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Packers mock drafts: Two weeks until the NFL Draft
As the NFL Draft closes in the excitement and anticipation builds -- partly because we've been waiting over four months for the dang thing.
Wednesday's trade of the No. 1 overall pick by Tennessee to the L.A. Rams only heightened the process.
Of course, that deal probably won't affect the Green Bay Packers much -- especially in the first round (maybe in later rounds). Nevertheless, many experts put out new mocks following the trade. Not all did, but again, that deal shouldn't provide any domino effect for Green Bay at No. 27.
As usual, if we included a mock previously (some of the ones we had before have not been updated since), we'll also include the picks from that earlier mock draft (note: some mocks update often; we'll just include the pick we used). Not all mocks have updated since our last roundup, so if you are curious, click on the links off on the side for the previous mocks. We hope to do one more roundup either the day before or the day of the draft, which begins April 28. Be sure to check back with FOXSportsWisconsin.com for coverage of all of Green Bay's picks (as well as Wisconsin Badgers, if you are also a fan) and what the experts thought of them.
And now, here's the fifth look of who the prognosticators think Green Bay will take in the NFL Draft:
DraftTek (April 15): Round 1 -- Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama; Round 2 -- Kamalei Correa, OLB, Boise State; Round 3 -- Deion Jones, ILB, LSU; Round 4a -- Ben Braunecker, TE, Harvard; Round 4b -- Brendon Shell, OT, South Carolina; Round 4c -- Adam Gotsis, DE, Georgia Tech; Round 5 -- Kevin Byard, S, Middle Tennessee State; Round 6 -- David Morgan II, TE, UTSA; Round 7 -- Joe Thuney, G, North Carolina State. (Previously: Round 1 -- Emmanuel Ogbah, OLB, Oklahoma State; Round 2 -- Austin Hooper, TE, Stanford; Round 3 -- Dominique Alexander, ILB, Oklahoma; Round 4a -- Josh Tupou, DT, Colorado; Round 4b -- Romeo Akwara, DE, Notre Dame; Round 4c -- Fahn Cooper, OT, Ole Miss; Round 5 -- C.J. Prosise, RB, Notre Dame; Round 6 -- Caleb Benenoch, OT, UCLA; Round 7 -- Eric MacLain, G, Clemson.)
Walter Cherepinsky of WalterFootball.com (April 15): Round 1 -- Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech. "The need for a defensive lineman isn't exactly dire for the Packers, but it's an area that should be addressed now in the wake of B.J. Raji's unexpected retirement. The Packers do have a number of options at this spot, however, so I can almost guarantee that there will be a different selection here in the final edition of my mock draft."; Round 2 -- Hunter Henry, TE, Arkansas; Round 3 -- Joshua Perry, LB, Ohio State; Round 4a -- Willie Beavers, OT, Western Michigan; Round 4b -- Jordan Howard, DE/OLB, Indiana; Round 4c -- Tajae Sharpe, WR, UMass; Round 5 --Tyrone Holmes, DE/OLB, Montana. (Previously: Round 1 -- Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State.; Round 2 -- Austin Hooper, TE, Stanford; Round 3 -- Kenyan Drake, RB, Alabama; Round 4a -- Jerald Hawkins, OT, LSU; Round 4b -- Anthony Zettel DT/DE, Penn State; Round 4c -- Kenny Lawler, WR, California; Round 5 -- Travis Feeney, ILB, Washington.)
Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com (April 15): A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama.
Hunter Stewart of TheNewNFLDraft.com (April 15): Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State. (Previously: Ogbah.)
Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com (April 14): Andrew Billings, NT, Baylor. "The Packers need to replace B.J. Raji and Billings will be an upgrade." (Previously: Billings.)
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com (April 14): Hunter Henry, TE, Arkansas. "Henry is a combination tight end with outstanding hands and the ability to help out as an in-line blocker or as a go-to target on third downs. There are very few true tight ends in this class and Green Bay grabs the top tight end." (Previously: Henry.)
Rob Rang of NFLDraftScout.com (April 14): Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor. "The loss of starting nose guard B.J. Raji to a 'hiatus' creates quite literally a massive hole in the middle for the Packers. Stout, strong and surprisingly athletic, Billings would seem to be a logical replacement." (Previously: A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama.)
Dane Brugler of NFLDraftScout.com (April 14): Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama. "With B.J. Raji taking a hiatus this season, Reed is a plug-and-play nose tackle who offers versatility on the Packers defensive line." (Previously: Reed)
Eddie Brown of the San Diego Union-Tribune (April 14): Round 1 -- Will Jackson III, CB, Houston. "What is the Packers' under-the-radar need in this draft? Cornerback. Jackson possesses a good size/speed combination and represents the best value pick here."; Round 2 -- Kentrell Brothers, ILB, Missouri; Round 3 -- Kyle Murphy, OT, Stanford; Round 4a -- Kenyan Drake, RB, Alabama; Round 4b -- Roger Lewis, WR, Bowling Green; Round 4c -- Travis Feeney, OLB, Washington; Round 5 -- Temarrick Hemingway, TE, South Carolina State; Round 6 -- Tyrell Powell, S, Ohio State. (Previously: Round 1 -- Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA; Round 2 -- Dominque Alexander, ILB, Oklahoma; Round 3 -- Nick Vannett, TE, Ohio State; Round 4a -- Jihad Ward, DE, Illinois; Round 4b -- Charone Peake, WR, Clemson; Round 4c -- Eric Striker, OLB, Oklahoma; Round 5 -- Tyler Ervin, RB, San Jose State.)
Michael Schottey, Forbes (April 14): William Jackson III, CB, Houston. "Long with fantastic ball skills, Jackson is a small school prospect who ended up at Houston after a JUCO stint and isn't likely going toe-to-toe with the Alshon Jeffrey's of the world in Year 1. That said, the skills and natural talent are all there and the Packers' ability to groom players is second-to-none in today's NFL."
Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com (April 14): Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor. "Plug him and play him right away with B.J. Raji stepping away. You can never have too many big people." (Previously: Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama.)
Sam Monson and Steve Palazzolo of Pro Football Focus (April 14): Andrew Billings, NT, Baylor. "Green Bay's defensive line needs somebody to help defensive end Mike Daniels get the job done. Billings works well on the move and can be a disruptive presence for the Packers against both the run and pass in the middle of that line." (Previously: Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia.)
Mark Selig of the Baltimore Sun (April 14): Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama.
Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free-Press (April 14): Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech.
Will Brinson of CBSSports.com (April 14): Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville. "Potentially undersized as an NFL defensive lineman, Rankins is the type of explosive player who can provide value for the Packers when Ted Thompson nabs him late in the first round." (Previously: Andrew Billings, NT, Baylor.)
Nate Davis of USAToday.com (April 14): Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech. "The Pack were far more susceptible to the run than pass in 2015, allowing at least 100 rushing yards in their final six regular-season games. The massive Butler (6-4, 323) should help resolve the problem while allowing the team to move on from retired-for-now B.J. Raji." (Previously: Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson.)
Pete Fituak of collegefootballnews.com (April 14): Robert Nkemdiche, Mississippi. "Green Bay just doesn't really do free agency in a big way, but now it needs lots and lots of help on the defensive front. Nkemdiche might be a dangerous pick considering all the concerns, and he might not fit a Green Bay franchise that doesn't take risks on character, but there's too much upside not to take the shot." (Previously: Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor.)
Jared Dubin of CBSSports.com (April 14): Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA. "We've said it before and we'll say it a few more time between now and draft day: Green Bay's biggest weakness last season was run defense. Stick Clark in the middle and let him do his thing." (Previously: Clark.)
Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (April 14): Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama. "B.J. Raji is out, and Reed is in. A mammoth run defender, Reed shows remarkable movement skills for a 307-pounder." {Previously: Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia.)
Eric Edholm, Yahoo.com (April 14): A'Shawn Robinson, DE, Alabama. (Previously: Andrew Billings, NT, Baylor.)
Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News (April 14): Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA. "With B.J. Raji deciding to walk away, nose tackle is their best and only option here. There's been some fluctuation on who's the best guy to fill that need for any such 3-4 team in this class. That used to be Baylor's Andrew Billings. Now the Packers tap again into the Bruins, who also provided end Datone Jones for their front."
Jon Ledyard of USA Today's DraftWire.com (April 14): Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama. "The rich get richer on the back end of the first round, as Jarran Reed is a legitimately dominant nose tackle with the athleticism to play multiple techniques along the defensive front. He's straight-up immovable at the point of attack, and is probably a top 15 talent in this year's draft. Not a sexy pick, but the perfect replacement for B.J. Raji in the Green Bay defense." (Previously: Reed.)
Ourlads (April 14): Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State. (Previously: Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama.)
Dan Blicki, Toronto Sun (April 14): Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama.
Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN.com "Grade A" mock (April 14): Round 1 -- Kamalei Correa, OLB, Boise State; Round 2 -- Jerrell Adams, TE, South Carolina; Round 3 -- Maurice Canady, CB, Virginia.
Chris Burke of SI.com (April 13): Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama. "Ragland is a top-15 player on my board, so this matches Decker in the value category. That he just happens to play a position where the Packers need a proven playmaker is all the better." (Previously: Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama.)
Chris Nicolaou of DraftBreakdown.com (April 13): Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama.
Charles Davis of NFL.com (April 12): Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA. "The recent retirement of NT B.J. Raji has left a hole in the middle of the defense that this young Bruin is expected to fill. He's has a big frame and good movement skills. He will be expected to add inside muscle and pressure." (Previously: Andrew Billings, NT, Baylor.)
Todd McShay of ESPN.com Insider "Grade A" mock (April 12): Round 1 -- Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech. "A massive defensive lineman with good quickness for his size, the 323-pound Butler is a premier run defender. On tape, he wins a high percentage of one-on-one matchups. I love the fit with the Packers, as Butler is capable of playing NT and DE in a 3-4."; Round 2 -- Nick Vannett, TE, Ohio State; Round 3 -- B.J. Goodson, ILB, Clemson.
Dan Kadar of SBNation/Mocking the Draft (April 11): Reggie Ragland, MLB, Alabama. "We've seen several times in the past that middle linebackers can fall in the draft. That's a boon for the Packers, who still have a need at the position. If a defensive lineman isn't the choice at No. 27, Ragland would be a smart pickup. He's a plug-and-play linebacker who can improve the team's run defense." (Previously: Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA.)
Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball.com (April 11): Round 1 -- Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson. "The Packers could consider some defensive line talent in the first round. Kevin Dodd could push or replace Datone Jones and contribute some pass rush with Julius Peppers aging."; Round 2 --Austin Hooper, TE, Stanford; Round 3 -- Kenneth Dixon, RB, Louisiana Tech; Round 4a -- Josh Forrest, LB, Kentucky; 4b -- Nick Kwiatkoski, LB, West Virginia; Round 4c -- Kolby Listenbee, WR, TCU; Round 5 -- John Theus, OT, Georgia. (Previously: Round 1 -- Darron Lee, OLB, Ohio State; Round 2 -- Hooper; Round 3 -- Dixon; Round 4a -- Jake Brendel, C, UCLA; Round 4b -- Victor Ochi, LB, Stony Brook; Round 4c -- Alex Lewis, OT, Nebraska.)
Kyle Crabbs of DraftBreakdown.com (April 11): Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor.
Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times (April 10): Darron Lee, OLB, Ohio State. "The Packers can ramp up their pass rush with Lee. Don't rule out them taking an inside linebacker if Ragland falls, or a tight end such as Hunter Henry of Arkansas." (Previously: Hunter Henry, TE, Arkansas.)
Doug Farrar of SI.com (April 8): Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State. "Mike McCarthy has said that a focus of Green Bay's defense this season will be to get Clay Matthews back to the edge. Green Bay has had to move Matthews inside due to personnel deficiencies, but the pass rush has suffered, and Lee would bring an entirely new level of versatility to the middle of Dom Capers's defense. You can line Lee up everywhere from strongside linebacker to the slot, and he'll perform at a high level. He's the prototype of the modern linebacker, who must provide more range than pure power, and he'd be a great fit in this scheme."
Eric Galko of The Sporting News (April 8): A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama.
Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (April 7): Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech. "With B.J. Raji's recent retirement, the Packers could go for an interior defensive lineman. A true nose like Andrew Billings of Baylor could fit the bill, but Butler's versatility gives him the edge. With good coaching, he has the size (6-4, 323) and athleticism to contribute at multiple spots." (Previously: Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia.)
Charlie Casserly of NFL.com (April 7): Jarran Reed, NT, Alabama.
Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN.com (April 6): Kamalei Correa, OLB, Boise State. "A high-energy speedster coming off the edge looks great on this defense, and the more you watch Correa, the more you see the potential for him to help a pass-rush right away. He can take some pressure off Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers." (Previously: Correa.)
Bucky Brooks of NFL.com (April 5): Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama. "With Clay Matthews slated to return to his OLB spot, the Packers need a communicative 'thumper' in the middle of the defense." (Previously: Andrew Billings, NT, Baylor.)
MyNFLDraft.com (April 5): Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech. (Previously: Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor.)
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