Packers 7-round mock draft 2018: Defense is the focus

Round 5 (comp pick): Ian Thomas, TE, Indiana (6-5, 250)

Thomas is a big athletic receiving target who offers a lot on the field as a receiver. However, Thomas’s game remains raw and he still has plenty of room to grow as a blocker in the running game. He’d be a great project pick in the middle of Day 3 of the draft.

Round 5 (comp pick): Davin Bellamy, OLB, Georgia (6-4, 245)

Bellamy is a hard-charging edge defender who fits naturally as a standup rusher in a 3-4 defense. He formed an effective one-two punch with Carter at Georgia for the past several years. They were key players in a Bulldogs defense that was dominant for most of the 2017 college season. Bellamy may not be the elite athlete as Carter, but he still found ways to make plays on the field. As a three-year starter, he notched 13 sacks, 22 tackles for loss, and 19 hurries.

Round 5 (comp pick): Cedrick Wilson, WR, Boise State (6-2, 194)

Wilson had monster production this past season in the Broncos offense, recording 83 receptions for 1,511 yards and 15 touchdowns. He averaged over 18 yards per reception as a senior, showcasing his ability to make plays downfield. Wilson has good size and speed. He would offer the Packers another boundary receiver that could be used as a vertical threat.

Round 6: Tre’ Williams, LB, Auburn (6-2, 225)

Williams is a high-energy, hard-hitting linebacker with good range. Although a bit undersized, he packs a thump when he meets the ball carrier, and it’s this intensity that will make him well worth a late-round pick.

The former Tiger linebacker shows a lot of upside, not to mention he could be an immediate special teams ace, but his game is a bit raw. He needs to work on minimizing mental lapses on the field, which is why he’ll fall to Day 3 of the draft.

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Round 7: Christian LaCouture, DL, LSU (6-5, 292)

The LSU product is a towering 3-4 defensive end or three-technique defensive tackle in a 4-3 front. He has the length to hold the edge against the run, but he also possesses enough juice and quickness to generate some pass rush as an interior defensive lineman. Last year alone, LaCouture logged six sacks and five hurries as a rotational rusher in the Tigers front. He’s good value here in the last round of the draft.