This is the time of year that NFL fans can’t get enough NFL Draft news. Fans are scouring the internet to find out which NFL prospect might be selected by their favorite team. There are a lot of so-called “experts” spewing nonsense about their “big boards”. While some are frauds, there are some that actually know what they are talking about. Today, we talk to one of them that knows his stuff. Today, we break down options for the Green Bay Packers draft with Daniel Parlegreco of DTP Draft Scout.
Exploring the Green Bay Packers Draft Options with Daniel Parlegreco of DTP Draft Scout
This will be our sixth year talking Green Bay Packers draft with Daniel Parlegreco off DTP Draft Scout. On sale now is Parlegreco’s draft guide, a must-own for NFL Draft fans.
We had the pleasure of sitting down and discussing possible prospects for the Green Bay Packers draft. In our discussion, we highlighted certain positions that the Packers might address in this year’s draft. Parlegreco gives some great insight into what Packers fans might expect during this year’s NFL Draft.
LWOPF:
There is a strong chance that the Packers might finally select a wide receiver in the first round. Jaxon Smith Njigba and Quentin Johnston appear to be the top wide receivers in this year’s draft. Which one do you have as the top wide receiver? Do you believe either will be available when the Packers select at 15?
DTP:
While I do like both, Johnston is the better all-around talent who has proven it longer at the college level. Smith-Njigba has had one solid year of college production and that is when he was the third receiving option for the Buckeyes. While he has freakish tools, he still is raw and will need additional development. Johnston is NFL-ready and carries more defined traits to be a definite number-one receiver for a team.
LWOPF:
A lot has been made of this year’s group of tight ends and the depth they provide. Which tight end do you have as the top prospect? Do you feel that a tight end is worthy of a first-round pick? If the Packers wait to select one in the second round, which prospect, who is still available, might be a good fit?
DTP:
There is only one in my opinion that is worthy of a true first-round pick and that is Michael Mayer. The guy does it all and while he isn’t an overly enticing athlete, he just gets the job done. He can create laterally and separately consistently and he is a solid blocker. He has a lot of Jason Witten traits in his game. Darnell Washington, Luke Musgrave, and Dalton Kincaid are all worth looking at early in the 2nd round. They all have starting qualities to their game but aren’t quite as refined as Mayer.
LWOPF:
EDGE pass rusher depth is something the Packers will need to address in this year’s draft. It appears the top pass rushers will be gone by the time the Packers pick at 15. So they might have to wait until the second or third round to address it. Which prospects do you feel would be worth a look at in the second and third rounds?
DTP:
The top pass rushers generally go early, and in many cases are over-drafted. Good value can be had in this draft in the second and third rounds for the Packers. Guys I’d like to see if they drop would be Luka Van Ness, who is a physical and raw left-sided defensive end who has significant room for growth. I really appreciate Isaiah Foskey from Notre Dame as well, who will immediately be an effective third-down pass rusher. Zach Harrison from the Buckeyes is an interesting guy too, who has traits, but just hasn’t quite lived up to his high school former five-star billing yet.
LWOPF:
The safety prospects seem to be unique in this year’s draft. Brian Branch appears to be the top safety, but many believe he is really a nickel back. The Packers need help at safety. Do you consider Branch a true safety? Who do you have as some other top safety prospects?
DTP:
Branch is more than a safety, he’s truly a do-everything defensive back. He could play all the positions that safety requires, but he excels closer to the line of scrimmage. The guy has outstanding explosiveness and football brains, allowing him to always be around the football. If you’re looking for a deeper playing coverage safety, I’d look at Antonio Johnson from Texas A&M or Christopher Smith from Georgia. Both of these guys are incredibly versatile as well but coverage is their best attribute.
LWOPF:
There is a good chance that Aaron Jones might be playing his last season as a Packer. They have AJ Dillon backing him up and most likely will make him the starter if/when Jones departs. Who might be some solid late-round running backs the Packers might look at to develop as the future number two running back?
DTP:
I love the running backs in this draft class, and it’s usually a position I recommend drafting in the mid to later parts of the draft. A few of my favorites that have bonafide potential to be number 2’s for a team are Chris Rodriguez Jr from Kentucky, Deuce Vaughn from Kansas State, and Eric Gray from Oklahoma. These guys all have enticing traits and can immediately offer you’re offense some enticing tools.
LWOPF:
Okay, the final two questions aren’t position specific, choose whomever you want. Who is a sleeper that Packers fans should be aware of in this draft?
DTP:
I love tight-end Tucker Kraft from South Dakota State. The guy would have likely been a first-round pick if he followed up on his 2022 season production. But he struggled with injuries in 2023. A close second for me is Aubrey Miller Jr from Jackson State. A former four-star recruit, Miller has dominated at linebacker in the FCS the last two seasons for Jackson State.
LWOPF:
Who is the most overrated prospect in this year’s draft?
DTP:
There’s a lot in my eyes. I’d go with Jalin Hyatt if I had to say one off the top of my head. I like him, but he’s the definition of a one-trick pony. Almost all of his production and highlight plays are running past inferior athletes that didn’t challenge him at the line of scrimmage.
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