The Green Bay Packers have brought back many of their own free agents as they prepare for the 2021 season. However, there are still holes they need to fill, and they will likely fill them in the draft. Not only do they need depth for this season, but they must look forward to 2022 as well. After this season, no current wide receiver is under contract. Without a doubt, this draft may be one of the most important in Brian Gutekunst’s tenure as general manager. Below is a mock draft run using thedraftnetwork.com.
First Round Draft Pick- Kadarius Toney: WR Florida
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One of the positions that the Packers desperately need depth in is at the slot wide receiver position. For this role, they could look at Kadarius Toney if he is available at pick 29 in the first round. Not only could Toney fill the slot role the Packers have vacant, he could also be used as a return specialist and ball carrier. The Packers previously used Tyler Ervin and Tayvon Austin in this role last season, but neither were effective.
Kadarius Toney is five foot eleven and weighs 189 pounds. He is very athletic and can make tough catches using his vertical. Scouts like that he catches the ball away from his body and can make catches in stride at full speed. Toney’s negative aspects, though, are that he is slim for the position and is easily taken down by a single defender.
Overall, Toney could be an immediate starter for the Packers in the slot role. In addition, he could provide them with a kick return specialist, something that the Packers have struggled to find for a long time. Despite more immediate needs in 2020, Toney might be too good to pass up if he is on the board when the Packers are on the clock.
Second Round Draft Pick: Jabril Cox- LB LSU
The Green Bay Packers have two young middle linebackers in Krys Barnes and Kamal Martin. However, Christian Kirksey was a cap casualty and they lack depth at the position. Additionally, the Packers’ defense struggled to tackle at times. Furthermore, the linebackers, in particular, struggled to cover tight ends, running backs, and slot receivers on short passing plays.
Jabril Cox is a linebacker who does all the things well that the Packers struggled to do in 2020. He is a sure tackler, reads the offense well, and is fast enough to hang with any running back or receiver he would need to cover. Cox is an instinctive player who moves fluidly and can go sideline to sideline with ease.
Areas in which Cox needs to develop include his ability to get off blocks and his run defense. In order to improve in these areas, he will need to become a bit stronger.
Cox would likely be a middle linebacker in the Packers’ 3-4 system. He has a high ceiling and could compete with Martin and Barnes for a starting spot.
Third Round Draft Pick- Spencer Brown: OT Northern Iowa
The Green Bay Packers’ offensive line will look very different at the beginning of the 2021 season. Rick Wagner was a cap casualty, Corey Linsley is a Charger, and David Bakhtiari will be out until December recovering from a torn ACL. Needless to say, the Packers need to restore their depth on the offensive line.
Spencer Brown is an interesting prospect whose draft stock took a hit after he opted out of the 2020 season. In 2019, he looked like an up and comer, but with little football game experience since then, there are questions surrounding his immediate readiness.
Brown is a tall linemen, standing six foot eight and weighing 311 pounds. He is fast off the snap and plays with a nasty attitude. He is strong and can easily move defenders off the line. However, he struggles with lateral movement and needs to improve his footwork.
The Packers need depth at the line, and even if Spencer Brown does not start immediately, he may develop quickly and find himself starting at right tackle before too long.
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Fourth Round Draft Pick- Marvin Wilson: IDL Florida State
The Packers have some depth at the defensive line. Kenny Clark and Kingsley Keke had nice seasons last year, and Tyler Lancaster has been resigned to add depth. However, the Packers were known to struggle against the run, especially in the middle of the defense. This could be a an area in which Marvin Wilson can help the team.
Marvin Wilson looked like an upcoming star after his sophomore season, but his game leveled off over the past two seasons. He is an effective run defender, making him an ideal fit for the Packers. He is aggressive and does not give up on plays. In college, he attracted many double-teams due to his explosiveness and quickness.
Wilson, however, lacks the ability to rush the passer. He also struggled to make plays outside of the box. Experts expect him to be a good run defender and gap filler in the NFL. The Packers have a plethora of pass rushers already, so Wilson could be a perfect as a depth lineman on their roster.
Fourth Round Draft Pick- Shakur Brown: CB Michigan State
The Green Bay Packers brought back Kevin King on a one-year deal for 2021, but will still be looking to add depth and competition at the cornerback position. Shakur Brown was used in a variety of roles at Michigan State and played well in all of them. He could be a very intriguing pick for the Packers in the fourth round.
Brown logged five interceptions in seven starts in 2020. He is good in man coverage and is considered a feisty defender. However, he is coming to the NFL with only 12 college starts under his belt. In 2019, he struggled to time his jumps in defending passes downfield and find his role in zone coverage.
Most draft experts believe that Shakur Brown as a very high ceiling, but his lack of experience makes his future effectiveness in the NFL an unknown. The Packers could look at him to compete for their nickel cornerback position, which is where most experts believe he will be most effective.
Late Round Picks
- Fifth Round Pick- Caden Sterns: S Texas
- Fifth Round Pick- Javian Hawkins: RB Louisville
- Sixth Round Pick- Robert Jones: IOL Middle Tennessee
- Sixth Round Pick- Jovani Haskins: TE West Virginia
- Seventh Round Pick- Brandon Smith: WR Iowa
Previous Mock Drafts
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