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The Green Bay Packers’ Draft gave us very little in terms of fantasy value, as the team picked four defensive players before a player at an individual fantasy position. Still, there is much to break down and the possible future value of players if you are running a dynasty league or a keeper league. Also, there might be some value in deeper league (14 and 16 team leagues). Here are the players broken down into their fantasy positions.
Running Backs
Three RBs in the Draft definitely made for an intriguing strategy that was then followed shortly by the release of Don Jackson and Christine Michael. The first name called on Saturday was Jamaal Williams from BYU. With Ty Montgomery in the backfield as a multiple threat back, Williams gave the Packers a possible thumper and the sort of player who might get the short yardage carries. The Packers ended the day with three Running Backs: Jamaal Williams (6’0” 212), Aaron Jones (5’9” 208) and Devante Mays (5’10” 230).
Williams is the most likely candidate to be a fantasy contributor at this point as he was clearly the highest on the Packers draft board. Williams is the style of one-cut runners that does very well in the Packers system. He will have the most value as a possible low-end flex, especially in larger leagues. He is the most likely from this group to vulture touchdowns. Williams saw fewer pass targets every year he played at BYU and, of course, Montgomery will play the majority of snaps.
Aaron Jones gives some interesting numbers as he put up the only sub-seven second 3-cone drill in the trio. Aaron’s 6.82 second 3-cone drill was far better then Williams’ 7.25 and Mays’ 7.43. Jones also had an excellent 37.5 inch vertical jump. Mays provides interesting measureables as well (4.52 second 40 yard dash and a 40.5 inch vertical jump). Mays is intriguing, but Jones and Williams are the two who have the game film to get themselves the early carries in camp. Williams is the only one with value...for now.
Wide Receivers
Two WRs joined the Packers in the Draft. DeAngelo Yancey provides great quickness and good speed. Yancey played in a pass-heavy offense and found himself a top receiver in a major conference. Yancey and Trevor Davis are the only two receivers on the team now with a sub-seven-second 3-cone drill. He might need more work in the fine tuning of his route running, but he is a solid player with a great deal of experience.
Malachi Dupre joined the Packers as the last draft pick. An SEC prospect, Dupre showed great athleticism and explosiveness. Dupre is 6’3” and also posted a 39.5 inch vertical jump at the Combine. Dupre seems to be the most likely to step in and take the snaps that belonged to Geronimo Allison this year if Allison does not take a step forward. Dupre is not horribly valuable, but a possible flex play in a deep league. He certainly lacks the value of Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams and Randall Cobb. Yancey seems to be the long play on replacing Nelson or Cobb, however. He posted 40 times similar to Cobb and a better three cone, but he is much better as a deep threat runner. Yancey may be the more valuable player in dynasty formats, though still not first round material.
UDFAs Montay Crockett and Aaron Peck have no realistic value and absolutely no chance of making it out of camp.
Defense
The Defense had a few things going for it last year... as a fantasy defense. The Packers were very good at intercepting the ball and very good at getting to the quarterback. The Packers were also very good in run defense, but the big plays hurt. Yards and points piled up too often. The Defense should get a boost if Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins can stay healthy, but the addition of Kevin King will also provide a boost to the secondary. He played every position in the defensive backfield while at Washington and has great size and speed.
Josh Jones should help Green Bay with the loss of Micah Hyde. He gives Dom Capers a fast, big, athletic, ball hawking player who can be moved around the formation. If Capers decides to keep Jones back, it could also free up Burnett to make more plays in the slot and in rush defense. Vince Biegel gives the Packers another solid pass rusher on the edge to play in rotation with Clay Matthews and Nick Perry.
There were no additions in the draft at Inside Linebacker, but the Packers did add one Defensive Lineman. Montravius Adams comes to the Packers as a pass rush specializing Defensive End. There were questions about his dedication and his commitment, but he will likely be a rotational pass rusher on the end. If he can just provide a little push and give the Outside Linebackers some relief, he might be of some benefit. Generally this DST should be better this year. This does not appear to be a top ten DST, but it should have some streaming value depending on the match ups.