100 Days of Mocks: Breaking Down NFL.com’s Four-Round Mock
GREEN BAY, Wis. – In a new four-round mock draft by NFL.com draft analyst Chad Reuter, the Green Bay Packers traded Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets for a first-round draft pick.
Before we dive into it, Reuter spoke highly of the depth at edge rusher, defensive line and tight ends. Those three areas rank among the Packers’ biggest needs. In this mock, Reuter didn’t address those holes on the defense, which would leave it to their two picks in the fifth round and four tries in the seventh to add some impact and depth.
OK, onto his picks.
First round – No. 13: Ohio State OT Paris Johnson
The Packers are set at offensive tackle for 2023 with David Bakhtiari at left tackle and Yosh Nijman at right tackle. It’s a different story in 2024, though, with Bakhtiari’s monumental $40 million cap charge and Nijman’s free agency.
Drafting a year ahead of time is always smart. Johnson would challenge Nijman this year before potentially moving to the left side in 2024.
“If he would have gone back [to Ohio State] and gotten a little stronger, I think you are talking about somebody that could have been a top-five pick next year because he has that type of ability,” NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah said in a recent conference call. “He has the frame. He has the quickness. He just needs to get a little bit stronger and play a little bit lower, but there is a ton to work with there. Paris Johnson can redirect fluidly, easily. He is an outstanding athlete.”
First round – No. 15: Notre Dame TE Michael Mayer
In a strong tight end class, who will go first? The all-around, ready-to-go Mayer? The pass-catching Dalton Kincaid? Or the potential-packed Darnell Washington? Reuter went with Mayer, who is a quality blocker and solid receiver but lacks the explosive upside.
Michael Mayer scored 16 touchdowns during his final two seasons. (Gary A Vasquez/USA Today Sports)
“Green Bay must consider the top receiver or tight end on the board at this spot,” Reuter wrote. “Mayer is a great fit, not only for his excellence as a receiver but also his prowess as a blocker in the running game, which should more of a focus with Jordan Love expected to run the show in 2023.”
Mayer was the pick over Kincaid and Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Second round – No. 45: SMU WR Rashee Rice
The Packers love their second-round receivers, with Christian Watson perhaps set to join Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson and Davante Adams as legit NFL No. 1 receivers. Rice caught 233 passes in four seasons, including a banner senior year of 96 receptions for 1,355 yards (15.1 average) and 10 touchdowns. His good is great; his bad is mystifying. At 6-foot-1 and 204 pounds, he ran his 40 in 4.51 seconds (good) and had a 41-inch vertical (great).
Third round – No. 78: Alabama S Jordan Battle
Battle’s Alabama teammate, Brian Branch, is deemed the top prospect but Battle might be the better fit if Green Bay needs to replace Adrian Amos. Amos’ career is filled with solid plays; Battle has the potential to do the same. He earned All-American honors in 2021 and 2022 and had six interceptions in four seasons. At 6-foot-1 and 209 pounds, he ran his 40 in 4.55 seconds.
Fourth round – No. 116: Stanford QB Tanner McKee
Quarterback is a big need, especially with the free-agent pool wiped out. McKee was the third-round pick in a Pro Football Focus mock. Without even average movement skills, McKee is not a great fit for the Packers’ offense. The problem is this draft doesn’t have many fits beyond the top five prospects.
Five Bonus Mocks
If you loved Reuter going with Mayer in the first round, maybe you’ll like this mock, too.
If you loved Reuter picking a tight end but think he selected the wrong one, maybe you’ll like this mock better.
If you didn’t like Reuter’s decision to bypass Smith-Njigba, maybe you’ll like this mock better.
If you think the Packers could use another big, fast receiver rather than a slot, maybe you’ll like this draft better.
If you think the Packers would be better off with Branch than battle, maybe you’ll like this mock better.
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100 Days of Mocks
Starting Jan. 17, when there were 100 days until the start of the NFL Draft, we started our mock-worthy goal of 100 mock drafts in 100 days. Here are the last 10 days of the series.
34 days: Kincaid rests his case
Packer Central’s third seven-round mock draft
35 days: You can bet on Michael Mayer
36 days: Defensive tackle with “special” skill-set
37 days: Seven-round mock shows challenge I Kiper 3.0 I Jeremiah 3.0
38 days: Rodgers traded, Smith-Njigba picked
Packer Central’s second seven-round mock
39 days: Bryan Bresee leads seven-round mock
41 days: Trading back, helping defense
