Perfect Picks: Green Bay Packers
With the NFL Draft approaching we will be looking at each team and evaluating where they need to improve. In this particular series we will run a seven round mock using the Draft Network Mock machine and find the ‘Perfect Picks’ for each franchise.
We will highlight four players that could help each team. This will feature picks 1 and 2, a mid round gem and a late round sleeper.
Aaron Rodgers had one of his most successful seasons in 2020 and the Packers will firmly believe they can land a Super Bowl with him at QB. With a few wise additions the Packers could go over the top.
Round 1 - Pick 29 - Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida
The Green Bay selecting wide receiver draft pick is here again! Although it appears the front office prefers to grab pass catchers later in the draft, could they make an exception for Kadarius Toney? Davante Adams is currently ploughing a lonely furrow, adding a dynamic threat like Toney would be ideal.
At the recent Senior Bowl, Toney showed off his route running ability and speed. He is an ideal gadget type player who can also test a defense vertically. You can get him going in the backfield as a runner but he can carve it up from the slot as well. The perfect foil for Adams and perhaps the weapon Aaron Rodgers needs to finish his career with a flourish.
Round 2 - Pick 61 - Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
Jenkins stock is going to rise. At this stage of proceedings it was difficult not to take the Oklahoma State prospect with the Packers second round pick. Once Jenkins has hands on you he is difficult to shake off. Add to that a nasty finish which often sees him seat defenders on their backside. In his college career he has played right and left tackle, that versatility should see him become a fringe round 1 target.
If the Packers did get a shot at him, they would run to the podium. They may even trade up in this situation to secure his services. Ricky Wagner was a stop gap exercise for Green Bay and it proved to be the undoing against a strong Tampa Bay defensive front. Now is the time to invest in a premier offensive tackle of the future.
Mid Round Gem - Pick 134 - Deommodore Lenoir, CB, Oregon
Deommodore Lenoir was a highly touted prospect but was somewhat overshadowed in a talented Oregon secondary. He has plenty of athletic ability and is a good cover man. His versatility will be a major selling point for NFL teams. Lenoir is comfortable in the slot or the outside.
The Packers’ deficiency in the secondary unit was clear in the playoffs. Kevin King was targeted routinely by Tom Brady. Both King and Chandon Sullivan can be upgraded. Pairing Jaire Alexander with a high profile free agent and then adding Lenoir could be one way of finding the necessary improvements.
Late Round Sleeper - Pick 214 - Chris Evans, Michigan
Chris Evans missed out on his 2019 season and had a relatively quiet return to action this season. After showing plenty of early potential in Michigan he never really blossomed into a high end running back.
AJ Dillon flashed enough in the playoffs to suggest he should and will be the main running back for Green Bay in the future. That leaves Aaron Jones’ status up in the air. By taking a flier on Evans late in the draft, they add a solid receiving back to pair with Dillon’s more physical style. Evans caught for 479 yards and 2 touchdowns in his Wolverine career. Something that appeals to teams at this stage in the draft.
Draft In Full:
29. Kadarius Toney (WR, Florida)
61. Teven Jenkins (OT, Oklahoma State)
92. Monty Rice (LB, Georgia)
134. Deommodore Lenoir (CB, Oregon)
142. Alec Lindstrom (iOL, Boston College)
174. NaQuan Jones (DT, Michigan State)
178. Darius Stills (DT, West Virginia)
214. Chris Evans (RB, Michigan)
221. Damon Hazelton (WR, Missouri)
250. Joey Blount (S, Virginia)
