Packers mock draft roundup: Fixing the pass rush is the focus
Entering free agency, fixing the pass rush is priority number one for the Green Bay Packers.
The Scouting Combine is complete and the attention turns to free agency, which begins next week. Free agency will of course have an impact on the Green Bay Packers‘ draft plan next month.
The combine gave us a better idea of where prospects might be selected in the draft.
Unless the Packers sign a few free agents or make a trade at the position, edge rusher will be the team’s biggest need when the draft gets underway. And the mock drafts in this week’s roundup reflect that.
Kyle Crabbs (The Draft Network)
If you haven’t checked out the great work by the team over at The Draft Network, be sure to take a look. They’ve been putting together excellent draft content all offseason. In Kyle Crabbs’ latest mock draft, he has the Packers selecting edge rusher Brian Burns out of Florida State at No. 12, and safety Johnathan Abram out of Mississippi State at No. 30.
Burns is a player I’d love Green Bay to select in the first round. After a strong performance at the combine, there’s a good chance he won’t make it to No. 30 overall, but he could be a great option at No. 12.
Brad Weiss (FanSided)
In the latest FanSided mock draft by Brad Weiss, Burns is the choice at No. 12, and interestingly, he has the Packers going wide receiver at No. 30 with N’Keal Harry out of Arizona State. Brian Gutekunst needs to improve the roster in any way he can. Harry could be a great addition to Matt LaFleur’s offense, especially if Randall Cobb departs in free agency.
Luke Easterling (Draft Wire)
Another edge rusher at No. 12 in the latest Draft Wire mock draft by Luke Easterling. In this mock, the Packers select Mississippi State’s Montez Sweat first, and then Iowa tight end Noah Fant. It’s fair to say this would be a dream start for Green Bay on the draft’s opening day.
Sweat could be a top-10 pick after an excellent combine, but if he’s still on the board at No. 12, the Packers would have the opportunity to strengthen a key position on defense.
Adding Fant to an offense led by Aaron Rodgers? Sounds good to me.
Zach Buckley (Bleacher Report)
An edge rusher-tight end combination makes a lot of sense. But Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report has gone with two different players than Easterling, with the Packers selecting Clemson defensive end Clelin Ferrell and Alabama tight end Irv Smith Jr.
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I think there’s a chance Smith could still be there at No. 44, but that’s just a guess. If there’s a run on tight ends in the first round, there’s every chance Smith is also selected on the opening day. Fant’s my top choice at tight end, but Smith isn’t far behind.