The Green Bay Packers still have plenty of decisions to make over the next few hours. On Saturday, day 3 of the NFL Draft, the team is slated to have eight picks. Sure enough, general manager Brian Gutekunst said he’s willing to move around, potentially trading up at some point.
“Our board was very strong, and it gives us ammunition to move around,” Gutekunst mentioned of his trade down in the second round with the New Orleans Saints. “We might have that ability tomorrow.”
So, let’s analyze who are the five best available players for the Packers.
EDGE Mohamed Kamara, Colorado State
Kamara is a strong edge defender who uses his hands with effectiveness. He's not a bendy kind of defensive end, but he has a good motor and seems to fit well in the Packers' new defensive scheme.
He is slightly undersized (250lb) for the Packers preferred thresholds, but he plays bigger. Kamara has good moves off the line of scrimmage and gets several coverage sacks because his motor never stops.
The player might not be a huge difference-maker right away, but he’s a solid rotational and developmental edge defender — exactly what you can hope for on day 3.
S Jaden Hicks, Washington State
Hicks has good size and athleticism at the safety position. He hits hard and can play inside the box. The Packers already drafted Javon Bullard, but Brian Gutekunst has a trend to address needs with multiple picks, just like he did taking linebackers Edgerrin Cooper and Ty'Ron Hopper.
CB TJ Tampa, Iowa State
Tampa was widely regarded as a day 2 prospect, but he's fallen to Saturday because of his limitations as a zone defender. However, the defensive back is physical and can play press man with good technique and results. He has all the physical tools a player needs to succeed in the NFL, and most of his flaws are coachable.
WR Devontez Walker, North Carolina
The Packers took three wide receivers in each of the last two drafts, so it's uncertain if they will want more of them now. Walker is a speedster who reminds us of Marquez Valdes-Scantling, for good and bad reasons. On day 3, though, it would be a solid value.
G Mason McCormick, South Dakota State
The Packers addressed the offensive line in the first round, but the unit still probably needs more depth, especially in the interior. Mason McCormick is a rare athlete with rare durability. He's really good at creating running lanes, but will have to develop against the pass rush. But for a day 3 pick and considering the Packers' track record of developing offensive linemen, that's certainly a valuable proposition.
More must-reads: