The 2017 NFL Draft is almost here. Beginning with round one on Thursday, we will find out where the next set of stars will play. Rounds two and three follow on Friday night, with rounds four through seven wrapping up the event on Saturday.
The Green Bay Packers have eight picks in this draft, including number 29 overall in the first round. Here are several opinions on who the Packers will select in round one from mock drafts around the web.
Sports Illustrated (Emily Kaplan and Chris Burke)
Chidobie Awuzie, CB
Colorado
"Awuzie calls himself “a cornerback that thinks like a mike linebacker”; he recorded seven sacks over the last two seasons and in his final season ranked second on the Buffaloes with 90 tackles. Awuzie is perhaps the most versatile cornerback in this draft and would fit well in Dom Capers’s press-man system."
NFL.com (Daniel Jeremiah)
T.J. Watt, OLB
Wisconsin
"This one just makes too much sense. The Packers need another rusher and Watt is a stud."
NFL.com (Lance Zierlein)
Takkarist McKinley, DE
UCLA
"If McKinnley were to fall to Green Bay, it might be seen as a huge win inside their war room as they are in desperate need of a pass rusher. And we know about their affinity for players from UCLA."
NFL.com (Charley Casserly)
Adoree' Jackson, CB
USC
"Jackson represents an upgrade at a weak position for the Packers."
NFL.com (Bucky Brooks)
Joe Mixon, RB
Oklahoma
"Imagine Aaron Rodgers playing with a David Johnson-like playmaker in the backfield. Mixon is an exceptional combo back with size, speed, power, and home-run ability."
NFL.com (Chad Reuter)
T.J. Watt, OLB
Wisconsin
"Green Bay will have a tough choice between Watt and Jabrill Peppers. The Wisconsin pass rusher might win out if the Packers think they can mine secondary talent later in a deep draft."
Bleacher Report (Chris Simms)
Chidobie Awuzie, CB
Colorado
"Colorado's Chidobe Awuzie is one of the most physically gifted cornerbacks in this draft. You can put him at nickel or at free safety if need be, but he's also a guy you can put on an island and let him run with the other team's No. 1 receiver... The Packers pass defense was an embarrassment last year. Awuzie can help fix that."
SB Nation (Evan Western)
T.J. Watt, OLB
Wisconsin
"The Packers are planning to use Matthews as an inside/outside "rover" linebacker this season, and behind Nick Perry is a bunch of unproven players, making the edge a priority as well. Watt would immediately earn playing time as a pass rusher in a rotation but would be given time to develop his run support and coverage skills."
Sporting News (Vinnie Iyer)
T.J. Watt, OLB
Wisconsin
"Turning down the opportunity to keep the younger Watt and his edge motor in Wisconsin will be difficult, as he might end up the best defensive value in the first round."
Yahoo Sports (Frank Schwab)
Adoree' Jackson, CB
USC
"Track star background and special-teams juice add to his value, but Jackson must play more disciplined."
Pro Football Focus (Steve Palazzolo)
Zach Cunningham, LB
Vanderbilt
"He attacks blockers in the run game and usually finds his way to the ball carrier as his 56 solo run stops led all Power-5 linebackers in 2016. Cunningham also brings range and athleticism in coverage, with his only major question mark being his tackling as he’s missed 34 attempts over the last two seasons."
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