By now you’re probably sick of every mock draft and every “expert” telling you what the Green Bay Packers are going to do this weekend in the NFL Draft. Well let me throw my darts at the board and tell you what I WANT to see the Packers do this weekend.
OPTION 1: A MAJOR TRADE.
DK Metcalf, AJ Brown or Terry McLaurin quality here and I’m willing to give up a lot as i’ve said in the past. I’m also up for giving away draft capital for Deebo Samuel. Because of the Davante Adams trade, I’m more willing to trade picks for a proven player (which was the entire point of franchising him) that can help the Packers win a championship in the next two years. I have no idea how long Aaron Rodgers will actually be in Green Bay and young wideouts USUALLY don’t become his favorite targets until their 2nd or 3rd season (see: Davante Adams). Adding any of the “big 4” that I listed earlier can jump in to this offense and become #12’s favorite weapon. Not sure who this years Justin Jefferson or Ja’Marr Chase is but the odds are the Packers won’t pick him (based on math) so I’m all about trading for a top 15 WR right now.
OPTION 2: FIRST ROUND PICKS
I can’t fathom mocking seven rounds but I’ll l shoot my shot at days 1 & 2:
#22 – Chris Olave (WR, Ohio State) – He’s basically the size of Davante Adams when #17 got drafted. Add 15 pounds and he’s there. He’s EXACTLY what Rodgers wants: A great router runner (like Davante) with great hands (like Davante now has). And if you’ve ever watched ohio state in the last two years, Chris Olave is ALWAYS open. I can hear Gus Johnson SCREAMING his name on a 47 yard touchdown OVER AND OVER. Yes, this is the trendy pick but I’ve been on the Olave train for over a year:
The #Packers should draft Chris Olave.
— Mike Wickett 🇺🇲🎙🏈🏀👨👧👧👩👦🤘🚀 (@mikewickett) January 2, 2021
#28 – Nakobe Dean (ILB, Georgia) – I’m a “Big Ten Guy” but I want SEC guys WHENEVER I can get them in the pro’s. Go back and watch the Georgia/Michigan game in the College Football Playoff. It was varsity vs JV. Almost every player on the Georgia offense and defense would start over the guys on a darn good Michigan team. On defense, the man in the middle making plays all over was Dean (7 tackles, 1 sack). I don’t care about “short arms”. I’m all about giving De’Vondre Campbell in help in the middle and to me, Dean looks like a star in this league. He’s a guy who can get sideline to sideline and make plays at the line of scrimmage. Not sure if this is good or bad but ESPN’s Todd McShay loves him too. I’m cool if the Packers take him at #22. I’d love him at #28.
(In the 1st round, I’ll also accept North Dakota State WR, Christian Watson and Iowa C, Tyler Linderbaum)
OPTION 2 CONTINUED – 2nd ROUND PICKS
#53 – David Ojabo (OLB, Michigan) – The guy OPPOSITE Aiden Hutchison was David Ojabo. He was set to be an early day 1 pick until his Achilles popped on Michigan’s pro day. In all likelihood, he won’t be ready to play this year. But when he’s right next season, you’re talking about a man who will be on a mission. Hutchison got all the press but Ojabo was a 2nd team All-American & 1st team all Big Ten. He’ll be 22 NEXT YEAR. I’m not making this pick without the Adams trade, btw. Give me ALL of that potential at #53.
#59 – John Metchie (WR, Alabama) – If Metchie doesn’t bust his ACL in the SEC Championship game, he’s gone on day 1. He’s not the biggest guy but at 5’11”, 187 lbs, he’s just fine as a pass catcher for Aaron Rodgers. His stats last year were absurd: 96 catches, 1,242 yards, 8 TDs all while sharing the ball with 1st round pick, Jameson Williams. Here’s Metchie’s mixtape. He looks like an 85 catch kind of guy to me. When does he play again? Probably not til after Halloween if at all this year. How will Packers fans react to TWO 2nd round picks they CAN’T use til 2023? Probably not well.
FUTURE RAMIFICATIONS
While a few rookies have major impacts during their 1st years (Jefferson, Chase, Eric Stokes), the draft is all about the future. My wish list sets Green Bay up for success in the WR room with Olave, Metchie along with a (hopefully) improved Amari Rodgers & Allen Lazard all hanging around veterans Sammy Watkins & Randall Cobb this season. Preston Smith will be gone within 3 years. Ojabo will be a fine replacement opposite Rashan Gary. I think Nakobe Dean has incredible potential to shine at ILB.
I’m 99% certain that the Packers will take ZERO of these picks and all of these predictions are null/void if trades happen.
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