Seven-Round Packers Mock Draft 3.0: Scouting Combine
The NFL Scouting Combine is underway, and the Green Bay Packers are looking to the future to find their way back into the Super Bowl.
Our previous versions have seen them take a cornerback and wide receiver in the first round. This version was a little bit different. Using the PFF simulator, here is how the Packers' draft board shook out.
Round 1, Pick 25: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
Yes, the Packers likely feel good about their offensive tackle situation considering the growth that Rasheed Walker showed in his first extended action a season ago.
That said, general manager Brian Gutekunst said he wanted to add competition across all five positions on the offensive line. The addition of Mims, who is heavier than the Packers have typically preferred on their offensive line, adds competition to both tackle spots.
The other potential benefit is if they liked Mims and Walker at the tackle spots, Zach Tom could be an option at center. That seems unlikely given how well Tom played at right tackle a season ago, but stranger things have happened.
The more likely scenario would be that Mims is slotted in as one of the team's starting tackles, while Tom plays the other spot, and Walker becomes a high-level swing tackle. That's a position that Gutekunst has shown to value, as evidenced by his decision to give Yosh Njiman the second-round tender as a restricted free agent a season ago.
Regardless of how they want things to shake out, Gutekunst has shown a propensity to add multiple players at a position he values.
Round 2, Pick 41: Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia
Gutekunst loves the Georgia Bulldogs.
Three of his first-round picks have been used on Georgia products, and this version of our mock simulation sees him grab two with his first two picks.
Lassiter has the ability to play on the boundary and the slot. He allowed only a 38.4 completion percentage rate, according to PFF. He's a willing run defender, which will be a requirement under new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley.
In Bill Huber's first mock draft of the offseason, he took Lassiter in the first round, which could mean the Packers are getting a steal if things shake out this way.
Round 2, Pick 58: Calen Bullock, S, USC
It took until the end of the second round, but we were able to address arguably the Packers' biggest need.
Is Bullock the perfect prospect at safety? No. He struggles to tackle in space, but he is able to go get the ball when it is in the air.
Bullock had 11 pass breakups and seven interceptions over the last two seasons at USC. The Packers have a desperate need for playmaking in their secondary.
Bullock's ability to play the ball earned him the nod here over Texas running back Jonathon Brooks.
Round 3, Pick 88: Bucky Irving, RB, Oregon
Irving is one of the best pass-catching backs in this draft class. He caught 56 passes in 2023 and 95 over his three-year career.
Irving would join a backfield that is almost certain to have Aaron Jones back. What Irving could do is take some pressure off him in passing situations as well as add more explosiveness behind him.
Jones has struggled with the injury bug, as is the case for almost any running back, but the Packers typically like to limit his usage to preserve him.
Irving could be someone that helps split those carries and add value on third downs in the passing game to ensure the offense is dynamic even when Jones is off the field.
Round 3, Pick 91: Kris Abrams-Draine, CB, Missouri
Abrams-Draine's value in the third round fits almost perfectly with where he's ranked in Dane Brugler's initial Top-100 for The Athletic.
Abrams-Draine adds more playmaking to a secondary that had little to speak of in 2023. He hauled in four interceptions, which would have doubled the Packers' team leader Rudy Ford in that department. In addition, he had 11 pass breakups.
He has some experience in the slot, with 72 snaps there in 2023, but the majority of his experience is on the boundary.
Round 4, Pick 126: Kalen King, CB, Penn State
King had an excellent 2022 season that had him getting buzz as a potential first-round pick in 2023. He struggled, however, and now looks like someone who will be on the outside of the first round and in this case the first two days altogether.
Yes, the Packers had already taken two cornerbacks in this simulation, but they need defensive backs in bulk.
Eric Stokes may not be able to be relied on. Carrington Valentine will have to prove he’s consistently good enough to be a starter on a team that is looking to compete for a championship.
King's selection in this simulation gives the Packers three cracks at finding a preferred starter across from Jaire Alexander, while also adding depth and competition to the entire cornerback room.
Rounds 5-7: Includes Linebacker, Running Back, and Quarterback
Cedric Gray, LB, North Carolina; Julian Pearl, OL, Illinois; Tanor Bortolini, C, Wisconsin; Taulia Tagovailoa, QB, Maryland; Rasheen Ali, RB, Marshall.
Cedric Gray has the run-and-hit ability the Packers have typically targeted with their linebackers.
Bortoloini and Pearl help replenish some of the depth the Packers are likely to lose on the interior offensive line this offseason.
Tagovailoa has a lot of experience at Maryland, totaling 41 starts on his way to becoming the Big Ten's all-time passing leader.
Ali adds another one-cut runner to compete with Emanuel Wilson and Patrick Taylor for reps at the back of the running back room or end up on the practice squad.
What Worked?
The addition of a high-end offensive tackle is something that no team should ever be upset about. Adding Mims to the line could help the Packers build a proverbial wall around their franchise quarterback, Jordan Love. The ability to add two more offensive linemen at the back half of the draft could come in handy, as well.
In addition, adding four bodies to a secondary in desperate need of players and playmaking was a big boon for Jeff Hafley and his secondary.
Bucky Irving would be a good addition to the running back room and give the team some options in passing situations.
What Didn't Work?
While we were able to add three cornerbacks, there was only one spot where a safety made sense, which is where we settled on Bullock.
Bullock has some ability with the ball in the air, but struggles as a tackler. Whether that will be a deal breaker in Green Bay is unknown.
We also did not add a defensive lineman or pass rusher, which a team can never have too many of. The Packers will be a man down for most of the season with Kingsley Enagbare suffering a torn ACL in the playoff game at Dallas.
