Green Bay Packers Last-Minute 7-Round Mock Draft and Top-100 Big Board

Day 1 of the 2016 NFL draft has finally arrived, and the Green Bay Packers will be on the clock Thursday night with the 27th overall pick. 

However, it is yet to be seen whether general manager Ted Thompson even keeps the Packers' original Round 1 selection; a recent report by Charlie Campbell of Walter Football suggests that the Packers have been discussing a trade with the Denver Broncos (No. 31) and the Cleveland Browns (No. 32) for the pick. 

Packers fans might lose their minds if Green Bay doesn't make a selection on Day 1, but there's no arguing the value they could find with multiple picks in Rounds 2 or 3. 

The Packers earned two fourth-round compensatory picks in this year's draft for the loss of cornerbacks Tramon Williams and Davon House in 2015. Those picks join all seven of the team's original selections and break down as follows:

• Round 1: 27th overall 

• Round 2: 57th overall 

• Round 3: 88th overall

• Round 4: 125th overall 

• Round 4: 131st overall (compensatory)

• Round 4: 137th overall (compensatory)

• Round 5: 163rd overall 

• Round 6: 200th overall 

• Round 7: 248th overall 

We'll break down what the Packers' updated top 100 big board looks like heading into Day 1, with prospects the team would select and roughly the order in which it would do so. That big board would take the team into the fourth round or so. 

Then, we'll go over a full seven-round mock draft scenario, focusing on which positions the team could address in which rounds. The previous seven-round mock draft can be found here. 

Top 100 Big Board

L.G. Patterson/Associated Press

This big board contains the top 100 players that the Packers will likely target in the first few rounds of the draft, with some discretion given to team needs despite general manager Ted Thompson's pattern of drafting the best player available. 

The following prospects are ranked, and though that is a subjective exercise, the order is generally balanced between overall prospect rankings and needs. 

Green Bay Packers Big Board

Rank	Player	Position	School
1	Jalen Ramsey	DB	Florida State
2	Joey Bosa	DE	Ohio State
3	Myles Jack	OLB	UCLA
4	DeForest Buckner	DE	Oregon
5	Ezekiel Elliott	RB	Ohio State
6	Vernon Hargreaves III	CB	Florida
7	Darron Lee	OLB	Ohio State
8	Shaq Lawson	DE	Clemson
9	Laquon Treadwell	WR	Ole Miss
10	Sheldon Rankins	DT	Louisville
11	Reggie Ragland	ILB	Alabama
12	Jack Conklin	OT	Michigan State
13	A'Shawn Robinson	DT	Alabama
14	Leonard Floyd	OLB	Georgia
15	William Jackson III	CB	Houston
16	Eli Apple	CB	Ohio State
17	Jarran Reed	DT	Alabama
18	Robert Nkemdiche	DT	Ole Miss
19	Josh Doctson	WR	TCU
20	Mackensie Alexander	CB	Clemson
21	Kevin Dodd	DE	Clemson
22	Noah Spence	DE	Eastern Kentucky
23	Vernon Butler	DT	Louisiana Tech
24	Andrew Billings	DT	Baylor
25	Jason Spriggs	OT	Indiana
26	Kenny Clark	DT	UCLA
27	Cody Whitehair	OG	Kansas State
28	Derrick Henry	RB	Alabama
29	Jaylon Smith	OLB	Notre Dame
30	Jonathan Bullard	DE	Florida
31	Austin Johnson	DT	Penn State
32	Vadal Alexander	OG	LSU
33	Joshua Perry	OLB	Ohio State
34	Shilique Calhoun	DE	Michigan State
35	Shon Coleman	OT	Auburn
36	Hunter Henry	TE	Arkansas
37	Kentrell Brothers	ILB	Missouri
38	Adolphus Washington	DT	Ohio State
39	Su'a Cravens	OLB	USC
40	Joshua Garnett	OG	Stanford
41	Le'Raven Clark	OT	Texas Tech
42	Kenneth Dixon	RB	Louisiana Tech
43	Sterling Shepard	WR	Oklahoma
44	Jalen Mills	FS	LSU
45	Carl Nassib	DE	Penn State
46	Kamalei Correa	OLB	Boise State
47	Braxton Miller	WR	Ohio State
48	Christian Westerman	OG	Arizona State
49	Austin Hooper	TE	Stanford
50	Chris Jones	DT	Mississippi State
51	Alex Collins	RB	Arkansas
52	Rashard Higgins	WR	Colorado State
53	Charles Tapper	DE	Oklahoma
54	Jerald Hawkins	OT	LSU
55	Landon Turner	OG	North Carolina
56	Dominique Alexander	ILB	Oklahoma
57	Jordan Howard	RB	Indians
58	Kyler Fackrell	OLB	Utah State
59	Sebastian Tretola	OG	Arkansas
60	Maurice Canady	CB	Virginia
61	John Theus	OT	Georgia
62	Javon Hargrave	DT	South Carolina State
63	Nick Vannett	TE	Ohio State
64	Kenny Lawler	WR	California
65	Deion Jones	OLB	LSU
66	Zack Sanchez	CB	Oklahoma
67	Jordan Payton	WR	UCLA
68	Kyle Murply	OT	Stanford
69	Cyrus Jones	CB	Alabama
70	Tyler Matakevich	ILB	Temple
71	Kolby Listenbee	WR	TCU
72	Kenyan Drake	RB	Alabama
73	Keyarris Garrett	WR	Tulsa
74	Connor McGovern	OG	Missouri
75	Jordan Jenkins	OLB	Georgia
76	Jerell Adams	TE	South Carolina
77	Bronson Kaufusi	DE	BYU
78	Jason Fanaika	DE	Utah
79	Nick Vigil	ILB	Utah State
80	Paul Perkins	RB	UCLA
81	Joe Haeg	OT	North Dakota State
82	C.J. Prosise	RB	Notre Dame
83	Eric Striker	OLB	Oklahoma
84	Jonathan Jones	CB	Auburn
85	Sheldon Day	DT	Notre Dame
86	Tyler Higbee	TE	Western Kentucky
87	Cole Toner	OT	Harvard
88	Jihad Ward	DE	Illinois
89	Spencer Drango	OG	Baylor
90	Joe Schobert	OLB	Wisconsin
91	Eric Murray	CB	Minnesota
92	Daniel Lasco	RB	California
93	Harlan Miller	CB	Southeastern Louisiana
94	Matt Judon	DE	Grand Valley State
95	Malcolm Mitchell	WR	Georgia
96	Scooby Wright III	ILB	Arizona
97	Sean Davis	FS	Maryland
98	Bryce Williams	TE	East Carolina
99	Tyler Ervin	RB	San Jose State
100	Hassan Ridgeway	DE	Texas

Round 1

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

Round 1, Pick 27: Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama 

The top-rated inside linebacker in this year's draft class by CBS Sports, Alabama's Reggie Ragland is exactly the kind of player the Packers look for in their developmental prospects. 

Some analysts (and fans) are wary of Ragland's coverage ability, throwing around the term "thumper" in a negative sense. But Ragland could surprise everyone; with his size (6'1", 247 lbs), instincts and open-field tackling ability, he could develop into a three-down player in the NFL. 

If the Packers are going to use a first-round pick on an inside linebacker, then ideally he would be ready to start Day 1.

However, that's not necessarily a prerequisite for Ragland, as Green Bay could open the season with second-year linebacker Jake Ryan next to middle linebacker Sam Barrington and give a rookie time to develop. 

Ragland has some of the less quantifiable qualities that the Packers have proved to value in prospects; as CBS Sports' Dane Brugler and Rob Rang wrote, he is a "physical striker with reliable breakdown skills in the open field, wrapping, driving and finishing," and has the "dirtiest jersey on the field and plays each snap like it is his last."

Given how much this Green Bay defense feeds off momentum and energy, having another hard-working, driven playmaker on the field will only raise the level of the players around him.

If Ragland falls to No. 27, and there are legitimate scenarios in which he does, he would be a value pick for Thompson. Bleacher Report's Matt Miller reported that's about where the Packers value the Alabama prospect, and Crimson Tide players have always been a favorite of the organization. 

Round 2

L.G. Patterson/Associated Press

Round 2, Pick 57: Chris Jones, DT, Mississippi State

Because the Packers passed on addressing their defensive line to draft Reggie Ragland in Round 1, Round 2 finds them adding a big man up front to mitigate the loss of B.J. Raji. 

Chris Jones was getting some first-round buzz, which NFLDraftScout's Dane Brugler attributes to his foot quickness and body type.

But with the wealth of defensive-line talent available in this year's class, it's not a stretch to think Jones could be on the board for the Packers with their 57th overall pick. 

At Mississippi State, Jones lined up mostly at the 1-technique and 3-technique spots but also and outside as a defensive end. He totaled 102 tackles, including 18 tackles for loss, and 8.5 sacks in 16 starts.

The Packers will be intrigued by Jones' versatility; per NFL.com's Lance Zierlein, he has "a body type and skill set to play all along the defensive line in both odd and even fronts."

That means Green Bay can either groom him to be its nose tackle of the future or play him at 3-technique or even 5-technique and thereby give Mike Daniels some help. 

Jones has all the physical gifts but has not yet learned how to use them effectively. Dom Capers could work with that.

Round 3

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

Round 3, Pick 88: Kyler Fackrell, OLB, Utah State

Outside linebacker Kyler Fackrell could be gone by the 88th overall pick, and if he is, LSU's Deion Jones is another pass-rusher the Packers could consider in Round 3. 

But if Fackrell is still available, he would be a perfect fit as Green Bay prepares for some major shake-ups at the position.

On one hand, they have Clay Matthews moving back to the edge. On the other, Nick Perry, Julius Peppers, and Jayrone Elliott will all be free agents in 2017, while Mike Neal appears to be gone for good. 

A three-year starter at Utah State, Fackrell's accomplished collegiate career was interrupted by an ACL tear in 2014 that ended his season. 

However, the injury was bookended by the kind of play that would catch any NFL team's eye: in 2013, he had a team-high 13 tackles for loss and 82 tackles, five sacks and a 99-yard interception for a touchdown.

Then, in his bounce-back 2015 season, Fackrell led the nation with five fumble recoveries and led the team with 15 tackles for loss. He also set a Utah State record with 12 quarterback hurries and added four sacks.

In addition to Fackrell's athletic pluses, including a long frame and lateral quickness, he was also a celebrated leader on the Aggies. Per NFLDraftScout's Dane Brugler, Fackrell is "humble and hard-working, but also feisty and competitive—singled out as the leader of the defense by his head coach. Football junkie who already works and prepares like a professional."

Because Fackrell can be overaggressive and is best-suited to a 3-4 scheme, enough teams looking for something else could pass over him on the board to make him available in Round 3. 

Round 4

Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports

Round 4, Pick 125: Cole Toner, OT, Harvard

In 2017, four linemen—left tackle David Bakhtiari, center JC Tretter and guards T.J. Lang and Josh Sitton—are slated to become free agents, and it's not likely the team will be able to re-sign all four players.

Thompson has drafted at least one offensive lineman in every year of his tenure with the Packers except one (2015, though he did sign undrafted free-agent lineman Matt Rotheram). In 2016, he could look to target two.  

CBS Sports grades Harvard's Cole Toner as the 125th-best overall prospect in the draft, and there's a chance he won't be on the board by the Packers' pick at No. 131. But given that he's graded 15th among offensive tackles—and some teams will choose to take guards—it's possible. 

Toner became Harvard's starting right tackle as a true freshman because of injury and held on to the job.

Some have questioned his true talent given his conference, but he held his own at the Senior Bowl and only looks to get stronger with time spent in an NFL weight room. 

CBS Sports' Rob Rang wrote that Toner "shows a legitimate NFL-caliber combination of size, agility and tenacity" and that he's best-suited to a zone-blocking scheme.

That should attract Green Bay's attention. 

Round 4, Pick 131*: Daniel Lasco, RB, California

How early (or late) the Packers select a running back this year doesn't necessarily indicate their plans for Eddie Lacy's future, given both Thompson's propensity to target the best available player and the fact that the Packers won't have a true handle on Lacy's progress until training camp. 

But Round 4 is a nice compromise; it's not so early that the team will feel compelled to get its costly rookie starts right away, and it's not so late that the starting-caliber players will be gone. 

Daniel Lasco helped his draft stock climb with an impressive combine performance, benching 23 reps of 225 pounds, topping all running back prospects with a 41½" vertical jump and 11'3" broad jump, and running a 4.46-second 40-yard dash.

Still, the fact that Lasco missed much of the 2015 season because of injury and his tendency to run upright could keep him squarely in Day 3 of the draft. 

As for fit with the Packers, Lasco may not ever be a workhorse, but he'd be a nice supplement to Green Bay's backfield with his speed and agility.

CBS Sports' Rob Rang wrote that Lasco has "legitimate NFL athleticism" as well as "good initial quickness to and through the hole, showing the 0-to-60 acceleration to offer big-play potential."

He also has a nose for the end zone, having rushed for 12 touchdowns at California in 2014. 

Round 4, Pick 137*: Tyler Higbee, TE, Western Kentucky

The Packers aren't destitute at the tight end position; they signed Jared Cook to a one-year prove-it deal this offseason, and Richard Rodgers is entering his third year in the league. 

However, the Packers have been missing an impact player at the position for years, and are missing speed from their pass-catching corps more generally. 

Could Tyler Higbee be that player? 

Higbee has two traits the Packers need in a tight end: after-the-catch ability and speed. He has the acceleration to elude safeties and, most importantly, he can protect the ball in traffic. 

So why the Round 4 projection?

Higbee isn't powerful enough yet to be an inline blocker, but a season in an NFL weight room could change that. He also missed six games with a knee injury in 2015 and was arrested in early April for an altercation and public intoxication.

If the Packers are comfortable drafting him and relying on Rodgers and Cook while Higbee matures and potentially serves a suspension, his upside is real, especially if they use a compensatory pick to select him.

*Compensatory pick; cannot be traded

Round 5

L.G. Patterson/Associated Press

Round 5, Pick 163: Joe Dahl, OG, Washington State

After selecting an offensive tackle in Round 4, Ted Thompson goes back to the well for a guard this time in Round 5. 

Thompson doesn't often draft college guards to play guard for the Packers; Josh Sitton played mostly right tackle at UCF, and T.J. Lang was a starting left tackle at Eastern Michigan.

But Washington State product Joe Dahl is a versatile lineman who initially started at left guard for the Cougars before moving over to left tackle in the New Mexico Bowl that year and remaining there from 2014 on. 

Despite his extensive experience on the blind side at WSU, Dahl projects as an NFL guard.

He can hold his own against pass-rushers and in the run game alike; per CBS Sports' Rob Rang, "Dahl shows impressive initial quickness out of stance, quickly sealing off opponents from the action and showing the foot speed and agility to track down defenders at the second level."

Though Dahl underwent surgery on his foot in late 2015, he put concerns to rest at the combine, where he was a top performer among offensive linemen in the 40-yard dash (5.18 seconds), bench press (28 reps at 225 pounds) and broad jump (9'1"). 

Round 6

Wilfredo Lee/Associated Press

Round 6, Pick 200: Mitch Mathews, WR, BYU

A few weeks out from the draft, the buzz is increasing around BYU receiver Mitch Mathews.

Per Mathews' agent, Brett Tessler, Mathews visited with the Packers in the second week of April, but "many teams" are showing interest in the prospect. 

Mathews generated buzz in September 2015 when he connected with BYU backup Tanner Mangum on a 42-yard game-winning Hail Mary pass. 

However, the 6'6", 222-pound pass-catcher isn't just a one-trick pony. Mathews has great size and performed well at BYU's pro day, running a 4.49-second 40-yard dash with a 36" vertical jump and a 10'9" broad jump, according to NFLDraftScout.com.

If the Packers like what they see in their workout with Mathews, he'd be a great developmental prospect to grab in the late rounds as someone who could contribute on special teams and possibly give the team another red-zone threat. 

Round 7

Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images

Round 7, Pick 248: Morgan Burns, CB, Kansas State

The Packers already have a defensive back on the roster named Morgan Burnett, and now, in a strange twist, they select Kansas State's Morgan Burns. 

Aside from his familiar name, however, Burns will draw attention in the NFL for another quality: his ridiculous skill as a kick returner. 

Per Hobie Teope of theTopeka Capital-Journal, the Packers had a pre-draft visit with Burns. The former high school sprinter is a speedy kick returner who returned four kicks for scores in 2015.

Of course, few teams have the luxury of devoting a roster spot solely to a kick returner, and as good as Burns is, he'll also need to prove that he can be a reserve cornerback. NFL.com's Lance Zierlein suggests that Burns could even take reps in camp as a running back, his former position, to show teams why he's worth a roster spot. 

The Packers may look to take a player earlier who is perhaps a less talented returner but a more solid corner, but Burns offers real value this late in the draft.