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Are the Green Bay Packers in the market for a Jaire Alexander replacement?
His name continues to come up in mock draft analyses, with many still giving the Packers a cornerback with the No. 23 pick in the first round. How about Jahdae Barron of Texas? What about Will Johnson of Michigan? Trey Amos of Mississippi?
But what about receiver? The Packers famously haven't taken a player at that position in the first round since 2002, when they took Javon Walker. Could this be the year? Emeka Egbuka of Ohio State, perhaps?
Here's the latest roundup with two weeks before the draft begins in Green Bay on April 24:
Nate Tice and Charles McDonald of Yahoo! Sports: "The Packers' defense was uneven last year and could use a boost of premium talent on the interior to stabilize things. Grant would immediately fill a role as a run stuffer with the upside to maybe be a pass rush threat from nose tackle. This pick will help the Packers keep some premium talent on the defensive line while they make some tough decisions in that position group moving forward."
Pete Prisco of CBS Sports: "Johnson looked like a sure top-10 pick heading into last season, but he missed time with injury and his 40 time is a concern. Even so, the Packers have to address this position and his ball skills are outstanding."
Rhett Lewis of NFL.com : "With uncertainty surrounding CB Jaire Alexander's future with the team, the Packers get a major value here in Barron, who has excelled both outside and in the slot."
Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic: "A tough, smart, dependable competitor, Barron reminds me of a bigger version of Washington’s Mike Sainristil. He can play anywhere in the defensive backfield, and you’re going to get everything he has on every snap. He’d be perfect for the physical and talented NFC North."
Mel Kiper of ESPN: "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.
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz of USA TODAY: "Lukas Van Ness has yet to make a serious jump in the two years after he became a first-round pick, so in comes another pass rusher defined more by his potential than his production. The 6-5, 260-pound Williams looks the part of a Brian Gutekunst selection, and Green Bay could get another crack at maximizing the disruptiveness of an explosive athlete with a formidable bull rush."
Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports: "The Packers actually select a receiver in the first round. Imagine that. Egbuka can be productive outside or in the slot. He blocks well, and tracks like it like Christian Yelich downfield.
Rob Rang of Fox Sports: "Jordan Love's emergence as one of the NFL's better young gunslingers is all the more impressive given that the Packers lack a true No. 1 receiver. Two of his favorite targets — Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson — each enter the final year of their respective rookie deals. Egbuka isn't as big or fast as some of the other wideouts of this class, but he's widely regarded as the most polished."
Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports: "Amos is a long, fast physical corner in coverage and he excels in both man and zone schemes. He doesn't panic on downfield throws because of his length and speed, and he flashes good ball skills. He will need to improve in run support but don't be surprised if he keeps rising through the pre-draft process."
Mason Cameron of Pro Football Focus: "Stewart may lack the production of some other edge rushers in this class, but his athletic ability and high potential to develop as a pass rusher have made him one of the biggest risers in the pre-draft process. His solid floor as a run defender (88.2 PFF grade) will get him on the field early while he refines his abilities as a pass rusher."
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Latest Packers mock drafts: Cornerback? Receiver? Mykel Williams?
Continue reading...
His name continues to come up in mock draft analyses, with many still giving the Packers a cornerback with the No. 23 pick in the first round. How about Jahdae Barron of Texas? What about Will Johnson of Michigan? Trey Amos of Mississippi?
But what about receiver? The Packers famously haven't taken a player at that position in the first round since 2002, when they took Javon Walker. Could this be the year? Emeka Egbuka of Ohio State, perhaps?
Here's the latest roundup with two weeks before the draft begins in Green Bay on April 24:
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Kenneth Grant, defensive tackle, Michigan
Nate Tice and Charles McDonald of Yahoo! Sports: "The Packers' defense was uneven last year and could use a boost of premium talent on the interior to stabilize things. Grant would immediately fill a role as a run stuffer with the upside to maybe be a pass rush threat from nose tackle. This pick will help the Packers keep some premium talent on the defensive line while they make some tough decisions in that position group moving forward."
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Will Johnson, cornerback, Michigan
Pete Prisco of CBS Sports: "Johnson looked like a sure top-10 pick heading into last season, but he missed time with injury and his 40 time is a concern. Even so, the Packers have to address this position and his ball skills are outstanding."
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Jahdae Barron, cornerback, Texas
Rhett Lewis of NFL.com : "With uncertainty surrounding CB Jaire Alexander's future with the team, the Packers get a major value here in Barron, who has excelled both outside and in the slot."
Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic: "A tough, smart, dependable competitor, Barron reminds me of a bigger version of Washington’s Mike Sainristil. He can play anywhere in the defensive backfield, and you’re going to get everything he has on every snap. He’d be perfect for the physical and talented NFC North."
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Mykel Williams, edge rusher, Georgia
Mel Kiper of ESPN: "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.
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz of USA TODAY: "Lukas Van Ness has yet to make a serious jump in the two years after he became a first-round pick, so in comes another pass rusher defined more by his potential than his production. The 6-5, 260-pound Williams looks the part of a Brian Gutekunst selection, and Green Bay could get another crack at maximizing the disruptiveness of an explosive athlete with a formidable bull rush."
You must be registered for see images
Emeka Egbuka, wide receiver, Ohio State
Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports: "The Packers actually select a receiver in the first round. Imagine that. Egbuka can be productive outside or in the slot. He blocks well, and tracks like it like Christian Yelich downfield.
Rob Rang of Fox Sports: "Jordan Love's emergence as one of the NFL's better young gunslingers is all the more impressive given that the Packers lack a true No. 1 receiver. Two of his favorite targets — Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson — each enter the final year of their respective rookie deals. Egbuka isn't as big or fast as some of the other wideouts of this class, but he's widely regarded as the most polished."
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Trey Amos, cornerback, Ole Miss
Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports: "Amos is a long, fast physical corner in coverage and he excels in both man and zone schemes. He doesn't panic on downfield throws because of his length and speed, and he flashes good ball skills. He will need to improve in run support but don't be surprised if he keeps rising through the pre-draft process."
You must be registered for see images
Shemar Stewart, edge rusher, Texas A&M
Mason Cameron of Pro Football Focus: "Stewart may lack the production of some other edge rushers in this class, but his athletic ability and high potential to develop as a pass rusher have made him one of the biggest risers in the pre-draft process. His solid floor as a run defender (88.2 PFF grade) will get him on the field early while he refines his abilities as a pass rusher."
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Latest Packers mock drafts: Cornerback? Receiver? Mykel Williams?
Continue reading...
