Green Bay Packers 2022 Mock Draft Roundup & Takeaways 5.0

We are back with another edition of Mock Draft Roundup & Takeaways, where I take a look at who the draft analysts have the Green Bay Packers selecting in some recent mock drafts–and, of course, I’ll provide my thoughts on each selection as well.

Some current positions of need for the Green Bay Packers include receiver, edge rusher, linebacker, tight end, interior defensive lineman, and cornerback.

Cam Mellor – Pro Football Network

Pick 28: Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State

"“With elusiveness and great speed comes Jahan Dotson. The Green Bay Packers grab a weapon to either help alleviate the loss of Davante Adams or to pair with him, giving them a legitimate 1-2 punch on the outside. Dotson has great skills at and before the catchpoint. He’s a reliable receiver with plenty of separation that comes naturally.”"

Takeaway: Dotson finished his college career with 280 targets, including a whopping 137 this past season, according to PFF ($$). Dotson would catch 66.4% of those 137 passes at 13.0 yards per catch with 12 touchdowns. He took a bulk of his snaps from the boundary but does have slot experience as well.

Receiver is certainly a need for the Green Bay Packers, although we will see how much when the draft rolls around. I have my doubts about Dotson being on Green Bay’s board given that he measured in at 5’10” and weighed 178 pounds–we all know how much the Packers like big-bodied receivers. His overall RAS score of 5.94 is also well below what Green Bay typically targets.

Josh Edwards – CBS Sports

Pick 28: David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan

"“Green Bay may move on from Preston and/or Za’Darius Smith this offseason to meet the salary cap threshold. If changes are made, then it makes some sense to consider bringing in another pass rusher even with the emergence of Rashan Gary.”"

Takeaway: Even with Rashan Gary and Preston Smith being two of the league’s more productive edge rushers in 2021, depth at the position was still a concern. This is also a premier position and a heavily rotated one–so it’s always a need that teams should be trying to fill.

Maybe I’ve missed it, but I can’t think of a mock draft that I’ve seen where Ojabo was taken this late in the first round–he’s typically been a top-20 pick. Ojabo generated 39 pressures and 11 sacks this past season at Michigan. He also has only 502 career snaps.

Chris Trapasso – CBS Sports

Pick 28: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama

"“A receiver for the Packers! I don’t expect Williams to boost his stock, obviously, due to his knee injury, but at this point the Packers may realize it’s too good of a scenario to pass on.”"

Takeaway: Williams has been a popular pick for Green Bay as of late. He tore his ACL in the National Title Game and will miss some time in 2022–although how much remains to be seen. But don’t let that sway you, Packers fans; Williams is a big play waiting to happen–not to mention that draft is about more than just the upcoming season.

Williams would catch 66% of his 93 targets this past season at a ridiculous 20.6 yards per catch with 13 touchdowns. He was primarily a boundary receiver but took about a quarter of his snaps from the slot as well.

Doug Farrar – Touchdown Wire

Pick 28: Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia

"“Walker is raw like sushi from a technique perspective, but the physical tools explode off the tape, and he’s far from the first pass-rusher to come into the NFL with a need to become more technically correct and explosive with his hands. Once that happens, watch out.”"

Takeaway: I’m sure just about everyone has either seen or heard about Travon Walker’s performance at the combine, where he posted a 9.99 RAS score out of a possible 10.0. So keep in mind that this mock draft was posted before then–meaning Walker could be long gone before Green Bay is one the clock. He would go on to record 21 pressures and four sacks this past season.

Luke Easterling – Draft Wire

Pick 28: George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue

"“The need for a long-term solution on the edge of the defensive front is lurking, and this scenario would give them a fantastic value in Karlaftis, who is as pro-ready as any defender in this class.”"

Takeaway: Karlaftis is relentless and plays with a lot of power in his game. His 2020 season was cut short due to injury, but in 2019 and 2021, Karlaftis totaled 109 pressures and 13 sacks. He has also been quite stout against the run as well.

Bucky Brooks – NFL.com

Pick 28: Devonte Wyatt, IDL, Georgia

Takeaway: Yes, Kenny Clark could still use some more dynamic and consistent help–and Devonte Wyatt could give the Green Bay Packers just that. Wyatt tested very well at the combine, posting a 9.63 RAS, and is someone who played up and down the interior defensive line during his college career.

He would record 63 pressures during his final three seasons, including four sacks, all of which came in 2021. Wyatt was also one of PFF’s highest-graded interior run defenders this past season as well.

My own mock draft via The Draft Network

Pick 28: Boye Mafe, EDGE, Minnesota

Since early February, my prediction has been that the Green Bay Packers will take an edge rusher in Round 1, and at least for this mock draft, I am sticking to it. It’s a position that we know they value very highly because it’s one of the most important in football–and as I’ve already mentioned, even if Green Bay does bring back Preston Smith to join Rashan Gary, depth at the edge position is still very much a concern.

Mafe also feels like a very Packers-type of selection. He is a terrific athlete, posting a RAS of 10.0 at the combine, and he has a huge ceiling. His skill-set may be a bit raw, but we know that doesn’t deter Green Bay from making a selection. Mafe will also enter an edge room with Gary and P. Smith–so it’s not as if he has to be “the guy” right away either–similarly to how Green Bay brought Gary along initially.

Mafe finished this past season with 40 pressures and six sacks. He was also the National Team’s Player of the Game at the Senior Bowl.