The NFL season is at its halfway point. That means it’s time for a Mock Draft roundup from the Game On Wisconsin NFL Draft crew.
The NFL trade deadline came and went and the Green Bay Packers unsurprisingly did not make a move to address the wide receiver position or the defensive side of the ball.
That’s the bad news. The good news is the Game On Wisconsin NFL Draft writers got together to put together their own two-round mock drafts. Here are the results of those drafts for the Green Bay Packers.
As a reminder, these mock drafts are more for name recognition. It’s a chance for Green Bay Packers’ fans to get familiar with the names of players that could be on the board when the Packers are on the clock when the actual draft rolls around.
Brennen Rupp
29th pick: Elijah Molden, DB, Washington
Molden is the best slot corner in college football. He’s a playmaking defensive back with excellent instincts. The son of former NFL cornerback, Alex Molden has good short-area quickness and is excellent in run support.
When the Washington Huskies kickoff their season there is a good chance Molden shows off his versatility as he could play more of a hybrid role for head coach Jimmy Lake.
The guess here is that Molden will line up at nickel but really function as the do-everything DB that Rapp and Baker became in years past. He’ll likely cover the slot, but I expect him to help rush the passer and again be active against the run.
The Green Bay Packers need more playmakers on defense. Thus far, this season, they’ve only managed to record two interceptions. Last season as a junior, Molden picked off four passes and recorded 13 pass deflections. If the Packers re-sign Kevin King, a future trio at cornerback of Jaire Alexander, King and Molden would make life difficult for opposing quarterbacks.
61st pick: Walker Little, OT, Stanford
There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding the future of the offensive tackle position for the Packers. It would be shocking if Green Bay let’s, left tackle, David Bakhtiari walk in free agency. Even outside of Bakhtiari’s future contract, who will be the starting right tackle in 2021?
Enter Walker Little. The senior offensive lineman is one of the best pass blockers out West. Little missed out on the majority of the 2019 season after suffering a season-ending injury.
In 2018, Little started 12 games at left tackle. According to Pro Football Focus, Little gave up three sacks and seven pressures. Over the last six games, he gave up zero sacks and only one pressure.
Isaac Greig
29th pick: Nick Bolton, LB, Missouri
Bolton ’21! I’ve been pounding the table for his guy for about a year. Bolton is one of the best coverage linebackers in the NCAA. At 6’, 232-pounds, he may struggle against longer NFL tight ends but we haven’t seen him struggle in the SEC.
Why Bolton is still flying under the radar, is beyond me. He makes run-stops around the line of scrimmage and looks good doing it. He has three-down value, something that NFL defenses covet these days.
He will wear the ‘green dot’ on Sundays. Bolton is a perfect fit for Mike Pettine’s ‘I only rush four’ defense. Expect more Bolton related table-pounding in the future.
61st pick: Tylan Wallace, WR, Oklahoma St
‘The Green Bay Packers didn’t select a wide receiver in the 2020 NFL Draft’. This narrative has followed the Packers for the last six months. Let’s write the final chapter of this story.
Tylan Wallace is a fringe first-rounder in any other draft class, aside from 2020. Wallace can win deep and at the catch point, and he’s dangerous with the ball in his hands. At 6’, 190-pounds, Wallace may not be a number one in the NFL but he will be a solid number two.
That’s what the Green Bay Packers need. We all love Allen Lazard but he doesn’t scare NFL defenses. Wallace has the kind of speed that strikes FEAR into NFL defenses.
Even if Wallace isn’t making his presence known in the box score, he’s pulling attention away from other receivers. Hello Davante Adams. Wallace is the wide receiver the Green Bay Packers need.
Andrew Mertig
31st pick: Daniel Faalele, OT, Minnesota
Nick Shibe
29th pick: Jackson Carman, OT, Clemson
With a lot of uncertainty at the tackle position heading into 2021, Jackson Carman would clear a lot of that up. Carman is a massive man at 6’5 340 lbs and plays with a mean streak.
He may be the most physical tackle in this class. Carman can also get to the second level of the defense with ease. I really appreciate Carman’s anchor in pass protection. No rusher will bully him around.
61st pick: Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, USC
The moment you’ve all been waiting for, the Green Bay Packers snag a wide receiver for Aaron Rodgers. With Davante Adams and Allen Lazard as primarily boundary receivers, St. Brown provides a much-needed spark in the slot for Green Bay.
I really appreciate his separation and YAC ability. His physical playing style reminds me of Deebo Samuel a bit. Just put the ball in his hands and let him get to work.
