Green Bay Packers Tackle Key Positional Needs in PFN 7 Round Mock Draft
By Paul Bretl
Green Bay Packers sixth-round selection
Pick 219: Jeremiah Gemmel, LB, North Carolina
Takeaway: If De’Vondre Campbell isn’t brought back, well, there is then going to be a major hole at the linebacker position. Oren Burks is also a free agent, leaving Krys Barnes, Isaiah McDuffie, and Ray Wilborn. If this is the case, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Green Bay address this position sooner in an effort to find a more immediate impact player.
Gemmel has three years of starting experience, logging 44 pressures and nine sacks as a blitzer, along with 229 total tackles, 103 stops — or plays that result in a failed play for the offense — and he allowed 11.7 yards per catch in coverage with two interceptions. Gemmel has 236 career special teams snaps.
Green Bay Packers seventh-round selections
Pick 227: Decobie Durant, CB, South Carolina State
Takeaway: With Eric Stokes and Jaire Alexander, the Green Bay Packers are set up very well at the cornerback position. If they are able to re-sign Rasul Douglas, they are then in fantastic shape.
At 5’11” – 180 pounds, Durant was a boundary corner during his college career that spanned over 1,700 snaps. In coverage, he allowed a completion rate of only 40 percent on 155 targets and just 11.8 yards per catch. Durant would also tally 10 interceptions, 25 pass breakups, and a passer rating of 38.9. He played 90 special teams snaps in his final season.
Pick 248: Dareke Young, WR, Lenoir-Rhyne
Takeaway: Given how thin Green Bay could be at the receiver position, I certainly won’t be surprised to see them draft more than one receiver, and I would also anticipate that second selection taking place before Round 7.
Young recorded 73 receptions for 1,176 yards at 16.1 yards per catch during his career with 16 touchdowns–although he played in only seven games over his final two seasons. Young also had 88 rushing attempts at 7.5 yards per carry. I imagine that versatility and positional flexibility is an aspect of Young’s skill-set that Matt LaFleur would find intriguing.