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Packers: Top 25 big board entering the combine

By Keegan Jackish

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 08: Da'Ron Payne
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 08: Da'Ron Payne /
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BLACKSBURG, VA – SEPTEMBER 17: Running back Myles Willis
BLACKSBURG, VA – SEPTEMBER 17: Running back Myles Willis /

With the NFL combine coming up, who are the top prospects for the Green Bay Packers to consider?

The Green Bay Packers are scheduled to pick inside the top 15 for the first time since 2009, and general manager Brian Gutekunst has plenty of options in this year’s draft.

But there is pressure for him to nail this pick as the Packers will likely be selecting late in the first round for the next few years as long as Aaron Rodgers is healthy.

In this article I will lay out the top 25 prospects for the Packers to consider in this year’s draft. Obviously these rankings will change after the combine, free agency and pro days, but here are in my opinion the best options for their first- and potentially second-round pick (should one of these guy’s slide) in April’s draft.

1. Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State: Barkley is a generational talent and the best player in the draft. It would take something crazy for him to fall to Green Bay but if he does the Packers should be sprinting towards the podium to hand in their card.

2. Bradley Chubb, EDGE, N.C. State: Most analysts consider Chubb to be the best defensive player in this year’s class. He is nearly 300 pounds but is extremely explosive and will transition well to the NFL. He is the best N.C. State player since Mario Williams.

3. Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama: Fitzpatrick is a versatile defensive back who the Packers could immediately pair with Kevin King at cornerback or could play safety if Josh Jones isn’t ready. Some Alabama players have struggled transitioning to the NFL recently but Fitzpatrick shouldn’t have that problem.

4. Quenton Nelson, Guard, Notre Dame: Nelson will get devalued because of his position but he has an argument for being the best player in this year’s draft. The Packers should draft him if he falls to No. 14, even with Lane Taylor and Jahri Evans/Justin McCray.

5. Sam Darnold, QB, USC: Darnold isn’t the most pro-ready quarterback in the draft but his style and personality would make him a good fit in Green Bay. He is only 20 and if he sat behind Rodgers for five years he would still be only 25 when he took the reins in Green Bay.

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