100 Days of Mocks: Packers Trade Rodgers, Draft Two First-Round Pass-Catchers
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Can you imagine what Aaron Rodgers would think if the Green Bay Packers drafted a receiver and a tight end in the first round after trading him?
That’s the scenario in a new three-round mock draft by Pro Football Network. The Packers traded Rodgers to the New York Jets and gained a first-round pick in this year’s draft and a second-rounder in 2024.
With the pick acquired at No. 13, the Packers selected TCU’s Quentin Johnston, who is perhaps the best receiver in this year’s draft.
“With their newfound draft capital, the Packers present Christian Watson with his new running mate: Quentin Johnston. Two big-bodied vertical threats that can gain yards after the catch? That’s the stuff of defensive coordinators’ nightmares,” wrote James Fragoza.
Listed at 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, Johnston indeed is a big-bodied threat in the mold of Watson. During his final season, he caught 60 passes for 1,069 yards (17.8 average) and six touchdowns. He topped 130 yards in four games, including six receptions for 163 yards and one touchdown in a playoff shredding of powerhouse Michigan.
“Long, fast, explosive athlete who has really good hands,” one AFC exec told SI.com’s Albert Breer. “He’s physical to attack the ball and really tough after the catch.”
Johnston averaged a ridiculous 18.8 yards per reception during his career.
“Johnston is an amped-up athlete with arguably elite lateral twitch at his size,” reads a snippet of his PFN scouting report. “He moves with constant energy and brings exciting short-area quickness and foot speed. The TCU WR employs sudden lateral moves at the line, then carries explosiveness upfield without missing a beat. Additionally, his fast feet capacity allows for abrupt, explosive movement in short ranges. This can assist him in many phases — both as a separator and a RAC threat.”
The Packers have not drafted a receiver in the first round since Javon Walker in 2002. That's nothing. They have not drafted a tight end in the first round since Bubba Franks in 2000.
With their own pick at No. 15 overall, the Packers wound up with Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer. He’s a player who’s been frequently mocked to the Packers, even with other tight ends gaining momentum.
Mayer was easily the most prolific tight end in the history of a program that has produced a lot of quality players at the position. He is a sure-handed, tough-to-tackle threat in the passing game and a credible blocker.
“Mayer forces opposing defenders to make business decisions with the ball in his hands, as he runs at them like a Mack truck,” reads part of his NFL Draft Bible scouting report. “He is extremely tough to bring down, often requiring multiple defenders to do so. The team captain brings a ferocious intensity and is a notorious hard worker. While his blocking is adequate, there is room for improvement in his development. Overall, his ability to run, catch, block and break tackles makes him an immediate impact player at the next level.”
With their Day 2 picks, Green Bay was able to address major needs at safety (second round) and outside linebacker (third round). Click here to get those picks.
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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’s the 100-day-countdown series.
75 days: Two NFL.com mocks, two different tight ends
76 days: Tight end and pass rusher in two-rounder by NFL Draft Bible
77 days: Rodgers traded to Raiders for No. 7 pick
78 days: A seven-round mock includes Big Ten playmakers
79 days: Rodgers traded in two-round mock
80 days: Packers take safety in ESPN mock
81 days: Aaron Rodgers traded in three-round mock
82 days: Seven mocks, including NFL.com
83 days: Two pass-catchers in first-round mocks
84 days: Aaron Rodgers traded for extra first-round pick
85 days: PFF picks a pass rusher
86 days: Tight end in NFL Draft Bible Mock
87 days: Packers trade back, get extra second-rounder
88 days: Sorry, vacation day.
89 days: A “Eureka!” moment in two-round mock
90 days: Playmaking cornerback at PFF
91 days: Three defensive backs in seven-round mock
92 days: Kiper takes a tight end
93 days: Safety first for Bucky Brooks in NFL.com mock
94 days: College Football News mocks Mayer
95 days: Two firsts if Rodgers is traded
96 days: NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah goes back to Georgia
97 days: This pick would break a long drought
