Packers seven-round mock draft: Big trade up in first round
The Green Bay Packers trade up for Jerry Jeudy in this seven-round mock draft.
One scenario for the Packers in this year’s draft is a trade up in the first round. At No. 30 overall, GM Brian Gutekunst could look to move up for one of the best players in the class at a position of need.
With many more picks to come in the later rounds, the Packers would have plenty of time to add depth at other positions. But to land a potential star in the first round could pay off.
I decided to see how a mock draft could play out with the Packers trading up to No. 18 in the first round. Using The Draft Network’s mock draft machine, here are the results:
Round 1 (18): Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Jerry Jeudy is arguably the best wide receiver in this year’s class and he has All-Pro potential in the NFL. With a need at receiver, the Packers move up for a future star. Pairing Jeudy with Davante Adams would be simply unfair for opposing defenses.
The Miami Dolphins are in rebuild mode and enter the draft with three first-round picks. The others are at No. 5 overall and 26. Despite trading away their No. 18 pick for No. 30, they’d receive Green Bay’s second-rounder in return.
In his final two seasons at Alabama, Jeudy caught 145 passes for 2,478 yards and 24 touchdowns.
NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah has Jeudy 11th in his top-50 rankings of the draft class, writing that he is an “elite route runner with outstanding burst, body control and awareness”.
Jeudy can be a star No. 1 wide receiver in the NFL. The Packers already have one with Adams. With both on the same roster, Aaron Rodgers would be very happy.
Round 3 (94): Ben Bartch, OT, St. John’s (MN)
After not picking in the second round, the Packers draft a tackle for the future in the third.
Free-agent signing Ricky Wagner will be the starting right tackle in 2020, but the Packers need to look to the future after losing Bryan Bulaga in free agency. That’s where Bartch can come in. Initially, he’d offer much-needed depth behind the two starters but he could eventually start.
Kyle Crabbs of The Draft Network believes he can become a “quality starter” in the NFL:
"“Ben Bartch is a high end developmental OT prospect who, with some additional time in an NFL strength and conditioning program, should become a quality starter at the NFL level.”"
Round 4 (136): Leki Fotu, DL, Utah
The Packers need to add depth to the defensive line in the draft. Leki Fotu’s strength is run defense which would be good news for Mike Pettine, whose defense ranked 23rd against the run in 2019.
Fotu would be a good addition to the defensive line.
Round 5 (175): Quintez Cephus, WR, Wisconsin
Quintez Cephus’ 40-yard time at the combine might cause him to fall in the draft, but he could become a reliable target for Rodgers in the slot. After trading up for Jeudy, the Packers continue to add talent to the wide receiver room on Day 3.
With Adams, Jeudy, Allen Lazard, Devin Funchess, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Equanimeous St. Brown and now Cephus, the Packers would have plenty of talent and, just as importantly, competition for places.
Round 6 (192): Javaris Davis, CB, Auburn
The Packers haven’t re-signed Tramon Williams, placing some uncertainty at the cornerback position. Green Bay will need someone to take over in the slot if Williams doesn’t return. Davis could be an excellent Day 3 pick. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein wrote that “Davis is a slot corner with quality man-cover skills and top-end speed with CB3 upside”. Count me in.
Round 6 (208): Raymond Calais, RB, Louisiana
Raymond Calais would add some depth to the running back room behind Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams. He ran for 886 yards and six touchdowns at Louisiana last year. Calais is fast, running a 4.42-second 40-yard dash at the combine, third-best among running backs.
Round 6 (209): Dante Olson, LB, Montana
Ideally, the Packers will draft a linebacker earlier but after missing out on the top prospects in the opening rounds, they add depth late on with Montana’s Dante Olson.
Round 7 (236): Nate Stanley, QB, Iowa
In the seventh round, it makes sense to take a flier on a quarterback. Iowa’s Nate Stanley would add competition for the No. 2 or No. 3 job and would be able to develop his game in Green Bay.
Round 7 (242): A.J. Green, CB, Oklahoma State
With their final pick, Green Bay adds more depth at cornerback. And A.J. Green could be a good pickup this late in the draft. Over the past three seasons, he defended 21 passes and made six interceptions at Oklahoma State.