NFL.com Seven-Round Mock: First-Round Upset for Packers

GREEN BAY, Wis. – In his seven-round mock draft for NFL.com, Chad Reuter gave the Green Bay Packers a popular offensive tackle prospect at a unique draft spot.

First, at No. 22, Reuter went with Ohio State receiver Chris Olave with the pick obtained in the Davante Adams trade. Reuter went with Olave ahead of George Pickens, Treylon Burks and Jahan Dotson.

“Signing Sammy Watkins has no effect on Green Bay's draft plans,” Reuter wrote. “Olave is a smooth receiver, gliding through his routes and possessing the speed to cover yardage after the catch. He played four years at Ohio State, which means he's polished enough to be a good target for Aaron Rodgers right out of the chute.”

Now, the curveball. Washington State offensive tackle Abraham Lucas has been a frequent second-round pick in mock drafts. Reuter, however, sent Lucas to Green Bay at No. 28. He selected Lucas ahead of Central Michigan’s Bernhard Raimann and Tulsa’s Tyler Smith.

“Green Bay has a hole to fill at right tackle, and Lucas' sturdy pass protection and excellent Combine performance may be tough to ignore,” Reuter wrote. “There are always concerns about Air Raid tackles coming into the league, but I'm a big proponent of scouting the player, not the scheme. Lucas rarely was beat in pass pro and has the bulk to be an effective run blocker with more reps.”

Day 2 was spent bolstering the defense with an outside linebacker, defensive lineman and inside linebacker. The first of those second-round choices was used on Michigan edge David Ojabo, who would have been a slam-dunk first-round pick if not for a torn Achilles that will keep him on the sideline for most, if not all, of his rookie season.

The fourth round started with yet another defender, a lightning-fast cornerback, before it was back to the offense with Georgia lineman Jamaree Salyer. He played left tackle for the Bulldogs but will move to guard for Green Bay.

After a fifth-round safety, Reuter closed the mock with the three seventh-round picks: linebacker, receiver and defensive tackle. The receiver is one of our hidden gems, Appalachian State receiver Jalen Virgil. (Mocked here.) He’s bigger than most of the pure speed guys in the draft and was an electric kickoff returner.

All-Packers Mock Draft 8.0

Here is Packer Central's latest seven-round mock draft. Bill Huber served as Packers GM Brian Gutekunst while the simulator at Pro Football Focus did the rest.

First Round – No. 22: Northern Iowa OT Trevor Penning

The Packers released Billy Turner, their starting right tackle from the past two seasons. The physical and “nasty” Penning could be the team’s right tackle for the next decade. Penning started 33 games during his final three seasons, with 31 of those at left tackle. He was a first-team FCS All-American as a senior. He was mentored at UNI by former Packers star Bryce Paup.

First Round – No. 28: Georgia WR George Pickens

Pickens had a predraft visit with the Packers. At 6-foot-3, he’s got deep speed, excellent hands and superb physicality as a blocker.

Second Round – No. 53: USC OLB Drake Jackson

Rashan Gary is power. Preston Smith is power. Jackson is speed. He could be a nice change-of-pace pass rusher while he learns the finer points of run defense. He had five sacks in 2021 but ranked among the draft-class leaders in pressure rate.

Second Round – No. 59: South Alabama WR Jalen Tolbert

Tolbert caught 64 passes for 1,085 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior and 82 passes for 1,474 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior. Tolbert’s got 4.49 speed, which he used to rank among the national leaders with 16 receptions on passes thrown 20-plus yards downfield. The drawback is he dropped too many passes.

Third Round – No. 92: Virginia TE Jelani Woods

After grabbing two pass-catching receivers, it’s time to provide the running game with perhaps the best blocking tight end in the draft. At 6-foot-7, he caught 44 passes and scored eight touchdowns as a senior.

Fourth Round – No. 132: Toledo S Tycen Anderson

If the Packers want to move Darnell Savage into the slot on occasion, they’ll need a safety to replace Savage. Anderson is an elite package at 6-foot-2 and with 4.36 speed in the 40. He played deep, in box and has a history of coverage. Zero interceptions the past three seasons is troubling. If nothing else, he will be a weapon on special teams, where he has a strong history.

Fourth Round – No. 140: Missouri State DT Eric Johnson

This might be a bit early but, A, I wanted to get a defensive lineman and, B, defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery says he wants someone with twitch who can play on third down. At 6-foot-4 and 299 pounds, he ran his 40 in 4.86 seconds. That’s pretty twitchy. Johnson visited the Packers.

Fifth Round – No. 171: North Carolina G Joshua Ezeudu

Ezeudu started 28 games at three positions in three seasons. Along with the versatility, he’s got the athleticism the Packers covet. In his three seasons as a starter, he gave up two sacks, according to PFF.

Seventh round – No. 228: LSU RB Tyrion Davis-Price

Taking over in the backfield for the Tigers, Davis-Price rushed for 1,003 yards (4.6 average) with six touchdowns and added 10 receptions. In three seasons, he averaged 4.6 yards per carry and caught 28 passes. He’s not a proven receiver but he is a proven pass protector, which might come in handy if Aaron Jones doesn’t return in 2023.

Seventh Round – No. 249: Texas Tech CB DaMarcus Fields

Fields started 49 games and was a four-time all-Big 12 selection. In 55 career games, he picked off four passes, broke up 49 and forced four fumbles. At 5-foot-11 5/8, he ran his 40 in 4.48. So long as he doesn’t have to play Oklahoma – he gave up four touchdowns against the Sooners in 2021, according to PFF – he might be OK.

Seventh Round – No. 259: Pittsburgh LS Cal Adomitis

Yes, a long snapper. Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy said Adomitis “might be the only unquestioned top prospect at any position” in the draft. He played in 64 collegiate games and was a first-team All-American.

Add us as a preferred source on Google