Packers 7 round mock draft: Tackling the big needs

Using PFF’s mock draft simulator, I’ve put together my first seven-round mock draft for the Green Bay Packers.

Based on the most recent reports of what the Packers may get in return for trading Aaron Rodgers, I added the 42nd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft from the New York Jets.

As I went through each pick, there were a number of factors that were a part of my decision-making, This included positional needs for the Packers, size and athleticism measurements, best players available, and of course, prospects who I like for Green Bay as well.

So equipped with 11 draft picks, here is how my seven-round mock draft turned out. Along with each pick, I take a closer look at the stats you need to know and each prospect’s specific fit with the Packers.

Pick 15: Myles Murphy, Edge, Clemson

6’4″ | 268 | RAS: 9.88

Stats to know: Murphy has 1,389 career snaps, according to PFF, and while most came as a traditional edge rusher, he does have almost 300 snaps rushing from the interior. During his final two seasons, he recorded 65 pressures, 15 sacks, and for what it’s worth, graded out well as a run defender.

Fit with Packers: Green Bay needs to improve their edge rusher depth. It’s a heavily rotated position, and without Rashan Gary over the second half of the 2022 season, the Packers struggled to create regular quarterback pressure. Murphy would immediately become a member of that rotation and perhaps even take some snaps inside like the Packers have done with Gary.

Pick 42: Darnell Washington, TE Georgia

6’6″ | 264 | RAS: 9.98

Stats to know: Washington is known as a blocker, ranking fifth in PFF’s run-blocking grade in 2022, and spent the majority of his snaps lined up in-line, but he does have slot experience as well. Washington had just 39 targets this past season but did catch 25 of those passes at an impressive 16.1 yards per catch with one touchdown. He was also one of the better pass-catching tight ends at picking up yards after the catch.

Fit with Packers: Right away, Washington’s presence will help the Packers run game as a blocker, and he should be an immediate red zone threat as well. However, hopefully, he develops into more than that. That athleticism that Washington possesses shows upside potential as a pass-catcher.

Pick 45: Gervon Dexter, IDL, Florida

6’5″ | 310 | RAS: 9.70

Stats to know: Most of Dexter’s playing time came over the previous two years, where he logged 48 pressures and six sacks. His 24 run stops from 2022 were the eighth-most at the interior defensive line position. He spent most of his time lined up in the B-gap but did play nose tackle as well.

Fit with Packers: Green Bay has only five interior defensive linemen on the roster, and only three have playing experience. Like edge rusher, this position of often rotated, and Dexter would see immediate playing time, although it may be somewhat limited early on as he’s behind Kenny Clark and Devonte Wyatt on passing downs, while TJ Slaton is the primary run defender. Dexter’s game will continue to need to be refined, but his potential is through the roof.

Pick 78: AT Perry, WR, Wake Forest

6’3″ | 198 | RAS: 9.84

Stats to know: Perry was a high-volume target and a deep threat while at Wake Forest. Over the last two seasons, he was targeted 211 times. In 2021, he averaged 19.9 yards per catch and ranked seventh in downfield receiving yards. This past season, Perry recorded 14.1 yards per catch with 11 touchdowns. He’s also graded out quite well as a run-blocker during his career.

Fit with Packers: Behind Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, Perry would likely be battling with Samori Toure for that third wide receiver role. As a deep threat, he would help create better spacing underneath for Watson and Doubs, whose route-running responsibilities are going to increase in their second seasons.

Pick 116: Anthony Johnson Jr, S, Iowa State

5’11” | 205 | RAS: 8.08

Stats to know: Johnson spent much of his career at Iowa State as a boundary cornerback before moving to a hybrid safety role this past season, where he spent most of his time either in the box or the slot. Johnson is a very willing run defender, although at times, missed tackles were an issue. In coverage as a safety, he allowed 12.4 yards per catch on 19 completions with two interceptions and two pass breakups.

Fit with Packers: As I wrote recently, although the safety position could use upgrades, the Packers have constructed the room so that they don’t need to spend an early-round pick on the position–which is a good thing since this isn’t a deep safety class. Johnson could compete for playing time next to Darnell Savage or be third safety on the field when Green Bay is in dime, but more than likely, this may be more of a developmental season for him. With 386 career special teams snaps, he could make an immediate impact in that phase of the game.

Pick 149: Nick Saldiveri, OT, Old Dominion

6’6″ | 318 | RAS: 9.47

Stats to know: Saldiveri is an experienced player with over 2,200 career snaps, most of which came at right tackle. In 2022, he allowed no sacks, 18 pressures, and ranked 10th out of all tackles in PFF’s pass-blocking grade. He would also rank 57th out of 200 tackles in run-blocking grade.

Fit with Packers: With David Bakhtiari at left tackle along with Yosh Nijman and Zach Tom competing at right tackle, Saldiveri likely won’t see playing time as a rookie. In 2024, however, when the Packers have some uncertainty at the tackle position, he could have the opportunity to compete for a starting job. Saldiveri has the size and athleticism to play tackle, but the Packers could try him at guard as well.

Pick 170: Josh Whyle, TE, Cincinnati

6’6″ | 248 | RAS: 8.94

Stats to know: In three seasons, Whyle has amassed 147 targets, including a career-high of 51 in 2022, catching 65% of those targets at 11.9 yards per catch with 14 touchdowns. He’s graded out very well as a blocker by PFF, and nearly 40% of his snaps have come from the slot. Whyle also has just shy of 400 special teams snaps.

Fit with Packers: Green Bay will enter this draft with only four tight ends on the roster, only one of which has playing experience, which is why I felt that getting at least two from this very deep class was a must. Given the depth of this position for the Packers, Whyle will likely see playing decent playing time as a rookie. His ability to affect both the run and passing games will be a welcomed sight in a tight end room that was a bit predictable last season.

Pick 232: Jason Taylor II, S, Oklahoma State

5’11” | 204 | RAS: 8.93

Stats to know: Most of Taylor’s playing time came in these last two seasons, where he spent 567 snaps in the box, another 706 as a free safety, and 397 in the slot. He’s a willing tackler, with 88 total in 2022 alone, but did struggle with missed tackles. In coverage, he allowed a completion rate of 54% on 50 targets at 12.4 yards per catch and had six interceptions, along with four pass breakups.

Fit with Packers: For the reasons mentioned already – the current construction of the safety room and the depth of the draft class – getting two safeties wasn’t a must for me like it was at tight end. However, Taylor was one of those players in round seven I couldn’t pass up. A good athlete with terrific ball skills and instincts and 500 career special teams snaps. His impact right away will likely be on special teams.

Pick 235: Elijah Higgins, WR, Stanford

6’3″ | 235 | RAS: 9.0

Stats to know: A big-bodied receiver who caught 67% of his career 175 targets while averaging 11.7 yards per catch with six touchdowns. Higgins spent most of his time in the slot and showcased some playmaking ability with the ball in his hands, ranking 10th in average YAC in 2022. He graded out as an “average” run blocker.

Fit with Packers: With only five receivers on the roster prior to the draft, adding at least two to simply bolster the depth of the position felt like a must. Seventh-round picks aren’t guaranteed a roster spot, let alone playing time, but the Packers do not have a true slot presence on the roster, and with a strong summer, Higgins could earn some snaps in that role.

Pick 242: Tyson Bagent, QB, Shepherd

6’3″ | 213 | RAS: 8.97

Stats to know: One of the more experienced quarterbacks you will see, Bagent has over 2,000 career pass attempts. He would throw for 5,000 yards in 2021 with 53 touchdowns to 13 interceptions. More recently, in 2022, Bagent threw for 4,580 yards with 41 touchdowns to eight interceptions. He has a career completion rate of 69%.

Fit with Packers: Once Aaron Rodgers is traded, the Packers will have only Jordan Love and Danny Etling on the roster. They need to find Love’s backup, but they also need more depth for training camp and the preseason. As is the case with any seventh-round pick, development is needed, but Bagent is an intriguing prospect who had an impressive college career.

Pick 256: Jake Moody, K, Michigan

6’1″ | 210 | RAS: N/A

Stats to know: For his career, Moody hit 63 of his 77 field goal attempts. From the 40-49 yard range, he was 11/15, and 3/8 from over 50 yards. In 2022, Moody ranked 14th in kickoff return attempt rate.

Fit with Packers: It doesn’t sound like Mason Crosby will return, leaving the Packers with only Parker White on the roster. As the team transitions to Jordan Love, finding their kicker of the future – which is no easy task – should be on the to-do list as well. Moody is considered one of the top kickers in this year’s draft class.

All stats courtesy of pff.com