Packers Mock Draft 2021: Can early additions set Green Bay up for Super Bowl run?

After a second consecutive loss in the NFC Championship Game, the Green Bay Packers have an opportunity to retool for 2021 and beyond in the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft. In this 2021 7-Round NFL Mock Draft, we break down who the Packers could have their eye on to address their needs as they look to go at least one better in 2021.

Packers Post-Free Agency 7-Round Mock Draft

• Round 1, Pick 29: Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
• Round 2, Pick 62: Eric Stokes, CB, Georgia
• Round 3, Pick 92: Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama
• Round 4, Pick 135: Demetric Felton, RB/WR, UCLA
• Round 4, Pick 142: Michal Menet, C, Penn State
• Round 5, Pick 173: Milton Williams, DT, Louisiana Tech
• Round 5, Pick 178: Dazz Newsome, WR, North Carolina
• Round 6, Pick 214: Ta’Quon Graham, DT, Texas
• Round 6, Pick 220: Grant Stuard, LB, Houston
• Round 7, Pick 256: Christian Uphoff, S, Illinois State

Packers 2021 NFL Mock Draft pick-by-pick analysis

Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State

The Packers are in an interesting spot when it comes to the offensive tackle position. David Bakhtiari is clearly their left tackle of the future. However, after tearing his ACL in practice in December, his status for the 2021 season is in doubt. Therefore, the Packers could look to draft a player that can start on the left side of the line in 2021 but also be a long-term starter at right tackle.

Two players immediately come to mind who can fill that role. Alex Leatherwood out of Alabama is certainly an option, but in this 2021 7-Round NFL Mock Draft, Teven Jenkins is the selection for the Packers. Jenkins is extremely athletic and agile, but he’s also a powerful player.

Jenkins has the versatility to adjust across systems in the NFL. Thus, he could be a popular player on Day 1 of the draft. The Packers may need to consider moving up from the 29th pick if they have their sights set on Jenkins.

Eric Stokes, CB, Georgia

The second round looks like it will be a popular round for the cornerback position. With a handful of cornerbacks in consideration in the late first/early-to-mid second round, we could see one of them fall into the back end of the second round. Eric Stokes could be that type of player if teams are looking for immediate help on the outside.

In his scouting report, Tony Pauline comments that Stokes has the potential to develop into a first-team player but may need to start his career in nickel packages. That utility-corner option would be perfect for the Packers. Given Kevin King’s struggles in the playoffs, the Packers will be hoping Stokes develops into a potential outside option in his first season.

If Stokes is off the board, the Packers may also have Asante Samuel Jr., Tyson Campbell, or Aaron Robinson in this spot. This could be another scenario where the Packers use mid-to-late round picks to move up and get their preferred target at the corner position.

Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama

Dylan Moses is a player who splits opinions across the NFL. Still, if he is still available at the end of the third round, as he is in this 2021 mock draft, the Packers should not pass up an opportunity to get a solid contributor with a lot of potential upside.

After his injury in 2019, Moses did not appear to be the same player last season. With that said, 2021 will see him move further from that injury which can only be a good thing.

Moses is a consistent producer who can play in a number of schemes. The Packers’ inside linebacker group lacks clear and obvious playmakers, and he could immediately upgrade this group. If Moses is not available here, look for the Packers to wait until later in the draft to address the linebacker position.

Demetric Felton, RB/WR, UCLA

Adding Demetric Felton in this 7-Round 2021 NFL Mock Draft would give the Packers an intriguing chess piece on offense. Under Mike McCarthy, the Packers offense often used players like Randall Cobb and Ty Montgomery as both wide receiver and running back contributors. Similarly, Felton projects as this type of player at the NFL level.

While the offensive scheme has changed, the potential utility of that type of player has not decreased. Adding Felton as a piece who could line up all over the offense helps Aaron Rodgers and the offense create matchup nightmares they can exploit.

Michal Menet, C, Penn State

After losing Corey Linsley in free agency, the Packers do not have a clear starting option at the center position. Michal Menet‘s style, however, fits the Packers’ zone-blocking scheme, which gives him an opportunity to be an early starter in Green Bay. The current options for the center position are Lucas Patrick and Jake Hanson. Combined, they have a total of 136 snaps at center in their NFL careers.

Menet is a smart player who can be an immediate leader in the center of the offensive line. He has shown a strong ability to get to the second level in his college career. This would benefit him greatly in the Packers’ scheme. Menet is an ideal selection for the Packers in this 2021 mock draft.

Milton Williams, DT,  Louisiana Tech

Milton Williams‘ stock has been rising fast over the past month, especially given his strong performance at Louisiana Tech’s Pro Day. The Packers really need to address their defensive line, as it lacks top-end talent outside of Kenny Clark.

The 3-4 scheme the Packers appear ready to deploy under new defensive coordinator Joe Barry is not a perfect fit for Williams. Nevertheless, if Williams is available at the back end of Round 5, he is a player that is worth taking a shot on for Green Bay.

The development of Williams’ game over the past two seasons has been impressive. With this in mind, the Packers may feel they can continue to develop him into their style and scheme. Williams’ athleticism and strength for his size could see him contribute immediately in a rotational role.

Dazz Newsome, WR, North Carolina

While social media cries out for the Packers to add a second legitimate receiving threat, they could actually benefit from just adding a reliable pass catcher. Dazz Newsome is not an explosive downfield option, but the Packers do not need that. Allen Lazard and Marquez Valdes-Scantling play that role already. What the Packers need is a player who can line up in the slot and find windows in the coverage for Rodgers.

Newsome can be a slot receiver option for Green Bay. He is a sure-handed player who works hard to pick up yards after the catch. After pulling in around 75 percent of his targets in 2020, the selection of Newsome in this 7-Round 2021 NFL Mock Draft could be ideal for the Packers, and more importantly, for Rodgers.

Ta’Quon Graham, DT, Texas

Ta’Quon Graham is another interior defensive lineman who could be a rotational contributor immediately for the Packers. After playing in a three-person front with Texas, Graham should be familiar schematically with the Packers’ defensive principles.

Adding Graham would give Green Bay another athletic defensive lineman who can dominate opponents in a rotational role early in his career. More importantly, Graham also has the developmental ability to grow into a consistent contributor for this defense.

Grant Stuard, LB, Houston

At the back end of this 2021 7-Round NFL Mock Draft for the Packers, the intent is to look for special-teams contributors with upside. Grant Stuard certainly fits that bill after being a tackling machine with Houston. He is a smart, physical player despite being undersized.

His willingness to tackle will make him a useful player on coverage teams immediately. In addition, Stuard has the potential to play in situational roles on defense. He could ultimately fill that hybrid linebacker/safety role for the Packers on passing downs.

Christian Uphoff, S, Illinois State

Rounding out this 2021 7-Round NFL Mock Draft for the Packers is another player with intriguing upside. Christian Uphoff was one of several small-school prospects who impressed at the Senior Bowl. He is a player who will need time to develop. Moreover, he needs to improve on his tackling immediately in the NFL.

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At any rate, if Uphoff can hold on to a special-teams role early in his career, the development potential is huge. He demonstrated good burst and range in his college career. Both of those attributes could make him a useful player behind Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage at safety for the Packers.

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