While I was in Wisconsin last week I stopped by the Sports Den in Wausau to talk Draft with Downtown Ollie Burrows. Being in the land of Green & Gold I just had to do a Packers Mock with him on the air. Here are my selections.
Round1 Pick29 TRA’DAVIOUS WHITE/CB/RS LSU 5’11/191. PPR#29
Between injuries & VFA defections the PACKERS secondary is in need of help again. With the latest WATT brother already off the Board I see WHITE, a 4-year starter, as being a potential plug & play CB. In 2016 he had 2 INT & 14 PBU for the Tigers. He is also a very elusive Punt Returner. He should make a solid replacement fort MICAH HYDE, with even more upside than Micah had.Could win a starting job as a Rookie if the vets aren’t careful.
Round2 Pick61 DORIAN JOHNSON/OG PITT 6’5/300 PPR#66
The Pack has lost both of their starting OG in the past 12 months. Even though Thompson has traditionally not drafted Int OL in the Top 100 JOHNSON is worth the Pick. He is more athletic than your average OG and has OT size, including 10 7/8″ hand size & 35 1/4″ long arms. I especially like the fact that he stays off the ground most of the time. A 3-year starter in college. He looks like an instant pro starter to me if given the chance to compete.
Round3 Pick93 D’ONTA FOREMAN/RB TEXAS 6’0/233 PPR#87
Looks like a solid replacement for Eddie Lacy. Played at almost 250 lbs. as a Longhorn, but weighed 233 at the Combine & his Pro Day. Is a powerful runner with good balance and run after contact ability. Not a polished pass catcher yet, but that’s TY MONTGOMERY’s forte. Averaged 6.4yards/carry as a senior when he gained 2028 yards, behind a mediocre OL. Had a heavy workload last season, but lighter loads prior to 2016. With MONTGOMERY/MICHAEL/FOREMAN the Pack might be OK at the RB position in 2017.
Round4 Pick134 CARROLL PHILLIPS/DE/OLB ILLINOIS 6’3/252. PPR#131
Played DE primarily for the Illini, but showed potential at OLB during Senior Bowl week. The kind of athletic, long defender that DC DOM CAPERS likes to work with. IMO, could be a better pro fit for Capers than the departed Datone Jones. Is a harder worker than JONES! As a senior he had 56 tackles, 20 TFL, including 9 sacks. Gotta luv those 33 3/4″ long arms. He showed he could run with TE/RB in coverage in Mobile, but will need to improve his ability to find the ball in the air. I like his upside.
Round5 Pick172 CHARLES WALKER/DL OKLAHOMA 6’2/310 PPR#165
The only real questions about this player are about his head & heart, which are both important. He has a solid combination of size and strength including his 33 3/4″ long arms. Has the quickness of the snap to penetrate. Upset many observers by passing on rejoining the Sooners after getting concussion clearance late in their season. He chose instead to go to a Performance Camp to get ready for Combine. This Pick is conditional on his impressing during pre-Draft interviews. Is likely to require baby sitting, but if his head gets right he’s a 5th Round steal with 3rd Round talent. Take the risk Packers, you need more talent along the DL, and your locker room is solid.
Round5 Pick182 MARQUEL LEE/ILB WAKE FOREST 6’3/240. PPR#183
Nice looking athlete, with innate instincts to find and react to the ball. Has some coverage ability, but has the athleticism to improve there. IN 2016 he was the team’s leading tackler with 105, including 20 TFL. Very physical tackler, who uses his hands to shed blockers. Can play inside or outside which would give CAPERS some flexibility on where to use him. Also looks like a natural for Special Teams units, which is important for Day 3 Draftees.
Round6 Pick212 AVERY GENNESEY/OT/G TEXAS A&M 6’3/318 PPR#215
Going into his senior campaign AVERY was ranked as a Top 100 prospect. But under closer scrutiny he seemed a bit slow footed and often got tangled up trying to keep up with speed edge-rushers. At 6’3, he would be the shortest OT in the NFL. So he likely projects inside to OG, where he would rate quite highly as an athlete. Hard worker, with a PMA. Has nice long arms, 33 5’8″, which means he could make a solid game day active, able to play 3 or 4 spots as a backup. High upside for a pick this late.
Round7 Pick247 BRAD WATSON/DB WAKE FOREST 6’0/192. PPR#246
Another DEMON DEACON for the PACK. I really like his versatility and productivity. All he lacks is deep speed, which also reminds me of the departed HYDE. Can play multiple roles in sub-packages and is a willing tackler in run support. Should also fit nicely on Special Teams, all units. Has more intangibles, than numerical qualities. Will be tough to deny a roster spot to once Camp starts.
So there it is. A bit over everything, but special emphasis on OL & DB help. Just what the doctor ordered for Mr. Thompson. Their current roster lacks depth at a lot of positions. Don’t forget to watch closely for URFA signings on Day 4 of the Draft for this team. THOMPSON and his scouts usually find 4-5 developmental projects to sign each year.
Pigskin
