The Green Bay Packers must use the 2020 NFL Draft to provide the finishing touches on a team that won 13 regular-season games and got within one game of the Super Bowl during Matt LaFleur’s first season as head coach.
Between now and the draft, Packers Wire will periodically break down one top prospect fitting the Packers’ roster needs.
Up next is UCLA RB Joshua Kelley:
What he can do
– Not afraid to put his shoulder down and barrel through defenders
– Possesses a good combination of speed and power. Moves well enough to get the perimeter but isn’t afraid to mix it up between the tackles
– Caught 39 passes over the past two seasons at UCLA
– Could press the line before he cuts to the hold with greater consistency. Lack of patience allows for more forgivable run fits for opposing linebackers
– That said, athletically Kelly possesses a good jump-cut, showing good ability to get downfield
– Played well down in Mobile during Senior Bowl week
– Based on the available tape, it doesn’t seem like Kelly was asked to do much. When asked to run a route, he was mostly running into the flat, though he did show evidence of being a capable hands-catcher.
– Kelly might be at his best getting downhill. While some think he is better suited for a gap-power blocking scheme, so long as he’s getting momentum he should be fine. He has the speed (4.49) to be an outside-zone runner. He just needs to be coached on the finer details of stretching the zone and pressing the line of scrimmage.
– Some contact balance. A breeze won’t take him down but he’s also not deflecting would-be tacklers left and right.
– A willing blocker in pass protection. Can miss the target on cut blocks, but has shown enough pop to stone blitzing linebackers
How he fits
The Packers have two running backs whose contracts expire after next season. While Aaron Jones looks like a candidate for an extension, it’s hard to think Jamaal Williams will receive the same treatment. Insert Joshua Kelley, who like Williams can spell Aaron Jones and offer a slightly more bruising style to complement Jones’ flashy, home-run-hitting style. Kelley looks like a competent pass-catcher, too. The Packers would ideally like to have a back who can run, block and catch, and Kelley may be a good candidate. The biggest question will be whether Brian Gutekunst and Matt LaFleur see Kelley benefitting in the Packers’ (mostly) zone scheme.
NFL comp
Kelley looks somewhat like former Arkansas Razorback Felix Jones. Tashard Choice is another good athletic comp, and it may be closer to Kelley’s realistic production.
Where Packers could get him
It’s likely Kelley will be available in the fourth round. He starts to become a valuable prospect in the fifth round.
Previous Prospects for the Pack
WR Tee Higgins
LB Kenneth Murray
LB Patrick Queen
WR Jalen Reagor
WR Justin Jefferson
TE Harrison Bryant
WR Denzel Mims
WR Brandon Aiyuk
WR/TE Chase Claypool
LB Zack Baun
LB Akeem Davis-Gaither
OT Josh Jones
OT Austin Jackson
S Antoine Winfield Jr.
DL Raekwon Davis
DB Xavier McKinney
WR Donovan Peoples-Jones
DL A.J. Epenesa
TE Hunter Bryant
RB Jonathan Taylor
RB Zack Moss
WR Michael Pittman
WR K.J. Hamler
WR John Hightower
LB Jordyn Brooks
LB Troy Dye
LB Willie Gay Jr.
OT Jack Driscoll
WR Devin Duvernay
OT Ezra Cleveland
WR Van Jefferson
OT Andrew Thomas
S Grant Delpit
TE Cole Kmet
OT Tristan Wirfs
QB Jordan Love
RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
DB Jeremy Chinn
RB/WR Antonio Gibson
DL Jordan Elliott
DB K’Von Wallace
WR Bryan Edwards
DL Ross Blacklock
LB Logan Wilson
DL Justin Madubuike
RB Cam Akers
LB Malik Harrison
RB Darrynton Evans
WR Lynn Bowden Jr.
WR Gabriel Davis
LB Josh Uche
CB Trevon Diggs
DB Terrell Burgess
OLB Terrell Lewis
CB A.J. Terrell
WR Quintez Cephus
TE Albert Okwuegbunam
QB Jalen Hurts
WR Tyler Johnson
IOL Cesar Ruiz
DB Ashtyn Davis
WR Quez Watkins
OT Ben Bartch
IOL Matt Hennessy
WR Isaiah Coulter
RB J.K. Dobbins
OT Lucas Niang
RB A.J. Dillon
TE Dalton Keene
DL Jason Strowbridge
TE Adam Trautman
WR Joe Reed
CB Michael Ojemudia
RB D’Andre Swift
DL Leki Fotu
CB Jeff Gladney
IOL Danny Pinter
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