Packers double-down at cornerback in seven-round mock draft 2021

Returning many of their core players, the Green Bay Packers don’t have that many needs to fill in the 2021 NFL Draft.

This year’s draft is an excellent opportunity for them to finally get over the NFC Championship hump as well as plan ahead for what the future may look like in Green Bay in three or four years time.

This mock draft was done using The Draft Network’s mock draft simulator where I took control of the Green Bay Packers for all 10 of their picks in the 2021 NFL Draft.

First round, 29th overall – Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech

Farley was a consensus top-15 pick before news broke that he re-aggravated his back injury and would have to undergo a second surgery, therefore missing his pro day.

Back injuries are very tricky and have derailed many careers in the past, however Farley is confident that he will be back at full health for the beginning of training camp.

The Packers are in win-now mode and in terms of on-field talent alone, Farley is without doubt the best player available at this pick. Super Bowl windows close fast and sometimes you just have to roll the dice and hope this will be the move that gets the Packers across the line.

Second round, 62nd overall – Elijah Molden, CB, Washington

Shades of 2018 as the Packers double up at CB with their first two draft picks. However, Molden and Farley are completely different players. While Farley is a long, speedy perimeter CB, Molden will find most of his reps in the slot or as a safety.

Elijah Molden’s versatility will allow defensive coordinator Joe Barry to get creative with Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage, both of whom can succeed when lined up closer to the line of scrimmage.

A secondary containing Jaire Alexander, Amos, Savage, Chandon Sullivan, Kevin King, Farley, and Molden would be one of the league’s strongest on paper.

Third round, 92nd overall pick – Alim McNeill, DT, N.C. State

Dean Lowry is coming off a very mediocre year and while Kingsley Keke showed flashes in 2020, he was sidelined for the last quarter of the season with concussions.

McNeill is a stocky, powerful DT who only has three years of experience at the position and plenty of room to develop, particularly as a pass rusher. Drafting McNeill would allow the Packers to move on from Lowry, freeing up cap space, and running a rotation of Kenny Clark, Keke and McNeill in 2021.

Fourth round, 135th overall – Jaelon Darden, WR, North Texas

A receiver with Darden’s traits may be the one true thing missing from the Packers offense. Darden would finally give the Packers a true gadget threat who is dangerous every time he gets the ball in his hands.

Best of all, they wouldn’t need to surrender a top-70 pick for him like they would for Kadarius Toney or Elijah Moore. The North Texas standout can also return punts and kicks for Green Bay, a valuable position which they haven’t quite figured out yet.

Fourth round, 142nd overall – Walker Little, OT, Stanford

Walker Little is one of the 2021 Draft’s most intriguing offensive line prospects as we haven’t seen him play since September 2019. At the time, Little was considered a day one prospect with excellent size and athleticism for the position, but after opting out of the 2020 season much remains unknown.

If Little can get up to speed, and with help from standout offensive line coach Adam Stenavich, he could be the long-term answer at right tackle, allowing Pro Bowl guard Elgton Jenkins to stay on the interior.

Fifth round, 173rd overall – Jermar Jefferson, RB, Oregon State

Jefferson was one of the first players to receive an interview from the Packers. Granted this was before Green Bay re-signed Aaron Jones to a four-year deal, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be active in this year’s RB class.

Jones has missed his fair share of time due to injury in the past and due to AJ Dillon’s lack of true finesse or experience as a receiving back, a backup like Jefferson can act as insurance for Jones as well as providing rotational relief carries for Green Bay.

Fifth round, 178th overall – Justin Hilliard, LB, Ohio State

A former five-star recruit, Hilliard battled injuries and a stacked depth chart with three other draft-eligible linebackers, struggling to see the field throughout his college career.

Hilliard started to receive more snaps as Ohio State went on a run towards the National Championship. He saved some of his best performances for last, displaying sound play in both run defense and coverage, before going on to be one of the top performers at the Senior Bowl.

Sixth round, 214th overall – Tay Gowan, CB, UCF

Why not go back to the CB well once more? The Packers didn’t even activate Josh Jackson for the final few games of the 2021 season, clearly showing they don’t trust the CB depth they have in place.

Gowan played much of his college career at the JUCO level, and therefore may need some time to adjust to the NFL, but he felt right at home when he transferred to UCF. His athletic profile is very impressive, which is something that Brian Gutekunst loves.

Sixth round, 220th overall – Dax Milne, WR, BYU

Milne was Zach Wilson’s #1 target in the BYU offense, and while he is far from a superior athlete, he does all the little things right, such as safe hands and good run blocking.

As we hear in countless interviews, it’s these little things that Matt LaFleur loves to have in his receivers, but will his below average athleticism make Brian Gutekunst look the other way?

Seventh round, 256th overall – Chris Rumph II, EDGE, Duke

Edge rusher is not a need for the Packers whatsoever, but at this stage of the draft you’re really just throwing darts at the board, and I feel like Rumph is excellent value here.

Rumph has a lean frame which would allow him to drop off into coverage when needed. He can come in and compete with Jonathan Garvin for the fourth edge rusher spot on the depth chart.