APC Mock Draft 2020: Packers find an answer at right tackle with the 30th pick

Each year, Acme Packing Company’s writers combine for a mock draft, pitting each of us against one another as we represent different teams. This year, eight APC contributors pitched in, representing four teams apiece — two NFC teams and two AFC teams, and all from different divisions.

This year’s mock stretches to the end of the second round of the draft, giving some possibilities for how the Green Bay Packers’ picks at 30 and 62 overall could go. Check out the mock as we reveal these two rounds of picks throughout the week.

Finally, we are to the final third of round one in our mock, which features the Packers’ first selection at 30 overall. With so many wide receivers off the board early on, the writer who was assigned to make the Packers’ selections went in a different direction, though he stayed on the offensive side of the ball.

With the top ten picks and the teens behind us, here are picks 21 through 32, and stay tuned for round two tomorrow.

1.21 Philadelphia Eagles: Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma (Tex)

Looking over Philly’s depth chart, the talent level at off-ball linebacker really jumps out at me, and not in a good way. With Jefferson off the board already, that’s an area where the Eagles need to improve, and with Queen having gone off the board one pick earlier, that makes my decision pretty easy. Murray will be a work in progress in coverage, but he’s an instinctual, fast, physical player who should be a three-down linebacker in no time.

1.22 - Minnesota Vikings: K’Lavon Chaisson, DE, LSU (Shawn)

This is a slam-dunk pick if Chaisson somehow reaches the 22nd overall pick. Minnesota is looking for a replacement for Everson Griffen and is able to go back to the LSU well to pick up another Danielle Hunter-like pass-rusher. Minnesota can wait on a wide receiver as it grabs the second-best end in the class.

1.23 New England Patriots - Brandon Aiyuck, WR, ASU (Paul)

The Pats will enter 2020 without a surefire thing at quarterback for the first time in decades, and while Bill Belichick may be a wizard, he still needs some ingredients to work with. The Pats spent a high pick on N’Keal Harry last season, and they will team him up with one of the draft’s more undervalued receivers. Aiyuck can play inside adn out and his numbers match up favorably with the

1.24 - New Orleans Saints: Jordan Love, QB, Utah State (Shawn)

Drew Brees may be entering the final years now at age 41 and the Saints allowed Teddy Bridgewater to leave in free agency. Taysom Hill is a great offensive weapon, but probably not a full-time quarterback as management once alluded. While Brees’s career winds down, there may not be a better spot for Jordan Love than in New Orleans. There are plenty of tantalizing tools for Sean Payton to work with and Love would benefit from sitting a year or two and developing. If Love falls toward the end of round one, the Saints are a good fit.

1.25 - Minnesota Vikings: Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor (Shawn)

If the Vikings land their defensive end in Chaisson three picks earlier, they will be pleased to see two taller wide receivers still on the board in Tee HIggins and Denzel Mims. After trading Stefan Diggs, it makes a lot of sense for Minnesota to target a player that can stretch the field. Mims can do that while adding the type of size that makes him a jump-ball threat. He is not a finished product yet, but Mims could turn into the kind of receiver that makes Kirk Cousins look very good over the rest of his extended contract - much like a Randy Moss-Daunte Culpepper relationship.

1.26 Miami Dolphins (from Houston Texans): Austin Jackson, OT, USC (Tex)

The Dolphins have two second-rounders to play with, so I’m going to wait until then to fix a defense that isn’t as bad as its 32nd-place ranking makes it seem (thanks to some big free agent additions). So let’s get a protector for Tua since the next tier of offensive tackles should be long gone by the time Miami is on the clock again at 39. Jackson is not a perfect prospect and his feet are not overly quick, but he’s a good technician and should be able to drop right into the starting lineup at one of the two tackle spots.

1.27 Seattle Seahawks: Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU (Jordan)

The Legion of Boom feels like it was ages ago and now the Seahawks are largely devoid of talent in the secondary. Being able to get Gladney in the backend of the draft is a heist. He’s a fast player who will excel in man coverage and quick enough to move his hips and change directions to break on the ball. He’s a little undersized compared to bigger NFL wide receivers, but that doesn’t mean he can’t get bigger with an NFL diet and strength training. Also, a couple places are saying he’s actually sneaky strong in the weightroom already. Seattle has quite a few holes to fill despite being a playoff team last year, but Gladney would easily fill one of those holes.

1.28 Baltimore Ravens: Chase Claypool, WR/TE, Notre Dame (Jon B)

Last year, the Ravens grabbed a small, speedy receiver in Hollywood Brown to go with a budding star tight end in Mark Andrews. Now they have a big-bodied possession receiver who straddles the line between receiver and tight end. Claypool ran and jumped incredibly well at the Combine but he’ll provide a big target for Lamar Jackson and will rejoin former teammate and 2019 pick Miles Boykin.

1.29 Tennessee Titans: Ross Blacklock, DT, TCU (Jon B)

Tennessee traded away Jurell Casey this year, but they get a ready-made replacement in the athletic Blacklock, who will probably start out at 3-technique. Blacklock has a great burst off the line and will help form a nice young core in the middle of the defense opposite Jeffery Simmons, last year’s first-rounder.

1.30 Green Bay Packers: Joshua Jones, OT, Houston (Peter)

Not a receiver. I’m an idiot. Same old Packers. I get it. Hear me out. Last season, Josh Joshua Jones didn’t give up a sack, a pressure, or a holding call. In fact, according to Sports Info Solutions, he hasn’t allowed a pressure since 2017. That’s not a typo. Jones may be a little raw and unorthodox at times, but that’s the MO of Packers linemen from time immemorial. But he gets guys blocked, particularly in pass protection. Sure, he came from a group of five school, but Pro Football Focus graded his 2019 season as the best by a group of five tackle since they started grading.

Rick Wagner handles things in 2020 until Jones is ready to take over (which could be by Halloween). He’s that good.

1.31 San Francisco: Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson (Mike)

George Kittle was the only real threat in the 49ers pass game last season. Deebo Samuel got much better as the year progressed but the 49ers need another big target for Jimmy G. Tee Higgins fits the bill as a big deep threat that can also be dangerous in the read zone. Higgins can play inside and out to let Kyle Shanahan create mismatches at his leisure. Higgins will add a dynamic receiving threat to an offense that sorely needs one.

1.32 Kansas City Chiefs: Zack Baun, LB, Wisconsin (Kris)

You can never have enough pass rushers and for a defense that struggled at times with the blitz, this is a no-brainer. Though I made the pick before news of Baun’s diluted sample came out, I still think he’d be a great fit in Kansas City although a fall into the second round shouldn’t be ruled out for the Wisconsin star. His speed and athleticism will be a welcome addition to a defense in need of both.