Green Bay Packers: 2017 NFL mock draft roundup 1.0
Who could the Green Bay Packers land in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft? Here’s the first mock draft roundup of the offseason.
Between now and the start of the 2017 NFL Draft, I’ll be rounding up the mock drafts from the top analysts and seeing who they project to the Green Bay Packers.
The difference in opinions is always interesting to see, as are the changes of each individual analyst as their evaluations evolve.
Let’s dive in.
Erik Lambert of NFL Mocks: OLB Takkarist McKinley, UCLA
No surprise here. The Packers need help to the pass rush, and Takkarist McKinley is a prospect who could be there at No. 29. A strong 2016 season could make McKinley a first-round selection, and he’d fill a position of need in Green Bay.
Ted Thompson loves his guys from UCLA, let’s not forget. Kenny Clark was his first-round selection last year, and Datone Jones was a first-rounder in 2013.
McKinley is raw, but flashed a ton of potential last year and could be developed into an exciting pass rusher in Green Bay.
NFL.com mock drafts
Daniel Jeremiah: OLB T.J. Watt, Wisconsin
Lance Zierlein: RB Alvin Kamara, Tennessee
Bucky Brooks: RB Christian McCaffrey, Stanford
Charley Casserly: OLB Takkarist McKinley, UCLA
McKinley’s name reappears here, but there’s varying opinions from the NFL.com staff.
T.J. Watt would be a good fit in Green Bay. He’s a talented pass rusher, can help right away against the run and is the professional you want in the locker room. Watt, like his brother J.J., plays every down like it’s his last.
Watt’s injury history may cause teams to hesitate, but if he’s there at No. 29 it’d be a smart pick for the Packers.
While it feels unlikely Ted Thompson would select a running back in the first round, two are projected from the NFL.com team. Christian McCaffrey is my pick of the two. He’d be a good scheme fit for the Packers; he can run between the tackles, catch passes out of the backfield and even return punts and kicks.
Along with Ty Montgomery, the Packers could form a nice 1-2 punch. Whether Ted turns to the running back position in Round 1 remains to be seen.
Ryan Wilson of CBSSports.com: CB Teez Tabor, Florida
Strangely enough, here is the first cornerback in this article. Teez Tabor is an excellent cover corner who might even be the most talented at the position in this year’s class. But he’s in a group loaded with talent, which is the reason he might be there at No. 29.
Tabor would be a safe, strong pick on day one, and he could help Dom Capers’ defense right away.
Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball.com: CB Gareon Conley, Ohio State
The Packers lost speed at the cornerback position with Sam Shields’ departure. Gareon Conley can make up for that. At 6-foot-1, 195 pounds, he has good size for the position. Conley could quickly become Green Bay’s premier corner and would be a day one starter.
There are a number of talented cornerbacks who could be there at No. 29. Conley is one of them.