Pick-6: Packers 2017 Draft Prospects to Watch - Week 1

The college football season is set to kick off this weekend with a full slate of great match-ups. Every week I'm going to pick a game or two and identify six players from the game who I feel would be a good fit for the Packers in the 2017 NFL Draft.

LSU Tigers vs Wisconsin Badgers Saturday, September 3, 2:30 PM on ABC Lambeau Field, Green Bay Wisconsin

Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU- 6'1 230lbs, 2015 Stats: 1953 YDS 6.5 AVG 22 TD rushing, 19 REC 253 YDS 13.3 AVG 1 TD receiving

Fournette is one of the most physically gifted running backs to play college football since Adrian Peterson. He runs with a violent style attacking the line of scrimmage and shedding would be tacklers like they were mosquitoes. Fournette has good vision, excellent power, and good enough speed to break long runs. He will almost certainly be in Heisman contention come years end, and has the makings of a future 1st round draft pick.

Jamal Adams, S, LSU- 6'1 211lbs, 2015 Stats: 67 TKL (47 solo) 5 TFL 1 FF 4 INT 6 PBU

Adams is one of my favorite players to watch in college football. He has the old school style mentality of making opposing receivers pay going across the middle and is a very good wrap up tackler in the open field. Adams has been one of the leaders of the LSU defense and makes plays all over the football field. He's equally adept playing down in the box as well as in the deep part of the field. He needs to work some on his coverage but he has the size and athleticism to be a first round pick if he declares.

Ethan Pocic, OL, LSU- 6'7 302lbs Career: 25 starts - nine at right guard and 16 at center

Pocic is one of the more highly regarded interior offensive lineman in the draft. Having the versatility to play both center and guard as well as the height/length to play tackle makes him an attractive NFL prospect. Pocic excels at blowing open running lanes playing the pivot and is very sound in pass protection. With another good year Pocic will more than likely hear his name called on the first two days of the draft.

Davon Godchaux DL, LSU- 6'4 293lbs, 2015 Stats: 41 TKL (12 solo) 9 TFL 6 SCK 4 QBH 1 FF 1 PBU

Godchaux is one of the more under the radar prospects in the nation but make no mistake, he is extremely gifted. He will be asked to play both nose tackle and defensive end in LSU's 3-4 defensive scheme and he has the athleticism and strength to excel at both spots. It will be a bit of a learning curve to understand what it takes to two gap but Godchaux has the skills and play making ability to pick it up quickly. He's someone to monitor as a draft riser, and the Packers are always in the market for talented defensive lineman.

Vince Biegel, OLB, Wisconsin- 6'4 246lbs, 2015 stats: 66 TKL (31 solo) 14 TFL 8 SCK 8 QBH

Biegel is a legit high round prospect who has experience playing in a 3-4 defense. Although Biegel's departed NFL counterpart, Joel Schobert, recorded better statistics last year Biegel is the more well-rounded NFL prospect. Biegel plays with a motor similar to Clay Matthews. He does a great job chasing down run plays from the back side, is strong at the point of attack, and can get to the quarterback in a variety of ways. He'll be asked to be one of the leaders on this defense and has to be one of the better playmakers in the country for the Badgers to be competitive in the Big10.

Corey Clement, RB, Wisconsin- 5'11 219lbs, 2015 stats: 221 YDS 4.6 AVG 5 TD rushing, 2 REC 19 YDS 9.5 AVG receiving

Clement has a lot to prove coming back for his senior season. After missing almost all of last season with a sports hernia the Badgers will be relying on him to return to form from his sophomore year and carry the offense. While Clement doesn't have elite athleticism he runs really well behind his pads, has good vision, and does a nice job setting up his blockers and being patient. Clement has good hands out of the backfield but will need to work on his pass protection. Right now Clement looks like a middle round draft prospect.

NFL Categories: 
0 points
 

Comments (1)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
Colin_C's picture

September 03, 2016 at 12:53 am

I've been following some of the guys we could draft next year pretty closely, and here are few I'm really high on.

RB- I honestly don't see Lacy back next year, due to the absolute wealth of RB's. Fournette, Cook, McCaffery, Chubb, Perine, and Freeman all could get 1st round grades. Of the group, the Sooner Samaje Perine is by far my favorite. He's a beast of a man, but has great agility for his size, plus decent speed. Besides all that, he's tough as nails, and a great young man. I really hope we draft him!
WR- USC's Juju Smith-Schuster. In my opinion, this guy is the best WR in next years draft. He looks like he could be Nelson's replacement.
G- Not glamorous, but we will have a definite need there. Dan Feeney of Indiana is as good as they come. He would be a great addition.
CB- While we've got great depth here, you can never have too many shutdown corners. Perhaps my favorite player in the draft next year is Desmond King. He's just a flat out outstanding ball player. Plus, we seem to have good luck with guys from Iowa.
DT- Jonathan Allen of 'Bama seems like the kind of guy Ted would love.
EDGE- Say hello to Peppers replacement. MU's Taco Charlton is build just like him, and though inconsistent last season, shows flashes of superstardom. Also watch Alabama's Tim Williams. He's set to tear it up this year.
TE- Jake Butt and under-the-radar Jeremy Sprinkle are both set for big years, and look to be dynamic Tight Ends.

There's plenty more to chose from, but these are a few I'll be watching this weekend. Go Bucky!

0 points
0
0