Seven-Round Packers Mock Draft 6.1: An Egg-cellent Mock

With less than four weeks until the NFL Draft, our latest Green Bay Packers mock draft leads off with Texas A&M linebacker Edgerrin Cooper.

Texas A&M linebacker Edgerrin Cooper / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Every Easter should be celebrated with copious amounts of candy and an NFL mock draft.

We took a different approach this week. In each of our previous five mock drafts, we’ve started with an offensive tackle or cornerback. To shake things up, we went with Texas A&M linebacker Edgerrin Cooper. Doing so accomplished a couple things.

First, it filled a major position of need. With Quay Walker and Cooper, the Packers would have a pair of ground-covering, every-down linebackers. Second, for the sake of this exercise, it forced us to focus on a different batch of players. Further shaking things up, this week’s mock draft was done with the NFLDraftBuzz.com simulator.

Let’s go.

First Round: Texas A&M LB Edgerrin Cooper

Would general manager Brian Gutekunst go linebacker in the first round? The answer to that question probably would depend on if he views Isaiah McDuffie as an every-down player. If McDuffie can be a legit three-down player, then perhaps that third starting linebacker position gets pushed back a couple rounds.

Cooper is a big-time athlete with big-time production. He’s not a perfect player but that’s why you have coaches. The Packers wooed Anthony Campanile to town for a reason. He’s one of the best in the business. Let him work his magic with a player with elite talent.

Second Round: BYU OT Kingsley Suamataia

Suamataia is right on the fringe of first and second round, so there’s a chance he won’t get to No. 41. He checks the physical boxes at 6-foot-4 5/8 with 34 1/4-inch arms and 5.04 speed in the 40. He gave up zero sacks and 11 total pressures at right tackle in 2022 and two sacks and 13 total pressures at left tackle in 2023, according to Pro Football Focus.

With Rasheed Walker at left tackle, the Packers don’t have the urgency to select a Day 1 starter. A swing tackle to replace Yosh Nijman who can develop into a starter would be a good formula.

Second Round: Washington State S Jaden Hicks

At WSU’s pro day last week, Hicks measured 6-foot-1 7/8 and 215 pounds. A source on the scene said the consensus time for his 40 was 4.47 seconds. That’s great size and athleticism – a perfect combination to be the counterpart to free-agent addition Xavier McKinney. He’s got experience in that role. Last season, when he had 79 tackles, two interceptions and six tackles for losses, he played 456 snaps in the box, 200 deep and 103 in the slot, according to PFF.

Third Round: Kentucky CB Andru Phillips

If you look at the Packers’ depth chart, one of the first things to jump out: Who is the backup in the slot to Keisean Nixon? Enter Phillips. In 2023, he played 426 snaps on the perimeter and 223 in the slot. In 2022, he played 94 snaps on the perimeter but 192 in the slot. That would be some welcome versatility. His toughness would fit well inside, where run support is important. The knock: Zero interceptions in four seasons, including two seasons as a starter, and he played better in 2022.

At just shy of 5-foot-11, he ran his 40 in 4.48 seconds.

Third Round: Western Michigan edge Marshawn Kneeland

Kneeland fills the void created by Kingsley Engabare’s torn ACL and provides some long-term security with Preston Smith being the oldest player on the roster. The raw numbers are OK (12.5 sacks, 28 tackles for losses in four seasons) but he posted an elite pass-rush win rate and is a tough customer against the run. He posted excellent numbers at the Scouting Combine (6-foot-3, 267 pounds, 9.54 Relative Athletic Score).

Fourth Round: South Dakota State G Mason McCormick

It’s time to rebuild the offensive line, which counts Royce Newman as the lone backup behind Elgton Jenkins, Josh Myers and Sean Rhyan at the interior positions. McCormick was a two-time FCS All-American and a driving force for the back-to-back national champions. Fine, but can he play in the NFL? With a Relative Athletic Score of 9.96, he’s got every chance.

Fifth Round: Wisconsin C Tanor Bortolini

The interior of the offensive line not only needs immediate depth but Myers will be a free agent after the upcoming season. Like our previous pick, Bortolini aced the Scouting Combine. That he played here, there and everywhere for the Badgers would be an extra feather in his cap for the Packers. He allowed one sack at center in 2023, one sack at the three interior spots in 2022 and one sack mostly at right tackle in 2021. The question is whether he lasts until Pick 169. Probably not but who knows.

Sixth Round: Kentucky LB Trevin Wallace

The Packers will need to come out of this draft with more than one linebacker. It’s not just for immediate depth or to help on special teams, but Isaiah McDuffie is entering his final season under contract and two returning veterans, Eric Wilson and Kristian Welch, are back on one-year deals. Wallace had 80 tackles, including 5.5 sacks, in 2023. At 6-foot-1 and 237 pounds, he ran his 40 in 4.51 seconds. That makes him one of the fastest linebackers in the class.

Sixth Round: Washington S Dominique Hampton

Hampton spent six years at Washington. He saved the best for last with 109 tackles, two interceptions and seven passes defensed – all career highs. At 6-foot-2 3/8 and 215 pounds and with 4.51 speed, he’s got similar size and speed to our second-round pick, Jaden Hicks. He played mostly in the slot in 2022; his 2023 snaps were relatively evenly split between slot, box and free safety.

Seventh Round: Arizona RB Michael Wiley

I wanted to go running back earlier but the board didn’t fall the right way. With Josh Jacobs, AJ Dillon and Emanuel Wilson, the Packers have three big guys. Who’s got some wheels? At 5-foot-10 1/2 and 210 pounds, Wiley ran his 40 in 4.51 seconds. The real appeal, though: Wiley caught 97 passes with 12 touchdown grabs during his final three seasons.

Seventh Round: Texas DB Ryan Watts

Watts measured 6-foot-2 7/8 at the Scouting Combine, where he ran his 40 in 4.53 seconds and had a 40.5-inch vertical leap. So, this is a big-time athlete. If he pans out, he could be a real matchup player against the NFL’s increasing number of big receivers. With two years at Ohio State and two more at Texas, he had three interceptions and broke up six others.

Related Story: Packers Depth Charts

Jordan Love / Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Here are updated depth charts on offense, defense and special teams.