Draft Countdown Seven-Round Mock: Packers Bullish on Bulldogs

GREEN BAY, Wis. –In a seven-round mock draft for Draft Countdown, two players who had the “G” on their helmet in college will wear the “G” on their helmet in the NFL.

In Shane Hallam’s latest mock draft, the Green Bay Packers wound up with Georgia Bulldogs stars Devonte Wyatt at No. 22 and George Pickens at No. 28.

A defensive lineman, Wyatt had 2.5 sacks, seven tackles for losses and two forced fumbles in 2021 as a member of Georgia’s star-studded defense. Combined with an excellent postseason, which included a strong Senior Bowl and a 4.77 time in the 40-yard dash at 304 pounds, Wyatt is one of the best defensive prospects in the draft.

A receiver, Pickens has slid a bit under the radar because of a torn ACL that sidelined him for most of the 2021 season. He returned late in the season, though, and should be 100 percent for his professional career. In three seasons, he caught 90 passes, scored 14 touchdowns and dropped two passes.

Moreover, as noted by PFF’s Sam Monson, Pickens “brings a nasty attitude to run blocking, with a highlight reel of de-cleating defensive backs and putting them on their backside on plays where most receivers just go through the motions. Pickens wants to compete physically, even on plays where his role is expected to be minimal, and that carries over into other areas of his game.

“USC’s Drake London is getting all of the discussion when it comes to contested catches, and he’s incredible in that area, but Pickens is pretty spectacular in his own right. He has caught 68.8% of his contested targets since the start of 2020, a higher number than London over the same time span (58.3%) and more than the 65.4% London posted in his phenomenal 2021 season before injury shut him down.”

In the second round, the Packers grabbed another receiver and an outside linebacker. In the third round, the Packers selected tight end Jelani Woods.

Big and surprisingly athletic, Woods had five drops (10.2 percent), two receptions on passes thrown 20-plus yards downfield and averaged 5.3 YAC per catch, according to Pro Football Focus. With his power, he ranked first in the draft class with 11 missed tackles. According to Sports Info Solutions, he ranked 11th with 1.9 yards per pass route, 10th with 8.5 yards per target and seventh in run blocking in its total-points metric.

Channeling his inner Brian Gutekunst, Hallam used both fourth-round picks on offensive linemen. A safety, defensive lineman, running back and a linebacker/safety who visited on Monday round out the draft.

All-Packers Mock Draft 7.0

Using the simulator at Pro Football Network, I traded back to acquire an additional second-round choice.

First Round – No. 28: Ohio State WR Chris Olave

With USC’s Drake London, Arkansas’ Treylon Burks and Ohio State’s Chris Olave on the board, I felt good about getting an impact receiver when I traded out of No. 22. Olave has the field-stretching ability that coach Matt LaFleur wants and the route-running ability of a younger Davante Adams.

First Round – No. 29: Michigan edge David Ojabo

With that extra pick, I felt good about drafting someone who might not contribute much this season. Ojabo was a legit top-20 pick before tearing an Achilles at pro day. Ojabo had 11 sacks and a whopping five forced fumbles last season. At 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, he ran his 40 in a ridiculous 4.55 seconds. When he’s healthy, he’ll provide a different look than the duo of Preston Smith and Rashan Gary.

Second Round – No. 53: Georgia WR George Pickens

If I were a betting man, I’d guess Pickens will be off the board here. But there were other targets, including South Alabama’s Jalen Tolbert. At 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, he ran his 40 in 4.47 seconds. He is excellent on deep balls and is a better route-runner than a lot of tall receivers. He had a predraft visit.

Second Round – No. 59: Washington State OT Abraham Lucas

With plenty of experience protecting the quarterback and superb athleticism – at 6-foot-6 3/8 and 315 pounds, Lucas ran his 40 in 4.92 seconds and his shuttle in 4.40 producing a superb RAS, Lucas had a predraft visit.

Second Round – No. 62: Connecticut DT Travis Jones

If I were a betting man, I’d guess that Jones is long gone here, too, but there were other options, such as Texas A&M’s DeMarvin Leal and Alabama’s Phidarian Mathis who I would have happily grabbed. A bit lost in the shuffle of Georgia’s Jordan Davis and Devonte Wyatt, Jones at 325 pounds ran his 40 in 4.92 seconds.

Third Round – No. 92: Ohio State TE Jeremy Ruckert

Robert Tonyan and Marcedes Lewis will be free agents next offseason. Ruckert is more in the line of Lewis as the physical blocker and underneath target. The Packers have taken a lot of third-round tight ends with Richard Rodgers, Jace Sternberger and Josiah Deguara. He’s 6-foot-5 1/2; he did not test because of a foot injury.

Fourth Round – No. 132: Baylor S JT Woods

Darnell Savage (unless the team triggers the fifth-year option) and Adrian Amos will be free agents next offseason. So, there’s a long-term need. But there’s a reason why the Packers never gave Savage a shot in the slot last year. If you’re going to move your safety into the slot, someone has to play safety. The Packers didn’t have anyone else to play safety. As a senior, Woods picked off eight passes and had 4.5 tackles for losses. He’s 6-foot-2 and only 195 pounds but has 4.36 speed.

Fourth Round – No. 140: Western Kentucky edge DeAngelo Malone

The Packers need depth at outside linebacker, and Ojabo won’t provide it to start the season. So, a mid-round pick makes sense. It came against lesser competition but Malone posted 34 sacks, 60 tackles for losses and nine forced fumbles for his career. At 6-foot-3 and 243 pounds, he ran his 40 in 4.54 seconds. Imagine the potential of Green Bay’s pass rush tied to throwing into the cornerback corps of Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas and Eric Stokes.

Seventh Round – No. 228: Wisconsin OL Logan Bruss

Bruss started at right tackle and right guard for the Badgers. He allowed just one sack the last two seasons, according to Sports Info Solutions. At 6-foot-5 and 309 pounds, he’s got plus-athleticism with his 4.55 in the 20-yard shuttle. He’ll provide that versatility in the NFL. Speaking to the depth of this year’s draft, he is a better player as a seventh-rounder than fellow Badger Cole Van Lanen was a sixth-rounder last year.

Seventh Round – No. 249: Ouachita Baptist CB Gregory Junior

Junior’s work at the Division II level was good enough to get him a shot at the Senior Bowl. He measured 5-foot-11 7/8 and a sturdy 203 pounds with 4.45 speed in the 40 and a 39.5-inch vertical. He had only one interception in his career. This late in the draft, you’ve got to bet on something and that athleticism is impossible to ignore.

Seventh Round – No. 258: Georgia Tech S Tariq Carpenter

Carpenter was a four-year starter for the Yellow Jackets. As a senior, he had 65 tackles in 10 games, highlighted by a season-high 13 stops at Clemson. He added three passes defensed and one forced fumble. In 52 career games, he picked off four passes, broke up 22 and forced three fumbles. At 6-foot-2 7/8 and 230 pounds, he ran his 40 in 4.47 seconds. At the Senior Bowl, he showed promise at linebacker. He had a predraft visit.

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