/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66664030/1185527954.jpg.0.jpg)
Each year, SB Nation turns to its team brands for a massive mock draft initiative, predicting the first round of the upcoming NFL Draft with each team site making the picks for the franchise that they cover. This year, Acme Packing Company has one selection, the 30th overall pick, to make on behalf of the Green Bay Packers.
In this year’s mock, positions of need for the Packers are flying off the board. The top inside linebackers are all gone, with Kenneth Murray headed to New England at 23 and Patrick Queen going one pick later at 24 to the Saints. The offensive tackle group is slim as well, with Houston’s Josh Jones scooped up by the Miami Dolphins with pick #26.
That largely leaves the wide receiver group as the primary focus in this mock, in which there are no trades. However, several of the top options are already gone; CeeDee Lamb, Jerry Jeudy, and Henry Ruggs all came off the board by pick 15, with Justin Jefferson and Denzel Mims also having their names called prior to this selection.
Ultimately, as managing editor of APC, the final decision for the pick comes down to Tex Western. Here’s the selection:
Jalen Reagor, wide receiver, TCU
Honestly, my preference would be to find a trade partner and move back into the 30s, hopefully adding another top-100 pick. But if I’m staying put, I’m at least a little tempted to pick Justin Herbert as Aaron Rodgers’ heir apparent, but I can’t justify it with concerns I have about his accuracy and Rodgers still playing at a high level (even if he hasn’t been MVP-caliber in recent years).
That leaves me considering a group of intriguing wide receivers and a tremendous athlete at offensive tackle in Ezra Cleveland. I feel that the Packers could find a quality player at either position on day two, so that doesn’t enter into the equation for me. Ultimately, I’m going with TCU’s Jalen Reagor to bring an explosive dimension to the Packers offense that the team has lacked in recent years.
On tape, Reagor looks far faster and quicker than his timing at the Combine suggested, and his numbers in a recent Pro Day video (if it can be believed) matches up better with the film while meeting the Packers’ typical benchmarks. He should provide a vertical option for Rodgers and head coach Matt LaFleur, as well as dynamic ability in the open field. LaFleur has stated that he likes having diversity of skill-set in his receiving corps, and with the roster currently filled with taller, physical receivers, Reagor provides an ideal complement to round out the group.
Here’s the board as it sets up so far for the entire SB Nation mock, and make sure to check out the mock as it finishes up on Friday with the 49ers’ and Chiefs’ picks at the end of round one.
SB Nation Mock Draft 2020
Pick | Team | Player | Position | College |
---|---|---|---|---|
Pick | Team | Player | Position | College |
1 | CIN | Joe Burrow | QB | LSU |
2 | WAS | Chase Young | EDGE | Ohio State |
3 | DET | Jeff Okudah | CB | Ohio State |
4 | NYG | Tristan Wirfs | OT | Iowa |
5 | MIA | Tua Tagovailoa | QB | Alabama |
6 | LAC | Isaiah Simmons | S/LB | Clemson |
7 | CAR | Derrick Brown | DT | Auburn |
8 | ARI | CeeDee Lamb | WR | Oklahoma |
9 | JAX | Andrew Thomas | OT | Georgia |
10 | CLE | Mekhi Becton | OT | Louisville |
11 | NYJ | Jedrick Wills | OT | Alabama |
12 | LV | Jerry Jeudy | WR | Alabama |
13 | SF (from IND) | Javon Kinlaw | DT | South Carolina |
14 | TB | Jordan Love | QB | Utah State |
15 | DEN | Henry Ruggs III | WR | Alabama |
16 | ATL | C.J. Henderson | CB | Florida |
17 | DAL | K'Lavin Chaisson | EDGE | LSU |
18 | MIA (from PIT) | Xavier McKinney | S | Alabama |
19 | LV (from CHI) | Kristian Fulton | CB | LSU |
20 | JAX (from LAR) | A.J. Epenesa | EDGE | Iowa |
21 | PHI | Justin Jefferson | WR | LSU |
22 | MIN (from BUF) | Jeff Gladney | CB | TCU |
23 | NE | Kenneth Murray | ILB | Oklahoma |
24 | NO | Patrick Queen | LB | LSU |
25 | MIN | Denzel Mims | WR | Baylor |
26 | MIA (from HOU) | Josh Jones | OT | Houston |
27 | SEA | Jonathan Greenard | EDGE | Florida |
28 | BAL | Cesar Ruiz | C | Michigan |
29 | TEN | Yetur Gross-Matos | EDGE | Penn State |
30 | GB | Jalen Reagor | WR | TCU |
31 | SF | |||
32 | KC |