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Dane Brugler's seven-round mock draft for The Athletic -- his first since the release of "The Beast" draft guide -- gave the Green Bay Packers a pair of Big Ten defenders on Day 2, a potential nose tackle solution in the fifth round and a trio of pre-draft visitors to finish off Day 3.
Here's the eight-player draft class from Brugler's mock draft:
Going edge rusher in the second round and cornerback in the third round looks like an increasingly possible scenario for the Packers given the players likely to be available at No. 52 and No. 84. Dennis-Sutton is a clear Packers fit, with a terrific mix of size, athleticism and production at a top school, and he would help refill the cupboard at edge rusher after losing Rashan Gary and Kingsley Enagbare. Igbinosun is a little light at 189 pounds, and his pre-draft testing wasn't elite, but he's 6-2, with a nearly 79" wingspan, and he was a four-year starter across one season at Ole Miss and three at Ohio State. The Packers need depth and competition on the perimeter, and Igbinosun -- if he can clean up grabby tendencies -- would provide a player capable of competing to play right away.
Nwaiwu isn't a great fit as an athlete, but he started games at guard, center and right tackle over four seasons at a starter, giving him the versatility the Packers covet. He could give Green Bay a developmental interior option and a possible future starter at center if Sean Rhyan doesn't work out.
Keenan (6-1, 327) probably isn't going to be much more than a block-eating, two-gapping nose tackle, but he fills the role well, and he was well-respected in the Alabama program, per Brugler. The Packers need this type of player. Brugler compared Keenan to Kyris Tonga, who previously played for Jonathan Gannon.
Like Nwaiwu, Crownover doesn't look like a perfect Packers fit, and he'll turn 25 in September. But he's a big, durable tackle who has played on both sides of the offensive line and could develop into a capable swing tackle. The Packers lost Rasheed Walker in free agency, so offensive tackle is a long-term need.
The rest of Day 3 featured a visitor at running back (Black), a visitor at linebacker (Dugger) and a visitor at edge rusher (Heldman). Black was an important piece for the national champions and could provide a quality complementary option in Green Bay, while Dugger and Heldman are truly elite athletes coming off highly productive final collegiate seasons. The seventh round is a good place to take swings on that type of player.
All things considered, this is a highly believable class of players for the Packers. Most are prime fits, and Brugler attacked many of the Packers' biggest needs.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers get pair of Big Ten defenders to start Brugler's 7-round mock draft
Continue reading...
Here's the eight-player draft class from Brugler's mock draft:
- Second round, No. 52: Dani Dennis-Sutton, edge, Penn State
- Third round, No. 84: Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State
- Fourth round, No. 120: Febechi Nwaiwu, G/C, Oklahoma
- Fifth round, No. 153: Tim Keenan, DT, Alabama
- Fifth round, No. 160: Dametrious Crownover, OT, Texas A&M
- Sixth round, No. 201: Kaelon Black, RB, Indiana
- Seventh round, No. 236: Jaden Dugger, LB, Louisiana
- Seventh round, No. 255: Michael Heldman, edge, Central Michigan
Going edge rusher in the second round and cornerback in the third round looks like an increasingly possible scenario for the Packers given the players likely to be available at No. 52 and No. 84. Dennis-Sutton is a clear Packers fit, with a terrific mix of size, athleticism and production at a top school, and he would help refill the cupboard at edge rusher after losing Rashan Gary and Kingsley Enagbare. Igbinosun is a little light at 189 pounds, and his pre-draft testing wasn't elite, but he's 6-2, with a nearly 79" wingspan, and he was a four-year starter across one season at Ole Miss and three at Ohio State. The Packers need depth and competition on the perimeter, and Igbinosun -- if he can clean up grabby tendencies -- would provide a player capable of competing to play right away.
Nwaiwu isn't a great fit as an athlete, but he started games at guard, center and right tackle over four seasons at a starter, giving him the versatility the Packers covet. He could give Green Bay a developmental interior option and a possible future starter at center if Sean Rhyan doesn't work out.
Keenan (6-1, 327) probably isn't going to be much more than a block-eating, two-gapping nose tackle, but he fills the role well, and he was well-respected in the Alabama program, per Brugler. The Packers need this type of player. Brugler compared Keenan to Kyris Tonga, who previously played for Jonathan Gannon.
Like Nwaiwu, Crownover doesn't look like a perfect Packers fit, and he'll turn 25 in September. But he's a big, durable tackle who has played on both sides of the offensive line and could develop into a capable swing tackle. The Packers lost Rasheed Walker in free agency, so offensive tackle is a long-term need.
The rest of Day 3 featured a visitor at running back (Black), a visitor at linebacker (Dugger) and a visitor at edge rusher (Heldman). Black was an important piece for the national champions and could provide a quality complementary option in Green Bay, while Dugger and Heldman are truly elite athletes coming off highly productive final collegiate seasons. The seventh round is a good place to take swings on that type of player.
All things considered, this is a highly believable class of players for the Packers. Most are prime fits, and Brugler attacked many of the Packers' biggest needs.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers get pair of Big Ten defenders to start Brugler's 7-round mock draft
Continue reading...
