Green Bay Packers: Late Summer 2022 Mock Draft Roundup & Takeaways
By Paul Bretl
The 2021 college football season is underway, so I thought that this would be a good opportunity to look at some recent 2022 NFL mock drafts for the Green Bay Packers.
Now, it should go without saying, but we aren’t looking at these mock drafts because we are trying to predict who the Green Bay Packers will take at this point–that is an impossible task as so much is going to change.
But rather, I thought that this would be a good way to provide us with a few names worth keeping our eyes on during the college season. So let’s take a look at who a few draft analysts believe would be good fits for the Packers
Luke Easterling – Draft Wire
Pick 27: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
"“There’s no guarantee Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams will be back next season, so the Packers could end up needing a true No.1 receiver to take over as they develop Jordan Love as their quarterback of the future.Burks is a big, physical pass-catcher who excels at winning contested catches and turning short catches into big plays by breaking tackles with his impressive frame.”"
Takeaway: Not only could the Green Bay Packers be without Davante Adams in 2022, but at this point, Amari Rodgers is the only receiver under contract beyond this season. That doesn’t mean that Adams, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, or Allen Lazard won’t be back; odds are one or two of them will be back, but this position will have to be addressed.
Over his career, Burks has caught 79 of 123 targets at 16.3 yards per catch with seven touchdowns–all of which came in 2020, according to PFF ($$).
Vinny Iyer – Sporting News
Pick 27: Christian Harris, LB, Alabama
"“The Packers need a rangy cleanup man as they continue to have limited playmaking capacity in the middle of their defense. Harris has the typical Crimson Tide pedigree to deliver just that.”"
Takeaway: Is 2022 the year that the Green Bay Packers finally take a first-round linebacker? My guess is no. At this point, I’ll believe it when I see it. Harris has two years of experience, logging 40 pressures, six tackles, and 143 total tackles. In coverage, he’s allowed a 74 percent completion rate on 74 targets and 13.7 yards per catch.
Ian Cummings – Pro Football Network
TRADE – Pick 23: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
"“There are only two trades in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. The first one occurred between the Saints and the Broncos, and the second is between the Packers and Jets. Assuming Jordan Love will take the reigns from Aaron Rodgers in 2022, the Packers will finally be proactive in giving him weapons. Treylon Burks is a tremendous size/speed threat for Arkansas, and his multi-level dynamic ability would give Love a lot more to work with.”"
Takeaway: Would the Packers trade up for a receiver in the first round? I discussed Burks stats above, and at 6’3″ – 225 pounds, he fits that big-bodied mold that Green Bay typically covets at receiver.
Zach Patraw – Sports Illustrated
Pick 28: Darian Kinnard, OG, Kentucky
Takeaway: I’ve discussed before how the Green Bay Packers typically value premium positions in the first round, and guard is not one of them. Also, over the last two drafts, they’ve selected Jon Runyan, Royce Newman, and Cole Van Lanen, not to mention that Elgton Jenkins isn’t going anywhere.
The only way I could maybe see something like this happening is if Jenkins permanently moves to right tackle and Lucas Patrick is gone after this season–two things that could happen. With that said, I’ll still guess that they don’t take a guard in Round 1.
Jack Broback – Pro Football Network
Pick 30: Daniel Faalele, OT, Minnesota
"“Whether the quarterback is Aaron Rodgers or Jordan Love, protecting them remains the top priority for the Packers. Insert the 6’9″, 375-pound Daniel Faalele, who has incredible upside.The Gophers LT returns to play after sitting out the 2020 season due to COVID and could even elevate his stock to be the best linemen in the 2022 NFL Draft class. He’s extremely athletic for his size and knows how to use his size and power to dominate any matchup he faces.”"
Takeaway: Now, this is a pick that I can get behind. This selection would allow Green Bay to keep Jenkins inside, and when it comes to other tackle options, we still don’t fully know what the team has in Yosh Nijman; I think this is Billy Turner’s final season with the team, while Newman and Van Lanen look better suited inside.
Faalele has allowed four sacks and 26 pressures over 586 pass-blocking snaps in his two-plus years with the Gophers.
Jordan Reid – The Draft Network
Pick 29: Myjai Sanders, Edge, Cincinnati
"“A chiseled and rocked-up body type, Sanders has the physique and explosiveness to become an early contributor during his pro career. Surprisingly returning to school for his senior season, many are expecting a dominant season from No. 21.”"
Takeaway: Edge rusher is a sneaky need for the Green Bay Packers in 2022. Preston Smith will likely be gone, and there is the possibility that Za’Darius Smith could be as well. With a cap hit in 2022 north of $28 million, the Packers either have to extend him or cut him next offseason.
In two seasons with the Bearcats, Sanders has an impressive 78 pressures and 14 sacks, along with 57 total tackles.
James Fragoza – Pro Football Network
Pick 30: John Metchie III, WR, Alabama
"“When you are a receiver at Alabama, you are expected to be great, and John Metchie III fits the billing. He won’t wow you with contested catches or by making people miss after the catch, but Metchie just gets open. His route running and head for the game are a step above the competition, even in the SEC.”"
Takeaway: As I mentioned when discussing Burks, wide receiver could very well be a big need for the Green Bay Packers next offseason. Per PFF, Metchie caught 55 of his 76 targets in 2020 at 16.7 yards per catch and with six touchdowns.
Ryan Roberts – Rise N Draft
Pick 30: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
"“I am noticeably lower on Olave but it’s clear that the NFL values him highly. Fit will be huge for him. Getting a multi-level separator to pair with Davante Adams has been sorely missing for Green Bay. Olave brings that potential.”"
Takeaway: At least at this point, if the Packers did end up with Olave at pick 30, many would consider it a huge steal as the Ohio State receiver is regarded as one of, if not the best receiver in this class by a number of evaluators. Olave has caught 74 percent of his 156 career targets at 16.4 yards per catch and a whopping 24 touchdowns.