Alright, here's one idea of how the Packers could attack this draft, among many other good ideas.
1.29: Asante Samuel Jr, CB, Florida State: The more I have gotten to know this cornerback class, the less impressed I am with its ability to offer immediate help to the Packers' defense. There are a bevvy of highly talented developmental players, but few who have the talent and skill to help immediately. That has led me to value more highly what Samuel offers. The negative is obvious-- he's 5'10" 180 lbs. But that may be the only reason he would be an option in the late 1st/early 2nd. Because he's sticky in man coverage and instinctive in zone, he's comfortable playing off or at the LOS, he possesses good ball skills, and he's a very reliable tackler. Green Bay would obviously want to add size to the secondary at some point, but Samuel can play, and that's the more important consideration.
Alternatives:
- Terrace Marshall Jr, WR, LSU: I have read the rumors about his attitude and a knee that apparently worries some teams. I don't know what is legit about that and what is smoke. But what I do know is that Marshall is a 20 year old, physically gifted stud whose 12 game pace would have had him finish around 80/1250/17 in the SEC. He could contribute as a rookie, and then replace MVS in the vertical role in 2022, while offering a lot more at that position.
- Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama: Leatherwood has had some issues in pass pro at times with the Tide. Smart OL minds have identified the issues as technical (oversetting and leaving his outside arm exposed to the cross chop). Those issues are teachable, but what isn't teachable is his combination of size, length, athleticism, strength, and experience. He would be an immediate asset as a run blocker, with all of the tools to grow into a good starting RT.
- Creed Humphrey, OC, Oklahoma: Any interior lineman has to be something special to warrant consideration as a 1st round pick. Humphrey qualifies. Not only has he been the best lineman on one of the best lines in the country for one of the best offenses, he is about as rare an athlete for the position as one will find. The cherry on top for me is his wrestling background, which tends to correlate with excellence on the interior.
- Jevon Holland, DB, Oregon: The 2020 opt out has caused Holland to fall off the radar a little bit, and I've been reading that players who opted out may fall in this class. I am not sure what to think about that-- maybe PAC 12 opt outs will be viewed differently. But Holland is a fantastic athlete, he has versatility to play safety, slot, and help on special teams, and his ball skills are special. He was one of the best defenders in his conference as a teenager.
2.62: Dillon Radunz, OL, North Dakota State: While not perhaps quite as dominant as one would prefer for the FCS level in pass protection, Radunz possesses all the tools you'd want in an offensive lineman for this style of offense. Adding him to the mix with fellow Bison alum Billy Turner could help solidify the right side for 2021 and beyond.
Alternatives:
- Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue: Moore's explosive movement skills will likely get him drafted much higher than would otherwise be typical for a 5'7" 180 lb player. If the Packers still ran McCarthy's offense, I would be thoroughly against taking him. But Petals is creative enough to use him in the screen/motion/RPO game.
- Quinn Meinerz, OL, Wisc. Whitewater: It's hard to know where these D-III players will wind up. Meinerz has drawn comparisons to Ali Marpet, who went 61st overall. The Wisc. Whitewater product proved he can hang with the big boys at the Sr. Bowl and would probably be able to offer quality snaps as a rookie at center or guard.
- Jabril Cox, LB, LSU: If the Packers decide they want to break their tendency and take a linebacker earlier in the draft, Cox is an interesting option because of his ability in coverage. He's long, moves well, and possesses good instincts to help in that area.
- Paulson Adebo, CB, Stanford: Adebo is a tough player to slot because of his strange profile. He's a great athlete and has fantastic ball skills. His fundamentals as a corner leave something to be desired. He could be the perfect developmental corner to work with behind King for a season.
3.92: Ihmir Smith-Marsette, WR, Iowa: He feels like the forgotten man in this WR class, but Smith-Marsette has a lot to offer an NFL team. He was a do-it-all threat for the Hawkeyes, posting solid receiving production (considering QB play) while also contributing as a rusher (34/274/4) and a returner (53/1520/2 KR). His reported 10 yard split (1.44) is freakish and demonstrates elite acceleration. He could contribute immediately in the motion game and on special teams.
Alternatives:
- Jaylon Moore, OT, Western Michigan: Starting tackles at this point in the draft can be rare, but Moore blocks well enough on the move and has good enough tools that he would be worth a shot if they get this far without adding one.
- Drew Dalman, OC, Stanford: Dalman is an underrated center prospect who could be a good addition if the Packers feel that center is the spot that needs to be addressed.
- Pete Werner, LB, Ohio State: Werner is one of the handful of linebacker prospects in this class who has legit potential in coverage.
- Robert Rochell, CB, Central Arkansas: Rochell is one of the developmental corner options with tools worth investing in.
4.135: Brenden Jaimes, OL, Nebraska: Pronounced "High-Muss," he and Radunz would offer the team two versatile, talented linemen to sort out in camp.
4.142: Derrick Barnes, LB, Purdue: Talented linebacker depth.
Alternatives:
- Jaelon Darden, WR, North Texas: Slot/motion weapon.
- Tommy Doyle, OT, Miami Ohio: Developmental tackle.
- Jonathan Marshall, iDL, Arkansas: Elite developmental athlete.
- Marco Wilson, CB, Florida: ''
5.173: Zech McPhearson, CB, Texas Tech: Developmental corner.
5.178: Darrick Forrest, S, Cincinnati: Safety depth.
Alternatives:
- Dan Moore Jr, OT, Texas AM
- Shaka Toney, ED, Penn State
- Nick Niemann, LB, Iowa
- Jacob Harris, WR, Central Florida
6.214: Jalen Camp, WR, Ga. Tech
6.220: Avery Williams, OW, Boise State
7.256: Jake Funk, RB, Maryland
Overall:
1. A. Samuel Jr, CB, FSU
2. D. Radunz, OL, NDSU
3. I. Smith-Marsette, WR, IA
4. B. Jaimes, OL, NEB
4. D. Barnes, LB, PUR
5. Z. McPhearson, CB, TTU
5. D. Forrest, S, CIN
6. J. Camp, WR, GTU
6. A. Williams, OW, BSU
7. J. Funk, RB, MAR
