Official 2021 Draft Thread

G-digg - I'd run up a selection of Christian Barmore if he was available...I'd even do a Jordan Love-like trade to move up some spots to pick him.

https://packerswire.usatoday.c...sa-lb-zaven-collins/

Packers meet virtually with LB Zaven Collins.

Yeah Barmore is an absolute unit. Huge and seems to constantly make OL look like they’re on roller skates. Love to see him next to KC.

Had my eye on Barmier since his first game at Bama ...difference maker

@Grave Digger posted:

Trade Down Targets:

• Eric Stokes/CB/Georgia (22 yrs) ~35-45
• Marlon Tuipulotu/DT/USC (21 yrs) ~35-45
• James Hudson/OT/Cincinnati (21 yrs) ~35-45

Eric Stokes CB Georgia

today  ***4.25 / 40   

41.5” vertical

131” broad

***  The official NFL combine record is 4.22

Georgia may be a fast track, but dang that is fast. Love to have him at 29, but with that kind of raw speed I imagine he's going to climb into the teens!

Speed ain’t everything...just ask Sam Shields

The thing I like about Collins is he can "do it all". He's not only a good linebacker, but he can cover and rush the passer. He would give the defense a LOT of flexibility. The Martinez/Martin/Barnes/Summers types lack the physical traits to be all over the field.

Will he even be available when the Packers are on the clock?

Maybe? In theory, Parsons and Owusu-Koramoah go before him at linebacker. (Nick Bolton?)

5 QBs: Lawrence, Wilson, Fields, Lance (Mac Jones)

5 WRs: Chase, Waddle, DeVonta Smith, Bateman, Marshall

5 OTs: Sewell, Darrisaw, Slater, Cosmi, Vera-Tucker (Mayfield)

3 Edge: Paye, Rosseau, Oweh (Phillips, Ojulari)

3 CBs: Surtain, Farley, Horn (Newsome, Samuel, Stokes)

DT: Barmore

S: Moehrig

That's 24 guys that probably go before him, a few more that could. I also think there's a DT or two that could slide in there.

Or maybe that's just man-crush wishful thinking.

@Herschel posted:

Maybe? In theory, Parsons and Owusu-Koramoah go before him at linebacker. (Nick Bolton?)

5 QBs: Lawrence, Wilson, Fields, Lance (Mac Jones)

5 WRs: Chase, Waddle, DeVonta Smith, Bateman, Marshall

5 OTs: Sewell, Darrisaw, Slater, Cosmi, Vera-Tucker (Mayfield)

3 Edge: Paye, Rosseau, Oweh (Phillips, Ojulari)

3 CBs: Surtain, Farley, Horn (Newsome, Samuel, Stokes)

DT: Barmore

S: Moehrig

That's 24 guys that probably go before him, a few more that could. I also think there's a DT or two that could slide in there.

Or maybe that's just man-crush wishful thinking.

In the mocks I have seen, the guys listed here that come closest to pick 29 are DT Barmore, Safety Moehrig and LB Collins. One early mock had Barmore picked by the Packers and a more recent mock had Zaven Collins going to the Packers and yet others had Jalen Mayfield, OT, landing in Gute's lap. I doubt Gute goes for an OT in Round 1, though. Of course, who knows what Gute will do in the draft?  Another IOL guy, is Rashawn Slater OG/C out of NW. The guy is listed as the Top OG and the Top C on Draft Blaster's draft position pages. Most mocks had him gone in the top 20, though. Still, the versatility he brings at being solid at two OL positions has got to be appealing, to Gute and Co.

Collins would make an excellent addition to the linebacking corps...

This is from PFF:

"With the linebacker position in the NFL getting smaller and smaller in recent years, Collins is a decidedly different animal. At 6-foot-4, 260 pounds, Collins has throwback thumper size combined with modern athleticism. His performance this past year for Tulsa was nothing short of special.

He consistently made plays in coverage, with four picks and a pass breakup in only eight games. His best attribute when projecting to the next level, though, is what he can do as a blitzer — running backs aren't blocking this dude. He's going to be high on any blitz-heavy team's draft board and will wreak havoc on opposing offenses."

Just for fun on TDN

29. Zaven Collins LB Tulsa - Big and athletic, can do it all. Similar to Leighton Vander Esch, maybe not quite as fast but also lacks the injury history.

62. Richie Grant S UCF - Safety who can cover slot guys and wideouts, making nickel and big nickel one-and-the-same. May take over for Amos down the road or interchangeable with either in case of injury.

92. Trill Williams CB Syracuse - Long corner who can play press, off-man or zone. Went with Williams over Keith Taylor to avoid the Kevin King comparisons.

135. Rodarius Williams CB Oklahoma State - Another physical corner with good size. This is where I think guys may go higher than their draft spot. If a promising OT or C is here, that could well be the pick.

142. Patrick Johnson OLB Tulane - A bit shorter version of Preston Smith. Another versatile guy who can be used in a lot of ways.

174. Jermar Jefferson RB Oregon State - Similar skill set to Aaron Jones, but without the weed.

178. Khyiris Tonga DL BYU - Freakish athlete for a big man, but raw as heck. If he can learn discipline, could be great.

215. Austin Watkins WR UAB - A James Jones with better speed but less experience.

221. Jamar Watson Edge KY - Kind of a Leon Jacobs type: athletically gifted and can rush the passer or even line up wide in coverage but not the most accomplished guy as a traditional linebacker. Spot player and potentially great special teamer.

250. Landon Young OT KY - Didn't really see an o-lineman that lined up with draft position earlier

I must say Herschel I do appreciate your contributions to the board at this time of year. You know a lot more than me....

@Herschel posted:

Just for fun on TDN

29. Zaven Collins LB Tulsa -.

62. Richie Grant S UCF - .

92. Trill Williams CB Syracuse -

135. Rodarius Williams CB Oklahoma State -

174. Jermar Jefferson RB Oregon State -

215. Austin Watkins WR UAB -

221. Jamar Watson Edge KY -

250. Landon Young OT KY -

X4 would melt down with that draft. No weapons for Rodgers.

I’d be friggin’ giddy.

@Packmeister posted:

Collins would make an excellent addition to the linebacking corps...

This is from PFF:

"With the linebacker position in the NFL getting smaller and smaller in recent years, Collins is a decidedly different animal. At 6-foot-4, 260 pounds, Collins has throwback thumper size combined with modern athleticism. His performance this past year for Tulsa was nothing short of special.

He consistently made plays in coverage, with four picks and a pass breakup in only eight games. His best attribute when projecting to the next level, though, is what he can do as a blitzer — running backs aren't blocking this dude. He's going to be high on any blitz-heavy team's draft board and will wreak havoc on opposing offenses."

This guy isn’t going to make it past the mid rounds.  I can’t imagine Baltimore or the Steelers not picking this guy up because they aren’t morons.

I've seen mocks where he goes to the Dolphins at 18. Agree he's not likely to fall in our lap.

My first:

From McShay

@YATittle posted:

I've seen mocks where he goes to the Dolphins at 18. Agree he's not likely to fall in our lap.

NFL writer, Charlie Casserly, has Collins going to the Packers, at pick 29, in a recent mock draft.

I agree on Collins.  Unless something dramatic happens there is no he falls to GB at 29.  The Packers would likely need to get up into the top 15-20 range to get him and that would involve them having to surrender their 2nd round pick (likely) to move up.  If Collins is as good as advertised, then it’s probably worth the move but I don’t see Gute doing it.  I expect him to draft a corner or OL with their first rounder.  

Onwuzurike is best suited as a 3-technique in a 4-3.

This reminds me of the guys projecting TCU DT Ross Blacklock to the Packers last year.

One other dude's opinion.

"Onwuzurike is an excellent value addition in Round 2 or Round 3. He has the versatility to line up both as a 3-4 end and a 4-3 defensive tackle. With his length and anchor, he can also line up under center on occasion. Teams with a need for a well-rounded, versatile, high-upside interior lineman present potential fits for Onwuzurike. The Cardinals, Dolphins, Cowboys, and Packers stand out as good matches, but there are others as well."

Packers have 10 picks...they are moving up at some point

Packers meet virtually with Michigan CB Ambry Thomas

https://packerswire.usatoday.c...gan-cb-ambry-thomas/

@FinnLander posted:

One other dude's opinion.

"Onwuzurike is an excellent value addition in Round 2 or Round 3. He has the versatility to line up both as a 3-4 end and a 4-3 defensive tackle. With his length and anchor, he can also line up under center on occasion. Teams with a need for a well-rounded, versatile, high-upside interior lineman present potential fits for Onwuzurike. The Cardinals, Dolphins, Cowboys, and Packers stand out as good matches, but there are others as well."

I think we already have a player like him on the roster in Kingsley Keke. They're looking for something else, IMO.

They need to find a quality linebacker early, a DB, and an O-lineman. DT won't be addressed until later, unless somebody drops, but I don't see that happening. Besides, there isn't much at the top of this draft at DT for someone to fall... Barmore... anyone else?

Daviyon Nixon may also be a better prospect, as well as Tufele. Again, I don't see a DT getting picked early by the Packers... 3rd through 5th round? Yeah.

I like Onwuzurike better than any of those guys, tbh. He, McNeill, Tufele and Tonga do seem like guys the Packers would go for. Keke is a solid rotational guy, but not a stud.

Admittedly, my Barmore trepidation is the irrational fear he's a 'maxed out in college' 'Bama player rather than any knock on what we've seen (he's rag dolled too many opposing lineman for that, he looks like the #1 DT) and I have nothing against Nixon.

@Chongo posted:

Packers have 10 picks...they are moving up at some point

In another mock I saw, GB moves up 7 spots(Titans) to grab Northwestern CB Newsome. Not sure Newsome is worth this kind of a deal. Here are the particulars from Chad Reuters' mock:

22

Green Bay Packers

(via Titans)

<label class="nfl-o-ranked-item__joiner-text">TRADE</label>

Greg Newsome II

Northwestern · CB · Junior

I saw Chad's mock, as well, and I was disappointed in it, actually...I doubt they move up for Newsome.

I've followed Reuter for some time and generally like his mocks, but not this one.

I follow Chad also. Seems like most the time he's just goofing around.

CB is very deep in this draft...I don't believe the Packers would have to move up to get a quality starter...there will be multiple options in R2 and R3.

The only CB worth moving up for IMO is Farley from VT but he's going to be long gone before any reasonable striking distance. Surtain from Bama has all the sexy numbers, but I just don't trust Bama DB.

Asante Samuel doesn't fit the size profile the Packers are likely looking for, but I think he's going to be as good as Jaire. We could wait till the 2nd round and get someone like Syracuse Ifeatu Melifanwu (sp?) or the 3rd and get his teammate Trill Williams. If the Packers wait beyond the third they are likely not getting a starting CB via the draft.

Gute is/was at Northwestern's Pro Day... two players there... Slater and Newsome... Slater not likely to be there at 29. Newsome ran a 4.31... very impressive... he could be their guy... and he may or may not be there at 29, either... I suppose it's possible we move up... I'd rather we didn't, but for another guy like Jaire, I'd be ok with it.

If the 4.31 is legit and his lateral agility matched, Newsome likely vaulted well up. He’s a little over 6’ as well.

This kid plays like his hair is on fire. Love the intensity and effort. He’s a guy that could creep up into R3, but most likely seems like R4-R6 type. Floor seems to be a ST ace, ceiling is probably Des Bishop-type starter.

Edit: video didn’t make it apparently!

At this point I think all the players have moved up and there will be no one left when the Pack picks.

At least the draft is a crapshoot

@Herschel posted:

If the 4.31 is legit and his lateral agility matched, Newsome likely vaulted well up. He’s a little over 6’ as well.

Greg Newsome II Pro Day:

• HT: 6000
• WT: 192
• 40: 4.38 / 4.40
• 10-yard split: 1.51
• Broad: 10’3”
• Vertical: 40”
• 3-Cone: 6.94
• Bench: 18 reps
• SS: 4.28

Those numbers are all fantastic combined with the way he plays. GB jumped up in 2018 from 27 to 18 to grab a similarly impressive CB, wouldn’t be shocked if they love this kid the same amount.

@Packmeister posted:

Gute is/was at Northwestern's Pro Day... two players there... Slater and Newsome... Slater not likely to be there at 29. Newsome ran a 4.31... very impressive... he could be their guy... and he may or may not be there at 29, either... I suppose it's possible we move up... I'd rather we didn't, but for another guy like Jaire, I'd be ok with it.

Slater is the perfect OL guy, for Gute. He can play multiple positions along the line. He will be gone by the 20th pick, however.

Slater would be a nice addition for sure.  But he’s trending up and will likely be taken within the first 15 picks.  

Newsome is another guy I think they really like.  Not sure where he may end up, but he won’t be there at 29.  

For as much talk as we say about being “all in” I’d be completely fine with them trading their 2nd rounder this year and a 1st next year if it meant getting both of those guys in this years draft.   You put Slater at OT and he might be there for 10 years.  Newsome looks like the real deal and would also likely start day one.  

I’d prefer no trade up for Newsome or drafting him at all with our 1st.  They can pretty much get something very similar that can play in the slot later with a trade up in round 2 for less capital.

For Example: Elijah Molden  C, Washington,  He might be a little shorter but he can play in the slot which is what Barry really values in his defense and what his defense deploys. Might be the most instinctive DB in the draft. Covers massive space on the field. Does everything well. Has all the intangibles you look for as he works OVERTIME to always get better.  Packer fans would LOVE this guy. Kid can flat out BALL.

So while I like Newsome as a prospect I believe the Packers can get away with a boundary corner in that spot.  I’m not sure they need to invest so much in that and would rather see them improve on getting pressure up the middle and disrupting passing lanes on defense. As it sits right  now Lancaster should be a Bouncer at a bar and Lowry has been a huge disappointment since the extension. This is the most critical area of the defense needing help. Until the Packers fix this the defense will not take the next step forward on defense.  

Adding a better boundary corner then K. King will not cover this flaw up.