A review and breakdown of predictions for the Green Bay Packers in final mock drafts from a few of the most prominent draft analysts in the business:
The mock draft: Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN
The pick: TE Cole Kmet, Notre Dame
The reasoning: “Kmet is the only tight end with a chance to go in Round 1, and the Packers could get Aaron Rodgers some help in a pass-catcher and blocker. Did you know that Rodgers was the most recent skill position player Green Bay picked in the first round? And that was 2005. If Tee Higgins is still on the board, he could be another option.”
Our breakdown: Kmet is widely viewed as the draft’s top tight end, and he’s athletic and versatile enough to be considered, but it’s really difficult to envision the Packers using a first-round pick on a borderline first-round tight end prospect in a draft class loaded with potential difference-makers at receiver. Between Ted Thompson and Brian Gutekunst, the Packers haven’t drafted a tight end higher than No. 75 overall (Jace Sternberger, 2019) since 2005. This isn’t a priority position in Green Bay, and Gutekunst just spent a third-rounder on Sternberger, who will take on a much bigger role in 2020. Inline tight end is a long-term need, but taking Kmet – a solid player who doesn’t look like a future game-changer – at No. 30 would be one of the more underwhelming picks the Packers could make in the first round.
Our draft profile: Cole Kmet
From Draft Wire’s interview: “I think my ability to split out wide as a receiver or come in-line as a blocker sets me apart. I offer a lot of versatility in that regard. I think that’s what separates me from the rest of the pack,” Kmet said.
Highlights:
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