Preston Smith and Aaron Jones will stay. Raven Greene is going and the Green Bay Packers don’t seem particularly concerned if Chandon Sullivan goes with him. And although Robert Tonyan is now Big Bob Tendered, he may not have a long-term future with the team. And now? Simulated drafts before the free agency are the latest in inadequate cart / horse management, but they are also fun and you love them, even if you hate them.
In this mock, using The Draft NetworkThe patented simulation drafting machine from, we focus on the needs of the team, as well as on faces that fit the type of Packers. It turns out that four of the five guys in this simulation have already met the Green Bay bosses, which may mean nothing, but it’s also better than just throwing darts blindly (when it comes to draft, only marginally).
The defensive back will be reformulated in this off-season, which overlaps the strengths of this draft in an ideal way for the Packers. We only did four rounds because everything after the fourth round is equivalent to lottery tickets. They are also fun, but they are not particularly useful.
Let’s dive.
29. Greg Newsome II – CB, Northwestern
I won’t be surprised if the Packers avoid the cornerback here because of how deep that class is and with Green Bay supposedly interested in signing a mid-tier corner, they could fall in love with a linebacker like Nick Bolton or an attacking striker like Teven Jenkins . But Newsome not only checked Jaire Alexander’s name when asked who he likes to watch the most in the NFL, he also fits the athletic profile that the Packers covets.
In addition, this team loves to cast defenders of the Big Ten and Green Bay has already met him virtually. Whether Green Bay actually finds a free agent cornerback to play alongside Alexander or not, Newsome profiles him as a natural target for the Packers.
In fact, even with the distant draft, if Newsome remains on the board when Green Bay chooses and he no the selection would be genuinely surprising, except for some other oddities like the drop of a potential customer.
62. Richie Grant – DB, UCF
Grant can play anywhere on this field. Raven Greene’s departure and Will Redmond’s uninspiring game leave a hole in the safety of the nickel that Grant could fill immediately. His ability to play deep middle or deep half would free Darnell Savage to steal the middle of the field or play on the slot machine. In addition, Grant offers experience there as well, exhibiting unique coverage skills for Senior Bowl security.
Must remind everyone @UCF_Football DB Richie Grant is a commercial security, not a corner. Numerous representatives like this where @ rgrant1525 covers WR during Senior Bowl week. Probably the best finisher in this year’s game. There is a reason why he is a hot guy in the league now. pic.twitter.com/j2iGGRxOcJ
– Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) February 12, 2021
When Joe Berry said the team can never have too many guys who can play in the same position, he undoubtedly had players like Grant in mind, even if it wasn’t literally Grant at the time. Versatile and seasoned defenders like him are hard to come by and it won’t be surprising to see Grant’s star rise during the spring race for the draft.
If he is available at this location, the Packers would be smart to attack, although he is the only player in this simulation who did not report a virtual encounter with Green Bay. Still, he was in the Senior Bowl, so presumably scouts spoke to him there.
92. Demetric Felton – HB / WR / Arma, UCLA
It’s no secret that I have a thing for recruiting Felton. Before the combination last year, Matt LaFleur insisted that he wanted three running backs that he could trust. With Aaron Jones back in the group, the need for a real running back falls with AJ Dillon also in the mix. But Felton is more than a running back.
While he can play on the backfield, he fits perfectly like Tyler Ervin’s jet back, only he is a more natural route runner and catches the ball while providing more space avoidance. Think of Felton as an Ervin turbo, but better in this attack, someone capable of doing more than just being planned, but a guy who can win in space and make defenders miss after the reception.
Green Bay also met with Felton virtually by report.
135. Ambry Thomas – CB, Michigan
Brian Gutekunst loves to double and triple in necessary positions and Thomas can fill several roles for the Packers. It brings only a year of initial experience, but that year offered a stellar game on the border with a legitimate 6-foot cornerback. Thomas allowed a passing rating of 56.3 when shot and loves to play physical football on the scrimmage line. Between Alexander, Newsome II and Thomas, the Packers would form a young group of corners that play with malice and boldness.
Thomas also provides comeback skills, an added bonus for a fourth round choice that he would likely have to play on kick cover too early in his career. Green Bay met with Thomas virtually by report.
142. Daelin Hayes – EDGE, Notre Dame
With Preston Smith back, Gutey won’t have to prioritize the external linebacker, but a team can never have too many pass rushers. Even with Smith back in 2021, his future after 2022 with the Packers is, at best, a tenuous proposition.
Hayes has never shown monstrous sack numbers, but it can affect the quarterback with pressure and plays hard enough against the race. It is a piece that defensive coordinators love to deploy because it can run from anywhere.
Imagine putting this guy and Za’Darius Smith in there as pass runners standing in the third and long distance.
It is not for nothing that he was one of the first reported players to meet the Packers.