K.J. Hamler to Packers in first round of 2020 mock draft

Wide receiver K.J. Hamler could be a first-round target for the Green Bay Packers.

Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst hoped to add an “explosive offensive player” before the trade deadline but was unable to. In the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, could Penn State wide receiver K.J. Hamler be the answer?

Phenomenal after the catch, Hamler is one of the most exciting receivers in this year’s class. He’s fast, explosive and fun to watch.

In Cody Williams’ latest mock draft for NFL Spin Zone, Hamler goes to Green Bay with the 30th overall pick.

With Hamler’s speed and ability to line up just about anywhere, it would be fun to see how Matt LaFleur would use him in his offense. He could be a great option in the slot and would give the Packers a receiver capable of getting open deep.

Hamler is 41st in NFL.com analyst Daniel Jeremiah’s top 50 prospect rankings for this draft class.

“Despite his limited size/frame, he’s very effective working in traffic,” Jeremiah wrote.

The biggest concern with Hamler is his size. According to Charles Robinson of Yahoo, Hamler measured at 5-foot-8 at the combine. Typically, the Packers tend to avoid smaller receivers in the draft.

The three receivers Gutekunst drafted in 2018 are all over 6-foot. J’Mon Moore is 6-foot-3, Marquez Valdes-Scantling is 6-foot-4, and Equanimeous St. Brown is 6-foot-5.

Despite that, Gutekunst said that it’s about what a receiver can add to the offense.

“I don’t think we would not draft a player just because he wasn’t tall enough,” Gutekunst said on Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine, according to Wes Hodkiewicz of Packers.com. “We had Randall Cobb here who was a really good player for us for a long time. He certainly didn’t meet some of the height requirements.”

While Hamler’s size is a slight concern, he makes up for it with his speed and ability after the catch.

If the Packers decide to address the offense on Day 1 of the draft, there will be a talented group of wide receivers to choose from. A few receivers will likely be off the board, but there shouldn’t be any concerns about the depth of talent in this class.

If Hamler is still available, he’ll be one of the prospects the Packers should seriously consider.