Gill Brandt recently released his top 100 prospects for the 2022 NFL draft.
With the Packers possessing 5 picks within the top 100 picks, let’s look at each potential draft selection and the players that Brandt lists around those picks. We will break down the five picks before the Packers first selection in each round and include the five selections after the Packers final selection in each round.
A review of the selections Brandt lists just ahead and behind the Packers draft picks give the best estimate of the options that may be available to the Packers when it is their turn to hand in their card to the Commissioner. The five selections above and behind also factor in the most likely trade scenarios.
Round One: Packers Selection 22 & 29
17-22
Tyler Linderbaum OC Iowa
Trevor Penning OT N. Iowa
Jordan Davis DT Georgia
Dax Hill S Michigan
Trent McDuffie CB Washington
Nakobie Dean LB Georgia
23-28
Kyler Gordon CB Washington
Jalen Pitre S Baylor
Malik Willis QB Liberty
Jameson Williams WR Alabama
Chris Olave WR OSU
Matt Corral QB Mississippi
The Packers should delete the quarterbacks from their pick options, unless, a QB needy team offers a great package to trade down. Out of the ten picks that are left, three players play a position of need. Jameson Williams is still recovering from ACL surgery and may miss part of the season and all of camp. The two players left are Olave or Penning. If Jordan Davis is available I will be screaming at the TV for the Packers to pick him. His size speed and film all scream a potentially better version of Kenny Clark. What a team those two would make. While I like Nakobie Dean, he doesn’t fit my priority needs.
29-34
Zion Johnson G/C B.C.
Kenny Pickett QB Pitt.
Logan Hall DT Houston
Arnold Ebiketie EG Penn State
Travis Jones DT UConn.
Tyler Smith OT Tulsa
When you see that no other wide receivers make this tier of players it could reinforce the need/urgency to take a WR with selection number 22. The next WR on Brandt’s chart is the diminutive Jahan Dotson at #37. I like his college tape but his size may limit his ability to win outside in the NFL.
If Brandt’s board is accurate, the Packers may take a hard look at Tyler Smith, Ebiketie or one of the two safeties, Pitre or Hill. Even if Olave is off the board I can’t see the Packers investing either pick on Williams and his significant injury.
Tied to these options, I would feel lucky to nab Davis and Olave. But I would be willing to pass on a wideout if I could guarantee Brandt”s board held true, a luxury not given to real GM’s.
Round Two: 53 & 59
48-53
Perrion Winfrey DT Oklahoma
Christian Harris LB Alabama
Chad Muma LB Wyoming
Daniel Faalele OT MN.
Cam Jergens C Nebraska
Cole Strange OG Tenn./Chat.
54-60
Tariq Castro-Fields CB Penn. St.
Troy Anderson LB Montana
Leo Chenal LB Wisconsin
Trey McBride TE Colorado St.
Nik Bonitto EG Oklahoma
Alex Wright DE UAB
Jelani Woods TE Virginia
61-65
Alec Pierce WR Cincinnati
Drake Jackson DE USC
Jamaree Salyer OG Georgia
Danny Gray WR SMU
Christian Watson WR NDST
Brandt sees Christian Watson and Alec Pierce at 66 and 61 respectively. If Brandt’s board plays out in real life the Packers could get two speedy young receivers in the second round. That would allow for a pick to help the defense in round one. For my money I would lean towards picking one of the tight ends and either Pierce or Watson. Watson has experience in an offense as a jet sweep runner and long speed threat, but after more tape review he does have a few drops where he seemed to anticipate contact. Pierce seems to be the better 50/50 ball catcher and has a bit more experience with a more complicated route tree. McBride seems to be a willing blocker with decent technique while also running a 4.56 40 at his pro day. Woods had 24 reps on the bench at the combine and ran a 4.61 forty but seems slightly faster than McBride on tape.
Round 3: Pick 92
8
8-93+
Kalon Barnes CB Baylor
Logan Bruss OG Wisconsin
Andrew Stueber OT Michigan
Tyquan Thornton WR Baylor
Kyron Johnson LB Kansas
Wan’Dale Robinson WR Kentucky
Velus Jones WR Tennessee
Makai Polk WR Mississippi St.
Seeing Brandt’s board for the back end of the third round made me realize why the Packers were meeting with Velus Jones. Jones may be available and he would give the Packers a speedy and experienced return man. Thornton is also in this list but after bursting out a 4.28 forty at the combine, I can’t believe he would still be available here.
Brandt’s review has expanded the options of position and players the Packers may focus on in the 2020 draft. If allowed to pick from any player within 5 places of the Packers current draft positions, my draft
Would result in the following picks for the Packers:
22) Jordan Davis DT Georgia
29) Trade down into second round
45)Daniel Faalele OT MN.
53)Trey McBride TE Colo. St.
59) Alec Pierce WR Cincinnati
78)Tyquan Thornton WR Baylor
92) Velus Jones WR Tennessee
My goal was acquiring multiple impact receivers with speed, a versatile TE that can also stretch the field, a right tackle that has starting potential year one, and one defensive impact player. To do that I made one trade down to ensure one extra WR had game breaking special team potential. Thornton blocks, catches the ball and has ultra elite speed. Pierce ran a 4.41 forty and battles for 50/50 balls making high point catches. Faalele is so massive and yet so athletic for his size with good coaching he could someday dominate. If you put him on the end of the line on the field goal team, nobody is getting past him. Davis has the chance to be good enough to change offensive game plans. Jones has dynamic punt and kickoff potential, taking two to the house in college. He ran a 4.31 forty at the combine and has great balance and vision after the catch.
On paper, this is a good draft. Let’s hope the Packers find as many on field gems as this article claims to have accomplished. Who would you draft and would you make a trade up or down? Good luck!