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 Wisconsin receiver Quintez Cephus:
What he can do
– Looks like a pro receiver. 6-0, a little over 200. Similar body type to former Packers receiver James Jones
– Ran in the 4.7s at the combine but brought the number down into the 4.6s at the Wisconsin pro day. Just not fast in a straight line. Speed is not an asset
– Physical player. Wins with play strength – at the line of scrimmage, working through contact, at the catch point and with the ball in the air. 23 reps on the bench press at the combine
– Will need to prove capable of using physicality to consistently beat pro-caliber corners
– Great jumper. Hit 38.5″ in the vertical. Plays above the rim
– Doesn’t fear incoming contact in the middle of the field
– Won down the field at the college level (five touchdowns on passes thrown over 20 yards), but speed and separation skills will be challenged in the NFL
– Came back from a year away (sexual assault accusation, trial) and played at a high level
– Played some in the slot. Might be a way forward for him at the next level. Can release off the line, beat press. Toughness and “my ball” attitude might work in the middle of the field
– Not an explosive route-runner. Three-cone and short shuttle times suggest struggles changing direction. Will need to become a much more refined route-runner to win in the NFL
– Tons of experience as a perimeter blocker in the run game. Play strength shines through here too
– Caught touchdowns in three of final four games of 2019, including a score in the Rose Bowl against Oregon. Produced seven catches and 122 yards against Ohio State’s vaunted secondary in Big 10 title game
– Broken leg in 2017 cost him almost half the season. Only started 18 total games at Wisconsin
How he fits
Cephus is a tough fit in Green Bay, regardless of the Packers’ need at receiver. He ran the slowest time among receivers at the combine and didn’t impress in the agility drills. Cephus certainly plays faster than his measured numbers, but receivers who can’t consistently win with speed or quickness don’t usually last long in the NFL, and the Packers (rightly) value elite athleticism at the position. He’s a long shot, but the Packers have a bunch of Day 3 picks and might be willing to gamble on the natural receiving talent late in the draft. Cephus has some positional versatility, will work the middle of the field without fear and can win in the red zone. That skill set can have value if it’s maximized in the right situation. All that said, his ceiling is low.
NFL comp
Not many receivers with Cephus’ combination of size and (lack of) speed turn out to be productive NFL players. His most encouraging comparison might be former Packers receiver Koren Robinson. In terms of playstyle, Jets receiver Quincy Enunwa comes to mind.
Where Packers could get him
Day 3. This is a deep receiver class, and Cephus lacks the speed of a top prospect. Teams want speed in the draft. Most project Cephus remaining on the board into the fifth round or later.
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
OT Austin Jackson
S Antoine Winfield Jr.
DL Raekwon Davis
DB Xavier McKinney
WR Donovan Peoples-Jones
DL A.J. Epenesa
TE Hunter Bryant
RB Jonathan Taylor
RB Zack Moss
WR Michael Pittman
WR K.J. Hamler
WR John Hightower
LB Jordyn Brooks
LB Troy Dye
LB Willie Gay Jr.
OT Jack Driscoll
WR Devin Duvernay
OT Ezra Cleveland
WR Van Jefferson
OT Andrew Thomas
S Grant Delpit
TE Cole Kmet
OT Tristan Wirfs
QB Jordan Love
RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
DB Jeremy Chinn
RB/WR Antonio Gibson
DL Jordan Elliott
DB K’Von Wallace
WR Bryan Edwards
DL Ross Blacklock
LB Logan Wilson
DL Justin Madubuike
RB Cam Akers
LB Malik Harrison
RB Darrynton Evans
WR Lynn Bowden Jr.
WR Gabriel Davis
LB Josh Uche
CB Trevon Diggs
DB Terrell Burgess
OLB Terrell Lewis
CB A.J. Terrell