Green Bay Packers Mock Draft Roundup
The most recent mock draft predictions for the Green Bay Packers' 30th overall pick are all over the board. Projections cover positions from defensive tackle to outside linebacker to cornerback, with the latter being the most commonly mocked position, though experts have targeted several different prospects at the position.
In truth, the Packers could realistically go multiple directions at No. 30, with value being the highest priority. Inside linebacker is seeming like a less likely move there, and there are multiple question marks at corner. Defensive line could end up being the position with the best value, especially if a high-profile defensive tackle falls to Green Bay at No. 30, as one of the following mocks predicts.
Mocks from NFL.com, ESPN.com, CBSSports.com and Sports Illustrated are compiled and analyzed herein. Let's take a look at five prospects that analysts could see the Packers targeting at No. 30, if they keep that selection.
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com: CB Marcus Peters
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NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah thinks that standout talent Marcus Peters could fall to Green Bay at No. 30.
"The Packers could go inside linebacker here but opt to take arguably the most talented cornerback in the draft," says Jeremiah.
Despite the question marks surrounding Peters' dismissal from Washington, if he falls to No. 30 he could be worth taking a chance on. Ted Thompson has never drafted a cornerback in Round 1, and to take one with past character issues to boot would raise some eyebrows.
However, Peters' past hasn't caused him to fall down draft boards in the same way that other prospects with checkered pasts have. He attempted to rehab his image at the combine, where he told teams "I’ve matured and I’m moving forward," via ESPN.com's Scott Brown.
The 6'0", 197-pound prospect could come in and compete with Casey Hayward for the starting outside job opposite Sam Shields, possibly allowing Hayward to remain in the slot, where he excels.
Peters can cover, press and come away with picks, especially in contested situations, without breaking his assignment. In short, he's one of the few instant starters in this year's class. Green Bay's coaching staff may be the one that can handle him, if Thompson is comfortable with the risk.
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com: OLB Randy Gregory
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In perhaps the most surprising selection I've seen mocked to Green Bay, NFL.com's Bucky Brooks thinks not only that OLB Randy Gregory's tumble could continue all the way to No. 30, but that the Packers would take him if he's there.
"Ted Thompson always nabs the best player available, regardless of team need. Gregory is a top-10 talent with baggage, but he could be the perfect replacement for Julius Peppers down the road," Brooks writes.
With the news reported by ESPN.com's Rob Demovsky on Monday that the Packers aren't likely to pick up Nick Perry's fifth-year option, outside linebacker becomes a more realistic first-round target, given that the Packers will now have to replace Perry and Peppers in the coming years.
However, despite Gregory's raw talent and athleticism, it's hard to see the Packers being the team that takes the chance on him when he has scared off so many others.
Gregory also has enough weaknesses—he's trim and not very explosive ("almost always last player out of his stance at snap" per NFL.com's Lance Zierlein), his technique needs work, and, of course, he needs to grow in maturity and decision-making—that it seems hard to weigh a cost-benefit analysis that comes out in his favor.
Dane Brugler, CBSSports.com: DT Malcom Brown
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In another less common mock for Green Bay's 30th pick, CBSSports.com's Dane Brugler thinks that if Texas defensive tackle Malcom Brown falls to No. 30, the Packers will have a hard time leaving him on the board.
"Opinions are all over the map on Brown's draft projection, but this might be his floor, which would be an absolute steal for Green Bay," Brugler writes.
Brugler may be right. Brown doesn't satisfy an immediate need for the Packers, with both B.J. Raji and Letroy Guion back on one-year deals to anchor the defensive line. But it's hard to imagine a scenario in which Brown is available at No. 30 and not the best player on the board. He would allow the Packers to let either Raji or Guion walk next offseason when they both become free agents.
Brown's experience lining up at both nose tackle and defensive end in the Longhorns' scheme will be a plus in his column for Thompson. Starting 13 games in 2013 mostly at nose tackle, Brown had 68 tackles, including 12 tackles for loss and five pass breakups.
Perhaps Thompson would take Brown in Round 1 were he available and then trade up in Round 2 to ensure he could grab a starting-caliber inside linebacker or cornerback.
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Mel Kiper, ESPN: CB Jalen Collins
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ESPN's Mel Kiper has climbed aboard the Jalen Collins train.
"He's not a complete package yet, but he can press, play off and shows awareness in zone," writes Kiper. "The pick makes sense here."
Kiper is just one of many analysts who mock Collins to the Packers in their recent drafts. Others include CBSSports.com's Pete Prisco and Will Brinson.
It's worth noting that Prisco's and Brinson's mocks were published on April 22, and Kiper's on April 9—prior to the news that Albert Breer reported on April 24 that Collins failed multiple drug tests in college.
It's unclear if Collins' failed tests were for marijuana or performance-enhancing drugs, and it's also unclear how many NFL teams knew about them prior to Breer's report. But the news, combined with the revelation of Collins' fractured foot at the NFL combine, isn't helping his case as a late Round-1 prospect.
Collins' height (6'1"), weight (203 pounds) and speed (4.48-second 40-yard dash) would be a measurable boost to Green Bay's secondary, which tends to average out on the smaller side. But with the information on the table currently, Collins feels like a reach at No. 30—at least for the cautious Thompson.
Doug Farrar, Sports Illustrated: CB Eric Rowe
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Per Doug Farrar of Sports Illustrated, the player who makes the most sense for the Packers at No. 30 is cornerback Eric Rowe.
And if Kevin Johnson, Marcus Peters and Byron Jones are off the board, Rowe may indeed be the best fit at cornerback.
"Rowe would be a nice fit for the Packers because he's played corner and safety at a high level, and Dom Capers likes defensive backs who can switch positions, going back to the Charles Woodson days," Farrar writes, demonstrating a high-level understanding of Green Bay's system.
Rowe has a little bit of everything, and while he's not the best prospect in this class, he also lacks many of the question marks his fellow corners share. He has the height (6'1") of Jalen Collins without the character concerns. He has the ball skills of Marcus Peters without the maturity questions.
A combine superstar, Rowe was a top performer in every workout in which he participated. His athleticism is more impressive than his technique, but the latter can be taught.
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