Over the past week, most draft "experts" updated their mock drafts with the results from the Super Bowl finalizing the draft order. In a few cases, the projected Packers' first-round choices were changed, and there are some very interesting predictions in this week's updates.
SBNation - Mocking the Draft: John Jenkins, DT, Georgia (formerly D.J. Fluker, T, Alabama)
BJ Raji is one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL, but he plays a staggering number of snaps for the position. If the Packers drafted a player like Jenkins, it would help elongate Raji's career
I don't think any of us are as confident in Raji being a top lineman after this season. However, I still think the better reason to draft Jenkins is to have an heir apparent to Ryan Pickett at nose tackle, a move which would undoubtedly be helpful in 2014.
NFL.com - Gil Brandt: Travis Frederick, C/G, Wisconsin
With Jeff Saturday likely on his way out, Frederick, who can play center and guard, could step in and help the Packers right away.
I have no argument with that rationale. The only thing that concerns me is that this is awfully early for Frederick, by most projections; he could probably be found in the early to mid second round, in which case Ted should trade down if he doesn't like the value at 26.
NFL.com - Daniel Jeremiah: Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State
Can he run? That is the main question surrounding Rhodes. He is very good on tape. He's long, athletic and knows how to play the ball in the air. However, I never saw him really tested deep to gauge his top speed. If he runs under a 4.5 40-yard dash, he could go much higher than this spot.
Um, Daniel? You do realize that the Packers' cornerback corps goes four deep right? There's a reason I gave that unit an A- grade last week, and it's not because we need another one with a first-round pick.
NFL.com - Charles Davis: Barrett Jones, OL, Alabama
Charles didn't give any explanations, but I'm less and less sold on Jones as a first-rounder at this point. Like Frederick, I think he can be had in the second round.
Walter Football: Keenan Allen, WR, California (formerly Jonathan Cooper, OL, North Carolina)
Greg Jennings will be a free agent in March. He's proven to be unreliable in terms of staying healthy, so he won't be back. The Packers consequently may target a receiver early in the 2013 NFL Draft. Keenan Allen is the top player available in this situation, so I doubt Ted Thompson would hesitate to pluck him off the board.
Mmmk...two things here. Greg Jennings won't be gone because his health is unreliable, but rather because of the financial situation and the contract that he'll demand. Also, Ted has never drafted a receiver in the first round. Perhaps that's partially because of positional value in those drafts, but I have a hard time believing that he'll pick Allen when players like Kevin Minter and Jesse Williams are still on the board. Later, Walter has the Packers taking OLB Corey Lemonier from Auburn in round 2.
Here are some picks that went unchanged from previous mock drafts or that we reported last week:
ESPN - Mel Kiper: Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama
ESPN - Todd McShay: John Jenkins, DT, Georgia