The Green Bay Packers must use the 2020 NFL Draft to provide the finishing touches on a team that won 13 regular-season games and got within one game of the Super Bowl during Matt LaFleur’s first season as head coach.
Between now and the draft, Packers Wire will periodically break down one top prospect fitting the Packers’ roster needs.
Up next is Michigan receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones:
What he can do
– Size is a plus. Long but well-built, packs 212 pounds on 6-2 frame. Big wingspan and really big hands.
– Destroyed the combine. Ran the 40-yard dash in 4.48 seconds at 212 pounds and produced one of the greatest sets of jumping numbers in combine history. Touched 44.5″ in the vertical and flew to 11-7 in the broad jump. Lower body is measurably powerful.
– Athleticism didn’t always translate on the field. Play speed often lacking. Not very explosive or threatening off the ball. Almost has a hitch in his step getting off the snap. Straight-line speed didn’t create a ton of vertical opportunities. Can look quick in and out of breaks on one route and relatively ordinary on the next
– Plenty of experience erasing accuracy mistakes with tough catches away from his body. Particularly good going down and plucking the ball off the turf. Wingspan helps him snag balls from any angle
– Was open on time a little more than production suggests. If quarterback/offense situation improves, chance to be a better pro than collegiate player. However, issues weren’t all quarterback-related
– Too often had a cornerback in his hip pocket. Separation could be a big issue at the next level
– Experienced playing from the slot. Provided more free releases
– Good chunk of 2019 production came from beating overmatched safeties from the slot
– Really struggled at times with press coverage. Delay off the ball allowed cornerbacks to disrupt routes immediately. Occasionally, he flashed quick feet and evaded jabs. Needs a lot more consistency here
– Can be valuable in the red zone. Knows how to use length and physicality to win rebound opportunities
– Not afraid to mix it up as a blocker. Often used as a crackdown blocker on safeties or linebackers from the slot or out in front of a screen
– Not super twitchy after the catch. Strong and fast enough to make a guy miss but creativity and elusiveness are only there in flashes. Underwhelming on bubble screens. Only forced four missed tackles in 2019, per PFF
– Non-productive in vertical passing game. Caught only two of 10 targets over 20 yards in 2019, per PFF. Speaks
– Punt return experience. Handled 89 punts and returned a pair for touchdowns. Could be an impact special teams player even if consistent receiving production doesn’t materialize
How he fits
The Packers are looking for more playmakers at receiver and in the passing game in general, and DPJ’s combination of size, athletic ability and experience in the slot could make him an appealing option after the first wave of draftable receivers. There’s major bust potential here, given how uninspiring his time at Michigan was overall, but there’s also upside if he can start to put the pieces together in a better offense with a better quarterback. He’ll likely need time before he’s ready to contribute on offense, but he could immediately make an impact returning punts.
NFL comp
Chris Conley, a third-round pick in 2015. Both are elite athletes with size and lower-body explosiveness but unrefined skills as a pure receiver. Conley hasn’t been super productive at the NFL level but did break out for 775 receiving yards and five scores in 2019, his fifth season in the league.
Where Packers could get him
The quality of the receiver class means there’s a good chance Peoples-Jones will still be available at No. 62 overall. His athletic gifts will likely ensure he’s a Day 2 pick, even if everything else about his draft profile suggests he should probably be a Day 3 pick.
Previous Prospects for the Pack
WR Tee Higgins
LB Kenneth Murray
LB Patrick Queen
WR Jalen Reagor
WR Justin Jefferson
TE Harrison Bryant
WR Denzel Mims
WR Brandon Aiyuk
WR/TE Chase Claypool
LB Zack Baun
LB Akeem Davis-Gaither
OT Josh Jones
WR Laviska Shenault
OT Austin Jackson
S Antoine Winfield Jr.
DL Raekwon Davis