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Plenty of choices for Packers according to these draftniks
With less than two weeks to go before the NFL draft, mock draft season is in full bloom.
So which players have been identified as potential future Green Bay Packers? These are some names to note for the Packers with the 29th overall pick in the first round:
Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
Though added weaponry for quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been a hot topic in past years, not many mock drafters see a wide receiver landing in Green Bay. Kiper is one of the exceptions, zooming in on the 6-0 former All-American wideout. Bateman was only third-team All-Big Ten in the unusual 2020 season, one for which he partially opted out.
Mel Kiper, ESPN.com: Like the Saints, the Packers haven't been able to add roster improvements because they're up against the cap, so let's snag a wide receiver for reigning MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Bateman played outside and in the slot for the Golden Gophers, averaging 20.3 yards per catch in 2019. He would instantly become Green Bay's No. 2 wideout behind Davante Adams. Bateman is the sixth and final Round 1 wide receiver in this mock draft. The Packers could also address the interior of their offensive line, particularly with longtime starting center Corey Linsley leaving in free agency.
Jamin Davis, LB, Kentucky
Davis is a name that shows up a lot in late first-round mocks. He posted 102 tackles in just 10 games for the Wildcats as a junior last year, though he only has 11 career college starts and might need some seasoning before becoming a fulltime NFL starter.
Todd McShay, ESPN.com: Davis could replace Christian Kirksey, who signed with the Texans. He is an off-theball linebacker who can impact multiple facets of the defense, and he's a very good tackler in space. As for the WRsized elephant in the room, Louisville's Tutu Atwell and Minnesota's Rashod Bateman are worth a look, but this class is deep, and Davis' game could be perfect for the Green Bay defense.
Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
Collins won the Bronko Nagurski and Chuck Bednarik Awards as the nation's best defender during a breakout 2020 campaign and earned All-American honors. The 6-5, 259-pounder finished the year with 53 tackles in eight starts, plus a team-leading 11.5 tackles for loss. He added four interceptions and four sacks, along with a blocked kick.
Charley Casserly, NFL.com: Collins fills a big hole in the middle of Green Bay's defense. The Packers have always had success finding receivers on Days 2 and 3, and this year should be no different.
Dillon Radunz, OT, North Dakota State
Radunz (pronounced RAY-dunz) appears to be another offensive line prospect that could play either guard or tackle. The 6-1, 304-pounder has been part of a powerhouse that won the 2019 FCS national championship, though the Bison didn't get to play in the regular fall season because of COVID-19.
Sam Monson, Pro Football Focus: Dillon Radunz shares some similarities with left tackle David Bakhtiari: relatively slight in build, coming from a non-powerhouse school and showing exceptional fluid movement skills, particularly in pass protection. It might take Radunz a little time to get up to the speed of the NFL and become the kind of high-end pass blocker he is capable of — just as it did for Bakhtiari — but his upside may be well worth the wait.
Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
The physically gifted 6-2, 197-pounder opted out for the 2020 season and also had a surgical procedure on his back in March, so he's a bit of an unknown. But many mock drafts still recognize his pure talent and have slotted him in the teens.
Eric Edholm, Yahoo! Sports: The Packers have been aggressive in Round 1 under GM Brian Gutekunst, trading up multiple times the past few years. Drafting Farley would be a different form of aggression, betting that Farley's health worries are worth the risk on a player who was a possible top-10 pick at one point. And traditionally, this is a club that is conservative when it comes to medical risks. But they sure could use some insurance for Kevin King, and Farley could be a home run selection — or, if his back problems worsen, a whiff.
Dane Brugler, The Athletic: A top-10 pick based on raw talent, Farley will likely see a slight slide on draft day due to his medical situation (He had back surgery last month). How far? That's anyone's guess right now, but he could prove to be an unbelievable value in the late first round.
Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan
Mayfield earned honorable-mention All-Big Ten honors in 2019 but only saw action in two 2020 games with an ankle injury holding him out. The 6-5, 236pounder may not be a player who will start immediately.
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: The Packers need to think about right tackle in the short term and Mayfield would be a welcome athletic presence opposite all-world pass protector David Bakhtiari.
Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida
He hauled in 70 receptions for 984 yards (14.1 per) while scoring 10 touchdowns.He also ran the ball 19 times for 161 yards and a score and returned seven kickoffs for an average of 22.1 yards, plus 11 punts for an average of 12.6 (including a touchdown) in 11 starts.
Danny Kelly, The Ringer: The Packers failed to upgrade the receiver position at this time last year, but they make a splash move now in adding Toney. The former Gators star is a bit unpolished as a route runner, but he offers explosive playmaking traits.