SI.com Two-Round Mock Draft: Packers Take Receiver, Tight End

SI.com's Kevin Hanson, whose mock drafts are among the best in the business, checked off the boxes for the Green Bay Packers in this two-rounder.

GREEN BAY, Wis. – In his latest mock draft for Sports Illustrated, Kevin Hanson had five receivers off the board before the Green Bay Packers had a chance to pick at No. 22.

Nonetheless, Hanson – one of the best mock drafters in the business – upgraded Aaron Rodgers’ group of targets in this two-round mock.

Batting leadoff at No. 22, Hanson selected Penn State receiver Jahan Dotson.

“After trading Davante Adams, it’s clear the Packers need to upgrade their receiving corps, given that their top receivers are Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb and Amari Rodgers,” Hanson wrote. “Dotson creates separation with his nuanced route-running and quickness, has outstanding hands and is elusive in the open field even though he won’t break a lot of tackles. Dotson finished his final season at Penn State with 91 catches for 1,182 yards and 12 touchdowns and added value as a punt returner.”

According to Sports Info Solutions, Dotson had only two drops despite being heavily targeted. He averaged 7.4 yards after the catch in 2019, 7.5 in 2020 and 5.5 in 2021.

At 5-foot-10 5/8, he ran his 40 in 4.43 seconds with a 36-inch vertical jump at the Scouting Combine.

At No. 28, the Packers landed Minnesota edge defender Boye Mafe. He had seven sacks as a senior, then aced the Scouting Combine with a 4.53 time in the 40 at 261 pounds.

“Mafe is an ascending prospect who has generated plenty of momentum throughout the predraft process and could sneak into the back end of Round 1,” Hanson wrote. “He would make sense here after Za’Darius Smith joined the division-rival Vikings in free agency. After turning heads at the Senior Bowl, Mafe showed off elite athleticism at the combine with a 4.53 40-yard dash (1.59 10-yard split) and explosive jumps (38" vertical and 10'5" broad).”

In the second round of his mock, the Packers took a sure-handed tight end and an ultra-athletic offensive tackle.

CLICK HERE to see all 64 picks.

All-Packers Mock Draft 4.0

This seven-round mock draft was constructed with the help of the simulator at Pro Football Focus.

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.