Who will be on the board when the Packers are on the clock?

By MARQUES EVERSOLL

The Green Bay Packers are in unfamiliar territory, picking in the top-half of the first round for the first time since 2009.

Armed with pick No. 14 in the draft, the Packers are in position to add an impact player. Do the math. Only 13 players will be off the board before general manager Brian Gutekunst is on the clock.

The best way to figure out who might be available for the Packers is to determine who won’t be.

 

(7) GUARANTEES — They’re gone.

1. Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen — Personally, I wouldn’t take Allen over any of the other three quarterbacks. He can throw the ball from Wyoming to Green Bay, but he might accidentally throw it to Milwaukee. Someone will fall in love with the upside, possibly the Cleveland Browns with the top pick.

2. USC quarterback Sam Darnold — I was convinced Darnold was going No. 1 after all the rave reviews from his Pro Day when seemingly everyone from the Browns was in attendance. He’s the quarterback least likely to fall; Darnold isn’t getting out of the Top 5.

3. Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield — Unfortunately, because he’s a fiery dude who got into some trouble in college and won a Heisman Trophy, Mayfield has drawn comparisons to another former Heisman and history screw-up Johnny Manziel. But there’s no comparison. He might be the best quarterback in the draft.

4. UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen — He might be the last of the four quarterbacks to come off the board, but my money is on him being the best pro. He’s confident, bordering on cocky, but he’s also a baller. If he’s in the right situation, I think Rosen will develop into a star.

5. NC State defensive end Bradley Chubb — Quarterbacks get drafted early, and so do guys who can sack the quarterbacks. Chubb is the best EDGE defender in this draft, and the worst-case scenario for him on draft day would be to fall to No. 6 with the Indianapolis Colts.

6. Penn State running back Saquon Barkley — The most complete running back prospect in a long time. He’s built like a truck, but has the nimble feet  and soft hands of a slot receiver. He’s been called a bigger Marshall Faulk. He’s been compared to LaDainian Tomlinson. It’d be fun to see him in the same backfield as an established quarterback.

7. Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson — An offensive guard? A lock to go in the Top 10? That’s the case with Nelson. The guy moves 300-pound dudes way too easily. He’ll step in and start the moment he gets picked, and he’ll make a Pro Bowl on his rookie contract. (7 of 13 picks off the board)

 

(2) GOOD BETS — Probably gone.

1. Ohio State cornerback Denzel Ward — Considered to be the clear-cut top cornerback in the draft, Ward could go as high as No. 4 to the Browns. He’s almost guaranteed to be gone, but his 5-10 frame and one year of starting experience holds him back just a touch. Still, it’d be a shocker if he makes it to the Packers at No. 14.

2. Virginia Tech linebacker Tremaine Edmunds — He’s a freak of nature. He’s not even 20 years old. He’s 6-foot-5, 250 pounds, and runs 4.5 in the 40-yard dash. He’s an inside linebacker, but who knows, he’s got enough athletic ability and upside to line up on the edge, too. (UPDATE: 9 of 13 picks off the board)

 

WHERE THINGS GET INTERESTING — Of the “best of the rest,” only four more players have to come off the board before the Packers’ pick. Basically, when the Oakland Raiders go on the clock at No. 10, you’ll start slotting players to where you think they’re going to go, and you’ll have a good idea who’s going to be sitting there for the Packers.

The best remaining players will likely include: Florida State safety Derwin James, Alabama safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, Boston College edge Harold Landry, Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith, Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson, Alabama wide receiver Calvin Ridley, Iowa cornerback Josh Jackson, Louisville cornerback Jaire Alexander, SMU wide receiver Courtland Sutton, LSU running back Derrius Guice, Notre Dame offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey, Washington DT Vita Vea, Boise State linebacker Leighton Vander Esch.

Under that scenario, let’s say the Raiders take Minkah Fitzpatrick, the Miami Dolphins pick Roquan Smith, the Buffalo Bills — if they don’t move up — take Lamar Jackson, then the Washington Redskins take Derwin James. That would leave the Packers with an interesting decision — do you want the best-available cornerback? Pass rusher? What if Gutekunst shocks everyone, and takes the top wide receiver on his board?

It’s not out of the question that Derwin James or Minkah Fitzpatrick could fall into the Packers’ lap with the 14th pick.

But let’s just say the next four picks wind up being Minkah Fitzpatrick to Oakland, Roquan Smith to Miami, Lamar Jackson to Buffalo, and Derwin James to Washington.

That would leave the Packers with a very familiar board at No. 14.

 

WHEN THE PACKERS ARE ON THE CLOCK — Under this scenario, the top players on the board would be Ridley, Landry, Josh Jackson, Alexander, Sutton, Vea and Vander Esch.

Nobody on the board that would be a “no-brainer.” James or Fitzpatrick would stick out a sore thumb if they’re still on the board, but in the most likely scenario, they’ll get picked before the Packers.

If the board falls like this, I’d expect Harold Landry to be the guy.

I’ve said before, and I’ll say it again: I’ll believe the Packers are going to draft Harold Landry until another team actually drafts Harold Landry. He’s not my favorite player in the draft, but unless a top talent falls to No. 14, he’s my favorite to wind up in Green Bay.

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