Mel Kiper’s third mock draft of the 2020 draft season has the Green Bay Packers taking another receiver.
Previously, Kiper sent Penn State’s K.J. Hamler and LSU’s Justin Jefferson to the Packers at No. 30 overall in the first round. This time? Kiper has a much different idea.
His latest mock draft has the Packers getting Notre Dame’s Chase Claypool, a rarely seen player in first-round mocks.
From Kiper: “Claypool had an electrifying combine, running a 4.42 40 and putting up a 40.5-inch vertical at 6-foot-4, 238 pounds. This might be a slight reach, but a team could fall in love with his traits, and he produced last season, catching 66 passes for 1,037 yards and 13 touchdowns. He could be a matchup nightmare for Aaron Rodgers.”
There’s no doubting Claypool’s combination of size, length and speed, and there’s no doubting the Packers’ preference for big, fast pass-catchers. He is as big and athletic a receiving option as the Packers will find in this draft class. Claypool has a chance to be a dynamic pro, possibly even as a big slot or as a receiver-tight end hybrid, but as Kiper readily admits, taking him at No. 30 might be a stretch. Even after his impressive work at the combine, few mock drafts have him sniffing the first round – but teams, including the Packers, might view him differently.
In our breakdown at Packers Wire, we compared Claypool to former Packers tight end Jared Cook. Smart teams could use them in similar ways. With a big frame, terrific athleticism and physicality as a pass-catcher, Claypool also gives off major Vincent Jackson vibes.
In Kiper’s mock, six receivers – Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs, CeeDee Lamb, Tee Higgins, Denzel Mims and Justin Jefferson – came off the board before the Packers’ pick. Inside linebackers Kenneth Murray and Patrick Queen and offensive tackle Josh Jones were also gone.
Last year, Packers GM Brian Gutekunst took a big chance on Rashan Gary, who checked off all the boxes in terms of athleticism and traits, even if the production wasn’t always there. Claypool represents another dip into that same pool. His measurables suggest a game-changer. Can he be one? Kiper believes the Packers could one of the teams willing to take that chance next month.
[lawrence-related id=40508]