The Green Bay Packers selected nine players in the 2021 NFL draft. The class looks solid, if not unspectacular. It was not widely hated or widely loved.
With the benefit of a few days, and in an attempt to assess the whole situation surrounding the draft, here are some quick takeaways on the work the Packers completed during the draft:
– Some saw Eric Stokes as a reach, but this was such a predictable Packers pick. Elite athlete. Runs like the wind. Just turned 22. Plays a premium position. Sure, the Packers could have tried trading down, but cornerback Tyson Campbell went No. 33 to start the second round, and Stokes is a better player. Moving down likely would have meant losing him. The Packers didn’t want to risk it, so they took the elite athlete at cornerback and checked off a top need off the list.
– I wonder what the conversations were about trading up. Kadarius Toney came off the board at No. 20, taking away a coveted player early in the second half of the first round. Did the Packers try to get No. 25? Greg Newsome and Rashod Bateman, two likely targets, came off the board at No. 26 and No. 27. Moving up with the Jaguars could have been the right play if the Packers really liked either Newsome or Bateman. Following the careers of Stokes, Newsome and Bateman (and even Toney) will be interesting.
– There was a big run on offensive tackles in the second round, and the Packers were never really in range of one of the tackles that fit what they generally like at the position. Dillon Radunz might have been a nice fit had he fallen to No. 62, but having Elgton Jenkins on the roster allowed them to target an interior offensive lineman. Getting Josh Myers could be huge, not only to help replace Corey Linsley, but also to allow Jenkins to move around, potentially to offensive tackle.
– As was the case in the first round, there will be players to track long-term. Myers went before Creed Humphrey and Quinn Meinerz. Did the Packers pick the right center? We’ll have a better idea in a couple of years.
– The best way to describe the Packers’ first two picks: They addressed the roster’s biggest need (cornerback) in the first round, and they replaced the best player they lost this offseason (Corey Linsley) in the second round. Tough to argue against that outcome. Getting a cornerback and offensive lineman was always a very realistic way for the Packers to start the draft. If Stokes is an upgrade on Kevin King and Myers can be a capable starter for the interior offensive line, these will be strong picks.
– The Packers paid a steep price (fourth-round pick) to move up for a slot receiver with a RAS of 5.37, but Amari Rodgers is such a terrific fit in the Packers offense, and you can tell both Brian Gutekunst and Matt LaFleur believe he’ll be an impact player for the special teams.
– An interesting note here: The Packers believe Rodgers can play in the slot and on the perimeter. He might not be pigeonholed inside. They think he’s a complete receiver, even if his role early on will likely be as the slot/gadget guy. We’ll see.
– Rodgers is quicker than he is fast, and he’s built like a running back. Think Randall Cobb’s skill set in Ty Montgomery’s body. That’s a pretty good combo. Cobb was great, but his body ended up failing him at 195 pounds. Rodgers is pushing 215.
– Myers and Rodgers were both captains on teams that were in the CFB Playoffs. Don’t think for a second that this fact didn’t mean something to the Packers.
– I didn’t initially love the Royce Newman pick, but way too many people who know the offensive line – including Brandon Thorn and T.J. Lang – think it’s a great addition for the Packers. The size and athleticism comparison to Bryan Bulaga was eye-opening for me. Getting a potential starter at right tackle in the fourth round would be huge.
– The Packers played it safe on Day 3. Newman might be a future starter, but the other five picks look like specific role player types or future special teamers. This is how it goes on Day 3. You’re just hoping to find a hit or two. The Packers didn’t take a homerun swing on a guy, but they got solid football players at need positions, building depth. Sensible strategy.
– Tedarrell Slaton’s body type matches what the Packers have been looking for along the defensive line. He’s a massive man with a quick first step. Taking him in the fifth round probably rules out bringing back Snacks Harrison.
– Cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles just knows how to play. Short corners without elite athleticism rarely stick, but he could. He sees the game really well, and he knows how to disrupt the catch point.
– Cole Van Lanen is such a Packers pick. Left tackle in college. Hits all the athleticism thresholds. Going to move inside. The team has such a high hit rate with offensive lineman fitting this profile, so it’s no wonder they keep taking more of them.
– Taking Kylin Hill in the seventh round should provide a Jamaal Williams replacement. He’s a tough, physical runner, with pass-catching experience and the frame to hold up in pass pro. I think he could be a future contributor. And the Packers think he can return kicks.
– Adding safety Christian Uphoff in college free agency was like a free draft pick. He could have been a mid-round pick without one bad workout before the draft. I assumed the Packers would target a versatile at some point in the draft. Uphoff could be that guy. He played all over at Illinois State. Maybe he can be the third safety down the road.
– This was just a sensible draft for a team like the Packers. Arguably no position could provide more value with an upgrade than CB2. The offensive line got a potential Day 1 starter. The offense added a versatile playmaker that will advance the scheme forward. There’s a ton to like about Stokes, Myers and Rodgers as a trio, and Day 3 provided competition and depth at key spots. The Packers’ draft in 2020 was perplexing and unbelievable in so many ways. This one couldn’t be more believable.
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