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

I unfortunately missed last week's Pick-6 due to having family in town but it was a great weekend for college football. The Badgers hung tough with Michigan in the Big House and Clemson snuck one out against Louisville in Death Valley. This week features a couple of match-ups that should be entertaining as well. I'm going to identify some prospects from an ACC matchup, one with plenty of playmakers that should entice the Packers come May.

North Carolina vs Virginia Tech Saturday September 8, 2:30PM, on ABC, Kenan Memorial Stadium, Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Elijah Hood, RB, North Carolina- 6' 220lbs 2015 stats: 1463 YDS 6.7 AVG 17 TD, 13 REC 71 YD 5.5 AVG receiving

Hood is a bit of an under the radar running back overshadowed by the big names in this draft class but is very talented. After averaging almost seven yards per carry last year he's off to a bit slower start this season averaging five yards per attempt. Hood has great filed vision, runs with good pad level and can rip off long runs. He is a freak in the weight room benching over 375lbs and squatting over 635lbs. He needs to step up in the later portion of the season if he wants to be selected on day two, as of right now his teammate TJ Logan is looking like a more explosive back. 

Jonathan "Bug" Howard, WR, North Carolina- 6'5 210lbs 2015 stats: 29 REC 488 YDS 16.8 AVG 4 TD

Bug Howard along with Mack Hollins combine to form one of the best outside receiving tandems in the country. At 6'5 Bug excels at high pointing the football and coming down with contested catches. Howard's biggest asset is being a red zone monster. He has four touchdown catches already this year including the game winner on a jump ball to beat Pittsburgh. Howard isn't the most explosive athlete or route runner but he wins in similar ways that Plaxico Buress used to win. Right now Howard is a middle to late round draft pick, teams will covet his size.

Ryan Switzer, WR, North Carolina- 5'10 185lbs 2015 stats: 55 REC 697 YDS 12.7 AVG 6 TD receiving, 13.7 PR AVG 2 PR TD

The Packers have plenty of slot receivers on their roster but Switzer is one of the best in the country. He's averaging over nine catches a game and nearly 118 yards per contest. Switzer is eerily simliar to Wes Welker and Julian Edelman, and not just just because of their skin tone. He runs crisp routes, and can explode out of his breaks stopping and accelerating in a blink of an eye. Switzer will more than likely be a day two pick for a team needing a go-to slot receiver.

Nazair Jones, DT, North Carolina- 6'5 295lbs 2015 stats: 40 TKL (19 solo) 4 TFL 1 INT 1 FF 3 PBU

Jones isn't talked about much in the media but when you turn on UNC's defense he stands out. He has great size for a 5 tech 3-4 defensive end and plays with an incredible motor. You can see him chase plays downfield and never give up on plays going away from him. He's sturdy at the point of attack but needs to improve on being a disruptor in the backfield. Jones is too often content standing at the line of scrimmage, but he does do a nice job making sure his gaps are filled.

Isiah Ford, WR, Virginia Tech- 6'2 190lbs 2015 stats: 75 REC 1164 YDS 15.5 AVG 11 TD receiving, 51 YDS 7.3 AVG rushing

Of all the wide receivers who could potentially declare for this draft class to me Isiah Ford feels like he'd be one of the best fits for the Packers offense. Ford has feasted the last few years on ACC defensive backs. He has the ability to stretch the field vertically as well as take screen sot the house. One of Ford's best attributes is his ability to high point the ball, particularly on back shoulder fades down the sidelines. Ford looks to be a day two prospect but could see his stock rise into the first round.

Bucky Hodes, WR/TE, Virginia Tech- 6'7 245lbs 2015 stats: 40 REC 530 YDS 13.3 AVG 6 TD receiving, 27 YDS 5.4 AVG 1 TD rushing

Hodges was a four star recruit at quarterback coming out of high school and has taken to transitioning to receiver really well. Last season he was primarily a tight end in the Hookie offense serving as a pass catching compliment to Ryan Malleck. This season playing mostly as a wide receiver has seen dip in his production. He is obviously a mismatch for opposing cornerbacks with his height but hasn't see him fully use his abilities. I think a team drafting Hodges in the early rounds would like to move him back to tight end and be a red zone weapon opposing defenses would have to prepare for.

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Comments (5)

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EdsLaces's picture

October 07, 2016 at 06:12 pm

Every single time I see a post about our prospects I am gonna comment the same name. McCaffrey....We need him on our team....I want him on our team...face it ...it's happening.

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DanDahlke's picture

October 07, 2016 at 06:26 pm

Virginia Tech CB Brandon Facyson is also a very good prospect in this game.

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rdent's picture

October 09, 2016 at 10:56 am

Just window shopping here

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