ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces a pick by the Green Bay Packers during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
As we draw near the NFL Draft, it is officially mock draft season, which means any and all possibilities for who the Green Bay Packers may select are on the table.
Today, fellow writer Kenny Jilek and I will have a mock draft “battle”. We each completed a two-round mock using The Draft Network’s mock draft machine, and we will rely on you to vote for which one is your favorite over the Dairyland Express Twitter page.
ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 26: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces a pick by the Green Bay Packers during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Matt’s Pick: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
Lloyd has quickly become one of my favorite players in this draft class. He offers the versatility and playmaking ability to contribute right away. The Green Bay Packers’ title window is now; they have to fill holes and find impact players in the draft to help them win. Devin Lloyd will add something the Packer defense is lacking; a physical linebacker who can also rush off the edge or drop back into coverage.
The appeal for selecting Devin Lloyd is simple. His production was off the charts in college, and his ability to fill multiple positions. He is predominantly an inside linebacker, but during his decorated career at Utah, he displayed ability as an edge rusher, outside backer, and even dropping into coverage. He would instantly become an X-Factor in Joe Barry’s defensive scheme.
Kenny’s pick: George Karlaftis, Edge, Purdue
Getting Karlaftis at 22 might seem, at first glance, to be a puzzling move. The Green Bay Packers already boast two stud pass rushers in Preston Smith and Rashan Gary, so why would they spend their first pick on another one? The answer is simple, edge players rotate a lot and there are hundreds of snaps that aren’t taken by the starters. Having another impact edge rusher in the rotation would help Green Bay get a lot more pressure on the quarterback.
Karlaftis stands 6’4” and 275 pounds, making him a bulky edge player. This makes him tough to move in the run game and he’s been a great run defender in his years at Purdue, especially his freshman year when he racked up 17 tackles for loss.
He also has great short-burst quickness and explosiveness. His 38-inch vertical and 10’1” broad jump are well above average for edge rushers and at his size are even more impressive. If he is available at 22, with his size, upside, and college production, the Packers should be all over this selection.
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