Who does Mel Kiper think the Packers will take in the first (and second) round of the NFL Draft?
Who does Mel Kiper think the Packers will take in the first (and second) round of the NFL Draft?
Though there's a cottage industry of NFL mock draft analysts, the original face of NFL draft coverage still holds some sway.
ESPN.com's Mel Kiper released his two-round mock draft Tuesday, gaming out who the Green Bay Packers will pick at No. 23 and No. 54.
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Here's what he wrote about the Packers:
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 31: Mykel Williams #13 of the Georgia Bulldogs reacts after a sack during the second quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 31, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
No. 23: Mykel Williams, outside linebacker, Georgia
From Kiper: "The Packers had 45 sacks last season (tied for eighth), but that's a little misleading. They were really good at converting pressure into sacks, but they got pressure only 29.8% of the time (22nd). Williams was hindered by an ankle injury in 2024, which kept him to five sacks over 12 games. But he has the explosive traits to be an extremely effective edge rusher. Other spots of interest would be receiver and cornerback, so expect Green Bay to take a look at guys like Emeka Egbuka or Kentucky corner Maxwell Hairston, too."
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Williams is a player getting taken before the Packers in numerous mock drafts, so the question might be whether he'll even be available at No. 23.
Three picks before Green Bay : Tetairoa McMillan, wide receiver, Arizona; Derrick Harmon, defensive tackle, Oregon; Grey Zabel, offensive line, North Dakota State.
Three picks after Green Bay: Donovan Jackson, guard, Ohio State; Josh Conerly Jr., offensive tackle, Oregon; Jaxson Dart, quarterback, Ole Miss.
Sep 14, 2024; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs wide receiver Jack Bech (18) signals first down after a catch during the fourth quarter against the UCF Knights at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images
No. 54: Jack Bech, wide receiver, Texas Christian
From Kiper: "Bech was great during Senior Bowl week, and he finished the 2024 season with 1,034 yards and nine touchdowns. The Packers' offense likes to distribute the ball to multiple pass catchers, with three wideouts — Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks and Jayden Reed — seeing at least 70 targets. Bech would be another reliable playmaker in the mix."
Bech's 28-year-old brother, Tiger, was tragically killed along with 13 other people on New Year's Day in a high-profile terrorist attack in New Orleans. Tiger, who played college football at Princeton, wore No. 7; Jack wore the number at the Senior Bowl and caught the game-winning touchdown with 7 seconds left. He was named Senior Bowl MVP.
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Three picks before Green Bay : Quinshon Judkins, running back, Ohio State; Jayden Higgins, wide receiver, Iowa State; Nic Scourton, defensive end, Texas A&M.
Three picks after Green Bay: Mason Taylor, tight end, LSU; Tyleik Williams, defensive tackle, Ohio State; Isaiah Bond, wide receiver, Texas.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Who does Mel Kiper think the Packers will take in the NFL draft?
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