2021 Pro Football Draft Guide from CheeseheadTV by Cheesehead TV

THE ONLY DRAFT GUIDE FOR PACKERS FANS BY PACKERS FANS

Table of contents

Meet The Draft Guide Team............................................3 Letter From The Editor....................................................4 FEATURES:

The Fangio/Staley/Barry Defense–A Fit for GB?........5 Best & Worst Packers Draft Picks of the SB Era........9 Blogger vs. Fan on the Jordan Love Pick.....................15 Small School Hidden Gems.............................................17 CHTV Interview With Jace Sternberger......................24 Top 100 Draft Board..........................................................25 2021 NFL Mock Draft........................................................26 Packers Trivia.....................................................................35 NFC North Team Needs....................................................37 Packers Positional Analysis............................................43 PROSPECT ANALYSIS:

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: "Jersey Al" Bracco COPY EDITORS: Michelle Bruton, Matt Hendershot CREATIVE DIRECTOR: James Zachman All stats are from 2020 unless indicated otherwise. All player measurements are from their Pro Days unless the player did not participate, then they were taken from his University’s web site. All highlight videos courtesy of YouTube.com. Player profile photos courtesy of USA Today and the communications

Quarterback........................................................................50 Running Back.....................................................................60 Fullback/H-Back................................................................70 Wide Receiver.....................................................................76 Tight End..............................................................................86 Offensive Tackle.................................................................96 Interior Offensive Line....................................................106 Defensive Line....................................................................116 Edge.......................................................................................126 Inside Linebacker..............................................................136 Cornerback..........................................................................146 Safety.....................................................................................156 Kicker....................................................................................166 Punter...................................................................................174 Returner...............................................................................182

2021 Packers Mock Draft.................................................190

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> MEET THE DRAFT GUIDE TEAM

TIM BACKES Team Needs: Tim Backes is a lifelong Packer fan and has been writing for CheeseheadTV since January 2018. When not consumed by all things Packers, he spends his time working in web marketing and copywriting, and exploring local craft breweries. JACKSON BAILEY Blogger vs. Fan (fan view): Jackson hails from Wyoming, where he majored in statistics at the University of Wyoming. He enjoys Packers football, and all things sports. You can find him on Twitter @ira_jax. MICHELLE BRUTON Co-editor: Michelle is a book editor at sports book publisher Triumph Books and is a sports features writer. She’s an alumna of CheeseheadTV and her work has also appeared on Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated, Forbes and more. You can follow her on Twitter @MichelleBruton. BRANDON CARWILE K, P, KR: Brandon is a lifelong Packers fan thanks to his dad. Brandon’s dad has been to Lambeau Field many times, but Brandon is still waiting to set foot on those hallowed grounds. Brandon began covering the team in 2015 and hopes to do so for as long as possible. He loves to scout players and break down film to accompany his writing. DAN DAHLKE RB, ILB: Dan Dahlke has experience covering the Packers and NFL Draft at the FanSided blog LombardiAve. com and is a former contributor to DraftBreakdown.com. He also contributes draft content to CheeseheadTV and is a former member of Dan Hatman’s Scouting Academy. After spending the first 21 years of his life in Wisconsin, Dan currnetly teaches English and coaches high school football in the Portland, OR metropolitan area. JOHN DINSE S: John Dinse is the Host of the Football First Podcast and weekly guest on 1570 The Score (Appleton, WI). He is a former college football coach and scouting intern for the Buffalo Bills. MARK ECKEL DL, Feature: Mark Eckel spent 32 years covering the NFL, primarily as a beat writer on the Philadelphia Eagles, for The Trenton Times and nj.com. He was also a correspondent for The Sporting News and Sports Illustrated in that time. He retired after the 2016 season and began writing about a team he actually likes, the Green Bay Packers. He worked two years for Bob McGinn Football and currently writes for Packer Report. Mark is also part of the Pack-a-Day podcast team. MATT HENDERSHOTT Co-editor: A former D1 athlete at Bowling Green State University (speech and debate), Matt Hendershott is a communication specialist and contributing writer at PackersTalk.com. You can follow him on Twitter @MattHendershott. ANDY HERMAN CB: Andy is a writer and editor for Packer Report and owner of the Pack-A-Day Podcast. This is Andy’s third CHTV Draft Guide. Andy is a graduate of UW-Oshkosh

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and has also completed from two separate NFL Scouting programs. You can follow him on Twitter, @andyhermannfl.

MAGGIE LONEY Position Analysis: Maggie writes for CheeseheadTV and podcasts for Pack’s What She Said & Pack-A-Day Podcast. You can follow her work on Twitter @MaggieJLoney. KENNEDY PAYNTER NFL Mock: Kennedy is the senior draft analyst at Drafttek.com and a writer for HogsHaven.com. He is a middle school teacher that coaches high school lacrosse. He ranked 5th nationally for his Mock Draft in 2020 according to The Huddle Report. He appears on ESPN Radio shows and can be found on Twitter @Kennedy_Paynter. ROB REGER QB, Feature: Rob has been the official NFL Draft Analyst for The Drew Olson show on the Big 920 for 2 years and then transitioned as the Draft analyst for the Drew and KB show on 97.3 The Game for the last 2 years. Rob has also added his insights for 96.9 The Game in Orlando and was a member of the live draftcast for CheeseheadTV . He has been publishing his own personal Mock Drafts and Sleeper/bust list for 25+ years independently as well. OWEN RIESE FB, IOL: Owen is a former Gradudate Assistant Offensive Line Coach at UW-Whitewater, and a former offensive lineman at Carroll University. He is a contributor at SB Nation’s Bucky’s 5th Quarter, as well as 247 Sports’ Packer Report. Follow him on Twitter at @RieseDraft. ROSS UGLEM Edge, WR, Feature, Big Board: Ross Uglem is the Publisher of Packer Report for CBSi and publishes Bison Report and Jays247 for 247Sports. Uglem is a proud CHTV alum and is a Pack A Day podcast host. JACOB WESTENDORF TE, Blogger vs. Fan (blogger view): Jacob holds a journalism degree from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay (2014). He currently works for 24/7 Sports’ Packer Report as a staff writer, is a podcaster for the Pack-A-Day Podcast and is the owner of Game On Wisconsin. He was one of the hosts of the Jamaal Williams show for the 2020 season. AARON NAGLER Interview: Co-Founder of CheeseheadTV. COREY BEHNKE Publisher: Co-Founder of CheeseheadTV. JERSEY AL BRACCO OT, Packers Mock: Al is a minority owner and Editor-In-Chief of CheeseheadTV. JAMES ZACHMAN Creative Director: James is a Creative Director in the advertising industry working with major CPG brands. This is James’ sixth CHTV Draft Guide. Draft research team: (Pro Days)

ANDREW CZECH

Welcome, everyone, to the ELEVENTH edition of the CHEESEHEADTV PRO

FOOTBALL DRAFT GUIDE!

I started out last year’s letter by stating there had never been an NFL draft season like the one we were experiencing, and it’s safe to say the same thing again this year. The Covid crisis affected the NFL in a big way last season, with the NFL draft taking place completely remotely. Personally, I loved it. I enjoyed seeing the players, coaches, and GMs in their home environments, with kids and pets sometimes stealing the show. It brought a warm feeling of humanity and comfort knowing that even these professionals who are often just faces on our screens and idolized by many were just fellow humans going through the same things we were. Then came the season, with the majority of games being played with no fans in the stadiums. What a strange feeling it must have been for the players with just some fake canned crowd noise and no hyped-up fans to get them juiced and cheer their successes on the field. But the games went on, and slowly, especially come playoffs, limited numbers of fans were allowed. Now, here we are in another draft season and we still find ourselves battling to get out from under the shadow of the Covid-19 pandemic. We have vaccines and, in general, things are moving in the right direction, but it still affects our everyday lives in some way. The NFL has decided to cancel its

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traditional combine, with just a series of daily pro days held at university facilities across the country. I used to think compiling NFL combine results was a pain in the neck, but after trying to track down pro day results from all these different sources, I’ll never complain again. Even with fantastic help from volunteer contributor Andrew Czech, we still had to sift through conflicting data from various sources and determine which were the “most accurate.” But, despite all the obstacles, our dedication to this Draft Guide project remains steadfast. The term “labor of love” might be a bit overused, but there’s just no better way to describe why we do this. It certainly isn’t for fame and fortune. The feature articles in this year’s guide are as good as ever. First, the Fangio/ Staley/Barry defensive scheme is explained and examined as to how it might or might not fit the current personnel and affect the Packers’ draft day decisions. The best and worst Packers draft picks of the Super Bowl era are examined on a round-by-round basis. A new feature is our “Brazen Blogger vs. Frustrated Fan” debate with the topic being the controversial selection of Jordan Love last year. Finally, we once again bring you the “Small School Hidden Gems” you should keep an eye out for.

Our excellent designer, James Zachman, returns and, as he always seems to do, has blown us away with this year’s design. The copy editors on this project are Michel le Br uton and Matt Hendershott, without whom this project could not have been completed on time. Most of our analysts return this year with a sprinkling of new faces bringing some added “juice” to the guide. Of course, none of this would be possible without two close friends who decided to create a Packers blog more than a decade ago, Corey Behnke and Aaron Nagler. As Editor-in-Chief of this amazing endeavor, I just want to express my sincere thanks to you, the reader, for supporting all involved by purchasing this guide and frequenting CheeseheadTV. com. Without you, CheeseheadTV would not exist and be thriving. Our annual draft guide is one of the few things we require you to pay for and, frankly, our only financial goal is to be able to pay the people who put in the hours of hard work. So if you’re here reading this, our staff thanks you. If you like the guide, please tell your friends about it. Our eleventh edition is the best CHTV Draft Guide yet, and I’m proud to present it to the greatest fan base of the greatest franchise in the NFL. Enjoy it and Go Pack Go!

As always, we study and rank more than 200 draft prospects, look at the Packers’ roster by position group, examine their primary draft needs, and even spend a little time on the Packers’ NFC North rivals.

“JERSEY AL” BRACCO Editor-in-Chief

THE

FANGIO/STALEY/Barry Defense

A FIT IN GREEN BAY? By: ROSS UGLEM It’s easy to relive the way Green Bay’s 2020 season ended and remember the end of 2019. No, Green Bay didn’t give up 37 points again (though 31 isn’t great), and it definitely didn’t let its opponent rush for 285 yards. Still, the result was ultimately the same. Once again, Aaron Rodgers and the Packers ended their season in the NFC Championship Game, and once again, the defense wasn’t up to the task. It became clear that something had to change. The defense wasn’t alone, either. Green Bay’s special teams unit was a massive problem during the 2020 season and the playoffs. Instead of taking a sledgehammer to his 26–6 operation, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur took a “softer” tact. Shortly after the end of the season, LaFleur indeed relieved both special teams coach Shawn Mennenga and defensive

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coordinator Mike Pettine. In both cases, LaFleur didn’t stray far. Special teams will be headed by Mennenga’s top assistant, Maurice Drayton. Pettine’s case was more complicated. That was clear when Green Bay took an additional two days to ultimately come to that decision. Pettine was a coach LaFleur respected. LaFleur chose to retain Pettine after replacing Mike McCarthy, and he addressed the issue in his very first press conference. “When you look at Mike Pettine, I’ve gone against his defenses before and I think they present a lot of challenges for offenses. The fact that he’s been a head coach and has sat in this seat, it really affords you the opportunity to bounce ideas off of him…. The guys I trust in this business all have great things to say about Mike Pettine,” Coach LaFleur explained.

> THE FANGIO/STALEY/BARRY DEFENSE

It seemed to make sense. Green Bay had looked more competitive on defense in Pettine’s first year than it did under Dom Capers. A third defensive coordinator in three years didn’t seem like a great idea for a contending team. It also made sense to have someone with head coaching experience help guide a new head coach with just two seasons as a coordinator under his belt.

Barry’s charge? Install Matt LaFleur’s “clear vision” defensively. A “clear vision” is what LaFleur promised when he opened up his search for a new defensive coordinator. What that means is a little less than clear. “I don’t want to give the answers to the test, so to speak,” said LaFleur of his search for a coordinator. “There [are] certainly some characteristics that are non-negotiable.”

Unfortunately for Green Bay, that idea was folly. Pettine’s defenses, including his one year with McCarthy, finished 17th, 18th, and 9th in total defense, and 29th, 15th, and 17th in defensive DVOA. Counting the year before Pettine arrived and his three years as the defensive coordinator, Green Bay selected eight defensive players in the top 100, including Jaire Alexander, Rashan Gary, and Darnell Savage. The Packers also gave free agent contracts to defenders Davon House, Tramon Williams, Muhammad Wilkerson, Preston Smith, Za’Darius Smith, and Christian Kirksey.

The question now is just what those non-negotiable characteristics are. Both those that he saw enough of in Joe Barry to hire him and in the players Green Bay will look to add to that defense. What are they trying to change? What are they trying to add?

Pettine was given every chance to succeed and ultimately did not. Again, LaFleur could have blown the entire thing up. As with the special teams program, LaFleur only made one change: the head man. After offering the position to Jim Leonhard (and being turned down), LaFleur chose Rams assistant head coach and linebackers coach Joe Barry over Rams safeties coach Ejiro Evero. All other key defensive assistants will remain the same.

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Though it isn’t crystal-clear, the general consensus is that while Barry and former LA Rams defensive coordinator (and current Chargers head man) Brandon Staley have deep Vic Fangio roots, MLF wants the Staley version of that defense installed in Green Bay. For good reason, too. Despite the result of the Rams versus Packers playoff game, LA had the best defense in football by many metrics during the 2020 season. What exactly does that mean, and how is it different from what Green Bay ran in 2020? There are a few key staples: Light boxes: Staley played a “light box” based on the offensive personnel/alignment on 85% of the Rams’ plays. The theory behind this is to invite the opposing team to run the football. Staley countered by playing his safeties close to the line of

> THE FANGIO/STALEY/BARRY DEFENSE

scrimmage and rolling one (or both) toward the line of scrimmage immediately prior to the snap. In general, the Rams’ safeties played much closer to the line of scrimmage than most, whether they were “rolling up” or not. Eagle front: The Rams’ most-used front was an “Eagle” front. A nose tackle, head-up on the center, and two defensive tackle bodies (Michael Brockers and Aaron Donald, usually) playing the 4i technique (slightly over the inside shoulder of the offensive tackle). The EDGE players usually play in a Wide-9 technique outside of the tight end or where a tight end would be lined up. This is a “one-gap” defensive system where players are penetrating upfield, not stacking the offensive linemen and working either side of him. The 4i techniques accomplish two things: first, it forces a lot of double teams, leading to clean linebackers, and it consistently allows the backside B-gap player to reach across his blocker and clean up cut-back lanes. Base personnel: Barry actually mentioned something along these lines in his opening press conference, and the numbers bear it out. Mike Pettine was notorious for playing nickel against two-receiver sets and dime against three-receiver sets, even on early downs. Three different off-ball linebackers played more than 535 snaps for the Rams last year (Troy Reeder, Kenny Young, Micah Kiser). Green Bay had one, Christian Kirksey, who has already been released. Tackling: This may sound dumb, but it’s very real. Tackling is extremely important to the Staley defense. As much as it may drive Packers fans nuts after the lack of aggression shown by Pettine and sometimes his players (see King, Kevin), Staley’s approach (and ultimately likely to be Barry’s) will be to play zone, rally up, and tackle prior to first-down yardage. There will not be a ton of press-man coverage on the outside. This, of course, requires the tackle to be completed successfully. That leaves us with these important questions to answer: “What does Green Bay have that will work?” and “What does it need to get?” Let’s briefly go position-by-position. Defensive line: One of the biggest differences in the Staley scheme is the subpackage system on the defensive line. In the Pettine scheme (and in Capers’, for that matter), if Green Bay was in nickel, there would be two defensive linemen on the field, two EDGEs, and two linebackers. That’s not necessarily the case with this scheme. Oftentimes, the Rams used a single linebacker behind their Eagle front. His responsibilities would be shared by the safeties that were playing closer to the line of scrimmage than on almost any other team. No longer do the Packers covet the traditional 6’6” 5-tech who

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can two-gap. This will likely be a one-gap system, and upfield penetration is king. Green Bay will need to deepen their defensive line. The good news is they’ve got two players who will fit in perfectly. Kenny Clark can play the nose position or the 4i. Kingsley Keke profiles as an excellent penetrating 4i. It’s very difficult to project Dean Lowry into the Staley/Fangio scheme. It’s also difficult to justify his place on the roster at his current salary. The Packers are going to need development from their bottom-roster defensive linemen and to make some additions from around the league and in the draft. Unfortunately for Green Bay, this is not a strong draft for defensive linemen. NC State’s Alim McNeil could play the nose and has at least some pass rush upside. Iowa’s Daviyon Nixon is a potential 4i with rare movement skills. LSU’s Tyler Shelvin is another interesting option at 0-tech. Linebacker: Even suggesting this will drive Packers fans nuts, but the Staley system doesn’t require an amazing set of inside linebackers. One of the Rams’ more significant personnel departures after the 2019 season was highly sought-after linebacker Corey Littleton. Littleton was tied to the Packers (mostly by fans) during the 2020 offseason. Despite his departure (and despite less-than-stellar play from his replacements), the Rams defense didn’t skip a beat. Rather, they improved. Once again, the key to a great Green Bay defense doesn’t necessarily mean a great “man in the middle.” The Staley/Fangio scheme does an excellent job of keeping the linebackers clean because of the alignment of the front five. Therefore, the smaller, more athletic linebackers are just fine for this system. Think more along the lines of Jeremiah OwusuKoramoa (Notre Dame), Jabril Cox (North Dakota State/LSU), or Nick Bolton (Mizzou), rather than the bigger tanks like Zaven Collins or Dylan Moses. Chaz Surratt from North Carolina, a former quarterback, could also be a major upgrade in pass coverage and blitzing. Green Bay seems to be pleased long-term with its 2020 additions Kamal Martin and Krys Barnes, though there are as many as nine or 10 top-100 options at the position. Both Barnes and Martin figure to fit in just fine, but Green Bay may eschew its use of a safety in a linebacker role a la Raven Greene. It is not a position/tact often used by Staley. Edge defender: This is the biggest difference roster-wise between the Packers and the Rams and will be the most interesting preference to pay attention to in this theoretical scheme change. The Rams did not employ big EDGEs playing that Wide-9 technique. Leonard Floyd played the most snaps on the edge by far, and he’s a thin (by football standards) 6’4” and 251 pounds. Justin

> THE FANGIO/STALEY/BARRY DEFENSE

Hollins? 6’5” 248. Samson Ebukam? 6’3” 245. Obo Okoronkwo? Same thing. 6’2” 253. Mike Pettine loved big players on the outside, and so did Brian Gutekunst. Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith, and Rashan Gary weigh 272, 265, and 277 pounds, respectively. While sentiment often tilted toward lighter pass-rushers like the aforementioned Okoronkwo, the Titans’ Harold Landry, or Carolina’s Brian Burns in years past, the Packers instead brought in the beef. So what now? That’s the big question. Do the Smiths and Gary fit in? Note that Gary could be successful on the defensive line in this scheme. Will Barry adjust his plan to fit his current roster? Will the Packers start phasing in the lighter, faster, more flexible rushers? If the Packers are interested in adding one or two of those players to the roster, there are options. Jayson Oweh from Penn State is an even more athletic version of Hollins. Azeez Ojulari from Georgia is a bursty speed rusher who would look great in a Wide-9 technique. Ronnie Perkins (Oklahoma) and Joseph Ossai (Texas) could play similar roles to Okoronkwo. Pay attention to the decisions Green Bay makes at this position. Defensive backs: Barry and Staley’s defense did two things more than any other team in the league with their defensive backs. One, they played with two-high safeties looks. Two, they played those safeties closer to the line of scrimmage than any other team in the league. The strategy (and honestly, it defines the whole defense) is to play light boxes on early downs and invite teams to run the ball. By playing the safeties close to the line of scrimmage and occupying the offensive line with the front five, the linebackers and safeties are able to clean up quickly and keep the offense behind the chains. This puts stress on the safety group, and Los Angeles has had some good ones. John Johnson III just signed a lucrative deal

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with Cleveland after putting his work with the Rams on tape. Taylor Rapp is a solid player and a very good tackler. That’s really the key, too. Green Bay’s safeties are going to have to be able to come down and tackle if they’re going to play this “fake light box” technique defensively. Adrian Amos is a perfect prototype for this position. Darnell Savage might actually be a better fit at “Star” (nickel). The corners will have to tackle, too (here’s looking at you, Kevin King). There is a trade off to splitting the safeties. The corners will be protected in mostly Cover-2 or 2-man looks. Green Bay can also play some quarters. It won’t be often where Green Bay’s corners are left completely on their own on an island. Playmakers and good tacklers should be at a premium. Trevon Moehrig would be an incredible addition to a Staley/ Fangio scheme. Christian Uphoff (Illinois State) is an interesting small-school sleeper. At corner, Alabama’s Patrick Surtain II is an exceptional tackler (and cornerback). So is Northwestern’s Greg Newsome II. Jevon Holland (Oregon) and Elijah Molden (Washington) are options at “Star.” All the film study, reading, Zoom meetings, and phone calls in the world won’t predict exactly what Joe Barry wants to do. We know Matt LaFleur was impressed by the Rams and Staley (and ultimately Barry). We know Barry has deep Fangio roots. We also know that Barry wants to do his own thing. “What we’re going to build here, we’re going to put our stamp on it. You’re going to have to wait and see what that stamp is going to be,” he said at his introductory press conference. Strictly based on what the Rams did, the Packers have square pegs and a few round holes. As mentioned, Lowry doesn’t make a ton of sense. Kevin King would need to tackle better. They’d need to get a lot deeper on the defensive line. Darnell Savage would have to clean up his 29 missed tackles in two years as well. Barry might prefer a completely different kind of player on the edge altogether. Still, in the NFL you’re either moving forward or moving backward. Barry’s defense is, if nothing else, a new direction.

Best & WORST

PACKERS DRAFT PICKS OF THE SUPER BOWL ERA By: MARK ECKEL Whether it was under Ron Wolf, Ted Thompson, or now Brian Gutekunst, the Green Bay Packers have done well in the NFL draft. Then again, even the best general managers miss at times, and there was also the Mike Sherman era in between Wolf and Thompson. Here is a round-by-round list of the best and worst Packers picks of the Super Bowl Era.

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> BEST & WORST PICKS

First Round Best: Aaron Rodgers, QB, Cal, 2005 (24): You surely know the narrative by now. Rodgers and Utah’s Alex Smith were considered the top two quarterbacks in the ’05 draft. Smith went No. 1 to the San Francisco 49ers, and Rodgers dropped and dropped and dropped right into Ted Thompson’s lap at No. 24. With a future Hall-of-Fame quarterback in Brett Favre already on the roster it was not the team’s primary need, or even a need at all, but the GM couldn’t resist. It also wasn’t a very popular pick among the fans. Or Favre. Rodgers repaid the GM with three regular-season MVP awards, a Super Bowl MVP nod, and a ticket to Canton five years after he retires. It’s hard to top this as the best No. 1 pick in Packers history. Runner-Up: James Lofton, WR, Stanford, 1978 (6): Green Bay’s leading receiver in 1977 was Barry Smith, with 37 receptions. Wide receiver was certainly a need in 1978, and the team found a future Hall of Famer in Lofton. He led the team in receiving as a rookie and in the next eight years that followed. Lofton still ranks fifth all-time on the Packers lists for receptions (530) and second in yards (9,656). Honorable Mention: Sterling Sharpe, WR, South Carolina, 1988; Clay Matthews, LB, So.Cal, 2009; John Brockington, RB, Ohio St., 1971.

Worst: Tony Mandarich, T, Michigan St., 1989 (2): The hype around the selection may have been worse than the pick itself. It all started when the Packers won their last two games of the 1988 season over Minnesota and Phoenix to finish 4–12 and fall from the No. 1 overall pick to the No. 2 overall pick. Dallas, at 3–13, grabbed the No. 1 pick and selected quarterback Troy Aikman of UCLA, although some critics thought the Cowboys should have taken Mandarich. The Packers did, and the tackle who was going to change the game lasted just three unremarkable seasons in Green Bay. What really makes this pick the worst is four of the top five players picked in that ’89 draft—Aikman, running back Barry Sanders, linebacker Derrick Thomas, and cornerback Deion Sanders—are all in the Hall of Fame. And then there’s Mandarich. Runner-Up: Rich Campbell, QB, Cal, 1981 (6): This may actually have been the worst pick. Looking for a quarterback to replace the aging and battered Lynn Dickey, the Packers used the No. 6 pick on Campbell over linebacker Hugh Green and safety Ronnie Lott. The only quarterback taken in the first round of the ’81 draft, Campbell wasn’t even that good in college. He threw 42 interceptions to 35 touchdowns in three years at Cal and had a 6:11 ratio his senior year. He played just seven games for Green Bay and completed 31-of-68 passes with three touchdowns and nine interceptions. Dishonorable Mention: Bruce Clark, DT, Penn St. 1980; Jerry Tagge, QB, Nebraska 1972; John Michels, T, So. Cal, 1996.

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> BEST & WORST PICKS

SECOND Round Best: LeRoy Butler, CB, Florida St., 1990 (48): The cornerback reference isn’t a mistake. Butler was drafted out of Florida State as a corner and started there for Green Bay in 1991. He moved to safety in 1992, and his career blossomed. Not that he was a bad corner; he had six interceptions in two years. At safety he became one of the best to ever play the position. He finished his career with 38 interceptions, 13 forced fumbles, 10 fumble recoveries, and 20 1/2 sacks. He was also durable. From 1991 to 2000, he missed just four games. A Hall of Fame finalist the past two years, there’s no logical reason he’s not enshrined in Canton. Runner-Up: Davante Adams, WR, Fresno St., 2014 (53): There were those of you, and you know who you are, who wanted to dump Adams after a subpar, injury-plagued sophomore season. Now, he’s become Aaron Rodgers’ favorite receiver, one of the best receivers in the league, and one of the best in Packers history. Already he ranks fourth in team history in both receptions (546) and touchdowns (62), and he’s far from finished. That’s a pretty good second-round pick by Thompson. Honorable Mention: Chad Clifton, T, Tennessee, 2000; Jordy Nelson, WR, Kansas St., 2008; Elgton Jenkins, OL, Mississippi St., 2019

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Worst: Josh Jones, S, North Carolina St., 2017 (61): For some reason, Thompson wanted a safety (Morgan Burnett and HaHa Clinton-Dix were coming off decent 2016 seasons) and reached for Jones. He never became a full-time starter, was more of a liability than an asset when he did play, and, after two undistinguished seasons, he was released. He did start for Jacksonville in 2020, and the Jaguars went 1–15. What made the pick worse: the two players taken just after Jones were wide receiver JuJu Smith-Shuster by Pittsburgh and offensive lineman Dion Dawkins by Buffalo. Runner-Up: Jason Spriggs, T, Indiana, 2016 (48): Spriggs was one of those players who worked out better than he actually played in college, which increased his draft stock. And the Packers bought high. Expected to at least be a swing tackle behind David Bakhtiari and Bryan Bulaga, Spriggs wasn’t even that. He struggled on both the left and right sides when he did play and spent his final season (2019) on injured reserve. Dishonorable Mention: Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville, 2008; Quinten Rollins, CB, Miami (Ohio) 2015; Dave Bradley, T, Penn State 1969.

> BEST & WORST PICKS

THIRD Round Best: Antonio Freeman, WR, Virginia Tech, 1995 (90): Through a series of trades, Ron Wolf ended up with four third-round picks in the ’95 draft, and all four were pretty good. Freeman, the fourth of those picks, was the best. He spent his rookie year as the return man and was adequate. By his second season, he was the team’s leading receiver for a Super Bowl champion and then put up three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons from ’97–99, leading the league in ’98 with 1,412 yards. Runner-Up: Brian Williams, LB, USC, 1995 (73): Taken 17 selections ahead of Freeman, Williams would also make a list of the most underrated Packers of all time. He wasn’t a splash player and didn’t have to be on that Packers defense that featured the likes of Reggie White, Sean Jones, and LeRoy Butler. Williams did all the little things right, took tight ends out of the game, and was as solid as they come in the run game. Honorable Mention: Robert Brooks, WR, South Carolina, 1992; Earl Dotson, T, Texas A&M, 1993; Morgan Burnett, S, Georgia Tech, 2010.

Worst: B.J. Sander, P, Ohio State, 2004 (87): This pick might sum up Mike Sherman’s ill-fated stint as a general manager. Not only did Sherman take a punter in the third round, he took a bad punter in the third round. And he traded up to get him! Upset with incumbent punter Josh Bidwell after he punted into the end zone late in the “4th-and-26’’ playoff loss to Philadelphia, Sherman drafted Sander to replace him. Except the former Buckeye didn’t win the job in ’04; it went to journeyman Bryan Barker. Sander did punt in ’05, his only year with the team, and his 39.2 average was the worst in a 20-year span. Runner-Up: Joey Thomas, CB, Montana St., 2004 (70): Sherman’s ’04 draft is as bad as any in team history. In between taking Ahmad Carroll in the first round and trading up for the punter in the third, Sherman took Thomas with an early third-round pick out of that football factory Montana State. Thomas lasted exactly a year and six games with the Packers before he was let go. Dishonorable Mention: Brett Conway, K, Penn St., 1997; Bill Stevens, QB, Texas El Paso, 1968 (67); LeShon Johnson, RB, Northern Illinois, 1994.

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> BEST & WORST PICKS

FOURTH Round Best: David Bakhtiari, T, Colorado, 2013 (109): Just look at the runners-up and the honorable mentions; the Packers have done very well in the fourth round. But never better than getting the best tackle in football with the 109th pick. Thompson always did well with offensive linemen in the middle rounds and found a star in Colorado. Bakhtiari became an immediate starter at left tackle as a rookie—Bulaga was supposed to switch sides but tore his ACL and missed the season—and has been there ever since. He developed into an All-Pro and was rewarded with the best contract for a tackle ever this past season. Runner-Up: Mike Daniels, DT, Iowa, 2012 (132): Green Bay’s first six picks in the ’12 draft were all on defense. Daniels was the fourth of the six and the second defensive lineman. He turned out to be the team’s best pick of the draft. Considered undersized to play end in a 3-4 scheme, Daniels was a key backup his first two years before taking over as a starter for Johnny Jolly in his third year. He held that spot for the next five years and became a leader of the defense on and off the field.

Worst: J’Mon Moore, WR, Missouri, 2018 (133): Gutekunst’s first draft featured a trio of wide receivers taken in Rounds 4, 5, and 6. Moore, taken in the fourth, was the worst of the trio. He had good size at 6’3”, 205, and 4.3 speed, but he couldn’t catch. That was the rap on him at Missouri, and it stayed with him in Green Bay. Moore returned a few kickoffs as a rookie but never caught a pass and was gone before his second season started. Runner-Up: Vince Biegel, LB, Wisconsin, 2017 (108): This was the pick Green Bay received from Cleveland, the first pick of the fourth round (along with the first pick of the second round, for passing on T.J. Watt in the first round). Biegel, a teammate of Watt’s at Wisconsin, never did a thing with the Packers. Despite the team’s dearth at linebacker, he lasted just one forgettable season. Dishonorable Mention: Carl Bradford, LB, Arizona St., 2014; Dan Knight, T, San Diego St., 1986; Jermane Smith, DT, Georgia, 1997.

Honorable Mention: Josh Sitton, G, Central Florida, 2008; Edgar Bennett, RB, Florida St., 1992 (102); T.J. Lang, G, Eastern Michigan, 2009 (109).

FIFTH Round Best: Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, DE, San Diego St., 2000 (149): If you thought the fourth-round picks were good, take a look at some of these fifth-round picks. KGB gets the slight nod as the best. He spent most of his rookie year on the Packers practice squad before emerging as a pass-rushing threat his second year with 13 1/2 sacks. From 2001–04 he recorded 49 of his career 74 1/2 sacks, which still ranks second-most in team history. It’s hard to find good pass-rushers even in the early rounds, so give Wolf a lot of credit for this pick. Runner-Up: Dorsey Levens, RB, Georgia Tech, 1994 (149): The Packers backfield in 1993 was shared between second-year man Edgar Bennett and first-round bust Darrell Thompson. Levens came aboard the next year but didn’t make his mark until ’95, when he became Bennett’s backup and a third-down back. It remained that way in the Super Bowl season of ’96, but Levens took over for an injured Bennett in ’97, ran for 1,435 yards, caught 53 passes, and scored 12 touchdowns. He had another 1,000-yard season in ’99.

Worst: Jim Stillwagon, LB, Ohio St., 1971 (124): Stillwagon was a star at Ohio State. He was a two-time All-America selection, won the Outland Trophy as the nation’s best interior lineman, and was the first Lombardi Award winner as the nation’s best player. Green Bay might have gotten a steal in the fifth round, except Stillwagon never signed with the Packers. Instead, he went to Toronto of the CFL and became a three-time Canadian League All-Star. Runner-Up: Willie Wilder, RB, Florida, 1978 (126): Wilder averaged six yards per carry and scored 16 touchdowns in his college career for the Gators. But as Stillwagon did seven years prior, he spurned Green Bay for the CFL and signed with Sasakatchewan. His career didn’t go as well, as he lasted just one year with the Roughriders. Dishonorable Mention: Bryan Thomas, RB, Pitt, 1983; Darrell Reed, LB, Oklahoma, 1988; DeMond Parker, RB, Oklahoma, 1999.

Honorable Mention: Aaron Kampman, DE, Iowa, 2002; Corey Linsley, C, Ohio St., 2014; Aaron Jones, RB, Texas El Paso, 2017.

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SIXTH Round Best: Mason Crosby, K, Colorado, 2007 (193): Ryan Longwell left as a free agent after the 2005 season, and the Packers struggled with Dave Rayner, who was just 15-for-23 on field goal attempts of 30-plus yards in 2006. Thompson took Crosby in the sixth round in ’07, and the team hasn’t had to worry about its kicker since. Crosby owns almost every Packers kicking mark, including longest field goal and most consecutive field goals, and is also the team’s all-time leading scorer with 1,575 points. Runner-Up: Mark Chmura, TE, Boston College, 1992 (157): The ’92 draft certainly improved the Packers at the skill positions. Wide receiver Robert Brooks came in the third round, running back Edgar Bennett in the fourth, and Chmura in the sixth. It took him a few seasons, but Chmura emerged as not just a good blocking tight end but a reliable and big-play receiver as well. From 1995–98, Chmura caught 167 passes for 2,020 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Worst: Ricky Elmore, LB, Arizona, 2011 (197): At 6’5”, 255, Elmore had the perfect size and build to be a linebacker in the Packers’ 3-4 scheme and appeared to be a sixth-round steal for the team. It never materialized. Elmore never made it past practice squad status and was released. He did spend a year with Cleveland but didn’t see action for the Browns, either. Runner-Up: Don Woods, RB, New Mexico, 1974 (134): This one might be more on the team than the player. Green Bay released Woods on the final cutdown day and he signed with the Chargers. He gained 1,162 yards and rushed for seven touchdowns on his way to Rookie of the Year. An injury the following year slowed him, and he never regained his rookie form, but he was a solid backup for the Chargers for four more seasons. Dishonorable Mention: Willie Marshall, WR, Temple, 1987; Dee Miller, WR, Ohio St., 1999; Joe Garton, G/C, Colorado, 1991.

Honorable Mention: Bryce Paup, LB, Northern Iowa, 1990; Marco Rivera, G, Penn St., 1996; James Starks, RB, Buffalo, 2010.

SEVENTH Round Best: Donald Driver, WR, Alcorn St., 1999 (213): This wasn’t tough. When you get the franchise’s all-time leader in receptions (743) and yards (10,137) in the seventh round, that’s some pick. Driver, who also has the team record with a catch in 133 consecutive games, didn’t come into his own until his fourth season when he broke out for a 70-catch, 1,064-yard, nine-touchdown season. He went on to have six more 1,000yard seasons and rewrote the team’s record book. Runner-Up: Matt Flynn, QB, LSU, 2008 (209): Aaron Rodgers was ready to take over for Brett Favre as the starting quarterback, but the team needed a backup. That was supposed to be second-round pick Brian Brohm. Instead, Flynn beat him out. He served as Rodgers’ backup for four years, left as a free agent, and returned to help the Packers make the playoffs in 2013 in place of an injured Rodgers.

Worst: DeAndrew Rubin, WR/KR, Central Florida, 2003 (253): Rubin wasn’t very productive at UCF (18 receptions, 357 yards in 2002), but when he ran a 4.31 40 and had a 35 1/2-inch vertical in his workouts, he opened eyes. That speed and athletic ability never translated, and he never played an NFL game. Runner-Up: Bart Purvis, T, Maryland, 1974 (168): Green Bay did OK drafting players named Bart late, but not this Bart. Purvis was a three-year starter at Maryland, but at 240 pounds he just wasn’t big enough for the NFL and was released at the end of camp. The Packers drafted another tackle, eight rounds later in ’74, out of Pitt named Dave Wannstedt. He didn’t make it, either. Dishonorable Mention: Bill Bushong, DT, Kentucky, 1972; Bell Tipton, G, Baylor, 1977; Edwin Watson, RB, Purdue, 1998.

Honorable Mention: Scott Wells, C, Tennessee, 2004; Adam Timmerman, G, South Dakota St., 1995; Keith McKenzie, LB, Ball St., 1996.

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BLOGGER VS. FAN

THE

BRAZEN BLOGGER

FRUSTRATED FAN

By: JACOB WESTENDORF

By: JACKSON BAILEY

Let’s go back to April 2020. The world is in flux because of Covid-19. Sports have been on pause since the middle of March. Everything is uncertain.

I remember waking up in a great mood the morning of the 2020 NFL draft. There are so many great players projected in the late-first/early-second round that the Packers cannot possibly mess their pick up. All day, I’m working outside without a cloud in the sky, the sun is shining bright, and the smile on my face can’t be wrestled away. Little did I know, by the time the 26th pick happened, not enough sun in the world could pierce through the thickness of gloomy clouds the Packers front office had placed over Packer Nation.

We finally have a distraction: the NFL draft. The Green Bay Packers were set to pick near the end of the first round, with needs along the defensive front, at linebacker, and, of course, at wide receiver. The prevailing thought was that a team that was one game away from the Super Bowl the previous season would continue to add around its future Hall of Fame quarterback. Instead, Brian Gutekunst made his legacy pick: Jordan Love, quarterback from Utah State. Gutekunst talked all offseason about how the Packers would not pass on a potential franchise quarterback if they believed one was available. It was kind of his way of saying that there was one that they liked. We later found out the Packers did a lot of homework on Love. Matt LaFleur met with him and his former coaches. They wanted to know everything about the Utah State product. What I’m here to tell you is that the selection was a good one. Draft analysis always gets easier in hindsight. Aaron Rodgers responded to the Love selection by winning his third MVP award. That has led to even more gnashing of teeth over the pick. That being said, it’s impossible to view that pick through that lens. You can only view it through what information was available at that time. The reality that nobody wants to admit is that while Rodgers was able to put up some impressive numbers, most notably taking care of the ball, there was evidence that his play was slipping. If you look at December 2019, that is when Rodgers’ play looked to be hitting a bit of a wall. He started off with a bang with a four-touchdown performance in the Meadowlands against the New York Giants. From that point forward, his overall numbers looked OK, but his play did not match the box score.

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The 2019 Packers were good but not great. 13–3 is fine and dandy, but most of us were not sold on them being true contenders. However, if you don’t lose any key players and you improve a few positions, contenders now become the NFC favorites. Those positions were wide receiver, linebacker, and slot corner, or just about anything other than kicker, punter, and…you guessed it, quarterback. The Packers’ needs aligned with the top talent at that point in the draft. I was a fan of multiple receivers, including Tee Higgins, Laviska Shenault Jr., and Chase Claypool. There were also some drool-worthy defensive backs still available. Trevon Diggs was begging to be drafted, while Antoine Winfield Jr. might have been the biggest miss in the draft. Whether or not you think he would have helped the Packers, if they had drafted him, he wouldn’t have been on the other side to torture the offense in the NFCCG. But out of all players available, one that stuck with me was Patrick Queen. Queen was a linebacker who followed in Devin White’s footsteps at LSU. Most know White as the most dominant defensive player in this year’s playoffs, but what most don’t know is that Queen was statistically better in each of their final years at LSU and also better in their NFL rookie years. Queen had 106 total tackles to White’s 91 while also having more sacks and more tackles for loss. Instead of these options, Green Bay decided to draft a quarterback, even though they already have future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers. History shows that late-first-round quarterbacks don’t generally pan out. Here is the complete list of quarterbacks taken in the latter half of the first round (15th or later) since Aaron Rodgers was drafted: Jason Campbell, Brady Quinn, Joe Flacco, Josh Freeman, Tim Tebow, Brandon Weeden, EJ Manuel, Teddy Bridgewater, Johnny Manziel, Paxton Lynch, Lamar Jackson, Dwayne

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> THE FRUSTRATED FAN

Rodgers had two games in that stretch where his completion percentage was lower than 50 percent. His deep ball accuracy did not look anything like the player the Packers had grown accustomed to. He rebounded with a solid performance against Seattle but ended with a poor performance in San Francisco.

Haskins, and Jordan Love. I give you these names not to tell you that Love will unequivocally be bad, merely that history is not necessarily on his side.

By the end of the season, it became a fair question as to whether the Packers could still win because of Aaron Rodgers. Enter Jordan Love. Love was considered a raw project who needed to sit before getting on the field, so the Packers were a perfect situation for him. Love is a classic boom-or-bust prospect. If he hits, it’s like Patrick Mahomes. If he doesn’t, it’s more like Paxton Lynch. In a league where quarterbacks are more important than ever, it’s never a bad idea to take a chance. Perhaps the biggest argument in favor of Love is looking around at some other quarterback situations in the league. It’s easy for a fan base to want their team to go all in. That is what the New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers did. Those teams continued to move money to the future for their Hall of Fame quarterbacks. The issue with it is when the bill comes due. New Orleans was good enough to win a championship last year, but their quarterback’s arm was shot. Drew Brees had clearly declined, but the Saints had little choice but to play him. They weren’t benching him for Jameis Winston in a postseason game. Essentially, the Saints continued to play him because he had earned the right to go out on his terms. Now, their team is in cap hell, their roster will be severely compromised, and they have limited options for who the next quarterback will be. Pittsburgh is currently in the same spot. Ben Roethlisberger looked like an aging quarterback coming off of a major elbow surgery by the end of last season. The Steelers, ideally, would move on from Roethlisberger, but they cannot. Roethlisberger would cost them $41 million on the salary cap doing so. The Steelers’ other options currently are Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins. Neither of those guys are inspiring confidence as a franchise quarterback.

When looking at the Jordan Love situation in Green Bay, it’s easy for most to compare that draft process in a similar light to the one Aaron Rodgers went through in 2005. And while tempting to do so, let me reiterate Rodgers’ own sentiments about the comparison in an interview he did with Kyle Brandt. Brett Favre had been mulling retirement for several years, while Rodgers has said he wants to play into his forties. Favre also led a 2004 team to a 10–6 record getting ousted in the wild card round, and those Packers weren’t a player or two away from being a Super Bowl favorite like the 2019 Packers were. Finally, when it comes down to how the draft unfolds, Rodgers was a player who was in conversation to go first overall but inexplicably fell into Green Bay’s lap at 24, while Love was a project QB many weren’t sure would even go in the first round. Love could turn out to be incredible, or he could be below average; none of us really know. What we do know, however, is that the Packers have an all-time great quarterback who’s ready to win now, and the organization thought it better to build for the future. Ask the Bengals, the Browns, and the Jaguars how the last 20 years have gone trying to build for the future. Ask the Buccaneers how they feel right now going all-in on the present without mortgaging their future. In a football world full of unknowns and “what ifs” why not build around the one sure thing you have in Aaron Rodgers? Over the past few weeks, you have seen players like Russell Wilson and Deshaun Watson put their teams on notice for far less egregious acts than using a first-round pick on their replacement. The Packers are lucky Rodgers didn’t force his way out of town on the spot. So, I say, while it’s not too late, ride the unbelievable Rodgers wave as long as possible, because you never know what’s on the other side.

What the Packers did was continue to hedge their bet at the game’s most important position. If Rodgers rebounded and had the season he ended up having, it’s crow they’ll happily eat. If Rodgers continued what looked like a steady decline, they have a prospect they like and developed to eventually take over for Rodgers. It’s exactly what they did with Brett Favre. That move worked out OK. Time will tell if this one will, but their process was a good one.

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SMALL SCHOOL HIDDEN GEMS

DRAFT SLEEPERS By: ROB REGER In today’s NFL, it is important for teams to look at many different avenues and in many different places to achieve ultimate success. Long gone are the days when teams can simply rely on top draft choices or overspend for free agents. All of the successful franchises look to the later rounds of the draft and take a shot on smaller school players to help fill in the gaps. This year, that is especially true thanks to fallout from the pandemic and the significant lowering of the salary cap.

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This breakdown highlights several potential targets for the Packers at positions of need. The focus will be on non-Power 5 conferences with players expected to be available in later rounds. Last year’s profile featured strong first-year contributors, including Gabriel Davis, Antonio Gibson, Alex Highsmith, Jeremy Chinn, and Kyle Dugger. Also included is each player’s fit within Matt LaFleur’s or Joe Barry’s scheme.

> SMALL SCHOOL HIDDEN GEMS: OFFENSE

Jaret Patterson (RB)

Buffalo

Kenneth Gainwell (RB)

Memphis

MEASURABLES: Height: 5’9” | Weight: 195 lbs.

MEASURABLES: Height: 5’11” | Weight: 191 lbs.

Jaret Patterson is a record-setting running back who not only rushed for 1,000 yards three years in a row but also scored 52 touchdowns for the Buffalo Bulls. What really stands out about Patterson are his low center of gravity and quick feet. On film, there is little wasted motion with him, and he is very decisive at the point of attack. Patterson also is exceedingly difficult to get on the ground and frequently runs through arm tackles due to his sturdy build.

“Versatile” is probably the best word to describe Kenneth Gainwell. Although he was only the featured back for Memphis for one season, during that season Gainwell exploded with more than 2,000 total yards and 16 touchdowns. Gainwell thrives by working out of multiple spots in the offense, including spending significant time in the slot. In 2019, Gainwell not only rushed for 1,459 yards, he also caught 51 passes for more than 600 yards as a receiver. It is this type of versatility that has NFL teams taking a close look at adding this dynamic weapon in the mid-rounds. He played quarterback in high school, so there might even be an opportunity for Gainwell to pull off a trick play. In the past two years, the Packers used Tyler Ervin and Tavon Austin in the “gadget” role; Gainwell could be an upgrade for this role. He could be a great weapon in Matt LaFleur’s offense, both as an outside runner on jet sweeps and a receiver motioning out of the backfield, creating nightmares for opposing defensive coordinators.

The Packers will be looking to replace Jamal Williams, and Patterson could be a perfect complement to Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon. Although not as big as Dillon, Patterson could be a solid change-of-pace back who also has a nose for the end zone. The biggest flaw to his game is probably the fact that he is not much of a breakaway threat. Finally, although he was not used much in the passing game, Patterson looks like a natural catcher and could further develop that part of his game.

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> SMALL SCHOOL HIDDEN GEMS: OFFENSE

D’Wayne Eskridge (WR)

Western Michigan

Marquez Stevenson (WR)

Houston

MEASURABLES: Height: 5’9” | Weight: 189 lbs.

MEASURABLES: Height: 5’10” | Weight: 182 lbs.

D’Wayne Eskridge is a home run waiting to happen. He is dynamic with the ball in his hands, as evidenced by his eight touchdowns in only six games during the 2020 season. He also averaged an incredible 23.3 yards per reception. Eskridge has a unique ability to accelerate through the catch, often allowing him to beat defensive backs after the catch. His skills would work equally well in the slot or as an outside receiver, and he is especially explosive on slant passes. Eskridge could also thrive as a kickoff or punt returner.

There are times on film it looks like Marquez Stevenson is on fast-forward and the rest of the players are on regular speed; he is that fast. Covering from the slot was a futile exercise for defensive backs in the AAC. When healthy, Stevenson proved to be a productive, dominant receiver. His best year was his sophomore year, with 75 catches for 1,019 yards and 11 total touchdowns. However, stats do not always tell the whole story, as Stevenson was subjected to inconsistent quarterback play over the last two years. Oftentimes, he would be wide open, and the quarterback just couldn’t get him the ball.

On the Packers, Eskridge would fill a huge hole as a slot receiver with explosive running ability on both deep passes and receiver screens. He is a natural catcher, with soft hands. He could finally serve as a replacement for Randall Cobb and have the same impact Cobb did while roaming the slot for the Packers. He would also be a favorite for a special teams spot as a kick returner.

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As mentioned earlier, one knock on Stevenson has been his health. He broke his collarbone freshman year, tore his ACL his redshirt year, and had ankle issues this past year. If the Packers were to take a chance on him, the sky’s the limit. Stevenson would be a low-risk, high-reward pick in the mid to late rounds. If he stays healthy, Stevenson has explosive quickness and long speed to really stretch the defense. His productivity and talent could make him a solid contributor in three or four receiver sets as a player who could get off the line quickly and wreak havoc on the opposing team’s cornerbacks.

> SMALL SCHOOL HIDDEN GEMS: OFFENSE

Quinn Meinerz

(IOL)

UW-Whitewater

Dillon Radunz

(OT)

North Dakota St.

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’3” | Weight: 320 lbs.

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’5” | Weight: 304 lbs.

The legend of Quinn Meinerz is alive. Before his senior season was cancelled due to Covid-19, Meinerz produced a workout video and posted it online. The video shows Meinerz working out to “One Thing Leads to Another” by The Fixx and shows, among other things, Meinerz running stairs while carrying full propane tanks, ripping trees out of the ground, splitting logs with one mighty swing of an axe, and doing various agility drills in the woods of Canada. However, it was Meinerz’s dominating performance against the top defensive line talent at the Senior Bowl that really made scouts stand up and take notice.

Although his level of competition could be considered questionable, with his size and ability Dillon Radunz is as NFL-ready as any other prospect in the draft. As a pass blocker, Radunz is quick out of his stance with fluid movements. He rarely gets caught off balance. Many times, tackles struggle at left tackle coming out of college, however, Radunz could be a rare example of a player built primarily for protecting the quarterback’s blind side from day one.

Nicknamed “The Gut” due to his unique figure and uniformwearing style, Meinerz is the definition of country strong. Although he will not wow anyone with his athletic skill, he appears to be more than adequate as an interior lineman. With the Packers moving on from Corey Linsley, Meinerz could be a viable candidate to, at the very least, provide depth on the interior with the ability to eventually move into a starting role once he gains more polish.

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One of Radunz’s most impressive traits is that he improved dramatically year after year and was able to put on solid weight every year he played for the Bisons. He is looked at as a player with his best days in front of him and has a frame to put on even more weight while maintaining quickness. For the Packers, there is some uncertainty at tackle with David Bakhtiari recovering from a late-season ACL tear and Ricky Wagner not returning. Depth at tackle through the draft will be crucial. Landing a versatile, athletic offensive tackle with skills that match up perfectly for the Packers blocking scheme would be ideal.

> SMALL SCHOOL HIDDEN GEMS: DEFENSE

Jordan Smith

(DE)

UAB

Tarron Jackson

(DE)

Coastal Carolina

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’5” | Weight: 255 lbs.

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’3” | Weight: 260 lbs.

Jordan Smith is a player who seems like he has his best days of football ahead of him. Smith started his career as a decorated player at Florida; however, he got himself involved in a fraud case and was soon dismissed. After spending time in junior college, Smith resurfaced at UAB and started creating carnage right away. As a redshirt sophomore, Smith had 14.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks. He followed that up with nine more tackles for loss and 4.5 more sacks in an eight game abbreviated year.

Tarron Jackson is a thick edge rusher who was extraordinarily effective as a pass-rusher for Coastal Carolina. He is a little undersized for a traditional 3-4 defensive end, but he could easily carry an extra 20 to 30 pounds and be effective as a run stopper and a pass-rusher. The area that really stood out on film for Jackson was the fact that he seemed to always push the offensive lineman into the backfield; he was basically immoveable at the line of scrimmage. His power and hand strength are extremely evident on almost every play.

Smith is long and lean but does show power at the point of attack. At 6’6”, he can disrupt passing lanes, but he also has enough bend to get around the corner on his edge rush. Smith really seems like a player who was given a second chance and is taking advantage of it. For the Packers, Smith could be an ideal situational pass-rusher as a rookie and develop into a strong starter in a couple years.

The Packers are going to need to bulk up their defensive line in the draft, and Jackson could be that perfect developmental mid-round player who blossoms in year two or three with the proper coaching and training. His motor is strong, and he never gives up on plays. Jackson was ultra-productive at Coastal, with 18 sacks and 26.5 tackles for loss. A lot of teams are going to look at some of Jackson’s measurables and balk, but that would be a big mistake—he is the real deal.

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> SMALL SCHOOL HIDDEN GEMS: DEFENSE

Zaven CollinS

(LB)

Tulsa

Aaron Robinson

(CB)

UCF

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’4” | Weight: 260 lbs.

MEASURABLES: Height: 5’11” | Weight: 190 lbs.

To say that a player is the “total package” as a non-Power 5 defensive player is extremely rare. However, Zaven Collins deserves that moniker. Blessed with outstanding size and speed, Collins is a wrecking ball of a linebacker who can disrupt from the inside and as an edge rusher. He also thrives in coverage while dropping back into zone defenses. As far as productivity is concerned, Collins played three years at Tulsa and accumulated 236 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, and five interceptions, including four in 2020 with two returned for touchdowns.

Aaron Robinson had to wait awhile to make his UCF debut, but once he did, he took full advantage. Originally an Alabama recruit, Robinson played in 13 games as a true freshman for the Crimson Tide. After the season, Robinson decided to transfer. After sitting out a year, Robinson got hurt on the opening kickoff of his first game with the Knights and missed most of the season. Finally, in 2019, Robinson was healthy and made a big impact for UCF as a slot corner. Robinson is known for his size and quick feet, and he tackles extremely well for a defensive back. He was named All-AAC the last two years.

Collins is what the Packers need to take the final step on defense and would thrive as an instant starter in Joe Barry’s defense. He has NFL size at 6’4” and 260 pounds and has plenty of speed and athleticism as well. That said, his best characteristic might be his instincts. Collins usually finds himself in the right place at the right time and rarely makes the wrong read on a play. The Packers primarily played with two rookies at linebacker down the stretch last year with mixed results. Adding a player of Collins’ caliber would make a big difference, especially since Collins projects as a threedown linebacker.

Robinson profiles as a slot corner in the NFL due to his elite foot quickness, above average coverage skills, and size. Robinson was considered a late round pick entering the season but boosted his stock significantly with a strong week in Mobile at the Senior Bowl. With the Packers looking to upgrade the cornerback position, Robinson could be a steal in the third or fourth round and could potentially unseat Chandon Sullivan as the slot corner in the Packers subpackages. Robinson has experience playing both zone and man-to-man, so he would be able to adapt to Joe Berry’s defensive scheme with success.

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> SMALL SCHOOL HIDDEN GEMS: DEFENSE

Bryan Mills

(CB)

NC Central

Tariq Thompson

(S)

San Diego State

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’1” | Weight: 180 lbs.

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’0” | Weight: 200 lbs.

If the Packers are looking for a diamond in the rough late in the draft, Mills could be that under-the-radar player who could develop into a strong contributor in a couple of years. Mills is not only coming from an FCS school, but he only played one year at North Carolina Central after starting his career in the JUCO ranks. However, the talent and size Mills possesses are rare. He did have five interceptions and eight pass breakups in his lone season at NCC. Those traits and performance led to an invitation to compete at the Senior Bowl, where Mills held his own against the top receivers in the country.

Swiss Army knife is the best way to describe Tariq Thompson as a player. Thompson thrived as a four-year starter for San Diego State and is one of those players who excels in every aspect of the game. Thompson projects as a dime safety in the NFL and could certainly make an early impact. Typically, Thompson lines up in the slot over the tight end and is solid in coverage with excellent natural instincts for the game. Thompson finished his career with 11 interceptions and five fumble recoveries and has a real nose for the football. He is also rarely out of position and reads plays quickly.

While Mills is certainly a work in progress, the talent he has cannot be taught. When put on an island in man-to-man coverage, Mills can mirror the receiver and prevent separation with ease. Even with the Packers resigning Kevin King, Mills may be the perfect player to sit for a year or two and then step into a starter role in year three. However, there is risk involved with Mills due to his small sample size and lower-level competition.

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For the Packers, the third safety position behind Savage and Amos has been a hole in the defense. Thompson could easily slide into that role and thrive from day one. He is a smart, instinctual player with talent as well. In Joe Barry’s defensive scheme, versatility is a key element. Thompson can cover slot receivers and tight ends, but he can also be effective in the run game as a solid tackler. Thompson has played a lot of football, so the transition should not be too difficult for him to handle.

10 QUESTIONS WITH

Jace Sternberger By: AARON NAGLER 1. How did you go about choosing your agent when you were coming out of school? How much research did you do? Out of the whole process, from picking an agent to being drafted, this was the most time-consuming part. It took me about five months to find the right agent. I would have anyone who reached out to me have to meet my dad first, and if he trusted him then we could proceed. I didn’t have enough time to do all of that, lol. 2. Did you have much interaction with pro scouts when you were still in school? How much did you speak to area scouts with NFL teams, if at all? Not really, just some quick conversations, “You look good,” or “Keep working.” That was about it. 3. How much prep did you do for the interviews with teams? What kinds of things did you get asked? I really didn’t prep that much for interviews. Having conversations with strangers has always been something I’ve been good at, and it was pretty basic stuff. They asked about my family background, my thoughts on different things both football and non-football related, football IQ, etc. 4. What was your combine experience like? It was a long four days and felt like I was there forever. It was a good experience just because I’ve always watched it on TV, but thank God I never have to do that again. 5. How much did you pay attention to draft media during the lead up to the draft? Were you looking at mock drafts to see where you might go, etc?

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Honestly not too much. I never really pay attention to mock drafts. However, I did follow along with the media. Some guys are really good at it and put out good content, and as a sports fan I appreciate it. 6. Where did you spend draft weekend? Back home with my family 7. Who was on the phone from the Packers when they called and what was the conversation like? Brian Gutekunst, Matt LaFleur, and my position coach. They just talked about how excited they were and how it was time to get to work. 8. Be honest, how much did you know about Green Bay or Wisconsin prior to being drafted by the Packers? Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre. Did Dez catch it or didn’t he? Lol, that’s about it. 9. What advice, if any, would you or will you give to the Packers rookie draft class when it comes to making the leap from college to the pros? Just be yourself, be a sponge. Throw your ego out the door and appreciate the veterans. 10. What are your goals for the 2021 season? To play off the leash, do everything I want to do, and not apologize for it. I like making people uncomfortable, and I plan to do a lot of that in 2021.

TOP 100 DRAFT BOARD By: ROSS UGLEM

The Packers Big Board is a simple concept I developed at CheeseheadTV that has made its way to Packer Report. In its simplest form, this list is my rankings skewed to what I believe the Packers need on their roster. It lists, in order, the player I would select depending on which players were still available at that point and so on down the line.

At the time of this submission, Aaron Jones and Preston Smith have been surprisingly retained, which changed some of my thinking. Kevin King was also retained, which didn’t change anything. So, if you like, as the draft whips through you can cross players off this list.

1. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson 2. Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon 3. Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida 4. Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU 5. DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama 6. Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern 7. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama 8. Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech 9. Patrick Surtain Jr., CB, Alabama 10. Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech

41. Zaven Collins, LB Tulsa 42. Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia 43. Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami 44. Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas 45. Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama 46. Daviyon Nixon, IDL, Iowa 47. Alim McNeill, IDL, NC State 48. Wyatt Davis, IOL, Ohio State 49. Jevon Holland, CB, Oregon 50. Levi Onwuzurike, IDL, Washington

81. Payton Turner, EDGE, Houston 82. Andre Cisco, S, Syracuse 83. Marvin Wilson, IDL, Florida State 84. Brevin Jordan, TE, Miami 85. Tommy Tremble, TE, Notre Dame 86. Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama 87. Talanoa Hufanga, S, USC 88. Justin Hilliard, LB, Ohio State 89. Johsua Kaindoh, EDGE, Florida State 90. Baron Browning, LB, Ohio State

11. Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan 12. Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State 13. Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina 14. Landon Dickerson, IOL, Alabama 15. Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota 16. Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue 17. Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida 18. Dillon Radunz, OT, NDSU 19. Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State 20. Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU

51. Quinn Meinerz, IOL, UW-W 52. Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson 53. Javonte Williams, RB, UNC 54. Trey Lance, QB, NDSU 55. Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State 56. Najee Harris, RB, Alabama 57. Boogie Basham, EDGE, Wake Forest 58. Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State 59. Eric Stokes, CB, Georgia 60. Tay Gowan, CB, UCF

91. Paris Ford, S, Pitt 92. Seth Williams, WR, Auburn 93. Jaelon Darden, WR, North Texas 94. DJ Daniel, CB, Georgia 95. Thomas Graham Jr., CB, Oregon 96. Shakur Brown, CB, Michigan State 97. Quincy Roche, EDGE, Miami 98. Osa Odighizuwa, IDL, UCLA 99. Joe Tryon, EDGE, Washington 100. James Hudson, OT, Cinicinnati

21. Christian Barmore, IDL, Alabama 22. Jason Oweh, EDGE, Penn State 23. Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami 24. Creed Humphrey, IOL, Oklahoma 25. Alijah Vera-Tucker, IOL, USC 26. Rashad Weaver, EDGE, Pitt 27. Elijah Moore, WR, Ole Miss 28. Gregory Newsome, CB, Northwestern 29. Terrace Marshall, WR, LSU 30. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame

61. Aaron Robinson, CB, UCF 62. Kary Vincent, CB, LSU 63. Ar’Darius Washington, S, TCU 64. Jackson Carman, IOL, Clemson 65. Jay Tufele, IDL, USC 66. Nico Collins, WR, Michigan 67. Richie Grant, S, UCF 68. Michael Carter, RB, UNC 69. Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB, Syracuse 70. Tyson Campbell, CB, Georgia

31. Liam Eichenberg, OT, Notre Dame 32. Brady Christensen, OT, BYU 33. Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Florida State 34. Ronnie Perkins, EDGE, Oklahoma 35. Jabril Cox, LB, NDSU 36. Nick Bolton, LB, Mizzou 37. Dyami Brown, WR, UNC 38. Joseph Ossai, EDGE/LB, Texas 39. Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan 40. Chaz Surratt, LB, UNC

71. Jaylen Twyman, IDL, Pitt 72. Tommy Togiai, IDL, Ohio State 73. Tyler Shelvin, IDL, LSU 74. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, USC 75. Tylan Wallace, WR, Oklahoma State 76. Cameron McGrone, LB, Michigan 77. Pete Werner, LB, Ohio State 78. Amari Rodgers, WR, Clemson 79. Sage Surratt, WR, Wake Forest 80. D’Wayne Eskridge, WR, Western Michigan

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2021 MOCK DRAFT By: KENNEDY PAYNTER DRAFT ORDER 1. Jacksonville Jaguars

9. Denver Broncos

17. Las Vegas Raiders

25. Jacksonville Jaguars

2. New York Jets

10. Dallas Cowboys

18. Miami Dolphins

26. Cleveland Browns

3. San Francisco 49ers

11. New York Giants

19. Washington FB Team

27. Baltimore Ravens

4. Atlanta Falcons

12. Philadelphia Eagles

20. Chicago Bears

28. New Orleans Saints

5. Cincinnati Bengal

13. LA Chargers

21. Indianapolis Colts

29. Green Bay Packers

6. Miami Dolphins

14. Minnesota Vikings

22. Tennessee Titans

30. Buffalo Bills

7. Detroit Lions

15. New England Patriots

23. New York Jets

31. Kansas City Chiefs

8. Carolina Panthers

16. Arizona Cardinals

24. Pittsburgh Steelers

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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> 2021 MOCK DRAFT

2 1. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: QB TREVOR LAWRENCE

No surprises at the top of the draft this year. Trevor Lawrence completes his journey as a top recruit coming out of college and will join rookie NFL coach Urban Meyer. Lawrence not only possesses all of the prerequisite physical prowess of a top overall quarterback, he also displays the leadership qualities Meyer demands from the position. No football due

2. NEW YORK JETS: QB ZACH WILSON

This is where we thought the intrigue begins. Would a new coaching staff (and second-year front office) stick with Sam Darnold, a once sure-fire elite QB that has struggled mightily in his first three seasons? Now that Darnold has been dealt to the Panthers, a universal truth is played out once again; almost every new regime wants their guy. ‘Their guy’ is the former BYU gunslinger Zach Wilson. While many may worry about

3. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: QB TREY LANCE

Whoa! A month before the NFL draft Kyle Shanahan makes what will likely be the biggest move of the whole shebang. Shanahan and John Lynch know they have a talented team that is a dynamic QB away from getting back to the Super Bowl. From everything the draft community is saying, Trey Lance is expected to jump Justin Fields come late April, so Lance is the pick here. Lance can sit behind Jimmy G if needed,

4. ATLANTA FALCONS: QB JUSTIN FIELDS

Four quarterbacks in the first four picks? Yes! Four quarterbacks in the first four picks! The number of QB-needy teams is at an all-time high, and I just don’t see a scenario where the top four guys don’t belong in the top four picks. I did think that Atlanta was eyeing life after Matt Ryan, but the 49ers had extensive talks about moving up to pick 4, which signals that the Falcons might be looking to move

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to the Covid-19 pandemic? That was never an option for a guy who could’ve easily opted out and been drafted No. 1 overall. Lawrence has to speed up his reads and will be asked to do a lot more at the NFL level than he was asked to do at Clemson, but his star should rise quickly in Jacksonville.

his slight frame, one lone season of elite production, and the lower-level of competition he faced, the arm-talent is undeniable. Not many prospects display the back-yard ability to throw from any platform, and Wilson has scouts thinking Mahomes. To borrow a Zoolander reference, that Mahomes is so hot right now.

but he may not need to; he’s called protections and line shifts every down he played at North Dakota State and is the only top QB who can boast such a feat in this draft. He’s incredibly intelligent and athletic, and he takes care of the ball. Kyle Shanahan gets his guy—a defining moment in his career as a head coach.

back. Either way, a quarterback is going to be picked at 4th overall. Here, I have the organization landing a toolsy quarterback that would be well-served learning from Matt Ryan for a year or two. Justin Fields needs to speed his process up, but is a leader of men and might have the highest upside of any QB in the draft.

> 2021 MOCK DRAFT

6 5. CINCINNATI BENGALS: OT PENEI SEWELL

Kyle Pitts is the trendy pick for the Bengals, and he could be a powerful chess piece for Zac Taylor’s offense. What people tend to ignore, though, is that this is Joe Burrow’s offense. If you don’t protect Joe Burrow, two things happen: 1. this offense is going nowhere and 2. Zac Taylor won’t be playing chess in Cincy anymore. Penei Sewell is more raw than many

6. MIAMI DOLPHINS: WR JA’MARR CHASE

According to Ryan Fitzpatrick, who can be too honest for his own good, Tua Tagovailoa possesses elite accuracy to all levels of the field and was a leader (albeit a quiet one) in the Dolphins’ locker room. What Brian Flores needs to do is surround his young QB with playmakers. Ja’Marr Chase didn’t play this year. He did play in 2019, however, and if you cut his 1,780 receiving yards and 20 TDs in half, he equals or exceeds every

7. DETROIT LIONS: WR JAYLEN WADDLE

We don’t know if Jaylen Waddle bites kneecaps, but he clearly demonstrated his toughness and impressive football character by playing while clearly hurt in Alabama’s national championship victory. The Lions are lacking talent on all levels of the offense beyond TE. While TJ Hockenson came on in year two and looks to be one of the league’s best Y TEs,

8. CAROLINA PANTHERS: TE KYLE PITTS

Kyle Pitts is the best TE to enter the draft in quite some time. In fact, according to some, he would also be one of the best WRs to enter the draft in a long time. According to metrics that measure WRs based on their size/speed/athletic profile, the 6’6” 240 lb. receiver lands in the 90th percentile among wideouts! Whichever way you slice it, Pitts has the chance to

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national pundits tend to suggest, but he is one of those prospects who just seems to be born to play the position. If he can add weight and play with more consistent technique, Joe Burrow will have two stud tackles keeping him upright for the foreseeable future.

other 2021 first-round WR not named DeVonta Smith. Combine that production with his elite athletic profile and you’ve got a top WR prospect. Chase is a do-it-all receiver who can line up at any WR position and produce. He will be an immediate mismatch player for a Dolphins roster that is now chock-full of receiver talent. Show us what you’ve got, Tua.

Detroit clearly needs a player who is a threat to take the rock to the house on every touch. Waddle’s comparisons to Tyreek Hill are actually fair, and those types of players don’t grow on trees. Waddle will make Jared Goff look good and might help the recently jettisoned QB win the hearts of Lions faithful quickly in Detroit.

be a matchup nightmare in the NFL. Now that Matt Rhule has landed his quarterback of the future in Sam Darnold, he needs to make sure he has playmakers at every level of the field. Pitts will give him a mismatch weapon that will take the pressure off of both Sam Darnold and his talented, young stable of WRs.

> 2021 MOCK DRAFT

10 9. DENVER BRONCOS: LB MICAH PARSONS

The Broncos present a pivot point in this draft. This team has a lot of holes—most notably at quarterback—and could opt to trade down if a WR or OT falls to pick No. 9. If Denver sticksand-picks, the easy pick here was originally a top CB, but Vic Fangio just nabbed two new starters in Ronald Darby and Kyle Fuller. As long as Micah Parsons’ character concerns

10. DALLAS COWBOYS: CB PATRICK SURTAIN II

The Cowboys need corners. Their defense proved to be one of the worst units in the league in 2020 but might be ready for a bounce-back with a (finally) capable defensive coordinator in Dan Quinn. Assuming Quinn runs a system similar to the ones he did in Seattle and Atlanta, he needs physical corners on the outside who can disrupt the timing of an offense. Wait,

11. NEW YORK GIANTS: DE GREGORY ROUSSEAU

It’s no secret at this point: Dave Gettleman loves himself big men with traits. Present him with a prospect who’s just dripping with athletic talent at a position of need and it’s a done deal. Even with high production at DE at Miami, Gregory Rousseau has been met with some skepticism because of his lack of a plan in his rushes. Well, those people also tend to

12. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: WR DEVONTA SMITH

Every year, a player falls down the board in a way that “will never happen” until it does. This year that player is none other than Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith. While Smith had possibly the most incredible college season for a WR in history, he is a bit undersized and doesn’t possess any special physical attributes. The Eagles will be just fine adding this long-armed, smooth route-runner to their WR corps. Howie

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check out, he’s an elite athlete at the LB position (who ran a 4.39 at the Penn State pro day) with range and instincts that could quickly help him become one of the best in the league. Truth be told, it sounds like Parsons just needs a leader on the defense to make sure he’s always putting in the work. After all, he graduated college in just 2.5 years.

so he needs Patrick Surtain II? Yup. Surtain’s football IQ is off the charts thanks to growing up with his father in the NFL, but he’s also a rare CB who started as a true freshman under the uber tough Nick Saban at Alabama. Dan Quinn immediately makes Dallas’ defense better, and Surtain II is simply keeping that momentum going.

leave out the fact that he played safety and receiver in high school and hasn’t learned the position yet! There is one universal truth when it comes to EDGE players in the NFL draft: sacks in college translate to sacks in the NFL. Rousseau has both rare physical traits and college production, which is something most EDGE prospects can’t say.

Roseman was originally hoping to draft a top WR or TE at No. 6, and Smith falls right into their laps even after the sizable trade down. Eagles fans, rejoice: you just landed arguably the top WR in the draft AND grabbed an extra future first-round pick. If Jalen Hurts doesn’t hit this year, Philadelphia will have ample ammo to get its guy next year.

> 2021 MOCK DRAFT

14 13. LA CHARGERS: OT RASHAWN SLATER

The Chargers organization has to be absolutely ecstatic that a franchise QB fell in its lap in 2020. The Chargers would be even more ecstatic if Rashawn Slater fell in that same lap at No. 13. Slater is a rare prospect who could truly slot into any position on the offensive line. Although his shorter arms (33”) would

trend toward playing on the interior, he will be a stud at tackle. After signing three new interior offensive linemen (including one of the league’s best centers in Corey Linsley), the addition of Rashawn Slater would allow the Chargers to take advantage of this draft’s depth at the WR position on Day 2.

14. MINNESOTA VIKINGS: OT/OG ALIJAH VERA-TUCKER The Vikings offense is centered around the ability to run the ball and keep Kirk Cousins on top of down and distance. Already with a weak interior on the offensive line, the loss of Riley Reiff at LT just amplifies the fact that this team needs upgrades on its front line. Alijah Vera-Tucker is one of the most enticing players in the 2021 NFL draft, as he possesses both a high ceiling and a high floor. At worst, you’re getting

an immediate impact starter at guard, and if his short arms don’t hold him back, you’ve got your LT for the next 10 to 12 years. While many are betting that he will have to slide into guard at the next level, it’s easy to bet on his elite tape playing LT at USC. Either way, he upgrades Minny’s front five immediately in a big way.

15. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: LB JEREMIAH OWUSU-KORAMOAH What will Bill Belichick do? Let’s be honest, none of us has any clue. The best guess, however, is that ‘ol Billy is all-in after watching his ex-QB win the Super Bowl in his first year outside New England. The Patriots have spent in ways they never do and have brought Cam Newton back with a bevy of weapons on offense. It’s possible that the most old-school coach in the NFL is bending to the hottest new trend: playing for right now.

16. ARIZONA CARDINALS: CB JAYCEE HORN

The last two recognizable players from the old-guard Cardinals are gone, and Kliff Kingsbury has some big shoes to fill. Another not-so-secret NFL truth is that the Arizona Cardinals have a need for a corner…or three. One of the top three CBs should be available to them at 16, and they’ll pounce on any of the three. Jaycee Horn might not be a perfect prospect, but he is an uber-competitive corner with all the physical

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BB made studs out of players like Patrick Chung and Brandon Meriweather, and it’s possible that JOK has more raw talent in his left ankle than both of those players combined. Call me crazy, but it’s hard to see the best coach in NFL history sitting quietly while his six-Super-Bowl legacy is being attributed to a sixth-round afterthought.

attributes teams look for. While he can get grabby at times down the field, many scouts are willing to chalk that up to his competitiveness rather than his lack of talent. The son of star Saints WR Joe Horn, Jaycee also sports great hands for a corner, and if he isn’t catching flags at the next level, he will be getting his hands on quite a few passes from the opposition in his career in Arizona.

> 2021 MOCK DRAFT

18 17. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS: OT TEVEN JENKINS

Yes, the Raiders just completely dismantled their offensive line. It wouldn’t make sense to tear it down just to turn around and force the use of a premium pick, but everyone is picking an offensive lineman here (and Jon Gruden is crazy, after all), so we will too! With LT solidified and in-house options the

18. MIAMI DOLPHINS: DE JAELAN PHILLIPS

If the Dolphins pass on a WR with their first pick, the best available receiver might be the pick here. But, after selecting Jaylen Waddle at No. 8, it’s time to add some pass rush. Jaelan Phillips would be a top-10 pick if he didn’t have injury questions, and with the bevy of picks the Dolphins have in this year’s draft and next, he’s well worth the risk for Brian

19. WASHINGTON: OT CHRISTIAN DARRISAW

Some would argue Washington has had one of the best offseasons in the league. The additions of Curtis Samuel and Adam Humphries to new starting QB Ryan Fitzpatrick’s bevy of toys along with the signing of CB1 William Jackson III allows the Burgundy and Gold to pick best-player-available at either LB or OT. Taking into account the general depth of LB in this

20. CHICAGO BEARS: QB MAC JONES

Everyone who laughed at me or, ahem, made a “gentleman’s bet” that five QBs wouldn’t get picked in the first round—I’m sorry, but I win. To be honest, there was never any way Mac Jones wasn’t going in the first round. He doesn’t possess the athleticism to be a playmaker when plays break down, but he will be a QB who will come into any system and run the

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franchise likes on the inside, RT is the biggest need here. Teven Jenkins seems like a perfect fit at that spot for Gruden, as he’s a “glass-eater” who is always looking to finish his opponents as violently as he can. Please don’t trust this man’s Oklahoma St. headshot!

Flores at 18. Phillips split time rushing from both two-point and three-point stances, something the Belichick disciple will covet. If his medicals check out, Phillips is possibly poundfor-pound the most talented defender in this class and will be a welcome addition in Miami.

draft and the perpetual lack of depth at LT, Christian Darrisaw is the easy pick here. Darrisaw needs to develop that “nasty” needed to hold down the position in the NFL, but humans his size aren’t supposed to be such easy movers. He has plenty of athleticism to make sure Fitzmagic’s head stays on straight; the sky’s the limit for this young man in Washington.

offense efficiently. He can make all the throws well enough and he reads the field quickly. He also ran an RPO-based offense admirably at Alabama. Finally, and possibly most importantly, he’s the type of leader that Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace can trust to lead their last stand.

> 2021 MOCK DRAFT

22 21. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: CB CALEB FARLEY

Farley’s fall stops here. While it sounds like he will be ready for training camp at the latest, even slight injuries tend to scare teams off in the first round, especially when it comes to DBs. Two back surgeries before he plays an NFL down is not a good look, but Farley is worth the risk here. At 6’2”, Farley

22. TENNESSEE TITANS: DE KWITY PAYE

One thing Mike Vrabel has not had success with in Tennessee is in finding productive EDGE players. From Vic Beasley to Jadeveon Clowney, he’s tried over and over and has yet to find his guy. Well, that wait might be over. Kwity Paye could go much higher (perhaps at 11 to NYG?) and is a tremendous value at this point in the draft. Paye moved all over the line

23. NEW YORK JETS: RB TRAVIS ETIENNE

The Jets started by picking a QB who is perfect for new offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur’s system. LaFleur comes from the Shanahan coaching tree and uses the outside zone almost exclusively in order to set up play-action shots and other movement-type plays. Here, they spend their second

24. PITTSBURGH STEELERS: RB NAJEE HARRIS

Back-to-back backs?! Yessir! UNC RB Johnathan Williams has been discussed quite a bit among Pittsburgh fans and media pundits alike, but the well-rounded Najee Harris is just too talented to pass on. Harris is a patient runner with deceptive quickness for his large frame and is equally as effective catching passes out of the backfield. Also important to note,

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has the length Indy covets in its outside corners. Such length allows him to play press man and press bail coverage that is so often employed by defenses with a solid pass rush. Farley also boasts the fastest time recorded on a FBS football field in 2020 at 24 mph.

at Michigan, displaying versatility that is paramount in Vrabel’s defense. Paye should set the edge incredibly well on early downs while bumping inside at times in passing situations. Paye adds a nice piece up front for the former Super Bowl-winning pass-rusher to play with.

pick of the first round on a RB perfect for their system in Travis Etienne. Etienne starred in many roles at Clemson, but some of his most effective runs were on stretch zone plays in which he could make one cut and go. Etienne will lead this Jets team in touches by a wide margin.

Harris has been lauded for his willingness and effectiveness as a pass-blocker as well. The Steelers must find balance if they will succeed in 2021 and beyond, and Najee Harris will help provide new offensive coordinator Matt Canada with that opportunity.

> 2021 MOCK DRAFT

26 25. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: S TREVON MOEHRIG

Successful at every stop during his career, Urban Meyer has always valued two attributes in a player over all else: speed and leadership. Yes, speed is first on that list for a reason. Meyer has made, and will continue to make, speed an emphasis for his team moving forward. Another option is WR Kadarius Toney here, as he has drawn comparisons to Percy Harvin, who played for Meyer at Florida, but a true centerfield safety

26. CLEVELAND BROWNS: LB ZAVEN COLLINS

Zaven Collins is actually a sleeper pick for Washington at 19, as he possesses a rare combination of size and speed at the LB position. In recent years, LBs have gotten smaller and smaller in favor of speed over power/the ability to take on blocks. Well, size does not have to be sacrificed here, as Collins carries his 260 lbs easily and has tremendous range. Collins can play MIKE or WILL and is plenty good enough in coverage

27. BALTIMORE RAVENS: OL JALEN MAYFIELD

Predicting what the Ravens will do is always tough; they’re one of the only teams that seems to stick to a best player available strategy in almost every situation. Almost, because the one position the Ravens have reached for, and failed repeatedly in doing so, is WR. However, after drafting a WR in the first round in 2019, it’s unlikely Eric DeCosta will use a premium pick on a WR here. Instead, look for him to find a

28. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: CB GREG NEWSOME II

Now that they’ve ridden themselves of their Hall of Fame (yet noodle-armed) QB, the Saints need a deep threat on offense. Tutu Atwell would be a nice fit in New Orleans, but that might be a luxury pick that Sean Payton can’t afford. The Saints’ biggest need is clearly at CB (especially after Marshon Lattimore’s arrest), and a day one starter is still on the board in Greg Newsome II. Newsome II is a long-limbed,

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is far more valuable and hard to find. In today’s NFL, it’s hard to have a dominant defense without a smart, rangy safety like Trevon Moehrig on the back end. Moehrig will play alongside newly acquired safety Rayshawn Jenkins in Jacksonville, with Moehrig responsible for more Cover 1/Cover 3 depth and Jenkins playing underneath zones or matching up with interior receivers.

to stay on the field all three downs (see his 96-yard pick-six against Tulane). As an added bonus, Collins rushed off the edge and displayed solid timing on blitzes at Tulsa as well. For a young, growing defense that just added a stud post safety in John Johnson III, Collins will be just another step toward becoming the next dominant defense in the NFL.

big-bodied target in later rounds. With RT Orlando Brown clearly unhappy and questions on the interior of the offensive line, OL Jalen Mayfield is a nice value/need fit at this point in the draft. Mayfield played OT at Michigan but could also be a dominant guard at the next level. If the division rival Steelers don’t scoop him up first, Mayfield will come in right away and start for the Black and Purple in Baltimore.

smooth cornerback who is actually built a lot like Lattimore. Newsome II has solid instincts with the ball in the air and will be effective in both man and zone but played mostly zone coverage at Northwestern. Expect Lattimore and Newsome II to quickly form one of the best CB1/CB2 tandems in the NFL fairly quickly.

> 2021 MOCK DRAFT

30 29. GREEN BAY PACKERS: WR KADARIUS TONEY

“A lot of guys’ futures are uncertain, myself included,” is a phrase that has been on the minds of every Packers fan since the moment Aaron Rodgers uttered it after a tough loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion Buccaneers. Was this just ARod talking, or was he trying to send a message? Two things are true: first, the team needs to protect Rodgers, and, second, he needs a secondary weapon for the first time in his career. Yes, CB is a need as well, but there is enough depth at CB that

30. BUFFALO BILLS: OG WYATT DAVIS

Mitch Morse has a history of concussions, and while the Bills’ interior offensive line was solid in 2020, it was far from spectacular, especially in the run game. Wyatt Davis’ grandfather, Willie, was a Hall of Fame DE for the Packers in the 1960s. Wyatt matches his grandfather’s workmanlike mentality to practice each and every day and is a player who brings it every day on

31. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: OT LIAM EICHENBERG

The Chiefs’ offensive line was a mess in the Super Bowl, which resulted in an absolute dominant day defensively for the champion Buccaneers. Andy Reid clearly understood he needed to fix his front and quickly made sweeping changes. It’s exceedingly likely that the starting five up front will not have a single retread from 2020. Even with the signings of Joe Thuney and Kyle Long and the four returning OL being

32. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: DE AZEEZ OJULARI

One of the hardest picks to predict year in and year out is the final pick of the first round. First off, the team picking just won the Super Bowl, and, by definition, has a luxury pick to play with. Teams also covet those final picks of the first round because of the fifth year of control that first-round picks offer. So, not only is it hard to predict who the Buccaneers would take, it’s also somewhat unlikely they will even be the team picking here! A RB in Jonathan Williams and an interior DL

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a starter can be found on Day 2. Plus, there’s a truly special player available who could take Rodgers’ talents to heights never seen before: Kadarius Toney. Toney is an ascending WR who played QB in high school and is just learning the position. His Percy Harvin-like skillset will take pressure off Davante Adams (finally) and will open up a vast array of new opportunities for this offense.

the interior. That will only help to build the outstanding football culture brewing in upstate New York. General manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott are truly building something special in Buffalo behind a still developing yet already elite Josh Allen who looks to dominate the AFC East for a second consecutive year. Protect 17!

shuffled in training camp to find solutions from RT to LG, no one on the roster can line up at LT. Enter Liam Eichenberg, the most unspectacular player in the first round. There is nothing truly special about Eichenberg; he just gets the job done. Andy Reid needs dependability on Patrick Mahomes’ blindside. Eichenberg’s zero sacks given up over the past two seasons works just fine.

in Christian Barmore would make sense, but a player with EDGE Azeez Ojulari’s upside is perfect for a dominant defense to add. While Shaq Barrett will be a Buc for some time, Jason Pierre-Paul is getting long in the tooth and doesn’t hold a winning hand anymore (sorry). One of the NFL’s best minds and best teachers on defense, Todd Bowles, will develop Ojulari into an effective pass-rusher in the NFL.

PACKERS TRIVIA Answers on next page.

TWO

B. CHESTER MARCOL

C. SKIP BUTLER

D. BRETT CONWAY

In 1956, when the Packers drafted two of their greatest players ever (Forrest Gregg and Bart Starr), their first pick was RB Jack Losch. How many years did Losch play in the NFL? A. FIVE

B. THREE

C. ZERO

D. ONE

A. RICH CAMPBELL

B. TIM LEWIS

C. RON HALLSTROM

D. ALPHONSO CARREKER

B. RICH CAMPBELL

C. RANDY DUNCAN

D: CECIL ISBELL

In the 2020 season, there were 37 players from LSU on NFL rosters. How many players on the 2020 Packers roster were from LSU? A. ZERO

B. ONE

C. TWO

D. THREE

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D. DB TOM RAY

How many years has it been since the Packers drafted a running back in the first round? A. 31

B. 27

C. 26

D. 24

Who threw the first forward pass in Packers History? A. NORM BARRY

B. ARNIE HERBER

C. CHARLIE MATHYS

D. CURLY LAMBEAU

In their history, the Packers have twice had the second overall pick in the draft. One player selected was the infamous Tony Mandarich. Who was the other? A. DAN CURRIE

B. ART MOORE

C. MIKE MCCOY

D. BRENT FULLWOOD

How many No. 1 overall picks have the Packers had in their history? A. ZERO

B. ONE

C. TWO

D. THREE

TEN

FIVE

A. BABE PARILLI

C. TE RAY HALL

NINE

FOUR

Who was the highest-drafted QB in Packers History?

B. C BILL CURRY

EIGHT

In 1980, the Packers selected NT Bruce Clark with the 4th pick in the draft. Clark went to play in Canada instead, and the Packers later traded their rights to Clark to New Orleans for a future first-round draft pick. Who did they select with that pick?

A. RB LARRY KRAUSE

SEVEN

THREE

A. CHRIS JACKE

Which Packers draft pick holds the dubious distinction of being the 467th selection of the draft in the final year the NFL draft went 17 rounds (the longest wait of any Packers draftee in NFL history)?

SIX

ONE

The Packers have drafted 10 kickers in their history. Who was their highest-drafted kicker?

PACKERS TRIVIA Answers

TWO

B. CHESTER MARCOL (39TH OVERALL)

C. SKIP BUTLER

D. BRETT CONWAY

In 1956, when the Packers drafted two of their greatest players ever (Forrest Gregg and Bart Starr), their first pick was RB Jack Losch. How many years did Losch play in the NFL? A. FIVE

B. THREE

C. ZERO

D. ONE

A. RICH CAMPBELL

B. TIM LEWIS

C. RON HALLSTROM

D. ALPHONSO CARREKER

B. RICH CAMPBELL

C. RANDY DUNCAN (1959)

D: CECIL ISBELL

In the 2020 season, there were 37 players from LSU on NFL rosters. How many players on the 2020 Packers roster were from LSU? A. ZERO

B. ONE

C. TWO

D. THREE

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D. DB TOM RAY

How many years has it been since the Packers drafted a running back in the first round? A. 31

B. 27

C. 26

D. 24

Who threw the first forward pass in Packers History? A. NORM BARRY

B. ARNIE HERBER

C. CHARLIE MATHYS

D. CURLY LAMBEAU

In their history, the Packers have twice had the second overall pick in the draft. One player selected was the infamous Tony Mandarich. Who was the other? A. DAN CURRIE

B. ART MOORE

C. MIKE MCCOY

D. BRENT FULLWOOD

How many No. 1 overall picks have the Packers had in their history? A. ZERO

B. ONE

C. TWO (1957 & 1959) D. THREE

TEN

FIVE

A. BABE PARILLI

C. TE RAY HALL (1976)

NINE

FOUR

Who was the highest-drafted QB in Packers History?

B. C BILL CURRY

EIGHT

A. RB LARRY KRAUSE

SEVEN

THREE

A. CHRIS JACKE

SIX

ONE

The Packers have drafted 10 kickers in their history. Who was their highest-drafted kicker?

1 GREEN BAY PACKERS

NFC NORTH

team needs By: TIM BACKES

Record: 13–3

2 CHICAGO BEARS Record: 8–8

3 MINNESOTA VIKINGS Record: 7–9

4 DETROIT LIONS Record: 5–11

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> NFCN TEAM NEEDS

GREEN BAY PACKERS 2020 Record: 13-3

NFC NOR T H CH A MPIONS In 2020, the prevailing notion among fans was the Green Bay Packers’ top need entering the draft was wide receiver, which was ideal, given the receiving class was considered “historically deep.” Not only did the Packers not take a wide receiver anywhere in the draft, but the one receiver they added in free agency sat out the season due to Covid-19 concerns. No matter. The Packers’ passing game and offense were by many measures the best in the league. Aaron Rodgers won MVP, and now the team’s needs entering 2021 are reshuffled given the current state of the roster. One of the Packers’ other big needs from 2020 was inside linebacker, which got a big boost at great value in the additions of Kamal Martin late in the draft and undrafted free agent Krys Barnes. Both look like intense, high-energy players who could develop into key pieces of this defense.

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But If we’ve learned anything from the 2020 draft, it’s that general manager Brian Gutekunst does not necessarily draft for immediate need; he’s always thinking a couple years down the road. The Packers are returning a strong roster in 2021, so there’s always the possibility Gutekunst could opt to pick for development rather than for immediate need. That being said, the team does have some glaring weaknesses that will need to be addressed somehow, be it through the draft, through cheap veteran signings, or through creative schemes. Let’s take a look at what the Packers’ biggest needs are entering the 2021 season.

> NFCN TEAM NEEDS

DEFENSIVE LINE:

This has been a big team need for some time now. One could argue it was the Packers’ biggest need entering 2020, and it’s arguably the team’s most obvious weakness heading into the coming season. Currently, it’s Kenny Clark and… that’s about it.

knowing there’s going to be a big loss of bodies at this position after 2021. It’s highly unlikely anyone the Packers take at this position in the draft will play a big role for the team in 2021. But for the sake of the future, the Packers can’t afford to ignore the receiver position much longer.

The Packers lost Montravius Adams in free agency, which probably won’t end up mattering much. Adams looked OK in run defense but failed to live up to his potential and never became a factor. Tyler Lancaster is a big body who still frequently got washed off at the point of attack and, despite having a couple of decent games, was mostly a disappointment. Dean Lowry is still on the roster and is an OK rotational player—the kind of player who will always have a home on an NFL roster but also is probably being paid too much for his level of contribution. Kingsley Keke has shown flashes of potential but has yet to become a consistent threat. The Packers will be counting on him to make a larger impact. The team desperately needs help spelling Clark on the line and getting in more players who can, at the very least, plug up holes in the run game and eat up some blocks in the pass game to let the team’s pass-rushers do work. It’s been too long since the Packers have dominated anyone up front on a consistent basis, and they need to build around Clark up front to win the game in the trenches.

CORNERBACK:

The second-biggest need is cornerback. The re-signing of Kevin King… helps? Sort of? At the very least, it gives them a veteran presence who can start some games and take the pressure off rookie contributors to perform immediately. But this is a position where the Packers have to get better. Jaire Alexander may be the best in the game, but King is mercurial and often hurt, and Chandon Sullivan can play well at times in the slot but is generally useless on the outside and is limited in his abilities. After that, it’s just unproven roster filler. There’s a very good chance cornerback is the first position the Packers go to in the draft.

WIDE RECEIVER:

Yes, I’m one of the CheeseheadTV folks who all year long in 2020 said the wide receiver position ended up not being a big concern. The offensive results of last year would agree with that notion. That being said, it’s going to become a concern in a hurry, given the state of the contracts at the position. Regular contributors like Allen Lazard, Marquez ValdesScantling, and Equanimeous St. Brown will all be free agents after 2021, and there’s no chance all three will be back—and even a small chance none will be back. The Packers need prospects to fill out this position and build some experience

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OFFENSIVE LINE:

With David Bakhtiari likely missing time to start the season and with the losses of All-Pro center Corey Linsley and utility tackle Rick Wagner, the Packers are in need of some depth to fill out the offensive line in 2021. The Packers will still be able to field a strong starting unit, but you can never have too many big men up front to give you some versatility and depth, especially when the injuries start to hit. It wouldn’t surprise me to see the Packers invest in the offensive line early, but for sure expect some picks in the later rounds geared toward filling out the depth chart.

PUNTER:

Look, it’s true that JK Scott has a big leg. But he’s inconsistent, and in 2020 he was, frankly, awful. The Packers cannot trot him back out on the field in 2021. I don’t know if the Packers use a draft pick on another punter, but this is a position that must be addressed somehow this offseason to give Scott some competition for his job in training camp.

> NFCN TEAM NEEDS

CHICAGO BEARS 2020 Record: 8-8, 2nd in NFCN

2020 RECAP The Bears barely managed to sneak into the playoffs in 2020 thanks to the addition of a seventh seed and then were promptly bounced despite an “NVP” ( Nic kelodeon’s Va lua ble Player) performance by Green Bay folk hero Mitch Trubisky. Trubisky is now in Buffalo, but somehow head coach Matt Nagy and general manager Ryan Pace are still around to continue miring the Bears in mediocrity. Here are their biggest team needs this offseason.

TEAM NEEDS QUARTERBACK:

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: the Bears are awful at the quarterback position! They go from the departed Trubisky, who could at least move around a bit, to the rapidly deteriorating corpse of Andy Dalton. Dalton is a player who was above average in his best years and now simply looks like a desperation fallback for a team that tried its best to woo Russell Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks. The problem is that the Bears’ draft position will make it difficult for them to get a prime quarterback prospect, so they may be stuck in quarterback purgatory for at least another year.

OFFENSIVE LINE:

Again, stop me if you’ve heard this one before: the Bears are bad up front on the offensive line! There was a lot of shuffling of this unit in 2020, and there’s no way the Bears can enter the season taking their chances with their depth chart looking like it does right now. If the Bears are going to have any hope of improving their offense under Andy Dalton of all people, they’re going to need better protection up front, and that means making some additional investments this offseason.

CORNERBACK:

The loss of Kyle Fuller is going to be a big blow for this unit. The Bears could well be in the market for a cornerback in the first round, especially if no quarterback falls to them. This means Chicago could be to the Packers this year with a cornerback pick as the Vikings were to the Packers last year with their Justin Jefferson pick. The Bears do have needs at other levels of their defense, but that front seven can hold up as it currently stands; the secondary cannot.

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> NFCN TEAM NEEDS

MINNESOTA VIKINGS 2020 Record: 7-9, 3rd in NFCN

2020 RECAP The Vikings had a lot of draft picks last year and arguably selected the league’s best rookie in 2020, Justin Jefferson, a player Packer fans had been salivating over all offseason leading up to the draft. In 2021, the Vikings will count on continued growth from their young players and hope to strike it big in the first round yet again. The team committed itself to quarterback Kirk Cousins for at least another couple of years, meaning it’s unlikely they’ll select a quarterback early on, even if it would be a smart move. Here are the team’s biggest needs in 2021.

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TEAM NEEDS OFFENSIVE LINE:

The Vikings have been getting obliterated up front for the last couple years. Cousins is taking way too many hits, and the level of play on the line has just been poor. The Vikings have significant need at both guard and tackle, especially with the loss of Riley Reiff, and it would be in their best interest to invest heavily in this position.

SAFETY:

Safety became an urgent need for the Vikings when defensive stud Anthony Harris left to join the Philadelphia Eagles. The team still has Harrison Smith, but Smith isn’t getting any younger, and the depth behind him is middling at best.

DEFENSIVE LINE:

The Vikings will get Danielle Hunter back from injury this year, but there have already been rumblings about Hunter’s unhappiness with his current contract, so we’ll see what happens there. The team’s attempt to beef up its pass rush with Yannick Ngakoue in 2020 blew up in their face, and he was gone midseason. So the Vikings still need some help in shoring up their line for greater consistency at the position in 2021.

> NFCN TEAM NEEDS

DETROIT LIONS 2020 Record: 5-11, 4th in NFCN

2020 RECAP

TEAM NEEDS

Sayonara, Matthew Stafford, and hello, Jared Goff. It’s a downgrade, to be sure, but a welcome one from the Packers’ perspective. The Lions also enter the 2021 season with a goofy new head coach, Dan Campbell, who will hopefully carry on the tradition of terribleness left behind by his predecessor Matt Patricia.

With Kenny Golladay leaving in free agency, the Lions’ best wide receivers are both thirtysomething players on expiring contracts. They need to invest in the position and its future, and they need to do so in this draft. Goff in particular has been shown to need high-quality skill players surrounding him to put him in a position to succeed, so targeting a wide receiver early would seem to be a sensible move, both for the present and for the future.

Let’s take a look at the Lions’ biggest needs. This team has a lot of holes on its roster, so, really, take your pick

WIDE RECEIVER:

LINEBACKER:

This is a weak spot on a weak defense. The Lions’ 2017 first round pick, Jarrad Davis, has not been good and moved on to the Jets. Jamie Collins is an adequate veteran but is older and can’t hold up the unit on his own. The team needs to hit a home run badly at this position.

CORNERBACK:

The Lions took Jeff Okudah with a high selection in 2020, so it would be a surprise to see the Lions go high at the position once again in 2021. That being said, the Lions still desperately need help at the position. Okudah’s rookie year wasn’t exactly promising, Desmond Trufant is no longer on the team, and the other players at the position either were unreliable or unavailable in much of 2020. The Lions were regularly carved up by opposing passers and need to give Okudah all the help he can get.

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GREEN BAY PACKERS POSITIONAL ANALYSIS By: MAGGIE LONEY

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> POSITIONAL ANALYSIS

QUARTERBACK:

Here’s a fun quote from the 2020 CheeseheadTV Draft Guide: Aaron Rodgers is still one of the most talented passers in the NFL, and remember that Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan won NFL MVP during his second year working with thenquarterbacks coach LaFleur in Atlanta. Expect Rodgers to take a similar leap in year two in LaFleur’s offense. Rodgers did that and then some. The former two-time MVP won his third MVP honors in his second year in head coach Matt LaFleur’s offense. He threw for 4,299 yards and a careerbest 48 touchdowns with only five interceptions. He also posted the best completion percentage of his starting career at 70.7 percent. What’s more, behind only his 2011 MVP season (122.5), Rodgers posted the second-highest quarterback rating in NFL history at 121.5. He also took the lowest number of sacks in his career (20). Behind Rodgers, the Packers recently parted ways with longtime backup Tim Boyle, who signed with the Detroit Lions in free agency. Boyle should have the opportunity to push Jared Goff for the starting spot in Detroit. In 2021, 2020 first-round draft pick Jordan Love will be Rodgers’ backup and hopefully will have a full preseason to show Packers fans why the front office at 1265 Lombardi Ave. was so high on his talents. Rodgers and Love are the only two quarterbacks currently on the roster, so expect Green Bay to bring at least one additional body in for training camp. The Packers typically carry at least one quarterback on the practice squad if only two are on the active roster.

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RUNNING BACK:

It may have been the surprise of the offseason that the Packers were able to keep free-agent running back Aaron Jones in Green Bay. While it would have been tough for Jones to mirror his 2019 campaign with 19 total touchdowns, he enjoyed similar success in 2020, rushing for more than 1,000 yards for the second straight season and scoring 11 total touchdowns. Jones also averaged a whopping 5.5 yards per carry this season, surpassing his 2019 total of 4.6, and making his first Pro Bowl. On the flip side of Jones’ return came Jamaal Williams’ departure. The fourth-round selection from the 2017 draft left for the Lions after finishing the season with 741 total yards, three touchdowns and an impressive catch percentage of 88.6 percent. Taking over as RB2 will be second-round draft pick A.J. Dillon out of Boston College, who gave Packers fans a preview of the type of back he can be against the Tennessee Titans in Week 16 of the regular season. Against the Titans, he had 21 rushing attempts for 124 yards and two touchdowns. He finished his rookie campaign with 48 total touches and 263 yards from scrimmage. Behind Jones and Dillon, the Packers will return Patrick Taylor, Mike Weber, and Dexter Williams. Tyler Ervin is an unrestricted free agent but could be back as a special teams contributor and gadget player for Green Bay’s offense.

> POSITIONAL ANALYSIS

WIDE RECEIVER:

In an absolutely dominant 2020 campaign, Davante Adams put up some career bests, setting a few franchise records in the process. Despite playing in only 14 games, Adams hauled in 18 touchdowns and 115 receptions, beating Sterling Sharpe’s previous record of 112. He finished the season with 1,374 receiving yards, a career-high 77.2 catch percentage, and a whopping 98.1 yards per game average. Adams also made his first All-Pro Team in 2020 and his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl. With free agent acquisition Devin Funchess opting out of the 2020 season, Marquez Valdes-Scantling emerged as WR2 with 690 receiving yards, six touchdowns and a league-leading 20.9 yards per reception. Allen Lazard looked on pace for a breakout season before suffering a core injury that kept him out six games, but the exclusive rights free agent will be back in Green Bay for the 2021 season. Fellow ERFA Malik Taylor also signed his tender, indicating he’ll be back with the team as well. Funchess took a contract restructure to return to the Packers in 2021, so he’ll be competing with Equanimeous St. Brown (who caught his first career touchdown in 2020), Reggie Begelton, Chris Blair, and Juwann Winfree in training camp. Expect the Packers to also draft at least one wide receiver in this year’s class, as Adams (assuming an extension is coming soon) will be the only receiver under contract for the 2022 season.

TIGHT END:

It was a breakout year for Robert Tonyan, who hauled in 11 touchdowns, tying Travis Kelce for most in the NFL this season by a tight end (and tying the franchise touchdown record for a tight end set by Paul Coffman in 1983). While Tonyan entered the offseason as a restricted free agent, the Packers tendered him immediately, keeping him in green and gold for another season. His 586 receiving yards were good for third on the team, and he boasted an impressive 88.1 catch percentage, giving Rodgers another reliable weapon on offense. “Big Dog” Marcedes Lewis also returned to the team on a twoyear deal, a priority re-sign for the Packers keeping one of Rodgers’ closest friends on the team. While Lewis doesn’t exactly explode off the stat sheet, he did have three touchdowns in 2020 (his highest total since 2017), and his role as a blocker is unmatched by anyone else in the tight ends room. LaFleur loves the tight end position in his offense, and he has plenty of intriguing options on his roster behind Lewis and Tonyan. Former third-round draft pick Jace Sternberger will be back with Green Bay for his third season, and he’ll be looking to break out in the same way Tonyan did after some disappointing injury luck forced him to the bottom of the depth chart to close out the season. Fellow third-round draft pick one class later, Josiah Deguara, had a fun Week 1 before suffering an ACL tear and missing the rest of the season. He looked to have carved out a role for himself on offense before the injury, so it’ll be fun to see if he can pick up where he left off in more of an H-back role. Finally, there’s x-factor Dominique Dafney, who caught his first NFL touchdown in Week 17 against the Lions. He surpassed Sternberger on the depth chart to finish the season, leaving Sternberger a healthy scratch, so it’s clear the Packers like what they have in the rookie. While it’s hard to see five tight ends on the roster in 2021, it’s also hard to see the Packers cutting any of the aforementioned players, as they all serve a different role on offense. Rounding out the position group are Bronson Kaufusi and Isaac Nauta, who are both viable practice squad candidates beyond training camp.

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> POSITIONAL ANALYSIS

INTERIOR OFENSIVE LINE:

Of course, the biggest departure along the interior of the offensive line was first team All-Pro center Corey Linsley, who had his best season as a pro and got paid handsomely in free agency, joining the Los Angeles Chargers and becoming the NFL’s highest paid center. It’s possible his replacement is already on the roster, as Elgton Jenkins and Lucas Patrick have both filled in at center previously, and former sixth-round draft pick Jake Hanson is a roster holdover. In just his second season, Jenkins has proven to be an invaluable piece of the Packers offense, making his first Pro Bowl and filling in at just about every spot along the offensive line at some point during the season. While he looks like an All-Pro in the making at left guard, it’s possible he’ll shift over and play center for the Packers or even jump out to either tackle spot like he did in spot duty in 2020. There’s a lot of depth on the inside of the offensive line, with fellow sixth-round draft picks Jon Runyan Jr. and Simon Stepaniak also on the roster. Runyan Jr. played 160 snaps on offense for the Packers in 2020 at guard and could claim one of the starting spots next season if either Jenkins or Patrick shift to center. Guards Ben Braden and Zack Johnson are also on the roster. The last question mark along the interior is Lane Taylor, who won the starting right guard spot out of training camp before suffering a season-ending injury Week 1 against the Vikings. While he remains an unrestricted free agent, it would make some sense for the Packers to bring him back if the team wanted veteran depth and experience at either guard spot.

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OFFENSIVE TACKLE:

The Packers made David Bakhtiari the highest paid left tackle in NFL history (for however briefly) in-season, keeping him in Green Bay to protect the quarterback’s blindside through the 2024 season. It was arguably the team’s biggest roster move, and it happened before free agency even started. Unfortunately, the first team All-Pro and Pro Bowler suffered a freak ACL tear in practice to close out the regular season and missed the playoffs. His status to start the season also remains up in the air. Billy Turner started 14 games for the Packers in 2020, taking snaps at right tackle, right guard and left tackle in Bakhtiari’s absence. Like Jenkins, Turner provided invaluable depth for the line given his ability to play just about every position outside of center. The Packers released Rick Wagner prior to free agency, though he did start nine games for the team in 2020. Green Bay also brought in Jared Veldheer for depth during their playoff run, but Veldheer didn’t actually end up on the active roster for game day. Expect tackle to be one of Green Bay’s top priorities in this year’s NFL draft, as only Bakhtiari, Turner, and Yosh Nijman are on the current roster at tackle, and Bakhtiari may be unable to start the season. The Packers also could look for another stopgap in free agency (like they did with Veldheer and Wagner previously) once the market dies down, but expect a draft pick to go toward finding the right tackle of the future either way.

> POSITIONAL ANALYSIS

DEFENSIVE LINE:

If you were concerned about depth at offensive tackle, it doesn’t get much better along the defensive line. Kenny Clark, Kingsley Keke, and Dean Lowry round out the starting three and are joined in the position room by Anthony Rush, Willington Previlon, and Delontae Scott (Rush being the only player who’s taken NFL snaps). Clark signed a massive four-year contract extension for $70 million just before the season started, keeping him in Green Bay anchoring the defensive line for the long haul. Statistically, 2020 was a down year for Clark, as he posted only two sacks after back-to-back six-sack seasons, but he did double his total with 2.5 postseason sacks to close out the year. When Clark was injured for three games this season, he left a (literal) hole on the line, providing further evidence that Green Bay needs help along the defensive interior. Keke looked promising in his sophomore season, posting four sacks and 12 pressures. Lowry contributed three sacks and 10 pressures himself, playing 59 percent of defensive snaps to Keke’s 40 percent. Damon “Snacks” Harrison was a bigger in-season acquisition for the Packers, though he only played 12 regular season snaps on defense. He enters unrestricted free agency with Billy Winn, who played 4 percent of defensive snaps for the Packers in 2020. Green Bay also chose to move on from run-stuffer Tyler Lancaster, so he’ll enter free agency as well. It can take a bit longer for defensive linemen to acclimate to the NFL, so it’s possible the Packers will look to add some veteran talent to the position group before or after the draft. Whether Green Bay brings in a vet, a draft pick, or both, the team definitely needs to bolster the position group with some run support heading into 2021.

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OUTSIDE LINEBACKER/EDGE:

There was a lot to be excited about heading into the 2020 season after the Smith Bros combined for 25.5 sacks in 2019. Za’Darius Smith followed his 13.5-sack performance with a 12.5-sack season in 2020, bringing his total to 26 sacks in his first two years with the Packers and setting a franchise record as the most by any player in their first two seasons with the team. He also made second team All-Pro and his second consecutive Pro Bowl. Preston Smith had a quieter year, sliding from his 12-sack performance in 2019 to only four sacks in 2020, tied with Keke for third on the team. A bright spot, though, became secondyear pro Rashan Gary, who posted five sacks, 11 quarterback hits and 19 pressures this season. While there was speculation that Preston could end up a cap casualty as the Packers got under the salary cap before the new league year, both Smiths ended up restructuring their contracts to stay with the team. Preston worked with new defensive coordinator Joe Barry during his time in Washington, so it’s possible the new coordinator can help him get back to his 2019 form. Za’Darius played 84 percent of defensive snaps, while Preston played 79 percent and Gary 44 percent. Like Za’Darius, Gary brought versatility to the edge rushing position with his ability to line up as a roaming nose over center or off the edge. Behind the starting trio are former seventh-round draft pick Jonathan Garvin, Randy Ramsey, and Tipa Galeai. All three played in at least one game for the Packers in 2020 and their varying skill sets make edge rusher one of the deepest positions on the roster.

> POSITIONAL ANALYSIS

INSIDE LINEBACKER:

Perhaps one of the biggest surprises of the season came at the inside linebacker position. The Packers signed Christian Kirksey to help mitigate the loss of Blake Martinez in free agency, but Kirksey had his fair share of struggles in the middle of the defense and missed five games to injury. Undrafted rookie Krys Barnes shocked many when he got the start opposite Kirksey in Week 1 against the Vikings, and he impressed throughout the season. He played in 13 games for the Packers, starting 10, and finished second on the team in total tackles with 80. Towards the end of the season, the Packers moved Kirksey to Will linebacker and gave communication duties to Barnes, which seemed to improve things for the defense. Promising fifth-round pick Kamal Martin also looked good in the 10 games he played, giving Packers fans plenty to be excited about if Barnes and Martin are the starters in the middle in 2021. Green Bay released Kirksey after only one season, leaving the team with no real veteran presence on the inside. Former draft picks Oren Burks and Ty Summers both played over 70 percent of special teams snaps while playing minimally on defense in 2020. It remains to be seen whether either will make the roster out of training camp in 2021. Behind Martin, Barnes, Burks, and Summers, the Packers have De’Jon Harris and Ray Wilborn in the room to compete for spots in camp. If Barnes or Martin get injured in camp, the Packers could make another addition prior to the start of the season to shore up the inside linebacker position just like they did in years previously with Antonio Morrison and B.J. Goodson.

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CORNERBACK:

Jaire Alexander placed himself firmly in the conversation as one of the league’s best corners after an explosive 2020 campaign that saw him selected to his first Pro Bowl and earn second team All-Pro honors. Alexander was Pro Football Focus’ top-graded corner at 90.1, and he led the NFL with a whopping 13 games allowing 30 or fewer yards this past season. He also snagged two interceptions in the NFC Championship Game after not having a single pick since Week 1, but that’s what happens when you have your own private island that shuts down half the field, balls typically aren’t thrown your way. While it looked like CB2 would be a question mark entering the draft, the Packers decided to bring back Kevin King on a one-year contract, one year removed from his five-interception 2019 season. The deal gives the Packers insurance on the boundary while also giving King an opportunity to get back to his 2019 form when he enters free agency again next season. King’s signing should in no way affect the draft, and with a loaded cornerback class, expect the Packers to draft at least one corner early, if not more. Green Bay also brought back nickel corner Chandon Sullivan, who was a restricted free agent and returned his lone interception for a touchdown in 2020. Behind the starting three, there’s plenty of depth but much of it remains unproven. Josh Jackson and Ka’dar Hollman will be back along with Kabion Ento, Kei’Varae Russell, and Stanford Samuels. Add in a draft pick or two, and cornerback will definitely be a position to watch in training camp.

> POSITIONAL ANALYSIS

SAFETY:

Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage became one of the league’s best safety tandems in 2020, combining for six interceptions in the regular season. They also were PFF’s top-graded safeties from Weeks 9 to 17 and PFF’s top-graded safeties in coverage from Week 11 on (Savage at 88.5 and Amos at 84.7). Amos started all 16 games for the Packers in 2020, playing 98 percent of defensive snaps. In addition to his two interceptions, he also had nine passes defensed, posted a career-high two sacks, and led the team in tackles with 83. Savage really emerged in the latter half of the season and had four interceptions, leading the defense. He also broke up 12 passes, which was good for second on the team behind only Alexander’s 13. Behind Amos and Savage, the Packers parted ways with both Raven Greene and Will Redmond. Greene played in 10 games for the Packers in 2020 and had 1.5 sacks, 44 total tackles, one interception, and five passes defensed, playing 32 percent of defensive snaps. Redmond played in 13 games for Green Bay, playing 33 percent of defensive snaps and 55 percent of special teams snaps. That’s a big chunk of snaps that will be available for whoever steps in as the third safety in Joe Barry’s defense. Seventh-round draft pick Vernon Scott makes sense as a possible replacement, as he played in 15 games for the Packers in 2020 with no starts. The room is rounded out by Henry Black, who played in eight games and might be remembered for forcing a fumble against the Texans, and Innis Gaines, a rookie out of TCU.

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KICKER/PUNTER/LONG SNAPPER:

In his 14th season with the Packers, kicker Mason Crosby had a statistical best, converting 100 percent of his field-goal attempts (16-for-16) with a long of 57 yards. He also made 93.7 percent of extra points and was perfect in the postseason. At 36 years old, Crosby is still finding new ways to impress as the second-longest tenured player on the roster behind only QB1. Kicker JJ Molson, a rookie out of UCLA, is also currently on the roster. Punter JK Scott and long snapper Hunter Bradley have been together for three seasons now, with Scott averaging 45.5 yards per punt this season, the best in his career. Due to the Packers boasting the league’s number one offense, Scott wasn’t called upon nearly as much as in previous seasons, falling from 77 punts in 2019 to only 46 punts in 2020. However, Scott’s net punting average still ranked fourth-lowest in the NFL among punters who played in six or more games, so there’s plenty of room for improvement. Both Scott and Bradley have competition on the roster, with the Packers bringing in punter Ryan Winslow and long snapper Joe Fortunato to compete in camp. With the Packers moving on from special teams coordinator Shawn Mennenga, there’s plenty of room for the unit to improve under new coordinator Maurice Drayton. Consider Crosby the only real roster lock right now for the unit. Dynamic returner Tyler Ervin remains an unrestricted free agent, so Green Bay could have a new returner on kickoffs and punt returns in 2021, too.

QB Position Analysis:

ROB REGER

01 TREVOR LAWRENCE, Clemson 02 JUSTIN FIELDS, Ohio State 03 ZACH WILSON, BYU 04 TREY LANCE, North Dakota State 05 MAC JONES, Alabama 06 KYLE TRASK, Florida 07 JAMIE NEWMAN, Georgia/Wake Forest 08 KELLEN MOND, Texas A&M 09 FELEIPE FRANKS, Arkansas 10 DAVIS MILLS, Stanford 11 SAM EHLINGER, Texas 12 IAN BOOK, Notre Dame 13 SHANE BUECHELE, SMU 14 PEYTON RAMSEY, Northwestern 15 KJ COSTELLO, Mississippi State 16 BRADY DAVIS, Illinois State 17 ZACH SMITH, Tulsa 18 BRADY WHITE, Memphis 19 MIKE COLLINS, Rice 20 ZAC THOMAS, Appalachian State

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> QUARTERBACK

Trevor Lawrence

(JR)

Clemson

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’6” Weight: 213 lbs.

PRO DAY: No Drills

2020 STATS: (10 GAMES) PASS

231 of 334 (69.2%) 3153 yards 24 TD

RUSH

5 INT

IN A NUTSHELL:

Trevor Lawrence was a top recruit in high school and has certainly lived up to the hype at Clemson. In fact, in many circles, Lawrence is considered the most surefire prospect coming out of college since Andrew Luck left Stanford. Lawrence is the real deal and carries himself with the swagger that coaches love. No game is too big for him, and he loves to take center stage. Blessed with ideal height and build for the position, Lawrence has a cannon for an arm and speed to run the ball when needed. Lawrence took over the starting quarterback job in the fourth game of his freshman year and did not look back, leading Clemson to a national championship. In that game versus Alabama, Lawrence passed for 347 yards and threw for three touchdowns. This came on the heels of a 327-yard, three-touchdown performance in the first playoff game. Lawrence finished his freshman year with 3,280 yards and 30 touchdown passes. Another strength of Lawrence’s is his work ethic and leadership. Many of his teammates have cited his leadership and direction as the team navigated through the pandemic as very impressive. He also did a great job of handling success and continuing to work on his game. It would have been easy for him to rest on his laurels after his freshman year, but he improved significantly in his sophomore and junior years, especially with his field vision and pre-snap reads. Lawrence rarely makes an incorrect read. His physical skills combined with his mental makeup are the reasons why Lawrence is a shoo-in for the No. 1 pick.

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68 carries 203 yards 8 TD

BEST GAME:

When you play in so many big games, it is hard to pinpoint two specific ones as the best. However, the national championship game Lawrence won as a freshman really stood out. As previously mentioned, his stats were outstanding, and he really allowed his leadership to flourish. Clemson’s 44–16 destruction of Alabama and Lawrence outdueling top-five pick Tua Tagovailoa were both top-notch. The other game that really stood out for Lawrence was the national semifinal victory over Ohio State in 2019. In that game, not only was Lawrence lethal through the air with 259 yards and two touchdowns, but he really showed off his speed with 107 yards rushing and another touchdown. That dual-threat ability is what has scouts drooling.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

In order to land Lawrence, the Packers would probably have to trade their entire draft and then some to move up to the first pick. However, if somehow they were able to do it, Lawrence would be an incredible fit and heir apparent to Aaron Rodgers. In fact, watching Lawrence play does remind me of Rodgers, with his mental processing ability and physical gifts. He would also be a perfect fit for Matt LaFleur’s offense. The only scenario where this makes sense would be if the Packers traded Rodgers to Jacksonville, along with draft picks, which is very unlikely. However, in that scenario, Lawrence would inject a similar style and poise to the offense.

> QUARTERBACK

Justin fields

Ohio State

(JR)

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’2 3/4” Weight: 227 lbs.

Hand Size: 9 1/8” 40 Time: 4.44

PRO DAY: No Drills

2020 STATS: (8 GAMES) PASS

158 of 225 (70.2%) 2100 yards 22 TD

RUSH

6 INT

IN A NUTSHELL:

For any fan of the documentary series QB1: Beyond the Lights, Justin Fields became a household name while he was still in high school in Georgia. Being a local star, it seemed natural for Fields to select the Georgia Bulldogs as his school of choice. Unfortunately, after one season, he decided to transfer when Jake Fromm beat him out for the starting job. Fortunately for Fields, there were many suitors for his immense talent, and he landed on his feet with the Buckeyes. Although Fields saw action in 12 games as a true freshman, he really exploded on the scene during his sophomore year with 41 touchdowns and only three interceptions while also running for 10 additional touchdowns. He led Ohio State to a 13–1 record, with their only loss being to Clemson in the playoffs. Fields finished the season third in the Heisman voting. In 2020, the team had high hopes, and, despite missing several games due to Covid-19 protocols, Fields led Ohio State into the national championship game. Fields’ talent is unmistakable. He has a great feel for the pocket and throws accurately and with authority into tight windows. He also thrives on the run while also possessing the ability to tuck the ball and run when needed. His foot speed is excellent for a quarterback, making him a true dual threat. However, Fields is not a perfect prospect. Some question his ability to survey the field, but others simply say that the first read is often open, so why not throw it. He also tends to leave the pocket a little too soon if under pressure and take his eyes off down field.

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81 carries 383 yards 5 TD

BEST GAME:

Fields’ best games of his career often took place on the biggest stages. The first game is this year’s national semifinal vs Clemson, a revenge game. All Fields did during that game was throw for 385 yards (running for 42 more) and toss six touchdown passes. But the most impressive moment for Fields might have been when he took a nasty hit to the ribs and showed his toughness by staying in the game. Another game that really stood out for Fields was the Michigan State game in 2020. Fields really showed his dominance in that game with 199 yards and two TDs through the air and another 104 yards and two TDs on the ground in Ohio State’s blowout victory.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Fields will be long gone before the Packers pick. However, with his skill set, he would be ideal as a run/pass option quarterback in Matt LaFleur’s system and a fun option. The fun part of watching Fields in the Packers offense would be his ability to run. Rodgers is good on the move, but Fields would be better. He also is strong in the play action game, which is one of the staples of a LaFleur offense. Fields also has the poise and big game ability to step right into a starter’s role. He has been playing in big games on big stages since his sophomore year in high school. He thrives under the spotlight. He is also a sponge for knowledge and very coachable.

> QUARTERBACK

Zach Wilson

BYU

(JR)

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’2” Weight: 214 lbs.

Hand Size: 9 1/2”

PRO DAY: No Drills

2020 STATS: (12 GAMES) PASS

247 of 336 (73.5 %) 3692 yards 33 TD

RUSH

3 INT

IN A NUTSHELL:

Even though he was a starter for most of his three years at BYU, Zach Wilson was a relative unknown until 2020. However, the impressiveness of his 2020 season has him in the conversation as the potential second pick in the draft. With the recent failures of other one-year wonder quarterbacks (Mitch Trubisky and Jared Goff), teams will take a very close look at Wilson before pulling the trigger. It is easy to be impressed with many of Wilson’s attributes. His throws really jump out of his hand, and he can deliver strikes from many arm angles and off many platforms. His skills are very transferable to the NFL game, and his improvisation ability reminds many of a young Brett Favre. It is very rare to see a quarterback have the ability to throw on so many levels and planes as Wilson. However, Wilson’s game does not come without its faults. First, Wilson had a ton of time to throw this past year and threw from a clean pocket most of the time. In the NFL, the top quarterbacks can deliver the ball into tight windows while being pressured. Wilson did not show a lot of that this year. Wilson also really burst on the scene this past year while being barely average his other two years. He threw nine interceptions just the year before with only 11 touchdowns. There are also concerns that he was not named a captain this past year despite being a two-year returning starter at the most important position. However, to be fair, in the lead-up to the draft, there have not been any specific question marks about his leadership.

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70 carries 254 yards 10 TD

BEST GAME:

Wilson saved the best for last in his last game for the Cougars, playing against UCF in the Boca Raton Bowl. In that game, Wilson threw for 425 yards and three touchdowns while also running for another two touchdowns. He even caught a 16yard pass in that game. The other game that really stood out was his game this past year at Boise State. During that game, Wilson was 22-28 for 360 and three touchdowns in the air, while also running for a TD in BYU’s blowout victory at a very tough place to play. Really, any of Wilson’s games could have been selected from the 2020 season. He was consistent and put-up big numbers every day. The fact that there aren’t any signature games is a concern.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Wilson has a lot to work with from a physical standpoint and has scouts drooling. With a year or two of polishing, he would be the perfect replacement for Rodgers if he starts to drop. The fact that scouts are dropping Brett Favre’s name when describing Wilson’s talent should make Packer fans jump for joy at the possibility of acquiring him. He has a rocket for an arm, improvises on the fly, and is tough as nails, three qualities that every team looks for in a leader. Another area of strength that would fit in well with the Packers is his ability to throw accurately on the run. The Packers offense utilizes a lot of bootlegs and rolls off of play action.

> QUARTERBACK

Trey Lance

(rSO)

North Dakota St.

4 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’4” | Weight: 224 lbs. | Hand Size: 9 1/8”

Mac Jones

(rJR)

Alabama

5 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’3” | Weight: 217 lbs. | Hand Size: 9 3/4”

PRO DAY: No Drills

PRO DAY: 40 yd: 4.83, Vertical: 32”, Broad: 116”, 20 yd 4.39, 3-cone 7.04

2019 STATS: (16 Games) 192 of 287 (66.9%), 2786 yards, 28 TD, 0 INT | 169 carries, 1100 yards, 14 TD

2020 STATS: (13 Games) 311 of 402 (77.4%), 4500 yards, 41 TD, 4 INT | 35 carries, 14 yards, 1 TD

IN A NUTSHELL:

From a pure talent standpoint, it is hard to match Trey Lance out of NDST. He has a big-league arm and true dual-threat ability. As a one-year starter, Lance jumped off the page with 28 touchdown passes, 14 touchdown runs, and an incredible zero interceptions. This type of performance had scouts itching for more from him in 2020. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, Lance only played one game in 2020, so there is obviously some uncertainty. Amongst the top quarterbacks in the draft, Lance is the guy with the most boom-or-bust potential. Was his outstanding 2019 season the real deal? Or was it a fluke? Recent history tells us that buyers should beware due to the small sample size. However, from a pure skill standpoint, Lance has rare ability. First, he has a quick release and a cannon for an arm. He throws well on the run and can thrive extending plays with his legs. His accuracy is also above average, although when he does miss, it seems like his mechanics are off, causing the ball to float. If he is matched up with the right coach, any mechanics issue could easily be corrected.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

If the Packers decide to move on from Jordan Love after only one season, Lance could be the perfect replacement and true heir apparent to Aaron Rodgers. His talent alone makes him enticing. However, he could benefit from a couple of seasons behind Rodgers. The sample size is small, and the competition level is weak, but in today’s NFL, talent trumps pretty much anything, and Trey Lance has plenty of talent.

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IN A NUTSHELL:

Mac Jones is the definition of a pure pocket passer. He thrives by navigating the pocket and surveying the field. Under many circumstances, these skills would be ideal, but the NFL landscape has changed to more of an athletic quarterback preference. However, if Jones goes to the right system, he could be an excellent pro prospect and have a productive career. One area that really stands out about Jones is that he is extremely smart and rarely makes the wrong read. The offense he played in at Alabama fit his skill set perfectly. Although Jones does not have a rocket for an arm, he has an underrated deep ball, often putting it right on target to his receiver. For a guy with a 77 percent completion percentage, Jones is not afraid to throw downfield. Several games stood out for Jones against the top teams he faced. The first was against Florida in the SEC Championship game, when he threw for 418 yards and five touchdowns and the second being his final game, the national championship game versus Ohio State when he passed for 464 yards and five touchdowns while leading Alabama to a national championship.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

With the intention of Rodgers’ heir apparent sitting for a couple of years, Jones does not seem like a development type of prospect. He is more of a “what you see is what you get” quarterback with limited upside. It would be a surprise if the Packers take Jones. He would fit in better with a talented team in need of a stable ringleader type of quarterback. His skills also do not strongly translate well to Matt LaFleur’s offense.

> QUARTERBACK

Kyle Trask

(SR)

Florida

6 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’5” | Weight: 236 lbs. | Hand Size: 10 1/8”

Jamie Newman

(SR)

Georgia, Wake Forest

7 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’3” | Weight: 234 lbs.

PRO DAY: Vertical: 32”, Broad: 101”, 40-yard: 5.10, 20 yd: 4.60, 3-cone: 7.08

PRO DAY: DNP

2020 STATS: (12 Games) 301 of 437 (68.9%), 4283 yards, 43 TD, 8 INT | 64 carries, 50 yards, 3 TD

2019 STATS: (12 Games) 220 of 361 (60.9%), 2868 yards, 26 TD, 11 INT | 180 carries, 574 yards, 6 TD

IN A NUTSHELL:

Perseverance is the word that comes to mind with Kyle Trask. After not even being a starter in high school (behind D’Eriq King), redshirting, and then sitting for two additional years, Trask finally got his shot in 2019 and never looked back, passing for 68 touchdowns and 7,200 plus yards over his two years as a starter. Trask is a big man at 6’5” and 239 pounds, but he can put touch on his passes. In the pros, Trask will be best suited in a quick pass, West Coast scheme due to his lack of mobility and elite accuracy. When put into the right system, Trask has thrived, especially as a senior when he threw for 43 touchdowns and only eight interceptions. The knock on Trask is that despite being big, the ball does not jump out of his hand like some other prospects. His arm talent grades below average, however, many times he can get away with this due to his eye usage. It is rare to see a college quarterback as adept at looking off safeties and manipulating coverage with his eyes. This is an underrated skill but allows him to buy time for his receivers to get open.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Trask would be a perfect backup quarterback for the Packers, although he does not necessarily project as an heir apparent. In a pinch, he could step in with command of the offense and lead the team if Aaron Rodgers ever gets hurt. He possesses solid leadership skills and does not act like a prima donna whatsoever. Trask is big and strong with above average accuracy. Think Nick Foles as a comparison.

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IN A NUTSHELL:

Every few years, a quarterback comes into the league and makes you think, How did we miss on him? Dak Prescott and Russell Wilson come to mind. Jamie Newman could be that next guy not drafted in the first couple of rounds who really makes an impact. Blessed with outstanding size and speed, Newman is a rare dual-threat quarterback who is just as good throwing the football as he is running. His accuracy is above average, and the ball gets to its destination quickly. His back shoulder throws are especially impressive for a college quarterback. It is hard not to see a lot of Cam Newton in Newman with the way he plays. However, there is a reason Newman is not considered a surefire first round pick like Cam. For one, he has only been a full-time starter for one year. Another question mark revolves around the fact that Newman decided to opt out of the 2020 season. Team interviews will be crucial for Newman, as he attempts to answer these questions. Only time will tell whether he turns into the next Cam Newton or the next DeShone Kizer.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

If the Packers are looking for a developmental quarterback with tremendous upside, Newman is their man. Even if he does not develop fully, he could easily be used in certain packages and run successful RPOs and goal line bootlegs and roll outs. With the right coaching and development, Newman could be a steal on Day 2. He has elite physical skills and would thrive learning for a couple years and developing as a quarterback behind Rodgers.

> QUARTERBACK

Kellen Mond

(SR)

Texas A&M

8 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’3” | Weight: 211 lbs. | Hand Size: 33 1/2” | 40 Time: 4.59

Feleipe Franks

(SR)

Arkansas

9 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’7” | Weight: 234 lbs. | Hand Size: 10”

PRO DAY: No Drills

PRO DAY: Vertical: 32.5”, Broad: 117”, 40-yard: 4.61, 20 yd: 4.22, 3-cone: 7.16

2020 STATS: (10 Games) 188 of 297 (63.3%), 2282 yards, 19 TD, 3 INT | 74 carries, 294 yards, 4 TD

2020 STATS: (9 Games) 163 of 238 (68.5%), 2107 yards, 17 TD, 4 INT | 105 carries, 204 yards, 1 TD

IN A NUTSHELL:

Kellen Mond is a four-year starter in the SEC and improved every year while operating Jimbo Fisher’s offense. He left the school extremely decorated with 9,661 yards passing, 71 touchdown passes with another 1,609 yards on the ground and an additional 22 rushing touchdowns. Despite being a four-year starter, Mond never really catapulted onto the big stage. Every year, his teams did well but did not quite well enough. Every year his stats improved, but there was never a big jump. Many scouts were looking for him to really take a leap forward, but that leap never occurred. Still, when stacking up his accomplishments in college, it would be exceedingly difficult to find a more well-rounded quarterback. For Mond, the issue is that he is good at everything, but not great at anything. He has above average accuracy and arm strength, size, and speed, but above average traits seldom make great pros. There are also concerns that he has already reached his potential and may be capped out as a prospect. The one saving grace for Mond is the fact that he played very well during the Senior Bowl practices and really stood out amongst the other quarterbacks.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Mond could easily be a prime target for the Packers early on Day 3, especially if the team decides to trade Jordan Love. Mond possesses enough physical and mental traits to be a capable back up with the ability to start on occasion if an injury were to occur to Aaron Rodgers. The question is whether he could be an heir apparent to Rodgers for a longterm basis. The consensus is that Mond does not have a lot of upside and may have hit his ceiling.

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IN A NUTSHELL:

Before landing in Arkansas for his final year, Feleipe Franks was a two-year starter at Florida and played in many big games. After breaking his ankle and missing the rest of the season and seeing Kyle Trask thrive as a starting quarterback, Franks saw no choice but to transfer. That ended up being a wise decision, as he thrived in the up-tempo offense of Kendall Briles and the Razorbacks. Although Franks is blessed with prototypical size for a quarterback, he does not really possess any elite skills. His arm is below average, and his accuracy is very suspect. In the offense he ran at Arkansas, many of his completions came on short passes or screen passes. He also struggles with decision-making. Many times, Franks holds the ball too long, leading to sacks and pressures. However, there are some positives. He seems to have a deep knowledge of the position and hangs tough in the pocket. He is not timid or afraid to get hit while throwing the ball. He also can be accurate, as long his feet and arm mechanics are solid. He did throw for 41 touchdowns in his last two years as a starter.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Franks simply does not possess enough upside potential to be considered a high-level backup option for the Packers, unless steady is all they are looking for. Franks seems like a player who has reached his ceiling, and he will not continue to show improvement due to his relatively weak arm. If the Packers do take him in the draft, it will more than likely be simply as a placeholder, similar to when they drafted Brett Hundley.

> QUARTERBACK

Davis Mills

(SR)

Stanford

10 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’4” | Weight: 217 lbs. | Hand Size: 9 1/2”

Sam Ehlinger

(SR)

Texas

11 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’1” | Weight: 222 lbs. | Hand Size: 9 3/4”

PRO DAY: Vertical: 32”, Broad: 110”, 40-yard: 4.82, 20 yd: 4.40, 3-cone: 6.95

PRO DAY: 40 yd: 4.84, Vertical: 36.5”, Broad: 114”, 20yd: 4.44, 3-cone 7.15

2020 STATS: (5 Games) 129 of 195 (66.2%), 1508 yards, 7 TD, 3 INT | 30 carries, 37 yards, 3 TD

2020 STATS: (10 Games) 194 of 322 (60.2%), 2566 yards, 26 TD, 5 INT | 113 carries, 377 yards, 8 TD

IN A NUTSHELL:

Any team that decides to draft Davis Mills will be doing so based on potential rather than any type of consistency shown on the field. When watching his games, the physical skills seem evident, but he really has trouble getting into a rhythm and developing consistency, even in the defensively challenged Pac-12. For a two-year starter, Mills lacks any type of signature moment in college. His size and arm strength would suggest that he should be a lot more accomplished. Two areas of his game that do really stand out is his field vision and touch on his throws. His ball is very catchable, and he rarely makes bad decisions with the ball. He has a lot of Ryan Fitzpatrick qualities to his game, which is a compliment. Mills could be an example of a guy who does not get drafted high but ends up with a solid NFL career by making good reads and moving the chains. He thrives while passing in the middle of the field, especially to his tight ends. He could be a great value in the middle rounds.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Playing in an offense as complex as the Packers offense is not something every prospect can do. Mills would be the type of quarterback who would not wow you but could easily step in and make plays when needed. He is smart, accurate, and throws with nice touch. He also is strong with play action passing. He may not ever be an elite starter but could end up in a similar spot as Josh McCown or Ryan Fitzpatrick.

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IN A NUTSHELL:

Sam Ehlinger had a storied career at one of college football’s most storied schools. This should be the tale that movies are made of. The stats are certainly there. Ehlinger threw for 94 touchdowns and 11,436 yards and added 1,103 yards and 33 touchdowns on the ground. However, most fans will instead remember the struggles to beat rival Oklahoma and an inability to take the program to the next level. A four-year starter, Ehlinger played in many big games for Texas and had particularly good stats. He has good size for the position and improved as a passer every season at Texas. No one will question his work ethic or leadership. With this type of pedigree, a quarterback would normally be a top prospect. However, Sam does have several shortcomings. The most glaring is his lack of arm talent; the ball meanders out of his hand. Sam also struggles with accuracy. Even on many of his completions, the completion occurs because of a spectacular play by the receiver rather than a great throw. At the next level, Sam will have to improve dramatically in both these areas.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

If the Packers decide to grab Ehlinger with a mid-round draft pick, it may be a perfect marriage. Sam has skills and loves being in the spotlight. Green Bay is a perfect town for him. If he had an opportunity to learn from the best, he could develop into a trusted backup. Sam has a similar pedigree as Jimmy Clausen from Notre Dame, who has become a trusted backup in the NFL for several years.

> QUARTERBACK

Ian book

(SR)

Notre Dame

13 Shane Buechele (Sr)

SMU

MEASURABLES: Height: 6'0" | Weight: 210 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

After three uninspiring years at Texas, Shane Buechele decided to transfer to SMU to finish his last two years of college, which was a good decision for him. As the quarterback of SMU, Buechele thrived in their offense and showed the accuracy, arm strength, and poise to potentially land on an NFL roster as a high-quality backup quarterback. In those two years at SMU alone, Buechele passed for over 7,000 yards and threw for 57 touchdowns. One area of his game that really stands out is the touch on all his throws. He throws a clean spiral that is very catchable, due to his positive ball placement. He also stands out as a leader, as evidenced by his two years as SMU captain.

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’0” | Weight: 211 lbs. | Arm: 31 3/8” | Hand: 9 7/8” PRO DAY: 40-yard: 4.59, Vertical: 32 1/2”, Broad: 9’7”, 20-yard: 4.13, 3 cone: 6.70 2020 STATS: (12 Games) 228 of 353 (64.6%), 2830 yards, 15 TD, 3 INT | 116 carries, 485 yards, 9 TD

IN A NUTSHELL:

Ian Book is an extremely accomplished quarterback and one of the most highly decorated in Notre Dame’s storied history. Book was a three-year starter and a three-year captain. Equally impressive are his 89 career total touchdowns and 10,465 total career yards. As far as skills are concerned, Book almost seemed like Houdini at times throughout his career. He became a master at escaping the rush and pulling off plays that looked impossible. His improvisational skills are elite. However, many times, once a prospect makes the NFL, their luck runs out. That is not to say that Book is bad. On the contrary, his arm is above average, and he has nice speed to escape the pocket and run. He is a little undersized, but with today’s NFL, that is not too much of an obstacle. If he could just calm down and play within the confines of his offense, he would probably be better off. However, players rave about his work ethic and leadership. He profiles as a high-quality backup quarterback, with the ability to step in at a moment’s notice and make an impact.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Book would look great in a Packers uniform. He is smart, hardworking, and has some traits and skills of a solid NFL player. He has played on the big stage and thrived. With the Packers coaching staff being as good as they are on offense, Book would be an ideal backup for Rodgers, with a Tony Romo upside to him down the road. It would be surprising if Book does not have a long NFL career similar to Colt McCoy.

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14 Peyton Ramsey (rSR)

Northwestern

MEASURABLES: Height: 6'2" | Weight: 215 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Peyton Ramsey is a name that resonates strongly with Big Ten fans. He started out at Indiana for three years, then finished off at Northwestern. With 40 career starts in the Big Ten, Ramsey certainly has experience. He also has some requisite skills for the NFL but none really stand out. He sports an average of 207 passing yards and 1.35 touchdowns per game. As far as arm strength goes, Ramsey is a little above average, but his ball tends to flutter. One area of success for him has been the cerebral part of the game. He shows great command of the offense. He is also surprisingly adept at scrambling from the pocket and making things happen on the ground.

15 KJ Costello (rSR)

Miss. St.

MEASURABLES: Height:6'5" | Weight: 222 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

KJ Costello transferred from Stanford to Mississippi State for his senior year in part to raise his draft stock in the pass-happy Mike Leach offense. His first game was a rousing success. Playing against the defending champion LSU Tigers, Costello opened with a 623-yard, five-touchdown stat line en route to an upset victory. Unfortunately, things went downhill from there, including a four-interception, zero-touchdown game against Kentucky. Over his three years at Stanford, Costello had his best year in 2018 with 3540 yards passing and 29 touchdowns. Costello can sling the ball all over the field and can be effective in a rhythm passing game. However, his decision-making skills are very suspect and leave you scratching your head.

> QUARTERBACK

16 Brady Davis (SR)

Illinois State

MEASURABLES: Height: 6'2" | Weight: 206 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

When on the field, Davis has significant talent and could be a nice sleeper pick. He has a nice strong arm and good size. His accuracy is above average as well. One of his best traits is the advanced level that he looks off receivers and uses eye manipulation. He also stands strong in the pocket and is willing to take a hit.

Memphis

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’1” | Weight: 210 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Quite simply, Zach Smith has a rocket for an arm. That trait alone will get him into an NFL camp. The ball jumps out of his hands. He also possesses nice size. After that, the evaluation gets a little murky. Smith played two years at Baylor and two years at Tulsa, starting several games at both places. However, he never seemed to truly live up to his arm talent. His accuracy is below average, as is his overall decision making. He also has limited mobility. For his career, Smith only posted a 53-34 touchdown to interception ratio. With the right coaching, Smith projects as a developmental quarterback due to his arm strength but probably not much more than that.

19 Mike Collins (SR)

Rice

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’5” | Weight: 225 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Intelligence and grasp of the offense are two important traits for a quarterback. However, if that is the only positive trait a player can bring to the table, it may be difficult to take the next step. Nobody can ever take away Brady White’s accomplishments in college. He directed a record-breaking Memphis offense for three years. From a physical standpoint, however, White falls short. His accuracy and arm strength are below average. He crumbles under pass rush pressure and has limited mobility. If he does latch on with an NFL team, it will be due to his grasp of the offense and overall intelligence. White graduated with his master’s degree while finishing up his football career.

20 Zac Thomas (rSR)

Tulsa

MEASURABLES: Height:6’3” | Weight: 228 lbs.

Brady Davis’ college career has been nothing but an uphill battle for him from the start. He started out at Memphis with a redshirt and a torn ACL in back-to-back years. He then transferred to Illinois State and, after a solid debut year, he tore his ACL again.

18 Brady White (rSR)

17 Zach Smith (rSR)

IN A NUTSHELL:

With Covid-19 impacting college football tremendously in 2020, it became difficult to do a proper evaluation on some prospects; Mike Collins is one of those guys. He put up impressive stats when he had the opportunity, and he possesses ideal size for the position.The issue is that he only has played in 16 games over four years for three schools and has only attempted a total of 233 career passes. Last year at Rice, Collins threw for 802 yards and 10 touchdowns in only three games. Collins shows a nice, live arm and throws with good accuracy. He surveys the field with success and delivers a catchable ball. Collins has a shot to work his way up if he continues to progress.

Appalachian St.

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’1” | Weight: 210 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Field general is the best term to describe Zac Thomas and his career at Appalachian State. As a three-year starter during the best run in Appalachian State history, Thomas will go down as a legend in those parts. As a pro prospect, however, no specific trait really stands out. From a pure statistical standpoint, Thomas stands out with 88 total touchdowns and 8,280 total yards. His teams also went 23–3 with him starting. His intangibles are off the charts; however, his arm and accuracy are just average, and he seems to have difficulty breaking tackles, often going down on first contact. He is strictly a practice squad player.

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RB Position Analysis:

DAN DAHLKE

01 NAJEE HARRIS, Alabama 02 TRAVIS ETIENNE, Clemson 03 JAVONTE WILLIAMS, North Carolina 04 KENNETH GAINWELL, Memphis 05 MICHAEL CARTER, North Carolina 06 JERMAR JEFFERSON, Oregon State 07 DEMETRIC FELTON, UCLA 08 JAVIAN HAWKINS, Louisville 09 KYLIN HILL, Mississippi State 10 CHUBA HUBBARD, Oklahoma State 11 KHALIL HERBERT, Virginia Tech 12 TREY SERMON, Ohio State 13 RHAMONDRE STEVENSON, Oklahoma 14 CHRIS EVANS, Michigan 15 POOKA WILLIAMS, Kansas 16 ELIJAH MITCHELL, Louisiana-LaFayette 17 LARRY ROUNTREE III, Missouri 18 JARET PATTERSON, Buffalo 19 CJ VERDELL, Oregon 20 RAKEEM BOYD, Arkansa

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> RUNNING BACK

Najee Harris

(SR)

Alabama

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’1” Weight: 230 lbs.

40 Time: 4.5 (est.)

PRO DAY: DNP (Injury Rehab)

2020 STATS: (13 GAMES) RUSH

251 carries 1,466 yards (5.84 ypc)

RECEIVE

26 TDs 43 receptions 425 yards 4 TDs

IN A NUTSHELL:

2020 SEC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME:

Running Game: Harris possesses a tremendous balance between power and speed. He runs behind his pads well and can lower his shoulder and run through contact. He can be physical at the contact point and get the tough yards, but he also has explosive burst and breakaway speed to get through the second level and punish defenses with big plays. Harris also has some wiggle to make defenders miss in space, and his quick feet and excellent vision allow him to see the cutback lanes and suddenly change direction without losing momentum. Harris is the full package as a runner at the next level. His physical tools, along with his vision and patience, make him the top running back in this class.

Harris would fit in any pro offense, and if he is selected by Green Bay, he would give the Packers a versatile and dynamic weapon in the backfield to pair with Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon. Harris can excel in either a power or zone running scheme, which would give the Packers flexibility on offense. They could also use him lined up out wide or in a two-back set, similarly to how Jones and Jamal Williams were used together on the field in 2020. Harris would also give them a reliable halfback on third downs who can pick up blitzes or flare out and catch passes in space.

After splitting carries with Damien Harris and Josh Jacobs in 2018, Harris quickly established himself as one of the best running backs in the country as Alabama’s full-time starter in 2019. In two seasons as the Crimson Tide’s bell cow, Harris carried the ball 460 times and rushed for 2,690 yards and 39 touchdowns while also recording 70 receptions for 729 yards and 11 touchdowns. In 2020, Harris was a Heisman nominee and won the Doak Walker Award, given to the nation’s top running back. He is also Alabama’s all-time leader in total career touchdowns with 57.

Harris led the way for the Crimson Tide offense in a 52–46 shootout against a tough Florida Gators squad. Carrying the ball 31 times for 176 yards and two touchdowns, Harris found production against a stacked box. Florida keyed in on stopping the 230-pound halfback, but Harris gashed them both on the ground and in the passing game to help seal the SEC championship win for Alabama. His two receiving touchdowns in the final few minutes of the second quarter helped the Crimson Tide gain a lot of momentum going into halftime and put them up three scores. On the day, Harris recorded 243 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Passing Game: Harris boasts a complete game, as his pass protection is solid and his receiving ability is highly underrated. Harris can split out wide or motion in the flat and gash defenses out in space on bubbles or in-breaking routes. It is a rare trait for a back his size, but the former SEC standout can separate from defenders downfield or he can make them miss out in space. He also has reliable hands and is a very consistent checkdown option for quarterbacks.

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> RUNNING BACK

Travis Etienne

(SR)

Clemson

MEASURABLES: Height: 5’10” Weight: 215lbs.

40 Time: 4.45

PRO DAY: 33.5” vertical 128” broad 18 bench reps

2020 STATS: (12 GAMES) RUSH

158 carries 882 yards (5.58 ypc

RECEIVE

13 TDs

IN A NUTSHELL:

Etienne leaves college as a highly decorated halfback with all of the tools to be a playmaker at the next level. He is the ACC’s all-time leading rusher (4,952 yards) and holds the ACC record for most career touchdowns (78). He also holds the FBS record for the most career games scoring a touchdown (46) while maintaining a 7.22 yards per carry average during his collegiate career. The two-time ACC Player of the Year and 2020 consensus All-American put together four stellar years at Clemson as its starting halfback. Running Game: Etienne is a highly explosive runner who excels on the edge and with the ball in his hands out in space. His ability to jumpcut and change direction quickly makes him particularly effective in counter-flow plays and gives him an extra tool to bounce runs to the outside. Etienne is an elusive runner who can set up defenders with quick acceleration. He also possesses the elite breakaway speed to find a crease in the defense and gash them with a big run. Passing Game: Etienne can line up all over the field—as a traditional halfback, in the slot, split out wide, or motion and run jet sweep. He is best with the ball out in space, where he can make defenders miss or outrun the defense. Etienne will thrive in a spread or pistol offense that plays the quick game and utilizes him in motion. He is one of the best backs in the screen game in this draft class, but he can also run wheel routes, checkdowns, slants, or seams out of the slot or just match up one-on-one on the boundary and beat a defensive back downfield. He is equally as dangerous as a receiver out of the backfield as he is a runner.

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44 reception 524 yards 2 TDs

BEST GAME: CLEMSON VS. MIAMI (2020):

Early in the year, Clemson managed a 42–17 win over fellow ACC foe Miami. At the time, the Hurricanes were a top-25 team and boasted a tough defensive front seven. However, Etienne had his way on the ground with the Miami front, rushing for 149 yards on 17 carries with two touchdowns. He not only averaged 8.76 yards per carry, he also hauled in eight receptions for 78 yards, putting him over 200 yards from scrimmage on the day. Etienne’s 72-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter made it a three-score game and put a seal on any hopes Miami had of coming back in the game.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

It is Etienne’s big play ability that makes him a truly special back, and any offense in the NFL could use a player like this on its roster. Green Bay could use Etienne on the field like Alvin Kamara in the Saints offense. His breakaway speed and receiving ability would give them an added element out of the backfield to pair with A.J. Dillon’s power running style and Aaron Jones’s elusiveness. Etienne would also be another dynamic athlete opposing defenses would have to account for when scheming against the Packers. Even with Jones on the field, Etienne could take over the gadget player role that Tyler Ervin and Tavon Austin tried to fill. However, Etienne would bring a lot more playmaking ability to the position.

> RUNNING BACK

Javonte Williams

(JR)

North Carolina

MEASURABLES: Height: 5’10” Weight: 212 lbs.

PRO DAY: Vertical: 36” Broad: 123” Bench: 22 reps 40-yard: 4.55 20 yd: 4.09 3-cone: 6.97

2020 STATS: (11 GAMES) RUSH

157 carries 1,140 yards (7.26 ypc)

RECEIVE

19 TDs

IN A NUTSHELL:

Williams opted out of his senior year to declare early for the NFL draft. The junior running back is coming off a monster season at North Carolina. Despite sharing the workload with Michael Carter, Williams still managed to break a 50-year school record for most touchdowns in a season with 22. He also finished second in the nation in carries over 10 yards with 42, highlighting his efficiency as a runner despite the light workload at times. In three years at North Carolina, he averaged 6.25 yards per carry. Running Game: Williams is a physical downhill runner who has the speed to turn the corner and get separation from defenders downfield. He bursts through the hole and accelerates through contact, making him an imposing runner for defenders to try to square up. At 220 pounds, Williams packs a punch at the contact point, and he is not afraid to lower his shoulder and try to punish defenders who challenge him. He may be the best halfback in this draft class at running through contact— according to Pro Football Focus, he led the nation in broken tackles in 2020, with 76. Williams also possesses the quick feet and change of direction to make defenders miss at the second level. These traits, paired with his excellent backfield vision, make him one of the top runners in this year’s class. Passing Game: Williams was not used as often as a receiving weapon as his teammate, Michael Carter. However, Williams still shows consistent hands when given the opportunity. He finished his junior season with 25 receptions, and this was a part of this game that really took a big jump in 2020. At the next level, Williams is best as a checkdown option in the passing game, but he can also run the screen game well and provide reliable pass protection on third downs.

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25 receptions 305 yards 3 TDs

BEST GAME: NORTH CAROLINA VS. MIAMI (2020):

In the final game of the 2020 regular season, North Carolina traveled down to Miami to take on a Hurricanes team that was ranked 10th in the nation. Despite the Tar Heels going into the game as the clear underdogs, they put together an outstanding 62–26 performance, where they totalled 778 yards of offense—the most ever allowed by Miami in school history. Williams was dominant in the game, rushing for 236 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries. He averaged 10.26 yards per carry against an ACC opponent that was full of potential NFL talent. Williams and Carter combined for 544 rushing yards on the day, which set a FBS record for the most yards gained on the ground by two teammates in a single game.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Williams would give the Packers another physical runner who can make hay between the tackles but who also possesses the speed to gash defenses with big runs. While A.J. Dillon and Williams may meet similar needs in Green Bay’s offense, it is never bad to have more than one downhill power back on their roster. An Aaron Jones, Dillon, and Williams trio would allow the Packers to wear defenses down while keeping their backfield fresh. With Javonte Williams on their roster, Green Bay’s offense should also not miss a beat if Dillon or Jones miss any time due to injury. Whether they do two power back sets or feature a power back with a dynamic back, like Jones, the Packers would certainly have plenty of flexibility on offense.

> RUNNING BACK

Kenneth Gainwell (rSO)

Memphis

4 MEASURABLES: Height: 5’8” | Weight: 201 lbs. | 40 Time: 4.47

Michael Carter

(SR)

North Carolina

5 MEASURABLES: Height: 5’8” | Weight: 201 lbs. | 40 Time:

PRO DAY: N/A

PRO DAY: Vertical: 34”, Broad: 119”, Bench: 16 reps, 40-yard: 4.50, 20 yd: 3.98, 3-cone: 6.81

2019 STATS: (14 Games) 231 carries, 1,459 yards (6.32 ypc), 13 TDs | 51 receptions, 610 yards, 3 TDs

2020 STATS: (11 Games) 156 carries, 1,245 yards (7.98 ypc), 9 TDs | 25 receptions, 267 yards, 2 TDs

IN A NUTSHELL:

After being redshirted, Gainwell became the starter in 2019 after an injury to Patrick Taylor in the first game. He proceeded to lead all FBS freshmen in all-purpose yards with 2,069 on 282 touches. Gainwell is a highly talented early-round prospect, but only has one true season of collegiate experience. Running Game: Gainwell is an electric runner who is patient at the line of scrimmage and can accelerate to explode through holes. He is dynamic in the open field, making defenders miss or simply outrunning them. He needs to add some weight to hold up better between the tackles. The former high school quarterback is at his best in a spread or pistol offense, where he can create mismatches on the field as either a runner or receiver split out wide. Passing Game: A typical Memphis tailback, Gainwell is also a well-developed receiver and can line up wide or in the slot or catch passes out of the backfield. Gainwell has great hands and is an advanced route runner for a tailback. He separates out of his breaks and has a lot of success in double-breaking routes. While his pass protection needs to improve, he’s likely to be used more as a target than a blocker.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Gainwell would give Green Bay another dynamic halfback to rotate in with Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon. While similar to Jones’ skillset, he could also be utilized in the slot or in jet motion, similarly to how Tyler Ervin was used. Having three talented backs would also allow the Packers to get creative with their offensive sets and personnel as well as keep them all fresh throughout the season.

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IN A NUTSHELL:

Carter led the Tar Heels in rushing three straight seasons, despite splitting carries with Javonte Williams in his final year. The former North Carolina team captain was also the most impressive tailback at the Senior Bowl this past January. He showcased his ability as both a runner and receiver, capping off a strong senior season where he led the ACC in average rushing yards per game (113.2) and yards per carry (7.98). Running Game: Carter is a dynamic runner with homerun speed. He led the nation in 2020 in runs over 20 yards with 18 on the season. Carter makes great cuts, quickly gets to the second level, and turns on the burners to gain separation from defenders. He has the wiggle and agility in space to turn on a dime and make defenders miss. While Carter lacks power, he will keep his legs moving through contact and get the extra tough yards. Passing Game: Carter is a tremendous receiver out of the backfield and should find an immediate role in the NFL as a third-down back. While his pass protection needs to improve, he is excellent with the ball out in space, making him effective in the screen game and on checkdowns.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Like Etienne and Gainwell, Carter has position versatility to be a slot receiver or jet motion gadget player in addition to being a tailback. Built in a similar mold to Aaron Jones, Carter would give the Packers another elusive back to give the ball to out in space. He would round out one of the best young backfields in the NFL. He would also give Green Bay a dynamic returner and could help revive its special teams.

> RUNNING BACK

Jermar Jefferson (JR)

Oregon State

6 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’0” | Weight: 206 lbs. | Arm: 30 1/2” | Hand: 9 5/8”

Demetric Felton

(SR)

UCLA

7 MEASURABLES: Height: 5’9” | Weight: 189 lbs.

PRO DAY: Vertical: 31”, Broad: 115”, Bench: 13 reps, 40-yard: 4.55, 20 yd: 4.38, 3-cone: 7.38

PRO DAY: Vertical: 31.5”, Broad 114”, 20 yd: 4.50, 3-cone: 7.31, Bench: 10 reps

2020 STATS: (6 Games) 133 carries, 858 yards (6.45 ypc), 7 TDs | 9 receptions, 67 yards

2020 STATS: (6 Games) 132 carries, 668 yards (5.06 ypc), 5 TDs | 22 receptions, 159 yards, 3 TDs

IN A NUTSHELL:

While Jefferson played in a shortened season in 2020, he still showed excellent production, which earned him the Co-Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year award. Averaging more than six yards per carry, Jefferson capped off an excellent three-year career at Oregon State by running over the century mark in five of his six games, including a 226-yard performance against Oregon that led to a major Beavers upset.

After two years as a wide receiver, Felton made the switch to running back his junior season. The California native only spent one short season as the Bruins’ true featured back, but his versatility, receiving ability and suddenness in space make him a valuable prospect. Felton is an electric runner whose best fit at the next level could be in the slot as a gadget player or in the backfield as a perimeter runner.

Running Game: Jefferson is a slippery runner with quick change of direction and explosive acceleration. He runs through the hole like he was shot out of a cannon, and he uses his compact frame to lower his shoulder and run through contact. Jefferson is loose in the hips and shows great ankle bend, which allows him to quickly jumpcut and change course at the line of scrimmage. He shows smooth footwork and can change gears quickly, which allows him to create separation from defenders at the second level.

Running Game: While Felton is still an underdeveloped runner who needs to improve his play strength and vision, especially between the tackles, he is dangerous out in space and has the quick-twitch athleticism to leave defenders in the dust. He can turn the corner and change gears, possessing the breakaway speed to hit a crease and get through the second level of the defense for a big gain.

Passing Game: Jefferson was underutilized as a receiver at Oregon State, and he showed inconsistency in pass protection. This limited his opportunities in passing situations, but he still has good hands and ability out in space to make plays. He should grow in this area at the next level.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Oregon State utilizes a zone-running scheme similar to the Packers offense, which would help Jefferson quickly adjust to learning the NFL game. Jefferson is very good at being patient at the line of scrimmage and looking for cutback lanes, which is what Green Bay asks of its backs. Jefferson could also factor in more in the passing game than he did in college. He has underrated hands, and his speed and athleticism could exploit some defenders out in space.

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Passing Game: The strength to Felton’s game is his ability as a receiver out of the backfield. He gets separation in his routes, and he has reliable hands. He was a standout player in oneon-ones at the Senior Bowl, and it is this receiving ability that may make him best suited as a slot player.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Felton would give Green Bay a dynamic slot player who could also play in the backfield on third downs. With Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon already on the roster, Felton would primarily line up as a wide receiver, but he would serve well as the Packers’ gadget player who can run jet motion. Felton would be a big upgrade over Tyler Ervin and Tavon Austin, giving them a more consistent playmaking threat out of the slot. Felton’s dual position versatility could allow the Packers to use him in creative ways, much like how Randall Cobb or Ty Montgomery were used in McCarthy’s system.

> RUNNING BACK

Javian Hawkins (rSO)

Louisville

8 MEASURABLES: Height: 5’8” | Weight: 183 lbs.

Kylin Hill

(SR)

Mississippi State

9 MEASURABLES: Height: 5’11” | Weight: 214 lbs.

PRO DAY: Vertical: 36”, Broad: 116”, 40-yard: 4.46, 20 yd: 4.23, 3-cone: 6.98

PRO DAY: Vertical: 36”, Broad: 122”, Bench: 22 reps, 40-yard: 4.57, 20 yd: 4.35, 3-cone: 7.20

2020 STATS: (8 Games) 138 carries, 822 yards (6.18 ypc), 7 TDs | 16 receptions, 127 yards, 1 TD

2020 STATS: (3 Games) 15 carries, 58 yards (3.87 ypc) | 23 receptions, 237 yards, 1 TD

IN A NUTSHELL:

After redshirting in 2018, Hawkins had two very productive years for the Cardinals as their featured back. Carrying the ball 402 times in two seasons, Hawkins rushed for 2,347 yards and 16 touchdowns as a starter. The redshirt sophomore declared early for the draft, forgoing his final two years of eligibility. Running Game: Hawkins is a dynamic runner with top-end speed. He hits the hole hard and accelerates to the second level. He can outrun defenders or make them miss in space. While he is a small, elusive back that lacks power, Hawkins can press the perimeter and then cut on a dime, finding creases in the defense to gash them for big gains. Hawkins still needs to add some weight at the next level to take on the punishment of the NFL game. Passing Game: Hawkins can get separation as a receiver when guarded by a linebacker or safety in coverage. He can create mismatches in the passing game while also being very effective in the screen game. With more time and development, Hawkins should even play a role as a versatile back who can also line up in the slot and go into motion.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Hawkins would give the Packers a tailback with elite game breaking speed. And while Green Bay already has two very good halfbacks in Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon, Hawkins could be utilized in certain offensive looks as either a second tailback or slot receiver who can run jet motion. He could also be a dynamic returner for the Packers, giving them some playmaking ability on special teams, which has been sorely missed for some time.

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IN A NUTSHELL:

Hill had a monster season in 2019; he carried the ball 242 times for 1,350 yards and 10 touchdowns. However, Mississippi State hired Mike Leach in 2020, and Hill’s role changed drastically in Leach’s spread-out pass-first offense. Hill did not find nearly the same production on the ground at the start of his senior season. After carrying the ball only 15 times and suffering a nagging injury, Hill opted out of the rest of his senior year after only three games. Running Game: Hill is a physical one-cut runner with shortarea burst and quick lateral movement. He is physical downhill and does not shy away from contact. He has decent straight-line speed but lacks elite acceleration to separate from defenders. Hill has the tools to be a featured back in the NFL, but playing his last year in a spread offense did him some disservice. Passing Game: The one positive of Hill’s experience in Mike Leach’s system is it really helped him develop his receiving ability. During his first three seasons with Bulldogs, Hill was only a mediocre receiver out of the backfield. However, in Hill’s two full games he played his senior season, he caught 23 passes for 237 yards and a touchdown, showcasing good hands, route running, and playmaking ability out in space.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Hill would bring a balanced game to the Packers backfield, being a good blend between a physical downhill runner and a receiving threat out of the backfield, Hill could be a nice option for Green Bay behind Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon. His pass protection also really improved in his final year at Mississippi State, which could give him a role immediately as a third-down back on the Packers roster.

> RUNNING BACK

Chuba Hubbard

(rJR)

Oklahoma State

10 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’0” | Weight: 210 lbs.

Khalil Herbert

(rSR)

Virginia Tech

11 MEASURABLES: Height: 5’9” | Weight: 210 lbs.

PRO DAY: Vertical: 36”, Broad: 120”, Bench: 20 reps, 40-yard: 4.48, 20 yd: 4.26, 3-cone: 7.24

PRO DAY: Vertical: 33”, Broad: 115”, Bench: 22 reps, 40-yard: 4.50, 20 yd: 4.34, 3-cone: 6.90

2020 STATS: (7 Games) 133 carries, 625 yards (4.70 ypc), 5 TDs | 8 receptions, 52 yards, 1 TD

2020 STATS: (11 Games) 154 carries, 1,182 yds (7.68 ypc), 8 TDs | 10 receptions, 179 yds, 1 TD

IN A NUTSHELL:

Hubbard led the nation in rushing in 2019 with 2,094 yards and 21 touchdowns. After a spectacular sophomore season, Hubbard was considered by many to be one of the best running back prospects in the country. However, the Oklahoma State standout decided to go back to school for another year in 2020 instead of entering the draft early. In seven games, Hubbard’s production his junior season was not quite at the level of his play the previous year, which ultimately hurt his draft stock. Running Game: Hubbard is a patient runner who shows good vision at the line of scrimmage. He does a great job seeing a hole and planting his foot in the ground to get downhill. He sinks his hips well when changing direction, which allows him to maintain his explosiveness when making his cuts. Hubbard runs well behind his pads and is physical through contact. Average straight-line speed could limit his ceiling at the next level. Passing Game: Hubbard is reliable in pass protection. He anchors well when taking on a rusher, and he anticipates where the free blitzer is coming through the line of scrimmage. However, Hubbard needs to be more consistent as a pass catcher.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Hubbard is not the best fit for the Packers. While he could play a similar role as Jamaal Williams, Hubbard is not the pass-catching third down back they may need in the offense. He is a physical downhill runner who lacks the size of A.J. Dillon, and he also lacks the top gear and playmaking ability of Aaron Jones. However, he is a hard runner who could offer some depth on the roster.

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IN A NUTSHELL:

After playing four seasons at Kansas, Herbert transferred to Virginia Tech for his final collegiate year. It was the right decision for the young halfback; he had a breakout season against tough ACC competition, which helped his draft stock. Herbert finished 2020 second in the ACC in rushing yards and yards per carry. Running Game: While Herbert lacks elite size or speed, he runs with fantastic contact balance. According to Pro Football Focus, the fifth-year senior averaged an impressive 4.7 yards after contact in 2020. He runs with a low center of gravity and drives his legs through tacklers. He is quick and shifty, but he lacks the top gear to really separate from defenders downfield. Herbert gets the tough yards and shows good overall vision. Passing Game: Herbert shows consistent hands and good route-running ability out of the backfield. His quickness and short-area burst allow him to make plays with the ball in his hands out in space. He is very good in the screen game and on checkdowns. However, he needs to add more dynamic routes, like the wheel or angle, to his repertoire as well as show more consistency in pass protection.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Herbert would give the Packers a promising third running back on their roster who could fill in if Jones or Dillon miss time due to injury. His vision and cutback ability make him a good fit in their zone-blocking scheme. Herbert also returned 16 kicks in 2020 and averaged 27 yards per return. He could find an immediate role on the Packers as a reliable returner while also providing valuable depth in their backfield.

> RUNNING BACK

Trey Sermon

(SR)

Ohio State

12 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’0” | Weight: 213 lbs. PRO DAY: Vertical: 37”, Broad: 125”, 40-yard: 4.57, 20 yd: 4.28, 3-cone: 6.83 2020 STATS: (8 Games) 16 carries, 870 yards (7.50 ypc), 4 TDs | 12 receptions, 95 yards

IN A NUTSHELL:

Sermon played three years at Oklahoma before transferring to Ohio State as a graduate student. After a slow start with the Buckeyes, Sermon had breakout performances midway through the season against Michigan State, Northwestern, and Clemson that garnered him national attention. He ran for 636 yards and four touchdowns in those three games. Running Game: Sermon is a physical halfback who runs with great balance and lower body strength. He runs through contact and lowers his shoulder to punish defenders. He can bounce off tacklers and recover his footing to keep his forward momentum. He is not the shiftiest or fastest runner, but Sermon will keep his motor going and find production. His vision could improve, as at times he runs into closed gaps, relying too much on his ability to push through defenders. Passing Game: Sermon is an average receiver out of the backfield, and he lacks the dynamic playmaking in space the other top tailbacks in this class possess. He can also be inconsistent in pass protection, at times showing poor technique when engaging blitzers. He may be limited to an early-down role at the next level if he does not improve more in the passing game.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Sermon may not give the Packers anything more than what they already have in A.J. Dillon. However, the young halfback out of Ohio State may provide good value in the middle of Day 3 of the draft. He would provide them with another physical downhill runner to rotate in with Dillon and Aaron Jones. Given running back is a position that injuries often hit during the season, it would be nice to have another reliable running option behind Jones and Dillon.

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13 Rhamondre Stevenson (SR)

Oklahoma

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’0” | Weight: 227 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Stevenson is a big power back with excellent vision and a knack for gaining the tough yards. After transferring from Cerritos College, the former JUCO tailback played a limited role in his first year and a half at Oklahoma. However, after sitting out the first five games of the 2020 season because of a suspension due to a failed drug test, Stevenson quickly emerged as the Sooners featured back in the final six games of the season, averaging 6.58 yards per carry and leading the team with 665 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. The physical tailback will bring good value to any team looking for an imposing presence in their backfield on Day 3 of the draft.

14 Chris Evans (rSR)

Michigan

MEASURABLES: Height: 5’11” | Weight: 211 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Evans has all of the physical tools of a NFL running back, but limited opportunities and a one-year suspension in college have hurt his draft stock. Only starting in six games, including one at receiver, and sitting out the entire 2019 season, Evans collegiate production was low. However, the fifth-year senior flashes excellent athleticism, burst, and contact balance to have success at the next level. After falling out of the Michigan coaching staff’s good graces, Evans may have shown just enough in 2020 to land in the middle rounds of the draft.

15 Pooka Williams (JR)

Kansas

MEASURABLES: Height: 5’10” | Weight: 175 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

What Williams lacks in size, he makes up for with blazing 4.38 speed. The Kansas product is an electric runner who can take the ball to the house if given an opening in the defense. Williams only played in four games in 2020, opting out early to prepare for the draft. However, his first two years at Kansas he rushed for over 1,000 yards in each season and averaged 30 receptions per year. While Williams lacks the size to be a featured back in the NFL, his rare athleticism and speed will make him a dynamic weapon out of the backfield and slot.

> RUNNING BACK

16 Elijah Mitchell (SR)

Louisiana-LaFayette

MEASURABLES: Height: 5’10” | Weight: 215 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Buffalo

MEASURABLES: Height: 5’7” | Weight: 195 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Arkansas

MEASURABLES: Height: 5’11” | Weight: 213 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Boyd is a physical one-cut runner who lacks the top gear to be anything more than a late Day 3 option in the draft. Coming off a junior season where he rushed for 1,133 yards and eight touchdowns, Boyd only played in six games as a senior. Boyd opted out of the last three games of the Razorbacks season and declared early for the draft. As a former JUCO transfer, Boyd has come a long way, and he possesses the physical tools to play in the NFL. However, he needs to show better vision and receiving ability to be an impact player at the next level.

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IN A NUTSHELL:

Rountree is a physical downhill runner with some shiftiness to his game. Showing very little in the passing game, the Missouri product may be limited to an early-down role in the NFL, but, regardless, the former Tiger makes plays and finds production. He’s a compact runner with good vision and quick feet. He was a four-year starter at Missouri and totalled 3,720 yards on the ground with 40 touchdowns. He runs through contact well and will make defenders miss at the second level. He is missing the long speed and playmaking ability in space to be an early-round prospect.

19 CJ Verdell (rJR)

Oregon

MEASURABLES: Height: 5’9” | Weight: 210 lbs.

Patterson garnered national attention when he rushed for 409 yards and eight touchdowns against Kent State this past fall. This came a week after a 301-yard and four-touchdown performance against Bowling Green. Patterson certainly put up some gaudy numbers against Mid-Atlantic Conference opponents. As a sophomore, he rushed for 1,799 yards and 19 touchdowns. However, Patterson is a small back who didn’t factor in the passing game very much. He also lacked the dynamic speed and burst to make plays against tougher opponents like Penn State. While Patterson is still young and has potential, it will be a big leap from MAC competition to the NFL for the former Buffalo tailback.

20 Rakeem Boyd (SR)

Missouri

MEASURABLES: Height: 5’11” | Weight: 211 lbs.

Mitchell put together three strong seasons for the Ragin’ Cajuns, but he was only a full-time starter in his final year in college. Averaging more than six yards per carry throughout his entire collegiate career, Mitchell found production when given the opportunity, recording 3,259 rushing yards and 46 touchdowns in four seasons. Mitchell is a tough and balanced runner who is smooth in space but lacks a top gear to be an elite talent. He is a solid Day 3 option in the draft who can bring depth and development to any NFL backfield.

18 Jaret Patterson (JR)

17 Larry Rountree III (SR)

IN A NUTSHELL:

Verdell saw limited action in 2020, only playing in five of the seven games for Oregon and finishing his junior season with only 65 carries before declaring early for the draft. However, Verdell was coming off two seasons where he rushed for over 1,000 yards and scored at least eight touchdowns in each year as a starter. The former Duck tailback is shifty and agile. He also runs hard and is decisive in his cuts. Verdell also has experience playing out in space in a spread offense and can bring a little juice as a receiver out of the backfield.

21 GERRID DOAKS (SR)

Cincinnati

22 CJ MARABLE (SR)

Coastal Carolina

23 DEON JACKSON (SR)

Duke

24 SPENCER BROWN (SR)

UAB

25 TREY RAGAS (SR)

Louisiana-LaFayette

FB HB Position Analysis:

OWEN RIESE

01 BEN MASON, Michigan 02 TORY CARTER, LSU 03 KYLEN GRANSON, Southern Methodist 04 MASON STOKKE, Wisconsin 05 JOHN RAINE, Northwestern 06 CARL TUCKER, Alabama

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> FULLBACK, H-BACK

Ben Mason

(SR)

Michigan

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’3” Weight: 246 lbs.

PRO DAY: Vertical: 37.5” Broad: 117” 20-yd: 4.44 3-cone: 6.89 Bench: 29 reps

2020 STATS: (6 GAMES) 2 rec 17 yards 1 TD

IN A NUTSHELL:

Mason came to Michigan from Newton High School in Connecticut, where he was first team All-State as a junior and senior and ranked as a top-five recruit in the state. Whatever your favorite football cliche is, that’s Ben Mason. A fixture in the Michigan program over the past four seasons, Mason has worn many hats for the Wolverines. He’s played fullback, goal-line running back, defensive tackle, and special teams. As a true freshman, he scored a touchdown against Wisconsin on his first career carry and was the recipient of the team’s Toughest Player award after the season. First and foremost, Mason is a devastating blocker as a fullback. He plays with overwhelming physicality and displaces defenders from their spot against their will. Whether on isolation blocks or on the move in the run game, Mason puts people on the ground. He can also line up in-line as a tight end if needed. Mason has shown the ability to be an effective goal-line back during his time in Ann Arbor as well, as he rushed for seven touchdowns in 2018.

NFL COMPARISON: NIKITA WHITLOCK

Whitlock was an undersized defensive tackle at Wake Forest who transitioned to fullback in the NFL for the New York Giants. While Mason has more actual experience at fullback, he could be valued as a Patrick Ricard-esque type of chess piece who teams could see as a full-time fullback with the potential to play a snap or two in a pinch on the defensive line, as well as play on special teams.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Mason likely won’t be a target of the Packers due to his limited scope as a fullback. He is much more of a direct scheme fit in an offense like Baltimore or Las Vegas runs, where his overt physicality can be of more use than it would be in Green Bay. While Mason would be an ideal fit from a blocking perspective, he’s lacking in the receiving and finesse departments that Green Bay looks for.

While he wasn’t asked to be involved in the pass game often in college, Mason has shown the ability to catch the ball when asked to. He’ll never be asked to make his money receiving as a fullback, but he won’t be a liability in that area.

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> FULLBACK, H-BACK

Tory Carter

LSU

(SR)

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’0 3/8” Weight: 229 lbs.

40 Time:

PRO DAY: Vertical: 35 1/2” Broad: 112” Bench: 24 reps 40-yard: 4.75 20-Yard: 4.29 3-Cone: 7.46

2020 STATS: (4 GAMES) 4 rec 42 yards

IN A NUTSHELL:

Carter came to the Tigers from Lee County High School in Leesburg, Georgia, as a three-star recruit and a top-three ranked fullback in the country. He saw action with LSU as a true freshman at both fullback and tight end. In this draft class, Carter is likely the best combination of true fullback who can also catch and be used in multiple ways in today’s modern NFL game. Carter, who dropped 15 pounds during his time at LSU to better fit into what the Tigers were becoming offensively, has shown his skills as a physical lead blocker who can also contribute in the passing game. Carter shouldn’t be punished for his lack of stats, as LSU hasn’t done much to feature its fullbacks in its offense, especially over the past two seasons. With only two career carries during his time at LSU, Carter was primarily tasked with lead blocking for Derrius Guice and Clyde Edwards-Helaire.

AREA OF CONCERN:

Carter only played in 20 games during his four years at LSU, so durability is certainly a concern. This is of special concern for Green Bay, who lost its third-round pick Josiah Deguara to a torn ACL last season as well as its first option for a replacement in John Lovett. Fullback also isn’t necessarily a position associated with durability or a lack of opportunity to get injured.

FIT AS A PACKER:

Tory Carter is probably the best bet for a true fullback to fit with Green Bay since Alec Ingold came out in 2019. He’s more of a traditional thumper than the Packers prefer, but he’s shown the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and would give them a lot more legitimacy in the run game from their fullbacks than Deguara or Jace Sternberger did last season.

Carter was more involved in the passing game, with 16 career receptions and two touchdowns. While it was far from his primary responsibility at Baton Rouge, he showed to be capable enough to be considered a “safety valve” in the passing game.

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> FULLBACK, H-BACK

Kylen Granson

(rSR)

Southern Methodist

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’2” Weight: 241 lbs.

PRO DAY: Vertical: 36.5” Broad: 120” 20-yd: 4.40 3-cone: 6.93 Bench: 16 reps

2020 STATS: (10 GAMES) 35 rec 536 yards 5 TDs

IN A NUTSHELL:

Granson is the prototype for the current-day NFL’s Swiss Army knife at the H-back position. A former receiver at Rice before transferring to SMU, Granson’s athletic ability and passcatching prowess allow him to line up in multiple places and give defenses fits. The exact career path that Jace Sternberger took from Kansas to Juco to Texas A&M and from receiver to tight end closely parallels Granson’s undergraduate experience. Wherever he’s been, he’s been a red-zone threat and a touchdown scorer. Granson was invited to and performed well at the Senior Bowl, where he showed the ability to feast on linebackers and safeties. His ability to line up in the slot and force the defense to play with a lighter box will make him a soughtafter commodity. Granson will never be a dominant blocker, but if he is willing to continue to develop those skills and learn how to lose blocks slowly, as opposed to whiffing or immediately getting blown up, he’ll be able to make up for it with his receiving ability. If you will ask him to block linebackers, that will be a struggle. If his main job is to try to block safeties in space, he has a better chance of success there.

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NFL COMPARISON: JACE STERNBERGER

While this may not be the sexy comparison it would have been two years ago, the aforementioned career arc is undeniable. Sternberger put on some bulk and became a smooth receiving tight end. He lacked the bulk of a true in-line tight end but presented the upside in the modern game as a chess piece who could line up in the slot or in-line for pass catching purposes. Granson will never be known as a dominator as a blocker, but if he can line up as a H-back or a “move” tight end more focused as a defensive mismatch rather than a traditional tight end he’ll find a role in the NFL pretty easily.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Granson should have no lack of attention from the Packers given his similarities to Sternberger, a third-rounder two years ago. However, that exact thought could also provide to be a fairly significant roadblock for the SMU product, as the Packers may not want to double up on a similar prospect before Sternberger has truly gotten his opportunity at tight end. Within Green Bay’s offense, it’s been no secret what the Packers have been able to do with overgrown wide receivers transitioned to tight end such as Tonyan, Dafney, Sternberger, etc.

> FULLBACK, H-BACK

Mason Stokke

(rSR)

Wisconsin

4 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’2” | Weight: 242 lbs.

JoHn Raine

(rSR)

5 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’2” | Weight: 230 lbs. | 40 Time:

PRO DAY: Vertical: 30.5”, Broad: 112”, 20-yd: 4.34, 3-cone: 7.20, Bench: 22 reps

PRO DAY: DNP

2020 STATS: (7 Games) 19 carries, 45 yards, 1 TD | 8 rec, 58 yards, 3 TDs

2020 STATS: (6 Games) 24 receptions, 233 yards, 2 TDs

IN A NUTSHELL:

The Menomonie, Wisconsin, product joined his home-state Badgers as a linebacker, where he redshirted his first year and missed his second with an injury. Before his third year at Wisconsin, Stokke made the decision to convert to fullback. He has developed steadily as a blocker during his time at Madison, which isn’t the traditional career arc for Badgers fullbacks. A two-year starter, Stokke’s main duty was paving the way for Jonathan Taylor and the rest of the Badgers backs. Stokke was an accomplished high school running back, so his switch to fullback was somewhat expedited, but his blocking steadily improved during his time in the backfield. An above-average athlete for the position, Stokke’s rushing ability and receiving prowess earned him plenty of touches in the ball-handling friendly position for the Badgers. He’s still not a devastating blocker, but he’s become a very efficient and effective position blocker who will from time to time put someone on their back. He bounced off of a lot of blocks early in his career but has improved his engagement ability.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Somewhat similar to Carter, Stokke is nearing the appropriate mix of traditional fullback and receiving H-back to warrant a look from the Green and Gold. More of the finesse-style lead blocker the Packers prefer as opposed to the behemoth lead blockers of the 1990s, Stokke’s athletic ability and experience carrying the ball will pay dividends to his pro prospects in this scheme. Stokke’s willingness to block will go a long way for him at the next level, but he’s a step down in that department from the true fullbacks on this list. Stokke’s best bet is likely in a scheme similar to Green Bay’s, but he’ll have an interesting transition.

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Northwestern

IN A NUTSHELL:

Raine made the most of his graduate transfer opportunity at Northwestern after four years of playing for Lane Kiffin at Florida Atlantic. After playing with 2020 draft pick Harrison Bryant at FAU, Raine then moved to Northwestern, which has done well putting out similar H-back style prospects, including Garrett Dickerson and former Packer Dan Vitale. Raine will never be thought of as a people mover at the point of attack as a blocker, but as the “super back” in Northwestern’s offense he did enough as a wing or backfield player to be effective. The multitude of alignments he is comfortable lining up in forces defenses to honor his receiving ability. Certainly not the athlete Bryant was at FAU, Raine has some of the “Old Man At the Y” to his game, but it gets the job done.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Raine would be a H-back target for Green Bay, looking to use the 6’2”, 230-pound Raine as a fullback it can move around and manipulate offenses without the true threat of him being a lead blocker. Due to his lack of height, he’s likely limited to only playing fullback or in the backfield in the Packers offense. While this isn’t a death blow to his chances, having players who can or could play both (such as Sternberger has been asked to do) would be optimal for Green Bay. Raine is a try-hard H-back who has maximized his opportunities and should be expected to do the same if given a chance in Green Bay.

> FULLBACK, H-BACK

Carl Tucker

(rSR)

Alabama

6 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’2” | Weight: 245 lbs. PRO DAY: Vertical: 31.5, Broad: 117, 20-yd: 4.57, 3-cone: 7.75 2020 STATS: No stats recorded while at Alabama; played in 6 games.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Tucker is one of the rare sixth-year prospects seen in college football, something that will be much more prevalent in next year’s draft cycle due to Covid-19 and the NCAA’s rules surrounding it. Tucker was a much more impactful contributor for North Carolina in the first five years of his college career. In 2018, he had 16 receptions for 265 yards and two touchdowns. In a career that has been ravaged by injuries, he’s participated in only 29 games over his five seasons in which he’s played, including seven this past season at Alabama. At only 6’2, he’s limited to an H-back/fullback role, and, while he hasn’t had monumental production, he’s shown the ability to do it reliably at North Carolina.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

When he’s been on the field, Tucker is a very effective blocker from a wing or backfield position who has shown the ability to catch the football reliably out of the backfield, which should warrant some interest from the Packers. In a draft class without a ton of non-traditional H-backs, Tucker would make a lot of sense. If he can remain healthy, Tucker should be one of the Packers’ top targets for fullback/H-backs in this smaller draft class. His mix of skills lends itself to an effective transition into the Packers’ offensive scheme, and, due to his lack of tape, he could have a lack of suitors.

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WR Position Analysis:

ROSS UGLEM

01 JA’MARR CHASE, LSU 02 DEVONTA SMITH, Alabama 03 JAYLEN WADDLE, Alabama 04 RASHOD BATEMAN, Minnesota 05 RONDALE MOORE, Purdue 06 KADARIUS TONEY, Florida 07 TERRACE MARSHALL JR, LSU 08 DYAMI BROWN, North Carolina 09 ELIJAH MOORE, Ole Miss 10 NICO COLLINS, Michigan 11 AMON-RA ST. BROWN, USC 12 TYLAN WALLACE, Oklahoma State 13 AMARI RODGERS, Clemson 14 SAGE SURRATT, Wake Forest 15 D’WAYNE ESKRIDGE, Western Michigan 16 TUTU ATWELL, Louisville 17 SETH WILLIAMS, Auburn 18 JAELON DARDEN, North Texas 19 DAZZ NEWSOME, North Carolina 20 CADE JOHNSON, South Dakota State

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> WIDE RECEIVER

Ja’Marr Chase

LSU

(rSO)

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’0” Weight: 201 lbs.

Arm: 30 3/4” Hand: 9 5/8”

PRO DAY: Vertical: 41” Broad: 132” Bench: 23 reps 20 yd: 3.98

2019 STATS: 84 rec 1,780 yards (21.2 ypr) 20 TD

IN A NUTSHELL:

Ja’Marr Chase is a No. 1’s No. 1. Chase chose to opt out of the 2020 season (and missed a rough year at LSU). The reality was that he had very little left to prove; on a team that had the best rookie wide receiver since Randy Moss in Justin Jefferson, Chase was “the man.” Chase averaged more yards per catch and yards per target, had more total yards and more touchdowns, and dropped fewer balls than Jefferson. Still, Chase has just one college season with a very good quarterback, and he isn’t all that tall. Folks could overthink this. Before the catch/catchpoint: Chase is far more polished as a route runner than any player whose tape from his 19-year-old season should be. He carved up high draft choices like A.J. Terrell and Trevon Diggs. Chase’s footwork is tremendous, and he understands how to attack space and run a full route tree. Chase was outstanding at the point of the catch. His play strength is tremendous, though it’s worth wondering if his average size will allow that to continue in the pros. His release package is varied, though his footwork is better than his hand usage. He gets stacked in a hurry. After the catch/run blocking: We don’t have timing numbers on Chase, but the guess is that his long-speed is good, not great. Still, in the open field he’s a problem. He makes excellent cuts and possesses tremendous vision. Chase absolutely blocks his butt off, taking tremendous pride in springing teammates for long runs. His effort with the ball in his hands and run blocking are noticeable.

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BEST GAME:

Chase’s best game may have just come in his biggest. LSU locked horns with Clemson in the 2019 College Football Playoff National Championship, and Chase was electric. Chase hauled in nine of his 14 targets for a total of 221 yards and two touchdowns, torching the aforementioned Terrell in the process. Multiple top-100 picks were on the field for the Tigers offense, but Chase was clearly the top guy. That game was over midway through the third quarter, and Chase was a huge part of that. Also, not only was Terrell drafted 16th overall, he was one of the better rookie corners in the league in 2020— Chase made him look ridiculous. There isn’t a bigger college football stage than that January Monday night. Outside of Burrow, Chase was the biggest star.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Chase is a true, featured No. 1 receiver. Obviously Green Bay already has one of those. Is that a problem? No. Defenses would be forced to choose between Chase and Davante Adams and have almost no ability to focus on Matt LaFleur’s run concepts with A.J. Dillon and Aaron Jones or burgeoning young tight end Robert Tonyan. While Chase may look like a slot receiver, he actually lined up outside at LSU seven times as often as he did inside. Still, the versatility is apparent, as it is for Adams. Green Bay could create a pre-snap nightmare by moving both around. It is difficult to envision a scenario in which Chase fell far enough for Green Bay to move up and take him. Still, it’s a beautiful dream.

> WIDE RECEIVER

DeVonta Smith

Alabama

(JR)

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’0” Weight: 170 lbs.

PRO DAY: DNP (Injury Rehab)

2020 STATS: 117 rec 1,856 yards (15.9 ypr) 23 TD

IN A NUTSHELL:

Smith became the first wide receiver in 20 years and the first non-quarterback since Derrick Henry to win the Heisman Trophy. Smith was excellent in 2019, even with Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs stealing targets, but he truly became the guy in 2020. Nicknamed “The Slim Reaper,” Smith has obvious questions about his thin frame and how he might hold up in the NFL game. Smith consistently makes the difficult catch look easy and routinely takes the easy catch all the way to the barn. Before the catch/catchpoint: Smith is so smooth with ankle and hip fluidity, fully making up for his thin frame against press coverage. Defenders look like they’re trying to get a jam on smoke, or maybe water. He’s a member of the “Always Open Club,” as separation is no problem. Smith has an excellent understanding of leverage, forcing defenders into coverage spots they don’t want to be in. Smith dropped just three passes on 145 targets from Mac Jones in 2020. Despite his size, Smith absolutely dominates at the catch point. After the catch/run blocking: A gifted return man, Smith shows those same skills after the catch. He breaks more tackles than it appears he should and makes players miss. Not much of a “jitterbug,” but he works angles in the open field and erases them with pure burst and speed. Oftentimes, Smith will look dead to rights, beat the defender to the sideline, turn the corner, and burn. He tries as a run blocker, which is everything you can ask. Most will assume that run-blocking ability will be pretty moot unless Smith is able to add weight, and they’re probably right. He’ll likely run players off the line of scrimmage as a pro as opposed to trying to do a ton of stock-blocking.

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BACKGROUND:

Wherever Smith is drafted, he’d best buy a house with a big trophy room. In addition to his Heisman Trophy, Smith is a two-time national champion, Maxwell Award winner, Walter Camp Award winner, Biletnikoff Award winner, and was named AP College Football Player of the Year. It had been nearly 30 years since a wide receiver won the Hesiman. Green Bay Packer Desmond Howard won the award in 1991 with Michigan. Smith was also named the 2021 Rose Bowl Offensive MVP and was the MVP of the 2021 CFP National Championship. Despite only playing in 40 career college games, Devonta Smith will leave Alabama as one of the most decorated wide receivers in college football history. He’ll look to add to that resume in the pros.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Because of his frame, some see Smith as a better option at Z (able to go in motion) or in the slot. He’s a game-breaking stud either way, but Green Bay has a world-beating X in Davante Adams so “figuring out” a spot to play Devonta Smith would be an excellent problem to have. Smith led college football in deep catches and deep yards (20-plus yards in the air) in 2020. MVS and Smith stretching the field so Allen Lazard, Davante Adams, and Robert Tonyan can work underneath and to all parts of the field is a scary proposition. Again, it’s difficult to envision a scenario in which Smith falls to a place in the draft where Green Bay would find the capital to move up and pair him with Adams.

> WIDE RECEIVER

Jaylen Waddle

Alabama

(JR)

MEASURABLES: Height: 5’9 1/2” Weight: 180 lbs.

PRO DAY: DNP (Injury Rehab)

2020 STATS: 253 carries 1,083 yards (4.28 ypc) 10 TDs 42 receptions 347 yards 2 TDs

IN A NUTSHELL:

It’s a little bit nuts just how often Alabama has shown up at the top of these rankings over the last two seasons. The run of Jeudy, Ruggs, Smith, and Waddle may never again be topped by any school over a two-year period. Waddle is a twitched-up receiver, not only “bursty” but possessing tremendous long speed as well. As an early entry with some injury history, Waddle hasn’t actually played a ton of college football. Before the catch/catchpoint: Waddle will be an interesting player to watch in the NFL. The Crimson Tide had him attack from all over; Waddle lined up in the backfield, the slot, outside, and as a punt returner. His size is likely to keep him from ever being a true X or featured receiver as teams might press him, but it’s not likely to keep him from being a star. Waddle needs to expand his route tree, as right now he’s great close to the line of scrimmage and great deep but not so much in between. Waddle’s feet are so quick and educated that he’s able to release consistently, despite his size. Press corners don’t bother him, and off coverage is a nightmare as well. Waddle’s speed eats up space immediately and stresses the defender. His catch radius is bigger than his size would have you think. After the catch/run blocking: This is where things get really fun. Waddle is extremely explosive after the catch. Waddle runs like he’s trying to score on every play. He has the entire athletic package: burst, wiggle, and long-speed. Though he tries plenty hard at run-blocking, he’s 5’10” 180; he’s not going to move NFL defenders off the ball. Sometimes, just getting in the way is good enough.

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COLLEGE:

As mentioned above, Waddle doesn’t have a tremendous amount of tape to wade through. What’s there is certainly exciting, but injury issues, playing behind super-duper stars and coming out early means his experience is pretty limited. According to Pro Football Focus’ college product, Waddle has just 971 career snaps in 34 games played. His tape is great, however, and there’s no question about that. Folks may find a way to have questions about the sample size and whether a 5’10” 180-pound reciever can stay healthy. Whoever pulls the trigger on Waddle in the top-15 will be taking a gamble based on a somewhat limited set of data points. The chips are going to be all the way into the middle of the table. The highs are very high, but a risk certainly exists.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

What if the Tyler Ervin role was taken by a Randall Cobb-type wide receiver who ran like Tyreek Hill? Waddle as the jet player and Green Bay’s new punt returner (Maurice Drayton rejoices) is probably the top fit in the class. Yes, Chase is a better prospect, but Waddle does things no one on the Packers is currently doing. In fact, Waddle does things very few players in the NFL are doing for any team. Waddle could also help out of the backfield and create mismatches, even with Aaron Jones back in the fold. Waddle is the one top-flight SEC receiver in this class who could dip into the 20s range (a la Jefferson a year ago) and tempt Green Bay with a trade-up. Would they spend multiple picks to gamble on an oft-injured but elite prospect?

> WIDE RECEIVER

Rashod Bateman

(JR)

Minnesota

4 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’0” | Weight: 190 lbs. | Arm: 33” | Hand: 9 1/2”

Rondale Moore

(JR)

5 MEASURABLES: Height: 5’7” | Weight: 180 lbs. | Arm: 28 1/4” | Hand: 8 3/4”

PRO DAY: Vertical: 36”, Broad: 123”, 40-yard: 4.39

PRO DAY: Vertical: 42.5”, 40-yard: 4.32, 20 yd: 4.10, 3-cone: 6.68

2019 STATS: (2020 mid-season opt out): 60 rec, 1,219 yards, 11 TDs

2018 STATS: (only full season): 114 rec, 1,258 yards, 12 TD | 21 carries, 213 yards, 2 TD

IN A NUTSHELL:

Bateman is more of what the Packers have, and that’s a good thing. The most common comparison from pro-Bateman evaluators is Davante Adams. Now imagine having two Adams. Adamses. Adami? Exciting, isn’t it? Before the catch/catchpoint: Rashod Bateman has the most developed release package in this class. Bateman was the “slant master” in Minnesota’s RPO-heavy scheme, consistently beating his opponent inside. He was able to beat press coverage with strong hands and good feet and eat up off coverage with bursts. The release package marries well to a developed route tree to all three levels. Bateman led the country in yards per route run from the outside as a sophomore and kicked inside as a junior with some success. Bateman is a “plucker” (a true hands catcher). He’s fine at the point of a contested catch but not dominant. After the catch/run blocking: Bateman’s just a great football player. The tape doesn’t show freaky athleticism, but he’s still constantly erasing angles or breaking tackles. Bateman has a thick-ish frame and long arms. Minnesota ran the ball plenty with Mo Ibrahim (and Rodney Smith before him), and Bateman will do the blocking you ask him to do.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Bateman is an interesting fit with Green Bay because, as was pointed out before, he’s very Adams-like. Having Diet Davante on the field will allow Green Bay to continue to use Adams in a variety of ways. Adams has had success from the outside, the slot, and even in the backfield. Bateman will eat second and third corners alive on the outside. It’s not like he’s slow, either. He caught 14 passes of 20 yards or more in 2019.

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Purdue

IN A NUTSHELL:

Moore is the kind of player Packers fans dream about but know Green Bay would never draft. In 25-plus years, the shortest receiver actually drafted by Green Bay was Randall Cobb at 5’10¼”. If Purdue listed him at 5’9”, that’s the high end of an official measurement. He’s not small, though. Moore is thick. Before the catch/catchpoint: Moore isn’t going to be a complete No. 1 receiver unless he ends up like Steve Smith, and very few receivers do. Still, he’s not just a behind-the-line receiver. Moore threatens in the intermediate and deep parts of the field. Moore exhibits elite change of direction, and that allows him to create separation, which makes up for his size. He is not going to be an aerial red zone threat or a jump ball winner. After the catch/run blocking: After the catch, there isn’t a player in the class in his league. His electricity is often borderline disrespectful. Moore portrays the ball carrier vision of a tailback, constantly setting up defenders to look foolish. His thick build also allows him to break high tackles. Moore’s a nightmare for opposing defenses in the screen game. He’s not going to help much as a run blocker.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

I can’t think of a player in the last three draft classes who would scare me more if I was another team than Moore playing in the Tyler Ervin/Tavon Austin role, or at least what that role is supposed to be. Durability is an issue (as is experience) for Moore, but on a 25-30 snap pitch count in addition to return duties he has the ability to change the course of a football game. Moore averaged 8.3 yards per carry and scored three times in just 20 collegiate games. He’s the jet player.

> WIDE RECEIVER

Kadarius Toney

(SR)

Florida

6 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’0” | Weight: 193 lbs. | Arm: 31 1/4” | Hand: 9 1/4”

Terrace Marshall Jr (JR)

7 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’3” | Weight: 205 lbs. | Arm: 32 3/4” | Hand: 9 1/2”

PRO DAY: Vertical: 40”, Broad: 136”, Bench: 9 reps, 40-yard: 4.41, 20 yd.: 4.25

PRO DAY: Vertical: 39”, Broad: 125”, 40-yard: 4.38

2020 STATS: 70 rec, 984 yards, 10 TD | 19 carries, 161 yards, 1 TD

2020 STATS: 48 rec, 761 yards, 10 TDs

IN A NUTSHELL:

A deadly slot weapon with the ability to change direction on a dime, Toney is exactly what the Packers don’t have in the wide receiver room. Toney is absolutely lethal after the catch. Before the catch/catchpoint: Actually getting the ball to Toney is what will need to be developed at the next level. He is far from the most developed route runner in the class. His routes are occasionally imprecise, and his tree did not prove to be very diverse. Toney has excellent hands and a low drop rate but didn’t have a ton of contested catch opportunities. Still, there is reason to believe he can be more than a “gadget” player. After the catch/run blocking: There might not be a more “sudden” athlete in this class. Burst and change of direction are the name of the game for Toney. He’s a phenomenal return man and that shows up in the offense after the catch. Very rarely does the first tackler get Toney to the ground. In fact, it’s not that often that the first tackler actually gets a piece of Toney at all. Toney’s a try-hard guy as a blocker but isn’t going to move any defensive backs off the ball.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

This potential fit is a fascinating study. Unlike Moore, Toney passes Green Bay’s height threshold at receiver. As mentioned above, though, Toney is unlike anything they currently have on the roster. Toney’s attractiveness to the Packers largely depends on whether they value what he brings. Is he not their type, or is he exactly what they need? Tune in to find out. Toney’s showing up on several mock drafts and big boards right around where Green Bay picks. He wins in ways no one on the team is able to win.

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LSU

IN A NUTSHELL:

Marshall has had a very interesting college experience that arguably throws into question just what level of an NFL prospect he is. Marshall spent 2019 on one of the greatest offenses in college football history. He spent 2020 as the most gifted skill player on an offense that was hot garbage otherwise. Before the catch/catchpoint: Marshall is a really big football player with a really big catch radius. He’s currently “adequate” at all three levels, showing the ability to release and get open underneath. After being the outside receiver across from Ja’Marr Chase (Justin Jefferson in the slot) in 2019, Marshall became a “big slot” in 2020. He’s excellent in contested catch situations, largely due to his massive frame and soft hands, but he suffers from the occasional concentration drop. After the catch/run blocking: This is...fine? Marshall is a load to bring down and has a touch of wiggle to his game in the open field, but he’s not going to put anyone on a highlight reel like Moore or Toney might. Run blocking just needs an uptick in consistency. There will be plays where he completely over matches a corner and plays where you wonder whether he’s engaged mentally.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Marshall has the chance to be what Denzel Mims might have been in the class of 2020. Though he was a slot threat in the 2020 college season, Marshall projects to develop as a true number two receiver with the ability to get deep and use his size to get open. Not a super versatile piece, Marshall isn’t going to be handed the football, and they aren’t going to “manufacture” touches for him. He’ll win in the downfield passing game, or he won’t.

> WIDE RECEIVER

Dyami Brown

(JR)

North Carolina

8 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’1” | Weight: 189 lbs. | Arm: 32 3/4: | Hand: 9 5/8”

Elijah Moore

Ole Miss

9 MEASURABLES: Height: 5’9” | Weight: 184 lbs. | 40 Time:

PRO DAY: Vertical: 38”, Broad: 128”, Bench: 18 reps, 40-yard: 4.46, 20 yd: 4.35, 3-cone: 6.87

PRO DAY:

2020 STATS: 55 rec, 1099 yards, 8 TD

2020 STATS: 114 rec, 1,258 yds, 12 TD

IN A NUTSHELL:

(SR)

IN A NUTSHELL:

Brown made waves at North Carolina as the deep threat for future first-round pick Sam Howell. Brown exceeded the 50-catch mark and the 20-yard-per-catch mark in both seasons. He’s a true bomber with the potential to round out his game in the pros.

A featured player for Ole Miss, Moore is likely headed for a slot role in the NFL. He might be talented enough to make it on the outside, but if that doesn’t happen he figures as a highly effective slot receiver for a long, long time. He profiles as a high-level athlete (outside of his height).

Before the catch/catchpoint: At this point, Brown is a bit of a two-true-outcomes route runner. There are a lot of gos and a lot of slants. Brown eats up off-man coverage in a hurry. He’s such a threat in the vertical game, it’s likely a good receivers coach can expand his route tree at the next level if his “slant feet” are any indication. He shows a good but not great release package. Brown plucks the ball away from his frame and has good hands but is not elite at the catchpoint in contested situations.

Before the catch/catchpoint: Moore does not have the strength up top to consistently defeat press coverage, but his feet are lethal. Moore’s feet are elite at the line of scrimmage. His speed is so tremendous very few corners at the college level wanted to give press coverage a try against him. Moore’s change of direction at the top of the route is absolutely tremendous, which is where his level of separation comes from. His drop rate is very low.

After the catch/run blocking: So much of Brown’s run-aftercatch is just running in a straight line to the end zone after catching a fly route, but in limited opportunities he was above average. Running after the catch is another area in which Brown may be a better pro player than college. Brown is a strong run blocker with experience, as UNC ran it plenty with really good backs.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Brown should end up being a more consistent deep threat in the pros than Marquez Valdes-Scantling is for them now. He has a rare ability to get vertical, and the threat of those explosive plays should allow him to develop an intermediate route tree if he gets with the right coach. If he’s a 45 catches/800 yards/eight touchdowns player in the league, he is well worth a top-100 pick. Brown could be another in a long line of second-round gems for Green Bay.

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After the catch/run blocking: Moore is as good as it gets after the catch; he’s extremely elusive in the open field. The quicks are what everyone notices, but his long speed is high-end as well. He’s a constant threat to score. It’s not likely he’ll be an effective run blocker.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Marquez Valdes-Scantling as a deep threat, Davante Adams as a focal point, and Moore in a slot/jet role is a scary proposition for opposing defenses. Moore was more effective in college against man coverage than most slot defenders ever are, and he’ll bring a toughness to the Packer offense. Moore registered 27 punt returns at Ole Miss with limited success, but he could factor into the plan for Maurice Drayton. Green Bay would have to break its height rule.

> WIDE RECEIVER

Nico Collins

(rSO)

Michigan

10 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’4” | Weight: 215 lbs. | Arm: 34 1/8” | Hand: 9 3/8”

Amon-Ra St. Brown

(JR)

11 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’0” | Weight: 197 lbs. | Arm: 30 3/8” | Hand: 9 1/8”

PRO DAY: Vertical: 37.5”, Broad: 125”, Bench: 14 reps, 40-yard: 4.45, 20 yd: 4.32, 3-cone: 6.79

PRO DAY: Vertical: 38.5”, Broad: 127”, Bench: 20 reps, 40-yard: 4.61, 20 yd: 4.26, 3-cone: 6.90

2020 STATS: 37 rec, 729 yards (19.7 ypr), 7 TD

2020 STATS: (6 Games) 41 rec, 478 yards, 7 TD

IN A NUTSHELL:

Collins is another swing at the Chase Claypool body type. A true height/weight/speed project, Collins is a big-play threat with excellent ball skills. Like Donovan Peoples-Jones before him, Collins wasn’t done any favors by the Michigan passing game. Collins is a good bet to be a better pro than he was a college player.

USC

IN A NUTSHELL:

Amon-Ra is Packers wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown’s brother. In addition to attending rival universities, their style of play is quite different, as well. Amon-Ra is a versatile weapon, playing outside almost exclusively in 2020, in the slot in a big way in 2019 and moving all over in 2018. St. Brown is a gifted and complete route runner but not the athlete his older brother is.

Before the catch/catchpoint: Collins is not a polished route runner. He wins plenty, but it is not by creating separation at the top of his route. Separation wasn’t always important due to his size and tremendous catch radius. However, expansion of the route tree will be critical for success in the pros. Collins possesses a higher-quality release package than a “project” or a player of his size. He may be the best “power forward” in the class from a contested catch perspective. That’s his football.

Before the catch/catchpoint: Brown has a mastery of the route tree at the short, intermediate and downfield levels. His footwork is clean, and his smooth change of direction is impressive. St. Brown consistently creates separation against man coverage. His release package is fine, but the majority of his film is from 2019 with slot alignment. He easily snatches the ball away from his frame.

After the catch/run blocking: Collins is difficult to bring down, but it’s due more to his size than any ability to make people miss. If he gets up to speed at that size, he’s still terrifying, but “wiggle” does not make a huge appearance on tape. He’s going to be a bully at the next level blocking corners on the perimeter.

After the catch/run blocking: St. Brown is elite after the catch. The first man almost never gets him to the ground. He’s dangerous in the screen game and the quick-slant game. Fluidity in his game extends to the YAC game. Brown is highly competitive but not a huge or particularly physical guy. He will not dominate in the run-blocking game but is happy to get in the way.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

You could argue that Collins and Allen Lazard are too similar, but they absolutely win in different ways. Collins is not going to be a third-down possession grinder like Lazard. Can they both box out defenders? Of course, but Collins is a legitimate downfield threat with elite size for the position. They do different things well. Green Bay has given plenty of opportunities to Big Ten position players in the past and has drafted a Wolverine in each of its last two classes.

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FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Outside of the obvious awkward situation in which the younger brother snatches a roster spot from the older brother, St. Brown is an interesting fit with the Packers. He has the ability to move around in the way that Greg Jennings did in his prime. Used primarily on the outside with Favre, Green Bay moved him all over in 2010 and 2011. He made a huge play at Super Bowl XLV from the slot. St. Brown can be very interchangeable with Adams. He may remind some of James Jones, as well.

> WIDE RECEIVER

Tylan Wallace

(SR)

Oklahoma State

12 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’0” | Weight: 194 lbs. | Arm: 30 3/8” | Hand: 9 3/8” PRO DAY: Vertical: 33”, Broad: 112”, Bench: 11 reps, 40-yard: 4.48, 20 yd: 4.25, 3-cone: 6.97 2020 STATS: 59 rec, 922 yds, 6 TD

IN A NUTSHELL:

Wallace impresses repeatedly as he plays much bigger than his size. He was able to dominate on the outside, despite not being a member of the 6’0” club. Wallace has never quite repeated his 2018 form, working his way back from an ACL tear following his nearly 1,500-yard breakout sophomore season. Before the catch/catchpoint: Tylan is a classic track athlete at receiver. Corners get stacked, and they get stacked in a hurry. Wallace didn’t show a ton in his release package as he was asked to work the sideline vertically, almost the same way Baylor used Denzel Mims. His route tree is undeveloped, and most of his targets were at the line of scrimmage, slants, or goes. Wallace secures the ball away from his frame. Again, his aggression and ability to go and get the ball at 5’11”, 190 pounds is impressive and shows up on tape repeatedly. After the catch/run blocking: Wallace is more of an angleeraser and tackle breaker as a runner after the catch weapon than someone who jukes a lot of guys on SportsCenter. He’s fine, not great, as a run-blocker. Frankly, he didn’t do much of it at Oklahoma State. They were usually throwing the ball, and if they weren’t, his release could take his defender out of the play.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Wallace might be a bit of a project for Green Bay. Oklahoma State used an Air-Raid heavy scheme, and Tylan lined up on the perimeter to the quarterback’s right on nearly every play. That is not going to fly in a Matt LaFleur offense. Still, his ability to win vertically and consistently come out on top on contested catches is intriguing. Wallace was insanely productive at Oklahoma State.

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13 Amari Rodgers (SR)

Clemson

MEASURABLES: Height: 5’9.5” | Weight: 212 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Rodgers is another player Green Bay would have to bend its “rules” for—he would not meet the height threshold. He’ll likely end up as a long-term primary slot receiver. Clemson didn’t run the ball with Rodgers a ton, but when they did it was very efficient. He’s a “manufactured touches” kind of player, but his running-back build and ability after the catch is special. Many of those touches were manufactured because Rodgers didn’t consistently create separation. As a gadget player, Rodgers also returned a large volume of punts at Clemson but was not incredibly successful.

14 Sage Surratt (rJR)

Wake Forest

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’2” | Weight: 215 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Speed is the main concern for the big-bodied Surratt. He is as physical of a wide receiver as you’ll find in this class, and, in an increasingly offensive-friendly league, he may enjoy the officiating. Still, he’ll need to find a way to consistently create more separation and not depend on the hand-fighting and contested catch situation. Surratt does not have a tremendous amount of athletic explosion and is not a burner. Surratt is a tough possession receiver with strong hands and a strong upper body. Wake Forest ran its entire offense through him.

15 D’Wayne Eskridge (rSR)

Western Michigan

MEASURABLES: Height: 5’9” | Weight: 190 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Eskridge is a pure speedster. He isn’t big, he’s not overly physical, and his route tree is not very developed. He’s mostly a “go” guy and a slant guy. That said, there are very few players at the FBS level who can match Eskridge’s downfield production. He sinks his hips and changes directions well, both on the release and at the top of the route. He’s a true run after the catch monster and deep threat. He’s an older draft prospect at 24, which can call into question how much room he has to grow. Eskridge took over as the team’s kick returner in 2020 and was very successful. He could add value there.

> WIDE RECEIVER

16 Tutu Atwell (JR)

Louisville

MEASURABLES: Height: 5’9” | Weight: 155 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

North Texas

MEASURABLES: Height: 5’8” | Weight: 174 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

South Dakota St.

MEASURABLES: Height: 5’11” | Weight: 184 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

A speed guy from a solid FCS program in South Dakota State, Johnson was insanely productive in a very wide-open offense. Johnson dominated the one-on-one portion of Senior Bowl practice, but he disappeared during the 11-on-11 portions and caught just one pass during the game. Johnson is a sudden athlete who will end up in a slot-only role in the NFL. He needs plenty of development as he was an FCS slot player who could normally just win with speed. Upside is questionable as he’s two years older than many of the other players in this class.

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IN A NUTSHELL:

There isn’t a prospect comp who feels more accurate or is more concerned than how much Seth Williams plays like LaQuon Treadwell—it’s all so similar. They both played in the SEC. They’re both bigger receivers. Both players have an impressive college highlight reel with a number of superimpressive contested catches. Neither player separated a bunch in college, and that ultimately cost Treadwell his career in the pros. Williams is stronger than Treadwell and may be able to bully his way to a career as a possession/red zone threat in the NFL. Williams was not blessed with excellent quarterback play at Auburn.

19 Dazz Newsome (rSR)

North Carolina

MEASURABLES: Height: 5’10” | Weight: 190 lbs.

The draft is just chock-full of these 5’9” slot machines who are probably pigeonholed into one role in the pros but profile as potential difference makers. Darden is also a former high school quarterback. Darden is a really exciting and explosive athlete who did not play against top-level defenders. Darden does a phenomenal job tracking the deep ball in the air. He can be productive either around the line of scrimmage or deep down the field; those are the two big outcomes. He’s K.J. Hamler-esque with the ball in his hands. Darden is also a highly capable return man.

20 Cade Johnson (rSR)

Auburn

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’3” | Weight: 211 lbs.

A former high school quarterback, Atwell led the ACC in receiving as a sophomore. Atwell dominated even at 5’9” and even running the slant/screen/go route tree. His speed is so severe that it can be game-breaking at times, but a refinement of his game is very needed. Quicks and that long speed allowed him to consistently separate in college. His footwork and overall route tree will need to expand in the NFL. His athleticism pops on tape repeatedly. Atwell would’ve likely benefited from a traditional NFL Combine setting. He’s a run after the catch demon and can erase angles running away from defenders.

18 Jaelon Darden (SR)

17 Seth Williams (JR)

IN A NUTSHELL:

Dazz is a bit of the forgotten Tar Heel. Javonte Williams, Michael Carter, Dyami Brown, and (next year) Sam Howell are all studs from that Mack Brown offense who will ultimately be taken before Dazz hears his name called, but Newsome has a path to success in the pros. Newsome operated more often than not from the slot (Brown played the outside) and was an effective (not elite) punt returner. Newsome is a good player in the short and intermediate passing game and features strong hands, catching the ball away from his frame.

21 TRE WALKER (SR)

San Jose State

22 ANTHONY SCHWARTZ (JR)

Auburn

23 FRANK DARBY (SR)

Arizona State

24 IHMIR SMITH-MARSETTE (SR)

Iowa

25 CORNELL POWELL (rSR)

Clemson

26 MARLON WILLIAMS (SR)

UCF

27 JOSH IMATORBHEBHE (rSR)

Illinois

28 SIMI FEHOKO (JR)

Stanford

29 WHOP PHILYOR (SR)

Indiana

30 AUSTIN WATKINS (rSR)

UAB

TE Position Analysis:

JACOB WESTENDORF

01 KYLE PITTS, Florida 02 BREVIN JORDAN, Miami 03 TOMMY TREMBLE, Notre Dame 04 PAT FREIERMUTH, Penn State 05 TRE MCKITTY, Georgia 06 QUINTIN MORRIS, Bowling Green 07 MATT BUSHMAN, BYU 08 TONY POLJAN, Virginia 09 HUNTER LONG, Boston College 10 TRAE BARRY, Jacksonville State 11 NICK EUBANKS, Michigan 12 ZAIRE MITCHELL, Notre Dame (OH) 13 JOHN BATES, Boise State 14 JOSH PEDERSON, Louisiana Monroe 15 BRILEY MOORE, Kansas State 16 PRO WELLS, TCU 17 LUKE FARRELL, Ohio State 18 MILLER FORRISTALL, Alabama 19 KENNY YEBOAH, Ole Miss 20 SHAUN BEYER, Iowa

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> TIGHT END

Kyle Pitts

(JR)

Florida

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’6” Weight: 245 lbs.

Hand: 10 5/8”

PRO DAY: Vertical: 34” Broad: 129” Bench: 22 reps 40-yard: 4.44 20 yd: 4.30 3-cone: 7.12

2020 STATS: (8 GAMES) 43 receptions 770 yards 17.9 ypr 12 TD

IN A NUTSHELL:

Pitts is a former four-star recruit who blossomed into one of the top players in the country in 2020. He is a touchdown machine with a total of 17 over the last two years. Blocking: If there is a flaw in Pitts’ game, this would be it; he’s not going to have anyone mistake him for Marcedes Lewis as a blocker. That being said, he’s not Jimmy Graham, either. The effort is there as a blocker, and, at times, he is able to move people. When he loses reps, he loses them slowly more often than not. He can hold up well enough to the point where he is able to play on the line of scrimmage as a traditional tight end if he is asked to do that. Receiving: The reason Pitts is likely going to be a top-20 pick in this year’s draft is because of his ability as a receiver. He is the most dynamic tight end prospect since O.J. Howard. He’s a fluid athlete with the ability to sink his hips like a receiver. He is too fast to be covered by a linebacker and too big to be covered by a safety. From that standpoint, he is a coach’s dream thanks to all the different ways he can be used in an offense. His hands are strong at the catch point, and he’s dynamic after the ball is in his hands as well. Pitts is a smart player who adjusts to the ball well when it is in the air; that could make him a force early in his career as a back-shoulder type of weapon in the red zone. As a red-zone target, he’s incredibly dangerous and nearly unable to be covered because of his elite size and speed combination.

announcing to the world who he was in Florida’s first game of the season. He came out against Mississippi and dominated the game from start to finish. He finished the day with eight catches, 170 yards, and four touchdowns. One of those touchdowns included a 71-yarder that helped break the game open for the Gators. It was in this game where Pitts showed off his skillset. The 71-yard touchdown was scored when he lined up as a traditional tight end, while he scored another touchdown lined up as a receiver on a nice back shoulder adjustment. He was just dominant in every sense of the word.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Pitts would be the most dynamic threat the Packers have had at tight end since the days of Jermichael Finley roaming the seam for the 2011 team. Pitts has the ability to stretch the seam as an inline tight end or flex out as a wide receiver in the ways the Packers used Finley. His ability to open up the middle of the field would create an ample amount of opportunities for both himself and his teammates. Pitts would likely supplant both Jace Sternberger and Josiah Deguara the day he stepped into 1265 Lombardi Ave. It would likely not take long before he took starting duties away from last season’s breakout player, Robert Tonyan. The Packers don’t typically like to play rookies, but Pitts is that talented.

BEST GAME:

With the start of college football season delayed due to Covid-19, there were concerns that some players might get lost in the shuffle. Pitts made sure that didn’t happen by

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> TIGHT END

Brevin Jordan

Miami

(JR)

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’3” Weight: 247 lbs.

PRO DAY: Vertical: 31” Broad: 116” Bench: 17 reps 40-yard: 4.69

2020 STATS: (8 GAMES) 38 receptions 576 yards 15.2 ypr 7 TD

IN A NUTSHELL:

Jordan followed up a brilliant high school career, in which he played in four straight state championship games, with a college career that saw him reach another level in his development. Jordan put up more than 2,600 yards in his final two seasons at Miami. Blocking: Jordan is a willing blocker and has the ability to hold the point when he is engaged with his opponent, though he could use an offseason of adding some functional strength. He has strong hands but can get caught grabbing outside of the frame of his man, leading to penalties. He was used to some degree in the H-back role that the Packers have typically used with Josiah DeGuara or Dominique Dafney. He has the ability to be a lead blocker but can get too ambitious when he gets a full head of steam. Receiving: Jordan is another receiver who brings a blend of size and athleticism to all areas of the field. He has the ability to stretch the seam from anywhere in the formation and, resultantly, affect the game from all over the formation. Miami used him as an inline player in the slot and out of the backfield. That’s something he should continue to do as he gets to the professional level. Jordan’s route tree is diverse but could use some refining at the next level. As a rookie, he’ll be able to perform well enough to get his career off the ground, getting by strictly on the talent that he has. As Jordan gets more refined, he has the potential to become a really dangerous player. He does a really good job of adjusting to the ball in the air and bringing it down into his possession.

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BEST GAME:

When Miami took on North Carolina, it was not a good day for the Hurricanes. They were beaten 62–26 and outclassed in just about every way imaginable. There was one player who stood out above the fray: Brevin Jordan. Jordan finished the day with six receptions, 140 yards, and a 75-yard touchdown where he looked strikingly like a wide receiver. He lined up wide of the formation and ran a deep post. He shook the corner and then ran away from everyone else. Throughout the game, he showed off his skill set and ability to line up all over the formation. He showed the ability to stretch the seam, played in the backfield, and lined up as a receiver. Miami may have lost, but Jordan was a standout that day.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Jordan fits in with the Packers from the standpoint that he was used in multiple ways in college. The Packers clearly value versatility in their tight end room; Josiah DeGuara and Dominique Dafney are two players that come to mind who are able to play all over the formation. They have used Jace Sternberger in the backfield as well. Robert Tonyan is really the only tight end on the roster that has not been used as an H-back. Jordan has the ability to play in line, flexed out, or in the backfield. He’s someone who feels like a player Matt LaFleur would really value early in his career, find ways to get him the ball and use his ability to create plays in space.

> TIGHT END

Tommy Tremble

Notre Dame

(JR)

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’3” Weight: 241 lbs.

Arm: 31 7/8”

PRO DAY: Vertical: 37” Broad: 122” Bench: 20 reps 40-yard: 4.60

2020 STATS: (10 GAMES) 19 receptions 218 yards 11.5 ypr 0 TD

IN A NUTSHELL:

Tremble spent each of the last two seasons with players who will likely be playing in the NFL, Cole Kmet and Michael Mayer. He’s a good player in his own right and has a versatile style that NFL teams will love. Blocking: This is where Tremble is going to make his money early in his career. Tremble is flat-out nasty in the run game. When Tremble gets his hands on a defender, he goes where Tremble tells him to. There are times where he flat-out embarrasses defenders as well. He does not stop until the whistle blows and has no problem driving players into the dirt. He’ll need to add some more strength as an NFL player, but his effort and technique are pro-ready. A team can immediately use him as an inline player or as an H-back as a lead blocker in the run game and feel good about what the results are going to be. Receiving: There is a bit of a projection in this part of Tremble’s game. He’s been caught behind 2020 second-round pick Cole Kmet and Michael Mayer each of the last two seasons. Just because he has not been prominently featured in Notre Dame’s passing game, however, does not mean he is not a capable receiver. He shows flashes of ability to get down the field and excels on stretching the seam and stressing defenses on wheel routes. That is a potential trait that offenses will love in the NFL as the Kyle Shanahan/Sean McVay offense continues to become more prominent. Tremble has the ability to move around the formation and be a dynamic weapon in the playaction passing game as well. His ability as a blocker is something that helps him in the receiving game.

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BEST GAME:

Tremble is a fun study on tape. He has similarities to Dawson Knox from a few years ago in that he has proven ability in the passing game but just wasn’t used in that role a lot. The athletic upside and soft hands are there and were on display in Notre Dame’s first matchup against Clemson, where they won 47–40 in double overtime. Tremble had three receptions for 32 yards. He was punishing in the running game and clearly a big part of what the Irish were able to do against an aggressive Clemson defense. It’s a game that won’t be as aesthetically pleasing to the fantasy football players, but a closer study shows how important Tremble was to the offense in allowing the Irish to upset the No. 2 team in the country.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Tremble jumps out immediately as the type of player the Packers could love: he plays all over the formation as a versatile chess piece, he’s a nasty blocker in the run game, and he’s a functional player in the passing game. It was clear last season with the Packers’ use of Dominique Dafney, John Lovett, and Josiah Deguara that they value that skill set. In addition, they’ve used players like Jace Sternberger in the backfield. They like their tight ends to be used all over the field. Tremble would add another tool for Matt LaFleur to use all over the formation to toy with opposing defenses, and his presence would allow the Packers to play in condensed formations and run the ball down the defense’s throat. He would also allow them to spread teams out while keeping them in their base defense.

> TIGHT END

Pat Freiermuth

(JR)

Penn State

4 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’5” | Weight: 251 lbs.

Tre McKitty

(SR)

5 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’4” | Weight: 246 lbs. | Hand: 11”

PRO DAY: DNP (Injury Rehab)

PRO DAY: Bench: 23 reps (Injury Rehab)

2020 STATS: (4 Games) 23 receptions, 310 yards, 13.5 ypr, 1 TD

2020 STATS: (4 Games) 6 receptions, 108 yards, 18.0 ypr, 1 TD

IN A NUTSHELL:

Freiermuth continues the lineage of recent success that Penn State tight ends have found. Mike Gesicki was one of the breakout stars of the 2020 NFL season, and Freiermuth could follow a similar path. He’s not the same level athlete that Gesicki is, but he’s a very good one in his own right. Blocking: This is the part of the game where Freiermuth needs to develop; Penn State simply didn’t ask him to do much in the run game. With their spread zone running game, Freiermuth was basically asked to stalemate his opponent and make up for that in the passing game. More often than not, he succeeded. Freiermuth does have the ceiling to be a better blocker at the next level; he just needs to add strength. Receiving: Freiermuth is a dynamic player in the passing game but does so in a different way. He’s physical and is able to bully smaller defensive backs in a way that someone of his stature should. After the ball is in his hands, he uses that play strength to run through players and is able to make some yardage after the catch, a valuable skill at the next level.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Freiermuth would probably need a season where he is brought along slowly—most tight ends do. He will need some time to become a functional blocker. His career path could be similar to what the Packers hope will be the case for Jace Sternberger. His impact in the passing game could be immediate, but without the ability to be a functional blocker it’s hard to envision him making an early impact. Down the road, however, a pairing of Sternberger and Freiermuth could give defenses fits.

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Georgia

IN A NUTSHELL:

McKitty had an interesting path to the NFL, moving from Florida State to Georgia for his final season. He caught more than 50 passes at Florida State before settling into Georgia’s offense. Blocking: This part of his game is essentially nonexistent; McKitty is more of a big receiver than he is a tight end. There is room for that in today’s NFL, but it’s something a team is going to have to live with. That being said, there is a frame there that allows for some ceiling as a blocker. It’s just not something he was asked to do all that often in either of his stops in college. Receiving: As a tight end, the money is made in the passing game at the pro level. This is where McKitty excels. He is your traditional “move” tight end and able to line up outside of the formation and outside of the numbers.Think of him as a big wide receiver. McKitty has a diverse route tree and the speed to stretch the seam. When the ball is in his hands, he has aboveaverage ability after the catch and the ability to make defenders miss in the open field.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

McKitty is an interesting prospect because of his abbreviated senior season. He was a transfer student from Florida State, then dealt with an odd final season. He was impactful but will likely be another player who will need to be taken along slowly. McKitty could fill a “big slot” type of role for the Packers that they typically like to use with some of their pass catchers. He is probably better suited as a team’s secondary tight end.

> TIGHT END

Quintin Morris

(SR)

Bowling Green

6 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’2” | Weight: 243 lbs. | Hand: 10 3/8”

Matt Bushman

(SR)

BYU

7 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’5” | Weight: 245 lbs.

PRO DAY: Vertical: 34”, Broad: 119”, Bench: 22 reps, 40-yard: 4.66, 20 yd: 4.65, 3-cone: 7.09

PRO DAY: Vertical: 32.5”, Bench: 23 reps, 20 yd: 4.53, 3-cone: 7.13

2020 STATS: (5 Games) 20 receptions, 248 yards, 12.4 ypr, 0 TD

2019* STATS: (12 Games) 47 receptions, 688 yards, 14.6 ypr, 4 TD – *Missed 2020 with injury

IN A NUTSHELL:

Morris was actually a receiver coming into college who transitioned to tight end, à la former Packer Richard Rodgers. Blocking: Morris is a willing blocker, but there is not much that stands out about him in this department. He was used in a bit of an H-back role, which isn’t given to players who aren’t willing to block. He’s not going to move anyone in the run game; the better bet is for him to be used back there as a deception piece to try and sneak him down the field in the way the Packers employed Danny Vitale. Receiving: Morris has the ability to be a move tight end with a possibility of being used as a bit of an H-back type of role due to his size. He has strong hands with the ability to make guys miss in space. He’ll rely on his speed down the field. He struggled a bit in his final season, but poor quarterback play certainly contributed to that. His best role in the NFL is going to be as a matchup problem with his receiving skills..

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Morris is someone who could come in and be a downfield receiving threat for a team that likes to use multiple tight ends. Right now, the Packers’ biggest threat down the field at tight end is Jace Sternberger. As much as they love his potential, he is definitely a question mark at this stage of his career. Morris could be used as a safety net if Sternberger does not pan out.

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IN A NUTSHELL:

If there is a word to describe Bushman, it’s resilient. He’ll be entering the draft coming off of a fluke Achilles injury that he sustained in practice. Blocking: Bushman shows a willingness to be a blocker on the line of scrimmage, but he is a little light at the point of attack. He may need to add some functional strength at the next level, but the willingness to stick his nose in there is a good start. Bushman has good hands and is able to keep them inside the frame of his defender. Receiving: Bushman has struggled throughout his time in college with inconsistent quarterbacks but has been able to overcome that. He’s a solid overall route runner with the ability to make plays after the ball is in his hands. He has some ability to shake defenders at the top of his route and is able to wall off defenders at the catch point. His frame is a little more slender than you would typically prefer, but he makes up for that with physical toughness and strong hands at the catch point. Bushman plays all over the formation, creating matchup issues for the defense.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Bushman is a bit older, as is the nature of players that come through BYU, so from a physical standpoint he likely has his grown man body underneath him. He could be used as a player both inline and flexed out. Bushman has that versatility the Packers have typically valued as a tight end since Matt LaFleur took over as head coach. He would be another versatile chess piece for LaFleur to use all over the formation with the likes of Josiah Deguara and Dominique Dafney.

> TIGHT END

Tony Poljan

(rSR)

Virginia

8 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’7” | Weight: 265 lbs.

Hunter Long

(JR)

9 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’5” | Weight: 254 lbs.

PRO DAY: Vertical: 33.5”, Broad: 113”, Bench: 23 reps, 40-yard: 4.89, 20 yd: 4.50, 3-cone: 7.34

PRO DAY: Vertical: 32.5”, Broad: 122, 40-yard: 4.71, 20-yd: 4.42, 3-cone: 7.41

2020 STATS: (9 Games) 38 receptions, 411 yards, 10.8 ypr, 6 TD

2020 STATS: (11 Games) 57 receptions, 685 yards, 12.0 ypr, 5 TD

IN A NUTSHELL:

Boston College

IN A NUTSHELL:

Poljan is a former quarterback that transitioned to tight end during his college career, similar to former Michigan Wolverine Zach Gentry, making him an intriguing player for the next level.

Long was utilized quite frequently in Boston College’s offense at a level of football that typically undervalues the position. Long led the team in targets and led the nation in receptions and yardage from the tight end spot.

Blocking: Poljan’s competitive nature and mean streak are very evident in the run game. He has strong hands and a good base to move defenders off of their spot. He wins more often than not against linebackers and is able to hold his own against edge defenders. He has a competitive streak that coaches will love and will immediately get him on the field in short yardage situations. It could be a bit of a clunky fit because of his frame, but using him as a lead blocker in the backfield would not be a bad idea.

Blocking: Long has the willingness to move guys at the point of attack. A lot of blocking is about whether or not the player has the “want to.” Long certainly has that, making him a three-down tight end. He will need to add some strength to his frame as is the case with most tight ends as they transition from college. Long has quick feet and the ability to get to the second level while playing under control.

Receiving: Poljan is not going to be confused with an elite athlete like Kyle Pitts or Brevin Jordan. With Poljan, what you see is what you get. He’s a steady presence in the passing game. He has a big frame and strong hands at the catch point. If the ball is thrown in his vicinity, he makes the play. He has sure hands and is able to find holes in zone coverage.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Poljan is a cerebral player whom the Packers will likely love as he demonstrates his skills as a former quarterback. He has the ability to find holes in the zone and could be a developmental tight end and a key contributor on special teams. He isn’t an elite athlete, but he makes up for that with unmatched drive. He would likely be a developmental tight end used primarily as a blocker and whose production in the passing game comes based on deception.

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Receiving: Long has soft hands and an ability to do most things well in the passing game. He lines up all over the formation and is able to run a wide variety of routes, making him a valuable chess piece in an offense that is complex by its very nature. Long would be an excellent red zone target because of his sure hands, and his ability as a blocker makes him someone you can keep on the field for all three downs.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

This is one of the better fits in this draft class with the Packers’ tight end group largely because he has some of the versatility the Packers have valued. Long has the upside to become an above average blocker with soft hands in the passing game, serving as a security blanket for Aaron Rodgers as he continues into the back-nine of his career. He gives the Packers another weapon they can attempt to groom in the mold that LaFleur has typically valued in his tight ends since arriving in Green Bay.

> TIGHT END

Trae Barry

(SR)

Jacksonville St.

10 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’7” | Weight: 245 lbs.

Nick Eubanks

(rSR)

Michigan

11 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’4” | Weight: 245 lbs.

PRO DAY: No Pro Day

PRO DAY: Vertical: 34”, Broad: 121”, Bench: 19 reps, 40-yard: 4.59, 20 yd: 4.53, 3-cone: 7.32

2020 STATS: (3 Games) 13 receptions, 240 yards, 18.5 ypr, 0 TD

2020 STATS: (5 Games) 10 receptions 117 yards 11.7 ypr 1 touchdown

IN A NUTSHELL:

Barry is a small school product who has been through a lot with injuries. Barry finished strong and averaged more than 15 yards per reception in his final season at Jacksonville State.

Eubanks has been at Michigan for what feels like a decade. He has been on the field with a variety of quarterbacks and has played in a multitude of systems.

Blocking: This part of his game is far from a finished product. He has a lot of things to learn and pick up on—it’s not something he was really asked to do much of when he was in college. Barry was predominantly a route runner and red zone weapon.

Blocking: The first half of Eubanks’ career was very runheavy, which allowed him to work on his blocking. He is strong and has a good base when trying to move his defender. He’s quick enough to get to the second level and wall off defenders in the run game. Eubanks was also used in a lot of multiple tight end sets.

Receiving: Obviously, the first thing that stands out about Barry is his incredible frame. He stands at a height that is more commonly seen in a basketball player. He uses that frame to his advantage and is able to simply beat defenders by being bigger than them. He has a “my ball” mentality. He’s a bit of a raw route runner at this stage of his career and won primarily based on being the better athlete on the field. His background as a basketball player is evident when he steps on the field, and his upside as a pass catcher is very high.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Barry is a project as an NFL tight end. He’s someone who would benefit from a season on the practice squad before cracking the final roster. If he reaches his potential, his fit as a red zone weapon and overall athleticism is something the Packers don’t really have with their tight end group at the moment. Taking a year to learn from guys like Marcedes Lewis, Robert Tonyan, and even Jace Sternberger would be beneficial for a player like Barry.

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Receiving: Eubanks had an up-and-down career at Michigan in the passing game. He struggled with multiple quarterbacks shuffling in and out of the lineup. He has good hands and good enough speed to stretch the seam, and Eubanks’ route tree is more diverse than most other tight end prospects thanks to playing in Jim Harbaugh’s pro system that features the tight ends. He has the ability to separate from defenders down the field. He struggles at the top of his routes, and his ability after the catch leaves a lot to be desired.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Should Eubanks end up in Green Bay, it could be a really good situation for him. He’s going to need to add some size to play at the NFL level, but he’s probably best used as a versatile chess piece and H-back type of player. The Packers have a few of those in their tight end room already with the presence of Dominique Dafney and Josiah Deguara. As we’ve seen, the Packers value that role in their offense and could always use more players that can fill it.

> TIGHT END

Zaire Mitchell

(JR)

Notre Dame (OH)

12 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’5” | Weight: 250 lbs. PRO DAY: DNP 2019 STATS: (13 Games) 42 receptions, 573 yards, 13.6 ypr, 6 TD – *DNP 2020

IN A NUTSHELL:

Zaire Mitchell has a small- school pedigree (not to be confused with Notre Dame in South Bend) that has given him a large chip on his shoulder. He was incredibly productive with six touchdowns during an abbreviated 2020 season. Blocking: Like most college athletes, this is where Mitchell will have a bit of a learning curve. He needs to add strength to his taller frame and can have a tendency to play too tall at times. Those are things that can be taught, but it is going to take some time to get used to being more of a blocker at the NFL level. Receiving: Mitchell is another small school product who wins with his size and athleticism down the field. Mitchell could be another project tight end, but his speed combined with his taller frame could get a coach to fall in love with him. He was used both inline and as a move type of tight end. He has the ability to play above the rim, which will make him a good red zone target at the next level. Mitchell draws comparisons to Donald Parham of the Los Angeles Chargers.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Mitchell fits in with the Packers as another project tight end worth a roll of the dice on his upside. Right now, the Packers don’t have athleticism like Mitchell’s in their tight end room. If he had a year to learn from players like Sternberger and Tonyan, he could make for an excellent running mate with one of them in the near future. If he were forced to play in his rookie season, his best asset early would be as a red zone weapon.

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13 John Bates (rSR)

Boise State

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’5” | Weight: 259 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Bates is an average athlete who will take what is there from opposing defenses. He has soft hands and is able to make plays in soft spots of zone coverage, but he is not likely to win a lot of one-on-one battles with opposing defenders. He has a good frame, which allows him to wall off defenders in the run game. Combine that with a willingness to block and what you have is a player that needs to add some functional strength before becoming overly effective. His toughness could make him a potential contributor on special teams early in his career as he tries to find his way into the offensive side of the ball.

14 Josh Pederson (rSR)

Louisiana Monroe

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’4” | Weight: 234 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Pederson has a leaner frame, which leads you to believe he could have a future at the H-back type of role that is becoming more of a focal point in the NFL. Pederson is a good enough athlete that has a good understanding of angles and space at the college level. He has sure hands, a good catch radius and could best be described as a security blanket for his quarterback. He is a good enough blocker to make you think he could excel in a lead type of role or in the return game. Pederson will take some time to develop but could be a good special teams contributor early on as he develops.

15 Briley Moore (SR)

Kansas State

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’4” | Weight: 240 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Moore has taken an interesting career path from college to the NFL. He started his college career at Northern Iowa before transferring during his final season to play at Kansas State. He had a bit of a setback with a shoulder injury but is a tough player that fought his way through. Moore has strong hands and an ability to separate at the top of his route. He’s a good enough athlete to stretch the seam in the middle of the field. As a blocker, he is average at this point of his career but shows a willingness to get better on every down. He’ll likely be an excellent special teams player early in his career.

> TIGHT END

16 Pro Wells (JR)

TCU

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’3” | Weight: 249 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Alabama

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’5” | Weight: 242 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Iowa

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’5” | Weight: 250 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Iowa has recently become a factory for tight ends. Shaun Beyer is just the latest in that lineage. He’s exactly what you’d expect from an Iowa player: a good enough athlete that makes the plays in front of him. Beyer has some ability after the catch, and he’s nasty in the run game. He is a little lean at this stage of his career, so he will need to add some size and strength to become a functional inline blocker. If he is able to do that, however, he has a chance to be a good role player in the right offense.

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IN A NUTSHELL:

Farrell is a tough blocker that could fit in immediately in the Packers’ offense as a potential replacement for Marcedes Lewis. He does not want to just beat you in the run game—he wants to destroy you, a trait that coaches will love at the next level. There’s a fair amount of development required in terms of his skills in the passing game. He was a possessiontype player at Ohio State and is unlikely to turn a small play into a big one. Farrell is another tough player who will be good on special teams and a bit of a specialist at the next level offensively.

19 Kenny Yeboah (rSR)

Ole Miss

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’4” | Weight: 250 lbs.

Forristall comes from a run-heavy system with the Alabama offense. He did get a little lost in the shuffle this year as Alabama began to feature Devonta Smith and their great receiving corps more often. When it was time to run the ball with Najee Harris, however, Forristall was a key component of that. He is best used in the passing game leaking out as a deception piece, but he does have sure hands. He will make the plays that are in front of him. His biggest value will come in the run game, where he’s a good enough athlete to move laterally on the line of scrimmage and also get to the second level.

20 Shaun Beyer (rSR)

Ohio State

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’5” | Weight: 258 lbs.

Wells is still young in his football career, only deciding to try football during his senior season of high school. Originally, before ending up at TCU via Northwest Mississippi Junior College, Wells was planning to go to Marshall to play both football and basketball. His basketball background shows up in his game. His ability to box out defenders and play above the rim will be intriguing early in his career. He’s at his best right now when playing as a big receiver, as he’s still learning to play on the line of scrimmage as a tight end. Wells is a project who could pay big dividends down the road.

18 Miller Forristall (rSR)

17 Luke Farrell (rSR)

IN A NUTSHELL:

Yeboah’s path was not straightforward, as he transferred from Temple to Ole Miss. Despite the big jump in competition, Yeboah continued to show off his athleticism. He’s a versatile pass-catching option with the ability to play all over the formation and is a good red zone weapon. He is a bit raw as a route runner and could use some work on his techniques. Yeboah was able to win largely because of his athleticism and was occasionally over reliant on it. His blocking is something that will need some refinement at the next level. He occasionally plays too high, which can cause him to lose some blocks that he should win.

21 ARTAYVIOUS LYNN (SR)

TCU

22 NOAH GRAY (SR)

Duke

23 ZACH DAVIDSON (rSR)

Central Missouri St.

24 JC CHALK (SR)

Clemson

25 JOHN RAINE (SR)

Northwestern

OT Position Analysis:

“JERSEY AL” BRACCO

01 RASHAWN SLATER, Northwestern 02 PENEI SEWELL, Oregon 03 CHRISTIAN DARRISAW, Virginia Tech 04 JALEN MAYFIELD, Michigan 05 JACKSON CARMAN, Clemson 06 WALKER LITTLE, Stanford 07 DILLON RADUNZ, North Dakota State 08 SAMUEL COSMI, Texas 09 BRADY CHRISTENSEN, BYU 10 TEVEN JENKINS, Oklahoma State 11 LIAM EICHENBERG, Notre Dame 12 ALEX LEATHERWOOD, Alabama 13 SPENCER BROWN, Northern Iowa 14 JAMES HUDSON III, Cincinnati 15 ALARIC JACKSON, Iowa 16 DAN MOORE JR, Texas A&M 17 ADRIAN EALY, Oklahoma 18 TOMMY DOYLE, Miami (OH) 19 JAYLON MOORE, Western Michigan 20 ROBERT HAINSEY, Notre Dame

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> OFFENSIVE TACKLE

Rashawn Slater

(SR)

Northwestern

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’4” Weight: 304 lbs.

Arm Length: 33”

PRO DAY: Vertical: 33 Broad: 112 40-yard: 4.91 20 yd: 4.45 3-cone: 7.48 Bench: 33 reps

IN A NUTSHELL:

The son of ex-NBA player Reggie Slater, Rashawn played guard and defensive end for Clements High School, one of the few schools in Sugarland, Texas, known for academics over football. The three-star recruit received just a few scholarship offers and, not surprisingly, chose the academically focused Northwestern University. Despite his underwhelming resume, Slater won the starting right tackle job as a freshman, where he played his first two seasons before manning the left tackle spot as a junior in 2019. Slater decided to opt out of the 2020 college football season. Pass Pro: Slater strikes first and stuns edge rushers with a vicious punch, allowing him unfettered access to their chest. He mirrors very well with his quick feet and uses his powerful hands to keep rushers at arm’s length, never letting them into his body. This is elite use of hands and leverage, despite not having the overall length that NFL teams prefer. The weakness seen on tape is handling rushers coming across his face or executing spin moves. Overall, Slater’s technique and style of play in pass protection is reminiscent of David Bakhtiari. Run Block: Slater fires out of his stance and initiates contact. He’s not overpowering, but he’s plenty strong and knows how to latch on to his man and not let go. His movement skills along the line are good enough to play in a zone-blocking system, and he likely offers positional versatility to play in the interior. The Wildcats product shows strong leg drive and plays to the whistle, never wasting an opportunity to bring his man to the ground. He’s a finisher as a down blocker, getting downfield easily on free releases and hitting his targets. Slater is also an outstanding combo blocker with perfect technique and timing to block a defensive lineman and then peel off to take out a linebacker.

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VS. TOP OPPONENT:

Having missed the previous week’s game against Nebraska, Slayter returned to action the following week with the tallest task any left tackle faced in the 2019 college football season: block Chase Young. The former three-star recruit opened the eyes of the GMs and scouts who were on hand that day to watch Young and other top Ohio State prospects. While the game was a rout in favor of the Buckeyes, Slater stonecold nullified Young, the future second overall pick and NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. Young got nowhere against Slater and found himself on the ground a lot more than he was accustomed to. Slater’s performance that day stood out as the highlight of a season in which he allowed only five pressures overall.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Over the last decade, the Packers have not exactly been fixated on overall size and length when it comes to drafting offensive tackles. They’ve seemingly been more inclined to pick the physical and mobile lunch pail types who exhibit smarts and solid techniques (see: David Baktiari and Brian Bulaga). Well, Slater may be the one top prospect in this draft who fits that profile perfectly. He plays with aggression, is an above-average athlete, has sound technique, and is intelligent to boot. If you still believe in “Packer People,” Slater is an outstanding choice by that criteria as well. Overall, for the Packers’ opening at right tackle, Slater could be the safest bet in this draft to step in on day one and man the position for years to come.

> OFFENSIVE TACKLE

Penei Sewell

(JR)

Oregon

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’5” Weight: 331 lbs.

Arm: 33 1/4”

PRO DAY: Vertical: 28” Broad: 109” Bench: 30 reps 40-yard: 5.09 20 yd: 4.68 3-cone: 7.80

IN A NUTSHELL:

Born in American Samoa, Sewell came to the US at age 12. The nation’s top-three rated guard prospect in high school, he turned down offers from 25 schools, including top programs like Alabama and Notre Dame. In 2019, he started 13 games without allowing a sack and nine games with not even a pressure or hurry. Sewell opted out in 2020. Pass Pro: Sewell displays excellent agility and change-ofdirection skills. When he sets a strong anchor and stays inside defenders, they’re swallowed up and cease to be a factor. However, he lacks top-tier length and, as a result, he sometimes appears to play it too safe and absorbs more hits than he should. Sewell’s feet are lightning-quick, but he doesn’t always keep them moving. He hasn’t really faced top edge rushing talent in college, which makes one wonder how he’ll handle what NFL edge rushers bring. However, the high football IQ, raw natural ability, and power are all there. With proper technique adjustments he can eventually be a top 10 tackle in the NFL. A temporary move to guard could be a way for him to polish his techniques while contributing right away. Run Block: The way Sewell gets to and moves in the open field would have you think he weighs 280 pounds rather than 330. Whether pulling, releasing to the second level, or getting out in front of screens, he is elite getting downfield and revels in steamrolling defensive backs. In pure run blocking, he explodes off the snap looking to do damage. He does his best work inside as a powerful down blocker and on combo blocks and reach blocks. One-on-one on the edge, he can deliver a powerful initial blow but needs to work on maintaining and finishing with a more consistent leg drive.

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COLLEGE CAREER:

A huge recruiting win for Ducks coach Mario Cristobal, Sewell was the starter for Oregon the moment the high cchool AllAmerican stepped onto the field as a freshman in 2018. Sewell started seven games that season but also missed six with a high ankle sprain. It was still enough to be named to several freshman All-American teams. The awards multiplied exponentially after a sophomore season in 2019 that saw him start 13 of 14 games and not allow a single sack. Sewell was named the youngest-ever Outland Trophy winner, the Morris Trophy winner, and a unanimous first team All-American. Despite all the accolades and the opportunity to build on them, after talking it over with his family, Sewell decided to opt out of the 2020 season and enter the NFL draft in 2021.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

If the Packers were to somehow land a very high spot in the draft, Sewell would be a high-upside selection to solidify their offensive line for years to come. The only question would be whether Sewell’s work ethic and high football IQ would be enough for him to quickly acclimate to the right tackle position and step in as a rookie for the released Rick Wagner. If his inexperience (he’s just 20 years old) with proper techniques in pass protection proved to be problematic at right tackle, Sewell could be moved inside to guard for a year or two until he’s had time to iron out those issues. Of course, it’s not the Packers’ way to invest high draft picks in interior linemen, so anything less than Sewell having an All-Pro career at tackle would be a huge disappointment.

> OFFENSIVE TACKLE

Christian Darrisaw

(JR)

Virginia Tech

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’5” Weight: 314 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Darrisaw was not highly recruited out of Baltimore’s Riverdale Baptist High School, ranking as the 171st offensive tackle prospect in the nation as a low three-star recruit. Virginia Tech was his only Power-5 offer, but he first had to spend a semester at Fork Union Military School (which has produced 117 NFL Players, including Don Majkowski!) to get his grades up for academic acceptance to Virginia Tech. A three-year starter at left tackle, including his freshman season, the nuances of the position seem to have come together for him in 2020. In his 2020 game tape, the Hokie left tackle looks a lot more polished and assignment sure. Pass Pro: Darrisaw employs effective hand placement, delivers a strong punch, and is mostly able to keep rushers at arm’s length. He has an efficient slide step that gets him to the correct spots on time, although he tends to carry himself too high. Some smaller and faster edge rushers have gotten under his arms and around him, but he usually displays sufficient recovery skills to direct the rusher past the quarterback. He has improved steadily every season, flourishing last season while allowing zero sacks, zero hits, and only six pressures in close to 300 pass blocking snaps. Run Block: Darrisaw is very suited for a zone-blocking scheme, showing flexible hips and smooth lateral movement skills. He excels at blocking on the move, executing reach blocks, and seal blocks while displaying precise footwork to get himself in the proper positions. Darrisaw gets to the second level easily and is productive there. He shows sufficient power to easily handle linebackers but needs to add additional core functional strength to compete against bigger NFL defensive linemen or in a more power-centric system.

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PRO DAY: DNP (Core Injury Rehab)

COLLEGE CAREER:

When Darrishaw arrived at Virginia Tech from Fork Union Military School, the original plan was for him to be the backup left tackle his freshman season. However, the incumbent starter was having some recurring cramping issues during practices, so Darrishaw was promoted and thrown into the fire, having to go up against future first-round pick Brian Burns in his very first game. Although inexperienced, his discipline, work ethic, and self-confidence were enough to get him through it. Not only did he get by, he did well enough to keep the starting role and never look back. Darrishaw would go on to start 34 games for the Hokies, adapting to scheme changes over that time without missing a beat. Darrishaw capped off his three years by earning first-team All-ACC honors in 2020.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Deciding to play in the 2020 season was a huge plus for his development, which has been steady and significant. Darrishaw started his college career as more of an athlete than a football player, but that has steadily been changing. While Darrishaw has multi-scheme experience, if the Packers continue to employ a mostly zone blocking scheme, Darrishaw has ALL the skills they could ask for in that department. The weaknesses he shows in pass protection are all techniquerelated and correctable by Adam Stenovich and his staff. What won’t have to be fixed is Darrishaw’s work ethic and attitude, as he says he carries the lessons learned at Fork Union with him every day. Overall, Darrishaw could be the most wellrounded offensive tackle in the draft and the safest pick among this year’s draft class.

> OFFENSIVE TACKLE

Jalen Mayfield

(JR)

Michigan

Jackson Carman

(rJR)

Clemson

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’5” | Weight: 326 lbs. | Arm: 32 5/8”

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’5” | Weight: 317 lbs. | Arm Length: 32 ½” | 40 Time: DNP due to injury

PRO DAY: Vertical 28.5”, Broad 96”, 20 yd 4.91, 3-cone 7.86

PRO DAY: DNP due to injury

IN A NUTSHELL:

Mayfield was a two-way player at Catholic Central High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was a four-star recruit as an offensive lineman and chose to stay in his home state. Once at Michigan, he played in three games at left tackle as a freshman and started 13 games at right tackle as a sophomore. In 2020, he started the first two games at right tackle but suffered a high ankle sprain and missed the rest of the season.

As a high school recruit, Carman ranked as the No. 2 offensive tackle and the 17th-best player overall in the nation. With many offers, he ultimately chose Clemson over Alabama, Ohio State, and other elite football programs. Carman logged 200 snaps as a true freshman, then claimed the starting left tackle job as a sophomore and manned that spot for the next two years, starting 27 games in a row.

Pass Pro: Mayfield sets quickly, mirrors well, and shows a strong base. He’s a fluid mover with smooth change of direction and reset ability. His relative inexperience shows up in his footwork, but he successfully compensates with athleticism, aggressiveness, and pure will. If he puts in the work and masters the proper techniques, Mayfield can develop into an All-Pro caliber tackle.

Pass Pro: Going straight at Carman will get you nowhere. He sets quickly, gets his hands into the rusher, and has an anchor that just won’t be budged. Smaller speed rushers taking a wide path on the edge, will have some success, as Carman will struggle to get deep enough in time to meet the rusher. Improving his kick slide should fix that issue.

Run Block: Mayfield plays to the whistle, looks for more work, and pounces on opportunities to pancake defenders. He gets to the second level quickly and runs like a tight end. Mayfield shows strong hands; when he latches on, the defender is not getting away. He’s a devastating down blocker who is strong and physical enough to move inside to guard and excel there, if needed.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Mayfield is a bit of a risk because of his limited experience, having only started a total of 15 games for Michigan. What he has going for him is that he faced a murderer’s row of edge rushers in those games and more than held his own. Mayfield would come to Green Bay with tremendous upside and the positional versatility the Packers love. He might have a few struggles early on, but long-term, he could develop into the answer for the Packers at right tackle.

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Run Block: Carman is your prototypical mauler in the run game. His tape is chock-full of examples of Carman absolutely abusing defenders to the whistle. He shows powerful hands that easily knock defenders back. While not an elite athlete, Carman shows surprising speed and ability to get downfield quickly and hit his targets.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Carman played at 335 pounds in 2020, but is not your typical thick offensive tackle who seems a bit slow and isn’t high-effort. While possibly better suited for a power/gap run scheme, Carman moves much better than he’s been given credit for. Carman could easily move inside and start at guard in the Packers’ zone scheme, but that’s not to say he should. If the Packers are still in need of a right tackle, Carman’s natural ability along with his physicality and football IQ could allow him to step in right away as a rookie, much like David Bakhtiari did. Carman is a 2021 draft sleeper who breaks into the top five here.

100

> OFFENSIVE TACKLE

Walker Little

(SR)

Stanford

Dillon Radunz

(rJR)

North Dakota St.

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’7” | Weight: 313 lbs. | Arm: 33 3/4”

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’5” | Weight: 304 lbs. | Arm Length: 33 1/8” | 40 Time: 5.11

PRO DAY: Vertical: 30”, Broad: 111”, Bench: 24 reps, 40-yard: 5.29, 20 yd. 4.58, 3-cone: 7.43

PRO DAY: 32” vertical, 113” broad, 7.27 sec. 3-cone, 24 bench reps

IN A NUTSHELL:

Little was a five-star recruit and the No. 3-rated offensive tackle in the nation as a recruit. He spurned his home-state Texas Longhorns for the more academically prestigious Stanford. Walker was the first true freshman to start at offensive tackle for the Cardinals in a decade and started 12 games at left tackle as a sophomore. However, Little played in only one game the last two years, as he suffered a seasonending knee injury in the first game of his junior year and opted out of 2020. Pass Pro: Little has all the tools to play left tackle in this league: footwork, balance, anchor, athleticism, and intelligence. He gets to his spots quickly, mirrors well, keeps rushers at arm’s length, and doesn’t give up on a play. He needs to add some upper body strength—if a rusher does get inside him, he can be shed and will also struggle a bit with inside moves. Run Block: Little shows very good agility, is smooth in lateral movement, and changes direction easily. He’s not a power blocker, but excels at reach, wall, and combo blocks. Little has all of the run blocking traits to excel in a zone blocking scheme.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Little has the ideal size, length, and agility to play left tackle in the NFL. Had he been able to play a full junior season, Little may have risen into the top three of this year’s tackle group. But the uncertainty around him had teams anxiously awaiting his Pro Day results, which all checked out just fine. If the Packers were to snag Little, he starts at right tackle immediately, and when the Packers and Bakhtiari part ways, he slides over and Green Bay is set for years to come.

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IN A NUTSHELL:

Recruited as a defensive lineman, Radunz redshirted and switched to the offensive line. Fifteen plays into his first game, he suffered a torn ACL, but he returned the next season and started 32 straight games at left tackle for the Bison. Pass Pro: Radunz has all the tools to be a very good pass blocker, but he’s not there yet. His footwork is clean, with a smooth kick slide. He mirrors well and shows high football IQ with handling counters and stunts. His hand fighting is inconsistent, and he tends to wait for rushers to come to him, catching more hits than he doles out; learning to punch more would help immensely. Power rushers can put him on skates, although he never gives up and shows some ability to recover. Run Block: He’s not a power blocker and lacks contact strength, but he makes up for it with aggressiveness and play-to-thewhistle, all-out effort on every snap. Radunz excels at down blocking and combo blocks. He’s very fluid in space — he runs like a tight end and may be the best in this class at getting to the second level and being productive there. He’s built for a zone-blocking scheme, but more powerful defensive linemen will cause him problems.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Radunz is not NFL-starter ready, but if you can afford to develop him for a year or two, his high ceiling means you might end up with something special. Radunz is a top athlete, and the passion he has for football is evident in his play. However, his relative lack of strength and the level of competition he was facing are issues that can’t be ignored. He would be a perfect fit in the Packers’ scheme, but he wouldn’t see much of the field early in his career.

101

> OFFENSIVE TACKLE

Samuel Cosmi

(rJR)

Texas

Brady Christensen (rJR)

BYU

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’6” | Weight: 314 lbs. | Arm Length: 33” | 40 Time: 4.84

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’5” | Weight: 302 lbs. | Arm: 32 1/4”

PRO DAY: Vertical: 30”, Broad: 117”, 20-yd: 4.39, 3-cone: 7.37, Bench: 36 reps

PRO DAY: Vertical: 34, Broad: 126, 40-Yard Dash: 4.89, 20-Yard : 4.46, 3-Cone: 7.33, Bench: 30

IN A NUTSHELL:

A former soccer goalie, Cosmi eventually migrated to football and was ranked as a three-star recruit out of high school. He redshirted for a year at Texas, adding 40 pounds to his lean frame. Cosmi started 34 games for the Longhorns, with experience at both tackle spots.

A two-star recruit out of high school, Christensen decommitted from the Air Force Academy and chose BYU instead. He served a two-year mission in New Zealand and then redshirted one year. After that, he was a three-year starter for the Cougars, culminating in first team All-America honors his junior year.

Pass Pro: Cosmi mirrors well but doesn’t always get enough early depth in his pass sets due to some choppy footwork. He has good overall length, but he needs to use it more. Cosmi shows good hand fighting with a strong hand swipe, but he’s inconsistent. When he places his hands correctly, he will win the rep. When he doesn’t, he lets rushers get into his body, and power rushers become a real problem.

Pass Pro: Christensen is an above-average athlete who shows quick feet and drops easily into his pass sets. He mirrors well but could use some additional sand in his pants to set a better anchor. Despite arms on the shorter side, he has enough overall length for the left tackle position but needs to work on delivering a stronger punch and keeping his hands inside an opponent’s shoulders. He shows a high football IQ in terms of handling stunts and looking for more work.

Run Block: Cosmi does his best work on the move, using his athleticism to his advantage. He is able to comfortably change direction and takes good angles at the second level. Reach, wall, and combo blocks are his wheelhouse, but he shows to be a poor cut blocker. In straight-up blocking, Cosmi gets stood up and manhandled too often. He’s not yet strong enough to generate much leg drive if he’s not on the move.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Cosmi will likely be overdrafted because of his high-level athleticism, but he is unlikely to be a first-year starter for a team with Super Bowl aspirations. The Packers selecting Cosmi would likely mean they have already solidified their plan at offensive tackle for 2021. Cosmi is a work in progress technique-wise who would assume the role of swing tackle backup for a year or two while he works on cleaning up technique flaws and most importantly puts in some serious weight training.

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Run Block: Christensen can execute blocks required by either power or zone blocking schemes. For a power scheme, he’ll need to boost his leg drive by adding lower body strength, while for a zone scheme, improving lateral movement will be his task. Regardless, he is an aggressive and willing blocker who plays to the whistle.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Sleeper alert! It doesn’t make much sense that a first team All-American is getting overlooked by the Draft Industrial Complex, but as of this writing, that’s what’s happening. While an older prospect at 23, there is a lot to like about Christensen. He does a lot of things very well, and his deficiencies are things that can be worked on. His frame is ideal and leaves room to pack on more muscle. Christensen could be an instant backup swing tackle for the Packers or even move over to the right side as a starter.

102

> OFFENSIVE TACKLE

TevEn Jenkins

(rSR)

Oklahoma State

Liam Eichenberg (GRAD)

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’8” | Weight: 317 lbs. | Arm: 33 1/2”

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’6” | Weight: 306 lbs. | Arm: 32 3/8”

PRO DAY: Vertical: 33”, Broad: 106”, Bench: 36 reps, 40-yard: 5.03, 20 yd.: 4.66, 3-cone: 7.72

PRO DAY: Vertical: 27“, Broad: 105”, Bench: 33 reps, 20 yd: 4.58, 3-cone: 7.53

IN A NUTSHELL:

Jenkins was a modest three-star recruit when signing with Oklahoma State. He redshirted as a freshman, then started 35 career games for the Cowboys: two at guard, three at left tackle, and the rest at right tackle. Jenkins opted out of the Cowboys’ final three games of 2020 after struggling with a back injury.

Notre Dame

IN A NUTSHELL:

Eichenberg came out of St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland, Ohio, as the seventh-ranked offensive tackle recruit in the nation. He spent year one on the Irish scout team and then saw minimal playing time as a sophomore. He took over as the starting left tackle as a junior and remained there through his senior and graduate-eligible seasons.

Pass Pro: Jenkins takes short pass sets and is adept at quick punches and hand swipes. He displays quick feet, but a lack of elite athleticism can cause them to get tangled or out of sync with his body when having to quickly change directions. He can recover with leverage and upper body strength, but that won’t work on the edge at the NFL level. Jenkins shows a high football IQ, routinely handling stunts and passing off rushers as needed.

Pass Pro: Eichenberg throws a strong initial punch and generally keeps his hands well-positioned inside. He likely doesn’t mind letting rushers into his body because he can control them there with his strength. He gets into his pass sets quickly, and his initial footwork is solid, but he’s not able to maintain it and edge speed can leave him lunging and chasing. If he can correct that, he’ll be just fine.

Run Block: Jenkins appears to be best at straight-ahead power blocking. He’s the guy you want to run behind at the goal line. He’s not a smooth lateral mover or hip swiveler. Down blocking is a strength but, with combo blocks, Jenkins will miss his secondary target too often as he just can’t adjust to moves the defender makes to avoid him. Blocking in space or on the move in a zone blocking system would be a challenge for Jenkins.

Run Block: His tape shows a devastating down blocker with a strong leg drive that will go to the whistle. Eichenberg is a power blocker who looks to punish defenders. Not one to stand around if not engaged, he will go looking for more work. Average athleticism prevents him from being as effective getting downfield as other tackles in this class, but there’s no lack of trying on his part.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

If there were such a thing as a “phone booth tackle” at the NFL level (there isn’t), Jenkins would be it. He has traits that might project to a right tackle spot in the pros but more so that would predict a move to guard. The Packers have found a lot of very good guards by drafting college tackles in the middle rounds and moving them inside to guard. Usually, however, they look for more athleticism than Jenkins shows. If the Packers select Jenkins, it’s because they believe his strength and football IQ will outweigh his athletic shortcomings.

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FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Eichenberg has a lot to offer to the NFL team that selects him. Experienced, strong, smart, dedicated, high-effort—these are all traits that he possesses. Eichenberg has the potential to be a first-year starter at left tackle in the NFL. From a Packers perspective, what he doesn’t have is the lateral agility and necessary overall athleticism to play in a zone-blocking system. That doesn’t mean he couldn’t help, but a Packers selection of Eichenberg would hint toward a shift in LaFleur’s offensive philosophy.

103

> OFFENSIVE TACKLE

Alex Leatherwood (SR)

Alabama

12 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’5” | Weight: 312 lbs. | Arm: 34 3/8” PRO DAY: Vertical: 35”, Broad: 118”, Bench: 20 reps, 40-yard: 4.96

13 Spencer Brown (rSR)

Northern Iowa

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’8” | Weight: 311 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

A former tight end, Brown built himself up in the weight room, eventually setting a school record with a 500-pound bench press. Brown’s best pass protection tactic is keeping pass rushers off-balance. While he has that bench press strength, he could use a lot more power in his lower half. He can get knocked off balance, and his anchor is not very strong. As a run blocker, Brown is not going to move defensive linemen out of the hole. A win for Brown is a stalemate at the line of scrimmage. Brown is not the type of middle-tolate-round tackle the Packers usually look for—he lacks versatility and would not be a candidate for left tackle or to move inside.

14 James Hudson III (rJR)

Cincinnati

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’4” | Weight: 302 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Leatherwood was a five-star recruit and a top-five ranked offensive tackle out of high school. He started 41 straight games, one year at right guard and two years at left tackle. He capped off his senior year as an unanimous first team All-American and the Outland Trophy Award winner. Pass Pro: Leatherwood displays strong hand-fighting, although he’s not a “puncher.” He is proficient with his techniques and shows a high level of football “smarts,” easily diagnosing and adjusting to stunts. Bull rushes usually fail as he employs a nice hop-step technique to maintain his anchor. Leatherwood mirrors well with well-placed steps but often opens his hips too soon, making him vulnerable to pure speed on the edge, quick counters, and spin moves. Run Block: Leatherwood is a physical run blocker but not a people mover; he plays fairly upright. He’s best at sealing and walling off defenders and holding his ground with strong hand-fighting. Leatherwood isn’t a “plays-to-the-whistle” type, sometimes ending his effort too soon. He wasn’t asked to get to the second level much in Alabama’s scheme, so his ability there is a question mark.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Although he manned the left tackle spot for the Tide, his struggles with speed rushers likely precludes a move to guard or at best, limits him to the right side at the NFL level. While a right tackle is what the Packers need right now, Leatherwood is not the athletic type the Packers have preferred in the past. His ability to move inside is also in question due to the high pad level he exhibits. If Green Bay were to select him, it would indicate a possible scheme change in the Packers’ plans.

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IN A NUTSHELL:

Recruited by Michigan as a defensive end, the Wolverines thought Hudson’s body type best fit the offensive tackle position. Hudson struggled getting playing time and had some issues with depression, leading him to transfer to Cincinnati and having to sit out an entire season. Hudson has but one year of starting experience at left tackle and, technique-wise, the inexperience shows. His footwork in pass protection is particularly raw. However, he plays with the enthusiasm, aggressiveness, and athleticism that makes him a great choice for a team that can afford to be patient and develop him for a few years. Hudson could be this group’s “diamond in the rough,” but it will take a few years.

15 Alaric Jackson (rSR)

Iowa

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’5” | Weight: 321 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Like Brandon Scherff and Tristan Wirfs, Jackson was a three-star recruit who came to Iowa to be molded by the Iowa offensive line factory. Despite being a four-year starter for the Hawkeyes, unlike Scherff and Wirfs, Jackson will not be a top-15 pick in the draft. Jackson shows flashes of ability to make it in the NFL, but the issue of his erratic footwork in pass protection will have to be resolved. His best run blocking is done on the move and he can get to the second level easily enough. At the Senior Bowl, he saw plenty of action at right tackle, where he will likely have to move or possibly even slide inside to guard.

104

> OFFENSIVE TACKLE

16 Dan Moore Jr (SR)

Texas A&M

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’5” | Weight: 309 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Miami (OH)

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’7” | Weight: 318 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Notre Dame

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’4.5” | Weight: 304 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

If you’re looking for a lunch pail type right tackle who has no flash to his game but finds ways to win, Hainsey is your man. A three-year starter at right tackle for the Irish, he was named a team captain two years in a row. He’s been well coached, and it shows in his precise technique work. Average athleticism and lack of strength, especially in his lower body, are his main deficiencies at this point. Another issue is 32” arms, which can peg you as a guard in the NFL, and that’s where he was slotted at the Senior Bowl.

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IN A NUTSHELL:

A four-star recruit from Louisiana, Ealy spurned his homestate LSU Tigers for the Sooners. He spent two years backing up one of the best offensive lines in the nation before getting his chance as a junior. Ealy would go on to become a two-year starter for the Sooners, with the majority of his experience at the right tackle position. Ealy was asked to pull quite a bit in Oklahoma’s offense and could best be described as a bit plodding, but he’s not slow. He shows a lot of potential as a pass protector, with good length and wide base, but his merely adequate footwork and high pad level are two things that need to improve.

19 Jaylon Moore (SR)

Western Michigan

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’4” | Weight: 311 lbs.

As a former hockey player and linebacker/defensive end, Doyle plays with the same aggressive and physical approach you would expect. Doyle doesn’t wait for pass rushers to come to him—he prefers short sets and goes right at them. He shows plenty of upper body strength, throws a strong punch, and uses his hands efficiently, if not consistently. In the run game, he enjoys getting after people, and that hockey player nasty streak really comes to the forefront. He revels in burying players if he can. That, plus his “just average” lateral movement ability likely lands him with a team employing a power/gap run scheme.

20 Robert Hainsey (SR)

Oklahoma

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’6” | Weight: 324 lbs.

A three-star recruit as a guard out of high school, Moore saw some playing time at right tackle as a freshman, then became a three-year starter for the Aggies at the left tackle spot. While not overly athletic, you can’t be a plodder and start 36 games in the Aggies’ spread offense. He can execute wall and combo blocks effectively, but run blocking is all upper body with him. He is very sound technique-wise in pass protection but is limited by average feet and not enough strength in the lower half to create a firm anchor. A year or two in the weight room would benefit Moore greatly and possibly lift him above the “just-a-backup-tackle” level.

18 Tommy Doyle (rSR)

17 Adrian Ealy (rSR)

IN A NUTSHELL:

A three-year starter for the Broncos, Moore is thick up top but not so much below the waist. He shows good technique in his pass sets, but pure speed on the edge or inside moves can cause him to lunge, so keeping his balance becomes an issue. Moore prefers to be aggressive in pass protection and utilizes his hands well with a strong punch. Moore is a willing run blocker, but his pad level is high, and it’s all upper body strength and hand-fighting. He is athletic enough to play in a zone-blocking scheme, but he needs to maintain his blocks longer and not be satisfied so easily.

21 BRENDEN JAIMES (SR)

Nebraska

22 JAKE CURHAN (rSR)

Cal

23 D’ANTE SMITH (SR)

East Carolina

24 CARSON GREEN (SR)

Texas A&M

25 DREW HIMMELMAN (rSR)

Illinois State

26 WILL FRIES (rSR)

Penn State

27 COL VAN LANEN (SR)

Wisconsin

28 LARRY BOROM (rJR)

Missouri

29 ANDON YOUNG (SR)

Kentucky

30 JOSH BALL (rSR)

Marshall

105

OL Position Analysis:

OWEN RIESE

01 LANDON DICKERSON, Alabama 02 ALIJAH VERA-TUCKER, USC 03 WYATT DAVIS, Ohio State 04 CREED HUMPHREY, Oklahoma 05 QUINN MEINERZ, UW-Whitewater 06 DEONTE BROWN, Alabama 07 TREY SMITH, Tennessee 08 BEN CLEVELAND, Georgia 09 JOSH MYERS, Ohio State 10 KENDRICK GREEN, Illinois 11 AARON BANKS, Notre Dame 12 DRAKE JACKSON, Kentucky 13 DAVID MOORE, Grambling State 14 ROBERT JONES, Middle Tennessee State 15 SADARIUS HUTCHERSON, South Carolina 16 TREY HILL, Georgia 17 TOMMY KRAEMER, Notre Dame 18 JACK ANDERSON, Texas Tech 19 JIMMY MORRISSEY, Pitt 20 TRISTEN HOGE, BYU

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106

> INTERIOR OFFENSIVE LINEMEN

Landon Dickerson

(rSR)

Alabama

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’5 1/2” Weight: 333 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Dickerson was the recipient of the 2020 Rimington Trophy, awarded to the top center in the nation. He was also a semifinalist for the Outland Trophy and a unanimous first team All-American. Quite frankly, Dickerson was the best offensive lineman in college football this past season. The leader and best player on the best line in the country, Dickerson set the tone with his physicality both in the run game as well as in pass protection for the Crimson Tide. Dickerson has played all five positions up front during his career between Florida State and Alabama but projects to guard or center in the NFL. As a run blocker, Dickerson did a great job on combo blocks and was often the hammer to the defensive lineman’s nail. He didn’t often see head-up nose tackles during the season at Alabama, but when he did he was able to generate movement on the line of scrimmage, which is the toughest job to ask of a center. Dickerson’s physicality wears on defensive linemen throughout the game, and by the end of the contest, they’re ready for a respite. In pass protection is maybe where Dickserson received the most of his acclaim, as he seemed to put defenders on their backs weekly while looking for work. Whether engaged with guards or tackles, no defensive lineman is safe. This propensity to punish loopers on stunts leads to defenders being tentative to protect themselves, which is a benefit to the offensive line. Dickerson’s height and length benefit him in pass protection, allowing him to distance himself from rushers and use his long arms to his advantage.

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Arm: 33 1/4”

PRO DAY: DNP (Injury Rehab)

2020 STATS: (15 GAMES)

BIGGEST CONCERN:

Dickerson has been extremely effective at both of his college stops—when he’s been healthy. The issue is he’s been hurt a lot. He’s torn the same ACL twice and also used a medical redshirt while in college for a season-ending ankle injury. Dickerson is a tough player—he even bargained to suit up for the National Championship Game for Alabama this past season—but an extensive injury history is a concern for a player playing the most physical position in football. The best ability is availability. A history of lower body injuries for a player who plays around 330 pounds isn’t a great precedent. Dickerson is a first-round player, but can a team take a chance on him given his past medical history?

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Dickerson would be a day one starter for the Packers at either center or guard. He has a history of playing tackle, which the Packers have traditionally valued highly in their offensive line selections in the draft. His versatility to play center or either guard spot is crucial in Green Bay’s offense, which has shown no fear of shuffling around the offensive line to get the best five offensive linemen on the field. He also only switched to center in 2019 after not playing the position at any level of football prior to that, so his ability to learn and adapt on the fly should be an appealing prospect for any team adding him to their scheme. Dickerson will be an interesting case study. Injuries aside, he’s the best interior offensive lineman in this class. Unfortunately, the injuries are a very legitimate concern and can’t be ignored at the juncture where Dickerson is likely selected in the draft.

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Alijah Vera-Tucker

(rJR)

USC

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’4” Weight: 308 lbs.

Arm: 32 1/8”

PRO DAY: Vertical: 32” Broad: 106” Bench: 32 reps 40-yard: 5.13 20 yd: 4.63 3-cone: 7.70

2020 STATS: (6 GAMES)

IN A NUTSHELL:

Vera-Tucker is what the NFL has been moving toward in its offensive linemen for quite some time now: a smaller, more compactly built athlete who has supreme movement skills and positional versatility. A starter at left guard in 2019, VeraTucker made the transition to left tackle for the Trojans in 2020 and quickly assimilated himself on the blindside. Vera-Tucker wins in the run game through his athleticism and movement ability. He’s very effective climbing to the second level and in space and is able to size up his target. While he’s certainly not an overly physical point of attack blocker in the run game, AVT is no slouch. He shows the ability to eek out every inch after being stalemated initially. His lateral agility makes him an ideal zone blocking scheme player at both tackle and guard. His experience both inside and out should expedite his acclimation at the next level. Pass protection is going to be where Vera-Tucker’s lack of length is going to show up at the next level. He shows the ability to get to his landmarks in his pass set and remain composed, trusting his athleticism. However, out on the edge, his lack of length will be more easily exposed versus lanky pass rushers than inside at guard. He shows good hand placement and is able to anchor effectively against power rushers. He’s very cognizant of his edges and doesn’t allow himself to be pushed in from the side by rushers. Vera-Tucker should be an appealing prospect to NFL teams due to his experience and prowess both inside and outside in pass protection.

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GUARD OR TACKLE?

Especially when prospects are effective in multiple roles, allowing them to fail at the more valuable spot before moving them to the alternative is often the wise approach. If AVT shows the ability to play tackle, let him play there. There is more depth of quality interior offensive linemen than tackle. However, he should be able to be a plus player at either position. Depending on the scheme—one could be more advantageous than the other—AVT can play both spots. Some teams will also exclude him from tackle due to being 6’4” and depending on his arm length, but that’s a team-by-team basis. Any offensive line coach that gets him will appreciate his prowess at both positions, and he becomes more valuable in the case of emergency due to his ability to play multiple positions well.

FIT AS A PACKER:

Vera-Tucker is an ideal fit for what the Packers are looking to accomplish in their wide zone offensive run scheme and all of the play action they execute off of it. His athleticism and movement ability allow him to execute reach blocks with ease and that ability on the backside of zone runs are what allow Aaron Jones to break long touchdowns. While he played tackle in college, Green Bay would likely immediately play him at guard due to their need at the position. This would also allow Elgton Jenkins to remain on the inside either at guard or center. Vera-Tucker’s experience at tackle will only help him with his ability to protect inside at guard with the impact rushers seemingly every team in the league now employs. Vera-Tucker should be a priority target for Green Bay.

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Wyatt Davis

(rJR)

Ohio State

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’3 5/8” Weight: 315 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Wyatt Davis, the grandson of Packers’ Hall of Famer Willie Davis, has been considered one of the top interior offensive line prospects in this class for multiple years. A three-year starter at right guard for Ohio State, Davis has been an anchor for the Buckeyes, drawing the attention of NFL scouts for multiple years now. A former five-star recruit, he was the top-ranked guard in the country coming out of high school, and he lived up to the hype in Columbus. In the run game, Davis’ physicality jumps off of the screen. Working both front side and backside combo blocks, Davis is a force that generates movement off of the line of scrimmage. An above-average athlete for the position functionally, Davis does a great job moving laterally, which helps him cover up defensive linemen who outleverage him pre-snap. Ohio State runs mainly inside zone and gap concepts, and Davis uses his hands well to help excavate defenders out of the way to clear open paths in the run game. As a pass protector, Davis has more room for improvement than with his run blocking, but his foundation is very solid. When Davis has his adversary squared up, it’s all but over for the opponent. Davis uses tight hand placement to control the defender and uses his strength to anchor and stop any attempts at a bull rush. However, Davis can struggle when rushers get to his edges, where they can collapse his power base and make him lose his balance. This is something that can be improved but will be a priority for whoever drafts him to help clean up.

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Arm: 33 7/8”

PRO DAY: Bench: 25 reps

2020 STATS: (8 GAMES)

OPT-OUT RUST?

Davis would likely agree that his better tape was in 2019 as opposed to in 2020. Davis had originally opted out of the college football season and declared for the draft after the Big Ten preliminarily cancelled the season, but ended up opting back in once the season was reinstated. While Davis was still a force for the Buckeyes, he was a bit more erratic in 2020 than he was as a sophomore. This was likely a side effect of the quarantine over the summer, which left players without their typical accommodations regarding training. Offensive linemen, in particular, are dependent on chemistry and cohesiveness as a unit, and the modified practice structure and time was a detriment to groups across the country. Davis will be looking to bounce back in 2021 for his next team and return to 2019 form.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Wyatt Davis would be an upgrade for Green Bay at guard immediately. His athleticism, while not applied to many wide zone concepts at Ohio State, would be an immediate fit for the Packers. While his pedigree is enticing, his on-field play provides plenty of reasons as to why he’d be a fit in Green Bay. He lacks the tackle experience that the Packers typically covet in their early-round offensive line picks, but Brian Gutekunst has shown the propensity to make exceptions if they are appropriate. Davis is a guard-only prospect, the first of his kind on this list. While most of the Packers’ interior offensive linemen are versatile, Davis would likely be a guard only in Green Bay, unless it were to envision him as a center in the future.

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Creed Humphrey

(rSR)

Oklahoma

4 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’4” | Weight: 302 lbs. | Arme: 32 1/2”

Quinn Meinerz

(SR)

5 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’3” | Weight: 320 lbs. | Arm: 33 3/8”

PRO DAY: 40 yd: 5.11, 20 yd: 4.49, 3-cone: 7.50

PRO DAY: 40 yd: 4.99, 20 yd: 4.58, 3-cone: 7.54, Bench: DNP (hand injury)

2020 STATS: (11 Games)

2020 STATS: 2020 Opt Out

IN A NUTSHELL:

Humphrey is the most technically sound offensive lineman in this class. A four-year starter at center, Humphrey played with six current or future NFL offensive linemen during that time and may be the best of the bunch. As the center in Oklahoma’s offense, he was in charge of protections and identifying defenses, which he was trusted to do even as a freshman. In the run game, Oklahoma runs a bit of everything, so Humphrey is experienced in both zone and gap scheme concepts. Important for a center, he also has experience pulling and the athleticism to block defenders in space. Humphrey doesn’t create a ton of displacement from the line of scrimmage but is an incredible positional blocker, giving the running back a steady hole to run through. In pass protection, Humphrey wasn’t tested much by Big 12 defenses, but in his bowl game opportunities he showed plenty to be encouraged by. He has a strong base and that allows him to sit on bull rushes with ease. He’s also extremely adept at picking up stunts and identifying games that the defensive line are running. Humphrey shows good range athletically, which could allow him the versatility to play guard in the NFL.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Humphrey would be a plug and play day one starter at center for the Packers. While he lacks the experience at tackle the Packers prefer, Humphrey could be a target for Green Bay due to the amount of experience he has directing an offensive line unit, especially one that was as talented as Oklahoma’s. While he’s not a direct fit in the Packers’ wide zone scheme offensively, his athleticism definitely lends itself to that. Humphrey should have no issue with any physical task the Packers would ask of him.

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UW-Whitewater

IN A NUTSHELL:

Quinn Meinerz was the most physically dominant force in Division III football the last time it was played nationwide. Meinerz imposed his will on every defensive lineman who lined up across from him at UW-Whitewater. A two-year starter at left guard, Meinerz led the Warhawks to the NCAA National Semifinals in 2018 and the National Championship Game in 2019. After losing the 2020 season due to COVID-19, Meinerz declared for the NFL Draft. In the run game, Meinerz simply overwhelmed his competition at the Division III level. He routinely displaced opponents several yards off of the line of scrimmage creating massive creases for the running backs. Meinerz was also often used as a puller in the Warhawks’ A-Gap Power scheme and has a lot of scheme versatility, with some additional experience in inside zone and pin and pull schemes. As a pass protector, Meinerz shows light feet and the ability to mirror and match pass rushers. He has a lot of experience identifying and taking care of stunts and other defensive line movement. He has a strong punch that stuns defenders.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Meinerz would likely be a day one starter at guard or center for the Packers. While he played guard at Whitewater, he played center down at the Senior Bowl in January and looked like a natural. Meinerz doesn’t have the experience at tackle, but he had elite athletic testing numbers at his pro day. While Whitewater didn’t run much wide zone during his time there, his athletic ability will help expedite the learning process. His aggressiveness in run blocking will also help him acclimate to play action pass protection at the next level.

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Deonte Brown

(rSR)

Alabama

6 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’3” | Weight: 344 lbs. | Arm: 32 3/8”

Trey Smith

Tennessee

7 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’6” | Weight: 330 lbs. | 40 Time:

PRO DAY: Vertical: 27”, Broad: 96”, 40-yard: 5.57, 20 yd 5.18, 3-cone 8.33

PRO DAY:

2020 STATS: (13 Games)

2020 STATS: (10 Games)

IN A NUTSHELL:

(SR)

IN A NUTSHELL:

Brown is one of the biggest and strongest offensive linemen in this draft class. Despite tipping the scales at 360lbs this past season, he’s a surprising athlete for a man of his size, as he’s able to accelerate well and generate movement off of the line of scrimmage. Listed at 350 pounds with Alabama, the weight could be a concern for some teams if they question whether Brown can keep his weight in check.

Smith is a former five-star recruit who came to Knoxville with a lot of acclaim, but health issues stunted his progression. A four-year starter at Tennessee, Smith started games at both left tackle and left guard. His 2018 season was cut short due to having experienced blood clots, but he started seven games prior to that. In all, Smith played over 2,500 offensive snaps for the Volunteers.

As a run blocker, Brown is dominating; he was one of the few players who had success against Auburn’s Derrick Brown in 2019. He creates movement off the line of scrimmage with ease and also has experience as a puller, showing impressive athleticism. Brown is excellent at down blocks and angle blocks that utilize his strength and short area quickness.

As a run blocker, Smith is a mauler who wins with physicality and gets good movement off of the line of scrimmage. He excels in gap and power schemes, where he can get off of the football and pull and execute down blocks. On the negative side, he ends up on the ground a lot, so improving his sustaining of blocks will be important at the next level.

In pass protection, Brown wants to play in a phone booth. If he can keep it in close quarters, he’s a short cab ride to get around. However, if you get him in space, his range is limited, and his lack of lateral mobility becomes an issue.

In pass protection Smith does a good job recognizing and communicating when he sees defensive line movements and stunts. He plays with a strong base, and, at his size, you’re not bull-rushing him. He’s overaggressive at times; he needs to sit back and trust his strength.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Deonte Brown is not a very likely fit with the Packers. While he has a lot of appealing traits, he’ll be fairly team-specific due to his size. He lacks the lateral mobility the Packers look for in their wide zone scheme that prioritizes athleticism. Brown’s best fits will be with teams that are inside zone and gap scheme heavy where he can execute in more confined spaces. He’s also limited as a pass protector, which makes him a flawed fit in Green Bay.

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FIT WITH PACKERS:

Smith likely won’t be a Green Bay Packer, as he’s not a great fit in the Packers’ offensive scheme. Smith’s game is predicated on aggressiveness and physicality, moving on a linear path, while the Packers have a big emphasis on lateral mobility and athleticism. While he does have the past experience at tackle that the Packers prefer, Smith doesn’t often play like a former tackle. He’ll be a better fit in a gap and power scheme where his strengths can shine.

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Ben Cleveland

(rSR)

Georgia

8 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’6” | Weight: 343 lbs. | Arm: 33 3/4”

Josh Myers

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’5 1/4” | Weight: 310 lbs. | Arm: 32” PRO DAY: Bench: 29 reps

2020 STATS: (9 Games)

2020 STATS: (8 Games)

IN A NUTSHELL:

As a run blocker, Cleveland’s enormous size coupled with his impressive movement ability helps him consistently generate movement at the point of attack. Georgia runs a very NFLstyle offense, so inside zone and gap concepts are staples of the Bulldogs’ offense. Cleveland’s technique could stand to be improved, as he depends on his size and strength more often than he should. In pass protection, Cleveland’s athleticism and size helps put him in advantageous positions while keeping leverage on interior rushers. He trusts his strength well and is nearly impossible to bull rush. His results have been good, but continued development technically will benefit him at the next level.

FIT WITH PACKERS:

Ben Cleveland likely will not be a Green Bay Packer. While he is an impressive athlete for a man of his mammoth size, he lacks the tackle experience they often covet and, like many guards in this class, is a better schemative fit in a gap or power scheme. The Packers’ zone scheme would ask more of Cleveland laterally, rather than showcasing his power and mauling ability. He’ll be a starting NFL guard in less than two years, if not as a rookie, but likely not in Green Bay.

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Ohio State

PRO DAY: Vertical: 28”, Broad: 102”, 40 yd: 5.05, 20 yd: 4.88, Bench: 30 reps

A four-star recruit out of high school and the sixth-ranked guard prospect in the nation, Cleveland started a total of 25 games for the Bulldogs after a redshirt season. An absolute physical specimen at 343 pounds, Cleveland is built like a bodybuilder and plays exactly like a 340-pound man should. As you can imagine from a man of that size, he is a dominant physical force.

(rJR)

IN A NUTSHELL:

Originally recruited as a tackle, Myers is a tall center who was a two-year starter for the Buckeyes. Starting next to Wyatt Davis, they formed one of the better combo block partnerships in the Big Ten. At 6’5”, he has impressive size and length at the pivot. Myers is at his best in the run game, where his athleticism is on display. Being able to cover up defensive linemen who outleverage him pre-snap and climbing to the second level are where Myers wins consistently. While he’s not a devastating run blocker, he’s very effective, covering up defenders to aid his running backs. Ohio State runs a lot of inside zone and gap scheme concepts, so he’ll have an easy transition to the NFL game. As a pass protector, Myers uses his length well to keep defenders at bay and create longer edges for interior rushers. His hand placement is effective most of the time, and at center is a bit protected as he’s usually never one-on-one in pass protection. Myers shows a good understanding of defensive movement and seeing stunts and games along the defensive line.

FIT AS A PACKER:

Though he was recruited as a tackle by Ohio State, he never played there in college, only playing at center for the past two seasons. Myers would be a plug-and-play center for the Packers, who have some uncertainty on the interior of their offensive line heading into the 2021 offseason. Myers’ experience in zone concepts should help his transition to the NFL, but Ohio State doesn’t run a lot of wide zone, so that would be an area where he’d have to adapt.

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Kendrick Green

(rJR)

Illinois

10 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’4” | Weight: 315 lbs. | Arm: 32 1/2”

Aaron Banks

(SR)

Notre Dame

11 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’5” | Weight: 325 lbs. | Arm: 33 1/4”

PRO DAY: Vertical: 35.5”, Broad: 9’11”, 40 yard: 4.89, 20 yd.: 4.67, 3-cone: 7.79, Bench: 25 reps

PRO DAY: Vertical: 31”, Broad: 100, 40yd: 5.31, 20 yd: 4.91, 3-cone: 7.33, Bench: 24 reps

2020 STATS: (8 Games)

2020 STATS: (12 Games)

IN A NUTSHELL:

Green is an impressive athlete who played both guard and center for the Illini over the past three seasons, starting all 32 games in which he played. He’s one of the most athletic linemen in the draft class. Green started three games at center this season, along with five at left guard.

Banks was a two-and-a-half-year starter for the Fighting Irish at guard. Well-coached at Notre Dame, Banks should be one of the more ready-made professional offensive linemen in this draft class. His impressive size is a benefit to him in both the run game as well as in pass protection.

As a run blocker, Green’s most impressive trait is his movement ability. He routinely cuts off linebackers and defensive backs in space at the second level and consistently hits his landmarks. Green’s lateral mobility is among the best in this class and will continue to be how he wins at the NFL level. He routinely is able to reach defenders who out leverage him at the snap of the football.

As a run blocker, Banks blocks out the sun, using his massive frame and length to dwarf defenders and get vertical displacement off of the line of scrimmage. Notre Dame runs a NFL-style rushing attack, so Banks has experience in both zone and gap and power schemes. Banks is exceptional on his landmarks on down blocks and is an effective puller.

In pass protection, Green uses his quick feet and movement skills to consistently put himself in good positions. He has a strong upper body that you can see during his punch, which stuns defenders. His hands can be sporadic at times with their placement but can be corrected. Green shows the ability to identify stunts and blitzes.

FIT AS A PACKER:

While he has no tackle experience at the college level, Kendrick Green would be a phenomenal fit for the Packers in their LaFleur-wide zone run scheme. Green’s elite level athleticism at the position, paired with his experience at both guard and center, would make him a valuable piece of the interior in Green Bay. He’s also strong in pass protection, and with as much play action as the Packers run, would protect some of his weaker areas as he continued to develop.

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As a pass blocker, Banks uses his size to his benefit, as he’s able to sit on power moves and take away opponents’ bullrush attempts. His frame also creates a longer edge for interior rushers, which gives Banks more time and margin for error when in recovery mode. He uses his length well in pass pro as well, helping create distance between himself and the defensive linemen.

FIT WITH PACKERS:

Like a lot of interior prospects in this class, Banks is more well-suited for a gap scheme that will accentuate his positives (length, power, frame) and help cover up some of his lesser areas (foot quickness, lateral mobility). While Banks has a lot of traits that would be appealing to the Packers in pass protection, he’d be a square peg in a round hole in the run game, which Green Bay builds their entire offensive foundation off of. He’ll be a good player, just not in Green Bay.

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Drake Jackson

(rSR)

Kentucky

12 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’2” | Weight: 293 lbs. | Arm: 31” PRO DAY: Vertical: 32” 2020 STATS: (11 Games)

IN A NUTSHELL:

Drake Jackson is an undersized, athletic, scrappy center who started 44 games for Kentucky over his five years with the program. A battle tested-prospect, Jackson makes up for his lack of size and physical gifts with toughness and technique. In the run game, Jackson uses his movement ability and quick feet to help overtake defensive linemen at the point of attack. Jackson will never be a mauler or people mover at center, but he’s very effective with position blocking and making sure that his defender isn’t in an advantageous position to make a play on the ball carrier. He’s also shown to be a very effective down blocker due to his quickness. As a pass protector, Jackson uses his movement ability to mirror pass rushers and cut them off before they’re able to get to full speed, where they could overpower him. His lack of length shows up more in pass protection, as defensive linemen can get their extended arms on him and drive him back into the pocket. At only 290 pounds, Jackson will struggle against power rushes.

FIT WITH PACKERS:

Jackson’s movement ability and skills make him a good fit for the Packers’ zone blocking scheme. His ability to laterally cover up defensive tackles is one of the most crucial skills a center can possess in Matt LaFleur’s offense. Jackson is very likely a center only due to his lack of length and size, and he doesn’t possess the tackle background the Packers typically prefer, but he should be a player the Packers target.

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13 David Moore (rSR)

Grambling State

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’2” | Weight: 330 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Moore is another prospect who is better suited for a gap scheme, where his lateral mobility won’t be as much of a liability. He played guard at Grambling but played center down at the Senior Bowl, which was crucial for him as his 2020 season was cancelled due to Covid-19. Despite his size, he was impressive in pass protection and is very aware of loopers and stunts by defensive linemen. An impressive linear athlete for a player his size, Moore is a bully and will excel in a scheme that better fits his skillset than that of the Packers.

14 Robert Jones (SR)

Middle Tennessee St

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’4” | Weight: 319 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Jones is an imposing player who played out of position in college at tackle but will make for a better interior player at the NFL level. He consistently drove defensive linemen of the line of scrimmage at MTSU. Jones struggled at times with speed rushers on the outside, so that issue will be taken care of as he transitions inside. He has the tackle background Green Bay covets and has shown some of the skill set required for the Packers’ scheme. Jones should be a guard at the next level with the ability to play tackle in an emergency.

15 Sadarius Hutcherson (rSR)

South Carolina

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’3” | Weight: 321 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Hutcherson played both left tackle and left guard for the Gamecocks throughout his college career. He started 36 games in his career of the 45 he participated in. Hutcherson’s movement ability and lateral agility should allow him to fit nicely in the Packers’ run schemes and in pass protection. His ability to cover up defenders on the line of scrimmage would fit the Packers’ wide zone run game, and he’s also strong enough to move defenders off of the football when they run inside zone and power. Hutcherson has the ability to play tackle in an emergency, but he will be a guard at the next level.

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16 Trey Hill (JR)

Georgia

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’3” | Weight: 319 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Texas Tech

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’5” | Weight: 315 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

BYU

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’5” | Weight: 306 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

A Notre Dame transfer, Hoge was an excellent guard for the Cougars, helping Zach Wilson be in contention to be a topfive selection in this draft class. Hoge shows a great awareness in pass protection for maintaining leverage on the pass rusher and knowing where his help is. Hoge is a good athlete for his size and should have no issues with the Packers’ wide zone run scheme. A physical offensive lineman, he wears on defensive linemen throughout the game, getting consistent movement and fits combo blocks well. He was recruited as an offensive tackle but has only played the interior in college.

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IN A NUTSHELL:

Kraemer is a battle-tested, experienced interior offensive lineman who was well coached at Notre Dame. Kraemer does a good job using his length to his advantage in both the run game as well as in pass protection. In Notre Dame’s pro-style rushing attack, he has experience in both zone and gap schemes. Kraemer is effective in the running game on down blocks but is limited athletically in pass protection and will be exposed versus speed rushers at times. He’s a better schematic fit for a gap and power offense. Kraemer recruited as a tackle but only played inside at Notre Dame.

19 Jimmy Morrissey (rSR)

Pitt

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’3” | Weight: 303 lbs.

Anderson started all 38 games he played for Texas Tech at right guard, one of the highest-rated recruits in the school’s history. Anderson’s biggest strengths come in pass protection, where he’s one of the best in the class. He ran primarily zone run schemes in Texas Tech’s pass-happy offense. Anderson displays a strong punch in pass pro and shows an advanced understanding and ability to diagnose stunts and games up front. A solid athlete, he has some room to grow in the run game from a physicality standpoint but is an effective positional blocker. He lacks prior tackle experience but has the requisite tools to survive in the Packers’ wide zone scheme.

20 Tristen Hoge (rSR)

Notre Dame

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’4” | Weight: 317 lbs.

Hill started two plus seasons while at Georgia, at both guard and center. A highly ranked recruit, Hill was a physical presence for the Bulldogs. He has trimmed 11 pounds off of his college listed weight, which should help his movement ability at the next level. Hill doesn’t possess the tackle experience the Packers prefer of their interior offensive linemen but has the lateral agility to execute the wide zone scheme the Packers employ. As a pass protector, he should continue to develop technically, but his aggressiveness and physicality will help him transition at the next level. Hill’s positional versatility will be enticing on the interior.

18 Jack Anderson (rJR)

17 Tommy Kraemer (rSR)

IN A NUTSHELL:

Morrissey is a former walk-on at Pitt who went on to start 47 games over the four years he played. He is the definition of an overachiever. Morrissey lacks the preferred tackle experience, starting all of those games at center for the Panthers. Morrissey covers defensive linemen up in the run game, and, while he doesn’t blow them away, he’s always in the right position. In pass protection, he’s seen everything and communicates well to pick up stunts and other defensive antis. While he lacks any standout physical traits, he’s solid enough in nearly every aspect of the position and has the requisite tools to play in the Packers’ scheme.

21 BRYCE HARGROVE (rSR)

Pitt

22 JAKE CURHAN (rSR)

Cal

23 PAUL GRATTAN (SR)

UCLA

24 DAN MOORE (SR)

Texas A&M

25 ROYCE NEWMAN (rSR)

Ole Miss

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DL Position Analysis:

MARK ECKEL

01 LEVI ONWUZURIKE, Washington 02 CHRISTIAN BARMORE, Alabama 03 DAVIYON NIXON, Iowa 04 TOMMY TOGIAI, Ohio State 05 TYLER SHELVIN, LSU 06 JAY TUFELE, USC 07 MARVIN WILSON, Florida State 08 OSA ODIGHIZUWA, UCLA 09 DARIUS STILLS, West Virginia 10 JAYLEN TWYMAN, Pitt 11 ALIM MCNEILL, NC State 12 TEDARRELL SLATON, Florida 13 MARLON TUIPULOTU, USC 14 TA’QUON GRAHAM, Texas 15 BOBBY BROWN, Texas A&M 16 NAQUAN JONES, Michigan State 17 KHYIRIS TONGA, BYU 18 CARLO KEMP, Michigan 19 JORDAN SCOTT, Oregon 20 MILTON WILLIAMS, Louisiana Tech

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Levi Onwuzurike

(SR)

Washington

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’3” Weight: 290 lbs.

Wingspan: 80 1/8” Arm: 33”

PRO DAY: Vertical: 30” Broad: 109” Bench: 29 reps 40-yard: 4.85

2019 STATS: *DNP 2020 45 tackles 2 sacks

IN A NUTSHELL:

Onwuzurike played his high school football at Allen High School in Texas, the same high school that produced Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, the No. 1 selection of the 2019 draft. Levi had offers from Georgia and Michigan, as well as in-state programs Baylor and TCU. He chose to go west to the Pac-12 and Washington to follow another highly prized defensive tackle in Vita Vea, a 2018 first-round pick of Tampa Bay. When he decided to opt out of the 2020 season due to Covid-19 concerns, it gave him a chance to ready himself for the 2021 draft. He did choose to partake in some Senior Bowl activities (one day of work) and impressed enough to help his stock among a less-than-stellar group of defensive tackles in this class. vs. Run: As a run defender, there were never any questions. He has exceptional leverage and is extremely disciplined in his technique and in gap control, which makes him a tough task for an offensive lineman to handle one-on-one. Again, in his brief Senior Bowl work he was very hard to handle by the offensive linemen and actually dominated at times. vs. Pass: There were questions about Onwuzurike’s ability as a pass-rusher, but his overall athleticism, quickness, and a good first step could have him develop into an intriguing passrush threat, especially if he gets the proper coaching at the next level. In his one day of work in Mobile, he showed just that, as he was extremely disruptive on the interior of the line. Right now, that’s what he is: a disruptor. He needs to become more of a finisher and a producer to succeed in the NFL.

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SCOUTS SAY:

“This isn’t a great group [of defensive tackles] by any stretch, but in my opinion he’s the best of the lot,” an NFC scout said. “He’s the most athletic. He beats blockers, and he never stops going. I think there is a lot of upside there.” … “I liked what I saw from him at the Senior Bowl,” an AFC scout said. “He got beat once early and then came back and was just dominant. He didn’t get beat again and really couldn’t be handled. I wish he would have played this past year so there was more to see, but it is what it is.” … “He’s versatile,” another NFC scout said. “I think he can play inside in a 4-3, that’s probably his best fit. But he can handle being an end in a 3-4, too. I don’t see him as a big sack guy, but he’ll do the dirty work and let your big-time pass-rusher get the sacks.”

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

There is no doubt the Packers need more bodies on the defensive line. As a rookie, Onwuzurike would be another good rotational player with Dean Lowry (if he’s still there) and Kingsley Keke and eventually would take over as a starter and provide the interior help next to Kenny Clark the Packers have lacked the past few years. His strength as a run defender would certainly help on early downs and if he can disrupt the pocket on passing downs, Rashan Gary and Za’Darius Smith would be there to get the sacks. With other more pressing needs, the Packers shouldn’t reach at pick No. 29 in the first round, and he may be gone by the time the Packers select in the second round.

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Christian Barmore (rSO)

Alabama

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’4” Weight: 310 lbs.

Arm: 33 5/8”

PRO DAY: 40-yard: 4.98 20 yd: 4.75 3-cone 7.81

2020 STATS: 37 tackles 9 1/2 TFL 8 sacks

IN A NUTSHELL:

Early in his high school career at Philadelphia’s NeumannGoretti, which is part of the powerful Philadelphia Catholic League, Barmore committed to hometown Temple University. As he got bigger, his play improved, and he became a four-star recruit. The bigger schools got involved and he chose Alabama over SEC rivals South Carolina, Georgia, LSU, and Tennessee. In 2019, his redshirt freshman season, he mostly played as a third-down pass-rush specialist, and even in 2020 he didn’t get what you would consider full-time snaps until late in the season. His play took off in the College Football Playoffs, as the Crimson Tide disposed of Notre Dame and Ohio State to win the National Championship and raised his draft stock. Barmore was good against the Fighting Irish with five tackles and a sack and had five more tackles, two for a loss, and a sack against the Buckeyes in the championship game, where he was named the defensive MVP. Originally considered a secondday pick, Barmore is now expected to hear his name called at the end of the first round. vs. Run: Because he only played two seasons and wasn’t a full-time starter, Barmore’s game needs polish at the next level. He needs to become better and more consistent against the run and develop some finesse to go with his power game. vs. Pass: Barmore uses his raw power and a strong upper body to go with strong hands to punish opposing offensive linemen as a pass-rusher. His best move is a swim move that he seems to have perfected as the season progressed. Where he fell off was when offenses double-teamed him. He didn’t handle that well at all and at times became frustrated.

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SCOUTS SAY:

“He’ll get that Alabama bump,” an NFC scout said. “If he went to Alabama St., instead of Alabama, we wouldn’t even be talking about him. I don’t have him as a first-round pick, but he’s going to go first round because of what he did in the playoffs. There have been some real good [linemen] from Alabama, [Quinnen] Williams, [Jon] Allen, [Da’Ron] Payne, and he’s being compared to them. But he’s not at that level.” … “There’s talent there. You saw that against both Notre Dame and Ohio State,” an AFC scout said. “I wish he would have gone back to school for another year. But he won a title and he’s going to be a high pick, so you can’t blame him for coming out. I just don’t think he’s going to be ready right away. He needs a lot of work on his game, especially against the run.”

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Barmore played 3-technique in college, and he’s probably a better fit as just that in a 4-3 scheme at the NFL level where he can play over the guard. He’ll probably begin his pro career just as he did his college career as a third-down passrush specialist and eventually become a starter when his game becomes more well-rounded. With all of that said, could the Packers use a defensive lineman with pass-rush ability? They have one in Kingsley Keke, but Barmore certainly has more upside than the 2019 fifth-round pick does. A good defensive coordinator, even one with a 3-4 scheme could find a spot for Barmore. But he wouldn’t be worth the 29th pick to Green Bay.

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Daviyon Nixon

Iowa

(rJR)

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’3” Weight: 313 lbs.

Arm: 35 1/8”

PRO DAY: Vertical: 28.5” Broad: 106” 40-yard: 4.90 20 yd: 4.71 3-cone: 7.56

2020 STATS: 45 tackles 13 1/2 TFL 5 1/2 sacks

IN A NUTSHELL:

The Kenosha, Wisconsin, product began his college career on the JUCO level at Iowa Western before becoming a Hawkeye. Nixon opened eyes in Iowa City last fall with an impressive junior year that included a Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year award to go with being a finalist for both the Outland Trophy and the Bednarik Award. His season got off to a great start when he returned an interception for a 71-yard touchdown in a win over Penn State. His best effort of the season came in a tough 21–20 loss to nationally ranked Northwestern when he recorded 11 tackles, three tackles for a loss, a forced fumble, and one-and-a-half sacks. vs. Run: Nixon played left defensive tackle in Iowa’s 4-3 scheme and figures to do the same in the NFL. He showed good form to shoot the gaps and get into the opponents’ backfield with a good burst and an excellent first step. His play against the run appeared to get better and more consistent as the year progressed, but there is still some improvement needed to be successful at the pro level. vs. Pass: As a pass-rusher, that first step, combined with his strong hands and above-average athletic ability for the position, make him an intriguing prospect who could hear his name called early on Day 2 of the draft, if not Day 1. The team that does select Nixon might have to be patient. He is not a ready-made, ready-to-start player at the next level. As a rookie he’ll probably be a rotational player at best, but there is a high ceiling and with the proper coaching he could turn out to be one of the best players at his position in this draft.

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SCOUTS SAY:

“Good inside penetrator who’s gotten better and better,” an NFC scout said. “You have to like his size and strength combination. I think he’s an ideal 3-technique in a 4-3 scheme. That’s the perfect spot for him. Yeah, I think second round is about right. … “I like his footwork, he’s got quick feet,” an AFC scout said. “He can penetrate from the inside—you don’t get a lot of that in this class. He’s raw right now, but I think he’s a guy that you work with him, he’s going to get better and better. He did that in college.” … “I’m hearing the hype, but I don’t see it,” another NFC scout said. “I guess it’s because this is just a bad class [for defensive linemen], but I don’t think he’s very good at all.”

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Nixon looks the part of a 4-3 tackle and will likely be drafted by a team with a 4-3 scheme. He does have the size and frame to play end in a 3-4 scheme and his ability to penetrate and get into the backfield would always be welcomed. It would just take time for him to adjust to a new scheme and position, but he’s a player who most likely will need time to develop anyway, so it is possible a 3-4 team such as the Packers calls his name. Nixon will likely be a Friday pick, and it’s uncertain the Packers will be filling this need that early.

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Tommy Togiai

(JR)

Ohio State

4 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’2” | Weight: 296 lbs. | Arm:31 3/4”

Tyler Shelvin

(rJR)

5 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’2” | Weight: 350 lbs. | Arm: 33 5/8”

PRO DAY: Vertical: 32”, Broad: 117”, 40-yard: 4.97, 20 yd: 4.49, 3-cone: 7.20, Bench: 40 reps

PRO DAY: Vertical: 29”, 40-yard: 5.40, 20 yd.: 4.97, 3-cone: 8.19

2020 STATS: 23 tackles, 4 1/2 TFL, 3 sacks

2019* STATS: 39 tackles, 6 TFL – *Opted Out 2020

IN A NUTSHELL:

A four-star prospect out of state champion Highland High School in Pocatello, Idaho, Togiai was the Gatorade Idaho Player of the Year. He chose the Buckeyes over Big Ten rivals Michigan and Penn State and Oregon and USC of the Pac 12. He played as a freshman in a rotation on the defensive line and did the same as a sophomore before becoming a full-time starter his junior year. All three of his sacks last fall came in a dominant performance against Penn State. vs. Run: Togiai played nose tackle for the Buckeyes and was a top-of-the-line run stuffer. He showed good lateral mobility for a man of his size, which made him a force for the Buckeyes up and down the line of scrimmage. Togai made plays against the run both against interior dives between the tackles and those outside the numbers as well. vs. Pass: You’re not going to get much of a pass rush from him, especially at the pro level. He showed an occasional pass rush but was too inconsistent. Coaches rave about his high football IQ and non-stop motor, which are good traits going forward.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Togiai is built to play over the center in a 4-3 scheme, but might be able to pull it off as a 3-4 nose tackle as well. In order to do so he would likely have to add some bulk to his 6’2” frame. He’s not that much smaller than current Packer Tyler Lancaster (6’3”, 313) but is much more athletic and more of a playmaker. Most scouts feel Togai will be a late Friday night selection, but, again, it’s not likely the Packers pull the trigger there.

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LSU

IN A NUTSHELL:

Shelvin was the top recruit in Louisiana coming out of Notre Dame High School in Lafayette. He chose to stay close to home and matriculate at LSU, where he played two years as the Tigers’ nose tackle. The big man opted out of the 2020 season due to Covid-19 concerns and prepared for the NFL draft. vs. Run: With his massive size, Shelvin played on the nose for LSU in odd fronts and moved to 1-technique when they switched to a four-man front. He did not put up flashy stats in his two years, but he was a space eater who often took up double teams. Shelvin has excellent upper body strength and uses it to be a force at the point of attack. He does not possess great lateral speed, but for his size it’s OK. vs Pass: Shelvin’s relative short arms and lack of initial quickness is always going to prevent him from being much of a pass-rusher, but Shelvin is a sleeper in this draft who could come in and start as a rookie as an early-down run-stuffer.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

If the Packers are looking for a big body to put next to Kenny Clark if, and when, they go with just two down linemen (are they still going to do that?), Shelvin could be their guy. And if they want someone to help their run defense get better Shelvin is the guy. A lot will depend on where he goes—early third day?—and when the Packers decide to look for help up front.

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Jay Tufele

(rJR)

USC

6 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’2” | Weight: 305 lbs.

Marvin Wilson

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’3” | Weight: 319 lbs. | 40 Time: PRO DAY:

2019* STATS: 42 tackles, 4 1/2 sacks – *Opted Out 2020

2020 STATS: 17 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack, 3 blocked kicks

IN A NUTSHELL:

vs. Run: In 2019, his play against the run showed steady improvement. What stands out about Tufele over some other prospects is his versatility. Because of his athletic ability and movement across the line of scrimmage, he seems as if he would be a good fit inside as a 3-technique in a 4-3 scheme, or as the same 3-technique as an end in a 3-4 alignment. vs. Pass: Tufele has an excellent first step to the ball, which helps to disrupt the pocket as a pass-rusher or to get into the backfield as a run defender. In 2019, he often drew double teams from opposing offenses to try to counter his abilities and seemed to handle those.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Tufele can be a three-down player, possibly as early as his rookie year. He needs work, as all rookies do, but he could fit as an end in the Packers 3-4 without much of a problem. His explosiveness and overall athleticism are traits that this Packers regime seems to admire. And why shouldn’t they? If the team moves on from Dean Lowry and does not address the position in free agency, Tufele could be a good fit.

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Florida State

PRO DAY: Vertical: 30”, Broad: 105”, Bench: 30 reps, 40-yard: 5.02, 20 yd: 4.9, 3-cone: 7.81

Tufele was the No. 1-ranked player in the state of Utah for Bingham High School. He turned down offers to stay home at both Utah and Brigham Young and instead chose to attend USC, where he played two seasons for the Trojans. Tufele redshirted as a freshman and opted out of the 2020 season.

(SR)

IN A NUTSHELL:

Coming out of Episcopal High School outside of Houston, Wilson was the No. 1 defensive tackle recruit in the country and chose Florida State over Alabama, LSU, Ohio State, and Oklahoma. After an impressive junior season for the Seminoles (44 tackles, five sacks), Wilson was projected as a second or third-round selection in the 2020 draft. Instead, he opted to return to Tallahassee for his senior year. A seasonending leg injury hampered what began as a disappointing senior season for both the big tackle and his school. vs. Run: Wilson wasn’t terrible against the run in college but needs to work on that aspect of his game or he will just be a situational player in the NFL. He did show a unique ability to block kicks on special teams, which should not go unnoticed. vs. Pass: Wilson played mostly inside for Florida State, but did move outside as a 5-technique at times. In the NFL he figures to be more of a 3-technique in a 4-3 scheme that will allow him to use his quickness to rush the passer.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Wilson reminds a lot of observers of current Packer Montravious Adams, a former third-round pick out of Auburn who never really seemed to fit in the team’s scheme and, as an unrestricted free agent, will likely head elsewhere. His special teams knack is intriguing, but he doesn’t appear to be a real good fit in Green Bay’s 3-4 scheme.

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Osa Odighizuwa

(rJR)

UCLA

8 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’2” | Weight: 282 lbs. | Arm: 34 1/8”

Darius Stills

(SR)

West Virginia

9 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’1” | Weight: 278 lbs. | Arm: 32 1/4”

PRO DAY: Vertical: 31.5”, Broad 120”, 20 yd.: 4.44, 3-cone: 7.57, Bench: 25 reps

PRO DAY: Vertical: 32.5”, Broad: 110”, 40-yard: 4.98, 20 yd: 4.49, 3-cone: 7.18, Bench: 23 reps

2020 STATS: 30 tackles, 4 sacks

2020 STATS: 25 tackles, 7 1/2 TFL, 3 sacks

IN A NUTSHELL:

Osa was a three-star recruit out of the state of Oregon and chose to follow his brother Owa’s path to UCLA. Owa was later a draft pick of the New York Giants after a good career with the Bruins. Osa played well for Chip Kelly’s team in a shortened 2020 season. vs. Run: He does not have ideal NFL size for either playing inside in a 4-3 scheme or as an end in a 3-4 scheme, which hurts him as a run defender. Some scouts feel if he put on some weight he could be a better fit inside in a 4-3, but they also fear that extra weight could take away some of the speed and agility that made him so effective at the college level. He might have to try being an end in a 4-3. vs. Pass: Osa has good quickness, which has helped him become an effective pass-rusher at the college level. He uses good natural leverage and has enough of an explosive first step to get by his blocker and into the opposition’s backfield.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Odighizuwa is smaller than Kingsley Keke (6’3”, 288), who is not exactly ideal for a lineman in a 3-4 scheme, and at 6’2” he might find it difficult to play end. The Packers once upon a time had a short (6’0”) lineman named Mike Daniels who did pretty well in a 3-4. Can Osa be another Daniels? The Packers probably won’t find out.

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IN A NUTSHELL:

Stills was an All-Star performer at Fairmount High School in West Virginia, which is about 15 miles from Morgantown. Darius chose not only to stay close to home but to follow in his father Gary’s footsteps. Gary Stills was, and still is, a legend for the Mountaineers and spent nine seasons in the NFL as a linebacker and a Pro Bowl special teams player. vs. Run: Stills knows how to get into an opponent’s backfield and make plays against the run. Stills goes non-stop against both the run and pass. That aggressiveness can sometimes become overaggressiveness, causing him to leave gaps in the running lanes, which leads to big gains. At the next level he’s going to need to refine his game a bit, which in the right system and with the right coaching staff can be achieved. vs. Pass: Stills makes up for a lack of height as a lineman with quick moves, good hand strength, and power at the point of attack. Stills is an aggressive player who made the most of West Virginia’s switch from a stack defense to a more traditional look under coordinator Jordan Lesley and head coach Neal Brown. He got consistent pressure on the quarterback during his senior season as an interior pass-rusher.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Like many others in this class, his size doesn’t bode well as an end in a 3-4 scheme. Stills’ nonstop motor, aggressiveness, and ability to get pressure all go with what the Packers want on defense going forward. He doesn’t figure to go off the board until Day 3, so maybe there’s a role for him as a pure designated pass-rusher when the Packers go to a subpackage look.

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Jaylen Twyman

(rJR)

Pitt

10 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’2” | Weight: 301 lbs. | Arm: 32 1/8”

Alim McNeill

(JR)

NC State

11 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’1” | Weight: 317 lbs. | Arm: 32 5/8”

PRO DAY: Vertical: 32.5”, Broad: 104”, 40-yard: 5.40, 3-cone: 8.00, Bench: 40 reps

PRO DAY: Vertical: 31”, Broad: 108”, 40-yard: 4.94, 20 yd: 4.59, 3-cone: 7.71, Bench: 27 reps

2019* STATS: 41 tackles, 12 TFL, 10 1/2 sacks – *Opted Out 2020

2020 STATS: 25 tackles, 7 TFL, 1 sack, 1 interception

IN A NUTSHELL:

Coming out of Washington D.C.’s Woodson High School, Twyman barely listened to other offers because he wanted to go to Pitt and follow his idol Aaron Donald. Once there, Twyman put up the best numbers by a Panthers defensive lineman since Donald. That impressive sophomore line of 10 1/2 sacks and 12 tackles for a loss didn’t receive an encore as Twyman opted out of the 2020 season and then declared for the 2021 draft. vs. Run: Like so many others in this class, Twyman lacks ideal size, but in his breakout sophomore season he overcame that with some dominant performances. He is going to have to get stronger and more consistent against the run to be a threedown player in the NFL. vs. Pass: You can’t argue with his productivity, especially in a class where no other defensive tackle came close to that production. Twyman uses both an effective swim move and push-pull moves in his repertoire to get to the quarterback. At the next level, Twyman looks at worst to be an ideal thirddown interior pass-rusher, which is what he will likely be early in his career.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

A lot will depend on where Twyman comes off the board. Opting out of the 2020 season could drop him on some team’s boards, since they don’t have a lot to see. But what they have seen has been impressive, so that could help his stock. If he goes Day 2, the Packers likely pass. But he lasts until the middle rounds of Day 3, he may get a call from Brian Gutekunst, who wouldn’t mind another productive pass rusher.

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IN A NUTSHELL:

A running back and linebacker in high school in Raleigh, North Carolina, not far from the N.C. State campus, McNeill went from 270 pounds to 315 and kept most of his speed that saw him run sub-4.9 40s while a prep standout. Despite the fact his stats are not jumping off the page, there is a lot to like about McNeill. vs. Run: His weight gain appeared to be good weight and allowed him to play nose tackle most of his time with the Wolfpack. That will also most likely be his position in the NFL, either as a 3-4 nose or playing over the ball in a 4-3 scheme. McNeill stands his ground well even when double teamed and is a solid run stuffer. At N.C. State, in a two-gap system, he was very good at controlling his opponent and moving him back into the pocket. vs. Pass: Despite good athleticism, McNeill has shown very little in terms of a pass rush, as he tends to stay blocked when trying to get to the quarterback.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

The Packers had a virtual visit with McNeill, so they obviously liked what they saw of him with the Wolfpack. He appears to be a classic nose tackle, so he can either pair with Kenny Clark when the defense goes to a two-linemen look and could be a more than a capable backup for Clark, who could use a break from time to time. The ceiling appears to be high for McNeill.

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Tedarrell Slaton (SR)

Florida

12 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’4” | Weight: 330 lbs. | Arm: 32 5/8” PRO DAY: Vertical: 29”, Broad:109”, 40-yard: 5.12, 20 yd: 4.81, 3-Cone: 7.91, Bench: 27 reps 2020 STATS: 37 tackles, 1 1/2 sacks

IN A NUTSHELL:

The Ft. Lauderdale native stayed in-state and chose to attend Florida after being a two-time high school state champion. A three-year starter for the Gators, Slaton probably had his best season in 2020 and his best games against Georgia and Kentucky, where he was stout against the run and ate up space in the middle of the line. Scouts comment that for as big as he is, Slaton isn’t “overweight” and uses his weight well. vs. Run: Slaton lines up in a low stance and uses good leverage to be a force at the point of attack. His game is all about power, and he appears to be a true nose tackle, which will likely be his position at the pro level. He also needs more polish before he becomes a starter in the NFL. There were too many times where he failed to get the running back to the ground and instead ended up there himself. vs. Pass: As a pass-rusher he has a swim move but is more of a bull rusher and has not been very effective. For the most part, he is an early-down run stuffer who will be replaced on passing downs.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Slaton is a true 3-4 nose tackle. If the Packers are looking for a backup for Kenny Clark or someone to pair with Clark on early downs, he could be a good fit for them. Slaton doesn’t figure to hear his name called until Day 3, and with some extra picks in hand that’s probably when the Packers will look for help on the defensive front.

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13 Marlon Tuipulotu (rJR)

USC

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’2” | Weight: 305 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

The Oregon native was just OK for the Trojans this past fall. He was better against the run than he was as a passrusher. He went to the Senior Bowl and watched his draft stock rise with an impressive week of practice that had some in attendance calling him the best defensive lineman in Mobile. Tuipulotu’s strengths are a high football IQ and a high-end motor. He’s a nonstop pursuit player who never takes a play off. He projects as a defensive tackle in a 4-3 scheme who can stay on the field for all three downs.

14 Ta’Quon Graham (SR)

Texas

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’3” | Weight: 292 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Graham had a solid career for the Longhorns and finished with a senior season that saw him record seven tackles for a loss and two sacks in just nine games. His best game came in a win over then No. 6 Oklahoma State, where he had three tackles for a loss, a sack, and recovered a fumble. At Texas, Graham played inside as a 3-technique in a four-man front. With his size and build, he could easily move to left end in a 4-3 front in the NFL or outside to 5-technique in a 3-4 scheme.

15 Bobby Brown (JR)

Texas A&M

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’4” | Weight: 321 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Brown is one of the enigmas of this draft. He certainly looks the part with excellent size to play anywhere across the line in either a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme. And at times he plays as well as he looks as he did in the Aggies big win over Florida. Other times, you don’t notice him on the field, and that should never be the case with a player with Brown’s talent. That lackadaisical play and what some scouts describe as “a poor work ethic” is why he is not ranked higher on draft boards.

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16 Naquan Jones (rSR)

Michigan State

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’3” | Weight: 313 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Michigan

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’3” | Weight: 286 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Louisiana Tech

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’2” | Weight: 290 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

A first-team All-Conference USA selection, Williams saw his draft stock rise after an impressive Pro Day in late March. The big man ran the 40 in 4.62, among the fastest of any defensive linemen. He also put up a time of 4.25 in the short shuttle and had the best 3-cone drill with a time of 6.87. His vertical jump of 39-inches was also the best of the linemen. That rare display of athleticism will earn him a phone call from a team that feels it will translate into play on the field some time on Day 3 of the draft.

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IN A NUTSHELL:

Tonga played in both even- and odd-man fronts with the Cougars and showed good skills as a run stuffer. He has good strength and a knack for getting to the ball carrier. He needs to show more consistency in his play and learn how to disengage from blockers quicker. He’s also shown the ability to knock down passes at the line of scrimmage. At the next level, Tonga has shown he can play in either a 4-3 or a 3-4 scheme but projects to be a backup in either alignment.

19 Jordan Scott (SR)

Oregon

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’1” | Weight: 322 lbs.

Kemp is the nephew of long-time NFL defensive coordinator and one-time head coach of the Colts, Chuck Pagano. The Boulder, Colorado, native started three years for Jim Harbaugh’s Wolverines and played a fifth year as a graduate student in 2020. Kemp has good quickness up and down the line and a good burst to the ball. A good athlete and a very intelligent player, he is going to have to get stronger at the next level. He played nose tackle for Michigan, but projects to be a 3-technique in a 4-3 scheme in the NFL. He might also be able to play some 5-technique in a 3-4 scheme.

20 Milton Williams (rJR)

BYU

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’2” | Weight: 325 lbs.

There is some upside to the big man from Evanston, Illinois, who was a three-year starter for the Spartans. Jones didn’t put up big numbers (24 tackles, five for a loss in seven games last season), but he was a big nose tackle who filled gaps and let others pile up the stats. His best trait was his consistency. You knew what you were going to get from Jones on a weekto-week basis—a stout presence in the middle of the line. At the NFL level he fits best as a nose in a 3-4, but he could also work in a 4-3.

18 Carlo Kemp (rSR)

17 Khyiris Tonga (SR)

IN A NUTSHELL:

Scott was a three-star prospect out of Pinellas Park High School in Largo, Florida, and chose Oregon over several other schools including Pac 12 rival Arizona. He played nose tackle for the Ducks’ hybrid defense that used multiple fronts. Scott also has a ton of experience in terms of playing time, since he played and started for most of his four years in college. He’s a little shorter than ideal for the NFL but is very athletic for his size and could find his niche at the next level as a subpackage rusher in a single-gap scheme.

21 MUSTATA JOHNSON (SR)

Colorado

22 MALIK HERRING (SR)

Georgia

23 XAVIER KELLY (rSR)

Arkansas

24 AUSTIN FAOLIU (SR)

Oregon

25 JOSIAH BRONSON (SR)

Washington

125

EDGE Position Analysis:

ROSS UGLEM

01 KWITY PAYE, Michigan 02 JAYSON OWEH, Penn State 03 RASHAD WEAVER, Pitt 04 JAELAN PHILLIPS, Miami 05 JOSEPH OSSAI, Texas 06 RONNIE PERKINS, Oklahoma 07 GREGORY ROUSSEAU, Miami 08 AZEEZ OJULARI, Georgia 09 BOOGIE BASHAM, Wake Forest 10 PAYTON TURNER, Houston 11 QUINCY ROCHE, Miami 12 JOE TRYON, Washington 13 DAYO ODEYINGBO, Vanderbilt 14 WYATT HUBERT, Kansas State 15 JOSHUA KAINDOH, Florida State 16 PATRICK JONES, Pitt 17 HAMILCAR RASHED, Oregon State 18 CAMERON SAMPLE, Tulane 19 CHRIS RUMPH, Duke 20 JORDAN SMITH, UAB

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126

> EDGE

Kwity Paye

Michigan

(SR)

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’3” Weight: 261 lbs.

Arm: 33”

PRO DAY: Vertical: 35.5” Broad: 18” 40-yard: 4.57 Bench: 36 reps

2019/20 STATS: (16 GAMES) 8.5 sacks 66 tackles 0 FF 16.5 TFL

IN A NUTSHELL:

Myles Garrett, Bradley Chubb, Nick Bosa, and Chase Young; for the last several draft classes, there has been a superstar EDGE largely agreed by everyone as not only the top rusher in his class but one of the best three or five prospects in the entire class, quarterbacks included. This year, while we don’t have one of thoses guys, we do have Kwity Paye. Paye is a large human being with athleticism who explodes off the tape. He is one of those athletes whom college football programs love. He’ll turn heads walking through an airport and immediately stepping foot off of the team bus—he looks the part of an Avenger. vs. Pass: This is where Paye doesn’t quite measure up to the players mentioned above. His pass-rush plan is not quite as developed as those elite college players. He’s a thick EDGE but is one with a reported sub-6.5 second three-cone time, meaning he’s an athletic freak. While not every athletic freak is a great pass-rusher, almost every great pass-rusher is an athletic freak. That may sound confusing, but it’s a fact. Right now, Paye’s specialty is explosion off the line and a speedto-power bull rush. If a good defensive end or outside linebacker coach gets his hands on Paye and expands his bag of tricks, watch out. vs. Run: Michigan moved Paye around the formation and was sound in gap discipline, regardless of responsibility. In a onegap scheme, he absolutely can shoot the gap because of his elite athleticism. The effort level and athleticism is so high with Paye that as both a rally defender and a backside defender he’s elite. He has the burst to chase down runners.

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BEST GAME:

Paye exploded onto the scene in the 2020 season, completely destroying Minnesota’s game plan in Michigan’s season opener. It was an eye-opening performance on national television as the Gophers and Wolverines locked up on ABC. Paye moved up and down the line, creating significant problems for an overmatched Gophers offensive line, and the internet got very excited about it. Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan ran for his life as the Wolverines dominated a Gophers club that had gone 11–2 the previous season and had high hopes for 2020 considering Morgan’s return. Paye registered four quarterback hurries, a quarterback hit, and two sacks. He also helped limit a strong Gophers running attack led by future NFL draft choice Mo Ibrahim to just 3.1 yards per carry. Paye was truly unblockable in that game.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Paye is the old-school Packers EDGE. He’s someone Mike Pettine would’ve loved with his 272-pound frame. Was that a Pettine preference or something Brian Gutekunst thinks is important? We’ll probably find out during this draft. Anticipate the Rashan Gary approach with Paye, and not because they’re both from Michigan; it’s because they’re both athletic marvels who need time with Mike Smith to develop. Paye is so large and so athletically gifted that someone very early is likely to give him a chance. As much fun as it would be to reunite him with Gary, it’s unlikely that Green Bay will get that chance. Paye is likely to be a top-15 pick, and Green Bay isn’t likely to trade up to take a rusher with Preston Smith staying in the fold.

127

> EDGE

Jayson Oweh

Penn State

(rSO)

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’5” Weight: 257 lbs.

Arm: 34 1/2”

PRO DAY: Vertical: 39.5” Broad: 134” Bench: 21 reps 40-yard: 4.39 20 yd: 4.20 3-cone: 6.90

2019/20 STATS: (18 GAMES) 5.0 sacks 59 tackles 2 FF 11.5 TFL

IN A NUTSHELL:

Grab everything that was said above about Paye and elite pass-rushers and copy and paste it about Oweh. Oweh reportedly ran a sub-4.4 laser-timed 40-yard dash. With length, bend, explosiveness, and a frame that could add an additional 12 to 15 pounds, Oweh has every athletic gift. He’s a lean athlete who will start his career as a designated passrusher but could move into a more complete role as he develops physically and as a football player. Oweh was a one-way player until 2020. He was borderline unusable against the run in 2019 but fixed that in a big way in 2020. vs. Pass: Ball-get-off may not be matched in this class, but he’s not a snap-jumper. He’s just that twitched-up of an athlete. Oweh shows excellent hip and ankle flexion, exhibiting the proper bend to marry to his other athletic tools. The chop/rip is the primary tool, but you’d like to see more counters. More often than not, if plan A didn’t work, plan B flat-out didn’t exist. A good EDGE coach could add a few more arrows to the quiver. He’s raw, but the sky’s the limit. vs. Run: Right now, Oweh is too lean to be a major threat on the front-side of a run play. On the backside, he’s as exciting of a player as you’ll find. He consistently destroys option looks as the unblocked player (he’s too athletic). His chase-down plays are legitimately electric to watch. Effort and motor are not an issue for Oweh. Again, Oweh was so much better against the run in 2020, and he’s still just a redshirt sophomore. A few more pounds of muscle could really help; he has the requisite frame.

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ATHLETICISM:

Oweh has appeared inside the top 10 of Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks” list twice. There are very few human beings walking the earth who possess the blend of speed and athleticism Oweh enjoys. According to a report from the Penn State affiliate of 247 Sports, Oweh absolutely destroyed a winter workout prior to spring football in 2020. Oweh reportedly ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash at 6’5”, 260 pounds. He also registered a 46.5” vertical leap. As mentioned with Paye, the very best passrushers in football are almost always incredible athletes. These “underwear Olympics” numbers don’t guarantee anything, but they do paint a picture of nearly unlimited potential. Unlimited athletic potential is something Green Bay has targeted over and over, with varying levels of success.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

It would be fascinating if Oweh were available when Green Bay picked or if they wanted to go up and get him. It would be difficult to remember a rushing tandem in NFL history with more testing-based athleticism than Oweh and Rashan Gary. His thin frame is the complete opposite of what the Packers targeted with Pettine as the defensive coordinator. Still, a player with unlimited athleticism is the type of addition the Packers make all the time. Brandon Staley, for whom Joe Barry worked, implemented plenty of “Eagle” front, which would put the EDGE players in the “Wide-9” alignment. It’s difficult to think of a better plan early on for Oweh than the Wide 9. Oweh could be exactly what the Packers need as they make this scheme adjustment. Given Oweh’s incredibly obvious physical gifts, it’s not very likely that we’ll ever find out.

128

> EDGE

Rashad Weaver

Pitt

(rSR)

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’4” Weight: 259 lbs.

Arm: 33 1/4”

PRO DAY: Vertical: 32” Broad: 114” 40-yard: 4.88 20 yd: 4.2 3-cone: 6.97 Bench: 20 reps

2020 STATS: 7.5 sacks 34 tackles 3 FF 14 TFL

IN A NUTSHELL:

Weaver is a sledgehammer. In short, he’s exactly the kind of the EDGE the Packers have targeted since the beginning of the Gutekunst era. Lacking in burst and flex, Weaver utilizes heavy hands, an extensive pass-rush toolbox, and length to win. An older prospect, he’ll turn 24 during the 2021 season. He’ll immediately be one of the better run defenders on whichever roster adds him. vs. Pass: A power-first player, Weaver does not explode off the ball, but he still displaces his defender consistently. He’s got significant “pop” in his hands, using the long-arm and countering off of that to win against opposing tackles. Weaver works a solid combination of counters and swipes. He’ll need to continue to be a technician and to be strong, because the burst-and-bend isn’t going to get it done. There’s not a lot of burst and almost no bend. Still, Weaver was incredibly productive last season, registering 48 total pressures (hits, hurries, and sacks) in just nine games in 2020. vs. Run: For his size, there are things you’d like him to do better. He’s not a rock-solid anchor, although he will fight to maintain gap integrity. His length bails him out against the run quite a bit. Opposing defenders struggle mightily to have any sort of control of where they want to move him. His hands are strong enough to stack and shed, but it would be better if it showed up more consistently on tape. Lowering his pads during the run phase on a consistent basis would be helpful. Still, he’s one of the better run defenders in this draft, largely because his hand placement is excellent.

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BEST TAPE:

While there aren’t actually any sacks in the box score, Weaver completely wrecked the game against Boston College in 2020. Weaver recorded a staggering 10 pressures, including eight hurries, two knockdowns, and a forced fumble. Play after play, Weaver bothered Boston College quarterback Phil Jurkovec and moved him off his spot. Jurkovec was actually incredibly productive despite running away from Weaver all day long, leading BC to a 31–30 victory. Still, it’s very difficult to watch that game and not notice Weaver’s work snap after snap after snap. He was able to open things up for fellow Panther and fellow 2021 prospect Patrick Jones II for a multiple-sack performance.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Depending on just how multiple the Packers want to be running the Barry/Fangio/Staley scheme, Weaver just may be the Packers’ best Dean Lowry replacement. Whether it’s 4i (inside shoulder of the offensive tackle), 5T, or 4-3 base end, Weaver can win in all of these spots, not necessarily carving off the edge. They can also use him in a “play the run on the way to the quarterback” chess piece, as they use Za’Darius Smith. He’s a straight-line rusher. Either way, he’s a really good football player. The Packers need as many good football players on their team as possible. As easy, or simple or nontechnical as that may sound, Weaver is an ass-kicker. Green Bay could use more ass-kickers on defense in its front seven.

129

> EDGE

Jaelan Phillips (rJR)

Miami

4 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’5” | Weight: 260 lbs.

Joseph Ossai

(JR)

5 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’4” | Weight: 256 lbs. | Arm: 33 7/8”

PRO DAY: Vertical: 36”, Broad: 125”, Bench: 21 reps, 40-yard: 4.56, 20 yd: 4.13, 3-cone: 7.01

PRO DAY: Vertical: 41.5”, Broad: 131.5”, 40-yard: 6.46, Bench: 19 reps

2020 STATS: 8.0 sacks, 45 tackles, 0 FF, 15.5 TFL

2020 STATS: 5.5 sacks, 55 tackles, 3 FF, 15.5 TF

IN A NUTSHELL:

Phillips was a massive “get” for the UCLA Bruins as the top high school recruit in the country in 2018, but Phillips actually retired after being hit by a car and did not play in 2019. When Phillips returned as a Miami Hurricane, he really came on in the second half of 2020. vs. Pass: Phillips uses explosiveness and length to cover significant ground/depth to start his rush. The stab and longarm are jarring, often displacing blockers with one hand. Phillips exhibits a lengthy bag of tricks with hand usage. Hip and ankle flex is better than you might think, but Phillips is unlikely to try to win by flattening at the quarterback. When he doesn’t win, Phillips will still likely achieve one or two “effort” sacks per year. He absolutely dominated when sliding inside to rush against guards and centers. vs. Run: Phillips is a high-effort, high-energy player, and that certainly applies to run defense. He’s a true edge-setter who consistently turns opposing backs back into his help or strings out the play to the outside for a minimal gain. Phillips is a good enough athlete to pursue plays from the backside and agile enough to not get turned around in the read-option.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Phillips’ length and versatility allow him to be a fit in most defensive schemes, which will certainly apply to Barry’s new scheme. He profiles as a player who can play some base 4-3 end and line up as a 3-4 outside linebacker. His success inside on tape doesn’t hurt any, either. Phillips works as a potential 4i, 5-technique, or 6/7 tech defensive end on early downs and can slide inside and play 3t on third down. Green Bay has often taken chances on players with elite high school recruiting profiles. Jaelan Phillips was the top of the top in that regard.

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Texas

IN A NUTSHELL:

Ossai absolutely tore up his pro day in Austin, registering a 41.5” vertical leap and a 4.63-second 40-yard dash at 256 pounds. His speed and explosiveness are apparent on every play. He made an immediate impact at Texas, starting 24 of 36 possible games. Ossai almost never came off the field for the Longhorns and has significant experience as both an edge player and an off-ball linebacker. He’s extremely comfortable in space. vs. Pass: Ossai is a big-time ball-get-off player, as his explosiveness from a 10’11” broad jump leaps off the tape as well. He gathers ground quickly. As good of an athlete as he is, his ability to bend doesn’t appear elite. Ossai is an excellent counter-rusher, working swims and spins off of his initial move. He repeatedly displaces offensive linemen with the first punch. vs. Run: Ossai is somewhere between a large linebacker and a small edge rusher. If he’s going to play on the line of scrimmage at the next level, he’s going to be more of a gapshooter against the run than an edge-setter or a two-gapper. Ossai is strong as an ox, though, so with some coaching, he could develop into an average or above average run defender.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

The most common comp for Ossai is former Packers EDGE and likely future Packers Hall of Famer Clay Matthews. While Mike Pettine had little use for a versatile (albeit aging) chess piece like Matthews, the Rams actually acquired Matthews with new Packers DC Joe Barry on their staff. While Green Bay may park Preston Smith and Rashan Gary on the edge, Ossai could team with Za’Darius Smith as a player who moves around and creates a number of problems.

130

> EDGE

Ronnie Perkins

(JR)

Oklahoma

6 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’3” | Weight: 253 lbs. | Arm: 32 7/8”

Gregory Rousseau

(rSO)

7 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’7” | Weight: 266 lbs.

PRO DAY: Vertical: 32”, Broad: 115”, 40 Time: 4.71, Bench: 25 reps

PRO DAY: Vertical: 30”, Broad: 115”, Bench: 21 reps, 40-yard: 4.69, 20 yd: 4.45, 3-cone: 7.50

2020 STATS: 5.5 sacks, 23 tackles, 0 FF, 10.5 TFL

2019 STATS: 15.5 sacks, 54 tackles, 2 FF, 19.5 TFL

IN A NUTSHELL:

Miami

IN A NUTSHELL:

As effective against the run as he was rushing the passer, Perkins was the unquestioned leader of the Sooners front seven. Perkins can pitch in all over: in a two-point stance or with his hand in the dirt. He’s a big-time athlete and a threeyear starter.

It’s not difficult to make the case that Rousseau has the highest ceiling of any of these EDGE prospects. Rousseau is what the Lord intended when he decided to build edge rushers. He started out as a wide receiver and has only played on the defensive line for one year.

vs. Pass: Perkins is a big-time bender. He possesses top-end hip and ankle flexibility and loves the dip move. Perkins works counters off of his tendency to dip, as well. He has long arms and is able to use them to keep his frame clean and allow himself room to operate against opposing tackles with a significant size advantage. Even at less than 250 pounds, Perkins is consistently able to convert speed to power. His punch does a better job of displacing large offensive tackles than you might think.

vs. Pass: Rousseau covers so much ground with his first step. Even if he doesn’t get a great jump, offensive linemen are already at a disadvantage. Rousseau is way too flexible for a human being built the way he is. He makes tight turns and can flatten to the quarterback, but his counter-rushes are not developed at this time. He could develop heavier hands with his initial punch. Rousseau was extremely problematic for opposing guards and centers when aligned on the interior.

vs. Run: He’s only played in 33 college games, and most of those are in the pass-happy Big 12. With that said, he’s an average front-side run defender and a borderline-elite backside player. His agility and long-speed allow him to consistently threaten stretch runs from behind. His effort level is apparent in the run game, too; he takes no plays off.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Perkins’ fit with the Packers is actually really similar to how they’d probably be able to use Ossai. They’ve got very similar body types and do a lot of the same things well. The main difference between the two is the time Ossai spent as an off-ball linebacker. Perkins, despite his size, spent almost his entire Oklahoma career on the line of scrimmage. Still, at his size he’s probably a movable piece and not an everydown player on the EDGE, though he’d spend most of his time out there.

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vs. Run: With his wiry frame, Rousseau lacks the power (at this moment) to hold up consistently at the point of attack. What he does possess, though, is an enormous tackle radius. His effort is apparent against the run as well. Rousseau made multiple “effort” tackles for loss in the run game just by continuing to rally to the football. His lack of experience and refinement too often leads to a lack of gap discipline in the run game.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Honestly, Rousseau would be a body-type and a player-type the Packers don’t have on the roster right now. As much as they love big-time athletes, Green Bay hasn’t had anyone that looks like Rousseau since Julius Peppers. A long-levered player to move all across the line could be a fun toy for Joe Barry. Early in his career, Rousseau would probably have to rush from the inside, as he was not as effective rushing against tackles as he was against guards.

131

> EDGE

Azeez Ojulari

(rSO)

Georgia

8 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’2” | Weight: 249 lbs. | Arm: 34 1/4”

Boogie Basham

(rSR)

Wake Forest

9 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’3” | Weight: 274 lbs. | Arm: 32 7/8”

PRO DAY: Vertical: 30”, Broad: 127”, 40-yard: 4.63, 20 yd: 4.34, 3-cone: 7.27, Bench: 26 reps

PRO DAY: Vertical: 34”, Broad: 122”, Bench: 20 reps, 40-yard: 4.64, 20 yd: 4.25, 3-cone: 7.13

2020 STATS: 31 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 4 FF, 12.5 TFL

2020 STATS: 28 tackles, 5.0 sacks, 4 FF, 4.5 TFL

IN A NUTSHELL:

The true ball-get-off king of the 2021 EDGE class, Ojulari explodes off the snap. Comfortable in both two-point and three-point stances, he was a bit of a one-year wonder, but his 2020 was certainly wonderful. A bit undersized, Ojulari is somewhat of a “tweener” whose top position may end up being as a SAM in a one-gap 4-3 system. Still, he’d rush the passer as a Packer.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Carlos “Boogie” Basham Jr. is the captain of the watch-theprevious-year’s-tape team this year. He was excellent in 2018, and even better in 2019 but didn’t quite meet expectations as a senior in 2020. Basham’s on the older side for a prospect, as he’ll turn 24 during his rookie season.

vs. Pass: Ojulari’s ankle flexibility is more impressive than his flexibility in the hips, but he still shows the ability to get low and corner. His first punch has more “pop” than you’d expect from a pass-rusher that size. Hand usage and counter rushers are minimal. He will not/can not bull rush, but Ojulari will create hustle/effort sacks.

vs. Pass: Basham possesses tremendous ball-get-off. He uses a strong punch and attacks the quarterback in a straight line as opposed to trying to carve around the corner. Basham works a number of inside moves working off of his bull rush and primary plan. His top ability, though, is collapsing the pocket—he moves offensive linemen into the lap of quarterbacks. There is certainly an upside to Basham that can be unlocked by a top coach.

vs. Run: Ojulari is the size of an actual linebacker. There’s no question about that. Ojulari is not a player you want setting the edge on the front side of a run play. Ojulari’s best work comes when teams ran at him revolved more around getting small and making blockers miss or fail to engage cleanly. He was too often “handled” by tight ends on the perimeter. On the backside of run plays he’s fantastic due to initial burst and above average long speed.

vs. Run: It’s probably not fair to question Basham’s effort, but his down-to-down consistency is not great. He was pretty easily Wake Forest’s best front seven player, so he never left the field and it showed. He’s gap-sound and understands where he needs to be but isn’t quite the dominator that a player of his size should be on the edge. Basham’s fine against run but looking at his build and potential, it leaves you wanting more.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

A selection of Ojulari would signify a departure from Green Bay’s normal drafting philosophy at this position. He’s so slight in frame and plays a position the Packers haven’t really featured. With that said, they have a new head man in charge of the defense. Barry may have use for a true rush linebacker. Los Angeles targeted undersized rushers Samson Ebukam and Ogbo Okoronkwo. It’s a player type he’s used before, just not one the Packers have.

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FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Check back a few pages on what was said about Pitt’s Rashad Weaver. While Basham is certainly an EDGE defender, he may be more in the Dean Lowry mold than the Gary/Smith/ Smith mold. Tampa Bay drove Green Bay nuts with power rushers. Basham may be the best power rusher in the class. Most would probably tell you he’s a 4-3 defensive end. In an Eagle front (Staley/Barry), he has potential as a 4i.

132

> EDGE

Payton Turner

(SR)

Houston

10 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’6” | Weight: 270 lbs.

Quincy Roche

(rSR)

11 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’3” | Weight: 243 lbs.

PRO DAY: N/A

PRO DAY: Vertical: 32 1/2”, 40-yard: 4.68, Bench: 23 reps

2020 STATS: 25 tackles, 5.0 sacks, 1 FF, 10.5 TFL

2020 STATS: 45 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 2 FF, 14.5 TFL

IN A NUTSHELL:

Positionally, Turner is probably headed for the same fate as Basham, though he may be a more versatile player. He’s played all of the different defensive alignments that go along with those weights, from 3-technique all the way out to standup rush linebacker. Turner is a powerful hand-fighter with a high motor. vs. Pass: Turner has everything you want in a power rusher, possessing a strong initial punch, heavy hands, and long arms. He’s able to lock out and keep his own frame clean. Turner is also able to flatten at the quarterback and bend around the corner more effectively than you might think for a big guy. Houston did not play against a lot of top offensive tackles during his time there. His motor runs so hot with maximum effort apparent on every single rep. vs. Run: Turner, first and foremost, he needs to get his pad level down. He’s a long football player, and linemen are able to get under him occasionally. Still, he has plenty of the tools that you’d look for in an excellent run defender. It may be tempting to keep moving him around the formation, but at some point he’s got to lock in and develop as a player.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Turner is another one of the big, long, strong EDGE players who reside somewhere between Preston Smith and Dean Lowry in body type and play style. Turner could play 5-technique, strong side end in a 4-3 alignment, or 4i in an Eagle front. He’s a player they don’t currently roster. With Smith almost certainly back on the roster, Turner might be available at a spot in the midearly rounds where Green Bay may actually target him. It seems unlikely they’d go EDGE in Round 1 with Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith, and Rashan Gary on the roster.

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Miami

IN A NUTSHELL:

Roche is a bit Za’Darius Smith-like in that he doesn’t profile as an elite athlete. Rather, he’s a true technician: a master of his craft. Roche isn’t particularly long or particularly big and speed and explosiveness don’t show up. But his technical work does. vs. Pass: Rather than charge up the field with elite burst, Roche’s first steps appear to be part of a plan to set up the offensive tackle as opposed to covering as much ground as he can. Roche takes advantage of poor footwork by the opposing tackle. He’s capable of cornering but not elite. He’s extremely slippery for tackles, using his hands well and countering off of those moves. His club/swim combo is a masterpiece. Roche is not bursty enough to be a great pursuit player, and there aren’t a lot of hustle sacks seen on film. vs. Run: Roche is obviously not a huge player for someone who spends all his time out on the edge. With that said, he’s extremely useful against the run. Much of that is the energy and motor that he brings to the table, but his play strength is excellent, as is his hand usage. Roche sets a firm enough edge and is effective squeezing gaps without losing gap discipline.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

As mentioned, Green Bay already employs a player with a lot of the same traits as Roche. Za’Darius Smith is not an overly long pass rusher, nor is he incredibly athletic. What he is is a strong, detailed rush specialist. Roche was highly productive. It’s likely at 245 pounds (as opposed to Z’s 270) Roche would end up more as an outside rusher. He could potentially be used in a two-point stance over guards as well.

133

> EDGE

Joe Tryon

(SO)

Washington

12 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’5” | Weight: 259 lbs. | Arm: 34” PRO DAY: Vertical: 35”, Broad: 118, Bench: 22 reps, 40-yard: 4.64, 20 yd: 4.36, 3-cone: 7.18 2019 STATS: 41 tackles, 8.0 sacks, 0 FF, 12.5 TFL

IN A NUTSHELL:

If you just look at Tryon physically, he looks exactly like a first-round pick would look at the edge position. He’s tall, long, and powerful. The issue with Tryon is that the sample size isn’t very big, and neither are the career numbers. vs. Pass: At this point in his career, Tryon is really only trying to go through defenders. He had a reasonable amount of success with that as a sophomore (eight sacks), but diversity would help his game in a major way. Tryon possesses an elite first step, threatening the tackle immediately. Flexibility appears to be adequate for an athlete of his size, but Tryon rarely flattens and bends at the corner. Development of counters to his bull-rush could unlock a Pro Bowl-level player, as he does not use his hands well at this point. vs. Run: Tryon is built like an edge-rusher Adonis, and sometimes that means he plays too high. Tryon has the ability to shock offensive linemen and disengage, and moves well enough laterally to play the run on the edge. His athleticism shows up on tape as a pursuit player. There are no issues with effort or commitment to the run game.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Physically, Tryon fits what any outside linebackers/defensive ends coach would want in a pass rusher. At 6’5” and 262 pounds, he is capable of helping out any scheme at multiple positions. It would be fair to view Tryon as a “Diet” Rashan Gary. He won’t be ranked as highly as Gary was coming into the process, but developmentally you’re trying to get the tape to match the potential. Mike Smith should help with that.

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13 Dayo Odeyingbo (SR)

Vanderbilt

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’5” | Weight: 276 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Odeyingbo is an enormous EDGE prospect who may end up inside but played the majority of snaps on the perimeter. It’s entirely possible Dayo’s best position could be at 3t or 5t, but it’s more likely a defensive coordinator will drool over his ability to line up all over the defensive front. He’s an athletic 275-pound prospect, but he hasn’t been extremely productive, and he just tore his achilles in the pre-draft process in January. Whichever team drafts Dayo is going to have to have a specific plan on how to use him and is likely betting on his tremendous upside. He’ll likely miss training camp and the beginning of the season, if not more.

14 Wyatt Hubert (rJR)

Kansas State

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’3” | Weight: 258 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Hubert is a bit undersized, but his production and versatility at Kansas State make him an attractive mid-round option. His best spot at Kansas State was often as a rusher from a two-point stance, both as an edge and as an interior rusher. Hubert’s motor is unquestioned and shows up on tape consistently. Effort, burst, and bend will be the qualities he brings to his next team. Hubert may end up as a passrush specialist, as he’s likely too small to hold up on the edge against the run and has almost no experience as an off-ball linebacker.

15 Joshua Kaindoh (SR)

Florida State

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’6” | Weight: 260 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Kaindoh is one of those players a college program wants stepping off the bus first. He possesses an A+ frame and a staunch lower body. The physical traits are obviously there, but the tape isn’t all the way there. He has the ability to cover a ton of ground with his first step and frankly bends better than someone his size should. Still, he hasn’t put it all together technically and isn’t a very good run defender for someone who is built like a fantastic run defender. As a former five-star recruit and an impressive athlete, Kaindoh is the type of flier teams often take.

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> EDGE

16 Patrick Jones (rSR)

Pitt

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’4” | Weight: 261 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Tulane

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’3” | Weight: 267 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

UAB

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’7” | Weight: 255 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

The hope with Smith is that weight can be added to his frame without a significant drop in productivity. He possesses an excellent first step and works a number of pass rush moves on his way to the quarterback. The level of competition at UAB is a concern, as is the lack of power in his game. For an EDGE, he’s tall and fairly skinny. His slight build is a likely contributor to the total lack of bull rush in his pass rush. Smith started his career at Florida before being suspended and heading to junior college.

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IN A NUTSHELL:

Rashed is a difficult evaluation. He was a complete wrecking ball in 2019, but leading up to the 2020 season, he added significant weight and saw a massive dip in production. Rashed will likely end up as a pass-rush specialist or an off-ball linebacker; he’s just not going to be big enough to set the edge. Still, he was far too agile for Pac-12 tackles to handle in 2019, and even as a one-trick pony he could find success in the NFL. Teams will pay plenty for a player who can come in and sack the quarterback six to eight times a season, run defense or positional flexibility be damned.

19 Chris Rumph (rJR)

Duke

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’4” | Weight: 235 lbs.

Sample is a stockier pass-rusher who doesn’t have the length NFL teams crave on the end of the line. The Green Wave moved Sample all across the defensive formation, which is probably the role that he’ll have at the next level. He’s an above-average run defender. On the pass-rush side, Sample is a bull rusher who will work counter-rushes off of the bull. Not a plus athlete, at least not for an EDGE. He was a much better pass-rusher at Tulane than the raw sack numbers would indicate.

20 Jordan Smith (rJR)

Oregon State

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’3” | Weight: 254 lbs.

Jones is a lengthy run defender without a lot of excellent pass rush tape. In today’s NFL, that really limits his value unless he can get with a good defensive coaching staff and develop. The raw numbers look better than the actual game tape. Specifically, his hands do not “pop” the offensive linemen across from him often enough. It’s also concerning that from a pressures, hits, and sacks perspective, there was a significant step backward in production in 2020 from his 2019 effort. Jones shows excellent pad level against the run game.

18 Cameron Sample (SR)

17 Hamilcar Rashed (rSR)

IN A NUTSHELL:

Chris Rumph has his limitations, both in size and athleticism, but he shows a tremendous level of technical development in his rushes. He has a considerable toolbox. His pro position is certainly in question: what do you do with a 235-pound edge rusher? He wasn’t the same player in 2020 as he was in 2019 after adding weight. Rumph is likely limited to rush linebacker status in the NFL. He is a high-effort player with an impressive motor. Rumph really struggled with Notre Dame’s offensive line in their first game of 2020. It’ll be interesting to see if he can hang weight on his frame.

21 PATRICK JOHNSON (rJR)

Tulane

22 JANARIUS ROBINSON (rJR)

Florida State

23 ELERSON SMITH (rSR)

Northern Iowa

24 DEANGELO MALONE (SR)

Western Kentucky

25 CHARLES SNOWDEN (SR)

Virginia

26 JONATHON COOPER (rSR)

Ohio State

27 ADETOKUNBO OGUNDEJI (rSR)

Notre Dame

28 CHAUNCEY GOLSTON (rSR)

Iowa

29 MALIK HERRING (SR)

Georgia

30 TARRON JACKSON (rSR)

Coastal Carolina

135

ILB Position Analysis:

DAN DAHLKE

01 MICAH PARSONS, Penn State 02 ZAVEN COLLINS, Tulsa 03 JEREMIAH OWUSU-KORAMOAH, Notre Dame 04 NICK BOLTON, Missouri 05 CHAZZ SURRATT, North Carolina 06 JABRIL COX JR., LSU 07 CAMERON MCGRONE, Michigan 08 BARON BROWNING, Ohio State 09 PETE WERNER, Ohio State 10 DYLAN MOSES, Alabama 11 JAMIN DAVIS, Kentucky 12 CHARLES SNOWDEN, Virginia 13 MONTY RICE, Georgia 14 TONY FIELDS II, West Virginia 15 GARRET WALLOW, TCU 16 ERNEST JONES, South Carolina 17 KJ BRITT, Auburn 18 DERRICK BARNES, Purdue 19 ANTHONY HINES III, Texas A&M 20 JUSTIN HILLIARD, Ohio State

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136

> INSIDE LINEBACKER

Micah Parsons

(JR)

Penn State

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’3” Weight: 246 lbs.

PRO DAY: Vertical: 34” Broad: 126” Bench: 19 reps 40-yard: 4.39 20 yd: 4.40 3-cone: 6.96

2019 STATS: 109 tackles 14 TFL 5 sacks 4 hurries 5 PBUs 4F

IN A NUTSHELL:

Parsons’ athleticism and burst pop on film. At times, it seems like he is playing at a different gear than everyone else. Starting two years at Penn State, Parson’s sophomore season in 2019 was nothing short of impressive. While he finished his collegiate career with perhaps his best game as a Nittany Lion, beating Memphis in the Cotton Bowl, Parsons sat out the 2020 season to prepare early for the draft. Losing out on a year of experience may hurt Parsons’ draft stock, as may some off-field concerns. Reports surfaced that Parsons played a role in hazing that went too far, which even led to bullying and assault accusations. Parsons remains the most gifted linebacker in this class, but maturity concerns could cause him to drop on some draft boards. vs. Run: Parsons gets downhill in a flash and arrives in violent fashion. He is explosive and closes ground better than any other linebacker coming out of college this year. His excellent lateral movement and straight-line speed make him a highly effective sideline-to-sideline defender. His range and power make him difficult to block and scheme against. However, Parsons could improve his mental processing. At times, he’s too aggressive and overpursues runs, or he will bite too early and fall victim to play fakes or misdirection.

2019 COTTON BOWL:

Parsons’ stellar performance in the 2019 Cotton Bowl earned him Defensive MVP and helped lead the way in Penn State’s 53–39 win over Memphis. The sophomore linebacker tallied 14 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles, and two pass breakups. Parsons seemed to do it all and nearly single-handedly slowed down the Tigers offense. It also demonstrated how the young linebacker has the potential to take over games and make an impact in a variety of ways.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Unless off-field concerns really drop Parsons on draft day, the Packers probably won’t get a shot at selecting him this April. However, if he did manage to slip to Green Bay, the former Big Ten standout would give the Packers an instant playmaker in the middle of their defense. His ability to stop the run, rush the passer, and drop in coverage make him a three-down linebacker who can do it all at the position.

vs. Pass: Parsons plays very well in space and shows good instincts in anticipating where the quarterback is going with the ball. Parsons also covers ground quickly, which allows him to be a very effective zone defender. Parsons could improve his ball skills. At times, he drops balls his way, which limits his playmaking ability against the pass. He could also improve his technique in man coverage. Too often, he grabs or gets his hands on receivers too early.

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137

> INSIDE LINEBACKER

Zaven Collins

(rJR)

Tulsa

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’5” Weight: 259 lbs.

PRO DAY: Vertical: 35 Broad: 122 40-yard: 4.67

2020 STATS: (8 GAMES) 53 tackles 11.5 TFL 4 sacks 2 hurries 4 INTs (2 TDs) 2 PBUs 1 FF

IN A NUTSHELL:

TULSA VS. TULANE (2020):

In a shortened eight-game season, Collins made enough splash plays to garner national attention and earn the Bronko Nagurski Award as the nation’s best defensive player in 2020. The junior linebacker put together three impressive seasons at Tulsa, where he recorded 235 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, and five interceptions. Collins is a highly intelligent player with tremendous size and athleticism for the position. He is equally as good against the pass as he is against the run. He should be in play at the end of the first round of the draft.

With Tulane’s offense in the red zone and looking to score the go-ahead touchdown in double overtime, Collins jumped a drag route over the middle of the field and intercepted the quarterback’s pass, taking it back 96 yards for a touchdown and sealing the win for Tulsa. It was an impressive play that capped off a strong 15-tackle performance for the Oklahoma native. It was the second week in a row Collins intercepted a pass late in the game to seal the win for his team.

vs. Run: Collins has excellent range and acceleration, and he moves very well for a player his size, demonstrating smooth change of direction and lateral movement. This allows him to not waste steps in pursuit to the ball, which he quickly closes on because he possesses an explosive first step. Collins does a good job using his length and size to keep blockers at bay while he works his way to the ball carrier. He also holds the point of attack well and is a very secure tackler. Collins rarely misses, even when matched out in space alone with a ball carrier. While being a very good run defender, Collins could still show a little more tenacity at the contact point. For a linebacker his size, he needs to be more physical.

Collins would meet a major need in the middle of the Packers defense. They could use a true three-down linebacker to anchor the second level. Someone with the size and strength to hold up against the run, but also someone with the speed and athleticism to make plays out in space and in coverage. Green Bay has not had a linebacker like Collins for some time, and he would give them a big time playmaker to feature in the middle of the field.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

vs. Pass: Collins is an excellent zone defender against the pass. He does a tremendous job reading the quarterback’s eyes and making plays on the ball. His length also helps him squeeze passing lanes, making it more difficult for quarterbacks to throw over the middle of the field.

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138

> INSIDE LINEBACKER

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (SR)

Notre Dame

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’1” Weight: 221 lbs.

PRO DAY: Vertical: 37” Broad: 124” 20 yd: 4.15 3-cone: 6.80

2020 STATS: (12 GAMES) 62 tackles 11 TFL 1.5 sacks 2 hurries 1 INT 3 PBUs 3 FF 1 FR TD

IN A NUTSHELL:

Owusu-Koramoah is built for the modern NFL. He’s a hybrid safety-linebacker who should excel in subpackages where he can play in space and win with speed and athleticism. The former Notre Dame standout won the Butkus Award for being the nation’s top linebacker in 2020. As two-year starter, Owusu-Koramoah was Notre Dame’s best defensive player, recording 142 tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss, and five forced fumbles. Owusu-Koramoah moves like a defensive back on the field, and his speed and smooth change of direction puts him in place to make plays. vs. Run: Owusu-Koramoah is a very active run defender who can track down ball carriers on the perimeter or slice through the line and run them down as a backside defender. However, the small, athletic linebacker can struggle against powerrunning schemes like Alabama’s, which steamroll him in the box. When teams run directly at him, he struggles to hold the point of attack and get off blocks. He will need to add more weight and strength if he is going to play more in the box in the NFL. He will also need to shore up his tackling technique— while he flies to the ball, too often he whiffs in space because he is going for the knockout blow instead of securing the tackle.

DOUBLE OT WIN OVER CLEMSON:

Owusu-Koramoah was crucial in Notre Dame’s 47–40 upset win over Clemson, which was the nation’s top-ranked team at the time. Not only did he record nine tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss, but the athletic linebacker also led the way in bottling up dynamic running back Travis Etienne and keeping him to only 28 rushing yards on 18 carries. Owusu-Koramoah also had a crucial fumble return for a touchdown with five minutes left in the first half to put Notre Dame up by two scores. In the next series, Owusu-Koramoah also forced a fumble on an Amari Rogers reception, putting the Fighting Irish in scoring range again before halftime.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

While his best fit may be as a weakside 4-3 linebacker, Owusu-Koramoah could still make an impact with Green Bay as a nickel linebacker. He could take over the role occupied by Raven Greene, and he would bring more playmaking ability to the field. Owusu-Koramoah could really excel at the next level, but he would need to play behind a defensive line that can keep him clean, so he can roam in space and fly to the ball.

vs. Pass: Owusu-Koramoah is one of the best cover linebackers in this draft class. He can hold up in man or zone, and he is effective taking on slot receivers or athletic tight ends. When dropping in zone, he gets downhill fast when the action is in front of him. He also shows good instincts in reacting to route progressions and anticipating where the quarterback is going to go with the ball.

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139

> INSIDE LINEBACKER

Nick Bolton

(JR)

Missouri

4 MEASURABLES: Height: 5’11” | Weight: 237 lbs.

Chazz Surratt

(rSR)

5 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’2” | Weight: 229 lbs.

PRO DAY: Vertical: 32”, Broad: 115“, Bench: 24 reps, 40-yard: 4.60, 20 yd: 4.50, 3-cone: 7.40

PRO DAY: Vertical: 31”, Bench: 25 reps, 40-yard: 4.58, 20 yd: 4.16, 3-cone: 7.02

2020 STATS: (10 Games) 95 tackles, 8 TFL, 2 sacks, 2 hurries, 5 PBUs, 1 FR

2020 STATS: (11 Games) 91 tackles, 7.5 TFL, 6 sacks, 6 hurries, 1 INT, 3 PBUs, 1 FF

IN A NUTSHELL:

North Carolina

IN A NUTSHELL:

Bolton is a compact downhill linebacker and plays with a relentless motor. The All-SEC linebacker led the Tigers in tackles each of the past two seasons. He also tallied 15.5 tackles for loss and 13 pass breakups as a two-year starter. The Missouri product can make plays in a variety of ways, and he has the tools to be a very good starter in the NFL.

After struggling to make it as a quarterback at North Carolina, Surratt switched sides of the ball and transitioned to linebacker his junior season. The dramatic change paid off; he led the Tar Heels in tackles with 115 stops and 15 tackles for loss in his first year at the position, showing quick burst and athleticism as well as quick processing skills.

vs. Run: Bolton has a quick first step, which he uses to get downhill in a hurry and be disruptive at the line of scrimmage. He does an excellent job anticipating plays, and he trusts his instincts. His explosiveness is really on display when he slices through the line to take down the ball carrier or when he runs down a halfback outside the hashes. Bolton also plays with very good functional strength, which enables him to take on blocks and hold his ground in the box.

vs. Run: Surratt is a natural athlete with a high football IQ, which helps him in anticipating run progressions and making plays on defense. He shows good patience to pick his moments to slice through the line and bring down ball carriers, but he also has the fluid hips and quick change of direction to turn and get outside the tackle box to make stops out in space. He also has some feistiness to his game and plays with an edge. His next step is to learn to use his hands better to stack and shed blocks.

vs. Pass: Bolton is a decent pass defender. He makes plays on the ball in zone coverage and anticipates routes well. However, he can be a step slow when matched up against athletic tight ends or running backs. He can get exposed out in space.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Bolton would fit well in the Packers MIKE inside linebacker position, where he can call plays, lead the defense, and play run first. He would also give Green Bay a tenacious run defender that is active all over the field—something it has sorely missed for years in the middle of the defense. Bolton would bring some much-needed fire and playmaking ability to their linebacker position.

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vs. Pass: Surratt is a very smart player, and his experience at quarterback certainly helps him in anticipating route progressions and making plays on the ball. He’s smooth in space, which helps him cover ground and close on receivers. He can also line up over the slot or track receivers down the seam.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Surratt would be an excellent fit for the Packers. He can play in their subpackages and be a reliable cover linebacker on passing downs. He also has the sideline-to-sideline speed and athleticism to make plays as their WILL inside linebacker. He would certainly bring a new dynamic to the middle of their defense and give them a rangy defender to make more plays on the perimeter.

140

> INSIDE LINEBACKER

Jabril Cox Jr.

(rSR)

LSU

6 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’3” | Weight: 233 lbs. | 40 Time:

Cameron McGrone

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’1” | Weight: 234 lbs. PRO DAY: Bench: 20 reps, 40 yard: DNP (injury Rehab)

2020 STATS: (10 Games) 58 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 1 sack, 4 hurries, 3 INTs (1 TD), 5 PBUs

2020 STATS: (5 Games) 26 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack

IN A NUTSHELL:

Michigan

PRO DAY: DNP (Injury Rehab)

After starting three seasons at North Dakota State and winning three FCS Championships in that time, Cox transferred to LSU as a grad student and played one year as the Tigers’ starting linebacker. The former All-American standout was one of the only bright spots on a LSU defense that really struggled throughout the season.

(rSO)

IN A NUTSHELL:

With only a year and a half of starting experience, McGrone is a green prospect with a lot of potential. The 20-year-old prospect enters the draft as one of the youngest players in this class, but his athletic upside could earn him a Day 2 selection.

vs. Run: Cox flies to the ball and plays with reckless abandon. His speed and athleticism are on display out in space, but the FCS transfer plays small in the box and can get washed out of plays when taking on linemen. Cox is at his best when he can play uncovered and chase down ball carriers. The 23-year-old linebacker also needs to show better technique when breaking down in space—too often he lowers his shoulder for the big hit and whiffs on the tackle.

vs. Run: McGrone wins with speed and athleticism, and, combined with his high motor, the Michigan standout has the tools to be a very good pursuit defender in the NFL. He closes ground quickly and shows smooth change of direction in space. McGrone also battles at the point of attack and shows tenacity in taking on blocks. The former Wolverine still needs to make a lot of progress with his mental processing on the field. At times he gets caught guessing at the line of scrimmage. Better gap discipline and patience off the snap should help shore up this deficiency in his game.

vs. Pass: Cox is an excellent cover linebacker, and his ability to play man or zone is the best aspect of his game. He holds up well lined up over the slot, and he can cover a lot of ground as an underneath zone defender. He should find an immediate role at the next level as a nickel linebacker who can stay on the field on third downs.

vs. Pass: McGrone routinely demonstrates good ball skills and instincts in coverage. He closes quickly on route progressions, and he is aggressive when the ball is in the air. He also does a good job flipping his hips and running vertical with tight ends down the seam. McGrone could find an early role in the NFL as a nickel linebacker.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Cox would fit well as a nickel linebacker in Green Bay’s subpackages. He can play sideline-to-sideline but also cover tight ends or slot receivers over the middle of the field. He would also give the Packers someone at the second level who can cover dynamic halfbacks out in space. However, he is not a true MIKE inside linebacker, so he would need to be paired with a stout run defender, like Krys Barnes or Kamal Martin.

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FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

McGrone would be a great addition to the Packers defense. They could use an athletic linebacker who can play in subpackages on passing downs. This would be the perfect role for the former Wolverine, especially until he learns to be more consistent against the run. Being so young, McGrone also has a lot of room and time to grow, which should help his value with a team like Green Bay.

141

> INSIDE LINEBACKER

Baron Browning

(SR)

Ohio State

8 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’3” | Weight: 245 lbs.

Pete Werner

(SR)

9 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’3” | Weight: 238 lbs.

PRO DAY: Vertical: 40”, Broad: 130”, Bench: 23 reps, 40-yard: 4.51, 20 yd: 4.23, 3-cone: 6.78

PRO DAY: Vertical: 40”, Broad: 122”, 40-yard: 4.52, 20 yd: 4.38, 3-cone: 6.95

2020 STATS: (7 Games) 30 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 sack, 2 PBUs, 2 FF

2020 STATS: (8 Games) 54 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 sack, 2 hurries, 1 PBU, 2 FF

IN A NUTSHELL:

Browning is an exciting player with quick-twitch athleticism and straight-line speed. He played inside backer and rushed off the edge at Ohio State. However, while Browning flashes playmaking ability, his game is still raw, and he needs to show more consistency on the field. His athleticism and size should translate to more production on the field, but the former Buckeye struggled to find the ball at times and disappeared in big moments. vs. Run: Browning sets a good edge against the run and his pads pop when he hits. He can also cover a lot of ground with his speed and burst. However, the Texas native demonstrates below-average run instincts. At times, he is slow to flow to the action, and he will second-guess his reads, which puts him out of place to make a stop. vs. Pass: Browning is a versatile pass defender, and this may be where his true value lies in the NFL. His athleticism allows him to hold up well in man coverage—whether it’s lining up over the slot or taking on a tight end or halfback out in space. His speed also allows him to cover a lot of ground in zone. He can also rush the passer off the edge, which keeps opposing offenses guessing.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Browning would bring speed and athleticism to the second level of the Packers defense. While he would need a year or two to develop before seeing significant minutes, his high upside could give them a future playmaker at the inside linebacker position. Green Bay could also use Browning creatively as an extra blitzer or edge rusher in certain subpackages.

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Ohio State

IN A NUTSHELL:

Arguably the Buckeyes’ best defensive player in 2020, Werner capped off an impressive three-year span, where he started 36 straight games, tallying 176 tackles and 15.5 tackles for loss. Werner is a versatile off-ball linebacker who can play the MIKE, SAM, or WILL. With good size for the next level, Werner also demonstrates the quick first step and speed required to play linebacker in the modern NFL. vs. Run: Werner takes tremendous angles to the ball carrier, making him a very good pursuit player. The Indiana native is a smart player, and he is also very strong and can hold the point of attack while also using his length to disengage from blocks. He has loose hips and smooth change of direction, which allows him to move laterally without strain and scrape over the top of the box, putting him in position to make stops on the perimeter. vs. Pass: Werner won’t make a lot of splash plays in coverage, but he also certainly won’t surrender any easy receptions. He uses his high football IQ and athleticism to put himself in position to make a play on the ball. While he doesn’t possess great ball skills, he is not enough of a liability in coverage to take off the field on third downs.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

While Werner may not be the instant impact player of an early-round prospect, he is a true three-tool linebacker at the next level. He is an active and aggressive downhill run defender, and he can also hold his own in coverage and bring some physicality as a blitzer. Combine his athletic profile with tremendous football instincts and he seems to fit the profile of a linebacker the Packers could use in the middle of their defense.

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> INSIDE LINEBACKER

Dylan Moses

(SR)

Alabama

10 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’2” | Weight: 235 lbs.

Jamin Davis

(JR)

Kentucky

11 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’3” | Weight: 234 lbs.

PRO DAY: DNP (Injury Rehab)

PRO DAY: Vertical: 42”, Broad: 132”, 30 yd: 4.37

2020 STATS: (13 Games) 80 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 1 INT, 3 PBUs, 1 FF

2020 STATS: (10 Games) 104 tackles, 4 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 1 hurry, 3 INTs (1 TD), 2 PBUs, 1 FF

IN A NUTSHELL:

Moses has the athletic profile of an early-round linebacker prospect; he’s a fast, fluid athlete with size and smooth change of direction in space. However, Moses never emerged as a true impact player at Alabama. After missing the 2019 season with a torn ACL and playing with an inconsistent motor, Moses is a difficult prospect to project at the next level.

After starting one year at Kentucky, Davis forwent his senior season and entered the draft a year early. It is a risky move for the 21-year-old linebacker because his game remains unrefined. However, the former Wildcat possesses unique athleticism, speed, and length for the position, which should land him in the middle rounds.

vs. Run: Moses is a patient run defender with the speed to get sideline-to-sideline. His lateral movement is also exceptional, which allows him to scrape over the line and flow to the ball carrier. However, Moses’s primary issue against the run game is he struggles to get off of blocks. Too frequently, he fails to hold his ground and will get pushed several yards off his spot. His motor also runs hot and cold, which is a huge concern.

vs. Run: Davis possesses impressive recovery speed. He can track ball carriers down from the backside of a play, or he can get downhill in a hurry and blow up a play on the perimeter. Davis’s explosive athleticism makes up for a lot of other deficiencies in his game. Too often, Davis is a step slow to process plays. He is also caught guessing too much on play action or misdirection plays. Davis also needs to add more functional strength to not get washed out of the action.

vs. Pass: Moses is decent as a pass defender. His athleticism and speed help him stick with his man in space, but he will let routes slip behind him in zone coverage. He also shows a lack of discipline at times and will get flagged for pass interference because he holds the receiver instead of showing good technique and framing out his man.

vs. Pass: While he has all of the physical tools to be a very good player in coverage, the young linebacker too often bites on play fakes or is late to anticipate route progressions. He can also be caught peeking in the backfield and lose his man in coverage. More discipline and experience should shore up these coverage deficiencies.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Moses could fill either inside linebacker spot in the Packers defensive scheme. However, his struggle to consistently get off blocks could give them pause, especially after drafting Oren Burks in the third round a few years ago, whose similar flaws kept him out of the lineup. Overall, Moses is a smart player with intriguing athletic traits. He just may need time to develop.

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FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Davis is a good fit for the Packers’ WILL inside linebacker position, and, while he still needs time to develop his game, his speed and athleticism would bring a new dynamic to the middle of their defense. His skill set complements Krys Barnes and Kamal Martin, who are more natural MIKE inside linebackers. The Packers need more speed in the middle of their defense, and that is exactly what Davis brings to the table.

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> INSIDE LINEBACKER

Charles Snowden (SR)

Virginia

12 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’6” | Weight: 243 lbs. PRO DAY: Bench: 31 reps, DNP (Injury Rehab) 2020 STATS: (8 Games) 44 tackles, 10 TFL, 6 sacks, 1 hurry, 3 PBUs, 1 FF

IN A NUTSHELL:

Snowden possesses unique size and athleticism for the position. His 82-inch wingspan certainly stands out, but he’s light and needs to improve his functional strength at the next level. An ankle fracture cut his senior season short and limited his participation in the Senior Bowl. vs. Run: Snowden played both linebacker and edge rusher, but he never found a real home. While he flashed playmaking ability at both positions, he also struggled to be a dominant force on defense, and, given his unique frame and athleticism, there still a lot left to be desired about his game, especially against the run. Snowden struggles to anchor down and hold the point of attack. He is at his best when playing in pursuit or as a backside defender, where can use his speed and explosiveness to cover ground and run down ball carriers. vs. Pass: Snowden primarily rushed the passer on third downs in 2020, but in previous seasons, Virginia often used him as a middle zone defender in coverage. In 2018, he led all FBS linebackers in pass breakups, with nine. His versatility is certainly a strength, but his game remains raw in both aspects because he never got the chance to fully develop either skillset.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Green Bay could take a chance on Snowden, especially if he is still on the board in the fourth or fifth round. While he may not be an immediate impact player, he does possess a lot of athletic upside and could develop into a very good NFL linebacker once teams find a specific role for him to master. Initially, he could get reps at the Packers’ WILL linebacker spot, where he can use his speed to be a run-and-chase defender. However, the Packers could also ask him to add weight and develop him as an edge rusher.

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13 Monty Rice (SR)

Georgia

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’0” | Weight: 238 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Rice’s game may lack flash, but he’s as solid of a linebacker prospect as they come. He’s constantly around the ball, and he’s a very stout inside run defender. However, while Rice shows good instincts against the run, he lacks a top gear, and this really limits his range as a defender. He’s not quite the sideline-to-sideline linebacker typically seen from Georgia. He can also be a step slow in coverage and can struggle when matched in space with an athletic running back. Rice is a low-ceiling, high-floor prospect who would be a safe pick early on Day 3 of the draft. He’s smart, physical, and reliable, but he doesn’t quite possess any elite traits to get excited about.

14 Tony Fields II (SR)

West Virginia

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’1” | Weight: 222 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

After starting three years at Arizona, Fields transferred to West Virginia in 2020 to finish out his collegiate career. The undersized linebacker is physical at the contact point and plays with his hair on fire. What he lacks in size he makes up with speed and tenacity. Like former WVU product David Long Jr., Fields may fall in the draft because of his light frame, but the Pac-12 transfer is a smart player with tremendous instincts and can hold up well against both the run and pass. As a four-year starter, Fields tallied 375 tackles and 21 tackles for loss. He may not fit the traditional body type of a Packers linebacker, but he could find a role in their nickel linebacker position.

15 Garret Wallow (SR)

TCU

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’2” | Weight: 220 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Wallow is a highly active run-and-chase linebacker who found a lot of production in the middle of the Horned Frogs defense as a three-year starter, totalling 297 tackles and 32.5 tackles for loss. The TCU product is a smart, versatile defender who plays downhill and wastes very few steps getting to the ball carrier. As a converted safety, Wallow shows good athleticism and change of direction in space, which helps him in coverage. However, the 230-pound linebacker could improve his ability to take on and shed blocks. This is a part of his game that remains raw. Given Wallow’s skill set and athletic makeup, he would be a great fit for the Packers’ WILL inside linebacker spot.

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> INSIDE LINEBACKER

16 Ernest Jones (JR)

South Carolina

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’2” | Weight: 230 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Purdue

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’0” | Weight: 238 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Ohio State

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’1” | Weight: 227 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Hilliard is one player who really made the most of Senior Bowl week. The fifth-year senior at Ohio State never developed into a full-time starter for the Buckeyes. However, he flashed run-stopping ability in 2020 as he split time at outside linebacker with Baron Browning. Hilliard is an undersized, yet tough and physical linebacker who plays downhill and makes plays around the line of scrimmage. He was one of the top run stoppers on the National team down in Mobile, and, at times, even outshined former Buckeye teammates Browning and Tuf Borland. He demonstrates excellent instincts against the run, but his size and inconsistency in coverage will give him a limited role in the NFL.

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IN A NUTSHELL:

After playing a minimal role his sophomore season, Britt quickly emerged as a leader in the Tigers defense as a junior, recording 69 tackles and 10 tackles for loss while also earning first-team All-SEC honors. The Alabama native unfortunately ended his senior year early after only playing in two games because of a hand injury, giving scouts a small sample size to go off of for their evaluations. However, despite this setback, Britt returned to the field in Mobile and put together a strong Senior Bowl week, showing his ability to quickly process plays and work through the trash to get after the ball carrier. Despite being a stout box player, Britt’s lapses in coverage could limit his role at the next level.

19 Anthony Hines III (JR)

Texas A&M

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’3” | Weight: 226 lbs.

Barnes is a physical downhill run stopper who frequently moved to defensive end in passing situations at Purdue. He led the team in sacks with 7.5 as a junior, and in the Boilermakers’ six games in 2020, Barnes recorded an impressive 54 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss. The 245-pound linebacker is a bit stiff in space and may be a liability in coverage at the next level, but he displays good instincts against the run and can be a versatile player off the edge, making him an intriguing Day 3 prospect in the draft. At the very least, teams will get a tough early-down run stopper that can hold up in the trash and get home on blitzes on passing downs.

20 Justin Hilliard (rSR)

Auburn

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’1” | Weight: 235 lbs.

As a two-year starter, Jones led the Gamecocks in tackles in each season, amassing 86 stops in nine games in 2020 and 97 stops in his sophomore season. The 22-year-old linebacker is an active defender in the box, and he takes on blocks and stacks and sheds very well at the line of scrimmage. Jones’ game is solid all-around, and his football intelligence and instincts allow him to play fast and consistently be around the ball. This also allows him to be a decent coverage player. However, a lack of explosive plays behind the line of scrimmage will certainly hurt Jones’s draft stock. Still, the South Carolina standout is a solid early Day 3 prospect.

18 Derrick Barnes (SR)

17 KJ Britt (SR)

IN A NUTSHELL:

Hines is a boom-or-bust prospect who should be available on Day 3 of the draft. After redshirting in 2018 because of a torn ACL, Hines put together a strong 2019 season, where he finished second on the team in tackles with 73 stops and recorded 10.5 tackles for loss. The sophomore linebacker showed quick burst downhill and sideline-to-sideline speed while also displaying smooth change of direction and athleticism in space. He possesses the tools to be a playmaking linebacker at the next level. However, Hines’ draft stock took a hit as he decided to sit out the 2020 season to prepare early for the draft. The lack of experience and development is a real concern when projecting Hines’s game to the NFL.

21 JOSHUA ROSS (SR)

Michigan

22 NATE LANDMAN (SR)

Colorado

23 AMEN OGBONGBEMIGA (SR)

Oklahoma St.

24 GRANT STUARD (SR)

Houston

25 ISAIAH MCDUFFIE (rJR)

Boston College

26 PADDY FISHER (SR)

Northwestern

27 TUF BORLAND (rSR)

Ohio State

28 JAKE HANSEN (SR)

Illinois

29 RILEY COLE (rSR)

South Alabama

30 ERROLL THOMPSON (SR)

Mississippi State

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CB Position Analysis:

ANDY HERMAN

01 PATRICK SURTAIN II, Alabama 02 JAYCEE HORN, South Carolina 03 CALEB FARLEY, Virginia Tech 04 GREG NEWSOME II, Northwestern 05 IFEATU MELIFONWU, Syracuse 06 ASANTE SAMUEL JR, Florida State 07 ERIC STOKES, Georgia 08 KELVIN JOSEPH, Kentucky 09 AARON ROBINSON, Central Florida 10 PAULSON ADEBO, Stanford 11 TYSON CAMPBELL, Georgia 12 ELIJAH MOLDEN, Washington 13 AMBRY THOMAS, Michigan 14 BENJAMIN ST-JUSTE, Minnesota 15 TRILL WILLIAMS, Syracuse 16 CAMRYN BYNUM, Cal 17 SHAUN WADE, Ohio State 18 TAY GOWAN, Central Florida 19 OLAIJAH GRIFFIN, USC 20 DJ DANIEL, Georgia

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146

> CORNERBACK

Patrick Surtain II

(JR)

Alabama

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’2” Weight: 208 lbs.

Arm: 32 1/2”

PRO DAY: Vertical: 39” Broad: 131” Bench: 18 reps 40-yard: 4.42

2020 STATS: (13 GAMES) 37 tackles 3.5 TFL 1 INT 9 PBU 0 sacks

IN A NUTSHELL:

Patrick Surtain II, son of former Dolphins and Chiefs great Patrick Surtain, is the most consistent and clean cornerback prospect in the 2021 NFL draft. Surtain is skilled at using his long arms and hands to reroute receivers while taking them out of the rhythm of their route. He’s also the most patient corner in this year’s class and rarely panics while almost always giving himself an opportunity to make a play on the ball. With Surtain’s experience and confidence, he has no issues playing with his back to the ball, and it’s rare to see him try to hold or interfere on a play. Surtain is also a physical player as a tackler and will consistently come up to make the tackle in the open field. He can do a better job of getting off the blocks of receivers, but he’s a willing and capable tackler against backs, tight ends, and wide receivers. He’s also not afraid to attack wide receiver screens, as he displayed early against Ohio State. In coverage, Surtain takes tremendous angles, stays in phase, and can play comfortably in man or zone, as well as in off coverage or up at the line of scrimmage. His consistency and confidence stand out, but he can continue to work on his footwork and agility. Surtain’s long speed is ultimately his biggest question mark, and, while his technique and length give him an advantage, faster receivers will pull away from him. Surtain is faster than many corners who have played his style of football over the years, and it shouldn’t be an overall hindrance in the NFL, but it’s the only thing holding him back from being a top-five pick.

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COMPETITION: One question that will need to be answered for Surtain is how he played against some of the better competition these past couple seasons. Against Ohio State, Chris Olave bested him twice: once on a comeback, and once on a triple move later in the game. Against Florida, Surtain was bested by Kyle Pitts on an outside route and then beat cleanly on a slant. Meanwhile, Trevon Grimes absolutely Moss’d Surtain for a 50-yard touchdown reception. Surtain also had his troubles with Ja’Marr Chase from time to time in their matchups. In the NFL, Surtain will match up with these types of players down after down and will need to prove that he can win consistently against top-tier talent. FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Surtain would come in and immediately press for playing time and likely a starting role opposite Jaire Alexander. Alexander and Surtain would also complement each other nicely, as Surtain could match up with the bigger, more physical, Allen Robinson-style wide receivers. Surtain shows both coverage and scheme versatility, so whatever defense that Joe Barry decides to run, Alexander and Surtain would be able to execute it. With Surtain and Alexander on the outside, it would allow Green Bay to play more press man than it has in the past and could be a different look to throw at teams while trying to change up coverages throughout the course of a game.

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> CORNERBACK

Jaycee Horn

(JR)

South Carolina

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’1” Weight: 205 lbs.

Arm: 33”

PRO DAY: Vertical: 42” Broad: 133” Bench: 19 reps 40-yard: 4.39

2020 STATS: (7 GAMES) 16 tackles 1.0 TFL 2 INT 6 PBU 0 sacks

IN A NUTSHELL:

Jaycee Horn is one of the most talented, feisty, and infectious players, at any position, in this draft class. Horn, the son of former NFL wide receiver Joe Horn, is a unique blend of size, speed, and pure football energy. It’s easy to see just how much Horn loves playing the game, and his passion and intensity stand out over any prospect. Horn looks at home on the football field and is an absolute pest for opposing wide receivers. Horn can play either side of the field, outside or in the slot. His athleticism will allow him to play in any style of defense, and he has the height, weight, and speed to be a unique scheme fit. He can be blitzed off the edge, physical against the run, and can hold up against any style of receiver. If that wasn’t enough, Horn’s confidence is through the roof and he has the demeanor and forgetfulness that all great cornerbacks have. Every NFL team should want a player like Horn in their secondary. Horn’s weakness is his technique. There is no player who grabs and holds as much as Horn in this class. While holding is something that can be coached away, it seems almost instinctual for Horn, as he’s so competitive that he will do anything to not be beat. If he doesn’t learn to cut down on the grabbing, he will be a walking penalty flag in the NFL. Horn’s footwork and hand usage could also use refining, and he wins with athleticism and heart more than consistent technical prowess. On the plus side, as his technique gets better, the sky is the limit for him, and he could end up becoming the best corner from this draft.

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2020 AUBURN TAPE:

Horn’s 2020 tape against Auburn is some of the best film on any prospect in 2020. He ended the game with three tackles, two interceptions, and four pass breakups. One of those pass breakups resulted in a deflection and another interception. Even the stats hardly tell the entire story, as Horn was lined up anywhere and was physical at the line of scrimmage as well as coming up and making plays in the run game. Horn can be a bit volatile as a player, similar to Marcus Peters, who will allow big plays but will also be responsible for some of the teams’ biggest game-changing moments. Auburn is a perfect example of what Horn looks like when he’s on top of his game, showing his ability to single-handedly change the outcome of a game.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Horn’s energy and passion would be infectious on the Packers’ defense, and he’s exactly the player Green Bay needs to light the playmaking spark its secondary. A starting defensive back group of Horn, Alexander, Savage, and Amos could be one of the best in the league, and even while Horn learns the ropes from players like Amos and Alexander, he has the athleticism to be an upgrade as the No. 2 corner opposite Jaire from day one. There’s some risk with Horn, and his grabbing could harken back to the days of Ahmad Carroll, but Horn’s got the mental aptitude and playmaking to learn from his mistakes over time and grow as a player throughout his career.

148

> CORNERBACK

Caleb Farley

Virginia Tech

(rJR)

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’2” Weight: 197 lbs.

PRO DAY: DNP (Back Surgery)

2019* STATS: (10 GAMES) 20 tackles 0 TFL 4 INT 12 PBU 0 sacks *2020 Opt Out

IN A NUTSHELL:

Caleb Farley is a long, lanky, prototypical cornerback who oozes the type of size, speed, and athleticism that NFL teams covet early in the NFL draft. What separates Farley from the other corners in the draft is his movement skills within his 6’2” 197 lb frame. Farley seems like he’s floating on the grass and has the acceleration, change of direction, and closing ability that is usually only seen in smaller, more agile corners. Farley can plant his foot in the ground and explode to the ball, demonstrating his high-end click-and-close ability. He rarely panics, stays in phase, and uses his size and length to his advantage. Farley knows how to use the sidelines to his advantage and projects as a No. 1 outside corner in the NFL. He is comfortable playing zone or man and can fit in any scheme at the next level. One of Farley’s best traits is his make up speed; even when a receiver does beat him off the line of scrimmage, he can make up the lost ground in a hurry and still contest the pass. Farley’s ball skills are above average, evidenced by his six interceptions on only 104 targets in his career at Virginia Tech. Farley does have room for improvement, however. There’s still some stiffness in his hips, and he needs to take better angles coming out of press coverage. He will take a false step from time to time and will struggle with inside releases. That said, these are all technical issues that can be fixed with additional practice and playing time. Farley’s only major red flags are injuries, including a torn ACL in 2017 and back surgeries in 2019 and one month before the draft. This is the main reason Farley is not at the top of these rankings.

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EXPERIENCE:

The other question mark on Farley is his overall experience. Farley was a high school quarterback who committed to Virginia Tech as a wide receiver. He eventually made the switch to corner, where his first year of play in 2018 was impressive for a redshirt freshman but was also mostly erratic and forgettable. Then, in 2019 he showed tremendous improvement with cornerback traits that jumped off the tape. He then opted out in 2020, meaning he only had one year of high-end play. Still, the traits are undeniable, and the tape was strong enough in 2019 to earn him a first-round grade and potentially the honor of becoming the first corner off the board in this year’s draft.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

If the Packers were able to land Farley in the draft, he would immediately become the starter opposite Jaire Alexander. In time, the two could make up the best cornerback tandem in the NFL. Once Farley works off the rust of sitting out a year and learns to play at the NFL level the sky would be the limit for the two first-round corners. Farley’s size would pair perfectly with Alexander and would give Green Bay two premier corners who could be used in specific matchups, with Farley taking the taller receiver and Jaire taking the smaller, more agile receiver. It would be a dream tandem for Joe Barry and a strength of the defense for years to come.

149

> CORNERBACK

Greg Newsome II

(JR)

Northwestern

4 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’0” | Weight: 192 lbs. | Arm: 31 1/8”

Ifeatu Melifonwu (rJR)

Syracuse

5 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’2” | Weight: 205 lb. | Arm: 32 1/4”

PRO DAY: Vertical: 40”, Broad: 123”, 40-yard: 4.37, 20 yd: 4.28, 3-cone: 6.94, Bench: 18 reps

PRO DAY: Vertical: 42”, Broad: 134”, Bench: 16 reps, 40-yard: 4.48, 30-yd.: 4.34, 3-cone: 7.01

2020 STATS: (3 Games) 12 tackles, 0.0 TFL, 1 INT, 7 PBU, 0 sacks

2020 STATS: (10 Games) 54 tackles, 3.0 TFL, 1 INT, 6 PBU, 1 sack

IN A NUTSHELL:

No cornerback has had more of a meteoric rise up draft charts than Greg Newsome II these past few months. Newsome only played in three games for Northwestern this season, but he displayed No. 1 cornerback potential as a confident, agile, and speedy six-foot tall cornerback with ball skills. Newsome’s pro day accentuated his tape; he ran an incredible 4.37 second 40-yard dash. Newsome’s pro day checked every box, and he solidified himself as a day-one selection. On the field, Newsome contests just about everything, and even his completions are stopped immediately with consistent wrap-up tackling. Newsome is unafraid to throw his body around and be supportive against the run, almost to a fault. Newsome’s had multiple injuries in every season, and his durability is his biggest question mark. Newsome’s fluidity at his size isn’t far off from Caleb Farley’s, and his technique is ahead. Newsome can play either side of the field, is always calm, and makes receivers work for everything. He’s a firstround corner who projects as a long-term starter in the NFL if he can stay healthy.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Though not the son of former Packer Craig Newsome, adding another Newsome at corner with jersey number 21 available has to be tempting. Newsome plays a similar style of football as Jaire Alexander but is taller and can hang with bigger receivers. Newsome can thrive in both man and zone and isn’t afraid to play up at the line or in off coverage. With both Newsome and Alexander comfortable playing both sides of the field, it would allow the Packers to match up more effectively and not have to limit a specific player to one side.

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IN A NUTSHELL:

Ifeatu Melifonwu is the younger brother of former Raiders second round pick Obi Melifonwu. Like his brother, Ifeatu possesses all the freak attributes, but unlike his brother, he is a much more skilled cornerback who is ready to play on the outside. Ifeatu has rare athletic traits for a 6’2” corner and is as talented as any corner in the draft. His tape against North Carolina in 2020 shows off his athleticism—he had a diving pass breakup, a massive hit in the backfield, and displayed impressive coverage ability and acceleration. Melifonwu is an impact tackler and will blow up receivers and running backs when given the opportunity. Melifonwu flips his hips with ease, plays sound defense against double moves, and understands leverage and balance. He’s also very assignment-sure and doesn’t lack for confidence. His speed, size, and acceleration also give him some leeway should he get beat off the line. Melifonwu’s technique needs refining, and his size could lend some teams to view him as a safety, but he should have every opportunity to start as an outside corner and use his rare traits to shut down opposing receivers.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Unlike the top four corners on this list, Melifonwu is a bit more of a projection and could use some more refining before starting. However, thanks to his athletic traits, Joe Barry and Jerry Gray would instantly fall in love with his ability to help against the run, fill gaps, and play assignment-sure. Melifonwu should be able to cover as well as Kevin King early on while providing a much better tackling and run stopping presence on the outside. There’s some risk/reward with Melifonwu, but if he reaches his potential, he could be a top15 corner in the league.

150

> CORNERBACK

Asante Samuel Jr (JR)

Florida State

6 MEASURABLES: Height: 5’10” | Weight: 184 lbs. | Arm: 30 1/8”

Eric Stokes

(rJR)

7 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’0” | Weight: 194 lbs. | Arm Length: 32 3/4”

PRO DAY: Vertical: 35”, Broad: 124”, Bench: 12 reps, 40-yard: 4.45, 20-yd: 4.13, 3-cone: 6.95

PRO DAY: 4.29 40 yard, 4.36 20 yd, 6.98 3-cone, Bench 14 reps

2020 STATS: (8 Games) 30 tackles, 1.0 TFL, 3 INT, 6 PBU, 0 sacks

2020 STATS: (9 Games) 20 tackles, 0.0 TFL, 4 INT, 4 PBU, 0 sacks

IN A NUTSHELL:

Georgia

IN A NUTSHELL:

Asante Samuel Jr. is the son of former NFL cornerback Asante Samuel. Like his father, Asante possesses great quickness, instincts, and ball skills, and he has the ability to be a playmaker in the NFL. Samuel is quick and can easily change directions, transition, and close to the football. He has tremendous acceleration and some of the best overall movement skills of any corner in the draft.

Eric Stokes is a fast, athletic corner whose game is built around pure speed and acceleration. Stokes is blazing fast; both his long speed and short area burst allow him to cover lots of ground and make plays on the ball, as evidenced by his four interceptions in 2020. Stokes is still learning the nuances of the game but is best in press man-to-man and can use his speed to make up ground in a hurry.

Like Jaycee Horn, Samuel is scrappy, passionate, energetic, and plays to win on every play. While on the smaller side, Samuel isn’t afraid to make big hits and throw his body around. Samuel understands the nuances of the game and has tremendous football intelligence. His ability to read routes and use crafty cornerback tricks will help him in the NFL.

Stokes will get a grabby at the top of routes and needs to learn to trust his coverage. While Stokes has the raw straight-line speed and athleticism, he’s not always the most fluid in and out of his breaks and will find himself off balance and overrunning plays, which negates his speed advantage. Where Stokes primarily struggles is against more nuanced route runners who can get Stokes off balance and in a position where he has to change directions and can’t use his speed advantage.

The main downside is Samuel’s size. There are plays where he will be in perfect coverage but can still be outmuscled for the ball. He may need to be protected against bigger receivers in the NFL, and scheme and defensive versatility will go a long way in utilizing Samuels’ strengths and covering his weaknesses. If Samuel were 6’1” he’d be the best corner in the draft.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Samuel is the closest player to Jaire Alexander in this draft. Samuel’s ball skills and ability to play inside against any receiver would make him very appealing. However, it may be a bit detrimental to start two 5’10” corners, and it could cause issues trying to match up against bigger receivers. There’s also a chance that Samuel could be used in the slot, but Joe Barry may want a bigger, more physical player to assist in run defense and to blitz. Samuel’s a great player but pairing him with Jaire could cause Green Bay problems long term.

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As Stokes becomes more patient and technically sound, his speed should become even more advantageous, and his 6’0” frame with ball skills make him an enticing Round 2 prospect with a unique upside.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

While Stokes is taller, there’s a bit of Sam Shields to Stokes’ game, including the quickness and ball skills. However, Stokes also has some of the traits that would get Kevin King in trouble, including the stop-start quickness and change-ofdirection deficiencies. Stokes should be able to clear most of that out of his game in time, but he could struggle with more nuanced route runners as Kevin King did throughout his career in Green Bay.

151

> CORNERBACK

Kelvin Joseph

(rSO)

Kentucky

8 MEASURABLES: Height: 5’11” | Weight: 197 lbs. | Arm: 31 3/8”

Aaron Robinson

(rSR)

Central Florida

9 MEASURABLES: Height: 5’11” | Weight: 186 lbs. | Arm: 30 1/4”

PRO DAY: 40-yard: 4.30, Vertical: 35”, Broad: 10’8”

PRO DAY: Vertical: 37”, Broad: 123”, Bench: 15 reps, 40-yard: 4.39, 20 yd.: 4.29, 3-cone: 6.89

2020 STATS: (9 Games) 25 tackles, 0.5 TFL, 4 INT, 1 PBU, 0 sacks

2020 STATS: (9 Games) 41 tackles, 1.0 TFL, 0 INT, 6 PBU, 0 sacks

IN A NUTSHELL:

Kelvin Joseph is the classic risk/reward cornerback who could end up as a top cornerback or out of the league in a few years. The flashes that Joseph displays are brilliant, and he showed off his high-end ability in the SEC against the likes of DeVonta Smith. Not only was Joseph one of the better corners against Alabama all season, but he also picked off a pass intended for Smith. Joseph is a height/weight/speed corner whose skills are far from refined, and his mental processing will get him in trouble at inopportune times. Kyle Pitts absolutely torched him for a touchdown, and he was beat multiple times on double moves against Ole Miss. He also gave up the gametying touchdown in the fourth quarter on a poor effort play. That said, Josephs’ traits far outweigh his performance, and if he had stayed in school, there’s a strong chance he could’ve been a top-15 pick next year. Joseph can play either side of the field, and his fluidity and ball skills will make him incredibly enticing to NFL teams. It shouldn’t be a surprise if he finds himself selected at the end of Round 1.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Joseph is the type of player that Green Bay likes to select. He’s young, ultra-talented, and possesses top-tier NFL traits. Green Bay’s philosophy is generally to pick high-end players at premium positions, allowing them to develop over time while not rushing them to play year one. That description fits Joseph perfectly. On the flip side, Green Bay doesn’t have the luxury to wait on a corner and could really use someone who could step in and compete from day one. That’s probably not Joseph, and trying to accelerate Joseph too early could be detrimental to his long-term success.

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IN A NUTSHELL:

Aaron Robinson is a versatile cornerback who projects as a perfect slot corner in today’s NFL. Robinson’s versatility could afford him to play both inside and outside, but his best position should be in the slot, where he can hold up in coverage against all types of receivers and is physical enough to hold up against the run. Robinson’s hip fluidity is his elite trait, and he’s not afraid to get physical at the line of scrimmage. Robinson possesses plus speed and the ability to hang in both man and zone coverage. Robinson is unafraid playing inside and doesn’t get panicked by small, quick receivers or bigger, more physical receivers. Robinson was one of the only corners who was able to stick with Kadarius Toney during Senior Bowl practices in one-on-one drills. Robinson gets beat far too often off the line of scrimmage and needs to work on his footwork and angles at the next level. He also needs better spatial awareness in zone and better trail technique in man. There’s work to be done, but Robinson should find a quick home as a starting slot defender in sub-package defenses.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Robinson would challenge incumbent slot corner Chandon Sullivan from day one, and the difference in athleticism would make it hard for Sullivan to keep his job. Joe Barry was very clear about the importance of the star position in his defense, and there’s nobody in this draft who would be a better long term fit in that role than Robinson. If Green Bay struggles to find additional outside corners, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Robinson and Alexander could start on the outside with Sullivan in the slot.

152

> CORNERBACK

Paulson Adebo

(SR)

Stanford

10 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’1” | Weight: 198 lbs. | Arm Length: 31 ½” | 40 Time: 4.42

Tyson Campbell

(JR)

11 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’1” | Weight: 193 lbs. | Arm Length: 32” | 40 Time: 4.37

PRO DAY: 37.0” vertical, 121” broad, 4.09 sec. 20yd, 6.70 sec. 3-cone, 18 bench reps

PRO DAY: 34.5” vert, 124” broad, 4.40 20yd., 7.15 3-cone

2019* STATS: (9 Games) 23 tackles, 0.0 TFL, 4 INT, 10 PBU, 0 sacks, *2020 Opt Out

2020 STATS: (10 Games) 29 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 INT, 5 PBU, 0 sacks

IN A NUTSHELL:

Adebo burst on the scene as a freshman, playing in 13 games, deflecting 17 passes, and intercepting four balls. As a sophomore in 2019, expectations were high, but against UCF, Gabe Davis absolutely had his way with Adebo throughout the course of the game. Adebo never quite felt the same after. Adebo would eventually opt out in 2020. Still, in two seasons of play, Adebo had 27 pass breakups and eight interceptions, and he used his length and technique to frustrate receivers more often than not. With the correct coaching and with better footwork, Adebo has the ability to become an incredibly effective starting corner in any scheme. Adebo flashed strong hands, a competitive demeanor, and a really impressive body of work, even though his 2019 didn’t live up to those lofty expectations. The biggest concern with Adebo is his consistency, and the tape against Davis is going to give some teams pause. However, some team is going to realize Adebo has the traits to perform better in the NFL than he did in college and get a steal on Day 2 of the draft.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Adebo doesn’t have the elite straight-line speed or overall athleticism of Kevin King, but his technique and consistency are much better. Adebo should challenge for a starting spot immediately, and he could have a similar rookie season to Cam Dantzler in Minnesota from 2020. It’s fair to think that Adebo could be an adequate replacement for King right away and should surpass King’s effectiveness sooner rather than later.

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Georgia

IN A NUTSHELL:

Campbell is the most athletic, twitched-up corner in the class and has the ability to become a top-tier Cover 3 cornerback on the outside if he can develop his footwork and technique. Campbell has been correctly compared to Carlton Davis, who had similar athletic traits but lacked technique and nuance. Davis had a breakout this past season, and teams will be looking to replicate that success with Campbell. Campbell’s man-to-man coverage leaves a lot to be desired at this stage of his career, but teams who play primarily zone who want a physical presence on the outside will quickly fall in love with Campbell’s upside. Campbell has zero fear as a tackler and will aggressively come up to make plays on the ball. Campbell’s size can be advantageous, but, like many bigger corners, he struggles in and out of breaks and doesn’t consistently display the fluidity in his hips to turn and run with wide receivers. He has the ability, but there’s still a hitch in his transitions which leads to inconsistencies. Defensive back coaches will love getting Campbell in their room and start working to turn his unique physical traits into a more well-rounded coverage corner.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Campbell’s fit in Green Bay is going to depend greatly on what type of defense the Packers want to play. Since it sounds like Joe Barry is looking to play a Brandon Staley style of defense that usually calls for a lot of Cover 2 and Cover 4 looks, Campbell may not be the best fit as more of an ideal physical corner in a Cover 3 scheme. That said, Jerry Gray could easily pound the table for Campbell’s traits and feel convinced that he could turn Campbell into a corner for any system based on his raw physical gifts.

153

> CORNERBACK

Elijah Molden

(SR)

Washington

12 MEASURABLES: Height: 5’10” | Weight: 191 lbs. | PRO DAY: Vertical: 37”, Broad: 125”, Bench: 13 reps, 40-yard: 4.62 2020 STATS: (4 Games) 26 tackles, 1.0 TFL, 1 INT, 1 PBU, 0 sacks

IN A NUTSHELL:

While Aaron Robinson is the best slot prospect in this class, Elijah Molden was clearly the top slot corner in college. Molden made a living in the slot and utilized his toughness, instincts, and football intelligence to understand route combinations and consistently make plays. Molden plays much bigger than his size would indicate. Teams will need to decide if he’s a better fit at corner or safety due to some athletic limitations. While Molden was a consistent coverage player in college, his lack of ideal traits does cause concern as to how he’ll match up with better athletes in the NFL. Molden lacks the long speed and the size to match up with more twitchy wide receivers, and if his coverage can’t hold up, he’ll have to move to safety. Along with his football intelligence, Molden’s best trait has been his consistent level of play. No matter where he’s played or what level he’s played at, he’s found success in everything he’s done on the field. Even lacking some of the top-end traits, his success shows that he understands the game at a high level and can use that nuance to his advantage to win against more athletic receivers.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

The best comp for Elijah Molden is Micah Hyde. Like Hyde, teams will need to figure out if he’s a slot corner or safety, but no matter where he is on the field, he’ll use his instincts, intelligence, and ball skills to make plays and generate turnovers. Molden would compete immediately for the top slot position, and even if converted to safety he’d be utilized in the nickel and dime defense when Adrian Amos moves into the box. Molden’s versatility would be an asset and give Green Bay even more options in its defensive backfield.

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13 Ambry Thomas (JR)

Michigan

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’0” | Weight: 189 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Thomas doesn’t boast a large body of work, but he has great speed, good height and terrific ball skills. Thomas is wiry thin and will need to add bulk, but his fluid movements allow him to stick with just about any receiver. Thomas’s height and speed will allow him to stay with athletic, speedy receivers down the field. Bigger receivers are going to outmuscle him to start off with, but Thomas should grow with an NFL strength regimen while maintaining his athleticism and coverage skills. Thomas shows the ability to get his head turned and stays in phase. He uses his hands well at the line of scrimmage and uses the sidelines to his advantage. Thomas is also a skilled kick returner, which would be an added bonus for Green Bay.

14 Benjamin St-Juste (SR)

Minnesota

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’3” | Weight: 200 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Minnesota’s Benjamin St-Juste is an incredibly unique corner who combines 6’3’’ size with impressive foot quickness and agility. Nobody is going to confuse St. Juste’s change-ofdirection with Asante Samuel’s, but for 6’3”, he carries his body incredibly well, and that makes him a truly unique player on the outside. St-Juste handles slant routes as well as anyone in the class and uses his ridiculous length to his advantage on the outside. If he fails as an outside corner, there’s no other position for him to try, but there simply aren’t many corners in the world with St-Juste’s unique blend of size, balance, and agility.

15 Trill Williams (JR)

Syracuse

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’0” | Weight: 208 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Trill Williams is incredibly athletic and makes some of the most eye-popping plays of any defensive back in this class. On one occasion in overtime, he ripped the ball out of the receiver’s arms near the goal line and took it the other way for the game-winning touchdown. Unfortunately, Williams’ overall coverage ability doesn’t match his athletic gifts. Teams will need to decide if Williams is a better fit as a Cover 3 outside corner, a Star corner, or a safety. A team that can be creative with Williams and use him as a weapon could find a Jamal Adams-lite type talent, but there’s just as much of a chance that he turns out very similarly to former Packer Josh Jones—athletically gifted but lacking the true instincts or position to be successful.

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> CORNERBACK

16 Camryn Bynum (rSR)

Cal

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’0” | Weight: 198 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Central Florida

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’1” | Weight: 185 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Georgia

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’0” | Weight: 195 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Daniel was overshadowed at Georgia by two freak athletes in Eric Stokes and Tyson Campbell, but Daniel’s play shouldn’t go unnoticed, and he’s a legit NFL prospect himself. Some of his best tape was against LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase, where he showed that he wasn’t afraid to get physical with the toprated wide receiver and stuck with him far better than most corners were able to. Daniel isn’t afraid to come up and tackle either and could end up being a core special teams’ player. During Senior Bowl week, Daniel was voted the top corner on the American team. Daniel doesn’t possess elite speed and isn’t going to wow with his athleticism, but he has enough fluidity, strength and technique to become a solid pro.

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IN A NUTSHELL:

Wade is a frustrating prospect who has extremely volatile tape and lacks a true position. Wade fluctuated between slot and outside corner in college and may ultimately find his best spot at safety in the NFL. Wade has solid length, good athleticism, and absolutely looks the part of an NFL cornerback, but Wade’s tape is filled with lazy technique, uninspired play, and inconsistent coverage. Throw on any highlight tape of Wade and it’s easy to become convinced that he’s a Day 1 or early Day 2 prospect. But the entire body of work leaves a lot to be desired, and NFL teams are going to need to feel confident in his overall evaluation and longterm NFL position to take him on Day 2.

19 Olaijah Griffin (JR)

USC

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’0” | Weight: 175 lbs.

Gowan was originally a commit to the University of Miami (OH) before going the junior college route and finally transferring to UCF. In 2019, Gowan quickly found himself as a starter alongside Aaron Robinson, and they formed one of the top corner tandems in college football. Gowan is feisty and competitive and will look like he’s running the route for the receiver. On most intermediate plays he allowed almost no separation by using quick footwork, strong hands, and a strong understanding of route concepts. Deeper down the field, Gowan showed some deficiencies and struggled with more physical receivers. Gowan didn’t play in 2020, but his 2019 tape and his 6’2” frame with NFL speed will make him a coveted player in the NFL.

20 DJ Daniel (SR)

Ohio State

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’1” | Weight: 194 lbs.

Bynum is the antithesis of most corners on this list and actually lacks the ideal NFL athleticism but makes up for it with superb technique and coverage ability. Bynum is excellent at mirroring wide receivers and is the most technically sound corner in the draft. Bynum played over 2,700 snaps at Cal and started in 42 games, so he’s well tested and ready to come in and compete. Bynum isn’t twitchy or overly physical as a tackler, and his long speed is very concerning. His lack of top end athletic traits will make him a mismatch against most NFL wide receivers, and his technique will need to be near-flawless to overcome those deficiencies. In college he could do it, but his NFL projection is much more difficult.

18 Tay Gowan (rSR)

17 Shaun Wade (SR)

IN A NUTSHELL:

Griffin, the son of rapper Warren G, has all the swagger and confidence that would be expected from Warren G’s offspring. Griffin is quick, confident, and annoying, and he’s quick to get under receivers’ skin. Griffin is well undersized at 175 pounds, but he has fluid hips, impressive poise, and NFL change of direction ability. Griffin will get beat deep and, despite being a quicker corner, long speed does remain a question mark. He will also get grabby at the top of routes and will stay attached to blocks far too long. Griffin will need some time to develop, but with some added bulk and technique work he could end up a starter given time.

21 ROBERT ROCHELL (rSR)

Central Arkansas

22 JASON PINNOCK (SR)

Pitt

23 TRE BROWN (SR)

Oklahoma

24 RODARIUS WILLIAMS (rSR)

Oklahoma State

25 KEITH TAYLOR JR (SR)

Washington

26 KARY VINCENT JR (SR)

LSU

27 THOMAS GRAHAM JR (JR)

Oregon

28 MARCO WILSON (rJR)

Florida

29 SHAKUR BROWN (rJR)

Michigan State

30 ISRAEL MUKUAMU (JR)

South Carolina

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S Position Analysis:

JOHN DINSE

01 TREVON MOEHRIG, TCU 02 JEVON HOLLAND, Oregon 03 RICHIE GRANT, Central Florida 04 HAMSAH NASIRILDEEN, Florida State 05 TALANOA HUFANGA, USC 06 ANDRE CISCO JR, Syracuse 07 AR’DARIUS WASHINGTON, TCU 08 JAMES WIGGINS, Cincinnati 09 CADEN STERNS, Texas 10 DAMAR HAMLIN, Pitt 11 TARIQ THOMPSON, San Diego State 12 PARIS FORD, Pitt 13 CHRISTIAN UPHOFF, Illinois State 14 RICHARD LECOUNTE III, Georgia 15 JOSHUAH BLEDSOE, Missouri 16 BRADY BREEZE, Oregon 17 REED BLANKENSHIP, Middle Tennessee 18 TYREE GILLESPIE, Missouri 19 JACOBY STEVENS, LSU 20 JAMIEN SHERWOOD, Auburn

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> SAFETY

Trevon Moehrig Jr

(JR)

TCU

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’1” Weight: 202 lbs.

PRO DAY: Bench: 33 reps 40-yard: 4.50 20 yd: 4.19

2020 STATS: (10 GAMES) 47 tackles 2 TFL 2 INT 11 PD

IN A NUTSHELL:

Moehrig stands out on the film not only for his prototypical size (6’2”, 202 lbs), speed, and overall athleticism but also his versatility within the TCU defensive scheme. His ability to be “interchangeable” for head coach Gary Patterson is a key characteristic that will translate well to the NFL as teams disguise and play more multiple coverages than Moehrig did in college. The junior is quick to diagnose run or pass and is explosive once he reacts. vs. Run: Moehrig is physical at the point of attack, especially when defending on the perimeter. He uses his hands well to create space and get off blocks and is a consistent tackler. Overall, he is solid technically and fits well in the run game. The former Horned Frog is better in space than inserting into the box in the run game, where he can get lost at times and overwhelmed at the line of scrimmage. vs. Pass: In the passing game, Moehrig’s positional and scheme versatility are on full display. While he can play in a single high position, he excels in split-field zone coverage as a high safety or overhang reading route concepts. Moehrig has elite ball skills at the catch point, with a career production of 28 passes defended and seven interceptions in 34 career games at TCU. His range and explosiveness stand out on film, where he is rarely out of position to make a play. Most of his man coverage reps come from the overhang position, and he can hold his own versus slot receivers. Moehrig excels with his eyes on the quarterback and has elite eye discipline; a heavy zone scheme would best maximize these skills.

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BACKGROUND:

The Spring Branch, Texas, native arrived at TCU as a four-star recruit by 247Sports.com. The 19th-ranked cornerback picked the Horned Frogs over Baylor, Oklahoma State, Stanford, and Texas A&M. As a freshman, Moehrig transitioned to safety and saw the field immediately, playing in 12 games, starting in two. After his freshman season, Moehrig was voted by his teammates as TCU’s special teams Most Valuable Player. Moehrig ended his sophomore season as the highest-rated safety in his class by Pro Football Focus. He is the 2020 winner of the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back and was named to seven All-America teams as a junior in 2020. As a sophomore and junior, Moehrig was selected firstteam All-Big 12 by the conferences’ head coaches and Associated Press.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

On the surface, safety would not appear to be a significant position of need for Green Bay, which enters the draft with the starting tandem of Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage. However, positional depth is limited as key reserves Will Redmond and Raven Greene are free agents this offseason and appear unlikely to return in 2021. Even with an earlyround grade and the positional need being low, Moehrig is a player who can’t be overlooked on the Packers’ draft board. His athletic traits, positional skill set, and scheme versatility would make it hard to keep him off the field, even as a rookie. He could contribute early in his career in sub-packages as either a high safety or nickel defender and potentially replace Amos in the future.

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> SAFETY

Jevon Holland

(JR)

Oregon

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’0” Weight: 207 lbs.

PRO DAY: Vertical: 35.5” Broad: 126” Bench: 19 reps 40-yard: 4.46 20 yd: 4.14

2019 STATS: (14 GAMES) (2020 OPTED OUT) 55 tackles 4.5 TFL 4 PD

IN A NUTSHELL:

Holland is one of the most unique prospect evaluations not only in the safety group but in the entire draft, as he only has freshman and sophomore tape to evaluate after opting out of his junior season in 2020. The unique nature of the situation adds excitement and uncertainty to the evaluation, as Holland played in 27 games in two years—only seven less than Moehrig in three seasons—but the tape is from early in his career, and we didn’t get to see the trajectory continue in 2020. However, what Holland shows on tape as a freshman and sophomore is eye-opening, and teams will dream about his potential. vs. Run: Holland is a willing defender in the run game regardless of alignment and has a natural feel for finding the ball as a tackler. The former Duck played primarily as a high safety as a freshman and as a slot defender as a sophomore, so schematically he has been put in a variety of positions to defend the run. Holland wins with his instincts and quick recognition of run or pass. He can play with physicality but gets overwhelmed and outmuscled too much. vs. Pass: The early entry is a dynamic player who can cover in both man and zone. His talent stands out with the fluid nature of his movements. His lack of experience and the fact that he played basically two different roles in two years make him a natural candidate for mixed evaluations on his role at the next level. Holland has good ball skills and is best when he can see routes in front of him in space.

the first Duck to lead the team in interceptions back-to-back seasons since Jairus Byrd (2006 and 2007). As a sophomore, Holland was a Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist and was firstteam Pro Football Focus All-Pac-12 and second-team AP Pac-12. Prior to arriving on campus at Oregon, he was a standout wide receiver and safety at Bishop O’Dowd in Oakland, California. He was rated as a four-star prospect by ESPN, Rivals, and 247Sports and as the No. 2 athlete in California by ESPN. Holland chose Oregon over Arizona, Boise State, California, Colorado, Illinois, Louisville, Nebraska, Nevada, Notre Dame, Oregon State, Syracuse, UCLA, Utah, Utah State, Washington, and Washington State.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Holland’s talent makes him a player who could force the scout that evaluated him to pound the table for general manager Brian Gutenkunst to draft him on Day 2. While his evaluation is complicated, his talent is undeniable. With the starting safety tandem of Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage already in place, the former Oregon standout would add to the skill diversity the Packers want to have on defense and overall talent on the field. He would be an immediate candidate for the “Star” role that defensive coordinator Joe Barry will employ as part of his nickel package. Holland would also immediately add a legitimate punt and kick returner candidate for the team that drafts him, which was a glaring weakness for the Packers in 2020.

BACKGROUND:

Born in Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada, Holland finished his career at Oregon with a career production of 19 passes defended and nine interceptions in 27 career games. He was

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> SAFETY

Richie Grant

(rSR)

Central Florida

MEASURABLES: Height: 5’11” Weight: 197 lbs

PRO DAY: Vertical: 35” Broad: 129” Bench: 12 reps 40-yard: 4.49 20 yd: 4.27 3-cone: 6.78

2020 STATS: (9 GAMES) 72 tackles 3.5 TFL 1 sack 3 INT 5 PD 2 FF

IN A NUTSHELL:

UCF safety Richie Grant enters this year’s draft as an ascending prospect following a solid collegiate career and a standout performance during his week at the Senior Bowl. The redshirt senior started 33 of the 48 games he played in for the Golden Knights and brings extensive experience to whomever drafts him. His ability to play all over the field, coupled with his strong performance in man coverage during the Senior Bowl week, will have scouts enamored of the potential options he would give a defensive coordinator. vs. Run: Grant is a contributor in the run game, whether from space as a high safety or in the box as an overhang. The UCF product is technique sound and fits well in the run scheme, whether to the play or away from it. He excels playing in the box, and he is natural at sifting through blockers to find the ball. Grant is a solid tackler in the open field and uses his hands well to get off blocks on the perimeter. He plays with good effort overall and always pursues the ball. vs. Pass: In the passing game, Grant shines at the line of scrimmage. A natural read-and-react player, he attacks routes in front of him and can be disruptive in man or zone as a slot defender. Grant can play in space as a true free safety in Cover 1 or in a split zone coverage. As a high safety, Grant sees route concepts well in zone coverage. When playing in space, Grant tends to let routes get on him and gets his cushion broken, and he is also susceptible to double moves.

throughout the NFL as a senior in 2020. Grant finished his senior season by leading the conference in solo tackles per game, with 5.4. During his senior season, Grant delivered a standout performance against the No. 7-ranked Cincinnati Bearcats. Grant was all over the field against the highpowered Bearcats offense led by future NFL prospect quarterback Desmond Ridder, totaling 16 tackles (10 solo) and two passes defensed. While UCF did not prevail, losing to Cincinnati 36–33, Grant stood out on a field that was filled with future NFL talent.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Grant is another safety within this year’s draft class who benefits in his projection because of his positional versatility on tape. Whether in the box, removed as an overhang, or playing a high safety, this Central Florida standout will provide Joe Barry with options if Grant earns his way onto the field in 2021. From what we know about what the Packers want to be on defense, Grant checks all the boxes because he is a consistent tackler, has positional versatility, and can play man or zone. His experience should lend itself well to his transition to the NFL and allow him to compete early in his career for playing time in the Packers’ subpackages, where clearly there are opportunities.

BEST GAME:

Grant has been a fixture for the Golden Knights as a defensive contributor since he arrived on campus as a freshman. However, he arrived on the national scene for scouts

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159

> SAFETY Hamsah Nasirildeen (SR)

Florida State

4 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’3” | Weight: 215 lbs.

Talanoa Hufanga

(JR)

5 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’0” | Weight: 199 lbs.

PRO DAY: Vertical: 32”, Bench: 17 reps, 40 yd: DNP (injury), 20 yd: 4.27, 3-cone: 7.05

PRO DAY: Vertical: 35.5”, Broad: 128, Bench: 12 reps, 40-yard: 4.64, 20 yd: 4.39, 3-cone: 6.96

2020 STATS: (2 Games) 13 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 INT

2020 STATS: (6 Games) 62 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 3 sack, 4 INT, 5 PD, 2 FF

IN A NUTSHELL:

The four-star recruit started 17 games for the Seminoles over four years and missed all but the last two games of 2020 with an injury. vs. Run: Nasirildeen’s measurable traits and physical gifts stand out on tape; he possesses a rare blend of size, speed, and overall athleticism. The former Florida State standout has a good feel for the game, and when he reads the concept run or pass, he is decisive. The senior covers a lot of ground and is an excellent tackler in space. Nasirildeen has a long and lean frame but is physical at the point of attack and can deliver a blow. vs. Pass: Nasirildeen is fluid in his movements in pass coverage, whether in space or at the line of scrimmage. He can flip his hips and open up and run with wide receivers in space or in the slot. He is disciplined in coverage, but he waits to see things first instead of trusting his reads. Nasirildeen tore his ACL in 2019 and was limited to two games in 2020. If healthy, Nasirildeen’s best football is ahead of him; the potential exists for the team that drafts him to untap his gifts.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

If the Packers draft Nasirildeen, the benefit to both sides is that he doesn’t need to start from day one and can develop. While Nasirildeen does possess elite skills, his lack of game play in 2020 because of his injury slowed the upward trajectory of his development. With Darnell Savage ascending, Nasrildeen could enter the picture defensively as a subpackage safety and allow Joe Barry to move Savage to the “Star” position in nickel personnel. The combination of Savage, Amos, and Nasirildeen would take the Packers safety core to elite status.

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USC

IN A NUTSHELL:

Hufanga saw playing time as a true freshman and then became a two-year starter at strong safety for the Trojans. vs. Run: Hufanga is a physical and talented athlete that plays with an edge in the run game. The diversity in how he was used as a box defender, removed as an overhang, and at the line of scrimmage put him in different positions to make plays, and he excelled in multiple areas in 2020. He uses his hands well and delivers a punch to get separation so he can get off blocks. He possesses the ability and size to hold up in the box as a hybrid linebacker. vs. Pass: The evaluation of Hufanga in the pass game is a little more complicated because of the different positions he lined up at in the Trojans defense. Athletically, he checks the boxes but needs repetition to become more comfortable as a deep safety in the NFL. Hufanga’s strength is running with backs and tight ends, allowing a defensive coordinator to control the seam or flats with him schematically. He possesses the required mental makeup and athleticism to learn on the job as a rookie.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Hufanga is an interesting prospect at the safety position because of the diversity in which the Trojans used him in college and how that would translate positively to the Packers schemes. Hufanga lined up all over the field in 2020, including as an edge rusher in pressure packages, and he often was used in that role to pressure the offense in man or twist packages. The junior has the football IQ to play in multiple roles and would easily find his way on the field as a rookie in subpackages with the Packers defense.

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Andre Cisco Jr

(JR)

Syracuse

6 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’0” | Weight: 216 lbs.

Ar’Darius Washington (rSO)

7 MEASURABLES: Height: 5’8” | Weight: 176 lbs.

PRO DAY: Bench: 17 reps, DNP (Injury Rehab)

PRO DAY: Vertical: 37.5”, Broad: 127”, Bench: 17 reps, 40-yard: 4.62, 20 yd: 4.10, 3-cone: 7.06

2020 STATS: (2 Games) 11 tackles, 0.5 TFL

2020 STATS: (10 Games) 37 tackles, 1 TFL, 5 PD

IN A NUTSHELL:

Cisco was a three-year starter for the Orange but suffered a season-ending injury after the second game of the 2020 season. vs. Run: Cisco stands out within this class for his ability to force turnovers throughout his career with the Orange. As a run defender, he is fast and decisive when he finds the ball. Cisco needs to be more consistent in his pursuit angles so that he can arrive with better technique and miss fewer tackles. He can be physical when he wants to be but often tries to deliver a blow rather than secure a tackle. Cisco wins in the run game with his speed and instincts more than with technique at this point in his career. vs. Pass: A true ballhawk, Cisco had 13 interceptions and 14 pass breakups in just 24 games. The junior not only finds the ball, he possesses ideal size and athleticism to translate to the NFL. While Cisco has desirable traits, his evaluation is complicated. His ability to make big plays is an obvious positive; however, he takes too many chances and gives up big plays as a result. He will have to improve his discipline and route recognition to find playing time.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Cisco is the type of player the Packers generally covet because of his positional versatility and his elite ball skills. If he can become more consistent, the Syracuse standout has a chance to not only provide impact as a subpackage player early in his career but become a starter. Cisco would become an immediate candidate as a rookie for the “Star” role within the Packers defense with the opportunity for more playing time with development. Cisco was hurt in pregame warmups and missed the remainder of the 2020 season with a lower body injury, limiting his season to two games.

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TCU

IN A NUTSHELL:

After a redshirt season, Washington earned the starting job in-season as a freshman and started a total of 15 games for the Horned Frogs. vs. Run: Washington stands out as a prospect immediately because of his size. The redshirt sophomore is listed at 5’8” and 178 lbs and has no real pro comparisons based on his body type. However, regardless of his measurables in the run game, Washington is a factor offenses can’t ignore. He has great instincts, is quick to react, and arrives with a physical presence. Washington does not stand down and plays with a tenacity. The obvious concern in the future is that Washington will have a hard time holding up physically given his size. vs. Pass: Washington moves at an elite level in and out of his breaks while in pass coverage. He can change direction and handle man coverage in the slot or in space, and he possesses the technique to handle double moves as a high safety. Though he has man-to-man ability, his elite instincts are best on display route reading in space as a deep safety. The former Horned Frog lacks ball production in his career and, given his measurables, can be overmatched on coverage.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Washington is skilled in every phase of the game and would add to the makeup of the defensive back group. Washington stands out for his competitiveness and intangibles as a leader for the Horned Frogs. His ideal role is as a subpackage safety, where his solid open-field tackling and intelligence can allow the defensive coordinator freedom to attack the offense in front of him. If he can find playing time as a rookie for the Packers, he would give Joe Barry flexibility with his starters.

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> SAFETY

James Wiggins

(rSR)

Cincinnati

8 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’0” | Weight: 205 lbs. | 40 Time::

Caden Sterns

(JR)

9 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’0” | Weight: 202 lbs.

PRO DAY: N/A

PRO DAY: Vertical: 42”, Broad: 128”, Bench: 14 reps, 40-yard: 4.41, 20 yd: 4.13

2020 STATS: (9 Games) 32 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack, 1 INT, 7 PD, 1 FF

2020 STATS: (7 Games) 52 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 0 sack, 1 INT, 4 PD, 0 FF

IN A NUTSHELL:

Texas

IN A NUTSHELL:

After redshirting, Wiggins became a starter his sophomore season, missed all of his junior year with an injury, and returned to action in 2020.

An All-American high school player, Sterns was an immediate starter for the Longhorns, logging 28 career starts and earning team captain honors as a junior.

vs. Run: Wiggins is a physical specimen who jumps off the screen for his combination of size and speed. The former Bearcat primarily plays in a traditional deep safety role both in split zone coverages and as a single high safety. As an open-field tackler, he brings physicality to the middle of the field. Wiggins is a decent tackler but could learn to use his hands better to separate and shed in space. He wins primarily with physicality and instincts as opposed to his technique, which will need to improve at the next level.

vs. Run: Sterns is an experienced defender who is light at the point of contact but is adequate if he is a secondary run defender. He has limited experience outside of playing deep safety. As a result, Sterns is mostly a read-and-react player in the run game. He will need to be more physical at the point of attack and use his hands better at the next level. Sterns is a good open-field tackler who primarily plays from depth.

vs. Pass: Wiggins is a solid prospect overall as a developmental player. In the pass game, he is more than adequate in coverage but can get his cushion broken, and he can get beat over the top. Wiggins will have to be more fluid in and out of his breaks in space. He is adroit in route recognition and decisive when he sees the ball. He possesses the ability to play in the box or as an overhang and cover man-to-man, although he was not often asked to do so at Cincinnati.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Wiggins is an interesting case study in past production versus future projection as a result of an injury-plagued career following his 2018 season. The redshirt senior tore his ACL in practice two days prior to the 2019 season opener and, as a result, missed the entire season for the Bearcats. After an offseason setback to his recovery, Wiggins returned in 2020 and helped lead the Bearcats to a 9–1 season. He is a prospect the Packers can dream about as a future starter because of his elite athleticism and full recovery from injury.

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vs. Pass: Sterns showed the ability to play both man and zone in the Longhorns’ pro-style defense. Sterns excels as a high safety and has above-average route recognition skills, and he is good with the ball in the air. While the former Longhorn standout has some deficiencies, if used in a split safety defense, Sterns could develop into a starter in the future because of his athleticism and intelligence.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Sterns would fill the Will Redmond role within the Packers’ depth chart from day one in camp. He is a more than adequate backup with the ability to grow into more future playing time with development. With the growing trend of more defensive backs on the field defensively, teams can never have enough quality depth, and Sterns fits that bill. He has some explosive traits and could be a steal on Day 3 of the draft.

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Damar Hamlin

(rSR)

Pitt

10 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’1” | Weight: 200 lbs.

Tariq Thompson

(SR)

11 MEASURABLES: Height: 5’11” | Weight: 204 lbs.

PRO DAY: Vertical: 35”, Broad: 118”, Bench: 18 reps, 40-yard: 4.59, 20 yde: 4.40, 3-cone: 6.93

PRO DAY: Vertical: 31”, Broad: 113, 20 yd: 4.73, 3-cone 7.75, Bench: 15 reps

2020 STATS: (10 Games) 67 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 2 INT, 9 PD

2020 STATS: (8 Games) 41 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 INT, 4 PD, 1 FF

IN A NUTSHELL:

San Diego State

IN A NUTSHELL:

The top-rated Pennsylvania high school defensive prospect redshirted one year, and he eventually became a three-year starter for the Panthers.

Thompson was a three-star recruit who started all four years for the Aztecs, with his best season by far coming in his freshman season.

vs. Run: Hamlin is a good tackler, especially in the open field. While he has played a variety of roles for the Panthers during his career, he stands out in the run game as a slot defender. Hamlin diagnoses plays well, and, whether at the point of attack, forcing the ball back inside, or pursuing away from the play, he is solid overall. He can play in the box but is often overwhelmed and outmatched at the point of attack. The senior uses his hands well but often wins with his instincts and reaction time more than technique and physicality.

vs. Run: Thompson is consistent as an open-field tackler. He doesn’t stand out in any specific way within the run game but is generally around the ball. The former Aztec does a good job in space triggering once he reads a run. He can disengage blocks and is physical at the point of attack. He is more of an edge player defensively, factoring into the screen game and outside runs best, but he is more than adequate overall.

vs. Pass: Hamlin is a smart player and just a solid player overall on tape. In the pass game, he can play in the box, from space, and defend the slot in man coverage, and he really doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses. However, Hamlin’s consistency on tape is also part of the negatives in his evaluation, as sometimes he doesn’t stand out in any one area on the field. Still, the former Panther standout has the required athleticism and positional traits to make it at the next level.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Hamlin paired with Paris Ford to form one of the best safety tandems in college football in 2020. The redshirt senior was a four-year starter for the Panthers, and he also played in a variety of roles in the secondary throughout his career. Hamlin projects as a backup safety in the future, but his background playing different positions will make him attractive to Green Bay. He could join the safety room immediately and replace free agents Raven Green and Will Redmond on the roster.

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vs. Pass: Thompson adds to the growing list of players in this class who have positional versatility. The senior can play slot corner in both man and zone coverage as well as in space as a high safety. Thompson could be an immediate contributor in subpackages early in his career, and his diversity of skills could allow him to develop into a starter in the future. He is more than adequate in his change of direction and can cover man-to-man in the slot. Thompson has a chance with repetition to be a good deep safety given his overall athleticism and coverage ability.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Joe Barry’s introductory press conference featured the now buzzword of “Star” defender within his scheme. This nickel defender, according to Barry, will be on the field 80 percent of the time based on what NFL offenses are doing schematically. A player like Thompson, with his man coverage ability and experience in the slot on top of his versatility to play high safety, makes him a logical target for Green Bay in the “Star” role. Overall, he projects best as a backup safety with the potential to grow into a starter.

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> SAFETY

Paris Ford

(rJR)

Pitt

12 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’1” | Weight: 197 lbs. PRO DAY: Vertical: 28.5”, Broad: 110”, 40-yard: 4.85, 20 yd: 4.45, 3-cone: 7.44 2020 STATS: (7 Games) 45 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 3 INT, 3 PD

IN A NUTSHELL:

A high school All-State selection as both a wide receiver and a defensive back, Ford was a two-year starter for the Panthers. vs. Run: Ford is an inconsistent tackler who frequently tries to make a big hit versus securing the tackle. While he is inconsistent, he is a willing tackler and wants to be a physical presence in the run game. He will need to improve with his technique and pursuit angles to the ball carrier to gain playing time in the future. The former Panther is always around the ball and reads and reacts with urgency. The redshirt junior has a thin frame for the position, raising concerns about whether he can hold up long-term based on his style of play. vs. Pass: Ford aligns defensively all over the field, but he is better near the line of scrimmage in passing situations. As a high safety in zone coverage, Ford has average hips and routes can get on top of him. He takes chances and can be inconsistent with his eye discipline, resulting in big plays. Ford is aggressive when the ball is in front of him. His man technique needs development, but he is capable athletically.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Ford will excite evaluators with his versatility and passion for the game and frustrate with the inconsistency of his film. The redshirt junior is a vocal presence and stands out for the flair and emotion of his play. Ford is an ideal player to develop because of his traits as an athlete, intangibles as a leader, and passion for the game. Early in his career, he has the potential to be a subpackage player and eventually could become a starter.

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13 Christian Uphoff (SR)

Illinois State

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’2” | Weight: 209 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Uphoff is a small school standout who jumped onto the draft scene after a great 2019 campaign, helping lead the Redbirds to a deep playoff run. He recorded 50 tackles (5.5 for loss), two interceptions, and seven pass breakups in 15 games in 2019. Uphoff has ideal size for the position, and, while his transition to the NFL will take time, he possesses enough athleticism and coverage ability to be a factor in the future for the team that picks him. He is the type of developmental prospect that you want to see on the board on Day 3.

14 Richard LeCounte III (SR)

Georgia

MEASURABLES: Height: 5’11” | Weight: 196 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Georgia safety Richard LeCounte III is a prospect teams will view as primarily a high safety in the NFL. The senior plays almost exclusively from depth and has a good feel for controlling the middle of the field. LeCounte can play in man coverage but is best suited for a high zone scheme team where he can keep the ball in front of him. He is average in the run game overall and needs to be more consistent as a tackler. LeCounte is a willing and experienced player who, at a minimum, will help as a special teamer in your coverage units.

15 Joshuah Bledsoe (SR)

Missouri

MEASURABLES: Height: 5’11” | Weight: 204 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Bledsoe played in a hybrid role in college where he often played as an overhang covering the slot receiver and serving as a force player in the run game. Bledsoe played primarily in man-to-man coverage in the pass game as a result of his role within the Tigers defense. In the run game, he is an adequate tackler in space. Bledsoe projects more as a subpackage safety with slot ability then a pure slot corner. As a result, the team that takes him will have to be patient, as his safety reps were inconsistent at best.

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> SAFETY

16 Brady Breeze (rSR)

Oregon

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’0” | Weight: 204 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Missouri

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’0” | Weight: 207 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Auburn

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’2” | Weight: 220 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Sherwood was a surprising early entry into this year’s draft, leaving Auburn after his junior season. His tape is inconsistent, and he is a difficult player to evaluate based on where he projects at the next level. He has great size, plays with physicality, and is a force at the line of scrimmage. However, he is limited as a man defender and even more in space as a high safety. At safety, Sherwood projects as a development prospect, but he is probably best suited as a hybrid linebacker. He is most likely a late Day 3 pick.

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IN A NUTSHELL:

Blankenship is a former two-time captain at Middle Tennessee who excels in space in a split safety scheme, but he also has experience in the overhang role. He is a solid and consistent tackler who is more than capable athletically to play at the next level. He can be taken advantage of in space with double moves and is not a great man cover guy. His limitations make him project as a backup safety in the NFL with limited positional and schematic versatility. Blankenship returned from injury in 2020 after he missed significant time in 2019 with a broken leg.

19 Jacoby Stevens (SR)

LSU

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’1” | Weight: 216 lbs.

Gillespie provided the Tigers with a deep safety who could play in space and defend as a single high defender and also play with urgency in the run game. A physical player, Gillespie is decisive and attacks his reads both in the run and pass game. Overall, he is a willing tackler but does not stand out. Gillespie plays with passion and is a vocal leader on the field. Ultimately, Gillespie is limited as an athlete, but his desire gives him a chance to make a roster as a depth player and special teamer at the next level.

20 Jamien Sherwood (JR)

Middle Tennessee

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’1” | Weight: 200 lbs.

Breeze plays with good instincts and arrives at the point of attack with urgency that sometimes stands out on the film. As a run defender, he is always around the football and shows great effort. He is quick to diagnose and wins with his effort and technique. Breeze will have to be more consistent as a tackler at the next level. He is gifted enough athletically to find a role on a team as a Day 3 pick. The redshirt senior projects as a backup safety at the next level and should contribute on special teams on coverage units.

18 Tyree Gillespie (SR)

17 Reed Blankenship (SR)

IN A NUTSHELL:

Stevens is a prospect who checks a lot of boxes, including excellent size for the position and ability to play all over the field. He excels in the box and is a player defenses were forced to account for in the run game. In the pass game, Stevens is limited overall and looks overmatched in manto-man situations with a wide receiver. Stevens never lived up to the hype as a five-star high school recruit and most likely doesn’t have the change of direction and speed to play safety in the NFL. Stevens projects as a late Day 3 hybrid linebacker.

21 DERRICK FOREST (SR)

Cincinnati

22 SHAWN DAVIS (SR)

Florida

23 DIVINE DEABLO (SR)

Virginia Tech

24 JAMAR JOHNSON (JR)

Indiana

25 AASHARI CROSSWELL (JR)

Arizona State

165

K Position Analysis:

BRANDON CARWILE

01 JOSE BORREGALES, Miami 02 EVAN MCPHERSON, Florida 03 RILEY PATTERSON, Memphis 04 ALEX KESSMAN, Pitt 05 QUINN NORDIN, Michigan 06 BLAKE LYNCH, Kansas State 07 BLAKE HAUBEIL, Ohio State 08 JAKE VERITY, East Carolina 09 BRIAN JOHNSON, Virginia Tech 10 KEITH DUNCAN, Iowa

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166

> KICKER

Jose Borregales

(rSR)

Miami

MEASURABLES: Height: 5’9” Weight: 207 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

The 2020 Lou Groza Award went to Borregales for his incredible marksmanship during the 2020 season. Borregales began his college career kicking for the Panthers of Florida International. After just three seasons, he finished as the alltime leading scorer at FIU with 281 career points. Borregales also finished fourth in made field goals, with 29 in his first two seasons. Upon joining the Hurricanes, he delivered one of the best seasons in school history as a kicker, becoming the first Hurricane to be named the nation’s top kicker. Borregales was also one of two kickers to earn a trip to this year’s Senior Bowl. Although he didn’t attempt a kick for the American team, Borregales got to show off his leg in practice in front of NFL scouts. In four college seasons, Borregales has displayed impressive accuracy. He’s missed just three extra points in 171 attempts and has a 92.5 percent accuracy on field goal attempts inside 30 yards. Beyond 30 yards, Borregales has remained proficient. In 2020, he made 13 out of 15 field goals between 30 and 50 yards. Between 40 and 49 yards, he was 7/9, which was good enough for 77.8 percent. Another strength for Borregales is his powerful leg. He converted five kicks of 50-plus yards over the last two seasons, including a 57-yarder against Louisville. However, for as good as Borregales was last season, he did have some growing pains in 2018 and 2019 at FIU, missing 13 field goals over those two years. Consistency will be a big part of Borregales’ development at the next level.

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2020 STATS: 20/22 FGs long of 57 37/37 XPs 97 points 51 TB on 72 kickoffs

BEST GAME:

Borregales had arguably the best game of his college career against the 18th-ranked Louisville Cardinals in Week 2 of the 2020 season. Not only did he connect on a 57-yard attempt, but he finished 4/4 on field goals and 5/5 on extra points. In total, Borregales was responsible for 17 of the Hurricanes’ 47 points in a 13-point win on the road. His 57-yarder was the longest field goal in Cardinal Stadium history. Borregales also drilled a 48-yarder during the second quarter to give Miami a double-digit lead. The Hurricanes earned their second win for the season, and Borregales was named ACC Specialist of the Week for his performance in a winning effort.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

There are a couple of players who have a strong case as the top kicker in this class, and Borregales is right up there. He brings a lot to the table and would be a strong candidate to test Packers veteran Mason Crosby. However, it’s hard to imagine Green Bay getting a shot at Borregales, as it would probably have to use a draft pick to get him in for a kicking battle. Borregales will likely be a Day 3 pick for a team in need of a franchise kicker. The Packers already have theirs, so you can safely expect Brian Gutekunst to use his draft selections on more pressing concerns.

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> KICKER

Evan McPherson

Florida

(JR)

MEASURABLES: Height: 5’11” Weight: 185 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

McPherson will go down as one of the most accurate kickers in Florida history. From the moment he stepped on campus as a freshman, McPherson was the starting kicker. As a true freshman, McPherson was one of the 20 Lou Groza Award semifinalists. Although he didn’t win the award, it was still an impressive feat. McPherson would also be named a Lou Groza semifinalist for his performance during the 2020 season. McPherson declared early for the 2021 NFL draft after finishing fourth among UF kickers in field goal percentage, at 85 percent. In 2018 and 2019, McPherson logged an 89.5 field goal percentage. This past season wasn’t a bad year by kicking standards, but McPherson did finish with a lower 77.3 field goal percentage. In three seasons, he’s been nearly perfect on extra point attempts, and that has translated well to kicks inside 30 yards. Out of 21 attempts, McPherson has missed just one inside 30 yards. The Gators product also has the necessary power to make it in the NFL. He connected on a 55-yard attempt against Ole Miss and converted two 50-plus yarders against Georgia, with the Gators going on to win both contests. McPherson was plagued by some accuracy issues in 2020. He was 2/4 on kicks ranging between 40–49 yards, which was a sizable decline from 6/7 in 2019. Despite some recent accuracy issues, his body of work remains quite strong compared to other prospects. One other concern for McPherson appears to be kickoffs. His touchback percentage is only 50 percent, and he had two kickoffs go out of bounds last season.

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2020 STATS: 2020 stats: 17/22 FGs long of 55 52/52 XPs 103 points 40 TB on 80 kickoffs

RIVALRY GAME:

Florida faced off against SEC rival LSU in its second to last game of the regular season. The Tigers had a down year after some key starters from last year’s championship team went to the NFL. However, that didn’t stop LSU from giving the Gators a tough fight. McPherson had a good outing, making 2/3 field goals and all four extra points, but he missed a 51-yarder as time expired to send the game to overtime. Florida consequently suffered its second loss of the season as it fell to 8-2. McPherson will have other opportunities to make clutch kicks in the future, but he missed one he would probably like to have back against an SEC rival.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

McPherson is eager to get to the NFL after declaring at the conclusion of his junior year. It’s too early to tell if it will hurt his career trajectory, but McPherson was supremely accurate as a freshman and sophomore before suffering a minor dip in 2020. Perhaps another year in college would have done him some good. Unfortunately, we will never know. If he goes undrafted, the Packers would be wise to give McPherson a shot to see how he fares against Crosby in cold weather. However, there’s a chance he gets drafted on Day 3, which would take him out of the equation. McPherson has a ton of upside and could go on to have a solid NFL career.

168

> KICKER

Riley Patterson

(SR)

Memphis

MEASURABLES: Height: 5’10” Weight: 183 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

A 68.2 field goal percentage isn’t going to get you a ton of praise, but Patterson still had a tremendous career kicking at Memphis. He was a day one starter and made a 42-yard field goal as a freshman. When all was said and done, Patterson finished with a whopping total of 432 career points. He was named to the National team for the 2021 Senior Bowl, where he made two attempts during the game, one from 36 yards and another from 32. Patterson had an outstanding junior year, connecting on 23 out of 25 field goal attempts for a 92 percent average. He also made five field goals of 50-plus yards throughout the year on six attempts. However, Patterson’s accuracy from deep took a hit in 2020 after he went 3/8 on attempts over 50 yards. Consistency on kicks exceeding 50 yards could be one of Patterson’s biggest hurdles going forward. His field goal percentage last season was lower even than what he had as a freshman. That kind of drop-off could hurt his draft stock. While accuracy from deep was an issue this past season, Patterson was 100 percent on field goal attempts inside 40 yards. However, having a kicker who is reliable from distance is a huge asset in the NFL. If Patterson wants to have a lasting career, he will have to find a way to match his 2019 form, when he made 4/5 attempts from over 50 yards. Now it is up to him to show scouts what they can expect in the future. A few good workouts could put teams’ minds at ease about his recent accuracy woes.

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2020 STATS: 15/22 FGs long of 56 36/37 XPs 81 points 38 TB on 63 kickoffs

BOWL GAME:

The Tigers were matched up with 10th-ranked Penn State in the 2019 Cotton Bowl. Patterson proceeded to have the best game of his career, finishing with 21 points thanks to six field goals and three extra points. Patterson also connected on a 51-yarder during the third quarter. Four of Patterson’s made field goals were between 40 and 49 yards, including a 48-yarder on Memphis’ first possession. Ultimately, Memphis lost 53–39, but Patterson didn’t miss a single kick for the game and set a NCAA bowl game record for made field goals. His 21-point performance was one of seven double-digit scoring efforts during the 2019 season.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Patterson was on an upward trend up until last season. Even though 2020 wasn’t a bad year for him, it didn’t live up to the hype he created the year before. Patterson’s 2019 season was quickly dashed by a sub-70 percent field goal percentage as a senior. All that accomplished was hurting his draft stock considerably. It’s hard to see Patterson getting drafted unless he has immaculate performances during individual workouts. One thing he does have going for him is tangible kickoff experience. His touchback percentage was 60 percent for his career, but in the end, he will be expected to make field goals and score points. The Packers could give him a shot as an undrafted free agent, however, Patterson will be hard-pressed to beat out Crosby if his accuracy issues continue.

169

> KICKER

Alex Kessman

(SR)

Pitt

Quinn Nordin

(SR)

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’2” | Weight: 190 lbs.

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’0” | Weight: 196 lbs.

2020 STATS: 23/29 FGs, long of 58, 31/32 XPs, 100 points, 44 TB on 69 kickoffs

2020 STATS: 2/5 FGS, long of 46, 12/12 XPs, 18 points

IN A NUTSHELL:

If all you’re looking for is a strong leg, Kessman is your guy. As a freshman, he showed his power, making a 56-yarder against Syracuse. Kessman would continue to display his power over the next four seasons, connecting on a field goal totaling at least 54 yards each year. Distance is the most impressive thing about Kessman’s game. He holds the NCAA record for field goal percentage on kicks from more than 50 yards. In total, Kessman finished 12/18 on field goal attempts of at least 50 yards. In 2020, he was 4/5. He even set a school record when he made a 58-yard attempt against Boston College. However, distance might be the only thing Kessman excels at after showing struggles from intermediate range. From 40–49 yards, Kessman was 23/35, including 5/9 last season. No kicker made more field goal attempts than Kessman in 2020. He led the ACC and ranked second nationally with an average of 2.09 field goals per game. However, while distance appears to be his calling, his accuracy has taken a hit. He’s missed five career extra point attempts, including three in 2018. A lifetime field goal percentage of 72.6 also leaves a lot to be desired.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

The Packers like their kickers to be solid athletes. Like Kessman, Crosby was also a safety in high school. That may seem like a minor detail, but rest assured that Green Bay does its homework. Kessman’s power is arguably the best in the class, but his accuracy issues are hard to overlook. His best shot to land in Green Bay is to go undrafted and to impress during a camp tryout. Even then, it would be extremely difficult for him to beat out Crosby.

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Michigan

IN A NUTSHELL:

Nordin had an interesting career with the Wolverines. He sat during his freshman year and then burst onto the scene as a sophomore in 2017. In the season opener, he made four out of six field goal attempts, including two makes from 50 and 55 yards. It turned out to be his best season at Michigan; he made 19/24 field goals and two out of three attempts from over 50 yards. Nordin’s percentages fluctuated in 2018 and 2019 before he returned for a fifth season as a graduate student. Nordin appeared in just four games in 2020, connecting on just two field goals in five attempts. Over his career, he was 5/10 alltime on kicks over 50 yards and 10/14 on kicks ranging from 40–49 yards. Nordin flashed his power again in 2019 when he made a 57-yarder against Alabama. Nordin kicked off only once during his college career, so if an NFL team doesn’t have that figured out already, he probably isn’t their guy. Nordin also struggled with consistency on short yardage kicks, missing six attempts under 30 yards. In 2017, he missed three attempts between 30 and 39 yards. Despite these concerns, Nordin does have some obvious potential.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

It’s hard to imagine the Packers giving Nordin a look even if he goes undrafted. Not kicking much in 2020 certainly doesn’t help. Is he a one-year wonder? He’s far removed from his success in 2017, and his body of work to follow is relatively average. He’s proven he can hit from distance, but it hasn’t been consistent enough for NFL standards. Nordin does have experience kicking in the cold, so maybe he could hold his own at Lambeau.

170

> KICKER

Blake Lynch

(SR)

Kansas State

Blake Haubeil

(SR)

MEASURABLES: Height: 5’5” | Weight: 148 lbs. | 40 Time::

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’2” | Weight: 230 lbs. | 40 Time:

2020 STATS: 12/17 FGs, long of 53, 30/30 XPs, 66 points, 0 TB on 7 kickoffs

2020 STATS: 5/7 FGs, long of 43, 24/24 XPs, 39 points, 6 TB on 18 kickoffs

IN A NUTSHELL:

Lynch once served as a janitor before earning a scholarship after making four field goals in the 2018 season opener against South Dakota. Lynch would go on to finish third in school history in field goals made and fourth in attempts. He also finished second in field goal percentage, at 83.3 percent.

Ohio State

IN A NUTSHELL:

Next to Kessman, Haubeil has one of the strongest legs in this year’s draft class. His kicking strength became obvious early on when he tied the New York state record by making a 61-yarder as a junior in high school.

Lynch had an eye-catching 89 percent field goal percentage through his first two seasons. He missed only two attempts from less than 50 yards. However, his percentage dropped in 2020 when he missed five field goals. In 2020, Lynch would go on to make his first career field goal from at least 50 yards. It was a clutch moment against third-ranked Oklahoma after he nailed a 50-yarder to give the Wildcats the lead late in the fourth.

Haubeil didn’t kick as a freshman, but he did take over the job halfway through his sophomore season. He converted on 10/13 field goals and all 37 of his extra point attempts for 67 total points. In three seasons with the Buckeyes, Haubeil didn’t miss a single one of his 122 extra points. Haubeil’s career long in college came against Northwestern when he connected on a 55-yarder, which was the second-longest in school history. Haubeil’s career field goal percentage is an impressive 80 percent.

The one obvious thing that sticks out about Lynch is his size. He may need to add some mass if he is expected to tackle, and he never handled kickoffs. Despite a small stature, Lynch does have a decent leg. He showed consistency early on attempts from 40–49 yards, but he was 2/6 on attempts of at least 50 yards. It’s a small sample size but a subpar percentage.

The Buckeyes only played five games this season, so Haubeil’s 2020 numbers are from a small sample size. He attempted only one field goal of at least 50 yards during his college career and made it. On kicks ranging from 40–49 yards, Haubeil was 7/9 in three seasons at Ohio State. Short accuracy might be a concern, as Haubeil missed five kicks under 40 yards.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

It doesn’t seem fair to say Lynch doesn’t have a shot in the NFL, but it doesn’t look good. Lynch has size issues that some teams may not be able to look past. He may fall below the Packers’ threshold for kickers. His body of work also isn’t that great, and he doesn’t contribute on kickoffs. A team would need to have a punter with a strong leg to handle kickoffs for Lynch to be the right fit. He may get a chance with another NFL team that isn’t Green Bay.

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FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Haubeil is used to kicking in the cold. He also made a 49-yarder in the rain against Wisconsin. That certainly checks one box for when the Packers decide who to bring in to test Crosby. Haubeil has a strong leg, but short to intermediate accuracy is something he is going to have to prove is a non-issue. All things considered, Haubeil appears to be a strong candidate as a camp body if he goes undrafted. However, unseating Crosby is a much taller task. Maybe he impresses enough to stay on the team’s radar for another look down the road.

171

> KICKER

Jake Verity

(rSR)

East Carolina

Brian Johnson

(rSR)

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’0” | Weight: 201 lbs. | 40 Time:

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’0” | Weight: 185 lbs. | 40 Time:

2020 STATS: 14/21 FGs, long of 48, 30/31 XPs, 72 points, 30 TB on 52 kickoffs

2020 STATS: 20/26 FGs, long of 55, 34/34 XPs, 94 points, 17 TB on 35 kickoffs

IN A NUTSHELL:

With 352 career points, Verity is ECU’s all-time leading scorer. He also owns multiple school records, including field goals made (74) and the single-season record for field goal accuracy (90.5, 19/21 in 2018) and field goals made with 24 in 2019. Verity kicked for five seasons with the Pirates, so he has loads of experience that most college kickers can’t match. Verity’s best season came in 2018, when he made 90.5 percent of his field goals and a 52-yarder against Memphis. Verity proved he had a strong leg when he made a field goal of at least 50 yards in three straight seasons. Verity suffered a setback in 2020 when he finished 14/21. He missed three field goals between 30–39 yards and one kick under 30 yards. Verity also struggled from 40–49 yards. In five seasons, his average from the 40-yard range was 65.5 percent. Verity’s accuracy fluctuates, and his range is also questionable. On kicks over 50 yards, he was 4/10 during his career. Verity also had five kickoffs go out of bounds over the last two years, which can either be an accuracy issue or something mental.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Some team is going to bring Verity in for a look, but that probably shouldn’t be the Packers. It’s clear he has plenty of experience, but that can only get you so far when your most recent body of work is lacking. Verity was never good from over 40 yards, and those are kicks you have to make at a high rate at the next level. Maybe if he can return to the form he displayed in 2018 and 2019, he could stick around. However, Verity isn’t going to beat out an established veteran like Crosby anytime soon.

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Virginia Tech

IN A NUTSHELL:

Johnson didn’t assume full-time kicking duties until his sophomore season in 2018. When Johnson finally took over, he finished 12/18 with a long of 45. From there, Johnson would continue to build. In 2019, Johnson connected on 82.6 percent of his attempts and made a 54-yarder against Kentucky in the Belk Bowl. His 2020 season was solid, but his numbers didn’t improve from 2019. In 2019, Johnson made over 82 percent of his field goals. That percentage then dropped to 76.9. This past season, Johnson was proficient from the 40–49 range, making 8/9 attempts. He also made a career-high 55-yarder against North Carolina. In four years, Johnson has never missed a single extra point on 131 attempts. Johnson is solid from short to intermediate range, but he struggles on kicks over 50 yards. He finished 4/11 for his career and was 3/7 in 2020. He has plenty of leg to attempt long kicks, but he needs to be more consistent. He might be able to handle kickoff duties, but his touchback percentage was under 50 percent. For Johnson, it ultimately comes down to him honing in his accuracy in order to excel at the next level.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Johnson would be an interesting prospect to look at from the Packers’ point of view. There’s a good chance he goes undrafted and they could bring him in as an undrafted free agent. He tends to go on hot streaks where it feels like he can’t miss, but he also struggled on kicks over 40 yards during 2018 and 2019. If he can acclimate himself to kicking in Green Bay, maybe he can make some noise in training camp. However, it could be tough for Johnson to outduel Crosby on field goal attempts over 50 yards.

172

> KICKER

Keith Duncan

(SR)

Iowa

10 MEASURABLES: Heigh: 5’9” | Weight: 179 lbs. | 40 Time: 2020 STATS: 14/18 FGs, long of 48, 26/26 XPs, 68 points

IN A NUTSHELL:

Duncan is the best kicker to come out of Iowa since Rob Houghtlin in the ’80s. Duncan shattered the school and conference records for field goals made in a season when he made 29 in 2019. Duncan’s most memorable moment came as a true freshman when he converted a game-winning 33-yarder to beat No. 3ranked Michigan. It wasn’t a long or difficult kick, but it helped his team beat a rival in his first season. Duncan would go on to have other clutch moments during his college career. Another example came last season against Nebraska, when he made a 48-yarder to win the game as time expired. In three seasons at Iowa, Duncan was reliable on short to intermediate kicks finishing 52/60 (86.7 percent) on attempts between 17 and 49 yards. The issue with Duncan is that he doesn’t show distinguishable leg strength. He didn’t handle kickoff duties, where he could have showcased an NFL-worthy touchback percentage. He also never made a field goal of at least 50 yards in college. Duncan attempted three kicks that were at least 50 yards in 2020 and missed all three.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

While Duncan’s leg strength is questionable, we definitely know Crosby has a strong leg. Therefore, it may not make sense for the Packers to bring in Duncan. The last time he made a kick from deep was in high school, when he made five kicks from 50 yards as a senior. Maybe he does have the power to connect and it just hasn’t been on display. If he has some workouts and shows that 50 yards is not an issue, maybe he has an outside chance of an NFL career.

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173

P Position Analysis:

BRANDON CARWILE

01 MAX DUFFY, Kentucky 02 PRESSLEY HARVIN III, Georgia Tech 03 JAMES SMITH, Cincinnati 04 OSCAR DRAGUICEVICH III, Washington State 05 ZACH VON ROSENBERG, LSU 06 DRUE CHRISMAN, Ohio State 07 OSCAR BRADBURN, Virginia Tech 08 ADAM WILLIAMS, Memphis 09 NOLAN COONEY, Syracuse 10 TYSON DYER, New Mexico

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174

> PUNTER

Max Duffy

(SR)

Kentucky

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’0” Weight: 197 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Duffy didn’t take a traditional path to the NFL. He began his career as an Australian footballer, kicking for the Fremantle Football Club during the 2014 and 2015 seasons. In the AFL, he averaged 48 yards per punt with an average hang time of 4.42 seconds. Duffy would then retire in 2017 to pursue a career as an American football punter. The rest, as they say, is history. In his first season, Duffy averaged 44.8 yards per punt, with a long of 67 to pin Penn State inside the five. Also, half of his punts would be downed inside the 20. Duffy went on to win the Ray Guy Award in 2019 after leading the nation in net punting with a 45.13-yard net average. Duffy also flashed some athleticism on a fake punt to set up a Kentucky touchdown against Missouri. On fourth-and-6, Duffy ran for 26 yards to pick up a first down. Surprisingly, Duffy returned for his senior season and had another strong year as a team captain. He boomed a punt for 75 yards against Auburn while backed up at his own one-yard line and posted a 41.1 net average. Duffy possesses a booming leg and polished pro-style mechanics. He can be accurate when he needs to be while getting good rotation, and he is a true field-flipper. However, Duffy is an older prospect who is set to turn 28 in April. So, while he does have a strong background, teams may get discouraged about a rookie that is set to turn 30 in just a couple of years. Of course, age is just a number, and Duffy is still the best punting prospect in the class. He could easily have a successful NFL career that spans over the next decade.

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2020 STATS: 42 punts 45.1 gross average 16 inside 20 1 TB 18 FC long of 75

ALL-STAR GAME:

After three successful seasons with the Wildcats, Duffy was one of two punters named to the 2021 Senior Bowl. He turned heads for the American team, showing off a strong leg in their week of practice. Duffy caught the eye of NFL scouts in attendance after displaying his strong leg and showcasing his accuracy by pinning kicks inside the five. During the actual game, Duffy was called on for four punts that totaled 156 yards. He posted a 39.0 average, had one attempt land inside the 20, and punted for a long of 44. Not a great game by any means, but Duffy put together plenty of good tape throughout the week. He is now firmly on a number of radars for teams in need of a franchise punter.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Duffy has a strong chance of being a Day 3 pick. Teams will likely target him in the fifth or sixth round so they can secure their franchise punter. The Packers thought they took that route with the JK Scott selection in 2018. However, Scott hasn’t exactly panned out. Scott’s biggest issue has been consistency in his first three NFL seasons. If anything, Green Bay probably will opt for the undrafted free agent route rather than draft another player. Even though Duffy would have a very good shot at beating out Scott, Brian Gutekunst needs to use his draft picks elsewhere. Gutekunst also won’t make the same mistake twice when it comes to drafting a punter. If Duffy’s age scares teams away and he goes undrafted, the Packers should immediately give him a call, but the chances of him hearing his name called in April are very high.

175

> PUNTER

Pressley Harvin III

(SR)

Georgia Tech

MEASURABLES: Height: 5’11” Weight: 263 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Harvin was one of the most interesting specialists to watch in college football last season. For one, he’s built like a running back and has tremendous leg strength. In 2020, 22 of his 45 punts traveled at least 50 yards, and he had a remarkable inside-the-20 rate of 40 percent. Harvin was awarded the Ray Guy Award last season and became the first African American player to ever take home the award. He led the nation with his 48-yard average, and 49 percent of his punts traveled at least 50 yards. Also, 47 percent resulted in a fair catch, while only 17 percent were returned. Harvin has been a great punter ever since he stepped on Georgia Tech’s campus in 2017. He led all NCAA Division I true freshmen with a 44.1-yard average, which was 16th overall nationally and second in the ACC. In four years, Harvin’s strength never dwindled as his punt average never fell below 41.0. To accompany a strong leg, Harvin also had a notable athletic moment back in 2019. Nearing the end of the first quarter, Harvin threw a 41-yard touchdown pass against Miami, with the Yellow Jackets later securing an overtime win. Harvin has a strong and accurate leg. His rate to get the ball inside the 20 is outstanding. An impressive 32 percent of his punts were downed inside the 20. Harvin also has the proven ability to be a field-flipper, having boomed five punts that traveled at least 60 yards. If he has a drawback, it’s probably his weight. 255 pounds is heavy for a punter, and an NFL team may ask him to cut some weight. Whether that takes away from his power is something to monitor. Still, you can’t argue with Harvin’s numbers despite a bit of a gut.

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2020 STATS: 45 punts 48.0 gross average 18 inside 20 3 TB 21 FC long of 70

BEST GAME:

Maybe it wasn’t the best game of Harvin’s college career, but he had a spectacular outing against archrival Georgia in 2019. The Bulldogs were ranked No. 4 at the time, and they absolutely obliterated Georgia Tech by a score of 52–7. However, Harvin punted the ball an unfathomable 13 times during the game. His 13 punts totaled 587 yards, which set two program records for punts in a game and yards. It was the most punting yards recorded in a single game since 1997. Harvin averaged 45.2 yards per boot and had a long of 58, which also tied his long for the season. Looking back, Harvin probably won’t want to remember the score, but he probably had to ice his foot after so many punts. All things considered, it was a remarkable performance despite a losing effort.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Two punters were selected in the 2020 NFL Draft, and perhaps the same will happen this year. Harvin’s skill set will be very attractive to teams looking for a punter on Day 3 of the draft. However, that probably takes the Packers out of the equation. Harvin is good enough to be drafted, and it doesn’t make sense for Green Bay to select another punter within four years. Harvin’s power and accuracy could make him an ace for any NFL team’s special teams unit. Scott would have his hands full if the Packers brought Harvin in as an undrafted free agent, but the likelihood of that happening is pretty slim. It’s not hard to picture a scenario where Harvin has a very successful career punting in the NFL after being a Day 3 pick.

176

> PUNTER

James Smith

(SR)

Cincinnati

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’4” Weight: 233 lbs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Smith arrived at Cincinnati in 2017 as a 23-year-old true freshman. Like Duffy, Smith was an Australian football punter who began his career in the pros before transitioning to college. Smith made his debut for the Wangaratta Rovers in 2013 and was a mainstay there until he decided to transition to American football. He then worked tirelessly for the next 16 months before earning a scholarship. Australian punters typically have good size, and the same goes for Smith. He’s built like a tight end, and he has plenty of power in his left leg. Smith went on to average 42.0 yards per punt in his first year at Cincinnati. He had arguably his best season in 2018, when he averaged a career-best 46.6 yards per punt. His career-long also came in 2018, when Smith boomed a punt 72 yards at Temple. He was named a Ray Guy finalist in 2018. Smith has decent power and fairly good accuracy. His insidethe-20 rate is 38.7 percent on 235 career punts. So, when Smith gets a chance to pin a team deep, he takes advantage. In 2018, 42.3 percent of his 72 punts were downed inside the 20. Smith may not have as much power as the two punters ahead of him, but his precision is up there with the best. Smith also flashed some athleticism against No. 8 Georgia in 2020, when he ran a fake punt nine yards for a first down during the fourth quarter. Again, age is an important factor when considering whether or not to draft Smith. He’s not getting any younger, and his numbers have regressed since the 2018 season.

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2020 STATS: 40 punts 43.9 gross average 18 inside 20 one TB 21 FC long of 60

ALL-STAR GAME:

Smith had an opportunity to show off his punting skills in front of NFL evaluators after being named the punter for the National team in the 2021 Senior Bowl. He was one of three Bearcats to earn an invite to Mobile. Smith had an impressive week of practice that was followed by an up-and-down ingame performance. He recorded four punts totaling 148 yards for an average of 37.0. He had a long of 52, but he also had two punts that were under 30 yards. None of Smith’s four punts were downed inside the 20. After an impressive week of practice, Smith couldn’t put the icing on the cake. It’s too early to tell whether his Senior Bowl week helped or hurt his draft stock.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Perhaps only one Aussie punter gets drafted in 2021. If it’s not Duffy, then Smith will be the guy. He had an impressive four years with Cincinnati and never really had a down year while showcasing decent leg strength and solid accuracy. If he goes undrafted, the Packers should bring Smith in for a look during training camp. He’s more consistent and appears to be a better athlete than Scott. We’ve seen Scott embarrass himself trying to make tackles in the past, and Smith had three career tackles for the Bearcats. Maybe that’s a moot point and maybe it’s not. Green Bay could very prefer a better athlete handling punts. Smith is worthy of a camp tryout for the Packers if he does go undrafted. He would have a legitimate shot at beating Scott for punting duties in 2021.

177

> PUNTER Oscar Draguicevich (rSR)

Washington State

Zach Von Rosenberg (SR)

MEASURABLES: Height: 5’10” | Weight: 188 lbs.

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’4” | Weight: 235 lbs.

2020 STATS: 19 punts, 46.7 gross average, 8 inside 20, 3 TB, 1 FC, long of 78

2020 STATS: 59 punts, 43.9 gross average, 27 inside 20, two TB, 22 FC, long of 61

IN A NUTSHELL:

Draguicevich began his post-high school career punting for Temple Junior College in Texas. He would then get recognized by Washington State and go on to have an impressive college career there. Draguicevich finished first all-time in Cougar history in punting average at 45.7. He was named to the Ray Guy watchlist in each of the last two seasons. Draguicevich appeared in just four games in 2020 but posted a career-high average. His 78-yarder against Oregon was seventh in school history and tied for the second in the country. Overall, he had a strong year showing off his leg as five of his 19 punts went for at least 50 yards. His seasonal average never dropped below 45.0 in three seasons at Washington State. Draguicevich finished with a respectable inside-the-20 rate of 35.6 percent. One thing Draguicevich may need to work on as he goes to the next level is hang time. Half of his punts in 2019 resulted in fair catches, but that number took a huge hit last season. He has a strong leg, but that can be detrimental if you’re constantly outkicking your coverage and allowing returns.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Draguicevich’s leg strength will attract plenty of NFL suitors, but the Packers may not be among them. Green Bay has a tendency to bring in taller punters, whether it be Scott (6’5”) or Justin Vogel (6’4”). Even Tim Masthay was 6’1”. However, Draguicevich sits below 6’0”. He would probably have a respectable showing in a camp battle against Scott where he could show off a powerful leg. Sadly, he probably won’t get the opportunity due to his size and because there’s a chance he’s a sleeper pick on Day 3.

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LSU

IN A NUTSHELL:

There’s a definite pattern with this year’s class getting a late start on their NFL careers as punters. Rosenberg, 30, played six seasons in minor league baseball before committing to LSU for the 2016 season. He sat as a true freshman then averaged 43.0 yards per punt as a redshirt. Rosenberg became one of the most consistent punters in the conference over the last three seasons and also served as the team’s holder on field goal attempts. Last year, 46 percent of Rosenberg’s punts landed inside the 20. This was a slight increase from 2019. However, 2018 was arguably Rosenberg’s best season with the Tigers. He averaged a career-high 45.7 yards per punts and had 12 punts travel at least 50 yards. Rosenberg was named to the All-SEC second team for his performance as a sophomore. Rosenberg doesn’t have a booming leg, but he is accurate at pinning offenses inside the 20. He combined for 48 punts downed inside the 20 over the last two seasons. Rosenberg gets good hang time on his punts, which allows for few return opportunities, but he isn’t a natural field-flipper. Also, 30 years of age is a very late start to an NFL career.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Rosenberg says it’s his dream to be an NFL punter. That dream could soon become a reality, but it may have to be as an undrafted free agent. He will turn 31 at the beginning of next football season, which would make him six years older than JK Scott. That could cause the Packers to turn in the opposite direction. This doesn’t feel like a good fit due to Rosenberg’s age and his inability to outkick Scott.

178

> PUNTER

Drue Chrisman

(SR)

Ohio State

Oscar Bradburn

(SR)

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’2” | Weight: 222 lbs.

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’1” | Weight: 216 lbs.

2020 STATS: 27 punts, 45.0 gross average, 11 inside 20, two TB, 11 FC, long of 74

2020 STATS: 37 punts, 43.0 gross average, 12 inside 20, 6 TB, 17 FC, long of 62

IN A NUTSHELL:

Virginia Tech

IN A NUTSHELL:

Chrisman enters the draft as a two-time semifinalist for the Ray Guy Award, one coming as a freshman when he averaged 44.2 yards per punt. Chrisman has average leg strength that led to a 44-yard average over four seasons at Ohio State. He also has the ability to handle kickoffs, which could improve his draft value.

Bradburn hails from Sydney, Australia, where he learned to punt at Sydney Swans Academy. At age 18, Bradburn followed the path of many Australian-rules punters before him to pursue a college career in American football. After four seasons as the Hokies’ starting punter, Bradburn will see if he has what it takes to make it in the NFL.

Chrisman displayed great power in four years with the Buckeyes, booming punts that traveled 61, 62, 65, and 74 yards. His 74-yard punt came against Michigan State this past season, the eighth-longest punt in Ohio State history. 2020 was his best season in college, but it was only a sevengame season. However, it is encouraging to see that Chrisman was on an upward trend.

Bradburn had his best season in 2019 when he finished as a semifinalist for the Ray Guy Award. He averaged 46.5 yards on 53 punts and nailed 12 punts that traveled at least 50 yards on the season. Bradburn’s average took a hit in 2020, but it never fell below 42.0 in a season. Bradburn has shown he has a solid leg, with six punts that traveled at least 60 yards. He posted a career-long as a sophomore, when he booted a punt 72 yards against Boston College.

Chrisman remained consistent in his four seasons but never had an outstanding average. His 45.0 yards per punt in 2020 was a career-high. Chrisman is able to place his punts with pretty good accuracy, as 83 of his 185 career punts were downed inside the 20; however, his distance was never reflected through his seasonal avrages.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Chrisman has an outside chance of being drafted, but it would have to be by a team that covets accuracy more than distance. The Packers seems like a team that falls under the distance category. Scott’s punting average in the NFL is 44.6, while Chrisman’s was 44.0 with the Buckeyes. He did have some booming punts with the Buckeyes, but it wasn’t consistent. If Green Bay brought him in, it would have to be as an undrafted free agent. From there, he would have to hang with Scott’s distance and show off great accuracy to be the next Packers punter.

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Mostly, Bradburn has a solid leg going for him and needs to work on his placement when trying to pin kicks inside the 20. With 12 touchbacks over the last two seasons, it’s clear Bradburn needs to work on the rotation he gets on his punts.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Unlike other punters with an Australian Rules Football background, Bradburn is getting a head start on his NFL career. He had a good year in 2019 but never really replicated that in his other three seasons. Bradburn is worth a look as a tryout, but he hasn’t shown consistent power or high-level precision. Those will need to be things he has improved on before arriving in Green Bay. The Packers could bring him in to compete with Scott, but that may just be a motivating factor for Scott.

179

> PUNTER

Adam Williams

(rJR)

Memphis

Nolan Cooney

(rSR)

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’4” | Weight: 226 lbs.

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’2” | Weight: 195 lbs. | 40 Time:

2020 STATS: 43 punts, 42.5 gross average, 13 inside 20, 4 TB, 16 FC, long of 63

2020 STATS: 74 punts, 44.8 gross average, 24 inside 20, 3 TB, 22 FC, long of 64

IN A NUTSHELL:

Before committing to Memphis, Williams was set to be a Tennessee Volunteer. After switching to Memphis, Williams was redshirted his first year in 2017. The following year, he punted 58 times for a 43.2 average and 2,503 total yards. Williams would go on to boot a 73-yarder against SMU as a redshirt freshman. In 2019, he had the fifth-highest punting average in a single season in school history at 44.8. He also posted a new careerlong of 77 yards against UL Monroe. Williams’ average dipped a little last season, but it was still a solid year overall. He had solid accuracy, pinning opponents inside the 20 on 30 percent of his punts. He also showed good hang time, forcing returners into fair catches on 37 percent of his attempts. Despite a few punts traveling over 70 yards, Williams isn’t consistently long. Only six punts traveled at least 50 yards, which was a sharp dip from the 10 he had in 2019 on just one more attempt. Williams also had three punts blocked in his career, so he may need to speed up his technique to ensure that doesn’t carry over to the NFL.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Williams will be another punter a team brings in after the draft. He’s got good size, which helps him generate good hang time. He will need to have a strong training camp to stick in the NFL, but that probably won’t be with the Packers. Green Bay should bring in an undrafted free agent in 2021, but Williams doesn’t appear to be the right fit. He doesn’t have the distance that Scott has, which will make it difficult to overtake Scott’s place on the roster.

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Syracuse

IN A NUTSHELL:

Cooney didn’t start punting until very late. At 16, he was diagnosed with cancer, but nothing was going to keep him away from sports. His father suggested he give punting a try. After a year in prep school, Cooney went from Syracuse walkon to leading the NCAA in punting yards in 2020. Cooney learned from three-time All-ACC punter Sterling Hofrichter and eventually worked his way onto the field as the regular holder for Lou Groza Award winning placekicker Andre Szmyt. Last season, he shined in his first opportunity; 25 of Cooney’s punts traveled at least 50 yards. He also served as the team’s kickoff specialist. At the end of the season, Pro Football Focus rated Cooney the best punter in the nation. The 2020 season was an impressive one for Cooney. He showed a strong leg that can generate good hang time and above average accuracy. However, it’s a small sample size. He just has one full-season of punting under his belt. Also, at Syracuse, Cooney grew accustomed to punting in a dome. Cooney may need more experience to show he’s ready for the NFL.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

With a strong pro day, Cooney can pop up on the radar of multiple NFL teams. He’s a good candidate to bring in if he goes undrafted, which more than likely will be the case. However, the Packers may want to target another UDFA punter besides Cooney. He doesn’t quite have the power of Scott, and he isn’t going to be acclimated to kicking in Green Bay weather, or any weather for that matter. Green Bay needs to target a punter who has more experience punting in the elements.

180

> PUNTER

Tyson Dyer

(SR)

New Mexico

10 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’1” | Weight: 212 lbs. 2020 STATS: 34 punts, 40.4 gross average, 11 inside 20, 10 FC, 0 TB, long of 54

IN A NUTSHELL:

Dyer had another year of eligibility left due to a season shortened by Covid-19, but Dyer has decided to try his hand at the NFL. At 28, Dyer is another Australian punter attempting to reach the next level before he turns 30. After the 2019 season, Dyer had hip surgery on his punting leg. Dyer’s first two seasons were better than his last at New Mexico. He was a Ray Guy semifinalist in 2019 and also had a solid year in 2018. For the 2019 season, Dyer averaged 46.1 yards per punt and finished with the second-most punts inside the 20 while also leading the nation in percentage of punts inside the 20, with a 59.3 percent mark. In 2018, he had the longest punt of his career against Air Force. Dyer’s boot traveled 84 yards and was downed at the 1-yard line. It set a new school and conference record for longest punt. Unfortunately, 2020 was a down year for Dyer after he showed a lot of promise. If his hip surgery impacted his performance, it definitely showed. He lost a significant amount of yardage off of his punts, and he didn’t have the same consistency as his first two seasons.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Dyer probably should have stayed in school another year, even if it meant declaring at age 29. He needs to prove his hip surgery isn’t going to have any long term effects. Now, his NFL career is getting off on the wrong foot, and the Packers would be wise to stay away. Dyer’s 2020 season was riddled with poor punts, and his distance suffered a massive drop off. Dyer isn’t going to be able to come in and beat out Scott, so Green Bay might as well not even waste its time.

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181

RET Position Analysis:

BRANDON CARWILE

01 AVERY WILLIAMS, Boise State 02 MARQUEZ STEVENSON, Houston 03 KENE NWANGWU, Iowa State 04 JEREMIAH HAYDEL, Texas State 05 IHMIR SMITH-MARSETTE, Iowa 06 DWAYNE ESKRIDGE, Western Michigan 07 DEION HAIR-GRIFFIN, North Texas 08 BRYSON DENLEY, Bowling Green 09 CONNOR WEDINGTON, Stanford 10 KHALIL HERBERT, Virginia Tech

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182

> RETURNER

Avery Williams

(rSR)

Boise State

MEASURABLES: Height: 5’9” Weight: 188 lbs.

PRO DAY: 40-yard: 4.41 20 yd: 4.08 Bench: 19 reps

2020 STATS: (15 GAMES) 19 KR 533 yards 28.1 avg 2 TDs

IN A NUTSHELL:

From former walk-on to first team All-Conference, Williams is a can’t-miss prospect. He is a smaller-sized corner who is a versatile and electrifying special teamer. In his career, he had nine returns for touchdowns, three blocked punts, a blocked FG, a blocked PAT, and a forced fumble on a kickoff. Williams finished his career with 1,042 kick return yards and 948 punt return yards. There may be players who are more athletic than Williams, but his production and ability to find the end zone makes him the best return specialist in 2021. Out of high school, Williams was a zero-star recruit with zero offers. He walked on to Boise State and redshirted as a freshman. In 2017, Williams emerged as the team’s starting return man and even contributed on defense. In his first season, Williams averaged 24.7 yards on kick returns. He relinquished those duties over the next two seasons, focusing on punts instead. He returned to kick return duties as a senior and earned Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Week twice. The fact that Williams can handle both kicks and punts and also play kick or punt coverage makes him a special-teams ace. Williams is a tough, physical runner. He’s not going to put together a bunch of elusive moves to make guys miss, but he is going to run through arm tackles and use straight-line speed to his advantage. Williams doesn’t appear to be a 4.3 guy, but he’s fast enough. His size could be an issue on defense, but on special teams, he looks like a running back with the ball. Williams’ muscular, compact build is accompanied by solid vision that enables him to find gaps and try to churn out as much yardage as possible.

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VS. TOP OPPONENT:

In a shortened season, Boise State faced off against No. 24 San Jose State in the conference championship. Williams had a solid outing on kick returns, totalling 118 yards on five attempts for a 23.6 average and a long of 33. Williams’ 33-yard return set up a pivotal scoring drive during the third quarter to cut the Broncos’ deficit to seven. Earlier in the same quarter, Williams rejuvenated his team with a 69-yard punt return for a touchdown. Ultimately, Boise State’s season ended after a 34–20 loss, but it wasn’t without a strong effort by Williams. He had a good outing on special teams and also was solid on defense; Williams finished the game with three tackles, one for a loss, and a pass breakup.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Williams’ draft stock is tough to gauge. He’s met with NFL teams in the pre-draft process, but do they regard him as a Day 3 pick or do they hope to snag him as an undrafted free agent? If the Packers want to target Williams, it should be as a UDFA. He falls below their height threshold for a cornerback, but they may be more lenient because he is a nickel. Williams brings a lot of value to the table in all facets of special teams. He would immediately be the team’s best return specialist and could also contribute as a gunner or rusher on punt coverage. Williams would be someone the Packers could rely on to return kicks beyond the 25-yard line and also add value on defense.

183

> RETURNER

Marquez Stevenson

(rSR)

Houston

MEASURABLES: Height: 5’10” Weight: 182 lbs.

PRO DAY: N/A

2020 STATS: 5 games 4 KR 145 yards 36.3 avg 1 TD

IN A NUTSHELL:

Stevenson’s speed developed slowly. He ran a 4.8 in high school before eventually turning into the speedster he is today. Stevenson returned kicks full-time in 2019, but then only a handful last season. When he has the ball, Stevenson has shown he is one of the most dynamic weapons in the nation as a special teamer. In 34 career kickoff attempts, he totaled 889 yards for a 26.1 average and three touchdowns. The wide receiver out of Houston suffered a torn ACL that forced him to miss the entire 2017 season. He came back better than ever in 2018 with a breakout season of 75 receptions, 1,019 yards, and 11 total touchdowns; however, his kickoff average was just 22.4. In 2019, Stevenson was the team’s primary kick returner, averaging 27.8 yards and returning two kicks for touchdowns. Last season, Stevenson had flashes but on a limited basis. He had the longest kick return of his career, a 97-yarder against Tulane in the season opener. Stevenson became one of two players in school history with at least three kickoff returns for touchdowns. When it comes to returning kicks, Stevenson is more of a straight-line runner. Once he turns the corner, you can usually kiss him goodbye. If you want your return man to be super elusive, then Stevenson is probably not your guy. Stevenson had a strong career as a receiver for the Cougars, but he may need to perfect his special teams skills to contribute on the next level. He had a promising year returning kicks in 2019, but 2020 was really highlighted by one return. According to Stevenson, he can run the 40 in under 4.4. That speed checks out on film, but he needs plenty of space to truly demonstrate his skillset.

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ALL-STAR GAME:

After appearing in just five games in 2020, Stevenson received an invite to this year’s Senior Bowl. He got the chance to show off his speed and quickness to potential NFL suitors while playing for the American team. In one-on-ones against defensive backs, there were a few reps where Stevenson made his opponent look silly. He’s got the initial burst and vertical speed to get on top of defensive backs in a hurry. He can also make mid-air adjustments to the ball and create yards after the catch opportunities. However, during the actual game, Stevenson caught just one pass for a total of six yards. He didn’t have the chance to return kicks, but he did have one punt return for nine yards. In a way, Stevenson’s solid week in Mobile was undercut by a ghostly performance come game time.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Stevenson is an intriguing option as a Day 3 pick. He has a lot of upside as a receiver and can also be a starting kick returner. The Packers need a true slot receiver, and Stevenson could fill that void while also possessing the potential to be a starting kick returner. It could be worthwhile to spend a fifth- or sixthround flyer on Stevenson’s upside. However, it takes a while for wide receivers to get their footing in Green Bay, so special teams may be where Stevenson needs to produce early on. In this aspect, 2020 wasn’t a great year for Stevenson, but 2019 offered a lot of promise. A player averaging almost 28 yards per kick return with the ability to take it to the house would be an immediate boost to the Packers special teams unit.

184

> RETURNER

Kene Nwangwu

Iowa State

(rSR)

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’0” Weight: 210 lbs.

PRO DAY: 40-yard :4.32 Vertical: 38” Broad: 125” 20 yd: 4.25 3-cone: 6.83 Bench: 22 reps

2020 STATS: (12 GAMES) 19 KR 550 yards 28.9 avg 0 TDs

IN A NUTSHELL:

Nwangwu has been returning kicks since his freshman season. After 92 returns, he is first in school history with 2,470 return yards. That also puts him third all-time in Big 12 history. Nwangwu spent most of his time as a backup running back at Iowa State. He averaged 5.2 yards per carry and scored four rushing touchdowns in 2020. Nwangwu really didn’t have much on his plate as far as running the ball, but special teams is where he made the most impact. Last season, he served as a team captain and finished in the top 15 in the country in kick return yards and average yards per kick return. In 2016, Nwangwu was named a first team freshman AllAmerican as a kickoff returner by Pro Football Focus. He then sat out 2017 as a medical redshirt but returned to action the following year, picking up where he left off. Nwangwu’s kickoff return average never fell below 25 in four seasons with the Cyclones. He had one kick returned for a touchdown in his career. As a freshman, Nwangwu took a kick back 97 yards against No.18 West Virginia. Nwangwu has a lanky build and is a good athlete. A former high school track runner, he’s light on his feet and can make a defender miss with a subtle juke move. As far as his running style, Nwangwu probably falls under the slasher category. He will plant his foot after a jump cut and use his acceleration to try and break away from the defense. Nwangwu’s vision comes in handy as a returner. However, he has a slight build and looks more like a receiver than a running back. He may need to gain some upper body strength to uphold against the rigors of the NFL.

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BACKGROUND:

Nwangwu was an accomplished track and field athlete in high school. He went to states for both high jump and long jump, winning the high jump with a 6’10”—a school record. Nwangwu logged a 24’ 2.75” in the long jump and placed third overall. He owns multiple other school records besides long and high jump, including a 10.71 in the 100 meter and a 22.0 in the 200 meter. According to Nwangwu, his best unofficial time in the 100 meter was 10.54. That converts to a 4.39 40yard dash time. In football, Nwangwu was a three-star recruit. He chose Iowa State over Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, and Northwestern. After four productive seasons, Nwangwu now owns the school record for return yards and had the secondbest season kick return average in 2020, at 28.9.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

There’s a good chance Nwangwu goes undrafted in 2021. He will probably post a good 40 time at his pro day, but that won’t be enough to hear his name called on draft night. He has a strong body of work as a kick returner, but his production as a running back is insufficient. He rarely saw double-digit carries and didn’t score his first rushing touchdown until last season. The Packers should still take a look at Nwangwu if he goes undrafted. His speed is certainly attractive, and he could contribute on special teams right away. He will probably be confined to only returning kicks because that was his main focus in college. He didn’t return a single punt for the Cyclones. However, if Green Bay brings him in, it wouldn’t hurt to try him out on punt returns, too.

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> RETURNER

Jeremiah Haydel (SR)

Texas State

4 MEASURABLES: Height: 5’11” | Weight: 183 lbs. | 40 Time:

Ihmir Smith-Marsette (SR)

5 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’1” | Weight: 181 lbs.

PRO DAY: N/A

PRO DAY: 40-yard: 4.50, Vertical: 37”, Broad: 124”, 20 yd: 4.23, 3-cone: 7.06, Bench: 10 reps

2020 STATS: (12 Games) 19 KR, 479 yards, 25.2 avg, 1 TD

2020 STATS: (7 Games) 8 KR, 176 yards, 22.0 avg, 0 TDs

IN A NUTSHELL:

Iowa

IN A NUTSHELL:

Haydel has come a long way as a player. The former two-star recruit was the 379th-rated wide receiver in the nation, and now he’s headed for the NFL. Haydel put out some good tape as a receiver and even better tape as a kick returner. He finished his career at Texas State with 54 returns for 479 yards and one touchdown.

Smith-Marsette returned four kicks as a freshman and averaged 33.0 yards per return. It was the highest average over his four years at Iowa, but he ended up having a strong career. On 53 returns, Smith-Marsette totaled 1,520 yards, two touchdowns, and a 28.7 average. He finished 10th in school history in all-purpose yards.

As a freshman, Haydel was the primary kick returner, but he only averaged 17.4 yards per return. That number rose to 24.3 in 2018, and, on three kick return attempts in 2019, Haydel averaged 29.0 yards. Haydel returned to kick return duties last season and had his first career kick return touchdown for 97 yards against Georgia Southern. Earlier in the season, Haydel returned a punt 91 yards to the end zone.

Smith-Marsette eased into his role as a wide receiver but immediately stood out as a return man. He posted a careerhigh 707 return yards as a sophomore in 2018 and returned two kicks for touchdowns the following year. His production as a return man took a step back last season, finishing with seven yards fewer per return. However, it was a significantly smaller sample size.

Haydel is a quick athlete who can be elusive in space. His acceleration enables him to run through arm tackles when tacklers aren’t in good position. He has solid tools as a receiver, but he was very inconsistent during his career with the Bobcats. Haydel will need to make his impact on special teams to make an NFL roster.

His speed makes him a vertical threat in any offense. SmithMarsette is also very slippery with the ball in his hands, which paid off on kick returns. He can juke a defender and then quickly accelerate to pull away. His vision is solid, and he has enough speed to turn the corner even without his blockers in front. However, he has somewhat of a slight frame and could probably add some mass to his upper body.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Haydel is an ascending player, but he is still very raw. His best season as a receiver came in 2020, as he totaled 40 catches, 408 yards, and four touchdowns. He flashed his playmaking ability as a returner with two touchdowns over 90 yards and one-handed touchdown grab that earned him a SportsCenter highlight. The fact that Haydel can return kicks and punts makes him an intriguing option for the Packers as an undrafted free agent. If he can earn the job as the team’s primary returner, Haydel should continue to develop as a receiver.

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FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

In comparison to this year’s crop of wide receivers, SmithMarsette is considered a sleeper, which means he could be available to the Packers on Day 3. However, Smith-Marsette had some off-the-field issues in college and suffered a boneheaded injury while celebrating a touchdown in 2020. Green Bay will have to do a maturity test to see if Smith-Marsette is a good fit for the locker room, but his talent is undeniable. He’s a home run threat every time he touches the ball and would be a weapon not only on special teams but on offense, as well.

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> RETURNER

D’wayne Eskridge (rSR)

Western Michigan

6 MEASURABLES: Height: 5’9” | Weight: 190 lbs.

Deion Hair-Griffin (rSR)

7 MEASURABLES: Height: 5’9” | Weight: 177 lbs. | 40 Time:

PRO DAY: 40-yard: 4.40, Vertical: 35”, Broad: 124”, 20 yd: 4.27, 3-cone: 6.95

PRO DAY: N/A

2020 STATS: (6 Games) 17 KR, 467 yards, 27.5 avg, 1 TD

2020 STATS: (7 Games) 16 KR, 366 yards, 22.9 avg, 0 TDs

IN A NUTSHELL:

Eskridge is one of the fastest players in the 2021 draft class. Not only is he an impressive athlete, but he is extremely versatile. Eskridge started at receiver, but he also started some games at cornerback. He emerged as the team’s best coverage corner before suffering a season-ending clavicle injury in 2019. In four games, he had 14 tackles and four passes defensed. In 2020, Eskridge returned from injury as a redshirt senior. He had his best season as a receiver, and he also took on the job of returning kicks. Even though Eskridge returned kicks for only one year, it looked like he had been doing it his whole career. He returned a kick 100 yards for a touchdown against Northern Illinois. Western Michigan played just six games last year. However, Eskridge still finished with 33 receptions, 768 yards, and eight touchdowns. As a kick returner, Eskridge has limited experience, but he has the necessary tools to be a great return man. What he lacks in size, he makes up for in athleticism. Eskridge can juke a guy while in a phone booth and then pull away with his elite acceleration.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Eskridge is a potential steal for whichever team he lands with. If that happens to be the Packers, it would need to be as a Day 2 pick. Eskridge enters the 2021 draft with tremendous upside and could be an immediate starter. Playing with Aaron Rodgers would unlock his potential as a route runner and would add a yards-after-the-catch receiver to the offense. Eskridge would also offer versatility on special teams. He is a starting-caliber returner who can bring a defensive mindset to kick and punt coverage as a gunner.

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North Texas

IN A NUTSHELL:

In four years with North Texas, Hair-Griffin didn’t leave much of a footprint as a wide receiver; however, special teams was a different story. Hair-Griffin ran back 32 kicks and totaled 945 yards, a 29.5 average and one touchdown. Hair-Griffin was a dual-threat quarterback in high school before transitioning to receiver in college. He redshirted and then caught just one pass for three yards in 2018. However, he did return four kicks, totaling 90 yards. In 2019, HairGriffin took over as the starting kick returner. He tallied 489 yards on 12 returns for a 40.8 average, including a 96-yarder against Abilene Christian. Hair-Griffin was second team AllConference for his role as a kick returner. Unfortunately, his main knock will be that he never contributed much on offense. He caught just nine passes for a total of 87 yards in his career. Last season was also not his best year as a kick returner. He had nowhere near the same impact in 2019, and his season-long was a 56-yarder against Louisiana Tech. His average took a major dip as well. HairGriffon’s size may also come into question as he attempts to transition to the NFL.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Hair-Griffin is a hard worker who could carve out a role on special teams as an undrafted free agent. His best shot to make it in the NFL is to really make a name for himself in training camp, whether it’s in kick coverage, punt coverage, or returning kicks. The Packers would have a hard time finding a spot for Griffin outside of special teams. He adds almost nothing as a receiver, but maybe a team believes he could benefit from a year or two on the practice squad.

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> RETURNER

Bryson Denley

(rSR)

Bowling Green

8 MEASURABLES: Height: 5’8” | Weight: 189 lbs.

Connor Wedington

(SR)

Stanford

9 MEASURABLES: Height: 6’1” | Weight: 196 lbs.

PRO DAY: 40-yard: 4.56, Vertical: 27.5”, Broad: 110”, 20 yd: 4.57, 3-cone 7.25, Bench 13 reps

PRO DAY: 40-yard: 4.47, Vertical: 38.5”, Broad: 117”, 20 yd: 4.07, 3-cone 6.66, Bench: 13 reps

2020 STATS: (5 Games) 15 KR, 412 yards, 27.5 avg, 0 TDs

2020 STATS: (3 Games) 4 KR, 95 yards, 23.8 avg, 0 TDs

IN A NUTSHELL:

Denley was a solid running back in college, posting 935 career rush yards, 4.2 yards per carry, and four touchdowns— not bad numbers at all for a backup. When it came to returning kicks, one could argue Denley had more success; he finished with 37 career returns, 858 yards, and a 23.2 avg, but no touchdowns.

Wedington appeared in 13 games as a freshman before an injury in 2018 limited him to four games. The 2019 season saw Wedington emerge as both a solid receiver and a return specialist for Stanford. Over his career with the Cardinals, he returned 25 kicks for 685 yards and no touchdowns, averaging 27.4 yards per return.

As a redshirt freshman in 2017, Denley returned two kicks for nine yards. In 2018, he returned one kick for 24 yards. Finally, in his junior season, he got more touches as the kick returner. On 19 returns, Denley had 413 yards for a 21.7 average. Last season, despite playing in just five games, Denley also topped his career-high for kick returns yards. He sharpened his skills as a kick returner and even had an 81yard return against Kent State.

Wedington’s junior year was easily his best season. He caught 51 passes, totaling 506 yards and one touchdown. He also put up impressive numbers as a kick returner after having 21 kick returns for a total of 506 yards. Wedington finished first in the PAC-12 with a 28.1 average and was eighth nationally.

Denley has good speed and solid vision that carries over to his return game. He understands how to follow his blocks and pick up the most yards. He’s not overtly elusive, but he’s efficient with his feet. One issue with Denley is he really only had one strong season as a return man, and it was perhaps above average at best.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Denley might have a better shot of making a name for himself as a running back than as a kick returner. The Packers are going to be looking for running backs, and Denley is a potential undrafted free agent pickup. He had 544 rushing yards and four touchdowns in 2019. There’s a small chance Denley is a third- or fourth-string back who would give Green Bay an excuse to move on from Dexter Williams. After spending time on the practice squad, he could earn a roster spot if he shows out on special teams.

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Wedington has a history of injuries, which could turn some teams away. However, when healthy, he is an electrifying player. He’s got good body control and reliable hands as a receiver. Also, his speed and agility are tremendous assets when the ball is in his hands. Wedington can accelerate quickly and then stop on a dime to make a defender miss. He has good vision to find soft spots on returns and doesn’t waste time getting upfield. Unfortunately, Wedington returned only three punts in college, so he may be limited to kickoffs.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Wedington is an intriguing developmental prospect. He has good upside as a slot receiver in the NFL, and he can add instant value on the special teams. This is a prospect the Packers may want to prioritize late on Day 3 or as an undrafted free agent. Wedington isn’t a polished receiver in that he doesn’t create a ton of separation; however, he would instantly compete to be Green Bay’s starting kick returner. If he doesn’t make the final 53, perhaps the Packers can find a spot for him on the practice squad.

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> RETURNER

Khalil Herbert

(rSR)

Virginia Tech

10 MEASURABLES: Height: 5’9” | Weight: 210 lbs. PRO DAY: 40-yard: 4.50, Vertical: 33”, Broad: 115”, Bench: 22 reps, 20 yd: 4.34, 3-cone: 6.90 2020 STATS: (11 Games) 16 KR, 430 yards, 26.9 avg, 0 TDs

IN A NUTSHELL:

After four years at Kansas, Herbert needed a fresh start for his final year of eligibility. The change of scenery helped unlock Herbert’s full potential as he enjoyed a career year as a running back and returner. Herbert’s 430 kick return yards put him first overall in the ACC. Herbert played 35 games while buried on the Jayhawks’ depth chart and totaled 1,735 rushing yards and 16 return yards. In one year with the Hokies, he rushed for 1,183 yards and had a standout season as the primary kick return specialist. Herbert’s career-long return was an 83-yarder against Duke. He totaled 150 yards on three kick returns. While Herbert might be a short back, he has a muscular, compact build. He’s not afraid to bang within the tackles or between his blockers on kick returns. It’s fair to say Herbert’s experience as a running back helped him return kicks. He has good vision and is a patient runner who uses his acceleration and smart cuts to pick up yards. When it comes to breaking tackles, Herbert has good contact balance, using his low center of gravity to his advantage.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

If you’re the Packers, there’s a lot to like about Herbert as a Day 3 pick. He’s capable of being a solid No. 2 back right out of the gate. As far as fitting into Green Bay’s offense, Herbert is a potential slasher who is also willing in pass protection. He needs to improve as a pass catcher, as he’s relatively unproven in this area. However, Herbert does add immediate value on special teams and would compete for primary kick return duties right away.

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PACKERS 2021

MOCK DRAFT By: “JERSEY AL” BRACCO For the third year in a row, the Packers enter the 2021 NFL draft with a total of 10 picks. As has been his pattern, “Trader Brian” moved up in the first round last year to select Jordan Love, an uber-controversial selection, by surrendering his first- and fourth-round picks. The Packers have three extra picks this

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year, one each in Rounds 4, 5, and 6. Regardless of trade possibilities, the approach taken with this mock is that Round 1 picks are a straight prediction of what the Packers will do. Everything after that is a combination of what, in these eyes, they should do and what they will do. Let’s get started:

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> PACKERS 2021 MOCK DRAFT ROUND 1, PICK 29

Greg Newsome II (CB)

ROUND 2, PICK 62 Northwestern

Jay Tufele

(DL)

USC

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’0” | Weight: 192 lbs.

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’3” | Weight: 315 lbs.

Predicting what position group the Packers may be targeting with the first pick is a near-impossible task this year. There is currently a huge hole at right tackle, Kenny Clark has little help on the defensive line, every active wide receiver is on the last year of his contract and, despite Kevin King being re-signed, there is no long-term answer at CB2. The logical choice here would be for an offensive tackle, and it’s likely to be the position with the best options at pick 29. But would the Packers consider it a good value to use a first-round pick for a right tackle, especially with their success in the middle rounds with O-line picks? In the end, this pick is about the top player on their board, regardless of position. Newsome has become the darling of Packers Twitter, and while I hate going along with the crowd, it just makes too much sense. Newsome is exactly what the Packers look for in a cornerback: athleticism, football IQ, ball skills, and not to mention a perfect fit for the zone-heavy scheme coming to Green Bay. My gut feeling is that he is the one player the Packers would be willing to trade up a few spots for. If Newsome is out of reach, then expect the unexpected—another Gutey trait. Heck, he might even draft a first-round wide receiver now that most fans have given up on that dream.

Poor Kenny Clark. The Packers have never given him a linemate who could relieve some of the pressure on him. Tyler Lancaster and Dean Lowry are serviceable players who know their roles but certainly don’t create any concerns among opposing defensive coordinators. Kingsley Keke has shown a few flashes but primarily as a pass-rusher, as he hasn’t proven to be stout enough yet to hold up in the run game. Enter a player like Jay Tufele, who may be the most versatile defensive lineman among the top 10 players in that position group. He can play multiple positions along the line, whether as a nose tackle, 4-3 DT, or 3-4 DE. He has the requisite size and strength to command double teams and hold his ground at the line of scrimmage. At the same time, he explodes off the snap, disrupting and getting into the offensive backfield when drawing a single blocker. On top of all of that, he can provide consistent pressure from the inside, something quarterbacks just hate—especially Tom Brady, whom the Packers will likely be meeting again. He fits. Alternate Choices: DT Tyler Shelvin, DT Osa Odighizuwa

Alternate Choices: OT Jalen Mayfield, WR Kadarius Toney, DT Christian Barmore

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> PACKERS 2021 MOCK DRAFT ROUND 3, PICK 92

Brady Christensen (OT)

ROUND 4, PICK 135 BYU

Anthony Schwartz

(WR)

AUBURN

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’5” | Weight: 302 lbs.

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’0” | Weight: 180 lbs.

Psst…come over here…shh, let’s keep this quiet. Did you know that Brady Christensen was an AP first-team All-American in 2020? Yeah, I know you didn’t, because not many pundits are talking about this guy. Christensen was toiling in near anonymity as far as the Draft Industrial Complex is concerned, that is, until his pro day. It seems that Christensen set a record with the longest broad jump (10’ 4”) ever recorded by an offensive lineman. On the negative side, his arms came in rather short at 32 2/8” and Christensen is also an older prospect at 23, having spent two years on a BYU mission in New Zealand. Upon returning, Christensen became a threeyear starter for the Cougars and showed enough athletic ability to declare him a fit in the Packers’ scheme. Here’s hoping he lasts somewhere into the third round, although it will likely require a trade up for the Packers to nab him.

Back in my Packers mock draft for 2018, I suggested the Packers should roll the dice on a raw but speedy wide receiver with a potentially big upside. The Packers agreed, taking Marques Valdez-Scantling in the fifth round of that draft. While I pretty much started the MVS bandwagon, with MVS in the last year of his contract and still a bit up-and-down with big plays and big drops, I have to be realistic. If he disappoints this year, here is his potential replacement—a better MVS, if you will. Schwartz has the same explosive speed (possibly even more) but has shown better ability to track the ball in the air and bring it down than MVS has. He has also been used out of the backfield and on jet sweeps. His route running is as raw as MVS’ was, and blocking is just not his thing, but the big play potential is worth the same “roll of the dice” the Packers took four years ago.

Alternate Choices: OT Dillon Radunz, OT Alaric Jackson

Alternate Choices: WR Austin Watkins, WR Jaelon Darden

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> PACKERS 2021 MOCK DRAFT ROUND 4, PICK 142

Seth WIlliams

(WR)

ROUND 5, PICK 173 AUBURN

Bobby Brown III

(DL)

TEXAS A&M

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’2” | Weight: 225 lbs.

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’3” | Weight: 325 lbs.

I’m calling this the “double-dip” draft for the Packers, and here they not only take another receiver in the fourth round, but it’s another Auburn Tiger. Williams is more the big-bodied type receiver than Schwartz is. He isn’t a top-level athlete with much short-burst athleticism, but a 4.49 40-yard time is still respectable. His best attributes are his physicality, catch radius (81” wingspan), and strong hands. A former basketball player, he understands using his body to shield defenders and will use his 37” vertical and long arms to make catches even when well covered. He’s a legitimate red zone target, and he has a bit of a James Jones vibe to him.

The double-dip theme continues as we come back to the interior defensive line. Whereas Jay Tufele is more of a quick get-off penetrator, Brown is closer to the traditional nose tackle type; he’s powerful and holds up stoutly against double teams. As Tyler Lancaster has been asked to do occasionally, Brown could give Kenny Clark a rest or allow him to slide over to DT where he can get more chances to be disruptive facing one-on-one reps. Brown would compete with Anthony Rush for that role. Alternate Choices: DL Khyiris Tonga, DL Tedarrell Slaton

Alternate Choices: WR Frank Darby, WR Dez Fitzpatrick

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> PACKERS 2021 MOCK DRAFT ROUND 5, PICK 178

Antonio Phillips

(CB)

ROUND 6, PICK 214 BALL STATE

Charles Snowden

(EDGE)

VIRGINIA

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’0” | Weight: 186 lbs.

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’6” | Weight: 232 lbs.

Like it or not Packers fans, if Joe Barry is going to bring over the same scheme from the Los Angeles Rams, you’ll be seeing plenty of zone coverage, albeit not the uber-soft zone Mike Pettine often employed. Phillips was a three-year starter for the Cardinals, where he showed very good ball skills. He’s aggressive and plays with some swagger and physicality when the ball arrives. He’s not afraid to come up and tackle in the run game and does a good job of wrapping up and not just throwing shoulders (cough…Kevin King...cough). Phillips has plenty of technique details to iron out, but he will help on special teams and hopefully develop into a useful backup.

The Packers are in fine shape at EDGE with the Smith Bros. and Rashan Gary. But they’re going to need a fourth at that position, and it’s hard to say Randy Ramsey or Jonathan Garvin are definitely it. Snowden brings a Leonard Floyd-like body type to the position and uses his length to his advantage. He’s elusive as a pass-rusher and does well dropping into coverage. He’ll need to get a bit stronger to be able to properly set the edge in the run game, but he’s not a major liability there and shows excellent back side pursuit. Snowden was built for the Joe Barry scheme, which coincidentally, employed Leonard Floyd last year on the Rams. Sleeper Alert!

Alternate Choices: CB Tre Brown, DB Bryce Thompson

Alternate Choices: DE Daelin Hayes, EDGE Malcolm Koonce

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194

> PACKERS 2021 MOCK DRAFT ROUND 6, PICK 220

Tony Fields II

(ILB)

ROUND 7, PICK 256 WEST VIRGINA

CJ Verdell

(RB)

OREGON

MEASURABLES: Height: 6’1” | Weight: 222 lbs.

MEASURABLES: Height: 5’9” | Weight: 210 lbs.

The Packers’ Krys Barnes and Kamal Martin both showed promise as rookies last season, but neither are what you would call true run stoppers between the tackles. Fields is undersized, but it didn’t prevent him from being very productive in the MIKE role for the Mountaineers. He’s not the lateral movers Barnes and Martin are, but he’s likely a better tackler than both and more adept at getting off blocks and through the wash. He can help this defense in certain packages and will be a core special teams contributor.

The Packers are set at starting RB with the newly minted tag team of Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon. Regardless, a viable third option is an absolute necessity at the running back position. There are three other RBs on the roster, but none have distinguished themselves. Verdell is a physical north-south runner that looks for a seam and attacks it full bore. He shows a burst after clearing the line of scrimmage and runs through tackles. Verdell is also a reliable receiver out of the backfield and found the end zone a total of 23 times in 32 games.

Alternate Choices: LB Garret Wallow, LB Paddy Fisher

Alternate Choices: RB Caleb Huntley, RB Elijah Mitchell

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2021 Pro Football Draft Guide from CheeseheadTV

Articles inside

Safety

Inside Linebacker

2021 Packers Mock Draft

Edge

Defensive Line

Quarterback

Fullback/H-Back

Wide Receiver

Interior Offensive Line

Packers Positional Analysis

Running Back

Best & Worst Packers Draft Picks of the SB Era

Letter From The Editor

Small School Hidden Gems

Top 100 Draft Board

contents Meet The Draft Guide Team

Blogger vs. Fan on the Jordan Love Pick

CHTV Interview With Jace Sternberger

The Fangio/Staley/Barry Defense–A Fit for GB?