Packers: Mock draft featuring DK Metcalf blockbuster trade
Packers two-round mock draft focusing on replacing Davante Adams.
It still hasn’t quite sunk in yet for many Green Bay Packers fans that Davante Adams will be playing elsewhere in 2022.
Still, the NFL world goes on. For the Packers, their priority now is to rebuild the wide receiver corps.
They have brought back Allen Lazard, which is a good start, and Randall Cobb will also be back in 2022. The Packers will be hoping last year’s third-round pick Amari Rodgers can also improve in his second season. Maybe they re-sign Marquez Valdes-Scantling, too.
But work needs to be done. So let’s have some fun in this mock draft and help the Packers fix their need at wide receiver.
Trade
We’ve seen some huge trades in the NFL already this offseason. Along with Davante Adams being traded to the Las Vegas Raiders, there have also been a number of huge quarterback moves.
Here’s another big one with Green Bay getting a WR1 to replace Adams. Seattle Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf is a rising star with a total of 3,170 receiving yards, 29 receiving touchdowns, one second-team All-Pro, and one Pro Bowl to his name, all in his first three seasons in the NFL. And he’s only 24 years old.
In this trade, the Packers send the 22nd overall pick to the Seahawks, which they received in the Adams trade from the Raiders. Seattle, entering a rebuild, trades away Metcalf for a first-round pick a year before he could hit free agency.
The Packers could then work on a long-term extension with Metcalf and go a long way to fixing their need at wide receiver.
Round 1 (28): Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
GM Brian Gutekunst loves to double-down at positions of need.
He did it in 2018, drafting cornerbacks Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson in the opening two rounds, after signing Tramon Williams in free agency.
He did it in 2019, twice. Green Bay signed edge rushers Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith to big deals, then drafted Rashan Gary 12th overall. Gutekunst also signed safety Adrian Amos before drafting Darnell Savage in the first round.
Gutekunst is willing to be aggressive at positions of need, so why not again in 2022?
Let’s talk about Ohio State wide receiver Chris Olave.
Olave could join the likes of Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase as receivers who enjoy breakout rookie seasons. He’s an excellent route-runner, has great speed, and he can play both outside and in the slot.
Kyle Crabbs of The Draft Network wrote that “Olave is an explosive play waiting to happen”.
The Packers need to add more speed on offense. Metcalf and Olave would certainly provide that.
With a top-two of Metcalf and Olave, along with Lazard and Cobb, the Packers would be set at wide receiver.
Round 2 (53): Travis Jones, DT, UConn
With the need at wide receiver fixed, the Packers can turn to the defense on Day 2. Green Bay gets some much-needed help along the defensive line with Travis Jones, who could be a starter immediately.
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah wrote that “Jones is a big, powerful defensive tackle with surprising quickness”.
Jones would be a perfect partner for Kenny Clark along the defensive line.
Round 2 (59): Logan Hall, EDGE, Houston
Many draft analysts believe Logan Hall will be best suited to playing on the edge in the NFL, although he has the versatility to also play inside. The Draft Network has him listed as an edge rusher.
This is an area of the defense Green Bay needs to strengthen. Rashan Gary and Preston Smith form a strong starting duo, but there is a lack of depth behind them with Za’Darius Smith gone. Currently, the Packers are relying on Jonathan Garvin and Tipa Galeai. So far, that hasn’t worked out.
Draft Hall, re-sign Whitney Mercilus, and the Packers will have strong depth at edge rusher.