NFL Mock Draft 2017: Packers address defense early in post-Senior Bowl mock

Before I get these takes off, I want to credit @StillRyanFive, Raider fan and good twitter follow, for this format that I have taken from him. He’s a good dude.

Okay, so I’m going to do a few of these, as we all draw closer to the greatest three days of the year, Draft Weekend. I did this on a very nice website called first-pick.com which is a mock draft game website. It’s pretty dope, you should all check it out and put together your dream draft for the thirteen time world champion Green Bay Packers.

Anyways, this mock will be a bit of a mix between how I think the Packers will draft, and how I would draft. Essentially, a hybrid with some compromise made on certain picks that are of conflicting views.

The Green Bay Packers failed due to their defense this season. Not the offense, who seemingly was lost but was found halfway through the 2016 season. Ravaged by injury and incompetency, the defense got to the point where in the playoff game versus Dallas, Green Bay was unable to switch out of a Nickel defense; the personnel and coaching were handcuffed to only one personnel grouping being able to adequately defend the opposing offense. Ted Thompson will be looking to fix this, and add some depth up front before the secondary, which was littered with undrafted free agents and young players clearly struggling to tread water at the professional level.

Without further ado, here is my #Packers mock draft using the first-pick.com simulator (I did not make any trades in this mock):

Round 1 Pick 29: Tim Williams, EDGE, Alabama 6’3” 252

While Williams isn’t the down defensive lineman I think Thompson would likely prefer to take in the first round, he’s the most impactful pick that was available at 29. Williams would add a premier talent to the outside linebacker position, which could allow Clay Matthews to move back inside, or Williams could simply add considerable depth at the position. With Julius Peppers likely stepping away from the game/being allowed to leave in free agency by Green Bay, Williams adds some juice to the pass rush. Granted, he’s available here due to some off-field concerns at Alabama, but Williams is worth the gamble at this juncture. Some other players in play at 29 were: Sidney Jones, CB from Washington, Tre’Davious White, CB from LSU, and Carl Lawson, EDGE from Auburn.

Round 2 Pick 29: Chris Wormley, DL, Michigan 6’5” 297

Here’s an example of some compromise. While my initial impulse was to draft TE David Njoku of Miami, Wormley is a nice value here late in the 2nd, and addresses the defensive line’s lack of depth. Also, at 6’5” 297, Wormley has the size to line up at almost any spot on the D-Line, and also possesses the quickness to play 3-technique in a pinch. Wormley had an impressive week at the Senior Bowl, showing the ability to win with his hands, and was a rock solid run defender. Other players in play: Adoree’ Jackson, CB from USC, David Njoku, TE from Miami, Dalvin Tomlinson, DL from Alabama, and Quincy Wilson, CB from Florida.

Round 3 Pick 29: Kevin King, CB, Washington, 6’3” 192

King is the unheralded member of the Washington trio of outstanding defensive backs. Playing with Sidney Jones and Budda Baker isn’t the best way to gain attention, but King was no slouch in the Huskies’ secondary. With elite size for the cornerback position, King can blanket receivers. King would give the Packers’ secondary some much needed size, speed and length at the position. In the 3rd round, it’s a nice value for King. Other players considered at this pick: Rasul Douglas, CB from West Virginia, Taywan Taylor, WR from Western Kentucky, Zay Jones, WR from East Carolina, Jaleel Johnson, DL from Iowa and Malachi Dupre, WR from LSU.

Round 4 Pick 28: Artavis Scott, WR, Clemson, 5’10” 193

Scott leaves Clemson after his 3rd season, however he leaves a graduate. The first ever 3rd year junior to compete in Mobile, Scott, like his teammate DeShaun Watson, graduated from the Tigers after 3 years. While he may have benefited from another season at Clemson, I don’t fault him for leaving when Watson, Wayne Gallman, Mike Williams, and Jordan Leggett also are leaving. Scott is likely a slot receiver in the NFL, but he also can serve as a return specialist. Scott is pretty similar to Randall Cobb in style of play, so he would fit well in GB as they look to move beyond Cobb. Others in play at this pick: Carroll Phillips, EDGE from Illinois, Duwuane Smoot, EDGE from Illinois, Daeshon Hall, EDGE from Texas A&M, Jake Butt, TE from Michigan, Damonte Kazee, CB from San Diego State.

Round 5 Pick 28: Jamaal Williams, RB, BYU, 6’0” 211

The Packers, save for Eddie Lacy, generally don’t prioritize the running back position in the draft. Williams would fit the range here, and would be a nice fit in the Green Bay offense. He’s a slasher as a runner, picking up chunks of yardage at a time. With Lacy and James Starks likely on the way out of Green Bay, due to the emergence of Ty Montgomery and addition of Christine Michael, Williams can fill that 3rd running back position. This class is pretty stacked at running back, so get while the getting’s good. Others considered at this pick are: Donnel Pumphrey, RB from San Diego State, Josh Reynolds, WR from Texas A&M, Ryan Switzer, WR from UNC, Channing Stribling, CB from Michigan, and Corey Clement, RB from Wisconsin.

Round 5 Pick 35: Channing Stribling, CB, Michigan, 6’1” 179

He was in consideration seven picks before this, and the Packers are able to double up at cornerback. Stribling was arguably the best corner for the Wolverines this season, and along with Kevin King, this would be a major injection of length at the position for the Packers, who are notoriously team #NoSmallCorners. Stribling is projected by the good people at nfldraftscout.com to run a 4.52 in the 40, and he can compete to contribute immediately. This is the only compensatory pick projected to the Packers at this time.

Round 6 Pick 28: Jonnu Smith, TE, Florida International, 6’3” 245

Smith has an interesting past. An ultra productive tight end for the Panthers, Smith had his season cut short due to injury. But not an ordinary injury, like a knee or an ankle. His girlfriend was upset with Smith, and poured a pot of boiling hot water on his head during the season, giving him severe burns on his head, neck and shoulders. Smith missed the rest of the season, but was at the Senior Bowl and performed well. He’ll be a bit of a developmental project, but he could be a valuable asset down the road. Others available at this spot include: K.D. Cannon, WR from Baylor, Amba Etta-Tawo, WR from Syracuse, and Josh Harvey-Clemons, S from Louisville.

Round 7 Pick 29: Leon McQuay III, S, USC, 6’1” 192

McQuay III hasn’t lived up to his recruiting billing. McQuay III was one of 7 5* recruits in Florida in 2013; Laremy Tunsil, Vernon Hargreaves III, Kelvin Taylor, Derrick Henry, Alex Collins, Matthew Thomas (Still at FSU), and McQuay III. 5 of them are in the NFL, with McQuay III coming next. He’d provide the Packers safety depth, and add more athleticism in the secondary. The Packers need upgraded depth in the back end of their stop unit. Clinton-Dix and Burnett are good, and Kentrell Brice is good for a killshot once per game on special teams, but guys like Marwin Evans shouldn’t be on an NFL roster.

I’ll do a couple more of these throughout the #DraftSZN, and players’ stock will fluctuate between now and April 27th. Lets #MakeThePackersRosterGreatAgain