Mark Murphy, Brian Gutekunst, and Matt Lafleur have been doing their homework this off-season. They have met with a number of soon to be rookies prior to the 2022 NFL draft. In total it has been seven wide receivers, three offensive lineman, one running back, two EDGE/Pass Rushers, and one QB.
WR Treylon Burks, Arkansas
With the two first round picks, the Packers have a great opportunity to get their hands on one of the best, if not the best yards after catch (YAC) threats in the 2022 NFL Draft. The Arkansas wide receiver averaged nearly 10 yards after the catch this past season and could be a player the Packers target. This past season Burks hauled in 66 passes for 1,104 and 11 touchdowns. He broke the program record for 100-yard receiving games in a season (six).
“Burks accounted for almost 40% of Arkansas’ receiving yards and half of its receiving touchdowns last season,” Christina Long, the Arkansas beat writer for the Times Record (USA Today), said. “He was often met with double teams and covered by opponents’ best defenders, so most of his production came in contested situations. Burks’ hands, which measured 9 & 7/8” and tied for sixth largest at the Combine, which helped him bring in contested catches while absorbing big hits.”
Measurables:
- 6′ 2″
- 225 lbs
- 40 yard dash: 4.55
- Vertical Jump: 33″
WR Tyquan Thornton, Baylor
Speed speed speed, Mat Lafleur made it clear that’s what Green Bay needs on offense. Tyquan Thorton was literally as fast as you can get. Thornton ran the 40-yard dash in 4.28 seconds, the fastest time recorded at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine (Chris Olave has an unofficial time of 4.26 but didn’t run at the Combine). He also hit 36.5″ in the vertical jump and covered 130″ in the broad jump. His Relative Athletic Score is 9.77 out of 10.
In 2021, he set career-highs in catches (61), receiving yards (948) and touchdowns (10) and ranked third in the Big 12 in receiving yards and fifth in yards per catch (15.3).
Measurables:
- 6′ 3″
- 181 lbs
- 40 yard dash: 4.28
- Vertical Jump: 36.5″
WR Jameson Williams, Alabama
Jameson Williams has the potential to be a star in this league. Alabama recognized his athleticism and turned the four-star recruit into one of the most explosive players in college football. In 2021 he recorded 1,572 receiving yards, 15 touchdowns, 19.9 yards per catch.
Williams could be the replacement for MVS that the Packers have been looking for. However Williams wouldn’t just replace MVS as the field stretcher. Williams caught 20 screen catches this past season and averaged 9.3 yards after the catch. He’s also dangerous on jet sweeps. That’s something LaFleur wants in his offense but hasn’t often had. Amari Rodgers hoped to fill that role in 2021, but that didn’t come to fruition.
The only catch? Williams tore his ACL in the 2022 National Championship and there’s no guarantee he’ll be ready for the start of the NFL season.
Measurables:
- 6′ 1″
- 179 lbs
- 100 meter dash: 10.54 (no 40 time due to rehab)
WR Velus Jones Jr, Tennessee
Velus Jones Jr will be a 25 year old rookie after spending a total of 6 years in college. That is his biggest weakness. In 2021 as a redshirt senior Jones became the only player in football with over 800+ receiving yards, 200+ punt return yards, and 600+ kickoff return yards. At the season’s end, he earned a Reese’s Senior Bowl All-American, an All-SEC First Team, and the 2021 SEC Co-Special Teams Player of the Year award.
On the year he caught 62 passes (10th in school history) for 807 yards and seven scores. His 1,722 all-purpose yards ranked third in the SEC and his 132.5 all-purpose yards per game was second in the SEC. Jones would be a developmental slot WR, but a very effective return man. If he is available in later rounds I could see Green Bay taking him.
Measurables:
- 6′ 0″
- 203 lbs
- 40 yard dash: 4.31
- vertical jump: 33″
WR Chris Olave, Ohio State
Route running is one of the toughest things for a college wide receiver to perfect in the pros. It took Davante Adams years to perfect his craft. However, if there is one guy who can transition from college to the NFL with ease, it’s Chris Olave. In 3 seasons at Ohio State he recorded: 164 receptions (best season was 2021 with 65), 2,514 receiving yards (best season was 2021 with 936), 32 receiving touchdowns (best season was 2021 with 13), 0 recorded fumbles.
“What makes Olave so special is his dynamic route running ability,” said Vinnie Calderone, a contributor for NFL Draft Bible. “He can run virtually any route really well and it stands out on tape. His feet and hips are so smooth through routes that it almost looks like he’s jogging or going through the motions. You can’t teach that type of natural mobility.”
- 6′ 1″
- 187 lbs
- 40 yard dash: 4.26
- Vertical jump: 32″
WR George Pickens, WR
George Pickens is widely regarded as one of the best receivers in a deep class. When it comes to tracking and adjusting his body to the football and going to get it, it’s hard to find someone better. His deep-ball catches jump out on film, while his catch radius and focus to the ball is ridiculous.
The most glaring question when it comes to Pickens is his recovery from the knee injury, and how that may affect his agility and overall play speed at the next level. If he can fully recover and avoid any setbacks, he should be a stud receiver in the NFL.
- 6′ 3″
- 195 lbs
- 40 yard dash: 4.47
- Vertical jump: 33″
WR Jahan Dotson, Penn State
Jahan Dotson plays very similar to Marvin Harrison; he’s undersized but has tremendous speed and soft hands. The Packers need a possession receiver. Dotson caught 91 passes last season at Penn State. He also had only two drops on 142 targets and should be able to gain 12’s trust quickly. With Matt Lafleur’s recent comments about needing speed on offense, Dotson is your man.
He also received Big 10 third-team all-league notice for his return abilities (14-104-7.4 punt returns) in 2021. Return abilities are something that Green Bay will be desperately looking for in 2022 after a dismal 2021 special teams season.
Measurables:
- 5′ 11″
- 183 lbs
- 40 yard dash: 4.41
- vertical jump: 36″
RB Isaiah Spiller, Texas A&M
According to Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network, the Green Bay Packers met virtually with Texas A&M’s Isaiah Spiller. While it’s not likely Green Bay will take a running back with a top 100 pick in this years’ draft they are certainly doing their homework. Spiller finished with 1,016 yards this past season, and has averaged 5.7 yards per carry over his career. He has 22 career rushing touchdowns—although it’s worth noting he also has six career fumbles as well.
Spiller was also one of the nation’s more dynamic ball carriers in 2021, finishing 17th in total runs of 10 or more yards and 11th in designed runs of 15+ yards per PFF. As of now many draft big boards have him ranked around the 54th-55th best player in this years’ draft. This would be an interesting pick to say the least given Green Bay’s current backfield.
Measurables:
- 6′ 0″
- 217 lbs
- 40 yard dash: 4.64
- Vertical Jump: 30″
OL Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa
While it is unlikely Tyler Lunderbaum falls to Green Bay, he would be an immediate asset. The Center from Iowa is one of the top graded offensive line prospects in the draft. However, the Rimington Trophy (best center) winner has been the most linked to the Cardinals’ No. 23. If he is there at 22 for the Packers and there are multiple wide receivers left for them to pick at 28, don’t be surprised if Green Bay grabs him. Linderbaum can play anywhere on the interior offensive line.
Tyler Linderbuam checks most, if not, all the boxes for a center. He maintains control and can handle himself in both the pass and run games and is very technique, assignment and fundamentally sound. The Rimington Trophy winner knows where he needs to be and reacts well. He has flourished in a zone-blocking scheme and where he ends up will be intriguing to watch. Linderbaum’s agility and mean streak alone make him a quality center prospect for the 2022 NFL Draft.
Measurables:
- 6′ 2″
- 296 lbs
- 40 yard dash: 5.14
- 31 1/8″ arms
OL Cam Jurgens, Nebraska
Green Bay is doing their fair share of homework on interior offensive lineman. Versatile centers being one of the main ones. Cam Jurgens was third-team All Big-10 in 2021 while winning Nebraska’s Offensive Lineman of the Year. Jurgens started 2,067 snaps in college. Taking a big jump in play and effectiveness in 2021; he only allowed 13 pressures in 2021. He finished his college career, allowing 34 pressures and a sack.
Jurgens’ experience as a tight end is evident on film. He moves smoothly with good fluidity in his lower half. Nebraska used his athletic traits to reach difficult angles.
Measurables:
- 6′ 3″
- 303 lbs
- 40 yard dash: 4.92
- bench press: 25
OL Jamaree Salyer, Georgia
Jamaree Salyer has played all five positions along the offensive line during his career at Georgia. He is arguably one of the most versatile offensive linemen in this years’ draft. In 2021, Salyer started 11 games at left tackle and also played right guard. He could be an easy transition from Billy Turner, who started at left tackle, right guard and right tackle over three seasons in Green Bay.
“The ceiling for a player like Salyer is a starting right tackle,” Packers Wire draft analyst Brennen Rupp wrote. “The floor is a guy that can be a team’s sixth offensive lineman that’s capable of playing all five positions. Somewhere in between all of that is a player that you could plug in at right guard for the next 10 years.”
Measurables:
- 6′ 4″
- 321 lbs
- 40 yard dash: 5.40
- Bench Press: 31 reps
EDGE Sam Williams, Ole Miss
- 6′ 4″
- 261 lbs
- 40 yard dash: 4.46
- 3 cone drill: 7.03
EDGE Alex Wright, UAB
The physical potential is abundant with Wright. The UAB DE is listed at 6’7″, 270 pounds, but he wears that weight lightly and moves well for his size. Off the line, Wright has good explosiveness, and he has especially solid build-up speed and long-track explosiveness when provided with a runway. Wright accelerates freely and closes ground quickly in the backfield.
As a pass-rusher, Wright has some exciting tools. Wright gets off the ball very well for someone his size. When paired with his length and heavy hands, it’s easy to see how Wright has so many ways to win a rep early on. He could learn from some of the best (P. Smith, Gary) to clean up parts of his game and be a difference maker. His physical attributes are ridiculous.
Measurables:
- 6′ 6″
- 270 lbs
- Arms: 34″
- 40 yard dash: 4.89 (un-official)
Green Bay also met with QB Cole Kelly from Southeastern Louisiana. However we are banking on Green Bay not targeting any QBs in this years’ draft.
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