Lombardi Ave
FanSided

Packers 2016 seven-round mock draft: Defense gets major upgrades

By Freddie Boston

May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; General view of Radio City Music Hall before the start of the 2014 NFL draft. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; General view of Radio City Music Hall before the start of the 2014 NFL draft. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 10
Next
Jan 26, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; North squad offensive tackle Joe Haeg of North Dakota State (59) blocks in a drill during Senior Bowl practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 26, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; North squad offensive tackle Joe Haeg of North Dakota State (59) blocks in a drill during Senior Bowl practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 3 (88): OT Joe Haeg, North Dakota State

Aaron Rodgers had a miserable time under center when his best pass protectors got hurt. Right tackle Bryan Bulaga was forced to miss time with a knee injury and left tackle David Bakhtiari sat out with an ankle injury. Don Barclay looked out of his depth when filling in for Bakhtiari, and even guard Josh Sitton was forced to play at tackle. It didn’t work.

Currently, JC Tretter is the only adequate backup at the tackle spots and the Packers desperately need to find more upgrades. Throw in the fact both Bakhtiari and Tretter are free agents following the 2016 season and the thought of drafting a lineman early becomes very appealing.

Joe Haeg of North Dakota State would be an excellent pickup by the Packers in the third round. Haeg protected Carson Wentz at left tackle for the final two years of his college career and spent time at right tackle before that. Maybe Haeg will swap a future star at quarterback for a current one.

Haeg would initially offer quality backup behind Bakhtiari and Bulaga but has the potential to become a starter down the line. With Bakhtiari entering a contract year and Bulaga’s inability to stay healthy, it would be a good time to pickup a talented lineman.

Next: Round 4

Home/Green Bay Mock Drafts