Packers get cornerback, receiver in three-round 2021 mock draft

Round 3 (92): Cade Johnson, WR, South Dakota State

Can you believe it? It’s a wide receiver to the Packers in the NFL Draft. And inside the opening three rounds. This would be the first time since 2015 that the Packers had used one of their top three picks at the position, back when they drafted Ty Montgomery. And he ended up transitioning to running back.

South Dakota State’s Cade Johnson is a player to watch. Sayre Bedinger of NFL Mocks believes Johnson is a draft sleeper and noted his impressive performance at the Senior Bowl, writing that he “was leaving defensive backs in the dust in their one-on-one reps”.

Johnson didn’t play in 2020, making his performance at the Senior Bowl all the more important. Between 2018 and ’19 at South Dakota State, he caught 139 passes for 2,554 yards and 25 touchdowns. He also averaged over 26 yards per return on kickoffs. That’s an area the Packers should look to improve at this offseason.

Johnson might slip under the radar in the draft, but NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein believes he has “starting slot upside”. I’d love to see how Packers head coach Matt LaFleur would get him involved on offense.

After a strong Senior Bowl performance and with the potential to become a talented receiver at the next level, Johnson would be a great addition to the Packers’ offense.