After a short delay, we are back in the 2018 Daily Norseman Community Mock Draft. Let’s review the past five picks to give ourselves a refresher of what’s happened.
9. San Francisco 49ers - Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia
10. Oakland Raiders - Vita Vea, DT, Washington
11. Miami Dolphins - Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
12. Buffalo Bills (from Cincinnati Bengals) - Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
13. Washington Redskins - Derwin James, S, Florida State
That brings us to the second of the Vikings’ three NFC North rivals to find themselves on the clock in our Community Mock Draft, the Green Bay Packers. We all know what happened to the Packers last season, as their season went south after the injury to Aaron Rodgers. Still, that was enough for wholesale changes in the Green Bay front office and on the sideline. So, where should they go in this year’s NFL Draft? Let’s take a look at them.
Green Bay Packers
2017 record: 7-9 (3rd place, NFC North)
Offseason acquisitions
TE Jimmy Graham (free agent signing), QB DeShone Kizer (acquired in trade with Cleveland), DT Muhammad Wilkerson (free agent signing), CB Tramon Williams (free agent signing)
Offseason losses
S Morgan Burnett (signed with Pittsburgh), WR Jeff Janis (signed with Cleveland), WR Jordy Nelson (signed with Oakland), CB Damarious Randall (traded to Cleveland), TE Richard Rodgers (signed with Philadelphia)
Team needs
Offensive line - Who would have thought that, with the unit they fielded a couple of years ago, that the offensive line would be a need for this team? The Packers are set on the left side with David Bakhtiari at tackle and Lane Taylor at guard, and Corey Linsley is solid at center as well. The right side, however. . .not so much. Bryan Bulaga had another injury-marred season, and his replacements didn’t inspire much confidence.
Outside linebacker - Clay Matthews has had an outstanding career for Green Bay (as much as we hate him on our side), but it might be time for the Packers to move him back inside. If new Defensive Coordinator Mike Pettine decides to go that route, they’re going to have to replace him on the outside.
Secondary - The Packers have needs everywhere in the secondary. Damarious Randall was arguably their best corner last season, but he got traded out of town. They also lost Morgan Burnett at safety, who was steady for them for a number of years. They’ve got some young pieces to work with on the back end of the defense, but they’re going to need more.
Options
Marcus Davenport, DE, Texas-San Antonio - Davenport is a player that is definitely going to need some time to develop, as he played his college ball at a smaller school. Still, he has as much physical talent as any other defensive end in this year’s draft. He mostly played standing up during his time at UT-SA, and if they choose to bring him in, he’d likely be the guy that helps push Clay Matthews back inside as discussed above.
Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama - Harrison is yet another guy from the Alabama pipeline to the NFL. The Packers have Josh Jones at safety, and they apparently like him quite a bit, but he could use a running partner. At this point of his career, Harrison is more of an “in the box” safety than a center fielder, but the Packers could probably use someone like that.
Mike Hughes, CB, Central Florida - The title of the second-best corner in this year’s class is up for debate, but we’ll give Hughes that title in this case. He transferred from North Carolina to Central Florida, and only played one year for the Golden Knights. He’s a little rough around the edges, but is outstanding in man coverage and may have the highest upside of any corner in this class.
Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame - McGlinchey might be the best offensive tackle in this year’s class. . .though if you asked five different pundits to rate this year’s offensive tackles, you might get five different names at the top of that list. . .and would certainly step in and fill the huge hole at right tackle for the Packers.
Connor Williams, OL, Texas - As we’ve said in previous picks where he’s been an option, Williams appears to be better suited to shift inside than someone like McGlinchey would be. If his medicals check out (he injured both his MCL and PCL last year), he’s certainly worthy of this selection, and is someone that the Packers could flex to the outside should the need arise.
That’s what we’re looking at for the Packers at #14. Be nice, ladies and gentlemen. Tomorrow, we’ll move on to the Arizona Cardinals at #15 overall.
Poll
With the fourteenth pick in the 2018 Daily Norseman Community Mock Draft, the Green Bay Packers (should) select ____________
This poll is closed
-
29%
Marcus Davenport, DE, UT-SA
-
8%
Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama
-
40%
Mike Hughes, CB, Central Florida
-
17%
Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
-
4%
Connor Williams, OL, Texas