By: Marques Eversoll
To me, Day 1 of the NFL Draft is the best day of the calendar year. I’m a total draft nerd. It’s just fun to see all these elite college players enter the professional ranks, and there’s so much intrigue stemming from the uncertainty of who ends up where.
This year, especially, will be entertainment at its finest. Who trades up for Marcus Mariota? Someone will. Where does Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon end up? He’ll make one team very happy.
Usually, I would be through about my sixth edition of my mock draft, but not this year. Badgers basketball delayed my draft nerd-iness by a couple weeks this time around. That being said, since I’m late to the process, I’m breaking Rule No. 1 for mock drafts: No trades. I projected a couple trades. Because, why not?
I don’t know anything, you don’t know anything, and teams don’t even really know anything. It’s anyone’s guess as to what might happen one week from today, but here’s my first crack at it.
1. Buccaneers – QB Jameis Winston – Florida State
2. Browns – QB Marcus Mariota – Oregon (From Titans)
3. Jaguars – OLB Dante Fowler Jr. – Florida
4. Raiders – DT Leonard Williams – USC
5. Redskins – WR Amari Cooper – Alabama
6. Jets – WR Kevin White – West Virginia
7. Bears – OLB Vic Beasley – Clemson
8. Falcons – OLB Shane Ray – Missouri
9. Giants – OT Ereck Flowers – Miami, FL
10. Rams – OT Brandon Scherff – Iowa
11. Vikings – CB Trae Waynes – Minnesota
12. Titans – DT Danny Shelton – Washington (From Browns)
13. Saints – OLB Randy Gregory – Nebraska
14. Dolphins – RB Todd Gurley – Georgia
15. 49ers – DT Malcom Brown – Texas
16. Texans – WR DaVante Parker – Louisville
17. Chargers – RB Melvin Gordon – Wisconsin
18. Chiefs – C Cameron Erving – Florida State
19. Titans – WR Breshad Perriman – UCF (From Browns)
20. Eagles – WR Nelson Agholor – USC
21. Bengals – DE/OLB Bud Dupree – Kentucky
22. Steelers – CB Kevin Johnson – Wake Forest
23. Lions – OT La’el Collins – LSU
24. Cardinals – DE Arik Armstead – Oregon
25. Panthers – OT Andrus Peat – Stanford
26. Ravens – WR Phillip Dorsett – Miami, FL
27. Cowboys – S Landon Collins – Alabama
28. Broncos – OT D.J. Humphries – Florida
29. Colts – DT Eddie Goldman – Florida State
30. Falcons – TE Maxx Williams – Minnesota (From Packers)
In the spirit of gamesmanship, the Falcons jump the Saints and land their new starting tight end, while preventing the Saints from replacing Jimmy Graham with Maxx Williams. There’s a ton of “first-round” talent on the board, so the Packers know they’ll be getting good value about 10 spots back.
The Packers move back, add more picks and hope the best players at positions of need (LB, CB) continue to fall. Chances are, there will be a player on the board around No. 40 that they’d consider at No. 30.
How mad would Packers fans be if they stayed up all night throughout the first round, then they move out of the first round entirely? As frustrating as it may be to some Packers fans, it could make for an exciting Day 2.
(Packers trade 1st-round (30), 4th-round (129) to the Falcons for 2nd-round (42), 3rd-round (73)**
**According to the Draft Trade Chart, the Packers win the trade 705-663. Which is not followed with 100% accuracy. If two teams agree to a deal, two teams agree to a deal.)
31. Saints – LB Eric Kendricks – UCLA
32. Patriots – CB Marcus Peters – Washington
33. Titans – OT T.J. Cummings – Pittsburgh
34. Buccaneers – OT Jake Fisher – Oregon
35. Raiders – WR Dorial Green-Beckham – Missouri
36. Jaguars – CB Jalen Collins – LSU
37. Jets – OLB Eli Harold – Virginia
38. Redskins – DT Jordan Phillips – Oklahoma
39. Bears – WR Jaelen Strong – Arizona State
40. Giants – DE Owamagbe Odighizuwa – UCLA
41. Rams – LB Benardrick McKinney – Mississippi State
42. Packers – LB Denzel Perryman – Miami, FL (From Falcons)
The guy is a dog. Frankly, I don’t care about his size (5-11 236). I never saw a running back run him over. I never saw a pulling guard toss him to the side like a rag doll. He’ll take on anyone and win most those battles.
It’s an unusual comparison now, given the fact that he retired after one season due to concerns over his long-term health, but Perryman reminds me (and plenty of others) of former Wisconsin Badgers and San Francisco 49ers LB Chris Borland. Why? Borland was 5-11, 248 and clocked a 4.83 at last year’s Combine. Perryman was 5-11, 236 and clocked a 4.78 at this year’s Combine. Broad jump? Borland edged Perryman by an inch. Vertical? Perryman got Borland by an inch. Ten-yard split is similar, 27 reps on the 225-pound bench – identical. They’re very similar players.
People had the same concerns about Borland a year ago. Was he big enough and loose enough to play in space and cover backs and tight ends? When given an opportunity, Borland proved that he belonged and was no liability. And you certainly can’t stay away from Perryman just because Borland is cut from a similar mold and chose to walk away from the game on his on terms.
Side note: Barrington-Perryman 2015 sounds like a Presidential ticket. For the Green party. I’ll show myself out.
62. Packers – TE Devin Funchess – Michigan
The Packers spent a third-round pick on Richard Rodgers last year, and he improved throughout the season. In fact, the quarterback Rodgers has mentioned the tight end Rodgers as having some of the best hands on the team. Perhaps the young(er) Rodgers will develop into a top-end tight end in the NFL, but I’m skeptical.
Richard Rodgers certainly has a role on the team, but Devin Funchess would provide the Packers something Rodgers and Quarless couldn’t last year. For all the flack Jermichael Finley caught – whether it was for his celebrations or the perception that he just never reached his potention – the Packers miss having a guy like that on offense. Funchess is Finley.
As good as Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson were last season – and they were great – the Packers are one “i-word” away from relying on Davante Adams to be Nelson or Cobb, and counting on Jared Abbrederis or Jeff Janis to be Adams. I’m not sure if Funchess will be listed as a tight end or wide receiver, but I know he’s a 6-4 232-pound athlete that could flourish with a quarterback like Rodgers.
The Packers have bigger needs than an offensive playmaker, but when you have the MVP on your team, sometimes you’d better swing for the fences.
73. Packers – CB Alex Carter – Stanford (From Falcons)
When asked about the team’s current state at cornerback Wednesday at his pre-draft press conference, Packers general manager Ted Thompson mentioned they’ve got some young guys that are ready to play. He also said that it’d be “preferable” to have been able to keep their guys (free agents Tramon Williams and Davon House). Translation: They won’t be playing 10-on-11, but the position could be improved.
The longer the draft goes on without the Packers taking a cornerback, your confidence that their next pick will be a cornerback should rise instantaneously. They’ll pick a cornerback on the first two days.
Alex Carter (6-0, 196) started for Stanford as a true freshman and was an honorable mention All-Pac 12 in all three seasons with the Cardinal. His father, Tom Carter, played at Notre Dame and was a first-round pick by Washington. He’s got football in his blood, and he’s got plenty of experience, despite being an early entry.
After losing their biggest cover man in Davon House (6-0 200), the Packers could use a corner who fits naturally on the perimeter. That’s probably not Casey Hayward or Micah Hyde, as both players have primarily played in the slot in the NFL. Carter may not be a starter as a rookie, but he’s a natural fit on the outside.
94. Packers – LB Jordan Hicks – Texas
I love hearing a guy (AFC scout to NFL.com) say that Hicks “will probably become a coach after he’s done with football. He loves it that much.” After the Packers’ revolving door at inside linebacker last year, it’s entirely possible that they spend multiple draft picks on the position. Getting a true student of the game in Hicks at this point of the draft could prove to be a huge addition.
Hicks doesn’t come without question marks. He missed 19 games due to injuries suffered in 2012 and 2013. At the same time, everything you read about his work ethic and preparation is positive. He had a good week at the Senior Bowl and was a second team All-Big 12 selection as a senior this past year.
At 6-1 236 pounds, Hicks has room to add some weight while still maintaining his athletic ability. He posted a 38-inch vertical and clocked 4.68 in the 40-yard dash at the Combine. Two inside linebackers in the first three rounds wouldn’t exactly turn the position into an area of strength, but it’d certainly be in much better shape.
Packers coach Mike McCarthy mentioned that he’s open to using starters on special teams to improve that third phase of the team. Hicks fits the bill – at the very least – as a core special teams player in his first season.
Day 3 of the Draft: Add another piece to the defensive line, take a flier on an edge-rusher. The Packers protected themselves by bringing back both Letroy Guion and B.J. Raji to compete for the nose tackle position, but they’re probably not done.
In all likelihood, they’ll bring in a young run stuffer to compete for a spot in the rotation. It could be as early as the first round with a guy like Jordan Phillips from Oklahoma or Eddie Goldman from Florida State, but I don’t think that’s a likely situation, despite Phillips’ connection to Packers defensive front assistant Jerry Montgomery.
As far as an edge-rusher, the Packers would be in trouble without Julius Peppers. And seeing as the guy turned 35 years old in January, it’s probably time to address the position. Clay Matthews is caught in limbo between inside and outside linebacker, Nick Perry is what he is, and Mike Neal gives you solid depth. Jayrone Elliot may be the wild card, but the Packers could benefit greatly from adding a long, athletic pass rusher to the mix.
One more thing to watch – Are the Packers satisfied with their depth at running back? Do they look to add a Shane Vereen-type pass catcher out of the backfield? Miami running back Duke Johnson is a talented player, almost a receiver playing running back, but it would likely cost a second-round pick to add what would be only a situational player behind Eddie Lacy. Still, the running back position is something worth watching.
Marques Eversoll is on-air on SportsLine every weekday afternoon from 4:00-6:00 PM on The Fan, and he hosts the Saturday Morning Showcase every weekend 8:00-10:00 AM. Follow him on Twitter @MarquesEversoll.
