Packers Tackle Defense in Mel Kiper’s Two-Round Mock Draft
Pardon the pun of the headline. In Mel Kiper’s new mock draft, the Packers selected offensive tackle Amarius Mims in the first round before addressing the defense in the second.
GREEN BAY, Wis. – In Mel Kiper’s two-round mock draft for ESPN, the Green Bay Packers landed Georgia offensive tackle Amarius Mims with their first-round pick.
Mims is a fascinating prospect.
At 6-foot-8 and 340 pounds, Mims represents the type of lineman the Packers have not selected. However, Mims isn’t your run-of-the-mill 340-pound man. His Relative Athletic Score was as an elite 9.59. Highlighted by a 5.07-second time in the 40-yard dash, he aced every test other than vertical jump.
If Mims were a typical two- or three-year starter, he’d probably be a top-10 prospect. However, he started only eight games in his career but, as Kiper said, “he was excellent” when he was in the lineup.
“I know I don’t have the amount of starts and snaps as many guys here,” Mims said at the Scouting Combine, “but I feel I’m just as prepared and just as good everybody else here.”
Not only is he a tremendous athlete for his size, he’s got 36 1/8-inch arms. With those tools, he allowed just one pressure in 2023.
“Once he locks into edge rushers, they get swallowed up in his massive wingspan,” Kiper said. “He didn't allow any sacks in his career. The Packers have an extremely young offense, and Mims would be another pillar to build around.”
Of note, Mims had a predraft visit with the Packers. Also of note, of his 801 snaps on the offensive line in three seasons, all of them came at right tackle. So, would he replace Zach Tom at right tackle? Does he have the ability to play left tackle?
At FanDuel Sportsbook, offensive line is the favorite to be the position for Green Bay’s first pick. It’s about the only weakness on an offense led by Jordan Love and including Josh Jacobs.
The second-round picks focused on filling big needs on defense.
At No. 41 overall, the choice was Texas A&M linebacker Edgerrin Cooper. In this simulation, all the off-the-ball linebackers were available. At 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds with 4.51 speed in the 40, he’s got an excellent blend of athleticism and playmaking ability.
“Green Bay parted ways with De'Vondre Campbell and doesn't have a replacement on its roster,” Kiper wrote. “Cooper, who had 14 tackles for loss in 2023, could slot in as a rookie. He has stellar range as a run defender and doesn't have to come off the field in passing situations.
At No. 58, Kiper grabbed a safety, Georgia’s Javon Bullard. Just like at linebacker, all the safeties were available. Would Bullard – who played mostly slot in 2022 and mostly free safety in 2023 – be the right fit alongside Xavier McKinney? Utah’s Cole Bishop went two picks later, who seemingly would be a better counterpat.
Click here for the full mock, including the quarterback-receiver combo for the Bears, the quarterback for the Vikings and the two picks for the Lions.
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