Packers seven-round mock draft: Biggest needs addressed

In this seven-round mock draft, the Green Bay Packers address their biggest positions of need.

The Green Bay Packers have 10 picks in this year’s draft.

Without trades, here is how they could address their needs:

Round 1, Pick 12: Devin Bush, LB (Michigan)

It has been a long, long time since the Packers were truly strong in the middle of their defense. The last time the Packers had a player make any of the All-Pro teams at the middle linebacker position, George W. Bush was president, the very first iPhone was being featured in storefront windows, and Nickelback somehow was still an acceptable part of society. In other words, it’s been a second.

Packer fans are as used to their linebackers missing ball carriers by three or four steps as they are seeing the sunrise in the morning. GM Brian Gutekunst needs to put an end to the endless softness in the middle of the Green Bay defense.

Devin Bush is the answer. A bit undersized at 5-foot-11, he does weigh a good 240 pounds and packs a substantial punch in the front seven. Bush is a tremendously gifted sideline-to-sideline pursuit defender who will be sorely needed against the running backs the Packers will face in their own division.

Tarik Cohen, Dalvin Cook, and Theo Riddick are all extremely capable receivers who have been giving the Packers fits for years. It’s time the Packers add more speed to the middle of their defense and finish building the second level into what it should be.

Trading down could be an option here, particularly if both Bush and Jawaan Taylor are available, but selecting Bush at 12 makes the most sense.

Round 1, Pick 30: Dalton Risner, OL (Kansas State)

It is a bit difficult to see exactly how the Packers view their own offensive line. On the one hand, you could make the argument they are more or less in pretty good shape across the unit, even though they allowed 53 sacks last year.

Lane Taylor had a very disappointing season, but perhaps the Packers expect him to return to the form he showed in 2017. The arrival of Billy Turner in free agency isn’t going to change life in Green Bay and he may not even start, but he is among the most versatile offensive linemen in the entire NFL. He has played four of the five positions during his time in the NFL, and a four-year, $28 million contract doesn’t get shelled out just for depth.

Having said that, Bryan Bulaga is on his last legs, and almost definitely will not be re-signed as a free agent next year. Even with Cole Madison returning to the team, the Packers need to be better suited at the tackle position for the future. Bulaga seemingly can’t go six straight games, so the Packers desperately need insurance and the ability to pencil in a starter for next year.

Risner is not a flashy, superstar talent at the tackle position. At Kansas State, he was just a consistent, solid pass protector who is also known for his tremendous character off the field. He is a bit slow coming out of his stance and can get fatigued over the course of a game. That is going to be an issue against Khalil Mack and Trey Flowers four times a year.

Risner has the inside anchor skills, however, to move inside to guard as a failsafe. Turner could then be used as the successor to Bulaga. All in all, the Packers would be getting a talented, consistent player with tremendous character traits at the end of the first round.

Round 2, Pick 44: Juan Thornhill, S (Virginia)

The Packers made one of the most under-the-radar free agent signings of the offseason when they inked Adrian Amos to a four-year deal. Amos is a very talented box player but is just a little bit less talented in coverage. What the Packers need is a true center fielder to put next to Amos who can help out the team’s young corners. Thornhill, while a bit limited in the box, is an excellent coverage safety who fits next to Amos like a glove.

Having players who can do different things is going to be essential for the Packer defense, which is still a work in progress. While Thornhill is a bit challenged near the line of scrimmage, it did not stop him from being an effective open field tackler. With both Amos and Thornhill at the back end of the defense, offenses are going to have a bit of a hard time generating big plays against a rangy and diverse secondary.

The Packers will also likely have to draft two different safeties in this year’s draft, as Raven Greene is the only other player at the position currently on the roster. The Packers were atrocious at safety yet again in 2018, and it only got substantially more unbearable to watch when Ha Ha Clinton-Dix was traded midseason. Thornhill and Amos is a good overhaul.

Round 3, Pick 75: Andy Isabella, WR (UMASS)

The Packers have needed more speed in their offense for years. Andy Isabella is the fastest wide receiver in this class and brings a special competitive fire that will immediately become a fan favorite. Isabella is reminiscent of Wes Welker, only that he possesses even more long speed.

The Packers just don’t currently have the talent at the slot position to threaten defenses from that position. Davante Adams has developed into a great outside receiver, but Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Equanimeous St. Brown are still a ways from being consistent starters.

Isabela is the sort of player the New England Patriots love to draft. Short, compact, and gritty, he will provide the Packers with a level of quickness they simply haven’t enjoyed in far too long. New offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett will love the various ways he can get Isabella involved in the passing game.

Round 4, Pick 114: Kendall Scheffield, CB(Ohio State)

Round 4, Pick 118: Donald Parham, TE (Stetson)

Round 5, Pick 150: Ross Pierschbacher, OT (Alabama)

Round 6, Pick 185: Kaden Smith, TE (Stanford)

Round 6, Pick 194: Lil’Jordan Humphrey, WR (Texas)

Round 7, Pick 226: Sheldrick Redwine, S Miami (FL)