This is an updated post-combine version of a previous article detailing prototypical Packers prospects at each position and the prospects that most closely match it. You can see the previous article here.
Amidst the excitement of mock draft season, in which we try to make top prospect lists, team needs, and draft order all fit together into 1 perfect pick, we often forget to ask the question, what kind of player does my team like to draft. Although the players height, weight, and 40 times aren’t a tell-all, I thought it might be interesting to take a look at what type of players the Packers like and who in the draft fits the profile.
The results are far from scientific but it’s just a spin on something that’s also far from scientific. As far as how I made my determinations, it was first of all based on patterns. The Packers love 6’3 receivers, for example, so I used 6’3 as my height, I didn’t throw in Cobb at 5’10 and average it out to a player that doesn’t exist anywhere on the Packers roster.
I also weighted a little more heavily toward starters. Rodgers and Hundley are both mid 220’s. Joe Callahan is 216. Rather than average the three, I made the starter and his backup the standard and left Joe out.
If there really wasn’t a trend but rather a range, that’s when I would rely on averages. Typically the ideal player wouldn’t reflect a specific player but a composite of a few.
Quarterback
Obviously nobody seriously considers quarterback a need at this point but it’s still fun to take a look at what a Packers QB looks like and who fits that mold.
I found the ideal quarterback to be about 6’2 224 pounds and runs in the ballpark of a 4.7 40.
Mitch Trubisky, North Carolina
Previous Pick: Nate Peterman, Pittsburgh
If you’re looking for a player the Packers could realistically select in the draft, I would point you to my previous article where I talked about Nate Peterman. Mitch Trubisky is expected to go in the top 10 and the Packers, I’m sure, have no intention of spending any high picks on quarterbacks.
Although completely unrealistic, Mitch Trubisky fits the mold of a Packers QB pretty perfectly. Mitch, or Mitchell as he is now insisting we call him, measured in at 6-2, weighs 222 pounds and ran a 4.67 40.
He also did this…
Notice the score and the time on the clock. C’mon, tell me that doesn’t remind you of Rodgers, I dare you!
Obviously I’m not comparing him to Rodgers overall. In fact, Trubisky is considered by many to be another second round talent that will go way to early to a QB hungry team. As a Packers fan I couldn’t be happier about that. For every second round pick that goes before pick 29, the Packers basically move up the draft 1 spot.
As for his strengths, they can almost be entirely summed up by what you already know. His dimensions tell us he’s a big quarterback, his 40 tells us he can run, and the video shows some escapability, poise, accuracy, and a strong arm.
The biggest issue, like most quarterbacks transitioning to the NFL, is changing systems. 98% of his snaps were from shotgun. Their system, stacked with play action and option play also tended to leave a lot of guys wide open. Although it’s hard to knock a guy for doing well, it’s a giant question as to whether he can perform at a high level in the NFL.
Wide Receiver
Three of the Packers six receivers are 6’3 inches. Three of the six are also right in the 217 pound range. As for 40 times I did sort of an eyeball average and felt 4.46 was a good range.
Robert Davis, Georgia State
Previous Pick: Jalen Robinette, Air Force
Another guy that fit the mold almost perfectly, Robert Davis came in at 6’3 219 pounds and ran a 4.44. Davis, a 4 year starter, averaged 55.5 receptions 848 yards (15.4 ypc) and 4.25 TD’s over his career.
It should be noted that Robert Davis is related to Thomas Davis of the Carolina Panthers. If you’re into the bloodline stuff, Davis is your guy.
He’s a small school guy without a ton of film but immediately his size stands out. A long strider, Davis has the ability to glide past corners. Although not a burner, 4.4 is a solid time for 6’3 receivers.
Davis also seems to excel in slant routes and is a monster coming across the middle of the field and, in space, you can really see his speed on display.
As for negatives, despite his size, he doesn’t do well separating or fighting for the ball. Two things you hope for in a big bodied receiver. In one instance, Davis tried to catch the ball in his body with a corner draped over him, making no attempt to go over the corner and get the ball.
Running Backs
No the “S” after back is not a typo. When looking at the Packers roster I used 4 people, Lacy, Starks, Montgomery, and Michael, and noticed a pattern. There are two types of backs the Packers like to have as a 1-2 punch. First you have the short and stout back (Lacy, Michael) that are around 5’11 225 pounds and run in the 4.6 range. Next are the tall and slim backs (Starks, Montgomery) that are around 6’2 217 pounds and run around a 4.5.
Corey Clement, Wisconsin
Previous Pick: Samaje Perine, Oklahoma
At 5’10 220 pounds running a 4.68 40, Corey is a little short, a little light, and a little slow but it’s still a pretty solid comp. Beyond that, not only did the Packers meet with Clement at the combine, they told him at said meeting that they might be selecting two tailbacks this year because they are so thin at the position.
Former Wisconsin RB Corey Clement said a #Packers scout told him the team may draft two tailbacks this year because they are so thin.
— Michael Cohen (@Michael_Cohen13) March 2, 2017
Also he’s a Badgers so… Obviously he gets a bump for that.
Corey is tough to nail down. He was expected to take the reigns behind Melvin Gordon and dominate the big ten as all Wisconsin running backs tend to do. Instead he went out 7 games with a hernia injury, hurt his hand punching a guy, and lied to his team about it.
His senior year was much better. Clement managed to stay healthy, keep his hands to himself, and rack up 1,375 yards and 15 touchdowns. His style is nothing fancy. He’s a between the tackles runner that likes to run behind his blockers and power his way past the first few tacklers to gain roughly 6 yards.
Although nobody is raving about Clement, the deep running back class coupled with the fear of Badger running backs that can’t hack it in the NFL may cause a talented running back to fall entirely too far in the draft. More likely than not he will get picked up too late at a very good price.
Christopher Carson, Oklahoma State
Previous Pick: Brian Hill, Wyoming
Brian Hill is still the better comp but in the interest of mixing things up I chose to feature Christopher Carson in the tall and slim category. If you want to read about Hill, check it out it the previous article.
Christopher is 6’0 218 pounds and ran a 4.58 at the combine.
Watching him on tape is like watching two different players at times. On one play he seems slow and lumbering making unnecessary movements that slow him down. He doesn’t have great hands and is a lousy quarterback.
On the other hand, sometimes he looks like this…
And sometimes he looks like this…
His style might not be pretty but if you can’t at least see the potential I can’t help you.
Fullback
You didn’t think I’d leave out the fullbacks did you? Shame on you for even thinking it. Using Kuhn and Rip as the standard I came up with a back that’s around 6’1 253 pounds and is in the 4.7 range for the 40.
Freddie Stevenson, Florida State
Previous Pick: Nate Lese, UCLA
Considering how hard it is to find a back that weighs 253 pounds, I’m quite proud of my comp. At 6’0 234 pounds, running a 4.75 40, Freddie Stevenson is as ready as any to suit up as a fullback in the NFL.
Although Freddie was almost purely a blocker for the first three years, in 2016 Stevenson amassed a whopping 13 carries. Okay it’s not a lot but getting 90 yards in only 13 carries certainly is.
More athletic that your average fullback Stevenson can do it all, from blocking, to running, to catching.
The knock on ole’ Freddie is that he sometimes struggles to find his blocking assignment. I’ve definitely seen that but when he locks on there’s no letting go.
Tight End
I was definitely more excited about my previous pick of Njoku, one of my favorite players in this draft, but unfortunately after the combine he wasn’t a great fit. Jeremy Sprinkle, on the other hand, was a fantastic fit.
Jeremy Sprinkle, Arkansas
Previous Pick: David Njoku, Miami
Jeremy Sprinkle is a big dude at 6’5 252 pounds. He wasn’t lightning fast clocking in at 4.69 but he makes his presence known on the field.
Used primarily as a blocker, Jeremy was basically a sixth offensive lineman and looked to be on the field every play. With that said, his a big guy with a long stride that can break from the line and hurt you down the field.
He’s small for his frame but if he adds a little muscle he’s going to be a scary dude.
Offensive Tackle
Let’s face it, offensive tackle and offensive line are synonyms with the Packers. It makes sense too. You’ve got the big guys and you have the big athletic guys. Why limit yourself?
Taking a look at the 4 tackles on the Packers depth chart, Bakhtiari, Spriggs, Bulaga, and some guy named Murphy, the status quo Packers tackle is a 6’5 307 pound monster with 40 times around 5.11. The tackles average 27 reps on the bench.
J.J. Dielman, Utah
Previous Pick: Adam Bisnowaty, Pittsburgh
Behold our doppelganger. At 6’5 309 pounds and putting up 27 reps, Dielman is a Packer whether he likes it or not. Dielman didn’t run the 40 but I think we know exactly how fast he would have run.
A three year starter, J.J. was a right tackle extraordinaire for the Utes. Hailed as one of the top blockers in the Pac-12, Dielman suffered an unfortunate leg injury in his senior year. As a result he was moved to center where some think he may have found a more suitable position.
Some scouts feel he may be too small and without enough bulk to play in the NFL, especially at the tackle position. We’ll just see about all that.
Offensive Guard
Since the Packers like tackles I thought I’d have fun with the center and guard positions. I grabbed one position player and one tackle that fit the profile for each position.
The typical Packers guard is 6’4 315 pounds and runs in the 5.15 range. He needs to be able to register somewhere around 32 reps on the bench. Basically we’re looking for another Lang.
Aviante Collins, TCU
Previous Pick: Dion Dawkins, Temple
Okay he’s not Lang but I’m doing my best here. At 6’4 295, running a 4.81 and putting up 34 reps, Aviante Collins misses the mark by being a little smaller and a little faster. If he adds some weight he’ll slow down and, boom, Lang.
The word that sticks out when reading up on Collins is “versitile”. What sticks out on film is his size and surprising speed. He played right and left tackle for the Horned Frogs and is not only able to keep his quarterback clean but can fly to the next level and take out potential tacklers in the run game.
These two things combined have to intrigue some teams that would considering playing him as a guard. With the size to take on interior lineman, as well as the speed to pull in running situations, it’s entirely possible a team like the Packers drafts a guy like Collins and tries him out at guard.
The one thing that could hinder Collins from playing inside is his poor use of leverage. And interior guy like Mike Daniels would get under him in a hurry and drive him through the quarterback before he finishes his drop.
Dan Feeney, Indiana
Previous Pick: Forrest Lamp, Western Kentucky
The true guard of the group, Indiana’s Dan Feeney registered in at 6’4 305 pounds, and ran a 5.24 40, with 26 reps on the bench.
Clearly a closer comp between the two guards I featured, Feeney is a First-Team All-American, All-Big 10 First-Team road grader. Although seen as somewhat of a brawler, he is one of the better interior pass blockers in college football allowing just 2 sacks in 3,355 snaps. Indiana also employs a zone blocking scheme which helps make my case for Feeney to GB.
Despite questions about his injuries and some concerns that he is “just a zone blocker,” Feeney is thought to go on the second day of the 2017 NFL Draft.
Center
At center I essentially made Corey Linsley the standard at 6’3 298 pound with 36 reps on the bench and running a 4.98 40. This may have been a horrible decision because, as it turns out, there’s nobody quite like Linsley. Good luck finding anyone that can put up 36 reps, much less a guy that weighs under 300 pounds.
Erik Austell, Charleston Southern
Previous Pick: Julie’n Davenport, Bucknell
A bit of a stretch, Austell measured 6’3 301 and ran a 5.21 40. His attempt to match Linsley came up a bit short with 24 reps on the bench.
Austell is a relatively unknown commodity. Although he played 4 years at tackle and received all sorts of accolades;
- Big South All-Conference First Team at Offensive Line
- AFCA FCS First Team All-American
- Associated Press FCS Second Team All-American
- STATS FCS Second Team All-American
- STATS FCS Preseason First Team All-American
- Big South Preseason All-Conference selection at Offensive Line
Austell had never taken a snap on offense until playing for the Buccaneers, and the fact that he plays for an FCS team begs the question of whether he can even play at an NFL level.
I don’t know about you but something about a great athlete that is disliked simply because he plays for a garbage team (underrated) screams Ted Thompson compensatory pick. You know, the pick that outperforms the first round pick and goes to the pro bowl in his third year with the team.
Tyler Orlosky, West Virginia
Previous Pick: Pat Elflein, Ohio State
Once again the true position player more closely fits the mold. He also doesn’t compare on the bench but nobody in the draft really did. At 6’3 298 pounds, Orlosky was able to put up the bar a respectable 24 times.
Orlosky moved from guard to center in his redshirt freshman year and never looked back starting all three years. A typical center, T.O. isn’t much of an athlete but is an alert blocker with the strength to hold the point of attack.
Orlosky is currently ranked third on NFLDraftScout and is the fifth ranked center on Walter Football.
Nose Tackle
The packers depth chart lists NT, DT, and DE as separate positions. I’m sure the Packers know the distinction but I couldn’t pick it out. Best I can tell, the DT position is a nose tackle playing in the DE spot.
Either way I basically made two categories, NT and DE. The big guys like Kenny Clark listed as DE’s were added to the NT spot.
All that being said, the prototype I came up with is 6’2 308 pounds, runs a 5.0 and reps 29 times.
Eddie Vanderdoes, UCLA
Previous Pick: Caleb Brantley, Florida
Not too long ago, Eddie Vanderdoes was side by side with Packers first round pick Kenny Clark. At 6’3 305 pounds running a 5.0 with 28 reps, Eddie was build to be on the interior of the Packers D line.
Thought by some to be a third day selection, Vanderdoes has some incredible tape and can be a force up the middle. Unfortunately an ACL injury knocked him out in 2015 and many feel he wasn’t the same in 2016.
He has the talent to be drafted before day three but if he does slide, perhaps Edward could be the fourth round slam dunk that the Packers will no doubt acquire.
Defensive End
Another somewhat tricky position, I had to remove the tackles and pull back Datone Jones in order to get a sense for what kind of ends the Packers like. Using Jones and new addition Dean Lowry to the mix I found the Packers really like big guys in the defensive end spot.
The man I’m looking for is 6’5 290 pounds, running a 4.83.
Malik McDowell, Michigan State
Previous Pick: Tanoh Kpassagnon, Villanova
Tanoh Kpassagnon is still a great comp but I’m happy with Malik. At 6’6 295 pounds, McDowell is a mountain of a man. McDowell rounded out the combine with a 4.86 40 and put up 23 reps on the bench.
Malik is seen by many to be an athletic freak with more than enough potential to be a 1st round pick. Walter Football has him as the second highest ranked 3-4 DE and NFL.com has him as the fifth ranked defensive lineman, first overall DT.
The issue with Malik are his mechanics and work ethic. His play at times can be sloppy but however he does it, pretty or not, Malik makes plays. Whoever grabs this guy in the second round may potentially get the steal of the draft.
Conversely he could be a first round bust.
Outside Linebacker
With the exception of Peppers who they didn’t draft, and Datone who they drafted as a DE, the only guy on the squad that isn’t 6’3 is Kyler Fackrell at 6’5. Similarly, if you eliminate the same two guys, the only one not in the 240 range is Nick Perry. With that, I’m looking for a guy that’s 6’3 242 pounds and runs a 4.7 40.
Josh Carraway, TCU
Previous Pick: Carroll Phillips, Illinois
Josh Carraway fits the mold to a T at 6’3 242 pounds, running a 4.74.
The second Horned Frog on the list, Carraway doesn’t carry the same sort of esteem that Malik McDowell does. If you are a TCU fan, however, you certainly know his name. Possibly the best player on the defense, Carraway notched 8 sacks and 11 tackles for a loss in his senior year.
Seen as “soft” by some in the scouting community, Carraways speed and athleticism is what will land him in the NFL. For my money, I couldn’t care less if he buys the quartback flowers after the game, so long and he buries his head in the dirt during the game.
Inside Linebacker
There is quite a bit of symmetry between the three ILB’s for the Packers. Height, weight, 40 time, and bench are all right in line with one another. What do they all look like? 6’2 235 pounds, run a 4.68 and rep 225 around 21 times.
Anthony Walker, Northwestern
Previous Pick: Raekwon McMillan, Ohio State
At 6’1 238 pounds, running a 4.65 40 and putting up 23 reps, Anthony Walker would fit in quite nicely with the symmetrical Packers inside linebackers.
Another guy expected to be drafted in the middle rounds, Anthony is a thick dude that I can best describe as a cruise missile. If he has a clean line of site, he’s coming straight for you and is going to mess you up.
Unfortunately, cruise missiles are a little “stiff” and aren’t really known for making sharp turns. He also has a little trouble getting off blocks and may need a little work before he starts in the NFL.
Cornerback
As much as I can understand wanting 6’3 wide receivers, I can’t for the life of me understand the Packers obsession with short corners. To be specific, 5’11 is the sweet spot for Teddy T. Randall, Rollins, and Shields are all listed at 5’11 with Hawkins listed at 5’10. Gunter and Waters are the only corners that are over 6 feet tall.
The precise measurements, if you were wondering, for the perfect Packers corner are 5’11 195 pounds and runs a 4.57.
Cam Sutton, Tennessee
Previous Pick: Tre’Davious White, LSU
Despite my puzzlement as to why I’m looking for a 5’11 corner, the search ends with Cam Sutton. Sutton weighed in at 188 pounds and ran a 4.53.
Cam is primarily seen as a man cover corner and is thought to be lacking in the zone department. With a great ability to mirror and play the ball without getting too handsy with receivers, Cam is another of the great corners to enter the Draft in 2017.
It’s hard to say when he will be drafted. There is a large pool of great corners and it’s really anyone’s guess as to how the teams are stacking them on the board. He could go as late as the fourth round but I wouldn’t at all be surprised if he went in the second. His performance in the Senior Bowl certainly didn’t hurt.
Safety
A position that was once the worst in the NFL is now one of the better groups for the Packers with HHCD and Burnett holdin’ it down. Still, the depth isn’t really there as we saw when Burnett went down and an investment in the safety position would not be a waste.
Unlike the corner position, the Packers seem to like bigger guys. There are 2 5’11 safeties on the team but the two starters are both 6’1 so I’m sticking with that. Both are also right at the 208 pound mark so after averaging out the 40 times I’m looking for a 6’1 208 pound safety that runs a 4.4
Delano Hill, Michigan
Previous Pick: Jabrill Peppers
The spitting image of Clinton-Dix, Hill is 6’1 216 pounds and ran a 4.47 40.
A force in the backfield, Hill didn’t go full time until 2015 when he racked up 46 tackles and 2 passes deflected. In 2016 he totaled 50 tackles, 3 passes defended, 3 interceptions, and a forced fumble.
Clearly Hill makes his money bringing down ball carriers. The big knock on Delano is his inability to be a corner and do what corners do. Hence the reason he’s a safety. Strong safety at that.