100 Days of Mocks: Packers Take Powerful Edge

The Green Bay Packers like their outside linebackers to be big and powerful. With 54 days until the draft, they took one in this new mock draft.

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The last time the Green Bay Packers gambled on a big, traits-based outside linebacker, they wound up with Rashan Gary.

Could they try it again with Clemson’s Myles Murphy? He was their pick in a new mock draft by USA Today’s College Sports Wire.

“The Packers haven’t shown that they value wide receivers in years past, which is why we are looking at another position of need. Green Bay gets help on the edge with Murphy,” Patrick Conn wrote.

Led by the 6-foot-5, 275-pound Gary, the Packers like their outside linebackers to be physical rather than finesse. Murphy fits that history.

In three seasons, he had 18.5 sacks and 36 tackles for losses. He had double-digits TFLs all three seasons. He added six forced fumbles.

“The biggest thing is versatility,” Murphy said at the Scouting Combine. “I have film of playing from the three-technique all the way out to a wide nine, two-point, three-point. Dominating in every gap, honestly. Great off the ball, great speed off the ball. Great point of attack. Being 275 pounds, I have the strength to go with it.”

He has the potential, to be sure, but he’s a bit like an uncut diamond. The stats weren’t dominating.

“Myles Murphy is a tricky one because it's all in there,” NFL.com draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said during a conference call last week. “He has it all in his body. He hasn't got it all figured out just yet, but between his kind of his combination of length and explosiveness, I think there's more there.”

His force should be an asset against the run. The Packers didn’t just miss Gary’s penchant for pressuring the quarterback following his torn ACL; they also missed his stout play vs. the run.

“Honestly, it's an attack-react mindset,” Murphy said. “You have to set the front straight early. I like to attack them first so I can re-set the line of scrimmage. Once you re-set the line of scrimmage that really messes up the line for the offense.”

Murphy tweaked a hamstring and didn’t go through a workout at the Scouting Combine. Clemson’s pro day is set for March 14.

Myles Murphy. (Photo by Winslow Townson/USA Today Sports

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100 Days of Mocks

Starting Jan. 17, when there were 100 days until the start of the NFL Draft, we started our mock-worthy goal of 100 mock drafts in 100 days. Here’s the 100-day-countdown series.

55 days: Kincaid and figure-skating safety

56 days: The dreaded third-round tight end

57 days: Three mocks, same tight end

58 days: Going the extra Myles

59 days: Safety, tight end, receiver in three-rounder

60 days: Two three-round mocks

61 days: Playing the slots

62 days: Three mocks, three receivers

63 days: A massive haul for Rodgers

64 days: Three team-issued mock drafts

Packers take tight end in Daniel Jeremiah’s second mock

65 days: Pass-rushing defensive lineman in two-rounder

66 days: A slot/safety?

67 days: Three-rounder starts with receiver

68 days: Grandson of Glory Years legend

69 days: Mayer to Packers in SI mock

70 days: Football Outsiders picks pass rusher

71 days: 33rd Team trades Rodgers in two-rounder

71 days (bonus): Todd McShay 2.0

72 days: Packers take receiver to start NFL.com three-rounder

73 days: Packers fill big need with big man

74 days: Rodgers traded, take two pass-catchers in first round

75 days: Two NFL.com mocks, two different tight ends

76 days: Tight end and pass rusher in two-rounder by NFL Draft Bible

77 days: Rodgers traded to Raiders for No. 7 pick

78 days: A seven-round mock includes Big Ten playmakers

79 days: Rodgers traded in two-round mock

80 days: Packers take safety in ESPN mock

81 days: Aaron Rodgers traded in three-round mock

82 days: Seven mocks, including NFL.com

83 days: Two pass-catchers in first-round mocks

84 days: Aaron Rodgers traded for extra first-round pick

85 days: PFF picks a pass rusher

86 days: Tight end in NFL Draft Bible Mock

87 days: Packers trade back, get extra second-rounder

88 days: Sorry, vacation day.

89 days: A “Eureka!” moment in two-round mock

90 days: Playmaking cornerback at PFF

91 days: Three defensive backs in seven-round mock

92 days: Kiper takes a tight end

93 days: Safety first for Bucky Brooks in NFL.com mock

94 days: College Football News mocks Mayer

95 days: Two firsts if Rodgers is traded

96 days: NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah goes back to Georgia

97 days: This pick would break a long drought

98 days: Stud tight end

99 days: Trading for outside linebacker

100 days: First-round quarterback?