Packers: Senior Bowl prospects that Green Bay should target in draft
Mason Cole, C, Michigan
The center position is one of the positions that the Packers are most set at headed into the offseason due to the contract extension of Corey Linsley.
The Packers could still use some depth at the center position despite this since Kofi Amichia and Lucas Patrick will need more time to develop.
There is the option of moving Justin McCray to the center position full time but his services would be more valuable at guard.
Mason Cole would provide depth at a key position should Linsley get injured and even though Linsley was durable last year, the wear and tear of that position could always lead to another injury.
Martinas Rankin, OT, Mississippi State
Martinas Rankin would be a solid addition to the Packers offensive line and would immediately be able to step in should David Bakhtiari or Bryan Bulaga get hurt.
NFLDraftScout.com gives him a first-round grade and some people would not want Green Bay to target an offensive lineman so early, but Bryan Bulaga has been injury prone and his best years could be behind him.
Jason Spriggs has not lived up to expectations and Kyle Murphy could use some more time to develop so taking Rankin could put some pressure on them as well.
Rankin would benefit from the pick as well since he would have time to learn behind a solid offensive line coach in James Campen and wouldn’t have to step in and start from day one.
Will Hernandez, G, UTEP
Will Hernandez is one of my favorite offensive linemen in this year’s class and for people questioning how he will be able to hold up in the NFL due to the low level of competition he faced in C-USA, I suggest you watch his tape from the Oklahoma game.
The guard position looks pretty good for the Packers headed into the offseason with Lane Taylor and the potential of a Jahri Evans and/or Justin McCray return but the Packers would seriously have to consider Hernandez if he were to fall to Green Bay in the second round.
Hernandez would be able to step in for Evans if he were to retire, and even if Green Bay brought back McCray they could move the versatile McCray to another position on the line and add depth due to his versatility.