The Green Bay Packers stuck to their norm of drafting defense in the first round of the NFL Draft. With the 13th pick in the first round, the Packers drafted edge rusher/defensive lineman Lukas Van Ness out of Iowa. When Rashan Gary went down with a torn ACL last season, the Green Bay pass rush was almost non-existent. As Gary rehabs from his injury, Van Ness is a young player who can start contributing right away, provide depth, and is a great long-term fit for Green Bay.
Of course, many fans were disappointed that Green Bay did not take Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the best wide receiver in the draft who ended up being drafted by the Seattle Seahawks with pick 20. Only one tight end, Utah’s Dalton Kincaid, was drafted in the first round (25th overall by the Buffalo Bills). This means that fans that wanted the Packers to take a pass catcher will likely see them take more than one on Day Two of the NFL Draft. Here, I present the best available tight ends and wide receivers that could be available to the Packers.
Green Bay Packers Day 2 Picks
- 42nd overall (second round)
- 45th overall (second round)
- 78th overall (third round)
Tight Ends that Could Be Available to the Green Bay Packers
Ncaa Football Music City Bowl Iowa At Kentucky
Michael Mayer
The highest graded tight end (per PFF) in the NFL draft this year is Michael Mayer of Notre Dame. As mentioned, Kincaid was the only tight end taken in the first round, which means that Mayer could still be on the board for the Packers in the second round. Mayer is an excellent pass catcher and decent run blocker, but struggles in pass protection. Still, he would be an excellent addition to the Packers if he falls to them at 42 or 45.
Darnell Washington
Perhaps the best overall blocking tight end in the draft, Darnell Washington is a specimen of an athlete. Despite his highlight reel catches at the NFL Scouting Combine, he has not displayed the same pass catching skills on the field. He could be an excellent red zone target, however, and could be the second coming of Marcedes Lewis in Green Bay.
Luke Musgrave
Fast and athletic, Musgrave would not be the worst option for the Packers in the second round. He is a good pass catcher, excellent run blocker as he advances to the second and third levels, but has struggled in pass protection.
Sam LaPorta
Could Brian Gutekunst return to Iowa for another high draft pick? Well, he did it last year when he took two Georgia players in the first round. Sam LaPorta, like Musgrave, is an excellent pass catcher. However, he needs to develop his blocking in both the run and pass game.
Wide Receivers that Could Be Available to the Green Bay Packers
Jaylin Hyatt
One of the fastest wide receivers in the NFL Draft this year could give the Packers a dynamic duo on the outside. Combined with Christian Watson, Hyatt would make up perhaps the fastest sideline wide receiver pair in the NFL. He is a little lighter than Green Bay usually likes in wide receivers they draft (he weighs 185 pounds, the Packers usually take receivers around 200 pounds), but Samori Toure was lighter, too.
Rashee Rice
A wide receiver who meets every single threshold the Packers have, many mock drafts included Rashee Rice to the Packers in the second or third round. Indeed, he is a big play wide receiver that can run a diverse route tree and would be a nice compliment to Watson and Romeo Doubs.
*Note- Do not sleep on wide receiver Jonathan Mingo. Taking him on Day Two may be a reach, but I think he may end up being the best wide receiver in this draft class.
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!
