Four Packers mock drafts based on potential free agency outcomes
With Austin Hooper signed
As I previously talked about, Gutekunst doesn’t have a problem spending money at a position of need. Tight end may not be the biggest need, but this draft isn’t the one to find a difference-maker at the position. Austin Hooper was a rookie when Matt LaFleur was the quarterbacks coach in Atlanta. There is some familiarity there and he would fit into the Packers’ offense well.
He is just 25 years old, entering the prime of his career. He was a Pro Bowl tight end last season and could flourish in LaFleur’s offense. His signing would also create a nice duo with Jace Sternberger, who showed flashes at the end of last season. He would take up a considerable amount of cap space, Spotrac projects his market value to be about $9.9 million per year, so essentially what Jimmy Graham was making.
That would mean little to no money for other free agents. If the Packers signed Hooper, they would have to use the draft to fill the rest of the holes on the roster. This mock draft addressed some of the bigger needs such as linebacker, receiver, offensive tackle, and defensive line.
Round 1 (30): LB Kenneth Murray – Oklahoma
Round 2 (62): WR Brandon Aiyuk – Arizona State
Round 3 (94): OT Ben Barth – St. John
Round 4 (126): WR Chase Claypool – Notre Dame
Round 5 (157): RB Darrynton Evans – Appalachian State
Round 6 (172): S Antoine Brooks Jr. – Maryland
Round 6 (189): DL James Lynch – Baylor
Round 7 (201): QB Nate Stanley – Iowa
Round 7 (219): CB A.J. Green – Oklahoma State
In this scenario, Murray is the prized draft pick. He will take control of the defense and roam the middle of the field. Aiyuk and Claypool are potentially deadly weapons on offense. Aiyuk is most dangerous when the ball is in his hands and Claypool was one of the Combine darlings. Many were wondering if he should be a receiver or a tight end with his size. The Packers could use Claypool in a lot of different ways.
Barth looks to be the future right tackle, taking over for the departed Bryan Bulaga. He may not have to start right away if they decide to bump Billy Turner out to tackle and put Lucas Patrick inside. Darrynton Evans is a running back I like a lot. Packers Wire’s Zach Kruse tweeted about how similar he was to Aaron Jones. I like the comparison and he could fit into Jones’ role seamlessly if he were to leave Green Bay.
I don’t think you can have enough secondary pieces. Antoine Brooks Jr. from Maryland is the kind of player I like. He can get a full head of steam and make some nice hits. James Lynch fell to the sixth round in this mock. I feel like he could go a lot sooner. He’s the reigning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. He is also Baylor’s all-time sack leader. He would provide some nice depth on the defensive line and maybe even become an eventual starter.
I don’t think the Packers draft Aaron Rodgers‘ replacement in this draft. Nate Stanley is a hometown kid who Wisconsin sports fans have probably seen play plenty in Iowa. He has a cannon for an arm but isn’t always the most accurate. He would likely battle for the backup spot behind Rodgers.
Again, you can never have enough depth in the secondary. A.J. Green from Oklahoma State may not pop off the page, but he would provide some depth and special teams snaps.