NFL Mocks: Packers trade up in first round of mock draft

The Green Bay Packers need to draft a wide receiver, but will they be willing to trade up to get one?

How Brian Gutekunst approaches the first day of the draft is going to be fascinating to watch. How he values the positions of need, and also the draft class, will be interesting.

It’s no secret the Packers need wide receiver help. Gutekunst knows that. We know that. But when will he look to add talent at the position?

As it’s a deep receiver class, will he simply wait it out and use that to his advantage? Or will he have plans to draft more than one receiver and potentially even move up to get his top target?

Gutekunst traded up from the No. 30 overall pick a year ago so he could absolutely do it again. Dan Schmelzer of NFL Mocks expects a similar scenario to take place this year with the Packers trading up in his latest mock draft. In the mock, the Packers jump up from No. 30 to No. 24, trading places with the New Orleans Saints, sending a third-round pick their way in return.

Now picking six positions higher, the Packers are able to land Baylor’s Denzel Mims.

Tee Higgins, Jalen Reagor and Brandon Aiyuk were still available and were all selected in the second round.

While it’s a possibility Mims could still be there at No. 30, that’s no guarantee after the offseason he’s put together. Mims’ work at the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine saw him fly up draft boards and almost certainly into the first round. It’s possible he’ll be selected in the 20s and well ahead of the Packers unless they move up.

Mims is 6-foot-3 and is a great athlete. His 4.38-second 40-time grabbed everyone’s attention. He could be the missing piece in Matt LaFleur’s offense as the No. 2 receiver.