As a general manager, Ted Thompson is notoriously known for building his team through the draft. Rarely making big splashes in free agency, Thompson has made a few notable moves in bringing in Martellus Bennett, Lance Kendricks, and ex-Packer Davon House. Although some needs were met by these acquisitions, there is still a great amount of improvement the Packers need to get in the draft. With Thompson holding the reins, it’s never easy to predict what the Packers will do with their first pick let alone the entire draft.
But let’s give it a shot, why the hell not?
Full 7-Round Green Bay Packers Mock Draft
Round 1 (29th overall pick): Kevin King, CB Washington
In my first mock, I had the Packers drafting T.J. Watt here. As much as I would love to pair Watt with Matthews in the same huddle, the Packers are in desperate need of help in their secondary with the departure of Sam Shields and somewhat of “sophomore slump” type seasons from Demarius Randall and Quintin Rollins who both dealt with injuries last season.
If available, King would bring an immediate physical presence to the Packers defense. Listed at 6’3” and 200lbs, his size allows him to play at a high physical level that could translate well with the help of Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Morgan Burnett behind him.
Round 2 (61st overall pick): Dan Feeney, OG Indiana
The Packers offensive line was among the best last season. If they wish to continue protecting Aaron Rodgers and produce an effective run game in the 2017 season, they will need to fill the big shoes of T.J. Lang. No disrespect to Don Barclay, but the Packers could bring in more personnel to come into training camp and compete for the starting job at right guard.
A 2016 first team All-American, Feeney’s quick feet make him an excellent run blocker and pass protector. Feeney would also be teaming up with ex-Indiana tackle Jason Spriggs and their past chemistry may do the Packers some good in the long run.
Round 3 (93rd overall pick): Samaje Perine, RB Oklahoma
While Joe Mixon is getting all the media attention leading up to the draft, Samaje Perine seems to have been forgotten about. Yes, Mixon has had a great two seasons for the Sooners, however, I don’t believe people realize that Perine was the work-horse for the Sooners offense the past three seasons. Perine ran for 1,713 yards and 21 TD’s in 2014, 1,349 and 16 TD’s in 2015, and 1060 yards and 12 TD’s in 2016.
Perine would be a perfect fit for the Packers backfield pairing up with Ty Montgomery. At 5’11” and 233lbs, Perine is built to run in between the tackles with power and has sneaky speed once he emerges into the defense’s secondary. He could be the steal of the draft.
Round 4 (134th overall pick): Ryan Glasgow, DL Michigan
Ryan Glasgow was a big part of the Wolverine defense in 2016 (39 tackles, 9.5 tackles for a loss and 4 sacks) and was awarded second-team All-Big 10 for his efforts.
Glasgow’s toughness would give him some upside fighting in the trenches in the Packers 3-4 defense. Although he has room for improvement, learning from guys like Mike Daniels and 2016 first rounder Kenny Clark could provide some needed improvement as he would most likely enter the 2017 season in a rotation type role on the Packers D-line.
Round 5 (174th overall): Vince Biegel, OLB Wisconsin
Vince Biegel was a defensive captain for Wisconsin along with T.J. Watt. Biegel plays with the intensity and instincts you want at the linebacker position while racking up 51 quarterback pressures in 2016 alone (second in the NCAA among outside linebackers). He’s a guy who has played multiple roles in multiple schemes at Wisconsin, something defensive coordinator Dom Capers would love to utilize and would allow him to continue moving Clay Matthews around the field. Biegel is also a Wisconsin native (growing up in Wisconsin Rapids, WI), being drafted by the Packers seems like the perfect fit for him.
Round 5 (184th overall/compensatory pick): Ryan Switzer, WR North Carolina
Ryan Switzer may have some of the best hands in this draft. He may have deficiencies in both size and speed, but he makes up for those with his footwork and quickness in and out of his routes.
Green Bay would be a perfect fit for Switzer. He would be catching passes from Aaron Rodgers and learning from guys like Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, and Devante Adams. In the next couple seasons, the Packers wide receiver corps could look completely different with Cobb and Nelson nearing the end of their current contracts and Adams expecting a new deal once his rookie contract is up. However that plays out in the future, Switzer would be a great addition for the time being to compete with Jeff Janis and Geronimo Allison for snaps in 4+ wide out sets on offense.
Round 6 (214th overall pick): Rayshawn Jenkins, FS Miami (FL.)
Jenkins has good size for a safety (6’1” and 214lbs) and possesses a physical style of play. He racked up 76 tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss, 2 picks, and 7 pass breakups while earning third-team All-ACC honors in 2016. His attributes seem to lean more towards a strong safety rather than a free safety, but with no immediate pressure to start, he can learn to adjust under Capers’ system.
The loss of Micah Hyde also leaves room for Jenkins to possibly earn some time on the field in different nickel and dime packages.
Round 7 (247th overall pick): Damien Mama, OG USC
Like I mentioned earlier, the Packers need to bring in some new guys to compete with Don Barclay for the starting right guard position. Mama accumulated a lot of experience at USC appearing in 12 games his freshman year (started four of them) then became the full-time starter his sophomore and junior seasons.
Packers Fans, let us know what you think and who you want the Packers to take in the 2017 Draft.
By – Riley Carter