it being an option unless there’s an offer that can’t be refused. Positions that I will be looking to address on Day 2 include offensive tackle, receiver, safety, interior defensive lineman, edge rusher, and I’m still looking at cornerbacks as well.

So now that you have an understanding of where I’m coming from let’s see how each of these mock drafts turned out.

Green Bay Packers Trade Up in Round 2

(TRADE) Pick 53: Dillon Radunz, OT, North Dakota State

Green Bay Packers receive: Pick 53

Tennessee Titans receive: Picks 135 and 214

I was thrilled to see Radunz still on the board at this point because if I had chosen to move up earlier, I likely would have had to part with my third-round pick–something that I was trying to avoid. To get to this trade package, I used the trade value chart (learn more here) to make sure that it was a realistic offer.

Radunz played in only one game in 2020 due to a shortened season for the Bison but was NDSU’s starting left tackle the last three years. In his last full season of 2019, Radunz graded out very well as a pass-blocker, allowing no sacks and just 11 pressures, according to PFF ($$). Meanwhile, Drae Harris of The Draft Network calls him an “excellent” run-blocker. He was also named the “Practice Player of the Week” at the Senior Bowl.

He has good height, standing 6’6″ but is on the lighter side weighing just 301 pounds. Radunz is also the type of athlete that the Packers covet, scoring a 9.38 out of 10 on the Relative Athletic Scoring table.

With the Green Bay Packers, at a minimum, Radunz provides needed depth at a very important position and could be the team’s swing tackle in 2021 while hopefully developing into the starting right tackle in 2022. On the high end, he could compete for playing time right away. Radunz also brings versatility, with the ability to move inside as well.

Pick 92: Divine Deablo, S, Virginia Tech

I know receiver is a big need, but I prioritized offensive tackle ahead of it, and by pick 92, the value just wasn’t there. However, I was quite happy to land Divine Deablo. The Joe Barry defense demands a lot from the safety position and requires versatility. We may also see more Darnell Savage in the slot this season as well, which opens up a spot next to Adrian Amos.

Deablo is a terrific fit for Barry’s two-high safety scheme and brings experience along with versatility and a big frame, standing 6’3″ – 226 pounds, to this defense. In five seasons, he has 865 snaps in the box, 424 as the free safety, and 907 in the slot. Not to mention that he will provide a boost to this lackluster special teams unit in Green Bay.

Even with Amos and Savage already in the fold, Deablo is a third-round pick who can come in and make an impact right away.

Green Bay Packers Stay Put at Picks 62 and 92

Pick 62: Brady Christensen, OT, BYU

Again, I’m choosing to prioritize the offensive tackle position. It’s one of the most important positions in the game, and even with David Bakhtiari, the Green Bay Packers lack depth, but this is especially true without him. Currently, Billy Turner and Elgton Jenkins are your starters, with Yosh Nijman as the only backup.

Landing a potential Day starter will give that position a boost while also helping out the interior as it will allow Jenkins to slide back inside. And I think Christensen has the potential to be that guy right away, but at a minimum like Radunz, he’s a swing tackle — which is still quite valuable — and can be the right tackle of the future.

As both a run-blocker and a pass-blocker, Christensen was PFF’s top-graded ($$) tackle in both categories, allowing one sack and just three total pressures. He is equipped to play both left tackle and right tackle at the NFL level, and as NFL Network’s Ben Fennell notes, he is an ideal fit for Matt LaFleur’s outside-zone running scheme.

Pick 92: Benjamin St-Juste, CB, Minnesota

The Green Bay Packers landed Eric Stokes in Round 1, but that doesn’t mean their work at cornerback is done. At this moment, Jaire Alexander and Stokes are the only corners that we know will be on the team in 2022–in a deep corner class, Green Bay would be wise to add to the position if the opportunity presents itself. And in Round 3, with St-Juste still on the board, that opportunity came a-knocking.

St-Juste has been a starter for the Gophers the last two seasons, allowing a completion rate of 56.5 percent on 62 targets and at 13.3 yards per catch. He has no interceptions but did tally 11 pass breakups. At 6’3″ – 202 pounds, St-Juste has excellent size and comes with quite a bit of upside. Kyle Crabbs of The Draft Network called him “traitsy.”

However, to tap into that potential, St-Juste will need time to develop, and the Packers can give him that. With Alexander, Stokes, and Kevin King, Green Bay can bring him along slowly. Then hopefully, in 2022, he can assume a larger role. This is a pick more for the future than for 2021.