The Green Bay Packers enter the offseason with needs at cornerback, receiver and defensive line. NFL.com’s Chad Reuter knocked out all three in his four-round mock draft.
In our all-Packers mock draft, we traded out of the first round and happily grabbed Northwestern cornerback Greg Newsome. In Reuter’s draft, he traded up by giving up fourth- and fifth-round picks to get Newsome at No. 22 overall.
“Cornerback is a position of need for the Packers, and Newsome is the top outside starter remaining on the board,” Reuter wrote.
According to Pro Football Focus, all Newsome did was allow 12-of-34 passing while breaking up seven passes.
In the second round, Reuter went with Louisville receiver Tutu Atwell. In third round, he selected Louisiana Tech defensive tackle Milton Williams. With the fourth-round compensatory pick the team is expected to receive for losing linebacker Blake Martinez last offseason, Reuter grabbed Auburn linebacker K.J. Britt.
“It's pretty clear the Packers are lacking in depth at cornerback for next season,” Reuter said when asked to explain his big-picture thinking. “Newsome's the best available cover guy after the top three are gone, which means they will need to move up to get him. Gutey has been willing to move up and get his guy, and the price tag should not be prohibitive given the likely free agent compensatory selections coming their way. A second corner later in the draft makes sense, too, probably a slot-oriented guy.
“The offense missed Tyler Ervin when he wasn't in the game, so Atwell would serve that role as well as work the slot when Adams is outside. Depth on both lines is needed, and Williams fits very well as a five-technique who will start within a couple of years.”
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