A Packers Mock Draft

[Dantés]

I haven't done one of these yet. This is sort of a combination of guys I like and what I think the Packers might actually do.

Going into the draft, I am assuming that the Packers hold out for an Alexander deal and come up with a 5th round pick. I could see something like that happening after day 2 when teams that went into the draft looking for an impact corner come away without one. Also as I mock round 1, a lot of popular names for GB are gone (McMillan, Banks, Grant, Harmon, Stewart, Williams).

1.23-- Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky: Corner hasn't been at the top of my list lately, but going into the offseason (i.e. right after watching the Packers play defense), it was my #1 need for this team with a bullet. Hairston was initially a really distasteful pick to me because he's light and had a shoulder issue. However, the reports on the shoulder is that it was nothing serious and he ended up missing time because of an infection. He's also working out right now in the 190's, which indicates that the 183# mark was maybe just his forty weight for the combine.

Hairston on the field is in the discussion for the best corner in the draft. He doesn't have the elite ball skills of Travis Hunter, but he's no slouch. Right now, today, he's a better man cover corner than Hunter. He definitely has the best pure movement skills and speed in the draft class. Acceleration, deceleration, long speed, etc. There are no holes in his game in that regard.

One thing to consider in regards to his size: He is one inch shorter and 7 lbs lighter than Derek Stingley was coming out, with a bigger wingspan.

The main reason I'm making this selection for them is that if they want a corner, it makes sense to get one early. There isn't a lot of depth to the group overall.

2.54-- T.J. Sanders, DT, South Carolina: I think Sanders is one of the few 3T pass rushers in this class who could give you some legitimate snaps at 1T. He's surprisingly stout at the POA and can hold the LOS well for a guy who is right around 300. He also has the frame to add good weight (6'4" with an 81" wingspan).

3.87-- Tory Horton, WR, Colorado State: Horton is probably an elite athlete in hiding. He ran a 4.41 and jumped 37.5" at 196 lbs coming off rehabbing from a knee surgery. He was productive right away in college, has skills to threaten all three levels, and he's very sure-handed. His athleticism is highlighted in the fact that he averaged over 16 yards per punt return in college and scored three times. I think he could rotate in as a rookie and replace Doubs in 2026.

4.124-- Saivion Jones, DE, LSU: The Packers' visits at DE indicate that they are interested in the big boys. It doesn't get much bigger than Jones at over 6'5" and 280 lbs. If you plug Brugler's numbers in for him for his forty and jumps, he's a 9.77 RAS player (no agilities). He has the tools they're looking for and could bolster the rotation at DE.

5.???-- Caleb Rogers, OL, Texas Tech: This guy just screams "Packers" to me. He's highly experienced, having 35 starts at RT, 16 at LT, 2 at RG, and 2 at LG. He's their ideal size at 6045, 312#. His agilities were excellent. He profiles as a developmental starter at either guard spot who offers emergency depth at tackle. I could see him sitting for a season and then taking over at RG.

5.159-- Chimere ****, WR, Florida: **** tested like a Packer all day long and has the kind of vertical speed to fill a role in the offense right away. He's also an experienced return man and covered kicks/punts very effectively for the Gators, so he would have value to get himself active on gameday.

6.198-- Cam Horsley, DT, Boston College: Horsley is more of the traditional 1T plugger, but he has a little more juice than you expect.

7.237-- Jason Marshall, CB, Florida: A flier on an athlete to fill out the depth.

7.250-- Kurtis Rourke, QB, Indiana: Competition for QB3-- could be untapped value here as he played the 2024 season on a torn ACL.

 

[tynimiller]

If Rourke's skills can meet his competitive heart he'll be special someday.

 

[gopkrs]

I don't pretend to know about Hairston, but I would like a corner who can tackle. I'm a little worried about that. Otherwise, I like the position mix but don't know the players.

 

[tynimiller]

I don't pretend to know about Hairston, but I would like a corner who can tackle. I'm a little worried about that. Otherwise, I like the position mix but don't know the players.

I had a DB scout tell me one time something that stuck with me...."Ty you said you're low on (not going to put player out there) due to his tackling...if I told you he is an elite coverage guy in both man and zone schemes, but will miss 15% of his tackle chances IS THAT better than a corner who tackles like a linebacker but blows 15% of his coverage snaps a game?"

Don't get me wrong, its for sure a separation thing for me and it is absolutely something I scout for...but in the end that changed my whole mindset about corners.

 

[Dantés]

I don't pretend to know about Hairston, but I would like a corner who can tackle. I'm a little worried about that. Otherwise, I like the position mix but don't know the players.

I hear you, but I also think that prioritizing tackling in your corner prospects is a recipe for sucking in coverage.

 

[gopkrs]

I guess I would prefer Barron if he's there. From what I understand, he can play corner. And there should be an exceptional d lineman or o lineman or receiver. Just my guess really but would rather have one of them. Not going to cry if we take Hairston.

 

[Magooch]

I was just dropping by to also say that yeah, Hairston just posted a photo with him seemingly weighing in at 194#. That would put him above our CB weight “threshold” and I believe raise his RAS from 9.63 to 9.91

 

[SudsMcBucky]

I had a DB scout tell me one time something that stuck with me...."Ty you said you're low on (not going to put player out there) due to his tackling...if I told you he is an elite coverage guy in both man and zone schemes, but will miss 15% of his tackle chances IS THAT better than a corner who tackles like a linebacker but blows 15% of his coverage snaps a game?"

Don't get me wrong, its for sure a separation thing for me and it is absolutely something I scout for...but in the end that changed my whole mindset about corners.

Why not? We talk about specific players ALL THE TIME.

 

[Dantés]

I guess I would prefer Barron if he's there. From what I understand, he can play corner. And there should be an exceptional d lineman or o lineman or receiver. Just my guess really but would rather have one of them. Not going to cry if we take Hairston.

I am somewhat skeptical of Barron. He really lacks length-- short arms, small wingspan. I also think that his best fit at the next level may be as a nickel/safety and I'm not sure I see the opportunity for that on this roster right now. But most importantly, I'm suspicious of players who didn't really show out until year 5-- he was playing before that, but he wasn't really on anyone's radar as a top prospect.

Now if the Packers feel like he can totally play well outside and that his breakout had more to do with the opportunity to do that in 2024, then by all means. He's talented and tough. So I'm not "out," but I am skeptical.

Here are the first 22 picks that led to my mock choice of Hairston. Let me know what direction you would have gone:

1. TEN: C. Ward, QB
2. CLE: A. Carter, DE
3. NYG: T. Hunter, ATH
4. NE: A. Membou, OL
5. CHI (Trade): A. Jeanty, RB
6. LV: T. McMillan, WR
7. NYJ: T. Warren, TE
8. CAR: J. Walker, ED
9. NO: S. Sanders, QB
10. JAC: M. Graham, DT
11. SF: D. Harmon, DT
12. DAL: M. Golden, WR
13. MIA: W. Campbell, OL
14. IND: C. Loveland, TE
15. ATL: M. Green, DE
16. ARI: K. Banks, OL
17. CIN: M. Williams, DE
18. SEA: W. Johnson, CB
19. TB: J. Campbell, LB
20. DEN: O. Hampton, RB
21. PIT: J. Barron, DB
22. LAC: S. Stewart, DE

So by consensus, the next 12 players would be:

-Walter Nolen, DT
-James Pearce, DE
-Donovan Ezeiruaku, DE
-Nick Emmanwori, S
-Emeka Egbuka, WR
-Luther Burden, WR
-Josh Simmons, OT
-Malaki Starks, S
-Kenneth Grant, DT
-Tyler Booker, iOL
-Josh Conerly, OT
-Grey Zabel, iOL
-Max Hairston, CB
-Trey Amos, CB
-TreVeyon Henderson, OSU


I really like Egbuka, Conerly, and Hairston from this group.

 

[tynimiller]

Why not? We talk about specific players ALL THE TIME.

So one thing I will always do is protect the very few discussions and genuine contacts I have. If I stated the name there is a small chance someone knows the team that picked this guy, and then possibly decipher where or who my contact is. This was just last year in a discussion with this guy, so not far enough removed for me to say it IMO. Likely overprotective, but still.

 

[tynimiller]

I am somewhat skeptical of Barron. He really lacks length-- short arms, small wingspan. I also think that his best fit at the next level may be as a nickel/safety and I'm not sure I see the opportunity for that on this roster right now. But most importantly, I'm suspicious of players who didn't really show out until year 5-- he was playing before that, but he wasn't really on anyone's radar as a top prospect.

Now if the Packers feel like he can totally play well outside and that his breakout had more to do with the opportunity to do that in 2024, then by all means. He's talented and tough. So I'm not "out," but I am skeptical.

Here are the first 22 picks that led to my mock choice of Hairston. Let me know what direction you would have gone:

1. TEN: C. Ward, QB
2. CLE: A. Carter, DE
3. NYG: T. Hunter, ATH
4. NE: A. Membou, OL
5. CHI (Trade): A. Jeanty, RB
6. LV: T. McMillan, WR
7. NYJ: T. Warren, TE
8. CAR: J. Walker, ED
9. NO: S. Sanders, QB
10. JAC: M. Graham, DT
11. SF: D. Harmon, DT
12. DAL: M. Golden, WR
13. MIA: W. Campbell, OL
14. IND: C. Loveland, TE
15. ATL: M. Green, DE
16. ARI: K. Banks, OL
17. CIN: M. Williams, DE
18. SEA: W. Johnson, CB
19. TB: J. Campbell, LB
20. DEN: O. Hampton, RB
21. PIT: J. Barron, DB
22. LAC: S. Stewart, DE

So by consensus, the next 12 players would be:

-Walter Nolen, DT
-James Pearce, DE
-Donovan Ezeiruaku, DE
-Nick Emmanwori, S
-Emeka Egbuka, WR
-Luther Burden, WR
-Josh Simmons, OT
-Malaki Starks, S
-Kenneth Grant, DT
-Tyler Booker, iOL
-Josh Conerly, OT
-Grey Zabel, iOL
-Max Hairston, CB
-Trey Amos, CB
-TreVeyon Henderson, OSU


I really like Egbuka, Conerly, and Hairston from this group.

Dang…DZ and Nolen all still there that situation Id be hoping for a call for a short slide back. Love the three you mentioned but also for me DZ, Nolen and Grant

 

[Dantés]

Dang…DZ and Nolen all still there that situation Id be hoping for a call for a short slide back. Love the three you mentioned but also for me DZ, Nolen and Grant

I will be surprised if they're an Ezeiruaku team. If they're drafting a smaller edge, I think they will want someone with more explosion off the ball.

I'm not wowed by Grant. I see the talent and I think he could be developed, but I think he's more name than game right now.

Nolen is a tricky one. There is a lot of smoke following him around. It's almost a situation where if he falls to #23, you assume there really are some character issues there.

Overall, I think there are attractive options on day 2 on the DL, but not so much at CB.

 

[Schultz]

I am somewhat skeptical of Barron. He really lacks length-- short arms, small wingspan. I also think that his best fit at the next level may be as a nickel/safety and I'm not sure I see the opportunity for that on this roster right now. But most importantly, I'm suspicious of players who didn't really show out until year 5-- he was playing before that, but he wasn't really on anyone's radar as a top prospect.

Now if the Packers feel like he can totally play well outside and that his breakout had more to do with the opportunity to do that in 2024, then by all means. He's talented and tough. So I'm not "out," but I am skeptical.

Here are the first 22 picks that led to my mock choice of Hairston. Let me know what direction you would have gone:

1. TEN: C. Ward, QB
2. CLE: A. Carter, DE
3. NYG: T. Hunter, ATH
4. NE: A. Membou, OL
5. CHI (Trade): A. Jeanty, RB
6. LV: T. McMillan, WR
7. NYJ: T. Warren, TE
8. CAR: J. Walker, ED
9. NO: S. Sanders, QB
10. JAC: M. Graham, DT
11. SF: D. Harmon, DT
12. DAL: M. Golden, WR
13. MIA: W. Campbell, OL
14. IND: C. Loveland, TE
15. ATL: M. Green, DE
16. ARI: K. Banks, OL
17. CIN: M. Williams, DE
18. SEA: W. Johnson, CB
19. TB: J. Campbell, LB
20. DEN: O. Hampton, RB
21. PIT: J. Barron, DB
22. LAC: S. Stewart, DE

So by consensus, the next 12 players would be:

-Walter Nolen, DT
-James Pearce, DE
-Donovan Ezeiruaku, DE
-Nick Emmanwori, S
-Emeka Egbuka, WR
-Luther Burden, WR
-Josh Simmons, OT
-Malaki Starks, S
-Kenneth Grant, DT
-Tyler Booker, iOL
-Josh Conerly, OT
-Grey Zabel, iOL
-Max Hairston, CB
-Trey Amos, CB
-TreVeyon Henderson, OSU


I really like Egbuka, Conerly, and Hairston from this group.

That might be the best trade ever by Jax. Move down 5 spots and still get the guy they would probably take at 5. I follow your thinking that the Bears would want to jump LV if they are all in on Jeanty. I am pretty sure JAX has traded down the last 2 drafts also.

 

[Dantés]

Here's my attempt at a 1st round mock that isn't pure chalk:

1. TEN: Cam Ward, QB, MIA
2. CLE: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, COL
3. NYG: Abdul Carter, DE, PSU
4. LV (Trade): Ashton Jeanty, RB, BSU
5. JAC: Derrick Harmon, DT, OR
6. NE (Trade): Armand Membou, OL, MIZZ
7. NO (Trade): Mykel Williams, DE, UGA
8. CAR: Jalon Walker, ED, UGA
9. NYJ (Trade): Colston Loveland, TE, MICH
10. CHI: Will Campbell, OL, LSU
11. SF: Walter Nolen, DT, MISS
12. DAL: Matthew Golden, WR ,UT
13. MIA: Mason Graham, DT, MICH
14. IND: Shemar Stewart, DE, TAMU
15. ATL: Mike Green, DE, BGU
16. ARI: Emeka Egbuka, WR, OSU
17. CIN: Nick Emmanwori, S, UGA
18. SEA: Kelvin Banks, OL, UT
19. TB: Jihaad Campbell, LB, UA
20. DEN: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, AZ
21. PIT: Kenneth Grant, DT, MICH
22. LAC: Will Johnson, CB, MICH
23. LAR (Trade): Jaxson Dart, QB, MISS
24. MIN: Jahdae Barron, DB, UT
25. HOU: Josh Conerly, OL, OR
26. GB (Trade): Maxwell Hairston, CB, UK
27. BAL: Omarrion Hampton, RB, UNC
28. DET: James Pearce, DE, TEN
29. WAS: Trey Amos, CB, MISS
30. BUF: Donovan Jackson, OL, OSU
31. KC: Donovan Ezeiruaku, DE, BC
32. NYG (Trade): Shedeur Sanders, QB, COL

 

[tynimiller]

Here's my attempt at a 1st round mock that isn't pure chalk:

1. TEN: Cam Ward, QB, MIA
2. CLE: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, COL
3. NYG: Abdul Carter, DE, PSU
4. LV (Trade): Ashton Jeanty, RB, BSU
5. JAC: Derrick Harmon, DT, OR
6. NE (Trade): Armand Membou, OL, MIZZ
7. NO (Trade): Mykel Williams, DE, UGA
8. CAR: Jalon Walker, ED, UGA
9. NYJ (Trade): Colston Loveland, TE, MICH
10. CHI: Will Campbell, OL, LSU
11. SF: Walter Nolen, DT, MISS
12. DAL: Matthew Golden, WR ,UT
13. MIA: Mason Graham, DT, MICH
14. IND: Shemar Stewart, DE, TAMU
15. ATL: Mike Green, DE, BGU
16. ARI: Emeka Egbuka, WR, OSU
17. CIN: Nick Emmanwori, S, UGA
18. SEA: Kelvin Banks, OL, UT
19. TB: Jihaad Campbell, LB, UA
20. DEN: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, AZ
21. PIT: Kenneth Grant, DT, MICH
22. LAC: Will Johnson, CB, MICH
23. LAR (Trade): Jaxson Dart, QB, MISS
24. MIN: Jahdae Barron, DB, UT
25. HOU: Josh Conerly, OL, OR
26. GB (Trade): Maxwell Hairston, CB, UK
27. BAL: Omarrion Hampton, RB, UNC
28. DET: James Pearce, DE, TEN
29. WAS: Trey Amos, CB, MISS
30. BUF: Donovan Jackson, OL, OSU
31. KC: Donovan Ezeiruaku, DE, BC
32. NYG (Trade): Shedeur Sanders, QB, COL

I will say, I believe strongly the only way we trade up is for a WR. With Tet still there at 20 I bet Gute is trying

 

[Dantés]

I will say, I believe strongly the only way we trade up is for a WR. With Tet still there at 20 I bet Gute is trying

Yeah, I'm intrigued as to whether the McMillan buzz is legit. If it is, they're doing a terrible job of hiding their interest. The usual pattern is that they had in-person connections to picks in days 2 and 3, but not so much in the first.

I'd like this outcome. Trade-ups should come cheap, so I would just project the Rams' 4th rounder, but to move down, get one of the corners in that tier, and get some extra capital would be nice.

 

[Dantés]

This will be my final stab at the Packers' plans for the weekend. I think they'll come by another pick or two, but for now I am going to just project the existing eight:

1.23-- Donovan Ezeiruaku, DE, Boston College: Hafley's tree is all about pass rush. Ezeiruaku isn't the typical Packers' type at DE, but he also would fill a niche as a speed-rush/sack artist that they're currently missing. When you have a lot of big base ends on the roster, it frees you up to take the guy who specializes in getting the QB on the ground. The Packers allegedly had interest in Will McDonald, which seems to lend itself to this idea.

I absolutely love Ezeiruaku. He's my favorite prospect in this class. Some have suggested that he lacks the initial burst to be an effective speed rusher, but the more I watch him the less I believe that. I think he just needs to get a little better at timing the snap. He fits a lot of the indicators for a Packers' first round pick-- he is a great athlete at a premium position, he has gobs of production, he reportedly possesses very high character, he was a senior bowl standout, and he didn't have a top 30 visit (that we know of). The only way in which he doesn't fit is size, at 6'2" 248#, but his arms are 34" long and his wingspan is 6'11". The Packers will know everything they need to about him as a person via Hafley and Oghobaase.

2.54-- Alfred Collins, DT, Texas: Green Bay keeps the DL train rolling. Having had their eye on Harmon before he goes top 15, they settle for the poor man's version in round 2. Collins primarily played 1T for the Longhorns, which the Packers desperately need. He's freakishly long and moves will for a guy his size. He has the potential to immediately replace Slaton's production on defense and the ceiling is much higher in the long term.

3.87-- Tory Horton, WR, Colorado State: There is so much about Horton that commends itself to me. He broke out immediately in the Mt. West and was uber productive until the injury bug struck this last year. Gutekunst loves to draft guys who had better years prior to their final college season (think Wicks, for example). I think Horton is probably a 4.3 athlete with elite COD, based on his gaudy punt return production. What I love about his fit is that I think he could replace some of Watson's vertical role while also having the skills to step into Doubs' or Wicks' spots in time. He is very sure-handed. I could see him becoming the starting flanker as soon as 2026.

4.124-- Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State: Porter is such a bizarre prospect. I don't know if he falls this far, but he started 7 games at corner in 6 seasons at Iowa State, so don't rule it out. "Freak" is overused in the draft cycle, but Porter legitimately is one. He's nearly 6'3", 195 lbs and he ran a 4.30 with a 1.49 split, jumped nearly 11', and had a 6.71 three cone. Plus his tape, what there is, is good! I think the age and lack of experience pushes him down, but I love him as a ST ace and competition with Valentine for snaps.

5.159-- Caleb Rogers, OL, Texas Tech: If Morgan is part of the plan at tackle, then along the interior (beyond the three starters), you have Jacob Monk, Marquis Hayes, Donovan Jennings, Travis Glover, and Kadeem Telfort. Plus they're probably going to let Rhyan walk in a year. So the need for depth/development on the iOL is there. Rogers is the total Packer-- size, agility drills, tackle experience, team captain-- he's the platonic ideal of a Packers' OL selection.

6.198-- Elijhah Badger, WR, Florida: Badger never topped 866 yards in a college season, but he was the leading receiving on his team the last three years (2 for Arizona State and 1 for Florida). He's a really good athlete who needs to figure out how to channel his talent into more refined routes. He's a highly accomplished kick returner, so he would have a way to get his foot in the door.

7.237-- Jason Marshall Jr, CB, Florida: Back to back Gators, Marshall is an underdeveloped athlete who would bolster the competition at cornerback.

7.250-- Brady Cook, QB, Missouri: Cook is a great athlete for the position who had a stronger 2023 than 2024 season. He would be a camp arm competing for a QB3 role, with the upside of potentially being a backup in the future.