Packers: Five bold predictions for the 2021 draft class
By Cody Young
The 2021 NFL Draft is now over for the Green Bay Packers and one of everyone’s favorite past times is speculating on how the draft class will perform. Overall, I feel that the Packers had a strong if somewhat unspectacular draft on paper.
While some may not have liked what Green Bay added, I think they did a good job of adding quality talent who can play right away.
So let’s look at some bold predictions for this draft class, going into the 2021 season.
5. Entire Packers draft class plays more than 2020 class
The Packers’ 2020 draft class was met with a lot of criticism, whether deserving or not. The one player who was pegged as an immediate contributor was injured very early on and that was third-round selection Josiah Deguara.
Other than that, most of the players were drafted for the future which isn’t a bad thing. Jordan Love and AJ Dillon will most likely be full-time starters down the line. Jon Runyan should get a lot of playing time this year, as should Kamal Martin if healthy. As of right now, I can picture at least four of the Packers’ 2021 draftees getting significant playing time this year.
4. Josh Myers starts all 16 games at center
The loss of Corey Linsley will certainly be a big one. The former All-Pro center left a big hole for Green Bay to fill but Josh Myers may do a fine job of filling that hole. It seems like Myers was drafted to be the starting center in week one and I believe this will be a good pick.
He was a very solid player at Ohio State and while some may have scratched their heads with taking him over Creed Humphrey, Myers should slide in nicely to an already very good offensive line.
3. Isaiah McDuffie dominates on special teams
The Green Bay Packers have been lacking in the special teams department for as long as I can remember. With the addition of Isaiah McDuffie, Green Bay may have found a field-tilter for that aspect of the game.
As of right now, I think McDuffie can come in and provide more quality reps than Ty Summers and Oren Burks and I would expect McDuffie to overtake them in camp. McDuffie had some injury history in college but when healthy was the starter who produced legit numbers for Boston College.
2. Eric Stokes becomes CB2 by midseason
Eric Stokes was somewhat of a controversial pick and is yet another high pick used toward the secondary, something the Packers have done quite a bit over the last several years. Stokes will absolutely have the chance to beat out Kevin King in training camp but I think King will end up being the starter in week one if healthy.
Stokes was considered a reach by some but he brings an interesting combination of speed and physicality which is something this Green Bay secondary lacks. He’s also a strong tackler which is something that is a must for a corner in this new scheme and that is also a major weakness of King.
1. Amari Rodgers receives the second most targets among WRs
The Green Bay Packers finally drafted a WR in Amari Rodgers. Rodgers should come in and be the slot WR right away and will also be the jet-motion guy as well. On top of this, he should be the kick returner and may even receive some carries.
Amari Rodgers is a legit weapon and was easily my favorite selection of this past draft. We know Matt LaFleur loves to utilize motion with his WRs and that’s exactly what I expect with Rodgers.
Rodgers may not be the number two or even three WR on the depth chart but his versatility should allow for him to get his hands on the ball and provide a dimension to the offense that the Packers don’t currently have.