Who Are the Experts Mocking to the Packers in the 1st Round of the NFL Draft?

With the NFL draft just a month away, now is the season of mock drafts. Every analyst has an opinion on who a team should draft, but we're only interested in who the experts think the Green Bay Packers will be selecting on this day.

Today we'll look at the mock drafts for Green Bay from the top analysts from ESPN, CBS Sports, NFL.com and right here at Bleacher Report. What we'll see is that most everyone agrees that the Packers need to address the defensive side of the ball in the first round.

However, there are those who see Green Bay boosting its already impressive offense. Let's take a look at who the experts are mocking to the Packers in the first round of the NFL draft.

Bleacher Report's Matt Miller: Jimmie Ward, FS, Northern Illinois

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Matt Miller, Bleacher Report's resident draft guru, has the Packers addressing their biggest need in the first round of his latest mock draft. However, it's not with one of the more popular safeties in the draft.

Instead, Miller goes with Northern Illinois' Jimmie Ward. While Ward certainly fills a need, this seems a little too early to select him. It wouldn't be surprising to see him available in the second round if the Packers were to pass on him in the first round.

What ultimately could move Ward up draft boards as we get closer to May 8 is his ability to make plays in the secondary. He knows how to create turnovers, something that the Packers greatly missed last year from their safeties.

Look for Ward to be a target for Green Bay, but only as a last option if all its other targets are already gone.

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr: C.J. Mosley, ILB, Alabama

In ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr.'s latest mock draft (subscription required), he also thinks the Packers need to attack the defensive side of the ball early in the draft. However, instead of drafting a bigger position of need like safety or defensive line, Kiper Jr. believes the Packers will select inside linebacker C.J. Mosley.

The interesting thing about Mosley is that he's one of the top players available in this draft. He's an extremely polished defensive player who is capable of making an impact on all three downs.

Unfortunately, there just aren't many teams drafting ahead of Green Bay who need an inside linebacker. There's also the concern of former Alabama players struggling in the NFL like running back Trent Richardson and cornerback Dee Milliner.

While the Packers don't have a huge need at inside linebacker, this would be a fantastic pick nonetheless. Mosley could step in from day one and provide much needed athleticism and playmaking ability for the Packers defense.

ESPN's Todd McShay: Eric Ebron, TE, UNC

Our first offensive player for Green Bay comes courtesy of ESPN's Todd McShay (subscription required). He has the Packers selecting North Carolina tight end Eric Ebron.

The former Tar Heel star is easily one of the best tight ends available in this year's draft. His hands are a little questionable at times, but Ebron's athleticism and ability to make big plays after the catch make him an elite prospect.

What ultimately makes this pick interesting is how much it'd improve the Packers offense from day one. With Ebron lining up with wide receivers Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb, opposing defenses simply wouldn't have an answer for the offense in Green Bay.

While it would be nice to see the Packers address their defense early in the draft, they couldn't be too disappointed if they were able to draft the top tight end in this year's draft.

CBS Sports' Rob Rang: Louis Nix III, DT, Notre Dame

Before the Packers re-signed defensive tackle B.J. Raji, a defensive lineman was a popular first-round pick for Green Bay. However, CBS Sports' Rob Rang still has the team addressing the defensive line in the first round with Notre Dame's Louis Nix III.

Nix III is built extremely similar to Raji in terms of sheer massiveness. However, Nix III has more athleticism and quickness than Raji.

Since the Packers only signed Raji to a one-year deal, adding a similar player like Nix III makes sense. He'd be able to play sparingly in year one before becoming a full-time starter after Raji's contract is up.

Drafting a player like Nix III wouldn't necessarily be the best move for the 2014 season, but it'd be great for the future of the Packers defense.

CBS Sports' Pete Prisco: Ryan Shazier, OLB, Ohio State

Ryan Shazier is a name that keeps rising up draft boards, and Pete Prisco at CBS Sports has the Packers selecting the outside linebacker from Ohio State in the first round.

There's certainly a lot to like about Shazier's game and how he'd fit in the Packers defense. For starters, he's much more athletic than outside linebacker Nick Perry. He's also more polished in terms of getting after the quarterback and stopping the run.

Drafting Shazier and lining him up opposite outside linebacker Clay Matthews would give the Packers a dynamic duo to work with. It'd also help to limit the amount of snaps that newly signed Julius Peppers would get over the course of the game.

The only downside to this specific pick would be the feeling that the Packers were reaching for Shazier. However, if he's high on their board, then he'd be a perfect selection for Green Bay.

CBS Sports' Will Brinson: Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU

Will Brinson of CBS Sports provides us with the most unique first-round pick for Green Bay. Brinson has the Packers drafting wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. from LSU.

At first glance, this pick looks absolutely ridiculous. The Packers are already stacked at wide receiver with the likes of Nelson, Cobb and Jarrett Boykin. The last thing they need to do is draft a receiver in the first round.

However, the more you think about Beckham Jr., the more this pick sounds like it could work. For starters, you can never have too many weapons on offense. Beckham Jr. has the potential to be an elite talent, and he'd absolutely be able to produce from day one.

If the top defensive players are off the board, don't be surprised if Green Bay selects the top player available, even if that's a receiver like Beckham Jr.

NFL.com's Bucky Brooks: Calvin Pryor, FS, Louisville

Garry Jones

Our final mock draft selection is courtesy of NFL.com's Bucky Brooks, and it'd be the most ideal pick for the Packers. Brooks has Green Bay taking Louisville safety Calvin Pryor in the first round of this year's draft.

Not only would Pryor fill the biggest need on the Packers defense, but he'd fit perfectly in Green Bay. For starters, he's an extremely aggressive hitter who consistently is laying out opposing players. He also has the ability to make plays on the ball and create turnovers.

With Pryor's aggressiveness in the secondary, the Packers defense would improve in a major way. Green Bay can only hope that Pryor is still available when it picks in the second half of the first round.