Packers: Four-round all-defensive mock draft 2021
The 2021 NFL Draft is less than one week away. It’s almost time to see how the Green Bay Packers plan to build on last season’s NFC Championship roster.
After finishing with the No. 1-ranked scoring offense, it’s clear they are loaded with talent on this side of the football. What let them down at times throughout the 2020 season was the play on defense.
While they do have star defensive players like Jaire Alexander, Za’Darius Smith, and Kenny Clark, there are areas in need of improvements this offseason.
And that’s the focus of this four-round mock draft. To go all-in on defense and see how Green Bay could improve at areas of need.
Note: The Draft Network’s mock draft machine was used for this mock.
Round 1 (29): Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
Yep, you read that right. A linebacker in the first round. But the Packers would be getting a very talented player in Notre Dame’s Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah.
His versatility means he could line up in the middle of Joe Barry’s defense at linebacker, but he’s also been asked to play in the secondary. In fact, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compared him to Derwin James.
If the Packers want to find a difference-maker on defense and Owusu-Koramoah is there in the first round, look no further. Owusu-Koramoah made 96 tackles, 24.5 for loss, seven sacks, forced five fumbles, and made one interception in two years at Notre Dame.
He can be an instant starter in this defense.
Round 2 (62): Levi Onwuzurike, DL, Washington
The work to the front seven continues as the Packers land one of the best defensive linemen in the class. It’s about time they find some help for Kenny Clark up front, and Washington’s Levi Onwuzurike can provide that.
Onwuzurike made 16 tackles for loss and seven sacks between 2017 and ’19 before opting out of last season. He could immediately play a key role in this defense.
Round 3 (92): Benjamin St-Juste, CB, Minnesota
Re-signing Kevin King takes the pressure off a rookie cornerback to come in and start immediately. Benjamin St-Juste might need some development but he can become a starter in this defense eventually.
Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network wrote that St-Juste “possesses the size and skill to be used in a variety of systems and comes with a large upside for the next level”.
In the 15 games he played at Minnesota, he made 10 pass defenses. St-Juste could compete for snaps early even if he begins as a backup behind King and Jaire Alexander.
Round 4 (135): Patrick Jones II, EDGE, Pittsburgh
The Packers have a strong pass-rushing trio with Za’Darius Smith, Rashan Gary, and Preston Smith. But much like cornerback, it’s never a bad idea to add pass rushers. There’s no guarantee Preston Smith will still be in the Packers’ plans beyond this season, so adding young talent at a premium position makes sense.
Jones would add some depth early on but has the potential to develop into a starter. He made 17 sacks in his final two years at Pittsburgh. According to Pro Football Focus, he had four QB pressures in the Senior Bowl, tied for second-most.
Round (142): Osa Odighizuwa, DL, UCLA
With their second pick in the fourth round, the Packers continue to build their defensive line depth by selecting Osa Odighizuwa out of UCLA.
In his final three seasons at UCLA, Odighizuwa made 22 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks. He’d give the Packers much-needed depth along the defensive line.