Packers three-round mock draft: F them picks trade edition

Round 1 (28): Boye Mafe, EDGE, Minnesota

The Packers’ third and fourth edge rushers on the depth chart are currently Jonathan Garvin and Tipa Galeai. This is a major area of need. Green Bay needs to strengthen its pass rush depth behind Rashan Gary and Preston Smith.

Minnesota’s Boye Mafe should be a player to watch in the first round.

With a Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 10 out of a possible 10, Mafe is an excellent athlete. He should be in first-round consideration for the Packers if he’s still on the board.

NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah noted that “Mafe is an ascending edge rusher with an enticing blend of speed and power”, while adding that he has “double-digit sack upside”.

And after impressing at the Senior Bowl, Mafe showed why he deserves to be selected in the first round.

Mafe still has areas to improve, but the chance to begin his career as the Packers’ third edge rusher and learn from Gary and Smith would be a perfect landing spot for him. He could have a similar role to Gary in his rookie season. It took Gary a few seasons to become the player he now is, but the development has paid off in a big way.

The same could be true of Mafe. Early on, he adds depth behind the starters, but has the potential to become an excellent starter in Joe Barry’s defense.