Packers: Shenault and Murray popular picks in mock drafts
With their loss in the NFC Championship game on Sunday, the Packers will have the 30th overall pick in the NFL Draft this spring.
After the less-than-impressive performance on national television, the Green Bay Packers have been eliminated from the NFL playoffs.
Yes, it’s never fun when your team is out and there is nothing left to play for this season, but now we can lick our wounds and look forward to the upcoming NFL Draft in April. The Draft is always something fun to look forward to. Fans love to follow mock drafts from around the internet and see who the Packers may target.
Mock drafts have been trickling out all season, but now that 30 of the 32 teams are officially in their offseason, more media outlets are releasing their first or second mock drafts. With the Packers in the 30th spot, it’s hard to pin down who will be available that far down.
However, most of the major draft journalists have the Packers narrowed down to two guys: Laviska Shenault and Kenneth Murray.
Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado
Mocks
Shenault was one of the top receivers heading into the 2019 college football season. During his sophomore season, he had 86 catches for 1,011 yards and 11 touchdowns and earned first-team All-Pac 12 honors.
In his last season, he battled injuries for most of the year, playing in 11 games. He finished with 52 catches for 721 yards and four touchdowns. His “down season” will likely cause him to drop a little in this loaded receiver class, right down to where the Packers are picking.
He is 6-foot-2, 220 pounds and is a physical receiver who doesn’t shy away from contact. He is a yards-after-catch (YAC) machine, something the Packers and their offense desperately need.
Another thing to like about Shenault is that he is pretty versatile. He played receiver, but also took snaps at H-back and running back while running a little Wildcat quarterback as well. He would likely play outside as an X-receiver but would also be able to play in the slot, something the Packers didn’t really have much of last season.
Add him in with Davante Adams and Allen Lazard, and the Packers’ passing game could look a whole lot better next season.
Kenneth Murray, ILB, Oklahoma
Mocks
Matt Miller (Bleacher Report)
Speed. Something you need in today’s NFL and something the Packers’ linebacking corps is seriously lacking. Blake Martinez is a solid linebacker, but he struggled all season to cover and teams gashed the Packers by passing in the middle. Now it’s not all his fault, but he certainly didn’t help either. With his contract up, it doesn’t look like Martinez will be back with the Pack next season as of right now.
Oklahoma’s Kenneth Murray could be the answer. He has excellent speed for a linebacker and can help cover in the passing game. He is built like the modern-day NFL linebacker at 6-foot-2 and 234 pounds. He could fill in the void left by Martinez.
Here are his pros, according to The Draft Network:
"“Outstanding motor that allows him to clean up a lot of tackles. Brings some juice as a blitzer and pass rusher, able to shoot gaps and close on the quarterback when called upon. Murray is at his best when tasked with attacking the line of scrimmage. Sound technique out of his stance can give him an advantageous first step when he’s able to diagnose. Productive player with over 150 combined tackles last season.”"
Murray could be a big piece and bring a lot of speed to the Packers’ defense, who were clearly much slower than the 49ers in the NFC Championship game.
Others
NBC Sports: KJ Hamler, WR, Penn St.
Pro Football Focus (PFF): Jauan Jennings, WR, Tennessee
In the other two mocks I looked at, they both had the Packers going receiver as well. This draft is loaded with talent at wide receiver, it’s a good year for a team like the Packers to need a few of them.
KJ Hamler has a ton of speed and could be fun to see in Matt LaFleur’s offense once it really gets rolling. He could be doing things similar to what Deebo Samuel did to the Packers on Sunday, beating teams around the edge and using his speed to bust a big run. He could also possibly stretch the field, something else the Packers sorely need.
It’s pretty obvious right now, the Packers should be looking to draft a receiver, regardless of whether or not they sign one in free agency. Other notable draft needs include LB, DL, TE and possibly some secondary pieces as well.
The draft season is just getting started. There will be plenty of players to watch in events such as the Senior Bowl and the Combine, so get familiar with some prospects you think the Packers could draft.