Green Bay Packers: Way Too Early 2022 NFL Mock Draft Roundup & Takeaways

Yeah, that’s right. It’s May 21st, and we are going to be taking a look at some 2022 mock drafts for the Green Bay Packers. Now, of course, at this stage of the game, it’s not about trying to find who the Packers are going to select–that’s a nearly impossible task. However, going through these mocks gives us some names to know and players to keep our eyes on once the college football season begins in a few months.

Looking ahead, some potential positions of need for the Green Bay Packers to address in the 2022 draft could be receiver, edge rusher, offensive tackle, and interior defensive lineman. But that is all subject to change depending on what takes place over the next 11 months.

As I always do, I’ll take a look at some recent mock drafts — and there are quite a few — to see who the draft analysts have the Green Bay Packers selecting, and I’ll be providing my quick thoughts.

Jack Borowsky – Sports Illustrated

Pick 26: Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa

"“Linderbaum is undersized, but is excellent on tape. He is the perfect player for the Packers to add to an already good offensive line. The Packers might not believe in drafting wide receivers, but they have done a great job of adding offensive linemen in the draft.”"

Takeaway: I mean, the Green Bay Packers just spent a second-round pick on Josh Myers. We are still 11 months out, but I’ll go on the record saying, no, they aren’t taking a center in Round 1. Even if Linderbaum has the flexibility to play guard, I still say no. The Packers have a plethora of interior players to choose from. In two seasons, Linderbaum has allowed one sack and 12 pressures in 744 pass-blocking snaps.

Josh Edwards – CBS Sports

Pick 25: Christian Harris, LB, Alabama

"“Green Bay went cornerback in the first round this year and did not address its need at linebacker. Christian Harris could be the guy next year.”"

Takeaway: After this year’s draft, Brian Gutekunst did mention that Green Bay wanted to take a linebacker early on–perhaps 2022 is the year they do. During his 2020 season at Alabama, Harris tallied 31 pressures along with six sacks, while in coverage, he allowed a completion rate of 69.8 percent on 53 targets and 14.6 yards per catch. He also recorded an interception and four pass breakups.

Oliver Hodgkinson – Pro Football Network

Pick 29: Ventrell Miller, LB, Florida

"“Florida’s Ventrell Miller would make a significant impact against the run. That is something that was a big issue for the Packers last season. He also possesses decent coverage skills to ensure he can stay on the field on all three downs.Drafting a wide receiver has become somewhat of a joke against the franchise. They have eight pass catchers out of contract at the end of the season. Despite not taking that direction in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, it shouldn’t be ruled out as a consideration.”"

Takeaway: Obviously, it’s early, but it appears that mocking linebackers to the Green Bay Packers in the first round is going to be a thing again. And as I’ve said before, I’ll believe it when I see it. Miller has seen a bulk of his playing time take place over the last two years where he has 21 pressures and nine sacks as a blitzer, while in coverage, he’s allowed 41 completions on 55 targets at 8.6 yards per catch–including an impressive 5.3 ypc in 2019.

Chris Trapasso – CBS Sports

Pick 25: Perrion Winfrey, IDL, Oklahoma

"“At 6-3 and around 300 pounds, Winfrey has the frame to be a disruptive one-gapping type in Oklahoma’s defense.”"

Takeaway: An interior defensive lineman in Round 1? I love it! With one year of playing time under his belt, the 6’3″ – 297 pound Winfrey recorded 27 pressures, however no sacks, and had a decent run defense grade from PFF ($$) of 75.9. Winfrey would take 101 snaps from the A-gap, 247 from the B-gap, and 55 lined up over the offensive tackle.

Mark Schofield – Touchdown Wire

Pick 25: George Pickens, WR, Georgia

"“George Pickens will be a fascinating point of discussion this draft cycle. Over two seasons for the Georgia Bulldogs the WR has caught 85 passes for 1,240 yards and 14 touchdowns, and he was expected to put up huge numbers in 2021. Those expectations took a big hit when he tore the ACL in his right knee during spring practice, and while there are hopes he could still return to the field in 2021, such a goal is a long ways off. Whether he returns to the field or not, he would still be a potential first-round pick if he enters the 2022 draft.”"

Takeaway: This would be a bit of a risky pick; as Mark points out, Pickens recently tore his ACL and could miss most of or even all of the 2021 season. Picken has taken most of his college snaps as a boundary receiver.

Mike Renner – PFF

Pick 25: Dominick Blaylock, WR, Georgia

"“Blaylock is a big projection at this point, as he put up only 310 yards as a freshman before tearing his ACL as a sophomore. He’s an agile slot receiver at 6-foot-1, 195 pounds, with terrific ball skills.”"

Takeaway: With Blaylock’s only experience coming in 2019, we have a very small sample size on him. He has just 27 career targets, catching 66.7 percent of them at 17.2 yards per catch and with five touchdowns. Over 94 percent of Blaylock’s snaps that season came from the slot.

Luke Easterling – Draft Wire

Pick 25: Brenton Cox Jr, Edge Rusher, Florida

Takeaway: With Preston Smith likely gone after this season and Za’Darius Smith’s future up in the air, edge rusher could be a big need for the Green Bay Packers in 2022. With one season of starting experience, Cox recorded 48 pressures along with four sacks, and he was solid in the run game as well, posting a grade over 76.6 over at PFF.

Ryan Wilson – CBS Sports

Pick 25: Kenyon Green, OG, Texas A&M

"“Green started as a true freshman and has only gotten better each year. He consistently moves defensive tackles off the line of scrimmage, a trait which translates to any level.”"

Takeaway: Will the Green Bay Packers really spend another early-round pick on an interior player? I have my doubts, but we will see how things play out in 2021. Green has two years of starting experience, allowing four sacks and 38 pressures during that span, but he took a big step forward in 2020, with no sacks allowed and just 10 pressures given up. He was also very good against the run as well.

Trevor Sikkema – The Draft Network

Pick 24: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas

"“Treylon Burks is a name who isn’t talked about enough in this stacked wide receiver group for 2022. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Burks took a big leap last season with over 800 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns.”"

Takeaway: Currently, the only receiver under contract in 2022 is Amari Rodgers–so it will be a big need to address once again for Green Bay. Burks has two seasons of experience but took a big step forward in 2020, catching nearly 77 percent of his 65 targets at 16.2 yards per catch and with seven touchdowns. He’s taken 82 percent of his career snaps from the slot.

All stats courtesy of Pro Football Focus ($$)