We’re finally here: Thursday, April 23 – the official start of the 2020 NFL Draft and the unofficial end to mock draft season.
The first round kicks off Thursday night at 7 p.m. CT. Once the Cincinnati Bengals come on the clock, all the mock drafts will disappear into obscurity.
Before then, here’s a roundup of all the Packers’ first-round picks in final versions of mock drafts (this list will be updated throughout the day Thursday):
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Network: WR Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State
From Jeremiah: “This could be the spot for Jordan Love. If the Packers pass on him, though, Aiyuk is a perfect fit in their offense.”
Mike Renner, Pro Football Focus: WR Jalen Reagor, TCU (trade with NE)
From Renner: “Brian Gutekunst makes a play to move up for the third consecutive draft. This time it’s for that all-important explosiveness that they really don’t have in their receiving corps at the moment.”
Jordan Reid, The Draft Network: LB Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma
From Reid: “Brian Gutekunst is known to stick to his philosophies and he continues to address the biggest need: linebacker. Kenneth Murray immediately makes the team better and is known as the engine of every operation that he’s been a part of.”
Trevor Sikkema, The Draft Network: WR Michael Pittman, USC
From Sikkema: “All of that to say: This is Aaron Rodgers’ team, and he’s needed more help than he has had for a while now. I’m calling wide receiver here.”
Peter Schrager, NFL.com: LB Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma (trade with SEA)
From Schrager: “I had an AFC coach tell me Murray — who became a captain in his sophomore year at OU — was the best combine interview he’d been a part of in years. A leader in every sense of the word, Murray’s also an incredibly gifted athlete and tackler. Perfect addition for the Mike Pettine-coached Packers D.”
Tony Pauline, Pro Football Network: WR Denzel Mims, Baylor
From Pauline: “Mims was a consistent threat for the Baylor offense and had an exceptional week of practices at the Senior Bowl then followed it up with a great combine workout. He’s a big-bodied receiver on the rise who can be an effective third-down or red-zone target and possesses all the skills necessary to develop into a third wideout.”
Danny Kelly, The Ringer: WR Justin Jefferson, LSU
From Kelly: “The Packers need to add some playmaking talent to their receiving corps and are happy to see Jefferson slip to this spot. The LSU superstar brings route-running chops to the middle of the field for Green Bay, with a fearless demeanor that gives him the ability to win above the rim on contested pass situations.”
Benjamin Solak, The Draft Network: WR Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State
From Solak: “Brandon Aiyuk has long been rumored a first-round selection. Teams believe they can take his unique blend of wingspan and speed and turn it into a three-level threat. General manager Brian Gutekunst will be pleased with Aiyuk’s size and electric yards-after-catch ability as the Packers look to add receivers with more juice to Aaron Rodgers’ late-career push.”
Charley Casserly, NFL.com: WR Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State
From Casserly: “The Packers bring in a guy who excels in the run after the catch and can help in the return game.”
Cris Collinsworth, Pro Football Focus: WR Justin Jefferson, LSU
From Collinsworth: “The Packers just don’t threaten the middle of the field enough, but at 6-foot-3, Jefferson plays almost a WR/TE slot role, much like Jimmy Graham. He has plenty of size to run those seams that so many teams love, but he also has the quickness and route-running savvy to work in the slot. He actually reminds me of Keenan Allen — he’s just so patient setting up inside routes and creating easy throwing lanes for quarterbacks.”
Albert Breer, SI.com: WR Jalen Reagor, TCU
From Breer: “The Packers need to get faster and while Raegor didn’t run as fast as many expected in Indy, he’s a legitimate game-breaker who should transition smoothly to the NFL. Matt LaFleur will be appreciative of this one, given his experience around similarly speedy receivers like Gabriel and Sammy Watkins. And this will be of nice benefit to Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams too.”
Nate Davis, USA TODAY: WR Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State
From Davis: “Excellent with the ball in his hands (18.3 yards per catch last year for the Sun Devils), he might be the optimal player to supplement QB Aaron Rodgers’ top target, Davante Adams, particularly when the three-time Pro Bowler is doubled.”
Peter King, NBC Sports: WR Michael Pittman, USC
From King: “Professional receiver. Most have him in the second round. But the Packers don’t pick again till 62, and they see a solid but unspectacular disciplined route-runner and competitive 50-50-ball player.”
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY: WR Jalen Reagor, TCU
From Middlehurst-Schwartz: “Primarily a deep threat at this point, Reagor can add a degree of explosiveness to Green Bay’s aerial attack, particularly if he diversifies his skill set.”
Charles Davis, NFL.com: WR Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State
From Davis: “Explosive and tough, Aiyuk would be a great addition to Aaron Rodgers’ arsenal. But what if the Packers decide to plan for the future and go QB here? Could Green Bay make a bold move for Jalen Hurts?”
John Clayton, Washington Post: WR Denzel Mims, Baylor
From Clayton: “Other than Davante Adams, the Packers are thin at wide receiver. They have to take the best available pass catcher here.”
Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune: WR Denzel Mims, Baylor
From Biggs: “The Packers were slow on the outside last season, and Aaron Rodgers needs more than just Davante Adams. Mims has a great combination of size (6-3, 207), speed (4.38) and production and would be able to aid Rodgers quickly.”
Dan Kadar, SB Nation: WR Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State
From Kadar: “Green Bay’s wide receivers after Davante Adams are suspect. Aiyuk is a versatile receiver who could be a big-play weapon for the Packers.”
Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports: LB Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma
From Trapasso: “Even after signing Christian Kirksey in free agency, the Packers address the linebacker spot with a missile of a player in Murray.”
Jon Ledyard, Pewter Report: WR Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State
From Ledyard: “This is the perfect landing spot for Aiyuk, as his semi-raw routes and release game will get plenty of room to go in an offense where he isn’t the No. 1 option and where he’ll be allowed to play heavily in the slot. I think the Packers would be wise to consider what K.J. Hamler’s speed could do for their offense as well, maybe even in a trade down scenario.”
Brad Kelly, Pro Football Network: WR Laviska Shenault, Colorado
From Kelly: “Green Bay’s wide receiver depth chart is Davante Adams and a few question marks, making the position one of need. Laviska Shenault fits their size requirements while offering more upside than all of their other complementary options.”
Kevin Hanson, SI.com: OT Ezra Cleveland, Boise State
From Hanson: “In terms of team needs, this pick could certainly be a wide receiver—and that’s something that I’ve slotted to the Packers in several previous iterations of my mock. Given the depth at receiver, however, it might be more realistic to target one on Day 2 and use this pick to reinforce the trenches with the ultra-athletic left tackle from Boise State.”
Packers Wire: WR Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State
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