Dale Money | February 25th, 2020
What a turn around in just a year, the addition of Matt LaFleur as the replacement for Mike McCarthy seemed to be a surprise hire on its face. However, it would prove to be a genius move. LaFleur would lead the Packers to an incredible 13-3 regular season and a first-round bye, eventually getting them a shot at a Super Bowl. A big lack of run defense would end up costing them plenty in the game against San Francisco, as they would allow four rushing touchdowns to Raheem Mostert in the 37-20 loss.
Taking a look at some of the Packers needs heading into April, and project what they might decide to do with their selections. Wide receiver, offensive tackle, linebacker, and interior offensive line are all positions that will need to be addressed.
To help with this mock draft, I used the Fanspeak mock draft simulator.
Make sure to check out all of our other NFL team mock drafts here.
Round 1, Pick 30: Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
It wasn’t just the run defense that was severely lacking in the Conference final against the Niners, but the receiving game was devoid of weapons outside Davante Adams. It’s no secret the Packers have focused on the defensive side of the ball in the first round over the past few years. However, they need to finally buck that trend a bit and add that second wide receiver to pair with Adams.
Jefferson was a huge weapon in that Joe Burrow passing game, ranking second and first in the SEC for both receiving yards and receptions respectively. Jefferson has some of the best hands in the draft, along with very solid concentration when jumping up and dealing with those highly contested balls.
Round 2, Pick 62: Malik Harrison, LB, Ohio State
It’s expected that Blake Martinez will be allowed to seek employment elsewhere, this offseason. Looking to help replenish that linebacker group, Harrison would be a great addition in the second round. Harrison was Ohio’s leading tackler in 2019 and would increase his sacks and tackles for loss in three seasons as a starter with the club.
Round 3, Pick 94: Prince Tega Wanogho, OT, Auburn
The Packers still have four of their starting five offensive linemen under contract next season, including David Bakhtiari and Billy Turner. However, the one name missing out of that core group is arguably the most notable in Bryan Bulaga. Bulaga is only 31 years of age but has long been hampered by nagging injuries.
Wanogho has a lot of raw potential, as he would not become an offensive lineman until his sophomore year at Auburn. Wanogho was a big reason for the Tigers only allowing 18 sacks in 2019, good for fourth-best in the SEC. A true boom or bust pick, Green Bay could potentially land themselves a future franchise tackle in Wanogho.
Round 4, Pick 136: Shane Lemieux, G, Oregon
Still needing to shore up that interior and give Aaron Rodgers more much-needed help, picking Lemieux at this spot would certainly be a very nice value. An ultra-consistent player, in the four years he played at Oregon, Lemieux started 49 straight games.
Round 5, Pick 176: Raequan Williams, DL, Michigan St.
The Packers ranked 23rd in rushing yards allowed last season, and things didn’t get any better through the playoffs. I expect they will try and pick up a run defender in free agency, but if that doesn’t work out I like Williams in the middle rounds as a draft pairing with Harrison. Williams had by far his best season statistically for sacks, more than doubling his numbers from a season ago. He would also have two defended passes as well as a forced fumble.
Round 6, Pick 192: Lavert Hill, CB, Michigan
With Jaire Alexander, Tramon Williams, and Kevin King, the corner position isn’t as dire as it once was in Green Bay, however, they can still use some more depth at the position. King played 14 games in 2019, but his first couple of seasons was mired by injury problems. Hill has very good cover skills, and would often line up against the opposing team’s top receiver. Hill started 23 games in his last two seasons at Michigan, combining for four interceptions and a defensive touchdown.
Round 6, Pick 209: Darryl Williams, C, Miss State
Corey Linsley is signed through next year but will become an unrestricted free agent after that. Williams doesn’t bring a lot of red flags but is still considered a developmental project. He has one year of center experience, having moved over from left tackle.
Round 7, Pick 225: Bryce Perkins, QB, Virginia
I’m of the opinion the Packers still have time to hold out, on drafting high on a future replacement for Rodgers. However, it can’t hurt at this point in the draft to select a quarterback that can potentially give Tim Boyle some healthy competition. Perkins had a very impressive showing in the Orange Bowl against Florida, throwing for over 300 yards and four touchdowns with just the lone interception.
Round 7, Pick 243: Jon Runyan, OT, Michigan
A fifth-year senior, Runyan Jr. appeared in 13 games at left tackle last season, starting in 12 of them. He was honored with first-team All-Big 10, in back to back years and was also a winner of the Hugh H. Rader award for the top offensive lineman on the team. He has pretty good size at 6’5″ and weighing in at 321 pounds.
Round 7, Pick 244: McTelvin Agim, DL, Arkansas
The Packers decide to tie up the draft, by adding another defensive lineman in Agim. A four-year starter at Arkansas, Agim has pretty good giddy up for a player of his size. He combined for 14.5 sacks over the course of his Razorbacks tenure and did not have one season where he posted less than 2.5 sacks.
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