Green Bay Packers Tackle Key Positional Needs in PFN 7 Round Mock Draft
By Paul Bretl
![Dec 12, 2020; Pasadena, California, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Drake London (15) scores on a 65 yard touchdown reception in the second quarter against the UCLA Bruins at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports Dec 12, 2020; Pasadena, California, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Drake London (15) scores on a 65 yard touchdown reception in the second quarter against the UCLA Bruins at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/ca4a6ea23a886c6f5e51f70c4aec3c26ec7bcb613311baf55ed8efb36dd10854.jpg)
Obviously, there is a lot that is going to change between today and the 2022 NFL Draft, which is now just under three months away, but with the Green Bay Packers offseason here, it is time to start turning our focus to what lies ahead with the draft process.
While mock draft season is now a 365 day a year business, in these early stages of the pre-draft process, we don’t see many seven-round mock drafts as analysts are still working their way through their player evaluations. One or two rounds are far more common.
However, Ian Cummings of Pro Football Network has recently gone through all seven rounds, which includes nine selections for the Green Bay Packers. In terms of positional needs, I do think he did a good job of addressing several major ones early on–or at least they are major needs at this time. Ultimately depending on what happens in free agency could certainly change all of that.
Below is a look at each selection that Cummings made for the Green Bay Packers as well as my thoughts and a little background on each pick.
Pick 28: Drake London, WR, USC
"“Drake London can be that guy in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. The 6’5″, 210-pound pass catcher will never be the kind of separator that Adams is. But he’s an elite contested-catch threat with some nuance and run-after-catch ability to his game.”"
Takeaway: I know many are probably shaking their heads with a wide receiver selection in the first round given that it’s been about 20 years since the Green Bay Packers made a selection like that. However, if there is a year where it could happen, I have to think it’s this one.
As it currently stands, the only receivers under contract for 2022 include Randall Cobb, who could very likely be cut in favor of cap savings, Amari Rodgers, and practice squad pass-catcher Chris Blair–making receiver potentially one of Green Bay’s biggest needs.
At 6’5″ – 210 pounds, London has that big body that Green Bay typically covets at the receiver position. His 2021 season was cut short due to an ankle injury, but in only eight games, he logged an incredible 119 targets, catching 88 of them for 1,084 yards and seven touchdowns.
During the 2019 and 2020 seasons, London caught 60 combined receptions for 960 yards and seven more touchdowns. According to PFF ($$), London has taken 65 percent of his career snaps from the slot, although in 2021, 86.2 percent of his snaps came on the boundary.