Much of this is simply notes I have gathered throughout the last few months pertaining to players the Packers might be interested. I will try to get close to the round that I suspect Green Bay will look at them in. I'll also tell you how the pick fits into Green Bay's current structure or system.

Mock Draft Explanations 



I projected two trades. San Diego and Arizona make a deal, so the Chargers can jump up and secure Barron. The Cards move back for an offensive lineman.

The other trade is New England moving out of the first round. This happens every year. I don’t know who will jump up. It could be a RB needy team looking at Doug Martin. It could be the Colts. I mocked them because I wanted to get the closest to the actual 32 players going into round one as possible.

Green Bay’s Potential Targets
This is something I’ve done every year. I mark down 10-20 players I believe the Packers will target over the course of the first three or four rounds. I don’t know if some of you remember or not, but I’ve had names such as Jordy Nelson, Patrick Lee, and Greg Jennings on this list. I also had several that probably weren’t on the Packers’ radar. [palm]

Round 1

Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse -- His current athleticism and playing weight (265) makes him an ideal 3-4 outside backer. He has incredible arm length. He’s still growing into his body. I would note many said something similar about DeMarcus Ware. I can see him adding 15-20 pounds. That puts him at 280-290, which makes him an end. In other words, he plays a variety of positions. That’s why he’s a first-round pick.

Whitney Mercilus, OLB, Illinois -- Mercilus is coming off an All-American caliber season. He led FBS with 16 sacks, so he’s a pass rusher. Creates havoc. I worry about his repertoire. His effort matches his athleticism. One-year wonder.

Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama -- I believe it would take a trade to get Upshaw, but there is talk that’s he’s falling because nobody knows what to do with him. He’s a strong side OLB, in my opinion. Very clean player. He’s a leader, hard worker, and hustles on every play. He shows a good first step and he’s no finesse player. He reminds me of Brian Orakpo, but not as athletically gifted.

Shea McClellin, OLB, Boise State -- I don’t know why people don’t talk about his athleticism. He’s a great athlete. He consistently finishes plays, which is just another way of saying high motor. I worry about his run defense. He over pursues. He’s still an ideal 3-4 outside backer.

Andre Branch, OLB, Clemson -- Branch is an explosive long-armed pass rusher. He’s an ideal 3-4 OLB. He could be a 10-plus sack season type of player. His run defense is shoddy, so he may only be a third-down player early in his career. Think San Francisco’s Aldon Smith. Personally, he’s one of the best pure pass rushers in the draft. He’s very gifted. He’ll require patience, though. He's a round one or two pick.

Other prospects

Ben Jones, C/G, Georgia
A four-year starter. He‘s durable. I don’t think he missed a game. Not 100% positive on that, though. Overall, while he’s not a power player, he’s an NFL-ready prospect best suited to play in a zone concept.

Jared Crick, DE, Nebraska
He’s a 3-4 end. That’s about it. His energetic motor will remind some of J.J. Watt, but Watt’s a superior athlete. He’s just a serviceable player, but every team needs them.

Trumaine Johnson, CB, Montana
His backpedal is very smooth and he has natural hands for a defensive back. He could give many receivers trouble with his long arms in press coverage. He’s a project, but the Packers develop their DBs pretty quick.

Ronnell Lewis, OLB, Oklahoma
Terrific burst. In college, he showed a knack for making big plays. He was always around the ball. Good motor. Good character. Packer People?

Jamell Fleming, CB/S, Oklahoma
He‘s always around the ball. He doesn’t allow a lot of separation between himself and the receiver. He does a good job of reading and reacting to the play. A potential starter at safety.

Brandon Brooks, OG, Miami (OH)
A four-year starter. Brooks is a big, powerful, and can anchor in the run game. His experience at tackle could lead many to viewing him as an ORT. He lacks ideal athleticism and doesn’t play as nasty as you’d like. Nonetheless, he could push T.J. Lang on day one.

Philip Blake, C/G, Baylor
Blake is a raw prospect. He’ll need developing. He has a strong base and shows the ability to run block well. He needs to learn how to finish. I think learning from Jeff Saturday would help him.

Jeff Allen, OG, Illinois
Meat and potatoes type of player. That’s just another way saying he played in the Big Ten. He’s a sturdy pass protector and shows the ability to get to the next level. However, his hand placement needs work. He’s not wowing you in the running game. Still, he’d also push Lang.

Josh Norman, CB, Coastal Carolina
A small school prospect. Norman had some buzz at Senior Bowl and East-West shrine game. He’s tall, lanky, and he has good technique. I’m not sure about his straight-line speed.

Edwin Baker, RB, Michigan State
At 5-8, Baker is on the short side, but he’s a compact, one-cut and go runner. He runs hard, though he does lack breakaway speed. He’d thrive in a zone concept, where he can rely on his instincts. I like him more than most, so he could be available on Saturday.

Chris Polk, RB, Washington
Not a home run a threat. He’s a natural receiver out of the backfield and he displays terrific vision as a runner. He’s a terrible blocker. He’s more of a two-down player that can spell the starter. He’d be James Starks’ No. 2 and an occasional short yardage player.

Nick Foles, QB, Arizona
Foles looks the part. He has prototype size and has one of the strongest arms in the draft. He struggles to throw on the run and his accuracy is a work in progress. The upside is there to be a starter, but he should be further along by now.

Thanks for reading. 🤔

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In your notes for McClellin and Branch, I wouldn't mind having a 3rd down player as long as they can get sacks or at least get enough pressure to take some of the double teams off of CM3 so CM3 can get sacks. CM3 getting double digit sacks + one guy in the high single digits makes an entirely different D.

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Porky, you really think the Patriots will drop down? They have 2 1sts and 2 2nds why would they drop down. Billacheat is a master at screwing teams and can get the draft picks.

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I think he'll attempt to trade one of his firsts or a high second for another first next year. For example, he makes a deal with the Colts, so he gets the top pick of round two. Teams will covet that selection because they'll have an entire night to reset their board and make phone calls on possible trades. If Kendall Wright is available, perhaps somebody offers the Pats their first next year for that top pick. The 49ers make sense, maybe even the Ravens. This has been Belichick's philosophy over the course of the last three drafts. He always starts with two ones, but he never ends with two ones.

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thanks for the post. you do a lot of homework.

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If a player they get is a situational player that's only good at rushing the passer I can live with that. I believe we would have a better chance of stopping a run on 3rd and 7,8,9,10 or more yards then what our D achieved last year in those situations with no pass rush. We need to get off the field on 3rd downs.

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This is what I think. I just want to get our D off the field.

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Thanks Porky. I think that's awesome.

i don't care who they pick, as long as they put GB's opposing QBs on their backs, force turnovers, and tackle.

We trade our 2 4ths to the Giants for OSI he now wants out and also the Colts are shopping Freeney

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