3 bold predictions for the Packers in the 2020 NFL Draft

Here are three bold predictions for the Green Bay Packers during this week’s NFL Draft.

The time has finally come. It’s NFL Draft week!

In a time with no sports currently being played, the draft has certainly come at a great time. On top of that, many think this draft has the potential to be one of the more unpredictable drafts in recent memory.

Just at the start of this week, there are already crazy predictions happening.

On top of crazy predictions like Claypool going 14 overall, there is an anonymous NFL GM telling NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport that the media is “wronger” about mock drafts than ever.

Things are already heating up and setting the plate for this draft to be extremely entertaining. And that’s not even with possible trades during the draft. In Peter King’s recent Football In America article, he lists in order the players likely to be traded during the NFL Draft. It starts with Redskins tackle Trent Williams and Jaguars’ defensive end Yannick Ngakoue.

With all of the possible craziness, I made three bold predictions for the Packers during the 2020 NFL Draft.

1. Trade up for a top-tier receiver

Okay, it may not be a bold prediction to say the Packers will trade up in the draft. GM Brian Gutekunst has shown he’s not afraid to make trades in the draft. But I mean the Packers are really going to trade up. I’m thinking as high as 12.

With 10 draft picks and limited cap space, I think the Packers will definitely look to move up in the draft at some points and have the draft picks to do it. My bold prediction is that they will trade up to get a receiver like CeeDee Lamb. This is a deep receiver draft, but a player like Lamb would absolutely make the Packers one of the top offenses in the NFC, if not the NFL. Other receivers would include Henry Ruggs III, Jerry Jeudy, or Justin Jefferson.

2. Draft Rodgers’ potential heir

Aaron Rodgers is entering his age-36 season but still has four years left on his deal. He’s going to be “the guy” as long as he wants to be. But, I don’t think anyone is crazy about having Tim Boyle as a backup. If Rodgers gets injured, I don’t think we can expect the Packers to win a lot of games with Boyle coming in.

There is a lot of buzz about the Packers drafting QB Jordan Love in the first round of the draft. I don’t think that will happen, but it also wouldn’t be a huge surprise to me if they ended up with a player like Jalen Hurts or Jake Fromm. Someone who can sit behind Rodgers and learn from him and really get to know Matt LaFleur’s system.

This could be the year the Packers draft Rodgers’ eventual replacement. It may be a year or two early, but with injuries that come with the NFL, you never know when Rodgers might choose or be forced to retire. I think the Packers would rather have a guy behind Rodgers too early than too late.

3. Draft a defensive back early

Earlier, I wrote about the importance of drafting a cornerback early. I still think the same way. I think the Packers will also be looking to draft one early. If the Packers don’t trade up, they may trade back and try to get multiple picks in the top-100. Within that top-100, I think there is potential that a few defensive backs will fall. There will likely be a big run on receivers and offensive tackles in the first round, pushing some defensive backs out of the first round.

The Packers could look to use one of their earlier picks on a defensive back. Kevin King is entering a contract year. Tramon Williams is aging and is still currently a free agent. That leaves Jaire Alexander, Josh Jackson, Chandon Sullivan and Ka’Dar Hollman left at cornerback after 2020.

Drafting a player like Antoine Winfield Jr. early would give them a playmaking defensive back that could play some safety or slot corner. He would also be able to play that nickel linebacker position that Raven Greene has been in the past couple of years.

Adding a defensive back early could give Mike Pettine and this defense another playmaker, making this defense even better.