Pre-Order The Pro Football Draft Preview Today!!

Packers Land First-Round WR in Latest CBS Mock Draft

-- It's been just over a month since the Green Bay Packers hired a new general manager in Brian Gutekunst. It's fair to say that nobody, possibly even some members of his own personnel staff, don't know what route he'll take in April's draft.

All the analysts and onlookers can do is conjure up some mock drafts and hope for the best result: whatever is on their wish list. Whether that be an edge rusher, a cornerback, an offensive tackle. All options are on the tables because the Packers, unfortunately, have a lot of needs.

One of them may or may not be the wide receiver position, which faced a steep decline in production with quarterback Brett Hundley at the helm rather than Aaron Rodgers, who went down with a broken collarbone in week 6, returned over two months later, then was moved back to injured reserve for the final two games of the season once the Packers were eliminated from playoff contention.

Davante Adams just received a massive contract extension before he could even sniff the open market, Jordy Nelson isn't getting any younger -- though, his worth would dramatically increase with Rodgers back at the controls -- and Randall Cobb is essentially one of the league's top slot receivers.

Needless to say, the Packers may need another threat on the perimeter, and with Nelson turning 33 in May and venturing further into the back end of his career, that position may be in more drastic need of a restocking than others.

That's why Chris Trapasso of CBSSports.com mocked a first-round receiver to the Packers in his latest mock draft.

He sent Oklahoma State's James Washington to Green Bay at 14th overall, citing his similarities to Greg Jennings in terms of his playing style.

"Washington plays with shades of Greg Jennings," Trapasso wrote. "A scary deep threat who can also put his cleat in the ground and abruptly create separation on comebacks and in-breaking routes as a chain-mover."

Washington played four collegiate seasons for the Cowboys, surpassing 1,000 yards receiving in each of his final three. He also scored 33 touchdowns through the course of his final three years at the school and was named the Offensive MVP of the 2016 Alamo Bowl. He was a unanimous All-American and Biletnikoff Award winner in 2017, dubbed as the nation's top wide receiver.

At 6-0, 205 pounds, it's easy to see the comparisons to Jennings in terms of his size, despite Washington holding a slight advantage. However, his play on the field shows a striking resemblance to Jennings' sharp-cutting style as well.

The Packers haven't drafted a wide receiver in the first round since taking Javon Walker with their 20th overall pick in 2002. Under general manager Ted Thompson, they've had heaps of success targeting second-round receivers. In 2006, Jennings was taken at 52nd overall, Nelson was taken 36th overall in 2008, Cobb 64th overall in 2011 and Adams 53rd in 2014. 

Terrence Murphy, a second-round (58th overall) pick in 2005, also had the potential to be an intriguing prospect out of college before suffering an unfortunate neck injury four games into his NFL career.

__________________________

Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].

NFL Categories: 
0 points
 

Comments (34)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
Bure9620's picture

February 12, 2018 at 08:20 pm

Do not see Washington as first round material. He lacks route running ability which the Packers cherish in WR. Do not see him as a 1st round talent at all for any team, I see him mid 2nd or later. Ridley imo is the only pure 1st round talent.

0 points
0
0
CheesyTex's picture

February 12, 2018 at 08:34 pm

And this is a deep draft for WR.

And needs are greater at other positions.

And Washington will not be best player available at 14.

0 points
0
0
Colin_C's picture

February 12, 2018 at 11:50 pm

Yep, how he get's his separation won't work at this level consistently. He may end up being decent, but it's going to take a few years of development. No earlier than the 3rd round for me.

Ridley on the other hand is the real deal. I see him as the perfect compliment to Adams. Legit deep ball threat. Apparently when the Bama defense would get too cocky in practice, the offensive coordinate would send Ridley on a fly, and he beat them almost every time.

0 points
0
0
Turophile's picture

February 13, 2018 at 05:26 am

Agree with the above posters that Ridley looks the best WR at the moment. He wont get out of the first round and could well be the first receiver taken. While i don't think that is a bad pick, there is one position group that has a greater need for the top pick.

For the Packers, I think pass rusher ranks above WR, when it comes to spending your most valuable pick. More than one of WRs Pettis, Ateman, Gallup, Washington, Sutton, Cain, Kirk, should be there at the Packers second pick. I quite like WR Michael Gallup, who was somewhat neglected, going to a smaller college after being injured in his senior high school year. He adds much needed speed to the Packers receivers and it isn't build-up speed, it's fast out of the blocks. He has ceramic disc brakes as well, when he needs to stop. He thrives on back shoulder throws (which Rodgers should love). He is a player on the rise, in terms of improving his game.

The first round is reserved for one of Edmunds, Davenport, Landry, Key, Okoronkwo, whichever the Packers like best (they all have issues of one sort or another, as most players do). Okoronkwo might be there in round 2, but the others could all be gone by then - that is how much in demand good pass rushers are.

The Packers cannot afford to neglect pass rusher until the last moment this year (like they waited before getting Biegel in the fourth round, last year).

A one-two punch of (for example) Landry and Gallup, could be great additions to get the Packers back to serious SB contention.

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

February 13, 2018 at 07:34 am

"The first round is reserved for one of Edmunds, Davenport, Landry, Key, Okoronkwo, whichever the Packers like best (they all have issues of one sort or another, as most players do). Okoronkwo might be there in round 2, but the others could all be gone by then - that is how much in demand good pass rushers are."

Turo- the thing that you point out in this paragraph that really bugs me is the notion that the Packers might take, at #14, a player you're pointing to as potentially being available in round 2. Ugh.

0 points
0
0
Turophile's picture

February 13, 2018 at 11:01 am

That is because of the lack of consensus where these guys fit. I've seen Okoronkwo at about 8th overall. I've also seen him as a 3rd rounder (82nd pick).

The others also have a big variance. I've seen Landry listed at 10th or 11th (NFL Draft Days and Drafttek). I've also seen him at 39 and 43 (Dan Jeremiah and Walters). Davenport was 9th (Drafttek) and 35th (DraftWire and Walter's). It's all about how Gutekunst and his team see things.

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

February 13, 2018 at 03:45 pm

Absolutely. This is the issue with mocks...

0 points
0
0
Since'61's picture

February 12, 2018 at 08:40 pm

Mock draft will probably change 8-10 times between now and April. Thanks, Since '61

0 points
0
0
Tundraboy's picture

February 12, 2018 at 11:12 pm

At least.

0 points
0
0
Rossonero's picture

February 12, 2018 at 08:50 pm

If Gutekunst takes a WR in round 1, then he'll need to submit to a drug test.

0 points
0
0
Turophile's picture

February 13, 2018 at 05:36 am

WR is not an awful pick (depending on who is picked) in round 1. I don't think it is the optimum position to pick (that is pass rusher), but it IS one of the BIG 4 positions of need (OLB, WR, CB, TE).

There are other needs as well, but they can be addressed later, with the exception of OT. If the Packers decide they must have a future starter there and they think Spriggs will never be that guy, then a 2nd or 3rd pick could be used there. I think they hold off on an early pick there, this year, but they may think otherwise.

As always, if a higher tier player (than the alternatives) drops to the Packers in any of those first three rounds, that can impact the positions drafted. Draft day trades can also affect who is taken, but they are impossible to predict.

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

February 13, 2018 at 07:35 am

I'd argue that drug test would need to be 2-3 years down the road. Results will tell the story on the draft...and in whole, not just part and parcel.

0 points
0
0
worztik's picture

February 13, 2018 at 09:58 am

DOB... that goes to us being able to take a player who’ll make an immediate contribution. I feel that will have to be a CB or possibly a rush guy that can make a splash on day one!!! Just bein’ truthful...

0 points
0
0
Turophile's picture

March 19, 2018 at 05:52 am

Too short-term in your thinking Worztik. What IS important is the drafted players CAREER, not his rookie year.

Of course, it's nice if they do make a splash as a rookie, just don't count on it, and remember, DT Kenny Clark didn't look that special in his rookie year, until the last 1-2 games - now he looks awesome. Jordy took off in year 3 ........etc etc.

0 points
0
0
Madfan's picture

February 12, 2018 at 09:01 pm

Wow! Frankly, I don't see it.

I won't take a 5' 10" slot receiver in the first round (see Senior Bowl for height) especially when there are edge rushers available. He is a good player, but there are others that could provide greater value and return, such as Edmunds, Davenport or Landry.

That mock is really a strange one top to bottom. Nelson drops to 11, James to 18 and Edmunds not even in the first round. Crosby may be an interesting lineman, but first round? I guess I'll have to wait and see.

0 points
0
0
Thegreatreynoldo's picture

March 19, 2018 at 02:49 am

Washington is 5' 11" flat. I don't want him at #14, but facts is facts.

http://draftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=132273&draftyear=2018&g...

0 points
0
0
John Kirk's picture

February 12, 2018 at 09:08 pm

Would be thrilled with a WR at 14.

It's great to target guys in Round 2 but those are the guys who usually can't run. The speed guys from bigger schools with more polished talent or big production go in Round 1.

Drafting Davante in Round 2 was upsetting because he's the typical WCO WR we take. No diversification to our attack. Where's the speed element?

One thing to consider, if we took Montgomery in Round 3 after what we already had, why wouldn't we add someone this year considering what we have now? I mean a very high pick. Hard for me to believe they added 88 if they felt Adams was a star in the making with Cobb and Nelson already here.

Let's get a guy who has the tools and speed...for once. Harder to get it if you're not drafting 1st round WRs.

0 points
0
0
TKWorldWide's picture

February 12, 2018 at 09:12 pm

Will he be the second coming of James Lofton?

0 points
0
0
Handsback's picture

February 12, 2018 at 09:35 pm

Think Sterling Sharpe...

0 points
0
0
Tundraboy's picture

February 12, 2018 at 11:14 pm

I'm all for that. Greatest Packer WR, after Hutson of course.

0 points
0
0
TKWorldWide's picture

February 13, 2018 at 06:37 am

Tall with speed; prototypical X receiver.

0 points
0
0
mrtundra's picture

February 13, 2018 at 07:54 am

We need to pick the best player left on the board at #14, no matter what position he plays. That pick is bound to fill a need and should be an impact player that high in the draft. That 14th pick has to be reserved for the best player left on the board.

0 points
0
0
Dzehren's picture

February 13, 2018 at 09:51 am

History of TT GM tree- first year GM’s top 3 picks:
Schneider Russell Okung OT, Earl Thomas S, Golden Tate
Dorsey Eric Fisher OT, Travis Kelce TE, Knile Davis
McKenzie Tony Bergstromm OT, DJ Hayden CB, Menelik Watson OT, Sio Moore LB
Wonder if Gute will follow suite with OT?

0 points
0
0
worztik's picture

February 13, 2018 at 10:09 am

Ya just never know... do we????

0 points
0
0
Dzehren's picture

February 13, 2018 at 12:05 pm

Exactly. Gute could draft any position other than RB with all the holes on this roster...

0 points
0
0
DD's picture

February 13, 2018 at 10:44 am

If Ridley is available I say yes. If not, edge rusher or ILB.

0 points
0
0
DD's picture

February 13, 2018 at 10:44 am

If Ridley is available I say yes. If not, edge rusher or ILB.

0 points
0
0
Doug Niemczynski's picture

February 13, 2018 at 12:40 pm

We need to see about free agency first.
Personally I'd still like to go with a pass rusher with the 14th pick and a wide receiver with the second pick or tight end, however we do get 2 third-round picks so I guess a tight end in the third round would be okay.

Again this all depends on what we do in free agency I still wouldn't mind having Trey Burton tight end of The Eagles

0 points
0
0
Turophile's picture

February 13, 2018 at 02:40 pm

People need to dial down an expectation that any draft picks can make a huge difference this year.

It is up to the second and third year players to make a jump. Rookie players need time to get up to full speed - they can do without unrealistic expectations.

0 points
0
0
EdsLaces's picture

February 13, 2018 at 04:35 pm

D.....J....Moore.....

0 points
0
0
Ferrari Driver's picture

February 13, 2018 at 05:24 pm

The Packers haven't been drafting in the first half of round one in quite a while.

We have plenty of needs with edge rusher being among the greatest. I simply hope the GM settles on the best player available in his estimation. We simply need to add "difference makers" and unless a team gets lucky the chance of getting one is significantly better in the first half of round one than in any other place in the draft.

0 points
0
0
PackEyedOptimist's picture

March 20, 2018 at 06:53 am

I'm still predicting (and HOPING!) that the Packers use #14 on Leighton VanderEsch. I really think he's going to be the next Clay Matthews.
I love Washington as a WR, though I see him as more similar to Sterling Sharpe than Greg Jennings. This year there are quite a few 5'11" RB-like WRs who need refinement of their route running, but I expect several of them to develop into top-notch pros. It's hard for me to predict which ones will "get it" as rookies; I'm hoping the Packers' scouts are better at that!

0 points
0
0
PatrickGB's picture

March 20, 2018 at 01:17 pm

I agree with many of the posters here that he looks better at being picked later. He looks to be good but I want a pass rusher at 14 and unless some idiot GM makes a dumb offer to GB to move up in the draft (Like a first and high second and maybe more) I say, we stay where we are.

0 points
0
0
jww061356's picture

March 23, 2018 at 06:16 am

Ridley only if, Fitzpatrick, Ward, Edmunds, James and Landry are gone And please, no Davenport....I am sick to death of the "high upside" guys.

0 points
0
0