Packers draft picks: Today’s big three projected by these mockers
Menelik Watson (71).
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
It’s another pre-draft day here at Lombardiave.com and another day of reviewing the plethora of Green Bay Packers mock drafts in cyberspace. Again, we have randomly selected three separate mocks that have three different selections for the Packers.
What I’ve found since I’ve started this daily project this week is that there are many varied views out there, not only on the Packers’ needs heading into the 2013 season, but many varied ideas on which players would best fit those needs.
I discovered today truth again in that statement. This time around, we take a look at the most recent post-Combine mock draft by Russ Lande of National Football Post; Matt De Lima of fftoolbox.com; and nfldraftdog.com.
So, without boring you any more with the particulars, we’ll let our mocksters take it away with their picks. However, we will also provide our own take on each of these picks.
Enjoy …
Russ Lande of NFL Post projects …
Johnathan Cooper
"Johnathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina, Senior: Not only do the Packers have issues figuring their offensive tackle situation, but their interior offensive line needs work. Cooper is athletic enough to start at guard or center and should be able to challenge for a starting job as a rookie. – See more at: http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/NFP-Mock-Draft-Version-70.html#sthash.SS9tiLYe.dpuf."
Lombardiave.com: I think Cooper is an excellent choice for the Packers. While everyone is really high on Alabama’s Barrett Jones because of his versatility, I wouldn’t be disappointed if the Packers went this route. Cooper is a specimen (6-2, 311 pounds) who can play just about every inside position and some say he could even play outside in a pinch. However, if the Packers were to select him, I don’t think they would consider playing him outside. His strength is at guard or center and the Packers would coach him up at those positions.
He has been ranked the second best inside offensive lineman and the 16th best player in this draft, so whether he will still be on the board by the time the Packers pick at 26 is problematic. Though NFL teams don’t make it a habit of selecting guards in the first round, Cooper may be an exception. His solid play helped pave the way for Tar Heels’ running back Giovani Bernard, who averaged around 123 yards per game last season. Will Cooper still be available for the Packers? Most likely he will not, but he would be an intriguing pick if he were.
Blidi Wreh-Wilson
Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
fftoolbox.com‘s Matt De Lima projects …
"Blidi Wreh-Wilson, CB, ConnecticutGreen Bay recently parted ways with future Hall of Famer Charles Woodson so this may be a reactionary pick for them. They do have some young depth at the position with Davon House and Casey Hayward brought in during the last two drafts."
Lombardiave: You might be asking, who is Blidi Wreh-Wilson? I asked the same thing and had to do a bit of quick research on him. At 6-2, 190 pounds, he’s a tall cornerback who is said to have struggled with man coverage at the Senior Bowl because of his lack of speed. His time in the 40 at the Combine wasn’t great (4.53), but he’s described as a scrappy player who excels in press coverage and is an excellent tackler – which is something that the Packers need at this point.
Wreh-Wilson is an interesting pick here. Though he’s projected to be drafted in the early second round, De Lima suggests that the Packers might take a chance on him with their late first round selection. He might be a reach and if the Packers were really interested in grabbing him, they may go a different direction in the first round and hope they can latch onto him in the second round.
http://www.nfldraftdog.com projects …
Menelik Watson (71).
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Menelik Watson, OT, Florida State
"The Packers have to do a better job of protecting QB Aaron Rogers."
Lombardiave: Nfldraftdog.com states the obvious about what the Packers need to do in 2013 and that’s certainly a good reason to take a look at drafting Watson with their first round pick. Watson is a mountain of a man (6-6, 320 pounds) who ran a 5.29 in the 40, leaped 24.5 inches in the vertical, 103 inches in the broad jump, ran the three-cone drill in 8.31 seconds and the 20-yard shuffle in 5.01 seconds.
Obviously speed is not what anyone evaluating this player would be seeking. What they see is his explosive first step, his excellent foot quickness, mobility and range. Those who have seen him play say he has it all.
An interesting story, Watson grew up in Manchester, England, and was a big sports fan. He started in soccer, but soon realized that wasn’t going to work, so he took up basketball and received a scholarship to college for that sport. However, he soon realized that also wasn’t going to be for him and came to love football when he went to a Florida State game.
Now he has the chance at the NFL. Another interesting player who would work well as a Packer.