Packers 2017 Draft: What will Green Bay do with 33rd pick?

The Green Bay Packers trading back surprised nobody. Although we all had our pet players we hoped would be picked on day one, when the trade ultimately took place the consensus feeling was, “that makes sense.”

What maybe did surprise everyone, was the idea that the Packers may trade back again.

With that in mind, let’s break down a few aspects of the Packers’ current position and see if we can narrow in on what they may be looking to do with pick No. 33.

First-round talent is available

The Packers are in a fantastic position for three reasons. First, the value of the top pick on day two is huge. Second, they will have nearly 24 hours to shop the pick which should not only drive up the value, but allow the Packers to land where they feel they can get the player they want. Third, there is still a ton of talent. Not just any talent, we’re talking game-changing early first-round talent.

Although the idea of trading away the pick for a 2018 first round pick has been talked about, the Packers are already in a position to draft guys they usually don’t get the chance to and they need to take advantage of it. The question is, how far can you trade and still be sure to grab one of these elite players?

In my eyes there are still five players that fit that description.

RB Dalvin Cook

Dalvin Cook was considered by many to be the top running back available in the draft. His combination of speed and power, along with his ability to be a matchup nightmare in the passing game, would make Cook an instant star on any team. Can you imagine a guy like that playing with Aaron Rodgers?

CB Sidney Jones

Another guy that was in the conversation for No. 1 player at the position, Jones has always been considered an early-to-mid-round selection. The Packers were thought to be drafting way too far back to ever have a shot at him.

Then came the combine when Jones tore his Achilles tendon. It was thought he would be out for the entirety of the 2017 season.

Suddenly, with the positives medical reports claiming Jones could play in 2017, as well as the Packers continuing the move back, the value for Jones to the Packers is starting to get too good to pass up.

G Forrest Lamp

The Forrest Lamp hype went so fast there was maybe a week when the Packers were thought to be able to draft him at 29. After that, mocks starting putting Lamp into the middle of Round 1.

Lamp has drawn comparisons to Cowboys guard Zack Martin, who is one of the best in the game.

Considering the high praise, the slip to Round 2, and the Packers need at guard, Lamp makes a ton of sense.

More from Green Bay Packers Draft

• Packers: Picks in NFL.com mock draft would be a home run
• Packers: 3 different mock drafts with Aaron Rodgers trades
• Packers: Pass rusher Will McDonald IV has pre-draft visit
• Packers 3-round mock draft: Aaron Rodgers trade nets two picks
• Why Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the guy for the Packers in first round

DT Malik McDowell

I’ve never been super high on McDowell personally but his raw athletic ability alone makes it surprising that he slid to Round 2. McDowell would probably be the most dominant player in the draft if playing football was simply about beating the guy, or guys, in front of you.

Criticism aside, McDowell’s ability to dominate up front as well as his versatility to play just about anywhere along the Packers front leads me to believe that Capers may have to be put in restraints for Ted Thompson’s safety if McDowell isn’t selected by the Packers.

T Cam Robinson

It’s probably not a bold statement to say that Cam Robinson is the top player on quite a few big boards. Robinson is seen by some as the top offensive lineman in the draft and was never expected to fall out of Round 1.

Although the Packers’ need at tackle is nonexistent, some, including Mike Mayock, see Robinson as a guard in the NFL.

With the Packers love of playing athletic college tackles at the guard position, Robinson could prove to be too tempting to pass up.

RB Joe Mixon

Unlike the other players in this list, Mixon was almost never in consideration for a first-round pick. That doesn’t mean he isn’t a first-round talent, however.

Mixon, like Dalvin Cook, Leonard Fournette, and Christian McCaffrey was in the conversation for the most talented back in the draft and I tend to lean towards Mixon.

Mixon not only reportedly ran a 4.43 40, making him one of the fastest backs in the entire class, his 21 reps on the bench, 35-inch vertical, and 118-inch broad jump make him the most athletically gifted running back in 2017.

Beyond the measurables, Mixon has some incredible tape. His mix of patience, speed, burst, power, and receiving ability would make him a great fit for any team.

Assuming his off field issues are behind him, the Packers have the ability to draft their own version of Ezekiel Elliott after trading back twice. Talk about winning the draft.

Teams picking after 33

To try and narrow down the Packers options you have to figure out which players are likely to be gone starting with pick 34.

Obviously anything is possible but I want to know, worst case scenario, how far back can I trade and still get a guy that can be elite.

Seahawks: Pick 34

The Seahawks have a serious need that lines up perfectly with two players available. That need is offensive line. Whether it be Lamp or Robinson will remain to be seen but there is almost no scenario in which the Seahawks draft a player that isn’t a lineman.

Jaguars: Pick 35

Outside of running back, any of these picks could work. Ideally for the Jags, the Seahawks take Lamp and the Jaguars are able to take Cam Robinson to fix a glaring need at left tackle. It’s also unlikely the Jaguars pick defense so Robinson, if available, makes the most sense.

Bears: Pick 36

A pick that I said made sense in my most recent mock was Sidney Jones and I’m sticking with that. The Bears have a lot of mediocrity and some age issues at the position which both make Jones a prime target.

First, he’s an elite athlete which helps in a division that houses Aaron Rodgers. Second, there isn’t a dire need for an immediate impact player which means they can afford to be patient with Jones’ recovery process.

Rams: Pick 37

This pick is a little tougher. Of the remaining players I can’t imagine the Rams taking a running back.Todd Gurley hasn’t been great but it’s far from time to look to replace him.

That said, if any of the guys above are taken, I’d be concerned about losing Malik McDowell. The Rams defense isn’t what it used to be. With McDowell’s versatility, he can play DE in the Rams base package, and could play anywhere along the line with four-down and the Rams could really use that.

Chargers: Pick 38

With the emergence of Melvin Gordon in his second year, it’s safe to say none of the remaining players on our board will be taken. What I would expect, with the need at offensive line and a possible desire to find a replacement at quarterback, is a strong desire for the Chargers to move up. I’m sure the Packers have gotten a phone call.

Jets: Pick 39

The Chargers would make for a solid trade partner but I think they can do one better. With two top RB’s still likely on the board after the Chargers pick, it wouldn’t hurt to look to the next team that is also in dire need of a quarterback, the New York Jets.

What makes the trade even sweeter is the fact that the Jets don’t have a fourth round pick to trade. What they do have is pick 107, the last pick in the 3rd round.

If all goes to plan, the Packers will have traded back twice, acquired back-to- back picks in Rounds 3 and 4, and still are able to draft the player they probably wanted at pick 29.

The one things that has me afraid of this pick would be a trade up in front of the Packers. To be specific, the Bengals reportedly really like Joe Mixon and have a ton of picks in the 2017 draft.

Although most teams have glaring needs and may not want to trade down, the Bears may be looking to recoup a few of the picks they lost to get Trubisky. If they can keep Mixon out of the division, it’s all the better for the Bears.

Still, even in that scenario, Dalvin Cook is an incredible consolation prize.

NEXT: 2017 NFL Draft: Packers Day 2 Targets

Follow along with all of Lombardi Ave’s coverage of the Green Bay Packers during the 2017 NFL Draft, head over to our draft hub.