Schrager’s Mock Draft: Packers Start with Burks

The host of "Good Morning Football" predicts a run on receivers that will continue with the Green Bay Packers selecting Treylon Burks.

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Peter Schrager, the host of NFL Network’s Good Morning Football, cranked out his first mock draft for NFL.com. The headline reads, “Seahawks trade for QB; run on WRs in mid-teens.”

The Green Bay Packers have an obvious need for a receiver and are holding the 22nd and 28th picks of the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. So, who might be left if a similar run takes place in the real draft that begins on April 28?

In his mock, Alabama’s Jameson Williams goes to the Jets at No. 10. The run begins at No. 15, with the Eagles taking USC’s Drake London, the Saints taking Ohio State’s Garrett Wilson at No. 16 and the Chargers taking Ohio State’s Chris Olave at No. 17.

With the receiver board holding steady, Schrager picked Arkansas receiver Treylon Burks at No. 22. That’s the pick acquired in the Davante Adams trade.

“Burks is a big-bodied receiver (6-2, 225) with excellent ball skills,” Schrager wrote. “He did it all for Arkansas the last two seasons and views himself in the same mold as Deebo Samuel – in that he can be the big man in traffic or carry the rock if needed. If Aaron Rodgers wants a quick glimpse of what he could be getting in Burks, he should watch the wideout's tape against Alabama, where he went for 179 yards and 2 TDs.”

According to Sports Info Solutions, Burks ranked No. 1 in the draft class with 4.00 yards per route, second with 9.6 yards per catch and eighth with 0.24 forced missed tackles per reception. He had 66 catches and only three drops.

“Burks hasn’t faced a lot of press coverage lining up primarily in the slot but has little issue getting off the line efficiently,” reads part of his scouting report at SIS. His combination of size and speed make him difficult to move off his line, but he relies more on his physicality to get into his routes. Burks takes a few strides to get to full speed but has good top-end speed. When on the outside, Burks does a great job of selling deep and having the ability to adjust off it. He has really good body control and can contour his body to make catches all around his frame. Burks excels in contested-catch situations, not only due to his size but his sticky hands, which help him bring in off-target throws.”

A top defensive lineman fell into Green Bay’s laps with the second pick.

Click here for the full draft.

All-Packers Mock Draft 4.0

Here is our fourth all-Green Bay Packers mock draft, with this one created with the aid of the Pro Football Focus simulator.

First Round: WR Treylon Burks, Arkansas

This was an easy one. Of the Big Five receivers – Ohio State’s Garrett Wilson, USC’s Drake London, Alabama’s Jameson Williams, Ohio State’s Chris Olave and Arkansas’ Treylon Burks – only Burks was available. So, Burks is the pick. Burks might not have great speed but his physicality will fit what coach Matt LaFleur likes to do.

First Round: OLB Boye Mafe

With absolutely no depth behind the starters, the Packers are one injury away from a major problem. Is Mafe a dominating player? No. Is Mafe a finished product? Not even close. In 2019, the same things were said about Rashan Gary. That picked worked out OK. This one will, too. Mafe had seven sacks as a senior and fits the bill physically at 6-foot-4 and 261 pounds with ridiculous 4.53 speed in the 40. With the offensive tackles off the board, this pick took 0.2 seconds.

Second Round: WR Christian Watson, North Dakota State

LaFleur wants speed. At 6-foot-4 and with a 4.37 clocking in the 40, speed is what Marquez Valdes-Scantling brought to the party. Hello, Christian Watson, who at 6-foot-4 has 4.36 speed, better all-around athleticism and a better skill-set. He dominated the FCS ranks not only as a receiver but as a kickoff returner. Linebacker Quay Walker and offensive tackle Abraham Lucas were considerations.

Second Round: OT Abraham Lucas, Washington State

The last two seasons have been ruined by David Bakhtiari’s torn ACL. As it stands with Elgton Jenkins coming off a torn ACL, the Packers will line up in Week 1 with Bakhtiari at left tackle, Yosh Nijman at right tackle and … who knows as the No. 3. This is a huge need. Lucas might be a bit of a reach at this spot but he’s got the athleticism the Packers covet on the offensive line and a wealth of pass-protecting experience.

Third Round: TE Jelani Woods, Virginia

PFF gave this pick an F. Robert Tonyan, who is mostly an overgrown receiver, and Marcedes Lewis, who is mostly a glorified offensive lineman, are back but will be free agents next season. The Packers have a history of tight ends in the third round with Richard Rodgers, Jace Sternberger and Josiah Deguara. A transfer from Oklahoma State, he caught 44 passes for 598 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior. At 6-foot-7 and 253 pounds, Woods is an elite physical package for the position.

Fourth Round: DT Neil Farrell, LSU

The Packers have Kenny Clark, Dean Lowry, TJ Slaton and veteran addition Jarran Reed as their defensive linemen. They need one more to give them a five-man rotation for the season. Farrell is a massive man at 6-foot-4 and 330 pounds. SEC blockers couldn’t handle his combination of size and surprising quickness.

Fourth Round: S Tycen Anderson, Toledo

PFF hated this pick, giving it a D-minus. Anderson is an elite package at 6-foot-2 and with 4.36 speed in the 40. He played deep, in box and has a history of coverage. Zero interceptions the past three seasons is troubling. If nothing else, he will be a weapon on special teams. He has a strong history in that capacity, with more than 800 snaps on the Rockets’ kicking units. The Packers have a potential long-term need at safety, with Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage entering their final season under contract.

Fifth Round: LB Aaron Hansford, Texas A&M

PFF hated this pick, too, dispensing another F. Hansford caught three passes as a redshirt freshman receiver in 2017 before making the move to defense in 2019. In 2021, he led the team with 89 tackles and was third with 8.5 tackles for losses. At 6-foot-2 and 239 pounds, he’s got good speed (4.64 in the 40) and strength (24 reps on the bench). If his vision improves with experience, he could become a quality starter.

Seventh Round

OL Nick Zakelj, Fordham

At 6-foot-6 and 316 pounds, Zakelj started 45 games over five seasons at the school made famous by Vince Lombardi. He was a four-time all-conference selection. With 32 1/2-inch arms, he’ll probably be headed to guard. The Packers are always looking for versatile backups on the line and he was the best available after UConn’s uberathletic Ryan Van Demark went one spot earlier.

RB Tyler Goodson, Iowa

With Aaron Jones a potential cap-saving cut next offseason and with Kylin Hill coming off a torn ACL, I really wanted to throw a late-round pick at a running back. During his final season, Goodson rushed for 1,151 yards and caught 31 passes. At about 200 pounds, he doesn’t pack much of a punch but he’s got 4.42 speed in the 40 and superb footwork. It’s pretty easy to see him lining up in the slot in the old Tyler Ervin role.

CB Jaylen Watson, Washington State

The Packers have a great starting trio at cornerback but little in the way of depth. Watson was a first-time starter as a senior, when he picked off two passes and broke up five. He’s got size (6-foot-2), speed (4.48), athleticism (38 vertical) and physicality. He’s just raw. So long as Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas and Eric Stokes start all 17-plus games together, he can watch and learn as a rookie.