Packers select cornerback in latest FanSided NFL mock draft

In the latest FanSided mock draft, the Green Bay Packers landed Ohio State cornerback Denzel Ward.

Ward is one of the draft’s highest rated defensive backs, and he would could give an immediate boost to Green Bay’s secondary under new defensive coordinator Mike Pettine.

One of the benefits of the Packers picking at No. 14 overall is that they will have the opportunity to land one of the best defensive players available.

Ward is the type of player Green Bay would normally miss at the bottom of the draft.

Here’s what Brad Weiss had to say about the selection in his mock draft:

"The junior has tremendous hands for a defensive back, and has that kind of recovery speed you look for in a cornerback. He is going to be a shutdown cornerback at the next level, and on the Packers, he could slide into that CB1 slot from day one of his rookie campaign."

Ward is ranked second among cornerbacks by CBS Sports, behind only Iowa’s Joshua Jackson. ESPN’s Mel Kiper has him at No. 1, a spot above Jackson.

The Packers could look to add a first-round cornerback to pair with last year’s second-round selection Kevin King.

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King impressed as a rookie, but his debut season was cut short due to injury. A King-Ward tag team could help strengthen a secondary that has struggled.

Damarious Randall‘s rise in the second half of 2017 also provides hope the secondary is heading in the right direction.

But at some point new general manager Brian Gutekunst will need to add another cornerback, especially if he chooses not to re-sign veteran Davon House.

Even if King stays healthy and Randall builds on his recent performances, the secondary lacks depth.

Two of Gutekunst’s top priorities this season are to ensure Pettine has more talent at outside linebacker, and also cornerback.

Gutekunst will likely be more aggressive in free agency, but he’ll also need to hit on his first-round pick. He’ll have a number of options. Ward is one of them.

Next: Packers: 12 players that need to go this offseason

Do you think Ward would be a strong first-round selection?