Packers Mock Draft Monday 2017 2.0
By Ross Uglem
Ross will provide a weekly mock draft using Fanspeak's mock draft simulator, On the Clock. He will also scour the internet for a few mocks to see who the "experts" have Green Bay taking that week and will provide analysis.
I was again able to select McKinley with Green Bay's first selection. Nothing that McKinley did during the combine, nor the surgery that he will be having on his shoulder make him anything less than a top 10 talent in my mind. He's probably not one of the most talented 10 players in this draft, but he would be in a lot of classes. McKinley fits the Thompson profile and can free up Capers to do other stuff with Matthews.
Adoree' Jackson is one of my favorite corners in a very deep class. The addition of Jackson in addition to a potential veteran addition would be enough insurance in case Rollins and Randall don't make 3rd year leaps. I supplement the offense with Zay Jones (6'1") to play on the outside and Elflein to bolster the interior of the offensive line before adding Vanderdoes to the DL and Bryan Cox as another versatile piece for the front 7.
National Mock Roundup
Christian McCaffery, RB Stanford- please, please, please stop doing this. It is legitimately hurting my soul.
Dan Kadar, Mocking the Draft (SB Nation)
Teez Tabor, CB Florida- after declaring himself the best prospect (not the best CB) in this draft, Tabor had a rough go at the combine. 9 reps on the bench, 31" in the vert and a 4.62 40 yard dash is not great. After watching LaDarius Gunter struggle due to athletic limitations, Packers fans and hopefully the front office will be steering clear of Tabor.
Scott Polacek, Bleacher Report
Ryan Ramczyk, OT Wisconsin- we talked about this last week. I undrestand the value, I understand his move to guard. I understand the desire to pair a Wisconsin player with the Packers but I just don't think Thompson would ever spend a first round pick on someone he thinks is going to eventually play guard.
TJ Watt, OLB Wisconsin- now this is the right Badger. Watt, to me, and I don't quite understand what everyone else's issue is with him passes the film test, the "combine" test and the intangibles test. I refuse to look at it as some kind of negative that he is JJ's brother. I also really like that he is just learning how to play defense and that he has so much room to grow.
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Ross Uglem is a staff writer for Cheesehead TV. He can be found on Twitter @RossUglem
Comments (55)
zoellner25
March 06, 2017 at 01:56 pm
Now this is a post I can get behind. I'd take McKinley or another top edge rusher in Round 1. Adoree Jackson will not be there at 61, after running so fast today. I'd be happy for Ted to trade up for top CB in round 2, at least get into top 50. Any CB from Alabama, LSU or Washington will work. No RBs please, agreed there.
Ross Uglem
March 06, 2017 at 02:01 pm
All the DBs ran fast. I'm not sure Jackson's 40 will affect him that much because his speed was assumed to be his greatest strength. He has other questions.
Andrew Mertig
March 06, 2017 at 02:55 pm
I think there's a better chance Jackson is gone before 29, than him lasting to the 2nd round.
Love McKinley. I just wish OJ Howard would last to 29.
CAG123
March 06, 2017 at 11:03 pm
NO! No more small corners and yes I understand that Jackson is small and fast unlike Randall but no did you see Julio toss DR to the ground like a mere child? We need a legit shutdown corner with some physicality and size.
Ross Uglem
March 07, 2017 at 05:19 am
1. Randall not a small corner. He's 5'11" and almost 200 pounds. 2. Randall ran a 4.46 which is not slow no matter how you want to look at it.
CAG123
March 07, 2017 at 05:27 pm
Randall is always in trail position so don't tell me he has speed I've seen him 3-4 yards behind receivers plenty times this year and even last year he was a safety in college for a reason but once again TT knack for wanting to draft then change a players position reared its ugly head.
dobber
March 07, 2017 at 07:23 am
You do realize that Julio is a 6'3", 220-lb freak, right? He's going to throw most CBs around.
CAG123
March 07, 2017 at 05:29 pm
No he's going to throw small corners around which is what he did. He's not throwing the Shermans, Talibs, Revis, Verrets etc of the league to the ground
vj_ostrowski
March 07, 2017 at 01:28 pm
Adoree does not pass the GB filter for size. He simply will not be drafted by Ted.
GLM
March 06, 2017 at 02:59 pm
McKinley has a bum shoulder...no way he gets picked by the Packers.
StvHld
March 06, 2017 at 03:16 pm
You do know that Ted Thompson is the GM right. Injury history doesn't matter to him. See: Justin Harrell!
dobber
March 07, 2017 at 07:24 am
I would argue that TT learned his lesson from Harrell and has since shied away from drafting players with significant injury histories. His recent track record seems to back that up.
Handsback
March 06, 2017 at 02:59 pm
A lot of people have Tak going to the Packers at 29, especially after his admitting he needs surgery. Now he didn't run like he expected ie. 4.4 in the 40, but he still seems ok. He's not a slam dunk btw... Might go with best CB in the first.
I love Jackson in the 2nd, but agree with Zoellner25, he won't be there in the 2nd. Suggest Tomlinson from AL.
I love Vanderdoes and think he would be a stud in the NFL.
Overall, good haul if it happened.
al bundy
March 06, 2017 at 03:04 pm
Tak wont be there at 29. There are a lot of big fast CB's in the draft for ted to take, maybe even someone who didnt play in the pac 12.
Look a lot of the talent that this team needs will be gone by 29. Steady as she goes says you pick the next best Corner available speed and Ted, stop with the 5/10 185 pound guys. They cant cut it.
dobber
March 06, 2017 at 06:42 pm
Yeah...cuz, you know, calves and stuff.
Ross Uglem
March 06, 2017 at 09:09 pm
Randall - 5 11" 196 (combine measured)
Rollins - 5'11" 195 (combine measured)
Gunter - 6'1" 206 (combine measured)
Hyde - 6'0" 197 (combine measured)
Who the hell that actually plays is 5'10" 185?
Thegreatreynoldo
March 07, 2017 at 01:18 am
Adoree Jackson, at 5'10.0", 186 pounds, if you draft him in the 2nd round, that's who. He is fast though (4.42).
But I get your point: TT hasn't drafted small CBs.
Ross Uglem
March 07, 2017 at 05:16 am
man literally said "Ted, stop it with the 5'10" 185 guys.". I certainly wouldn't want anyone like Chris Harris Jr., William Gay or Brent Grimes on my squad. The GM doesn't have a habit of drafting undersized CBs. It's a fallacy
dobber
March 07, 2017 at 07:26 am
... and you wouldn't have had to draft Harris or Grimes...they were UDFAs like Sam Shields. People wonder why smallish CBs are so popular as UDFAs? Because these kinds of guys at premier positions pop up more often than people realize.
zoellner25
March 07, 2017 at 08:46 am
and WRs aren't getting smaller these days. Now they are 6'2" plus with sub 4.5 speed.
stockholder
March 07, 2017 at 10:32 am
That's because of Terrell Buckley. Is Jackson Terrel Buckley? I doubt it. But TT did scout Buckley. And the game of football has changed since then. More passing and better safeties. I don't think TT trades up for CB. So let me throw this guy at you. OBI Melifonwu S UConn. This guy has played CB and put up AWESOME numbers at 6'4". Makes plays all-over! Now 3rd option. BPA! Most teams pass on offense for defense. Which mens McCaffrey will be your BPA, and should be picked.
PatrickGB
March 06, 2017 at 03:11 pm
Tak is injured and may not be available to play by TC. I really doubt Jackson is still there at the bottom of the 2nd.
Bert
March 06, 2017 at 05:04 pm
Takk and TJ Watt are very appealing at #29. Not too concerned about the shoulder unless it's a potential for a long term issue. Heck. I don't expect that much in 2017 for whoever we pick anyhow. If McKinley gives us the highest long-term value then he would be a very good pick that late.
Handsback
March 06, 2017 at 05:36 pm
Guys and ladies from Texas will recognize this name "Speedy Noil" a WR (of course) from Texas A&M. The guy was suppose to be a lights out WR in college, but it didn't happen. He's a guy with speed and some explosiveness that may be a UDFA, but could also go in the 6-7th round. I think he will make a good receiver IF he accepts the coaching to make him better. He could also turn out to be like Johnny Football so that's why I see him in 6 or 7th round.
It's an easy name to remember.
NickPerry
March 06, 2017 at 06:21 pm
I've heard this guy is having the surgery and will be out 4 to 6 months. If that's really the case do we want to spend the 1st pick in the draft on a guy who will miss Rookie Camps, OTA's, part of training camp possibly and maybe even part of the preseason?Shoulder injuries can be troublesome too. Seems with a draft this deep we could do better than taking a guy with an injured shoulder in the 1st round.
Ross Uglem
March 06, 2017 at 09:15 pm
Not going to not take a player that I think is a top 10 level talent at 29 at a position of need because he might or might not miss the first training camp of a 4 year dirt cheap contract.
-Ross
NickPerry
March 07, 2017 at 06:21 am
If Thompson was in the habit of drafting players with injuries then why not take Myles Jack or Jaylon Smith? Obviously those 2 had much more severe injuries but still, Jack was a Top 3 talent AT a position of need.
I don't know enough about him to say he's top 10 or not. I've seen him mocked all over the place from 10th or 11th to the middle of 2nd round. SO many talented players in this draft it just doesn't seem to make sense to me at 29. Just saying...
March 06, 2017 at 06:56 pm
1 Taco Charlton Edge
2 Zay Jones WR
3 Evan Engram TE
4 - Ethan Pocic C/G
5 - Duke Riley LB
5 - Jeremy McNichols RB
Ross Uglem
March 06, 2017 at 09:11 pm
you must really, really believe in Randall and Rollins. It's refreshing actually.
zoellner25
March 06, 2017 at 09:38 pm
He might be the only one
March 07, 2017 at 08:33 am
I don't, but I also believe the best way to build a winner is taking BPA, and not drafting for need. If a guy like Charlton falls to #29 in a mock, I'm sure as hell not passing. When you draft to fill needs, you end up with guys like Randall & Rollins. I also believe Ted will bring back House, who I'm not the world's greatest fan of, but I guarantee you that he would contribute more NEXT year than any rookie CB could. Randall & Rollins were both hurt, let's see if either guy can take that step forward. Go back & look at how much Shields struggled in year 2; he turned out to be okay...
sonomaca
March 06, 2017 at 07:34 pm
Probably get Tak in round 2 with a trade-up.
Would go for speed in round 1, whether edge, CB, or even TE. The Falcons demonstrated that the Packers are too damn slow.
sonomaca
March 06, 2017 at 07:37 pm
The QB's are so so-so this year. Can't imagine Hundley wouldn't net a 3rd.
KingKongBundy
March 06, 2017 at 09:12 pm
or maybe a Sheldon Richardson?
Ross Uglem
March 06, 2017 at 09:16 pm
that's a hell of an idea. Makes entirely too much sense to be actually executed by two NFL teams but that is a hell of an idea.
NickPerry
March 07, 2017 at 06:26 am
Richardson is a mess. Failed tests, gun charges, late for meetings and stupid Snapchat rants. BUT for a 5th round draft pick who had a good preseason 2 years ago why not.
zoellner25
March 07, 2017 at 08:55 am
No Sheldon Richardson. He's a special kind of turd
dobber
March 07, 2017 at 09:29 am
"He's a special kind of turd"
I might have to borrow that in the future...
stockholder
March 06, 2017 at 08:34 pm
I really think TT should take these guys some how. Jackson cb ,Melifonwu s, Willis de/olb, Engram Te, Perine RB, These guys have star written all over them.
vj_ostrowski
March 07, 2017 at 07:18 pm
Figure out a way for GB to get 5 2nd round picks
Doofapotamus
March 07, 2017 at 12:14 am
Honestly I can see the Packers picking up either a top end edge rusher or cornerback in round 1, and trading up in the 2nd to try and Nabbed Watt, or the other way around and nab a next tier cornerback. My ideal scenario would be Lattimore or Jones, in the first round and Watt as an early 2nd trade up. And Thompson has shown his willingness to trade up for players he likes, I.E. Matthews, Spriggs and Hundley. Reports are that they interviewed with Watt already, and I can't imagine they disliked what they heard. He even said he loves everything about Wisconsin. Can't picture a better start to the draft.
stockholder
March 07, 2017 at 06:52 am
Lattimore has hammy problems. He also had Hooker behind him. But when he's good, he's OK. Amar darboh WR Mi. Didn't really get shut down against OS. If TT wants a good WR, he might want to take a shot at him later in the draft. Jones is another that benefitted from a good safety. He's going to get slower and I don't like the way he plays bump.
dobber
March 07, 2017 at 07:30 am
"But when he's good, he's OK. "
Now THAT's a ringing endorsement, there, folks... ;)
Turophile
March 07, 2017 at 08:56 am
Edge rusher and CB sure look like the best bet at picks 1&2, with TE possibly throwing a spanner in the works (and of course it depends on whether anyone falls in the draft and becomes a no-brainer pick).
I especially like a trade back with the Chargers who may well want to move up to the 1st round, for either one of two OTs (Robinson, Bolles) or a QB as insurance behind 35 year old Rivers. An equal value trade there would have the Packers giving up their 1st (#29) and 3rd (#93) for the Chargers 2nd (#38) and 3rd (#75). It is looking like this year #38 is not too late for a quality edge rusher (most years it would be too late).
That move up in round 3 makes a lot of difference in the quality of guys available, I'd prefer keeping that pick to using it to move up in the second round, even assuming you could find a second trade partner. This draft has too much value to give up picks.
TE's Shaheen and Hodges may still be there at #75, same with CB's Awuzie or K.King, or WR Zay Jones. These guys are gone by #93.
Thegreatreynoldo
March 07, 2017 at 01:25 am
"I also really like that he is just learning how to play defense and that he has so much room to grow."
This is a two-edged sword as we've had some recent examples of guys taking a while to develop. However, I'm impressed by Watt's combine.
Turophile
March 07, 2017 at 06:43 am
Ross, did you use the Bleacher board and fan based needs this time around ?
I liked the McKinley and Zay Jones picks. Vanderdoes in round 5 is a decent gamble on him recovering the form he had when playing lighter. Not much of a fan of the other picks, especially CB Adoree who gives up way too many completions and may not even be fully committed to football.
It would be nice to see your 6th and 7th picks - they are the developmental guys and are usually interesting choices.
I have had several goes with fanspeak, the combo I liked least (which probably means most realistic) was using the composite board (because it is the most recently updated) and user-voted needs. With that combo, I got the following:
Edge - Derek Barnett - Tennessee
TE - Evan Engram - Mississippi
CB - Chidobe Awuzie - Colorado
DE - Tanoh Kpassagnon - Villanova
G - Jordan Morgan - Kutztown
RB - Elijah McGuire - Lafayette
CB - Brandon Langley - Lamar
ILB - James Onwuahu - Notre Dame
I thought I was lucky to see Engram still there at #61, he could help the Packers offense a lot. Kpassagnon was a big gamble, but he has huge upside for a round 4 pick. Langley (in round 6) is a 6ft, 200lb corner who can run a 4.43 40 and put up 22 reps on the bar - he is another punt on a high-upside, developmental guy. I would have liked a down-the-sidelines receiver, but that never materialised.
RCPackerFan
March 07, 2017 at 06:47 am
In this Mock Draft, I like it but I personally like TJ Watt better then McKinley. I am a badger fan but I'm looking at it as objectively as possible. Watt is a Perfect fit for the Packers defense, and he played a very similar position for the Badgers that he would for Green Bay. There wouldn't be a steep learning curve for him. I think Watt has a high upside and is only going to improve much like his brother did.
TJ reminds me of Clay Mathews coming out. Not a lot of starting experience but has great bloodlines.
If they could get Jackson in the 2nd I'd be all for it. Actually if he was round in the middle of the 2nd I would consider trading up for him.
I love Zay Jones in the 3rd. After the Senior Bowl he has become a player I would love to see in Green Bay.
The only thing really missing that I'd like to see from the Mock draft is a RB and TE. Even if they resign Lacy and Cook I still want them to find a RB and TE in this draft.
stockholder
March 07, 2017 at 07:11 am
I can't see McKinley or Tj Watt. If they want to stay with the elephants in Capers defense, TT won't draft either. If Capers goes , Yes. If TT spends the money on Perry and Jones. He'll take a cb knowing Rollins is a bust. So my thinking is that the best Cb available @ #29 is Jackson. I don't think he has injury issues either.
RCPackerFan
March 07, 2017 at 11:14 am
Why would taking a CB mean Rollins is a bust?
They lost Shields, and need another starting caliber CB. Rollins best role right now is as a Slot CB. That essentially is what he was drafted for. He had a 2nd season in which he was injured most of the year, and came off of a promising Rookie year.
stockholder
March 07, 2017 at 12:53 pm
In the first & 2nd round, yes. In the 3rd or later no. This was the most secure position to start last year. But Time showed the faults. They have to many other things to "Reload on". It really will show up if TT doesn't sign his players. Gunter and hyde could also handle the slot.
Turophile
March 07, 2017 at 01:07 pm
Stockholder, re the first of your two replies. The whole point here is that one or two OLBs are projected gone. I don't think the Packers keep more than one of Peppers, D.Jones, N.Perry. That makes selecting a quality edge guy almost mandatory.
Even if a CB was taken in round one, stay away from Adoree Jackson. He gave up loads of completions and may not even be that committed to football (left team for a period to do track). I'd prefer Jones, King , Conley and Moreau, over him.
stockholder
March 07, 2017 at 03:11 pm
I agree about the edge rushers being gone. But i'm still going with Dean Lowrey over a pick. They moved him to the right side and he did well. He played there in college, as opposed to the left side. Plus I'm looking at Frackwell doing better. I thought AJ's leaving the team was for the olympics. King and Moreau would be nice picks later. But let me add this. Peppers and McCafferey may fall to the packers. If we believe in Rollins yet. Why fight the pick of McCaffery. Rb. ? I would take him (BPA) over any CB that is a work. I Liked AJ because he's what Tramon Williams was. But four players that could help the defense the most are as follows. Peppers- TT would find a spot. I like Willis DE/edge fast. Jackson Cb and obi melifonwu S (Even if they over pick O>M.)
Radagast
March 07, 2017 at 07:47 am
IMO, GB's greatest need is at the CB/CB's position. My perfect CB is : greasy fast and agile, SMART, & physical. I don't care if it's a veteran free agent or a high draft rookie (trade up if needed), the Packers need a STAR CB/CB's . If an NFL team can't defend the pass, they are just playing to loose.
GLM
March 07, 2017 at 01:33 pm
Counting on a 1st or 2nd round draft pick to come in and start at cornerback would be a huge gamble, IMO. I really think the team needs to go after one of the top free agents to man the outside. If you have to pay him top-dollar, so be it, as long as he performs. (That is the question, isn't it?) He better be able to shut down and cover his side of the field.
If they get a good veteran there, that frees them up in the draft to pretty much do whatever they want, and go after the players and positions they want.
OldTimer
March 07, 2017 at 11:15 pm
I think the first pick will factor in several things. The first round is where you find starter talent. It is also where you can get it the cheapest. After free agency things up a lot. I don't think that they will pick up a CB or a TE in the first round, The draft is deep at theses positions. I would be surprised if it's not a DE or OLB. Second round could Be used to address another specific need, after that BAP. I hope they can trade up a couple of times after their second pick. I would hope a TE and a decent CB can still be had. Throw in a decent running back to develope, and they can fill in any blanks with undrafted free agents and throw offs from other rosters as they fall.