brian Maafi, Author at

Green Bay Packers 53-Man Roster Prediction 1.0

It’s been awhile, I had to take a bit of a break post draft, but am now ready to get back in the groove. This will be my first Green Bay Packers roster prediction of the off-season.

With this being the first one of the off-season we won’t go into too much detail on depth chart, playing time, or even practice squad yet; probably in the next one. So let’s get to it!

Packers 53-Man Roster Prediction: Offense

Quarterback (2):

Jordan Love, Sean Clifford

This one is pretty easy; Love will be the guy, we all know that. Clifford was a fifth-round pick, and the only other quarterback on the roster is Danny Etling. As a rookie, Clifford is probably already a better QB than Etling.

The front office could bring in a vet, but I would still find it hard to believe they would cut a fifth-round pick. Maybe they keep three quarterbacks, if the vet at least shows he is a little better than Clifford.

Running back (3):

Aaron Jones, AJ Dillon, Lew Nichols III

The first two are obvious. Nothing much else to say there. The third spot comes down to Tyler Goodson, Lew Nichols, or Patrick Taylor. Taylor has been in Green Bay for three seasons. While he has shown he can play at the NFL level, he just hasn’t shown enough progression for the Packers to keep him around.

With Goodson, he could make the roster if the Packers decide to keep four, but I doubt as the third because you want a guy who can do everything for that spot and his pass pro is pretty bad.

Tight end (4):

Tucker Kraft, Luke Musgrave, Josiah Deguara, Tyler Davis

This position is pretty cut-and-dry. Kraft and Musgrave are, of course, both day two picks who will probably see the majority of the snaps this season at tight end. Deguara is the fullback/H-back, and Davis is the special teamer/occasional tight end. His spot is the most in danger, but there isn’t much behind him. If Austin Allen can show something in preseason, he could beat him out.

Wide Receiver (6):

Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Grant DuBose, Bo Melton

The first four are pretty much locks to make the roster. Watson and Doubs will be the starters with Reed playing out of the slot. Wicks and DuBose have upside, and both are solid blockers. Wicks has just 18 career snaps on special teams, where DuBose has 97, so he will have to show he can learn it.

Toure and Melton will be in a fight for the 6th spot. I kept Melton over Toure because he can be a gadget/RB/returner/slot, where Toure is pretty much just a slot. A lot will be depend on if the Packers are willing to go light or heavy at another position. The Packers could also trade Melton or Toure.

Offensive line (9):

David Bakhtiari, Elgton Jenkins, Josh Myers, John Runyan Jr., Yosh Nijman, Zach Tom, Sean Rhyan, Rasheed Walker, Royce Newman

I would say eight of these guys are pretty much locks to make the roster (Bakh, Jenkins, Myers, Runyan, Nijman, Tom, and Newman). That leaves one spot to be fought over by Jake Hanson, Caleb Jones, Luke Tenuta, and Rasheed Walker. Walker and Hanson are the only two with any real positional versatility, but Hanson isn’t very good.

Tom and Jenkins can both play center, and the Packers have a number of guards already. Walker could play left or right tackle, and could train to play guard as well. Tenuta and Jones are right tackles only. Jones did play some left tackle in the preseason, but I wouldn’t trust him there in a regular season game. If they go with 10, then it’s between Hanson or Jones. I would go with Jones.

Packers 53-Man Roster Prediction: Defense

Defensive Line (5):

Kenny Clark, TJ Slaton, Devonte Wyatt, Colby Wooden, Karl Brooks

This position is mostly cut-and-dry, as well. Clark, Slaton, Wyatt, and Wooden are locks. Brooks is close, since he is a draft pick and has shown he can rush the passer and the Packers like defensive linemen that can collapse the pocket. He has some versatility as well. The only question is do they keep a 6th?

I don’t think so, since they use so much sub-package defense and Ford didn’t play last season and didn’t do much in pre-season, either. They could easily get him on the practice squad.

Credit: Justin Fine/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Edge Rushers (5):

Preston Smith, Lukas Van Ness, Kingsley Enagbare, Justin Hollins, Keshawn Banks. PUP: Rashan Gary

Gary tore his ACL in November, so even if he’s ahead of schedule that still puts him ready to play at the end of September or early October. PUP is four weeks now, so that pretty much lines up. Smith, Enagbare, Van Ness, and Hollins are all pretty much locks.

I chose Hollins because he showed he can get after the quarterback a bit last season, can defend the run, and can play some special teams. Despite poor testing, Banks is more athletic than Brenton Cox Jr. (he was dealing with a hamstring issue during his pro day); although Cox does play with more power and is better against the run.

With your last edge rusher spot you are looking for someone who’s athletic, can play special teams, and whose motor is non-stop. That is Banks. Cox had motor issues in college, and he isn’t fast or quick, and has no special teams experience. Banks has almost 200 special teams snaps in his career. Once Gary is back, Banks likely goes to the practice squad.

Linebackers (5):

DeVondre Campbell, Quay Walker, Isaiah McDuffie, Tariq Carpenter, Eric Wilson

The top four here are set in stone. The only question is do they keep five or six? Wilson would be close to a lock. The only other off-ball linebacker is Jimmy Phillips, who has a legit chance to make the roster.

I think they could stash him on the practice squad for a season and use him as a game day call up if there are injuries. He is a good linebacker and has a lot of special teams experience, playing 137 snaps just this past season.

Cornerback (6):

Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas, Keisean Nixon, Shemar Jean-Charles, Carrington Valentine, Corey Ballentine. IR/PUP: Eric Stokes

Alexander, Douglas, and Nixon are locks, and SJC is close to it unless he bombs in the pre-season. He has special teams experience and can back up Nixon in the slot. Valentine is an athletic freak and a good special teams play, and of course has potential down the line.

Ballentine is another Gutekunst type; an athletic freak who is a good special teams player. You could do worse with your 6th CB.

I have Stokes on either the in-season IR or PUP, because we just don’t know where he is in his recovery.

Safety (5):

Darnell Savage, Jonathan Owens, Rudy Ford, Anthony Johnson Jr., Tarvarius, Moore

The Packers have eight total safeties on the roster right now, and outside of Savage their aren’t many roster locks. Due to his youth and starting experience, I would pencil Owens in as a starter this season. Ford showed last season he can play from scrimmage, if needed, and is a good special teams player.

Johnson Jr., of course, has down-the-line starter potential, and Moore is like a more physically talented version of Leavitt — and he still has some untapped potential.

Packers 53-Man Roster Prediction: Special Teams

Special Teams (3):

Anders Carlson, Matt Orzech, Patt O’Donnell

Carlson is a lock, despite what Packers coaches have said and will say leading up to the season. He is a kicker who was drafted in the 5th round — unless he is complete garbage they wont cut him.

Orzech is experienced and received some guaranteed money, so much like Carlson, unless he stinks up the joint he is a lock for the roster. O’Donnell, though, will have a fight for his spot with Dan Whelan, who I think is a year away but I would not be surprised if they kept him over O’Donnell.

There you guys have it, my early 53-man roster prediction for the Packers 2023 season. As always, you can always read any of my other articles here at ATB Netowrk.

Thoughts On The Green Bay Packers Picks: Day One And Two

So, my thoughts on the Green Bay Packers picks from both day one and two of the NFL draft. They are very Gutekunst-esque, and I knew a lot of those “rumors” that came out the day before and the day of the first night didn’t make sense and were smokescreens.

Of course I have made some of my thoughts public already on Twitter, and the live stream I did on day two, but I will get all my thoughts out here organized. So let’s get to it, and don’t forget to check out my other writings.

Round one, Pick 13: Lukas Van Ness – ED – Iowa

From as far back as a month or two, he was one of the players I was predicting the Packers would draft. I kept saying either Van Ness, Myles Murphy, or Broderick Jones. He just made too much sense. The former Hawkeye is young, highly athletic, plays a premium position, has long arms, and plays with power. That’s why the JSN or Michael Mayer, or even Dalton Kincaid, talk that popped up last minute never made sense.

He will play a good chunk early on until Rashan Gary is back, but we should still see a lot of Kingsley Enagbare, as well. I wouldn’t be surprised if there were packages with him standing up over the center like Za’Darius Smith used to.

Round two, Pick 42: Luke Musgrave – TE – Oregon State

Musgrave was a player that I had identified as a potential fit for the Packers awhile ago. My only question was if LaFleur would want to — or know how to — use him? Since Gutey has been GM, the only tight end he has drafted was Josiah Deguara, who is more of an H-back. So that was a bit of an unknown.

Musgrave is an athletic freak, but you have to know what type of player you are getting when you draft him. I’ve made this comparison many times, but he is similar to Mike Gesicki in the sense of how you use him, and his skill set. He is not the type of tight end you line up at the Y 100% of his snaps. He is tall, long, and a bit linear. He’s not much of a blocker, although he can improve.

The former Beaver is a seam stretcher who wont get a lot of YAC unless he has a open lane. The best way to use him is probably detached 70-ish% of the time.

Round two, Pick 50: Jayden Reed – WR – Michigan State

Reed is an interesting one. Out of full transparency, he wasn’t on my Packers draft board. I debated with myself on whether to have him on or not; I liked his film, but his arms were only 30 1/2″. The Packers typically like their receivers 32″ or longer, but of course Amari Rodgers had 30 1/2″ arms. Otherwise he hit all their benchmarks and his low RAS was mostly due to size and a not-so-great vertical.

The former Spartan also played bigger than his measurements. He dropped some weight for the combine, weighing over 190 at the Senior Bowl. He will be a weapon on offense and special teams.

Round three, Pick 78: Tucker Kraft – TE – South Dakota State

Kraft was another player that I had earmarked early on as a good fit with Green Bay. He is the type of tight end the Packers usually go for. Good size, good athleticism, and a solid all-around player as both a receiver and blocker. He has a wide body and can box out defenders. Kraft can also play inline or split out.

The former Jackrabbit of course still needs to be a better blocker and work on his routes, but he should develop into a solid Y tight end. Some have compared him to a better Dallas Goedert.

Green Back Packers: Post Aaron Rodgers Trade Mock Draft

Now that the Aaron Rodgers trade has FINALLY gone done, here is my post-trade Packers mock draft. Since the trade just went down I decided to just stick and pick, but thought about trading down a few times, I might do one more with some trades.

Of course you can always read anything else I have written here. I used the Pro Football Network Mock Draft Simulator. Now let’s open up a new era of Packers football with the first post-Aaron Rodgers mock draft.

Round 1, Pick 13: Myles Murphy – ED – Clemson

Photo Credit: John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

I went with Murphy because Paris Johnson Jr. and Broderick Jones were already gone and I feel the wide receiver rumors are smoke screens. There isn’t a WR worth a top 15 pick in this class in my opinion. Murphy was the best player that fit the Packers left on the board. Murphy is in a similar boat that Gary was when the Packers drafted him, he will need time, but can be a pro bowler.

Round 2, Pick 42: Kendre Miller – RB – TCU

Photo Credit: Zac BonDurant/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Get Jordan Love some weapons. Miller can play in all phases and will give Green Bay the type of running back they have lacked since Ryan Grant; a workhorse who can be the lead guy. He would obviously be the #3 guy behind Jones and Dillion for his rookie year, but would take over after that.

Round 2, Pick 45: Jonathan Mingo – WR – Ole Miss

Most everyone knows how I feel about Mingo’s fit in Green Bay. He has the size, speed, skills, and versatility they like. He obviously still needs some work, but coming in as the #3/4 receiver will give him time to develop and could be a dangerous trio with Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs in a couple years, where all three can line up at any spot.

Round 3, Pick 78: Tucker Kraft – TE – South Dakota State

Photo Credit: *Bailey Hillesheim/Icon Sportswire via Getty Image*s

This might be considered a little bit of a slip for Kraft, but it’s certainly possible. He fits the mold of the type of tight end that Green Bay usually goes for. Someone who can be an all-around tight end, can contribute as a receiver and red zone threat, and be a solid blocker. Like any other rookie tight end, he will need time to develop. I expect Gutekunst to bring in some vet tight end.

Round 4, Pick 116: John Ojukwu – OT – Boise State

Photo Credit: Marc Sanchez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

I have been singing Ojukwu’s praises for awhile, and I feel he would be a great future replacement for David Bahktiari. He has a few technical things he needs work on, and could add a little more core strength. He has experience at right tackle, so he could beat out Yosh Nijman at RT or be a swing tackle as a rookie, then take over at left tackle in 2024.

Round 5, Pick 149: Gervarrius Owens – S – Houston

Photo Credit: Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Owens fits the mold athletically of what the Packers look for: 6’0 almost 200 pounds and a 9.21 RAS score. Skill set wise, he was more of a box safety most of his career at Houston, but he really showed some development in coverage in 2022. If he develops and learns to play a little more in control, he could be a very solid all-around safety in the Adrian Amos mold.

Round 6, Pick 207: Jalen Redmond – DL – Oklahoma

Redmond started two years at Oklahoma and was used all up and down the line, but he fits best as a 3-tech penetrating type of defensive lineman. He never quite developed as a pass rusher, but was always a solid run defender — despite being under 300. He could spend his rookie year as the #4/5 DL and bring solid depth to the trenches while he develops.

Round 7, Pick 232: Jason Taylor II – S – Oklahoma State

Photo Credit: William Purnell/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

This pick is another one that, in my opinion, probably isn’t there at this point, but I took him anyway and thought about taking him at 207. He has been a two-year starter and played well both seasons, with eight interceptions and six pass break-ups in that time, and has shown he can even be used as a blitzer. Taylor also has experience lining up all over, having played more strong safety in 2021, but more free in 2022. The former Cowboy has even taken over 400 career snaps in the slot. He really fits the mold of what the Packers like.

Round 7, Pick 235: Darrell Luter Jr. – CB – South Alabama

Another guy who I picked a little later than I think he will end up going. He has been very good for South Alabama the last two seasons. He had 4 interceptions and 10 passes defensed in 2021. Luter is also a good tackler and run defender. He could even play some from the slot and has over 350 snaps played on special teams. He would be an improvement over Shermar Jean-Charles.

Round 7, Pick 242: Davis Allen – TE – Clemson

Photo Credit: David Jensen/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Allen is another tight end in the typical Green Bay mold. He can do a bit of everything, but doesn’t excel at anything. He can play inline, detached, as a fullback or H-back, and has a lot of special teams experience. Allen is a solid receiver and can get some YAC. He does need to add some bulk and core strength to be a better blocker and more physical at the point of attack.

Round 7, Pick 256: Jake Moody – K – Michigan

There were a lot of options I had here. I thought about getting a linebacker because I don’t feel great about the depth right now. I thought about a quarterback. I thought about an edge rusher. Ultimately, I finished our Packers mock draft with the guy sure to be contributor as a rookie. Moody has been a very good kick off specialist and really improved his field goal accuracy this past season. He doesn’t have prime Mason Crosby range, but he can hit 53 yards pretty comfortably.

Green Bay Packers Mock Draft: 2023 Brian Gutekunst Special

Welcome to my annual “Brian Gutekunst special” Packers mock draft. I do this every year. To explain it; we all know Gutey likes his high-level athletes, so I do a mock draft where my almost sole focus is on getting the Packers the most athletic players I can. Now, of course fit and thresholds are considered with each pick. This is mostly just done for fun though.

If you want, you can check out all the other stuff I have written and of course the database that I maintain. I also traded Aaron Rodgers to the Jets for #42 and #43. Now to the Packers mock draft!

Round 1, Pick 15: Isaiah Foskey – Edge – Notre Dame

Isaiah Foskey is the first pick in this Packers mock draft — Photo Credit: Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

He’s probably not worth a top 15 pick, but he fits the Packers mold, is a freak athlete, and fits a need. He would give the Packers a starter opposite Preston Smith while Rashan Gary recovers, then can take over for Smith in 2024.

Round 2, Pick 42: Darnell Washington – TE – Georgia

Washington is a giant, freak athlete who may not play up to his testing numbers, but is still a very large man who is already a good blocker. He, of course, still has receiving upside. Washington would end up starting as a rookie.

Round 2, Pick 43: Keion White – DL – Georgia Tech

Yes, that’s right. He’s a defensive lineman, not an edge rusher — although that is what he played at GT. Despite being 24, he still has a lot of upside and would immediately upgrade Green Bay’s pass rush on the defensive line, and give the Packers their best fourth defensive lineman in quite awhile.

Round 2, Pick 45: Julius Brents – CB – Kansas State

Photo Credit: John E Moore III/Getty images

Brents is very much a Packers type defensive back. 6’2 200 pounds and a 9.99 RAS score. He would allow the Packers to move Rasul Douglas to safety, or even Brents could play safety. Brents would allow defensive coordinator Joe Barry to be more versatile with the Packers defense.

Round 3, Pick 78: Blake Freeland – OT – BYU

I’m not sure if he is their cup of tea, but there is no denying his size and athleticism. 6’7 302 with a 9.83 RAS. He could sit a year behind Bahktiari and build up his core strength, then take over in 2024.

Round 4, Pick 116: Jonathan Mingo – WR – Ole Miss

With Brents being the Packer-est of Packers at corner, Mingo would be that of the wide receivers. At 6’2 220 with a 9.86 RAS score and running a 4.46 40-yard dash, Mingo would instantly add even more athleticism to the wide receiver corps. Mingo could make this one of the deadliest groups of receivers in the NFL. He would be the #3 receiver and could rotate both in the slot (he played 34% of his snaps in 2022 in the slot) and outside, same with Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs.

Round 5, Pick 149: Bryce Ford-Wheaton – WR – West Virginia

Photo Credit: Lee Coleman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

At least athletically, another Packers type of player with BFW coming in a 6’3 220 with a RAS score of 9.97 and a 4.38 40-yard dash. He would instantly bring some size and speed to the special teams where he could be a gunner and be Green Bay’s #4 receiver. Ford-Wheaton is an outside-only receiver.

Round 5, Pick 170: Gervarrius Owens – S – Houston

Owens of course is another freak athlete at 6’0 195 with a 9.21 RAS score. He didn’t have a great 40-yard dash time with a 4.57, but tested out really well everywhere else. He brings a bit of a hitter mentality, but has shown improvement in coverage in 2022. He could come in and play strong safety, playing mostly in the box while he continues to develop his cover skills and could become a starter by year two.

Round 7, Pick 232: Xazavian Valladay – RB – ASU

Photo Credit: Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Valladay was a transfer from Wyoming who rushed for 1,192 yards and 16 TDs in 2022 on just 215 attempts, he also chipped in 37 catches. He came in at 5’11 204 with an RAS score of 9.46 and ran a 4.46 40-yard dash. His pass blocking does need work, so he can sit as a the #3 back while he works on that and he has special teams experience. He could form a nice duo in 2024 with either AJ Dillion or Aaron Jones.

Round 7, Pick 235: Jordan Howden – S – Minnesota

Howden is a former walk-on who built himself up into an NFL player. He has been a four year starter and has played all over the defensive backfield. He goes 6’0 203 with an 8.88 RAS score and ran a 4.49 40-yard dash at the combine. He has special teams experience and could start out there while he develops a little. Howden can also be a jack-of-all-trades in the secondary and could develop into a starter.

Round 7, Pick 242: Anfernee Orji – LB – Vanderbuilt

Orji came to Vanderbuilt as a safety, but converted to linebacker in 2021. Which, of course, will draw the Oren Burks comparisons. But this is a 7th round pick. If he develops into anything more than a special teamer and maybe 3rd or 4th linebacker, its just a bonus. Orji came in at 6’1 230 with a 9.23 RAS score, running a 4.53 40-yard dash time. He is obviously still developing. While he has flashed a little as a pass rusher and in coverage, he does need to cut down on the missed tackles.

Round 7, Pick 256: Blake Whiteheart – TE – Wake Forest

Whiteheart has typical TE size at 6’4 247, but has a RAS score of 8.98. He ran an average 4.7 40-yard dash, but had a really good 3-cone time of 6.77, which is better than a lot of receivers. It shows how quick he is in and out of his routes. He wasn’t thrown the ball a lot with all the receivers Wake Forest had, but he made plays in the passing game when he got his hands on the ball. Whiteheart also only had two career drops, and has been good on contested catches. He could be Green Bay’s #3 tight end while he develops some in year one.

And that’s it for this fun take on a Packers mock draft. Hit me up on Twitter @bmaafi to let me know what you think, and stay tuned for more Packers coverage.

Green Bay Packers 2023 Draft Board: Defense

Welcome back to the Green Bay Packers 2023 Draft board for the NFL draft. This will obviously be the Packers draft board for the defense. You can read last year to give you an idea how this works. Same as the offense, the Packers have specific thresholds for each position. As with the offensive plays, they will be listed in order of RAS score. You can learn more about RAS on Kent’s website.

Defensive Line:

With the Packers thresholds, they like their defensive linemen athletic. 6’2+, 290+, with a 40-yard dash time of 5.1 or faster, and a 7.6 3-cone or better. This class is much better than recent classes. Even with Devonte Wyatt being drafted in the first last year, they could still use more depth on the line with Dean Lowry and Jarran Reed both gone from last year. I would expect them to take at least one.

Keion White – Georgia Tech – 9.92 age, weight
Adetomiwa Adebawore – Northwestern – 9.72 weight
Jalen Redmond – Oklahoma – 9.71
Scott Matlock – Boise State – 9.66
Bryan Bresee – Clemson – 9.61
Spencer Waege – North Dakota State – 9.58
Gervon Dexter – Florida – 9.52
Shakel Brown – Troy – 9.47
Zacch Pickens – South Carolina – 9.22
Moro Ojomo – Texas – 9.16
Jacob Sykes – UCLA – 9.05 weight
Keeanu Benton – Wisconsin – 8.9
Jamal Woods – Illinois – 8.84
Jacob Slade – Michigan State – 8.76 weight
Dante Stills – West Virginia – 8.61 weight, vertical
Jason Lewan – Illinois State – 8.54
Caleb Thomas – Louisiana-Monroe – 8.13
Mike Allen – Western Kentucky – 8.07
Chris Mejia – Washington State – 7.67 weight, short shuttle
Trey Botts – Colorado State-Pueblo – 7.63 weight
James Nyamwaya – Merrimack – 7.18 3-cone
Ellison Hubbard – Sam Houston State – 6.83 vertical
Nesta Jade Silvera – Arizona State – 6.56

Of course, there are players who didn’t test that I expect to be on the Packers’ draft board, like Jalen Carter — if he is there. Guys I would like to see in GB, but don’t make the thresholds include: Calijah Kancey-Pitt, Jerrod Clark-Coastal Carolina, Zi’Yon Hill-Green-Lousiana-Lafayette, and Kobie Turner-Wake Forest.

Edge Rusher:

Photo Credit: Kevin Langley/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Packers have always liked highly athletic edge rushers. Generally a 4.75 or faster 40-yard dash, 35″ vertical, and a 7.25 3 cone or faster. So far in Joe Barry’s tenure, the preference for bigger edge rushers has somewhat held up, so I am still sticking with guys who are over 250, with 33″ or longer arms.

This year’s class is pretty deep, and the Packers need depth with Rashan Gary coming off an ACL and Preston Smith being over 30. I expect them to draft at least one. This list isn’t very big because this class is full of undersized pass rushers.

Yaya Diaby – Louisville – 9.86
Myles Murphy – Clemson – 9.71 vertical
Isaiah Foskey – Notre Dame – 9.6
Isaiah McGuire – Missouri – 9.53 3-cone
Derick Hall – Auburn – 9.4 weight
Lukas Van Ness – Iowa – 9.39
Zach Morton – Akron – 9.32
Tavius Robinson – Ole Miss – 8.77 short shuttle
Zach Harrison – OSU – 8.73 short shuttle
Felix Anudike-Uzomah – Kansas State – 8.72
Jalen Harris – Arizona – 8.66
Thomas Incoom – Central Michigan – 8.54 vertical
Deslin Alexandre – Pittsburgh – 8.42
Chance Main – Colorado – 8.28 vertical
DJ Johnson – Oregon – 8.3 broad jump, vertical
Baldonado, Habakkuk – Pittsburgh – 8.13 weight
Travez Moore – Arizona State – 7.6 weight

Pretty much everyone in this group did some workouts. A few guys who are off the Packers’ draft board that I would like to see them make exceptions for would be: Bj Ojulari-LSU, Will McDonald-Iowa State, Dylan Horton-TCU, Andre Jones-Louisiana, and Viliami Fehoko-San Jose State.

Linebacker:

In the past, linebackers were very much like tight ends in Green Bay. They did not have a high threshold for the position. Generally speaking, they liked linebackers who are 6’1+ 230+ with a 4.45 short shuttle or better, and a 7.25 3-cone or faster and not much else beyond that. The guys they have drafted have had an average RAS of 6.33.

This usually leaves us with a large group of linebackers who fit, but since Gutekunst has taken over it seems he likes his LB’s a little more athletic. There isn’t much need on the roster for a linebacker outside of some depth.

Jack Campbell – Iowa – 9.98
Trevor Nowaske – Saginaw Valley State – 9.85
Trenton Simpson – Clemson – 9.83
Ben Van Sumeren – Michigan State – 9.65
Yasir Abdullah – Louisville – 9.56
Kyle Soelle – Arizona State – 9.25
Anfernee Orji – Vanderbuilt – 9.23 weight
Amari Burney – Florida – 9.19 weight
Zaire Barnes – Western Michigan – 9.12
Brandon Bouyer-Randle – UConn – 9.09 age
Drew Sanders – Arkansas – 8.97
Jeremy Banks – Tennesse – 8.95 3 cone
Zeke Vanderburgh – Illinois State – 8.72 short shuttle
Noah Sewell – Oregon – 8.38 3 cone
Wilson Huber – Cincinnati – 8.34
Shaka Hayward – Duke – 7.89 vertical, 3-cone
Kelechi Anyalebechi – Incarnate Word – 7.92 height
Elysee Mbem-Bosse – Davenport – 7.8 short shuttle
Jadrian Taylor – UTEP – 7.44 broad jump
Mariano Sori-Marin – Minnesota – 7.32

A few guys that I wish were on the Packers’ draft board: Dorian Williams-Tulane, SirVocea Dennis-Pitt, Owen Pappoe-Auburn, Jimmy Phillips Jr.-SMU, and Ivan Pace Jr.

Cornerbacks:

Photo Credit: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

The Green Bay Packers have a type when it comes to corners. They look for guys who are 5’10 1/4+ 190 pounds+ with a 4.55 or faster 40-yard dash, and a 7.07 3-cone or faster. Their average RAS score has been a 7.21, but recently Brian Gutekunst he has liked them even more athletic.

While they have Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes, and Rasul Douglas, Stokes is coming off an injury and Douglas could end up playing some safety — or could even be let go after this upcoming season. Plus, it’s always good to draft corners, so I expect them to draft at least one somewhere.

Deonte Banks – Maryland – 10
Julius Brents -Kansas State – 9.98
Christian Gonzalez – Oregon – 9.95
Tre Hawkins – Old Dominion – 9.83 weight
Darius Rush – South Carolina – 9.8
Jarrick Bernard-Converse – LSU – 9.77
Kaleb Hayes – BYU – 9.76
Joey Porter Jr. – Penn State – 9.72
Cory Trice Jr. – Purdue – 9.67
Jakorian Bennett – Maryland – 9.58 weight
Art Green – Houston – 9.47 arm length
Carrington Valentine – Kentucky – 9.29
Azizi Hearn – UCLA – 9.19
Mekhi Garner – LSU – 8.94 40 speed
Ameer Speed – Michigan State – 8.86
Cameron Mitchell – Northwestern – 8.85
Kyu Blu Kelly – Stanford – 8.72 short shuttle
Terell Smith – Minnesota – 8.66 short shuttle
Darrell Luter Jr. – South Alabama – 8.46 short shuttle
Jordan Perryman – Washington – 8.44
Alex Austin – Oregon State – 7.3 vertical, short shuttle

There are of course some corners who didn’t make Green Bay’s board that I would like to see them make exceptions for: Clark Phillips-Utah, Devon Witherspoon-Illinois, Cam Smith-South Carolina, Tyrique Stevenson-Miami(Fla.), Lance Boykin-Coastal Carolina, and Kahlef Hailassie-Western Kentucky. Garrett Williams did not test, but I’m betting he’s on their board.

Safeties:

Safety is somewhat similar to cornerback when it comes to thresholds and the Green Bay Packers. Again, they like young and highly athletic guys. The Packers do like them a little bigger — about 5’11 and 200 pounds — but are more forgiving on the 40 speed, with 4.6 being the cut off and a 7.1 3-cone. They have also averaged an RAS score of 7.51.

They do not differentiate much from their safeties as far as what they look for from their free safeties versus strong safeties. The Packers have obvious need at safety, and I expect them to draft at least one, maybe two.

Daniel Scott – Cal – 9.94 arm length
Amaud Willis-Dalton – McNeese State – 9.41
Jartavius Martin – Illinois – 9.23 arm length
Morgan Vest – Northern Arizona – 9.27 arm length
Gervarrius Owens – Houston – 9.21
Chamarri Conner – Virginia Tech – 9.15
Ty Okada – Montana State – 9.15 weight
RJ Hubert – Utah – 9.1
Jasir Cox – West Virginia – 8.99 40 time,arm length
Matthew Jackson – Eastern Kentucky – 8.97 short shuttle
Jason Taylor II – Oklahoma State – 8.92 3 cone
Jordan Howden – Minnesota – 8.88
Alijah McGhee – Minnesota State – 8.84 arm length
Nico Bolden – Kent State – 8.74 arm length
Kendall Williamson – Stanford – 8.65
Aaron Maddox – Campbell – 8.57 arm length
Tanner McCalister – Ohio State – 8.26 weight, arm length
Anthony Johnson Jr. – Iowa State – 8.12
Kaevon Merriweather – Iowa – 7.94 40 time, broad jump
Brandon Hill – Pittsburgh – 8.55 height
Jonathan Sutherland – Penn State – 7.51 arm length, 40 time
Quindell Johnson – Memphis – 7.33 vertical
Devon Matthews – Indiana – 7.33
AJ Finley – Ole Miss – 6.94 Broad jump

One guy that didn’t test that I’m sure is on Gutekunst’s board is JL Skinner-Boise State. Some guys whose testing took them off Green Bay’s board that I hope they make an exception for are: Ji’Ayir Brown-Penn State, Tyreque Jones-Boise State, Ja’Von Hicks-Cincinnati, and Divaad Wilson-UCF.