final mock draft – Syndication Server

Packers get Iowa DB Cooper DeJean in Matt Miller’s final mock draft

The Packers got Iowa DB Cooper DeJean in Matt Miller’s final mock draft for ESPN.

A review and breakdown of first-round predictions for the Green Bay Packers in final 2024 mock drafts from a few of the most prominent analysts in the business:

The mock draft: Matt Miller, ESPN

The pick: DB Cooper DeJean, Iowa

The reasoning: “It’s a legitimate toss-up between cornerback and offensive lineman for the Packers, but with the run on tackles hitting in the early 20s here, I think they’d go get the most versatile defensive back in the class. DeJean suffered a broken leg that ended his 2023 season, but his pro day workout answered any questions about his NFL readiness. He can play inside corner, outside corner or safety. The Packers would love his ball skills (seven career picks) in Jeff Hafley’s defense.”

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Our breakdown: Another final mock draft with the Packers getting DeJean, arguably the top box-checking prospect in the draft class for Green Bay. Young, athletic, versatile. He’s a playmaker and ball-winner at a need position whether he’s used at corner or safety. His athleticism and versatility provide a safe floor and high ceiling as a prospect, and his game is easily translatable to the next level. A first-team All-American in 2023 and hailing from one of the Packers’ favorite Power 5 schools, DeJean is a fit on so many levels. He could pair with Xavier McKinney at safety and give the Packers a big-time duo at a key position in Jeff Hafley’s defense, or he could compete to start outside opposite Jaire Alexander or in the slot.

The player info

Cooper DeJean

Height: 6-0
Weight: 202
Age: 21
40-yard dash: 4.44
Vertical leap: 38.5″
Broad jump: 10-4
Three-cone: DNP
Short shuttle: DNP
Bench press: DNP
RAS: 9.85
Pre-draft visit: No
Senior Bowl: No

Consensus big board rank: 20

Draft profile from Lance Zierlein: “Highly competitive defensive back with plus ball skills and noteworthy special teams value. DeJean is big and bundled for a cornerback, with muscular arms and tight hips. He has fantastic interception production, but his movements are more linear than fluid, and he doesn’t have the easy change of direction needed in man coverage on the next level. His best football is played with his eyes forward, using his instincts to challenge quarterbacks and his big downhill burst to smack whatever needs smacking. He would seem to be a no-brainer as a punt returner and gunner in Year 1. DeJean should be a big athletic tester, which will help get the hype train going, but finding the proper schematic fit will be important in unlocking his best football as a zone corner or interchangeable safety.”

Packers get Duke OL Graham Barton in Danny Kelly’s final mock draft

The Packers got Duke OL Graham Barton in Danny Kelly’s final mock draft for The Ringer.

A review and breakdown of first-round predictions for the Green Bay Packers in final 2024 mock drafts from a few of the most prominent analysts in the business:

The mock draft: Danny Kelly, The Ringer

The pick: OL Graham Barton, Duke

The reasoning: “The Packers bolster the offensive line here, grabbing a blocking technician who brings the capability to fill in at multiple spots. Barton offers five-position versatility, with the frame and skill set to play either tackle spot, at guard, and even at center. The team continues to build a support system around quarterback Jordan Love.”

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Our breakdown: Barton looks like one of the best fits for the Packers in the first round. He might be best as a guard or center, and it’s fair to wonder if Brian Gutekunst would use a first-round pick on an interior blocker. But interior disruptors are becoming so valuable on defense, so why wouldn’t the value of those tasked with blocking them also increase? The Packers have a short-term need at right guard and a long-term need at center. Barton was a dominant college left tackle, and it won’t be surprising if teams give him a chance to survive at tackle at the next level. In so many ways, he’s reminiscent of Zach Tom, an elite athlete who played left tackle and center at the college level and now has five-position versatility in the NFL. Barton should be a high floor player given his athleticism and multi-position ability. This looks like a slam dunk pick at 25.

The player info

Graham Barton

Height: 6-5
Weight: 311
Age: 21
40-yard dash: 4.95
Vertical leap: DNP
Broad jump: DNP
Three-cone: 7.31
Short shuttle: 4.55
Bench press: DNP
RAS: 9.99
Pre-draft visit: No
Senior Bowl: Invited (DNP, injury)

Consensus big board rank: 25

Scouting report from Kelly: “Barton has a muscular, well-built frame and plays with light feet and good balance. He mirrors smoothly and quickly reacts to inside countermoves. He brings a quick, measured punch at the snap, shooting his hands into opponents’ chests to stun them at the point of attack. He has good balance to recover when he misses on his punch and does well to avoid overextending himself. He has a strong grip and latches on to opponents, consistently controlling the rep from start to finish. Barton explodes out of his stance in the run game and brings the fight to his opponent. He has quick feet and a flexible lower half that allow him to swiftly establish position, reaching and sealing on the backside to open up cutback lanes. He’s an athletic mover who effortlessly glides to the second level. He churns his feet to drive opponents off the ball and does well to keep them centered throughout the snap. There are times Barton’s punch lands wide, which allows opponents into his body and to establish leverage. He lacks length and struggles with speed off the edge—he oversets and opens himself up to inside countermoves—and it’s expected that teams will view him as an interior player only. He has limited experience on the inside (five starts at center as a freshman), so he may need some ramp-up time to make the move to center or guard.”

Draft profile from Lance Zierlein: “Reviewing Barton’s tape is a pleasurable experience in offensive line evaluation, as his tenacity and know-how are on full display throughout. Though he played at a high level at left tackle, center will likely be his NFL home. Barton is an explosive drive blocker with the body control and leg drive to keep opponents centered and finish the job. His hands are sudden, accurate and strong in both phases, but a lack of length will create occasional challenges on the next level. His fluidity creates an advantage as a second-level climber, and he’s highly capable in the screen game. Barton’s technique, toughness and athleticism are exactly what teams will be looking for from an early starter with Pro Bowl potential.”

Packers get Penn State OT Olu Fashanu in Rob Rang’s final mock draft

The Packers got Penn State OT Olu Fashanu in Rob Rang’s final mock draft for Fox Sports.

A review and breakdown of first-round predictions for the Green Bay Packers in final 2024 mock drafts from a few of the most prominent analysts in the business:

The mock draft: Rob Rang, FOX Sports

The pick: OT Olu Fashanu, Penn State

The reasoning: “Like the Cowboys, the Packers need to reinforce their offensive line given that the club appears to be moving on from longtime starting left tackle David Bakhtiari. Fashanu has the size and grace to warrant a selection much earlier than this, but he isn’t as powerful as some of his classmates and could slip slightly as a result. At this point in the draft, however, he could prove to be a steal.”

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Our breakdown: This scenario sure seems unlikely, given the league-wide need for help at offensive tackle and Fashanu’s status as one of the two or three best tackles in the class. No one in Green Bay would complain if a top-20 overall player at a premium need position falls. Fashanu is 21 years old, has elite athleticism and Pro Bowl upside at left tackle and would be a steal at 25. Interestingly enough, Fashanu and current Packers left tackle Rasheed Walker were teammates at Penn State, and Fashanu took over the left tackle spot for the Nittany Lions after Walker was injured to end the 2021 season and entered the 2022 draft.

The player info

Olu Fashanu

Height: 6-6
Weight: 312
Age: 21
40-yard dash: 5.11
Vertical leap: 32.0″
Broad jump: 9-1
Three-cone: DNP
Short shuttle: DNP
Bench press: DNP
RAS: 9.58
Pre-draft visit: No
Senior Bowl: No

Consensus big board rank: 16

Draft profile from Lance Zierlein: “A toolsy two-year starter with loads of potential, Fashanu is still learning to be less mechanical and more instinctive with his play. At this point, he could impose his traits upon most collegiate opponents and stack the deck in his favor. As a pro, he will need to play with better control and more consistent technique to prevent being countered and beaten by NFL talent. There is still room to get bigger and stronger, but he’s already playing with good focus and drive as a run blocker. Issues with footwork and landmarks can be corrected with more coaching. He’s long and has really effective recovery agility to help keep his quarterback clean, but inconsistent pass slides and excessive leaning could make things harder than they need to be early on. Overall, the work ethic, traits and tape make it easier to project Fashanu’s continued improvement into a very good left tackle.”

Packers get Iowa DB Cooper DeJean in Bucky Brooks’ final mock draft

The Packers got Iowa DB Cooper DeJean in Bucky Brooks’ final mock draft for NFL.com.

A review and breakdown of first-round predictions for the Green Bay Packers in final 2024 mock drafts from a few of the most prominent analysts in the business:

The mock draft: Bucky Brooks, NFL.com

The pick: DB Cooper DeJean, Iowa

The reasoning: “After bringing in a new defensive coordinator (Jeff Hafley) and high-priced safety (Xavier McKinney), Green Bay adds another big defensive piece in DeJean, who supplies athleticism and versatility to the rotation. The Iowa standout is a Swiss Army Knife with the instincts and ball skills to thrive in a ‘see ball, get ball’ system.”

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Our breakdown: Another mock draft sending DeJean to Green Bay. The fit is just too good: DeJean is young (21), athletic (RAS of 9.85) and versatile (perimeter corner, slot corner, safety experience), checking three huge boxes for the Packers in a first-round player. He could compete for snaps opposite Jaire Alexander, battle Keisean Nixon for snaps in the slot or be penciled in as the starter next to Xavier McKinney. DeJean takes the ball away (seven interceptions over last two seasons) and has big-time special teams value. It’s easy to see DeJean as a high-floor player with little mystery of how he’ll translate to the next level. Tough to beat that combo with the 25th overall pick.

The player info

Cooper DeJean

Height: 6-0
Weight: 202
Age: 21
40-yard dash: 4.44
Vertical leap: 38.5″
Broad jump: 10-4
Three-cone: DNP
Short shuttle: DNP
Bench press: DNP
RAS: 9.85
Pre-draft visit: No
Senior Bowl: No

Consensus big board rank: 20

Packers get Iowa DB Cooper DeJean in Eric Edholm’s final mock draft

The Packers got Iowa DB Cooper DeJean in Eric Edholm’s final mock draft for NFL.com.

A review and breakdown of first-round predictions for the Green Bay Packers in final 2024 mock drafts from a few of the most prominent analysts in the business:

The mock draft: Eric Edholm, NFL.com

The pick: DB Cooper DeJean, Iowa

The reasoning: “The Packers got an up-close look at what kind of impact Brian Branch had for the Lions in the NFC North, and I think DeJean can play a similar role for the 2024 Green Bay defense. He’s capable of playing safety, nickel or outside corner, all three of which are positions of need for the Packers; DeJean also has special-teams value. I considered both lines of scrimmage here, but DeJean makes sense.”

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Our breakdown: This certainly isn’t the first time DeJean has been mocked to the Packers and it likely won’t be the last of the final mock drafts to have the Iowa star land in Green Bay at No. 25. DeJean is just a terrific fit in terms of talent and positional need, and he’s also 21 years old, an elite athlete and coming from a program the Packers deeply respect. Brian Gutekunst thinks DeJean can play corner or safety, and the Packers have a long-term need at corner and an immediate need at safety. New defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley wants to take the ball away more, and DeJean had seven picks — returning three for scores — over the last 20 games. He checks all the boxes.

The player info

Cooper DeJean

Height: 6-0
Weight: 202
Age: 21
40-yard dash: 4.44
Vertical leap: 38.5″
Broad jump: 10-4
Three-cone: DNP
Short shuttle: DNP
Bench press: DNP
RAS: 9.85
Pre-draft visit: No
Senior Bowl: No

Consensus big board rank: 20

Two round final NFL mock draft from Natalie Miller

With just under a week left until the 2023 NFL draft, teams are finalizing and setting their draft boards and positions. It is about time for us at draft wire to do the same. With that spirit in mind, here is my final mock draft of the season, with a full two rounds.

Here’s who the Packers are taking in final mock drafts of 2021

Final mock draft roundup for the Green Bay Packers before the start of the first round of the 2021 NFL draft on Thursday night.

We’re finally here: Thursday, April 29 – the official start day of the 2021 NFL Draft and the unofficial end to mock draft season.

The first round kicks off Thursday night. Once the Jacksonville Jaguars come on the clock and pick Trevor Lawerence as expected, 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):

2020 NFL mock draft: Final 1st-round projections with trades

Luke Easterling makes his final projections for the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, with a handful of big trades and surprise picks

The wait is nearly over, NFL fans.

In just mere hours, the 2020 NFL Draft will finally kick off, and the strangest predraft process in recent memory will crescendo in (hopefully) a glitch-free virtual experience.

Before the real action gets rolling, here’s my final attempt at projecting how the top 32 picks will shake out, including a handful of trades. This is how I think the first round might unfold, rather than the picks I would make if I had the chance.

Happy draft day, y’all. We made it.

*denotes projected trade

1. Cincinnati Bengals

Joe Burrow | QB | LSU

This has been set in stone for quite some time. No, Burrow never had any problems with the idea of playing for the Bengals, despite whatever rumors may have circulated throughout the draft process.

I also don’t buy the narrative that he can’t be successful in Cincinnati, or that the Bengals have a poor track record with drafting quarterbacks. Carson Palmer was one of the league’s best throughout his tenure in Cincy, and Andy Dalton was effective enough to be worthy of his second-round draft slot. They won the division twice with Palmer at the helm, and made five straight trips to the playoffs with Dalton.

The Bengals have been uncharacteristically aggressive in free agency this year, hoping to build a winner around their eventual franchise quarterback. Burrow is their man, and he’s got all the tools to return this team to playoff contention.

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