The Green Bay Packers, like all other NFL teams, are diligently preparing for the upcoming draft. The scouting combine has concluded and there are a plethora of players that fans and analysts are predicting the Packers to take. Wisconsin Sports Heroics’ Director of Content, Robin Adams, has a podcast called Go Dads Go, which he hosts along with Brian Maafi. Maafi is a NFL Draft writer for several publications including Cheesehead TV. In their most recent episode, they discussed the NFL Combine and what prospects are the best fits for the Packers (and what popular ones are simply not a good fit).
NFL Prospects that Fit the Green Bay Packers and Fulfill Their Thresholds
The Packers have a particular type of athlete that they like to draft. They also have some physical attributes that they like prospects to have, depending on their positions. Keeping these things in mind, Robin and Brian identified the following players as ones who could be high draft picks by Green Bay.
Darnell Washington: Tight End
Washington checked into the combine at 6’7″ and 264 pounds. An elite blocker, Brian (and other draft experts) have been comparing the Georgia product to Marcedes Lewis for the last two years. With Lewis a free agent and the tight end position one that lacks any experience outside of Josiah Deguara, Washington would make sense for the Packers to draft on Day Two.
Related: Bleacher Report Names Green Bay Packers as Favorites to Draft Tight End Darnell Washington
Rashee Rice: Wide Receiver
During the show, Brian points out that the Packers look for wide receivers that fit a certain physical threshold. Last year, all three of the wide receivers that they drafted were 6’0″ or taller and weighed between 190-200 pounds. Enter Rashee Rice, a wide receiver from SMU who had nearly 1,400 yards receiving and ten touchdowns last year. A player who can line up outside or in the slot, Rice also embraces the blocking role of a wide receiver. With Allen Lazard likely on his way out, Rice makes a great deal of sense for the Packers, again on Day Two.
Related: Rashee Rice Is the Wide Receiver that Best Fits Matt LaFleur’s System
What Wisconsin Badgers Player in the Draft Best Fits on the Green Bay Packers?
Robin and Brian discuss Nick Herbig, Joe Tippmann, and Keeanu Benton. Of the three, Benton is the Wisconsin Badgers player that best fits the Packers’ scheme and physical thresholds. Tippman would also be a good fit if he were to play center or guard. Brian points out the Herbig is simply too small compared to other edge rushers that the Packers have drafted in the past. He is likely not on their board.
Who They Believe the Green Bay Packers Will Take in the First Round?
The consensus between the two is that the Packers will likely draft a defensive player in the first round again, and they agreed that edge rusher Lucas Van Ness out of Iowa will be on their board at pick 15. Of course, an Aaron Rodgers trade that would include another first round pick will give them more flexibility in the first round.
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