Placing the Packers’ Predraft Visits in Tiers

Here are the 28 known Green Bay Packers’ predraft visits, listed by the rounds in which they might be drafted.

Author:
Bill Huber
Updated:
Apr 21, 2023 11:04 AM EDT
Original:
Apr 19, 2023

In this story:

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Each team is allowed 30 visits with NFL Draft prospects. Thanks to Instagram and solid reporting, we know the identities of 26 of those players.

When Ted Thompson was general manager, the visits were used mostly for medical/character checks and undrafted free agent recruiting. There’s some of that with current GM Brian Gutekunst, as well, but the Packers brought in eight players who could wind up going in the first round.

Here are the visits, broken down by tiers based on where they are projected to be drafted.

First Round

TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame: The best all-around tight end in the draft, his rookie role will be limited only by what he can handle at a complex position. He is one of the safest picks in the draft.

TE Dalton Kincaid, Utah: The best pass-receiving tight end in the draft. The franchise record for most receptions by a tight end was set by Jermichael Finley with 61 in 2012. A mere four catches per game would give him 68. Here’s our feature.

OT Darnell Wright, Tennessee: The best right tackle in the draft, he would bring a dose of physicality. Here’s our feature.

Border of First and Second Rounds

QB Hendon Hooker, Tennessee: Hooker will not be drafted by the Packers unless he free falls through the first two days of the draft. That seems unlikely. Here’s our feature.

TE Darnell Washington, Georgia: Washington is a monster of a man with surprising athleticism. Just because he was not a focal point of the Bulldogs’ passing game doesn’t mean he can’t catch. Here’s our feature.

OLB/DL Keion White, Georgia Tech: White went from FCS tight end to potential first-round pass rusher. Here’s our feature.

OLB Will McDonald IV, Iowa State: The Milwaukee native, once upon a time so new to the game that he had no idea who Wisconsin legends J.J. Watt and T.J. Watt were, broke Von Miller’s Big 12 sacks record. Here’s our feature.

DT/OLB Adetomiwa Adebawore, Northwestern: Adebawore lined up on the edge as well as defensive tackle for the Wildcats, and the same could be in store with Green Bay. At 282 pounds, he ran his 40 in 4.48 seconds. That means a race with Aaron Jones would result in a photo finish. Here’s our feature.

Second and Third Rounds

Felix Anudike-Uzomah (USA Today Sports Images)

S Jartavius “Quan” Martin, Illinois: Martin flashed playmaking ability and tackling skills on the field and elite athleticism at the Scouting Combine. He fits at safety, nickel and even corner. Here’s our feature.

OLB Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Kansas State: Anudike-Uzomah built himself into the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. He had 19.5 sacks and eight forced fumbles his final two seasons. Here’s our feature.

WR Rashee Rice, SMU: Rice led the nation in receiving yards per game despite dealing with a bum toe for most of the season. He’s strong after the catch with elite jumping ability, and played a lot in the slot in 2021. Here’s our feature.

CB Tyrique Stevenson, Miami: Stevenson was a two-year starter for the Hurricanes who allowed a 42.5 percent completion rate in 2022. He also has the ability to challenge Keisean Nixon in the slot. Here’s our feature.

Fourth and Fifth Rounds

DL Jaquelin Roy, LSU: At 6-foot-4 and 305 pounds, Roy is a solid run defender. How tough is he to block at times? No interior lineman drew more holding penalties.

LB/S Marte Mapu, Sacramento State: The Packers drafted a safety with linebacker size with Tariq Carpenter last year. Mapu fits the same niche but is expected to start off at linebacker. He was a first-team FCS All-American in 2022.

WR Dontayvion Wicks, Virginia: Wicks went from 1,203 receiving yards and a 21.1 average in 2021 to 430 yards and a 14.3 average during a drop-filled 2022.

S Jammie Robinson, Florida State: Robinson was a three-year starter who intercepted four passes in 2021. However, he’s a bit slight-of-build and ran a 4.59 in the 40.

TE Josh Whyle, Cincinnati: The Packers have shown a lot of interest in Whyle, from the Senior Bowl to the Scouting Combine to his visit. He’s a big, sure-handed target. Here’s our feature.

Sixth and Seventh Rounds

G Atonio Mafi, UCLA: Mafi started 14 games at defensive tackle in 2018 and 2019 before switching to offense. He was second-team all-conference in 2022, when he allowed three sacks while starting 13 games.

S Jordan Howden, Minnesota: A 49-game starter over the course of five seasons, two of his four career interceptions came in 2022. At 6-foot, he’s got 4.49 speed and a 33.5-inch vertical. He’s one of the best tacklers in the class.

RB Evan Hull, Northwestern: Hull rushed for 1,009 yards and caught 33 passes in 2021, then followed that with 913 rushing yards and 55 receptions in 2022. He ran his 40 in 4.47 seconds.

RB Lew Nichols III, Central Michigan: At 5-foot-10 and 220 pounds, Nichols has the size the Packers have liked for years. Big backs work on bad fields. In 2021, he ran for 1,848 yards and added 40 receptions.

RB Keaton Mitchell, East Carolina: Mitchell is the odd-ball visit. At 5-foot-8 and 179 pounds at the Scouting Combine, he doesn’t fit Green Bay’s usual size standards. But he ran his 40 in 4.37. Perhaps this was undrafted recruiting if his size scares off enough teams.

Really Late/Undrafted Recruiting

QB Sean Clifford, Penn State: Clifford topped 10,000 passing yards and 11,000 total yards during his career. He threw 24 touchdowns vs. seven picks in 2022. Here’s our feature.

QB Tanner Morgan, Minnesota: Morgan set the school record with 33 wins while ranking in the top three in Gophers history in passing efficiency, completion percentage, passing touchdowns, passing yards and touchdown-to-interception ratio. He was a finalist for the Wuerffel Trophy, which honors community impact and leadership, and a two-time semifinalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year.

TE Ben Sims, Baylor: Sims is coming off back-to-back seasons of 31 receptions and has 4.58 speed. Here’s our feature.

WR Cole Tucker, NIU: Tucker is among NIU’s career leaders in receptions and receiving yards. He ranked fifth in the draft class in yards per route and projects as a slot receiver. Here’s our feature.

WR Ryan Miller, Furman: Miller was a three-time All-American tight end at Furman but will line up at receiver in the NFL. He demolished Clemson in 2022. Here’s our feature.

OT Kadeem Telfort, UAB: Telfort started 24 games at left tackle for the Blazers during his fifth and sixth collegiate seasons. He was first-team all-Conference USA in 2022. He’s 6-foot-7 1/2 with 36-inch arms. Here’s our feature.