Packers trade up in five-round post-free agency mock draft
Entering this year’s offseason, there were three clear positions the Green Bay Packers needed to address most, inside linebacker, wide receiver and offensive tackle.
Within the first few hours of free agency, the team signed inside linebacker, Christian Kirksey and right tackle, Rick Wagner. A week later, they brought in veteran wide receiver, Devin Funchess on a one-year deal.
While none of these signings bring the wow-factor that the Smith brothers brought last year, they are still valuable additions to this roster.
That being said, linebacker, wide receiver and offensive tackle are all still positions that the Packers should be addressing during this year’s NFL draft.
Taking those three signings into account, I went ahead and did a five-round mock draft for the Packers using ProFootballNetwork’s simulator.
Round 1 (30): Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
Entering this mock draft my hope was to land either one of Kenneth Murray or Patrick Queen at 30th overall and I was not disappointed. Queen falling to the Packers at 30 would be a dream scenario for a team looking to add speed to the middle of their defense.
Queen ran a 4.5 40-yard dash at this year’s combine which was the fourth-fastest time amongst all linebackers. Pairing someone like Queen with Kirksey in the middle is the kind of move that turns a good defense into a great defense.
Round 2 (62): Michael Pittman Jr, WR, USC
With linebacker now out of the way, I turned my attention to the remaining wide receivers and was happy to see Michael Pittman Jr. still available. During his senior year at USC, Pittman totaled 101 receptions for 1,275 yards and 11 touchdowns.
The man was simply unstoppable. Measuring in at 6-4, Pittman is exactly the kind of wide receiver prospect the Packers look for. His large frame gives him an enormous catch radius which is something Aaron Rodgers will appreciate while extending plays like he so often does.
TRADE! Round 3 (72): Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State
Doing my best Brian Gutekunst impression, I worked out a deal with the Arizona Cardinals to move up from 94th overall all the way to 72nd to select Brandon Aiyuk. Even after drafting a wide receiver in the second round, I couldn’t resist moving up and drafting Aiyuk in the third.
Most years, a player like Aiyuk would never make it to the third round but with this year’s class being so deep, there are bound to be a couple of fallers. If Aiyuk is one of them, it won’t be because of a lack of production. During his final season at Arizona State, Aiyuk recorded 65 receptions for 1,192 yards and eight touchdowns. Giving Rodgers two new weapons in Pittman and Aiyuk would strike fear into the heart of every defensive coordinator in the NFL.
Round 4 (136): Davon Hamilton, DT, Ohio State
If the Packers want to prevent another team from rushing for 285 yards and four touchdowns in a playoff game, they must strengthen the middle of their defense. In the first round, they got their linebacker, now in the fourth round, they address the trenches with Davon Hamilton.
Hamilton is coming off his best year at Ohio State recording six sacks and nine tackles for loss. During the combine, he showed off his elite strength finishing first in the bench press workout with 33 reps. Put him next to Kenny Clark on the defensive line and you have a nightmare duo for years to come.
TRADE! Round 5 (159): Antoine Brooks Jr, S, Maryland
Here comes another trade, this time with the Las Vegas Raiders. Sitting at the bottom of the fifth round, I wasn’t expecting to move up but when Brooks began to fall, I knew I had to make a move.
Brooks projects as a hybrid safety/linebacker with the ability to play close to the line and make plays in the backfield. Over his last three seasons at Maryland, he totaled 27.5 tackles for loss which is not something you see out of very many college safeties. Adding Brooks to a safety group that already includes Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage would elevate this defense to a whole new level.