Packers select Miami DL Jonathan Ford at No. 234 overall in 2022 NFL draft

The Green Bay Packers selected Miami defensive lineman Jonathan Ford at No. 234 overall in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL draft. 

The Green Bay Packers selected Miami defensive lineman Jonathan Ford at No. 234 overall in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL draft.

Ford (6-5, 333) played 50 games and made 30 starts over five seasons at Miami. He tallied 60 tackles, 8.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, one forced fumble and one pass break up.

According to Dane Brugler of The Athletic, Ford “looks the part and flashes point-of-attack strength and handwork to two-gap” as a nose tackle, but he looked “lackluster” on tape.

In Green Bay, Ford could represent a replacement for Tyler Lancaster as a block-eating run-stopper along the defensive front. He’ll combine with TJ Slaton to give the Packers two massive nose tackle types.

At the combine, Ford hit 29″ in the vertical and covered 8-6 in the broad jump. He ran the 40-yard dash in 5.47 seconds and did 24 reps on the bench press at Miami’s pro day. His Relative Athletic Score is 3.53 out of 10.0.

Ford turns 24 years old in September. He participated at the 2022 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.

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Packers select Georgia Tech S/LB Tariq Carpenter at No. 228 overall in 2022 NFL draft

The Green Bay Packers selected Georgia Tech safety/linebacker Tariq Carpenter with the 228th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL draft. 

The Green Bay Packers selected Georgia Tech safety/linebacker Tariq Carpenter with the 228th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL draft.

The Packers hosted Carpenter in Green Bay on a pre-draft Top 30 visit.

Carpenter played in 52 games and made 41 starts over five seasons at Georgia Tech. He tallied 223 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, 22 pass breakups and four interceptions.

Carpenter, who played safety, could move to linebacker, a position he played at the Senior Bowl. He’s also a highly experienced special teams player.

The Packers needed a player for the dime safety role, and Carpenter is a strong fit.

At Georgia Tech’s pro day, Carpenter (6-3, 230) ran the 40-yard dash in 4.47 seconds, hit 39″ in the vertical leap, covered 11-4 in the broad jump and finished the short shuttle in 4.46 seconds and three-cone drill in 7.5 seconds. His Relative Athletic Score was 8.9 out of 10.0.

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Instant analysis of Packers taking edge rusher Kingsley Enagbare in fifth round

Breaking down the Packers’ selection of South Carolina edge rusher Kingsley Enagbare at No. 179 overall in the fifth round of the 2022 draft.

A disappointing performance at the NFL Scouting Combine and a previous hip injury might have provided the Green Bay Packers with a chance to take a Day 2 talent at edge rusher on Day 3 of the draft. The team selected South Carolina’s Kingsley Enagbare at No. 179 overall in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL draft.

Enagbare, who produced 14 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks over the 2020 and 2021 seasons, has long arms (34 3/4″), violent hands and a powerful play style as an edge-setter and pass-rusher. He’ll have a chance to step in and immediately contribute as a rotational edge rusher behind Rashan Gary and Preston Smith.

In a best-case scenario, the 22-year-old Enagbare would replicate some of the things Za’Darius Smith provided the Packers defensive front as a powerful and versatile rusher.

Running a slow 40-yard dash time and performing poorly in the agility drills at the combine likely hurt his stock, but the Packers think he’s a good enough athlete for the position.

“He’s a guy who still needs to work on how he gets there, but he can bend, he’s powerful, he’s got a thick lower body,” assistant director of college scouting Patrick Moore said. “They did a good job of singling him up. Just really a power guy who can straight-arm guys. You saw at the Senior Bowl he ran right through the tight end that got drafted earlier. Really power is his game, but he can bend and get around the corner.”

Enagbare also had a significant hip injury that required surgery before his junior season and only finished with 15.0 sacks in 44 career games, two factors – medical and production – that might have dropped him into Day 3.

The value looks fantastic otherwise. Enagbare was Dane Brugler’s No. 69 overall prospect. The Packers got him at No. 179.

According to Pro Football Focus, Enagbare graded out as one of the best SEC pass-rushers each of the last two seasons. He produced 41 total pressures in 2021, including 16 quarterback hits, and his pass-rush win rate was 25.9 percent, so his volume stat totals might be deceiving.

Joe Barry’s defense needed the depth at edge rusher after losing Za’Darius Smith. Enagbare will compete with the likes of Jonathan Garvin, Tipa Galeai, Randy Ramsey and LaDarius Hamilton for snaps behind the two starters. Compared to his competition, Enagbare might be best suited for setting the edge against the run and contributing something as a pass-rusher, possibly making him the ideal backup for Preston Smith and the potential long-term replacement at the position.

The Packers probably didn’t think they could get an immediate contributor at edge rusher so late in the fifth round, but Enagbare fits the bill. He needs to stay healthy and develop more as a pure rusher, but with powerful traits and a high success rate against elite competition, Enagbare is entering the NFL with a pro-ready game and a chance to play a key role as a backup edge rusher for the Packers in 2022.

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Green Bay Packers select OLB Kingsley Enagbare at No. 179 overall in 2022 NFL draft

The Packers traded down and selected South Carolina edge rusher Kingsley Enagbare at No. 179 overall in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL draft.

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The Green Bay Packers selected South Carolina edge rusher Kingsley Enagbare with the 179th pick in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL draft.

The Packers traded down from No. 171, adding a seventh-round pick (No. 234) from the Denver Broncos for moving eight spots down.

Enagbare played in 44 games (21 starts) over four seasons at South Carolina. He produced 24 tackles for loss, 15.0 sacks, four forced fumbles and four pass breakups.

The Packers needed more depth at edge rusher after losing Za’Darius Smith. Enagbare brings terrific length and power to the position, possibly serving as an ideal replacement for Smith at this point in the draft.

Enagbare weighed in at 258 pounds and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.87 seconds at the NFL Scouting Combine. He posted poor agility times also. His Relative Athletic Score was 6.26 out of 10.0.

Enagbare will compete with the likes of Jonathan Garvin, Tipa Galeai, Randy Ramsey and LaDarius Hamilton at outside linebacker behind starters Rashan Gary and Preston Smith.

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What are the Packers getting in Day 3 draft picks?

Highlighting what the Packers are getting in each of their Day 3 draft picks on Saturday.

The Green Bay Packers are currently scheduled to make six draft picks during Day 3 of the 2022 NFL draft. Brian Gutekunst has two fourth-round picks, one fifth-round pick and three seventh-round picks.

We’ll update this as the Packers make picks on Saturday. Here’s what the Packers are getting in each Day 3 selection.

Instant analysis of Packers taking WR Romeo Doubs and OL Zach Tom in fourth round of 2022 draft

Breaking down the Packers selecting WR Romeo Doubs and OL Zach Tom in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft.

The Green Bay Packers added potential future starters at wide receiver and the offensive line during the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft. The team selected Nevada’s Romeo Doubs at No. 132 overall and Wake Forest’s Zach Tom at No. 140 overall on Saturday.

Doubs is a legitimate deep threat with a James Jones-like body type and punt return potential. He produced back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons in 2020 and 2021 (in just 20 games) and left Nevada as one of the most productive pass-catchers in school history. His athletic profile and receiving talent give him a real chance of developing into a quality No. 2 or No. 3 option in the Packers passing game.

“We liked his play speed. We thought he played fast on tape,” director of player personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan said. “He’s a fairly big kid…we thought he was very intriguing. Good value where we got him. Good week at the Senior Bowl. We think he’s got some upside to grow into a player.”

While a little raw as a route runner, he was terrific as a deep threat at Nevada and was consistently open on vertical routes for quarterback Carson Strong. The Packers think he has the natural quickness and athleticism to develop into an excellent all-around route runner.

Doubs, Christian Watson and 2021 third-round pick Amari Rodgers could establish the long-term foundation at wide receiver in Green Bay.

The offensive line also got help.

Tom is highly athletic and might be the most versatile offensive lineman in the draft. He started 23 games at left tackle, including 14 during an All-American season in 2021, and 14 more at center. Given how well he handled reps at left tackle in the ACC, there’s a chance he could be capable of playing all three interior spots and both tackle positions at the next level.

“We think he can help us at a bunch of different spots,” Sullivan said.

Sullivan compared Tom to Billy Turner, given his ability to play tackle, his size and his overall versatility.

According to Pro Football Focus, Tom allowed only 13 total pressures over 633 total pass-blocking snaps last season. Overall, he gave up just four sacks in over 1,000 pass-blocking snaps at left tackle in 2020 and 2021.

Tom and third-round pick Sean Rhyan give the Packers excellent depth up front on offense, checking a box on the needs list after losing Turner and Lucas Patrick. The Packers think Rhyan is big and athletic enough to play guard and tackle. Tom might be able to play everywhere.

The Packers hosted a Top 30 visit with Doubs and met virtually multiple times with Tom.

Both Doubs and Tom look like classic Day 3 picks for the Packers. Doubs likely would have tested like a top athlete at the combine. He’ll get a chance to develop behind veterans and contribute on special teams, likely as a punt returner. Tom has left tackle experience, top-tier athleticism and positional versatility, which checks all the boxes for what the Packers typically look for mid-round offensive linemen. The team’s hit rate at both positions – receiver and offensive line – suggests the franchise knows what to look for at both spots on Day 3.

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Packers select Wake Forest OL Zach Tom at No. 140 overall in 2022 NFL draft

The Green Bay Packers selected Wake Forest offensive lineman Zach Tom at No. 140 overall in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft.

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The Green Bay Packers selected Wake Forest offensive lineman Zach Tom at No. 140 overall in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft.

Tom started 37 total games over four years, including 23 at left tackle and another 14 at center, making him one of the most versatile offensive linemen in the draft class. He might be able to play all five positions at the next level.

Tom was a two-time All-ACC pick. He was also a second-team All-American in 2021 after starting 14 games at left tackle.

Tom (6-4, 304) doesn’t possess great size or length but he does have elite athleticism and movement ability. His Relative Athletic Score at offensive tackle is 9.59 out of 10.0 and 9.92 at guard.

Taking Tom in the fourth round likely gives the Packers an ideal replacement for Lucas Patrick, who could start at all three positions on the interior. Tom may develop into a super-sub and future starter for the Packers offensive line.

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Green Bay Packers select Nevada WR Romeo Doubs at No. 132 overall in 2022 NFL draft

The Green Bay Packers selected Nevada WR Romeo Doubs at No. 132 overall in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft.

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The Green Bay Packers selected Nevada wide receiver Romeo Doubs at No. 132 overall in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft.

Doubs (6-1, 201) produced back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons to finish his college career, catching 58 passes for 1,002 yards and nine touchdowns over nine games in 2020 before catching 80 passes for 1,109 yards and 11 touchdowns in 11 games in 2021.

Doubs, a three-time All-Mountain West Conference selection, left Nevada with 225 catches for 3,322 yards and 26 touchdowns. He also returned 39 punts for 463 yards and one touchdown, possibly giving him immediate special teams value in Green Bay.

Doubs didn’t test during the pre-draft process due to a knee injury. He has 10 1/8″ hands.

Doubs joins Christian Watson (second round) as the two wide receivers selected by the Packers through the first four rounds in the 2022 NFL draft.

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Number change! New Packers WR Christian Watson will actually wear No. 9

Instead of wearing No. 82, new Packers WR Christian Watson will be No. 9 as a rookie in 2022.

After initially picking No. 82, new Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson has changed his mind and will actually wear No. 9 as a rookie. The team announced the swap on Saturday.

Linebacker Jaylon Smith wore No. 9 for a short time last season. The number has been primarily worn by punters and backup quarterbacks over the history of the Packers franchise.

Watson wore No. 1 during all five years at North Dakota, but the number is unofficially retired in Green Bay for Curly Lambeau.

The Packers traded up in the second round to get Watson at No. 34 overall. He’ll get a chance to write a new history for the No. 9 uniform in Green Bay.

Watson joins first-round pick Quay Walker as rookies that will wear single-digit numbers for the Packers.

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50 elite athletes the Packers could target on Day 3 of the 2022 NFL draft

The Packers have picked four elite athletes during the first two days of the 2022 draft. Here are 50 elite athletes they could target on Day 3.

The Green Bay Packers selected four elite athletes during the first two days of the 2022 NFL draft. If you consider third-round pick Sean Rhyan to be a guard, then the Packers picked four players in the 93rd percentile or better for relative athleticism at their respective positions.

“Size and speed is important to us,” general manager Brian Gutekunst said Friday night.

The Packers’ work through the first three rounds follows a continuing trend under Gutekunst. The roster-builder of this team wants top athletes.

With Day 3 of the draft approaching and the Packers holding six picks between Rounds 4-7, here are 50 elite athletes (RAS over 9.0) that Gutekunst could target on Saturday:

TE Daniel Bellinger, San Diego State
DL Thomas Booker, Stanford
LB Darrian Beavers, Cincinnati
RB Pierre Strong Jr., South Dakota State
WR Bo Melton, Rutgers
OLB Jeffery Gunter, Coastal Carolina
LB Brandon Smith, Penn State
OT Kellen Diesch, Arizona State
TE Charlie Kolar, Iowa State
WR Kevin Austin Jr., Notre Dame
RB Tyler Goodson, Iowa
DL Eric Johnson, Missouri State
S Markquese Bell, Florida A&M
OLB Amare Barno, Virginia Tech
LB D’Marco Jackson, App. State
CB Zyon McCollum, Sam Houston State
OT Ryan Van Denmark, UConn
DL Matt Henningsen, Wisconsin
OT Matt Waletzko, North Dakota
S Tycen Anderson, Toledo
OL Zach Tom, Wake Forest
LB Jeremiah Moon, Florida
OL Blaise Andries, Minnesota
OLB Isaiah Thomas, Oklahoma
LB Damone Clark, LSU
CB Tariq Woolen, UTSA
S Bubba Bolden, Miami
WR Isaiah Weston, Northern Iowa
LB Micah McFadden, Indiana
TE Lucas Krull, Pittsburgh
OL Dawson Deaton, Texas Tech
CB Joshua Williams, Fayetteville State
OT Nick Zakelj, Fordham
OLB Dominique Robinson, Miami (Ohio)
LB Chance Campbell, Ole Miss
CB Josh Thompson, Texas
CB Tariq Castro-Fields, Penn State
CB Jaylen Watson, Washington State
OL Jason Poe, Mercer
S Dane Belton, Iowa
OT Cordell Volson, North Dakota State
RB Zamir White, Georgia
OL Luke Wattenberg, Washington
CB Jaylyn Armour-Davis, Alabama
LS Billy Taylor, Rutgers
WR Dareke Young, Lenoir-Rhyne
S Isaac Taylor-Stuart, USC
DL Curtis Brooks, Cincinnati
FB John Chenal, Wisconsin
LB Jack Cochrane, South Dakota
LB Baylon Spector, Clemson
CB Chase Lucas, Arizona State
WR Tanner Conner, Idaho State

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