Green Bay Packers Mock Draft Roundup & Takeaways: WRs Galore

Luke Easterling – Draft Wire

Pick 22: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas

Pick 28: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama

Takeaways: Do the Green Bay Packers use both first-round picks on wide receivers? I have my doubts, but out of all the mock drafts, this is one of my favorite receiver combinations. Yes, the Packers need receiver help, but they need specific receiver help as well. Burks gives them that needed YAC ability, while Jameson adds that vertical threat to this offense.

Austin Gayle – PFF

Pick 22: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington

Pick 28: George Pickens, WR, Georgia

Takeaways: I imagine some are wondering why the Green Bay Packers would take a cornerback in Round 1, but as I wrote recently, finding another slot corner should be on Gutey’s radar. Sure, Jaire Alexander may take the most slot snaps this season, but more often than not, he is going to be moving around with the opponent’s best receiver–he’s just too good to keep solely in the slot. Other than Alexander, there is little slot experience on this roster.

Having someone like McDuffie, who can play inside, join Alexander, Rasul Douglas, and Eric Stokes, would give Joe Barry an incredible amount of flexibility as he moves players around and mixes and matches each week based on the opponent.

Pickens has only 92 career targets but comes with a ton of upside, and he can add some needed playmaking ability to this receiving corps. Pickens’ average depth of target during his time at Georgia was over 16 yards per target. With the current state of the Packers’ receiver room and not knowing who else they may add in this draft, Pickens would be the guy in this scenario.

My mock draft using PFF’s mock draft simulator

Pick 22: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State

Pick 28: Daxton Hill, S, Michigan

Takeaways: The Green Bay Packers need that go-to option at receiver, and Olave is more than equipped to do just that. He can win immediately off the line of scrimmage with his route running ability and be a high-volume target that can win in all three parts of the field.

Safety is an under-the-radar need this season, the third safety spot — which was on the field for about 300 snaps in 2021 — is up for grabs, not to mention that Vernon Scott is the only safety under contract for 2023. Hill would add a versatile presence and someone who could play in the slot, which as noted above is a need and would provide Barry with an immense amount of flexibility in the secondary.