The 2021 NFL Draft is less than three weeks away. With the Green Bay Packers not making many moves in this year’s free agency, they still have a lot of holes to fill. If they are going to fill those holes, it will have to take place during the NFL draft. Today, we talk to Daniel Parlegreco of DTP Draft Scout to take a look at the 2021 Green Bay Packers draft.
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Insight on Possible Green Bay Packers Draft Picks from Daniel Parlegreco
It has become an annual tradition to discuss the Packers draft with Parlegreco. His draft guide has become our go-to guide on everything about the NFL draft.
Recently, we had a chance to pick the brain of Daniel and discuss what the 2021 Packers draft might look like. Here are his insights on what Packers fans might expect from their favorite team.
LWOPF:
The Packers draft needs list seems to be a long one. With general manager Brian Gutekunst not choosing to utilize free agency much this off-season, the Packers draft will become essential to filling needs. Recently, we highlighted the top three draft needs for the Packers.
We listed offensive tackle as 1A and cornerback as 1B. However, most think the Packers will go cornerback in the first round. Which cornerback prospects do you believe will be available with the 29th pick? Which prospects would be the best fit for the Packers? Do you believe that Caleb Farley of Virginia Tech (with an injury concern) falls to the bottom of the first round?
DTP:
I think Farley could easily fall down the first round. If it were JUST the back issue, I think he likely wouldn’t. However, to go along with the back injury, he also suffered a significant non-contact ACL injury a couple of years ago. That might cause some scouts to believe he is injury prone.
A couple of other names to watch are Jaycee Horn of South Carolina and Northwestern’s Greg Newsome II. Both are getting a lot of first-round buzz. I consider both excellent athletes and both would be good fits for the Packers secondary.
LWOPF:
If our prediction is correct, and the Packers draft plays out that they wait until the second round to grab a cornerback, do you believe any quality cornerback prospects will be available with the Packers 62nd pick?
DTP:
Absolutely. There’s a ton of cornerback depth in this draft class. Players like Washington’s Elijah Molden (a slot corner), Georgia’s Tyson Campbell (a long and rangy outside corner), and Stanford’s Paulson Adebo (outside corner) all should go somewhere around then. All excellent prospects and offer completely different traits.
LWOPF:
Another Packers draft need appears to be a young swing offensive tackle. Right now, they don’t have an offensive tackle who can backup left and right tackle. If the Packers go offensive tackle with their first pick, who might be available? How about prospects in the second round?
DTP:
The offensive tackles are very good this year. I could see Rashawn Slater of Northwestern, Christian Darrisaw of Virginia Tech, and Penei Sewell of Oregon all going in the top 20.
If that’s the case, Alex Leatherwood from Alabama would be a very good pick. I could see him possibly being there. If he’s not there, the only other prospect I would consider in the first round would be Samuel Cosmi from Texas. He’s a very good athlete and is very intelligent.
On day two, I would target Teven Jenkins from Oklahoma State or Jackson Cosmi from Clemson.
LWOPF:
The interior of the Packers defensive line could use some talent. They have Kenny Clark and they are also high on Kingsley Keke. But they could use someone that could take the place of Dean Lowry who has been disappointing since signing a big contract in 2019. You have any players Packers fans should keep an eye on in the third or fourth round for the Packers draft?
DTP:
A guy I’m much higher on than most is Marvin Wilson from Florida State. He should go somewhere on day two. He’s had some injury concerns throughout his career but he provides all the leadership qualities you’d want for a defensive lineman. He’s a disruptor that will give some pass rush on all three downs.
Tedarrell Slaton from Florida and Jay Tufele from USC are two other names to keep an eye on. They are more big-nose tackle run stuffers. Tufele îs one of the most powerful interior players in the draft. He’ll continually take on double teams and open up opportunities for others.
LWOPF:
Packers fans have been clamoring for a high-round wide receiver draft pick to pair with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. However, we don’t think that will happen once again in this year’s draft. With that said, we believe they might target someone in the mid to late rounds.
Do you have some prospects that could be found in those rounds? There are two prospects that have caught our eye.
In the mid-rounds, Wake Forest’s Sage Surratt, in the late rounds, TCU’s JD Spielman. Surratt seems like the type of wide receiver that would fit with the Packers. Spielman would seem perfect for the return game and in the slot. Your thoughts on them?
DTP:
Surratt is a heck of a prospect. He’s one of the most well-rounded and all-around receivers in this draft class. He can be used in a variety of different ways and line up at any of the receiver positions.
Spielman is a good player that is very slippery and a shifty route runner but he’s very undersized. Rico Bussey from North Texas and Warren Jackson from Colorado State are two guys I love that will be available on Day three likely. Completely different types of receivers.
LWOPF:
The Packers have a new defensive coordinator in Joe Barry. Right or wrong, he has been given credit for developing late-round or even undrafted players at inside linebacker. Any late-round prospects at inside linebacker the Packers might target?
DTP:
KJ Britt from Auburn is a tough-nosed and violent thumper that will be available. He is also a good special teams player. Nate Landman from Colorado is another guy who I really like. Longer and rangier that will play with a relentless motor.
LWOPF:
Finally, Daniel, we want to know your prediction. Who will the Packers take with their first pick? Try to sell our readers why you think they will target that player and be a solid addition to the Packers draft class.
DTP:
I think the Packers will do everything possible to give Rodgers one more chance and make sure the offensive line and receiving corp are fully stocked. That’s why I think the Packers will select Alex Leatherwood from Alabama. He’s an athletic and experienced lineman that can play anywhere in a pinch. He’ll make the Packers offensive line significantly better. The question is, does he last this long in the draft?
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