Analyzing the NFL Draft has become a popular pastime for many NFL Draft fans. Many of these so-called “draft analysts” come out of the woodwork to give you their “NFL Big Boards” and tell you about their RB1 and QB2 prospects. Those analysts have about as much right talking about the NFL as any standard NFL fan. But there are some solid experts. Those who pour over hours of college game film and study the outputs of prospects from the NFL Combine. One of those types of analysts is Daniel Parlegreco of DTP Draft Scout. Today, he gives his take on this year’s Green Bay Packers draft.
Analyzing Draft Prospects: Green Bay Packers Draft with DTP NFL Draft Scout
Daniel Parlegreco studies the NFL Draft year-round. He breaks down hundreds of would-be NFL players and gives detailed insight on how each player can help an NFL team. His breakdowns are available for all NFL fans in his NFL Draft guide that is currently on sale.
LWOPF was able to sit down and discuss this year’s group of NFL prospects who will be available in this year’s NFL Draft. Specifically, it was discussed which prospects could be a part of the Green Bay Packers draft class.
LWOPF:
The Packers find themselves in a terrible situation when it comes to the wide receiver position. They traded the NFL’s best wide receiver, Davante Adams, and currently, don’t have a wide receiver that can be highly productive on a game-to-game basis. The hole was created by Brian Gutekunst failing to address the position in recent drafts. With that said, the Packers have two first-round picks (22nd and 28th), it appears that they will use at least one on a wide receiver. Which prospects do you believe would be available at either of those picks? Which ones would be a fit for the Packers? Do you believe Chris Olave, who has been frequently linked to the Packers, will be there when the Packers are on the clock?
DTP:
I’m generally not one for predictions as far as who will be there, especially with the wide receiver position. As we know, teams are all over the place with wide receivers as far as how they stack them on their board. It’s very possible Olave will be there and he’d be a great pick. Aaron Rodgers will love the speed and precision at which he runs his routes. He’ll be a reliable target and always be at the right place at the right time. I personally love Treylon Burks as well. He’s a little more similar to Adams as far as size and power go. If he’s there, I believe the Packers should take him.
LWOPF:
Staying with the wide receiver position, there is a chance, although a slight one, that Gutekunst might select two wide receivers, one in the first and another in the second. Which prospects do you believe will be around in the second and would be a good fit playing in Matt LaFleur’s offense?
DTP:
I love the idea of Cincinnati’s Alec Pierce playing in the Green Bay Packers offense. He’s a big and powerful wide receiver who can help fill the role Adams held. He’s an excellent jump ball catcher and will constantly adjust and make plays, with very very few drops on his resume. I also love small school prospect Skyy Moore. The kid just makes plays every time he’s on the football field and can be a nice versatile prospect for the Packers.
LWOPF:
Another intriguing position the Packers need depth at is EDGE pass rusher. It seems that the depth at EDGE isn’t nearly as deep as in years past, please tell me if that is wrong. A frequent name linked to the Packers is Boye Mafe from Minnesota. Is he worth a first-round pick? Any prospects that will be available in the second round that it would be worth the Packers taking?
DTP:
I personally think a first-round pick is too rich for Mafe. There’s no denying the talent and potential the player has, but he’s not an immediate day one starter for me. He’s a liability against the run and needs to learn how to fully maximize the physical tools he has. I love Arnold Ebiketie if he’s available. He has the pass rush ability, length, and tools to be an immediate pass-rushing phenom. He needs to get better as a run-stuffer as well, but his success at Penn State should translate nicely.
LWOPF:
In a recent post, we discussed the need for the Packers to find some help on the interior defensive line to play next to standout Kenny Clark. The highest that Gutekunst has ever addressed the position has been in the fifth round. The results of that decision haven’t been good. Which prospects between the first through the third round might be good prospects for the Packers?
DTP:
The two names you’ll likely hear are the two Georgia defensive tackles, Jordan Davis and Travon Walker. Different types of players but both are worthy of first-round picks. I like DeMarvin Leal from Texas A&M quite a bit as well. His size and versatility allow him to play all over the defensive front and make plays in both areas of the game. A guy in the second or third round that will be popular is Travis Jones from Connecticut. The kid is a monster and can play at NT or as a one-gap penetrator.
LWOPF:
One area that Gutekunst and his staff have thrived at selecting is the offensive line. Even with that, the Packers need some depth, especially at right tackle. It seems that they will address the position during the third through seven rounds. Any prospects you believe, during that span, might be worth a look?
DTP:
As you know, drafting offensive tackles in the mid-rounds is a complete roll of the dice proposition. Guys that are that big and talented go early. A few guys that could be interesting as developmental players are Abraham Lucas, Dare Rosenthal, Bernhard Raimann, and Myron Cunningham. Each one of them has an intriguing game tape.
LWOPF:
Gutekunst hit the jackpot by signing inside linebacker De’Vondre Campbell in free agency last off-season. He was re-signed and he earned every penny of his new contract. Even with Campbell returning, it seems that the Packers need inside linebacker help. Right now, the other starter would be Krys Barnes, who is at best average. Several years ago, Gutekunst spent a third-round pick on Oren Burks and he turned out to be a huge bust. It seems that they need help there, possibly in the second or third round. Wyoming’s Chad Mumma seems like he would be a good fit. Who do you think would be a good pick in the second, third, or even fourth round?
DTP:
I love Chad Muma. Instinctually and schematically he’s incredibly versatile. He always finds the football and would be a great late Day two pick. I like Brian Asamoah II from Oklahoma a little bit later. He’s an excellent athlete that can make plays sideline-to-sideline but needs to get a bit stronger.
LWOPF:
As all Packers fans know, special teams in 2021 were a dumpster fire. In fact, it can be argued that it cost them the season. With a new special teams coordinator in place, it seems that Matt LaFleur is finally going to put an emphasis on special teams. Are there some punt and kickoff returner prospects that Packers fans should know about? How about safeties and linebackers who could be core special team players?
DTP:
Velus Jones Jr from Tennessee will be the popular pick for teams in search of a returner. His combine and good Senior Bowl week will likely cause him to get drafted higher than his tape suggest he should. But he’s a dynamic return specialist. Britain Covey from Utah is another receiver who has been a great return guy. He had five return touchdowns during his college career. For special teams, D’Marco Jackson from App State is awesome. He loves and takes special teams personally. He’s a thumper that can contribute as an outside linebacker as well. Grant Morgan from Arkansas is a big and physical kid that loves special teams as well. I love the fit of Nick Grant, safety from Virginia, as an all-around special teams guy too. He played on all the units at Virginia.
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