Packers post-free agency mock draft: Defensive help added early
· Yahoo Sports
The dust has settled from the free agency frenzy, and it is now full steam ahead to the NFL draft at the end of April.
With signings, releases and trades executed over the last week or so, we now have a better picture of what the Green Bay Packers might be looking for in the draft. Here is a mock draft based on the state of the roster right now:
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Second round, No. 52: Derrick Moore, EDGE, Michigan
Green Bay does not draft for immediate need, but if the season started tomorrow, it might be Lukas Van Ness and Barryn Sorrell starting at outside linebacker. Rashan Gary’s departure was not met with much sadness in the fan base, but his production still needs to be replaced.
They could turn to the same school for the answer. Moore is a professional edge defender who is valuable against both the run and the pass. His calling card as a pass rusher is simply running through an offensive tackle’s face with power, heavy hands and explosiveness. At over 6-3 ½ and 257 pounds, Moore is well built and has exceptional length, with his arms measuring over 34” at the Senior Bowl.
Moore has a nice blend of different tools, and although none of them are elite, he should be able to help the defense early. A team captain at Michigan, he should also fit into the Packers’ culture well.
Third round, No. 84: Daylen Everette, Cornerback, Georgia
The Packers will be looking for a cornerback early in this draft, and Everette is one of the best fits in this draft.
Standing just over 6-1 and 196 pounds with nearly 32” arms, he has the ideal size Green Bay looks for to play on the boundary. Everette crushed his workout at the combine, running a 4.38 40 and performing well in the jumps.
There are still inconsistencies to his game, as he can give up easy completions underneath too willingly and has also been a bit penalty-prone, but he has all the physical tools he needs and has played his best in some of the biggest moments.
His tape against Matthew Golden’s Texas in the 2024 SEC Championship game was a fun watch, and his pedigree as a three-year starter at Georgia, as well as his willingness in run defense, will endear him to the Packers.
Fourth round, No. 120: Dontay Corleone, Defensive tackle, Cincinnati
The defensive line has been augmented with the addition of Javon Hargrave, but the Packers could still use a true nose tackle, especially in Jonathan Gannon’s scheme, which will be more of a 3-4.
Nicknamed ‘The Godfather’, Corleone fits the bill. At 6-0 ½ and 340 lbs, he is stout and a real load to try and move in the run game. He will not bring too much to the pass rush, but Gannon will only need him in base personnel anyway.
This draft should provide plenty of options to find a run stuffer, and Corleone could be a steal in the 4th round.
Fifth round, No. 160: Dallen Bentley, Tight end, Utah
Bentley only had one year of production at Utah, but made the most of it, with 620 yards and six touchdowns last season. He had 48 catches and zero drops.
He will be a 25-year-old rookie, but is built how the Packers like their tight ends at 6-3 ½ and 253 pounds with over 33” arms. With Kraft coming back from injury and Musgrave in a contract year, Green Bay needs more depth at the position.
Sixth round, No. 201: Domani Jackson, Cornerback, Alabama
It is usually not a great sign to see a cornerback from such a premier school available at this point of the draft, and Jackson needs work in terms of his footwork and not relying on grabbing his opponents in coverage.
He has good size though at 6-0 ½ and 194 pounds, and ran well at the combine with a 4.41 40. There are ingredients to work with in terms of physical tools, and Jackson would add another body to a thin position group.
Seventh round, No. 236: Jalon Daniels, Quarterback, Kansas
After the departure of Malik Willis, Green Bay’s backup QB position is in flux, with Desmond Ridder and Kyle McCord the current options.
Taking a flier on an athletic quarterback like Daniels late in the draft would bring more competition to a position that matters, as the Packers have seen in recent years when Willis was called upon.
Seventh round, No. 255: Carver Willis, Offensive tackle, Washington
Brian Gutekunst is always looking to add more competition on the offensive line, and the injury issues the Packers had last season will have brought that even more into focus.
At 6-5 and 303 pounds, Willis is a more ‘traditional’ Packers O-lineman, and he showed solid athleticism with a 5.11 40 at the combine. It would be worth throwing another player into the mix up front and Willis makes sense as an option late in the draft.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers post-free agency mock draft: Defensive help added early