Stupidly Early Mock Draft

[smuggler]

27: R1P27
OT TAYLOR DECKER
OHIO STATE

57: R2P26
OLB JOSHUA PERRY
OHIO STATE

88: R3P25
WR TYLER BOYD
PITTSBURGH

126: R4P27
WR LEONTE CARROO
RUTGERS

132: R4P33
RB JONATHAN WILLIAMS
ARKANSAS

138: R4P39
TE TYLER HIGBEE
WESTERN KENTUCKY

164: R5P24
CB RASHARD ROBINSON
LSU

201: R6P25
OT NICK RICHTER
RICHMOND

249: R7P27
G JORDAN WALSH
IOWA

Actually, here's a pretty good comedy option draft:

27: R1P27
RB EZEKIEL ELLIOTT
OHIO STATE

57: R2P26
WR JOSH DOCTSON
TCU

88: R3P25
TE AUSTIN HOOPER
STANFORD

126: R4P27
WR LEONTE CARROO
RUTGERS

132: R4P33
TE TYLER HIGBEE
WESTERN KENTUCKY

138: R4P39
RB C.J. PROSISE
NOTRE DAME

164: R5P24
C EVAN BOEHM
MISSOURI

201: R6P25
G ISAAC SEUMALO
OREGON STATE

249: R7P27
OT CLAY DEBORD
EASTERN WASHINGTON

[Deputy Nutz]

CBS has Ragland dropping to the Packers, as some of the defensive tackles have moved up the draft boards.

[call_me_ishmael]

That would be great! I suspect we will still need to draft a DT high. I am torn. In some ways I'd rather stand pat and play the odds of having more picks to find a good player or two, but on the other hand we aren't keeping 9 new people on the roster next year from the draft.

I tend to think the Packers will be looking at a DL in round 1 because some team will snatch Ragland before he gets to them. It doesn't seem like TT values MLB that highly, but I could be wrong.

[Deputy Nutz]

I think if Ragland is there that TT should draft him. He is a first round talent and that is what Thompson would be most concerned about. He won't fill a need position if he feels he is reaching.

The Packers now face a need with Raji retiring, and suspension. but I don't think they need to go first round as they can get talent at the DL in the second and third rounds if Ragland is not there when they pick at 27. In fact if Ragland would be gone I would even suggest that the Packers move out of the first round and gain second round and a possible 3rd round pick.

[woodbuck27]

CBS has Ragland dropping to the Packers, as some of the defensive tackles have moved up the draft boards.

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=124839&draftyear=2016&genpos=ILB

I believe Packer Nation would be delighted with that pick by TT if 'in fact' Reggie Ragland is available. He is such a good fit for a Packer priority need at ILB. That allows a clear option and the use of CM III.

[Striker]

This man is our new TE.

[wist43]

Don't think Ragland will drop the 27... doubt Billings will be there either.

If we miss out on Ragland, I'd take Deion Jones... later on. Not sure where his value is now.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000644566/article/deion-jones-has-off-the-charts-workout-at-lsus-pro-day

[HarveyWallbangers]

I've soured on Ragland a bit. He's an old school ILB with very average measurables. Personally, I'd like to add speed and coverage to the position, and I'd be all for taking a guy like Deion Jones in the 2nd or 3rd round. Joshua Perry might be able to give you something similar to Ragland, but a round or two later. I like Billings and Jackson. Vernon Butler is more of a 1 technique than a 0 technique. D.J. Reader is a big NT that I like later in the middle rounds.

Hunter Henry moved back into first round consideration with a good Pro Day.

Henry put up a strong workout. He completed 21 reps at 225 pounds in the bench press, which was more than all but two tight ends who bench pressed at the combine. Henry also showed off his speed with a 4.68 40-yard dash that would have been the second-best time at the combine. He also showed off his athleticism in the broad jump.

Pro Day numbers can be misleading (some, not all), but even if this is a little padded, it's what he needed to get back into first round conversation. I still like Nick Vannett in round 3 or 4. He plays faster than he timed.

[wist43]

The call on Ragland will be whether or not you think he can be an every-down backer. I think he can, but he'd have to be protected against getting caught in mismatches; most of his coverage responsibilities should be zone based regardless.

Other than Deion Jones, another guy I like further down is Jatavis Brown. He's listed as an OLB, but I'd move him inside. He's 5'11", 221 lbs, and ran a 4.52 40. Really like what I've seen of him on tape.

[HarveyWallbangers]

The call on Ragland will be whether or not you think he can be an every-down backer. I think he can, but he'd have to be protected against getting caught in mismatches; most of his coverage responsibilities should be zone based regardless.

Other than Deion Jones, another guy I like further down is Jatavis Brown. He's listed as an OLB, but I'd move him inside. He's 5'11", 221 lbs, and ran a 4.52 40. Really like what I've seen of him on tape.

He played well at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl. I was a bit surprised he didn't get a combine invite.

[Deputy Nutz]

Speed is a great thing to have, but in Capers 3-4 you have to have inside linebackers that can scrape off blocks and fill gaps, not players that run around blocks or shoot gaps to avoid blocks. Ragland fits the bill in that regard. He is an excellent blitzer and an aggressive player. If he drops he is a no brainer for the Packers.

[pbmax]

^ They must have 1 ILB that can take on a block an defeat it. With exceptions, the D has a one man numerical advantage inside, more so when they double the nose.

The problem is when that player doesn't get to the ball, there is an abandoned gap. If the other ILB gets blocked, its wide enough that Travis Jervey could find it.

[call_me_ishmael]

A player I would welcome in round 1 is Leonard Floyd. I bet he is a perennial pro bowler in short order. Looks super athletic on youtube.

[smuggler]

If Joshua Perry is still there in the 2nd, it would be good fortune. I don't see a scenario where he falls to us in the 3rd.

[wist43]

Haven't liked what I've seen of Perry... he is 6'4", is a long-strider, and has a high-cut build. I think that limits him athletically. Despite being 6'4", he can't play outside, or with a hand in the dirt. You would think his height would translate to length, and therefore pass rush potential, but it doesn't in his case.

He can't play outside, and I don't think he can thrive inside on the NFL level.