The Basics: Packers in the 2018 Draft

Posted on March 22, 2018

By MARQUES EVERSOLL

We are about a month away from the 2018 NFL Draft. Basically, we’re now in the heart of “Mock Draft Season.”

Next month, when all the dust has settled, who’s your team going to pick? Who’s going to be off the board?

The Packers have addressed the tight end position, signing Jimmy Graham, added to their defensive line with Muhammad Wilkerson, and brought back Tramon Williams to add a veteran presence at cornerback. Instead of just listing possible picks for the Packers at No. 14, here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to get you ready for April 26:

 

The guys that will get picked early, and you’ll think, “I wish…”

Barring a move up, it’s just not gonna happen. But, dream on.

  • Bradley Chubb – EDGE – NC State – 6043, 269, 4.65

Chubb is the best pass rusher in the draft, and would have a role with the Packers from Day 1. If they landed Chubb, the Packers could “start” him on the edge opposite Nick Perry, and move Clay Matthews inside. Plus, all three would be on the field on most passing downs. But, you know, it’s not gonna happen because he’ll be gone in the first six picks.

  • Denzel Ward – CB – Ohio State – 5107, 183, 4.32

Some recent buzz suggests Ward won’t have to wait long on draft day. Not long at all. As in, he could be in play as high as No. 4 to Cleveland or No. 8 to Chicago. After being overshadowed by Marshon Lattimore and Gareon Conley, Ward shined this past season at Ohio State. He won’t be around at No. 14, but certainly would be expected to start opposite Kevin King.

 

The guys you’ll be praying don’t get picked before No. 14:

From when Tampa Bay goes on the clock at No. 7 until Washington submits its pick at No. 13, you’ll be thinking, “Don’t pick (these names).”

  • Tremaine Edmunds – Linebacker – Virginia Tech – 6044, 253, 4.54

This is the first real #DraftCrush I had this #DraftSeason. While I don’t necessarily think inside linebacker is the Packers’ biggest need, I also don’t necessarily think Edmunds is just an inside linebacker. He’s almost 6-5, more than 250 pounds, runs 4.5, and he’s 19 freaking years old. Plus, his arms are so long he could tie his shoes standing up. If he makes it to Oakland at pick No. 10, he’s someone that would make me think about picking up the phone and giving ol’ Reggie McKenzie a call.

  • Derwin James – Safety – Florida State – 6016, 215, 4.47

“Do-it-all” Derwin James is the real deal. A year ago, the Packers drafted Josh Jones, and it was the first time they really had anyone that looked like that. In today’s NFL, that kind of physical talent is just as valuable on defense (safety-linebacker hybrid) as it is on offense (tight end). New defensive coordinator Mike Pettine is a proponent of fitting his scheme to the personnel — not the other way around. The Packers are in fine shape at safety, even after losing Morgan Burnett, but James is a baller. They’d find a way to get him on the field. A lot.

  • Roquan Smith – Linebacker – Georgia – 6007, 236, 4.51

Fast, physical but slightly undersized, Smith has drawn comparisons to Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Brooks. He’s an actual linebacker that could do some of the things the Packers have asked Burnett and Jones (safeties) to do the past two seasons. He’s fast enough to stick with running backs and tight ends, and he’d be the most instinctual linebacker the Packers have had since … who knows. On the other hand, Tony Pauline reported Smith had been medically “red-flagged” by teams at the combine. So, keep at eye on that.

 

The “mock draft guy” likely to be there at No. 14:

When you look at a mock draft, you often see the same name going to your team.

  • Marcus Davenport – EDGE – Texas-San Antonio – 6056, 264, 4.58

Davenport is a physical freak. He’s almost 6-6, weighs 264 pounds, and blazed a 4.58 in the 40-yard dash. In fact, his athletic profile aligns somewhat similarly to former No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney. However, of the mock draft “consensus,” I think Davenport comes with the most question marks. Davenport showed flashes of dominance with 21.5 sacks and 37.5 tackles for loss in four years at UTSA, but if you compare his tape to Landry’s junior season, it’s not even a comparisoin. (Landry blows him out of the water.)

 

The “best bets” to be the Packers’ pick:

Likely to be available and would fit an area of need, these guys make a lot of sense. (NOTE: I bet Bill a bottle of his favorite booze that at least one of these two players will be a Packer.)

  • Harold Landry – EDGE – Boston College – 6023, 252, 4.64

Landry’s best season came as a junior in 2016 when he racked up 16.5 sacks and seven forced fumbles before an ankle injury limited him to just eight games as a senior. Landry really flashed at the combine, when he clocked a 4.64 in the 40-yard dash, and his time of 6.88 in the 3-cone drill was elite. According to Pro Football Focus, it’s a short list of 250+ pound D-Linemen drafted in the first round with sub 6.9 3-cones at combine since 2000: DeMarcus Ware, J.J. Watt, David Pollack, Melvin Ingram, Joey Bosa and T.J. Watt. Not bad company. And, for whatever reason, he just feels like a Packer to me.

  • Josh Jackson – CB – Iowa – 6003, 196, 4.56

Jackson is only a one-year starter, but that one year, he intercepted eight passes and returned two for touchdowns. In a two-week stretch in November, Jackson picked off a total of five passes against Ohio State and Wisconsin. (Badgers fans will remember both Pick-6’s in Madison being Iowa’s only points of the 38-14 blowout.) He’s not a perfect prospect; he’s not much of a tackler at this point, and his straight-line speed (4.56 in the 40) isn’t that of a Denzel Ward. That being said, Jackson will be drafted to play cornerback. He won’t be drafted to sprint 40 yards in a straight line. The Packers need a cornerback, they’ve had success with guys from Iowa. Jackson, like Landry, just feels like a fit in Green Bay.

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