Green Bay Packers 2016 NFL Draft Needs, Mock, Predictions and Picks

The Green Bay Packers had a disappointing exit last season, when they lost to the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC divisional playoff game. They could’ve prevented the loss had the Packers paraded a stouter defensive line that Larry Fitzgerald so thoroughly abused. Shoring up the defense is among the priorities of Green Bay in the upcoming NFL Draft. With that, let’s look at how we think the Packers will use their first five picks.

For more team draft previews, you can read our breakdown for the following clubs: Eagles | Cowboys | Browns

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2016 NFL Draft Central: Green Bay Packers

Round 1: Pick #27 (27th overall) – OLB Kamalei Correa– Boise State

NEEDS at OLB: The Packers have an aging Julius Peppers manning the right end of the defensive line but the other side needs permanent solution. Clay Matthews has been splitting time shifting from outside to the inside. Green Bay might put Matthews inside again and if the Packers do, that will leave the recently re-signed and underwhelming Nick Perry handling the left outside linebacker duties. In any case, the Packers need to get younger in that position.

STRENGTHS: Correa can explode right out of the gate. He’s deceptively quick as he sports a 6’3”, 243-pound frame. He is a vicious heat-seeking missile, able to see the ball and get to it while shedding opposing linemen.

Round 2: Pick #26 (57th overall) – ILB B.J. Goodson– Clemson

NEEDS at ILB: This goes back again to the Clay Matthews situation. Drafting an inside linebacker may provide the Packers a clearer picture of how they want to utilize Matthews or better yet, how their defensive line will look like in the immediate future.

STRENGTHS: Goodson is unafraid of taking contacts and has zero conscience in dishing out nasty ones, too. He can be quick in detecting plays and processing the appropriate action to get inside the pocket or stop a rusher.

Round 3: Pick #25 (88th overall) – TE Jerell Adams– South Carolina

NEEDS at TE: The Packers signed eight-year veteran Jared Cook  this offseason and while that’s a good move in terms of giving the position depth, Green Bay may still want to add another tight end just in case Cook doesn’t pan out or either him or Richard Rodgers gets injured.

STRENGTHS:Adams possesses some pair of sticky hands and that trait paired with a solid vertical makes him a viable target for Green Bay. More than his pass-catching skills, Adams can also do more after snaring down balls, as evidenced by his average of 6.9 yards after the catch last year.

Round 4: Pick #27 (125th overall) – WR D.J. Foster– Arizona State

NEEDS at WR: Jordy Nelson’s injury last year was a big blow to the Packers’ passing game but now that he’s back, it seems like Green Bay is all right in the wide receiver position. However, James Jones is now a free agent and the Packers aren’t likely to bring back the soon-to-be 32-year-old James Jones. A young blood would be more beneficial in the long term.

STRENGTHS:Foster will bring elite versatility to whichever team will land him in the NFL Draft. Foster’s athleticism allowed him to play both wide receiver and running back in college. He arrived in Tempe as a running back, but had little problem taking over the lead wide receiving role last year.  His speed along with his ability to evade tacklers allow him to slip through cracks on opposing teams’ defenses.

Round 4: Pick #33 (131st overall) – NT D.J. Reader – Clemson

NEEDS at NT: The premature retirement (or hiatus) of B.J. Raji definitely stunned the Packers, but at least Raji’s decision came in the same year when the NFL Draft is brimming with elite nose tackle prospects. Letroy Guildon is currently the main replacement for Raji but like some other pieces on the Packers’ defensive line, is susceptible to being moved into another position. For the record, Raji was signed originally by general manager Ted Thompson as a defensive end.

STRENGTHS: Not a lot of people can move with noticeable dexterity while packing 327 pounds of flesh. Reader, however, does that with ease. Apart from that, Reader can steamroll opposing linemen particularly when single covered.

The Packers have nine picks in the 2016 NFL Draft:

Round One – #27 overall

Round Two – #57 overall

Round Three – #88 overall

Round Four – #125 overall

Round Four – #131 overall

Round Four – #137 overall

Round Five #163 overall

Round Six #200 overall

Round Seven #248 overall

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