Mike Mayock Mock Draft 2017: Packers take RB Alvin Kamara at 29

The Green Bay Packers are entering the NFL Draft with a two-headed tandem of Ty Montgomery and Christine Michael at running back. For many draft pundits, this is apparently an unacceptable pairing.

Add NFL.com’s Mike Mayock to the list.

Each year, Mayock puts out one and only one mock draft, on the day before round one begins. He just published his picks, and he has a fairly surprising name going off the board to the Packers with the 29th pick:

Acme Packing Company in general has been arguing that the Packers do not need to take a running back in the first round, and this pick is hardly one that will earn any praise from this writer. While Alvin Kamara possesses an intriguing skill set, his lack of experience as a featured tailback in college and a couple of minor knee injuries are significant turn-offs.

Kamara spent two seasons at Tennessee and had a fairly consistent workload both seasons. In 2015, he ran the ball 107 times and caught 34 passes for a total of 141 touches and 989 yards, and in 2016 he had 103 carries and 40 receptions for 143 combined touches and 988 yards. He scored 10 times in 2015 and recorded 13 touchdowns as a junior in 2016.

While Kamara’s versatility as a runner and receiver would likely make him a decent fit in the Packers’ offense, the fact remains that the Packers have not drafted a first-round running back under Ted Thompson. Most mock drafts have projected Kamara as a second-round pick, though some others have had him going as high as the late first round or as low as round three. Pick number 61 would seem to be a more sensible time for Kamara to land in Green Bay, if the Packers are to end up drafting him.