Packers Mock Draft Roundup & Takeaways from Week 6 of College Football Season

Before we watch the Green Bay Packers take on the New York Giants across the pond on Sunday, it is once again College Football Saturday.

As you dive into some of today’s games, here are a handful of names that might interest the Packers next April from some recent mock drafts.

Montel Hardy – 247Sports

Pick 28: Kayshon Boutte, WR, LSU

Thoughts: Another year with a plethora of wide receivers being mocked to the Green Bay Packers–although I will say it is warranted. As of now, the only receivers under contract beyond 2022 are Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Amari Rodgers.

At 6’0″ – 205 pounds, Boutte is in the neighborhood in terms of being a bigger-bodied receiver that the Packers prefer to select. Playing both from the boundary and slot, Boutte has caught 63% of his 147 targets at 14.4 yards per catch with 14 touchdowns, according to PFF ($$).

Luke Easterling – Draft Wire

Pick 27: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State

Thoughts: Elgton Jenkins will be back on a new deal, and Yosh Nijman will be back in 2023 as a restricted free agent. The Packers could get out of David Bakhtiari’s contract, but if healthy, I can’t say I see that happening. The Packers also have Rasheed Walker, Zach Tom, and Caleb Jones as options as tackle as well.

This is a premier position in the game and one we know the Packers prioritize. However, given the potential construction of the roster, do they spend a first-round pick on it? I imagine that answer depends on whether they want Jenkins inside, how they view Walker, Jones, and Tom long-term, and whether Bakhtiar or Nijman will be on the team beyond 2023.

Fashanu has little experience, with 344 of his 429 career snaps coming this season. He has allowed six pressures and no sacks at left tackle while being one of PFF’s highest-graded pass-blockers. At least by these metrics, he hasn’t fared nearly as well against the run, however.

Michael Renner – PFF

Pick 28: Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina

Thoughts: Get used to seeing Josh Downs mocked to the Packers. He has already been a very popular pick early on, catching 22 of 25 passes this season at 10.5 yards per catch and four touchdowns. With that said, at 5’10” – 175 pounds, Downs is quite undersized compared to the receivers Green Bay usually covets.

Brantley Weissman – The Draft Network

Pick 27: Antonio Johnson, S, Texas A&M

Thoughts: Safety is likely going to be one of the bigger needs the Packers have next offseason. In fact, I wouldn’t have been surprised if they spent a top-100 pick on the position this past draft. Depth is in question this season, and the only players under contract in 2023 are Darnell Savage and Tariq Carpenter.

Johnson has 1,306 career snaps and is a well-rounded player, allowing only 6.7 yards per catch in coverage while being a sound tackler and active against the run. He has spent most of his time in the slot, along with some snaps in the box and as a free safety.

Chris Trapasso – CBS Sports

Pick 28: Parker Washington, WR, Penn State

Thoughts: The 5’10” – 215 pound Washington has caught nearly 70% of his 172 career targets over the past two-plus seasons. He is averaging 13.3 yards per catch with 10 touchdowns and has played mostly from the slot. Washington also has nine punt return attempts this season, averaging 8.7 yards per return.

All stats courtesy of PFF.com