Packers 2021 NFL Draft Day 2 Targets
The Green Bay Packers have a lot of flexibility entering Day 2 of the 2021 NFL Draft, which means we have a number of prospects to keep our eyes on.
By Paul_Bretl
Offensive Line
Wide Receiver
Cornerback
Defensive Line
Safety
Linebacker
Edge
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Born and raised in Green Bay, WI and I still call it home. After my family, watching the Packers, sharing my opinions on the team through my writing and interacting with other fans is my greatest passion. You can find me on Twitter at @Paul_Bretl.
Comments (41)
Coldworld
April 30, 2021 at 12:26 pm
Strategy should be the same. Contribution now with upside. Let the draft come to us. Prohibitively expensive in terms of picks to get into the top 10 still and there is going to be WR or OT talent worth taking when we pick. That pick shapes the third round. I’d be looking for whichever of OT/WR we did not address plus another DB.
That sets up day 3 for run stopper first DTs in the 4th, and an option plus role playing and developmental depth (one of which should be a LB and another a WR in my view (2 or 3 in total depending on if the option/returner is classed as a WR). All should be ST candidates with potential.
Then it’s UDFA fest.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
April 30, 2021 at 01:52 pm
Cold,
100% in agreement! Good analysis
stockholder
April 30, 2021 at 12:32 pm
Today Gute will trade up. I felt this is what he had to do. (To Get two good players.) Gute has won your hearts. So throw a dart.
packer132
April 30, 2021 at 01:27 pm
Stockholder: I agree with that. Lots of good players still left, and Packers should come away with guys who can contribute.
frankthefork
April 30, 2021 at 12:39 pm
Nice job Paul. At 62 LB Browning would be a huge upgrade to>(replace) Summers, Ramsey, Burks and Barnes, and will expect to start next to Martin. Tons of talent in round 3 that I wish we had 3 picks. 92 Collins WR > ESB or Jordan TE(not a need) > Sternberger/Lewis or Christensen OT > Turner/Wagner
89Chewy
April 30, 2021 at 02:32 pm
This is why i always wish we had three picks in the 2nd round. I've always felt if you aren't in the top 10, then i'd rather have three 2nd rounders, because there is so much talent in the second. Even if we had another 3rd, we could take care of our major needs at wr, ol, and dl.
Coldworld
April 30, 2021 at 02:37 pm
If we are to trade up at all, for me the optimal place will be the 3rd or early 4th rounds (depending on how things run today). There’s a lot of talent today that I don’t see as vastly differentiated till late 3rd maybe early 4th. I don’t think the cost to jump early in the second is warranted.
Razer
April 30, 2021 at 12:38 pm
Great information Paul but what about the Aaron Rodgers universe? :o)
frankthefork
April 30, 2021 at 12:45 pm
Point taken. Contingency plans call for assumptions that come June 1st Mr MVP is a Packer for more years. But Mr irrelevant maybe relevant and at pick 256 GB takes a QB like Book, Costello or Ellinger.
splitpea1
April 30, 2021 at 12:53 pm
Elijah Moore: It's time to make an exception to those height/weight thresholds. Tyreek Hill is of similar size and stature and he's only made the Pro Bowl five times. Like the ILB position, maybe this is an area where it would benefit the Packers' decision makers to be more open-minded.
Brady Christensen: At first I was taken aback by his age, but after doing a little more research in responding to a comment, I warmed up to the idea of taking him. He'll have to put on weight and add strength, though.
Jevon Holland: As I've stated numerous times, I would LOVE to have him. He would make our secondary top-notch and could really help us on special teams. I would be surprised if Gute took him, but I'm not giving up hope.
Since'61
April 30, 2021 at 12:44 pm
I’m not sure of their names but I would take a WR and a DL today. If no DL is worth selecting today then my alternative would be an OT. Thanks, Since ‘61
stockholder
April 30, 2021 at 02:10 pm
Rodgers wanting a trade, changed everything. Throw a dart.
dobber
April 30, 2021 at 02:31 pm
"I’m not sure of their names but I would take a WR and a DL today"
I think it's "Champ" and "Sport".
PatrickGB
April 30, 2021 at 12:49 pm
I hope that if the players above are still available in the middle of the second round Gutie trades up. I predict that it’s an OT. Yet, I could also see Nico Collins if the team stays put or doesn’t move up much.
Again, I am one of those fans who would love a great starter on the defensive line but most pundits don’t see much value there at the end of the second round. But then what do I know?
Thegreatreynoldo
April 30, 2021 at 12:50 pm
Using the Jimmy Johnson trade chart:
62 to 48 takes GB's third-round pick (#92).
62 to 54 takes both of GB's 4th round picks.
62 to 58 takes GB's 4th rounder (135 or 142).
92 to 84 takes 1 of GB's 4th rounders.
I think a whole lot of names in the article's list will be gone prior to 48 but quite a few won't be. Some prior to 54. Who knows if the trade chart is accurate.
greengold
April 30, 2021 at 01:31 pm
Yeah, the cost remains steep up here. My guess is Gutekunst - if he makes a trade - bounces up into R3 for another there with Day 3 picks. There's always some squirrely shit that happens starting tonight, and good players drop or don't get picked.
I think with what has transpired we may want to sit tight and let the rest of the draft come to us. There are indeed a ton of great talents left, in every round. I know after researching these players as far back as 300 or more. My favorite is an OT with 35 1/2" arms.... too funny.
Pretty amazing looking back in Packers draft history at some of the talents from Day 3:
R4
Bakhtiari
Jamaal Williams
JC Tretter
Mike Daniels
TJ Lang
Josh Sitton
R5
MVS
Aaron Jones
Corey Linsley
Micah Hyde
Marshall Newhouse
Breno Giacomini
R6
EQ
James Starks
Mason Crosby
Makes me a bit reluctant to trade away. Never know what you're trading away until a year or two down the road. I believe 7 of those players won Super Bowl rings...
jeremyjjbrown
April 30, 2021 at 02:44 pm
"bounces up into R3 for another there with Day 3 picks"
I've never seen a chart that makes it likely that a team at the back of the rounds can get a good day 2 pick by giving up day 3 picks. The Packers could possibly get into the very end of the 3rd round by giving up both their 4th round picks and one of the 5ths. As much as I'd like getting a 3rd pick on day 2 it seams unlikely.
greengold
April 30, 2021 at 03:19 pm
There are going to be great players in the 4th Round. Not necessarily all just in the top. There are gems in R5, R6, R7....
In light of what just happened, I don't see they must do anything but make their entire roster better. There are players I covet for the Packers in every round, with skills we really do need, and could stand to land for development. There are players I love in R6-7 who could probably be put into service immediately at important positions if called upon, where we need quality depth. Super gifted talents with unique attributes and the stats to back it up.
I wouldn't mind ditching some non-contributors too from our current roster. There are many positions that could be upgraded with the right picks. Trading two picks here, and two picks there, and next thing you know, Ty Summers is back on our coverage units... yeesh!
Coldworld
April 30, 2021 at 06:53 pm
I’d trade Lowry for a 3rd or 4th rounder. Any takers?
PatrickGB
April 30, 2021 at 01:26 pm
So it’s doable. Now let’s find a partner.
splitpea1
April 30, 2021 at 03:20 pm
Jimmy's trade chart looks awfully expensive. Moving up eight spots in the late second round costs both fourth-rounders? No thank you!
Leatherhead
April 30, 2021 at 01:30 pm
Maybe Denver will draft a guy we want.
dobber
April 30, 2021 at 02:20 pm
Winner!!!
greengold
April 30, 2021 at 01:32 pm
Now you're speakin' my language, Leatherhead!!!! Ha!!!!! Too good....
blondy45
April 30, 2021 at 01:49 pm
I think Paul did a great job of identifying the top talent available on the second day. My likes are: S Trevon Moehrig, LB JOK, WR Terrence Marshall, CB Aaron Robinson, OT Samuel Cosi, OT Liam Eichenberg, DL Levi Onwuzurike, CB Ikeatu Melifonwu, WR Amon St Brown, OT Jackson Carmen, WR Nico Collins, LB Pete Werner, DL Alim McNeill. This is just for the record but what do I know? Do not trade out of 62 pick, afterwards is fair game.
My favorite realistic picks without trading up before 62 are: DL Levi Onwuzurike or CB Ifeatu Melifonwu.
Without trading up for 92 pick: DL Alim McNeill, OT Jackson Carman. I am not Gute but I trust in his skills. Go Pack Go.
As thegreatreynoldo has shown, a trade for picks 48 - 58 removes prime picks in the 3rd to 4th rounds. Our draft strength is in its draft numbers. As is the case in every round, there will be talent to pick from. Gute just has to pick the best one for the Pack. Hold your water Gute!
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
April 30, 2021 at 02:04 pm
I'm hoping Gutey just stays put. Packers need as many players and picks as they can this year. One of those top OT's or slot receivers that are still available would look nice though in a Packer jersey.
Thegreatreynoldo
May 01, 2021 at 01:54 am
Not my intent: just crunching numbers to see what's possible.
GB moved up from 92 to 85 with their 4th rounder - I wrote 84th. Close enough.
Swisch
April 30, 2021 at 02:11 pm
Whether it's Rodgers or Love as quarterbacks, just draft good players.
I know it sounds simple, but sometimes we need to remind ourselves to keep it simple (silly).
Whoever the QB, we need to block for him, take handoffs from him, get open for passes from him -- and we need a defense to get him back on the field for more scoring drives.
Still hoping to get a gadgety slot guy who can move like a lightning flash to electrify teammates and fans. To win a Super Bowl, we need the fundamentals in football, but we also need the fun.
The fundamentals open the opportunities, the fun gets us over the goal line.
Packer_Fan
April 30, 2021 at 02:17 pm
I am going with my same predictions. Two CB, two WR and two OT. Then an ILB and a DL. I thought the CB would go high and expect to replace King or Sullivan by years end. The WR position needs to be replenish as does the OT position. I believe there is a good chance to see a OT, ILB or DL taken in rounds two and three.
Packer_Fan
April 30, 2021 at 02:17 pm
I am going with my same predictions. Two CB, two WR and two OT. Then an ILB and a DL. I thought the CB would go high and expect to replace King or Sullivan by years end. The WR position needs to be replenish as does the OT position. I believe there is a good chance to see a OT, ILB or DL taken in rounds two and three.
ricky
April 30, 2021 at 02:22 pm
When Denver trades for Rodgers (details pending), but expect Surtain and Locker to be part of the package, possibly with another player- DL sounds good- and some draft picks. Because I really and truly believe he is gone. Why else would a QB needy team with good prospects on the board go for a DB- a need for GB? Can't happen because of the cap implications? Teams make this work all the time. As far as Gutekunst saying Rodgers is going to be around, sure, and the check is in the mail. The meeting with team brass and Rodgers was his ultimatum- trade me or else. And the leak just before the draft was pure genius strategy on his part, putting pressure on the team to do what he wants, not vice-versa.
dobber
April 30, 2021 at 02:28 pm
This is starting to sound like that guy in your fantasy league who offers you two kickers, Mitchell Trubisky, and a six-pack of Blatz for Patrick Mahomes.
The_Justicar
April 30, 2021 at 03:13 pm
Throw in a ham sandwich and you have a deal!
Gravedigger93
April 30, 2021 at 03:23 pm
You had me at a six-pack of Blatz....
Coldworld
April 30, 2021 at 02:45 pm
You sound like you were there from your insider perspective of the significance.
blacke00
April 30, 2021 at 02:31 pm
I think today will be telling as where the Packers think they are regarding the RT position. If they don't draft one it's very possible they think they have that guy on their Roster now. They may still draft one he won't be a day one starter (unless they are very lucky)
No more CBs in the early rounds! Go get a LB, Dl, or WR (which ever in the next 2 rounds)
I'm not sure that draft value chart is all that reliable.
Which position is going to get the multiple selection award? My bet is WR with DL a close second.
dobber
April 30, 2021 at 02:36 pm
Wholeheartedly agree on the OT: supposedly Bakhtiari is well ahead of schedule on his rehab, and if you're thinking you only have to do without him 'til Oct. 1, are you going to burn a 2nd on a swing tackle in a draft that's really deep at OT?
Leatherhead
April 30, 2021 at 04:23 pm
Regardless of who our QB is, he’ll have a better chance of succeeding if he is protected, has time, and can lean on a good run game. Draft blockers.
Taking a WR today is Detroit-level malfeasance.
Remember, if all this Rodgers to Denver stuff is true, they might be drafting for us. Maybe we got two DBs in the first round yesterday......
dobber
April 30, 2021 at 07:11 pm
"Detroit-level-malfeasance" was my AOL screen name.
Gman1976
April 30, 2021 at 05:08 pm
This was a good read Paul. If my count is correct, you listed 40 players. If one is making Gute drool, he’s trading up. I hope it’s Barmore. We are just a few players away from a dominant defense. Then we need another OL or two, and then we will be all in.
Archie
May 01, 2021 at 03:38 am
Gute continued to draft for need on day 2. On the bright side, looks like he brought in three high character guys that will contribute sooner rather than later. However, w/o a field general, will it matter? With Rodgers likely gone, it may be time to offer the Lions a low pick to reacquire Tim Boyle. It's that or throw Love into the fire.