Packers-Only Seven-Round Mock Draft 1.0

With the Scouting Combine complete, here is our first all-Packers seven-round mock draft.

Author:
Bill Huber
Updated:
Mar 6, 2023 12:48 PM EST
Original:
Mar 6, 2023

In this story:

GREEN BAY, Wis. – One thing became obvious in three runs through The Draft Network’s Mock Draft Machine on Monday: The Green Bay Packers have too many holes to fill in this draft unless they luck into some difference-makers in the seventh round.

Subject to change with free agency, the Packers have needs at safety, defensive line, outside linebacker, tight end and receiver. Offensive linemen and cornerbacks are always in style, too, and they might need a kicker, as well.

In each run through the Mock Draft Machine, I ran out of guys I wanted after the fourth round. That meant a position of need, in my mind, wasn’t adequately filled.

Here’s what I settled on.

First round: DT Bryan Bresee, Clemson

As it stands, the Packers’ defensive line for Week 1 would be Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt and TJ Slaton, with Jonathan Ford the next man up. At 6-foot-6 and 298 pounds, he ran his 40 in 4.86. In three seasons, he had nine sacks and 15 tackles for losses.

I took him ahead of Georgia offensive tackle Broderick Jones, Northwestern offensive tackle Peter Skoronski, Alabama safety Brian Branch, Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba or any of the tight ends. I do like Yosh Nijman at right tackle and thought the safety depth would hold up.

Second round: S Sydney Brown, Illinois

Brown recorded six interceptions and 13 passes defensed for the Illini in 2022 to earn All-American honors. The good: He ran his 40 in 4.47. The bad: He measured 5-foot-9 3/4. He might not eve be on Green Bay’s board. I picked Brown over Georgia tight end Darnell Washington and Oregon tight end Luke Musgrave.

Third round: OLB Zach Harrison, Ohio State

It was tight end or Harrison here. I went with Harrison and hoped that a tight end would stick into the fourth. Harrison fits the big-guy mold at 6-foot-5 1/2 and 274 pounds with 36-inch arms to keep tackle at bay. He had 11 sacks and 24 TFLs in four seasons.

Fourth round: TE Luke Schoonmaker, Michigan

Luke Schoonmaker (USA Today Sports Images)

Indeed, a quality tight end lasted. Schoonmaker is 6-foot-5 1/4 and 251 pounds and really aced the testing phase. He caught 35 passes for 418 yards and three scores in 2022. He blocks, too, giving him a chance to be an every-down player.

Fifth round: OT John Ojukwu, Boise State

The Packers have a lot of experience and versatility on the line. David Bakhtiari and Yosh Nijman will be the bookend tackles and Zach Tom providing excellent depth if he’s not starting. Ojukwu measured 6-foot-5 3/4 and 309 pounds. He ran an excellent 20-yard shuttle – a big key for Green Bay’s scouts. He didn’t allow a sack in 2022.

Seventh round: CB Jartavius Martin, Illinois

In 2022, Martin matched or set career highs with three interceptions, 11 passes defensed and 64 tackles. At 5-foot-11 and 194 pounds, he ran his 40 in 4.46. He played a lot in the slot last season and was an excellent tackler.

Seventh round: OT Ryan Hayes, Michigan

Starting at left tackle, Hayes was second-team all-Big Ten in 2021 and 2022. At 6-foot-6 3/8, he looks like a tackle. With a 5.18 in the 40 and a 1.78 in the 10-yard split, he’s got the athleticism. Short arms, though, could push him inside to guard.

Seventh round: S Daniel Scott, Cal

Scott was one of the big Combine winners. He is coming off back-to-back seasons of three interceptions. Scott has an extensive background on special teams, which could be important with Rudy Ford and Dallin Leavitt set to hit free agency alongside Adrian Amos.

Seventh round: DT Devonnsha Maxwell, UT-Chattanooga

The 6-foot-2 Maxwell is an undersized playmaker with a school- and Southern Conference-record 37.5 sacks. He was an all-conference pick following each of his four seasons.

Seventh round: WR Jalen Wayne, South Alabama

Wayne (6-2, 210) set career highs with 58 receptions for 816 yards and nine touchdowns in 2022. He ran his 40 in 4.51 seconds. As noted by NFL.com, “He doesn’t have the boosters to rocket past pro coverage, but he runs routes with an excellent feel for leverage to open opportunities inside the route.”