Seven-Round Packers Mock Draft: Trade Up for Olu Fashanu
While Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst could attack the second and third waves of NFL free agency, adding a veteran has never stopped him from taking that same position in the draft, as well.
Using the Pro Football Network simulator for this seven-round mock draft with one big move up this week, the Packers were able to grab a building block to protect their franchise quarterback while filling out the back end of the depth chart.
First Round (Trade): Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
This felt like a glitch in the system, but there have been some mock drafts that have seen Penn State's star offensive tackle slip into the late teens of the first round.
This was a case of just that happening. With Fashanu available at No. 19, the offer was picks 25, 88 and 169 to move up six spots. The Rams accepted, and Fashanu was a run-the-card to-the-podium type of situation.
Fashanu is a blue-chip prospect. He would be the Packers' starting left tackle to fill the mammoth void left by David Bakhtiari.
Oddly enough, he'd be replacing his former teammate, Rasheed Walker, in that role. It's possible if this pick were made that Walker would move to right tackle and Zach Tom would slide to the interior.
Moving Tom seems like a bad idea considering how well he played at right tackle, but it is something the Packers tinkered with briefly during training camp last year.
Fashanu is a pass-blocking savant. His pass-blocking grade, according to Pro Football Focus, was above 80 in all three years that he played for the Nittany Lions. He didn’t allow a sack in more than 730 career pass-blocking snaps.
He likely would have been a first-round pick had he entered the draft a year ago, but he opted to stay in school to chase a Big Ten championship.
In this case, trading up for a blue-chip prospect seemed like the best option as all of the top corners were off the board, and Fashanu along with Georgia's Amarius Mims were the top tackles left on the board.
Perhaps I could have waited to see if I could have gotten a bargain but, in this case, the prospect of grabbing someone like Fashanu was too tempting to pass up.
Second Round: Graham Barton, OL, Duke
Skeptics might say this feels repetitive, but I disagree.
Fashanu is a big-time prospect who is going to play left tackle.
Barton can play anywhere. In this scenario, he becomes an immediate challenger to Sean Rhyan at right guard or Josh Myers at center.
Rhyan had some nice moments rotating with Jon Runyan Jr. but has never played even 40 snaps in a game in his two seasons as a pro.
With Runyan having signed with the Giants, Rhyan probably should not just be handed the job as the starting right guard. Competition is how the offensive line began to thrive a season ago, and Barton is the draft's most versatile offensive lineman.
He could play a role similar to the one Zach Tom has since being drafted. Tom is essentially the top backup at all five positions on the offensive line.
Barton's versatility is something the Packers have always valued, and while he may not have the preferred measurables of a tackle, he likely would be given an opportunity to prove he cannot play there instead of being pigeonholed as an interior-only player.
There were no defensive backs on the board that were worth selecting at this point, and Barton was considered in the first round had we not traded up for Fashanu.
Second Round: Max Melton, CB, Rutgers
Melton can be the team's primary slot corner or learn behind Keisean Nixon in a competitive environment in which the best man would be the nickel defender.
Melton had an impressive Scouting Combine, and his ball skills would be a welcome sight to a Packers defensive backfield desperate for playmaking.
Melton had three interceptions a season ago, which would have led a Packers defense that finished next-to-last in pics.
With two offensive linemen in tow and AJ Dillon recently re-signed to join Josh Jacobs in the backfield, Melton was the choice over Texas running back Jonathan Brooks.
Third Round: Cedric Gray, LB, North Carolina
The Packers are in the hunt for a linebacker after De'Vondre Campbell's release.
Edgerrin Cooper was gone before either of our second-round picks, so it was back to the drawing board. Gray was the best available linebacker to slot in next to Quay Walker and Isaiah McDuffie.
The Packers were looking for a veteran at linebacker, but the free agent crop has been mostly picked over at this point, meaning any solution at linebacker will have to come from the draft.
Gray had 54 run stops in 2023, and the Packers could use a run defender like that in their defense.
Fourth Round: Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin
Despite the addition of Josh Jacobs and the re-signing of AJ Dillon, the Packers should be on the lookout for a running back of the future.
Braelon Allen is young, as he won't turn 21 until after his first NFL season. He has an exciting skill-set that could pair well with what the Packers have been looking for with their running backs.
His combination of size and speed could make him a punishing runner in the late months, while still having the ability to run away from opposing defenders.
Allen will need to take better care of the football at the next level. Allen fumbled nine times in his three-year career.
Sixth Round: Tanor Bortolini, OL, Wisconsin
Back-to-back Badgers!
This would not simply be a cute story line, either. Bortolini's skill-set falls right in line with what the Packers have valued with their offensive linemen.
With the loss of Runyan and Yosh Njiman in free agency, the Packers need to replenish their depth behind their preferred starting five.
Like Barton, who we picked in the second round, Bortolini has experience at all five positions. He likely fits best as an interior player at the next level, where he could push Royce Newman and potentially become the heir apparent to Josh Myers, who is playing on an expiring contract.
Sixth Round: Sione Vaki, S, Utah
Yes, Xavier McKinney is in house as a splashy free agent signing, but the Packers need bodies at safety.
The question that Gutekunst will have to answer is whether he values someone's fit next to McKinney, or if he wants the best available players and have Jeff Hafley figure out the rest later.
Vaki would have a chance to compete for a starting spot assuming there are no other free-agent additions.
Seventh Round: Cody Schrader, RB, Missouri
Schrader did it all for the Missouri offense in 2023. He rushed for 1,627 yards, scored 14 touchdowns and caught 22 passes. He rushed for 112 yards and one touchdown as Mizzou almost upset No. 1 Georgia in November.
Schrader was a worthy flier at this point of the draft and could compete with Emanuel Wilson for the team's fourth running back duties, or potentially earn a spot on the practice squad.
Seventh Round: Myles Cole, Edge, Texas Tech
Cole at this point would be a perfect swing for the fence.
He's an athletic marvel that did not have the production that someone of his size and athletic abilities would suggest. The Packers have a need for another edge rusher with Kingsley Enagbare recovering from an ACL injury.
Cole could compete with Brenton Cox for that fourth edge spot behind the Packers' big three of Rashan Gary, Lukas Van Ness and Preston Smith.
What Worked?
Adding two premium offensive linemen at the top of the draft would be a boon. Fashanu is a decade-long starter at left tackle, and Barton could very well be a starter for that period of time, as well.
Cedric Gray will probably be asked to start for the team next to Quay Walker, and he has the athleticism to do that.
Braelon Allen has a chance to pair well with Josh Jacobs, and potentially replace him, as the team's running back of the future, as well.
What Didn't Work?
The inability to add a boundary cornerback means relying on a group that is surrounded by question marks. Jaire Alexander has missed a lot of time in two of the last three seasons. Eric Stokes has struggled with injuries, as well.
Not getting another safety until the sixth round means Gutekunst would likely need to go back to the veteran market hoping to find another bargain free agent.
