Packers Penultimate 2022 Mock Draft Roundup & Takeaways
By Paul Bretl
Green Bay Packers Mock Drafts No. 2 & 3
Pro Football Focus
Pick 22: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
Pick 28: Arnold Ebiketie, Edge, Penn State
Thoughts: I’m sure many Green Bay Packers fans will be quite upset if the team leaves the first round without a wide receiver, but this feels like a very Packers-type of draft as they select two players who play premier positions.
Penning will compete right away with Nijman for the starting right tackle spot, and if he or Nijman can hold their own, it will give the Packers the luxury of keeping Jenkins at guard, which would bolster the interior. Ebiketie would immediately give Green Bay an added pass-rush presence on third downs and obvious passing situations.
It’s worth mentioning that he’s a bit smaller than Gary and Smith but better fits the edge rusher mold that the Los Angeles Rams had when Barry was a part of the staff. I’ll also point out that Ebiketie is 23-years-old, and the Packers just haven’t drafted players older than 22 in the first round.
Mike Kaye – Pro Football Network
Pick 22: Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
Pick 28: Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
Pick 53: Brandon Smith, LB, Penn State
Pick 59: Cameron Thomas, Edge, San Diego State
Thoughts: The first three picks don’t seem to fit what the Packers need or what they would do. Dotson is smaller and didn’t test all that well athletically. Cornerback is a position that you can never have too much depth at, but with Alexander, Douglas, and Stokes; the Packers don’t exactly need another boundary cornerback–if this was Trent McDuffie, who can play in the slot, I’d get the selection.
Meanwhile, the linebacker depth can be improved, but after re-signing De’Vondre Campbell, I just don’t see that being a pressing need for Green Bay where they spend a second-round pick on the position. With all of that said, I do like the Cameron Thomas pick at 59.