Seven Round Packers Mock Draft

Every year for the previous three years I’ve done a Packers-specific seven-round mock draft.

Yes, I already took part in a mock draft as part of #MockThree, but that didn’t take into account who I think will be available in each round, plus I didn’t want to break the streak.

I’ve never been very accurate with these mock drafts. I don’t think anyone has.

I remember that my own personal biggest claim to fame is that I thought the Packers would take running back Chris Johnson in the second round of 2008. I severely underestimated his value but am proud I thought so highly of him.

My next closest “hit” was on running back Tyrell Sutton in 2009. I predicted he’d go the Packers in the seventh round. Instead they signed him as a free agent. Like I said, not very accurate.

Without further ado…

• First round (32): Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA––I actually am in pretty close agreement with the #MockThree draft, at least one the players who will be off the board by the time the Packers select. I think the best player available will be Ayers. Sure, some have questioned his measurables, 40 time, etc., but remember that every player has some flaw. Ayers is a football player. He’s played on the left side, right side, blitzed from the middle. And he seems equally adept against the run, rushing the passer and dropping into coverage. I like a lot of the offensive linemen in this year’s draft class who are predicted to go in the first round (with the exception of Nate Solder), but I think they’ll all be gone by no. 32. So the Packers go with Ayers and get the second-best linebacker in the draft.
• Second round (64): John Moffitt, OL, Wisconsin––There’s a reason Wisconsin was Big Ten champions this year. Moffitt was a big part of that reason. He flat out dominated defenders in both the passing game and the running game and was named an Associated Press first-team All-American in the process. Some may question his athleticism, but he got a ton of experience playing in space in the Badgers’ offense by pulling and trapping. His ability to play any of the three interior offensive line positions only help his value.
• Third round (96): Niles Paul, WR, Nebraska––His stock is boosted by the fact that he was an all-conference kick returner, which the Packers should be placing more stock into than usual. But he’s more than just a return specialist and shows promise as a wide receiver that can develop. He’ll be a kick returner along with being a fourth or fifth wide receiver his rookie year. He’ll later develop into a number two or three wide receiver later in his career.
• Fourth round A (129) Lawrence Guy, DL, Arizona State––As a junior entry, he hasn’t totally put together his game yet, but he seems to have the potential to do so. Would fit well into what the Packers ask their defensive linemen do in the 3-4.
• Fourth round B (131) Bilal Powell, RB, Louisville––Really snuck onto the scene as a senior, almost coming out of nowhere. Stories have him escaping the gang lifestyle in his younger years wanting to willfully improve his lot in life. Seems to be the prototypical back the Packers look for. Room for improvement.
• Fifth round (163) Chimdi Chekwa, CB, Ohio State––Great speed. He was a member of the Buckeyes’ conference champion 4X100 meter relay team. You wouldn’t expect a track guy like Chekwa would be a physical player, but he doesn’t seem to shy away from contact. He’s one of those reasons Ohio State has an elite defense year after year.
• Sixth round (197) Byron Bell, OT, New Mexico––Bell is athletic, but hasn’t put the full package together. As a sixth rounder, that would describe a lot of people drafted around him. He won’t be expected to contribute in his first year. The Packers can only hope he develops into the type of player they hope he can be in another year or two.
• Seventh round A (204) Josh Bynes, ILB, Auburn––Productive linebacker who’s always around the action, but he’s more of an in-the-box type of player. His speed is marginal at best, which makes it likely he’ll be coming off the field in subpackages. But his contributions to a national championship team shouldn’t be overlooked.
• Seventh round B (233) Ben Chappell, QB, Indiana––Not very mobile, but was productive in college. He completed over 62% of his passes in each of the past two years, a good but not great number. He worked on cutting down on his interceptions, which has value.