Official 2021 NFL Draft Thread

[run pMc]

Rashod Bateman reportedly ran 4.37-4.39ish at his virtual Pro Day--much like Justin Jefferson surprised last year. If that's anywhere close to being trustworthy, the guy is not going to be available at our pick.

Agree.
I watched a little YouTube of Bateman, for whatever that's worth. The vibe I got was that he was very Greg Jenningsish. I think he's gone by GB's pick though...he's probably WR4 and I think he goes in the early 20's.
I expect a number of QB's and WR's to go in R1, but I still there will be WR talent for GB to choose from.

[Joemailman]

Agree.
I watched a little YouTube of Bateman, for whatever that's worth. The vibe I got was that he was very Greg Jenningsish. I think he's gone by GB's pick though...he's probably WR4 and I think he goes in the early 20's.
I expect a number of QB's and WR's to go in R1, but I still there will be WR talent for GB to choose from.

https://thedraftnetwork.com/articles...aft-harris-5.0
This mock draft has Bears taking Bateman at #20.


Packers picks:

29.Kadarius Toney WR, Florida

A two-sport athlete competing in track and football, Kadarius Toney played quarterback during his final two seasons at Blount High School (Alabama). As a junior, he threw for 3,604 yards, while rushing for another 896 yards, while scoring a combined 53 touchdowns The totals propelled him to becoming a Class 6A second-team all-state selection. During his final season, Toney worked his way to 2,894 passing yards, totaling 894 rushing yards and 47 total touchdowns. He finished his career with a 20-5 overall record and being named as the 2016 Class 6A Back of the Year, as well as being named an all-state selection for the second consecutive year. After some believed he was leaning toward signing with Alabama, Toney opted to sign with Florida. As a true freshman, he was labeled as an athlete, but the experiment there only lasted through training camp as he was moved back and forth between running back and receiver. Playing in eight games during his first season, he battled nagging shoulder and shin injuries that kept him out of three games.

Toney is an electric slot receiver who’s continued to improve every season in Gainesville. He is much more satisfying than his size indicates because he’s electric with or without the ball in his grasp. His ceiling as a route-runner is a bit limited, but he was highly effective with the package that he was asked to run. Toney’s presence is always felt whether or not he has the ball, as he makes defenses account for him even if he’s strictly a motion player.

Ideal Role: Starting wide receiver that can be used at multiple positions, but while at wideout, a bulk of his reps will come in the slot.

Scheme Fit: WR3 in a vertically attacking scheme.

62. Jackson Carman OT, Clemson

Clemson offensive lineman Jackson Carman enters the NFL after serving as Trevor Lawrence’s blindside protector for the last two-plus seasons in college—a role he filled quite well. Carman is a massive and powerful blocker that thrives in the run game and holds his own in pass protection. His power is notable, but he moves well for his size and features strong hand technique that he blends with a strong feel for his role in the scheme that makes him an effective blocker. Where Carman shows signs of struggles is when he is tasked with speed off the edge. In those moments, Carman is often beat to his landmarks and he struggles to recover. Should that be problematic at the next level, a move to guard will be required and Carman’s skill set suggests it’s a transition he could handle—and perhaps he can perform even better on the inside. Carman has the makings of a quality starter at the next level, but his team will need to figure out the right spot for him to grow and develop at.

Ideal Role: Starting offensive guard in a gap/power scheme.

Scheme Fit: Gap/Power

92. Elijah Molden CB, Washington

Elijah Molden played cornerback for the Huskies defense and aligns mostly inside. Overall, he demonstrates the athleticism to be a highly effective coverage player from the nickel slot. He’s a little undersized by ideal NFL measurables, but would suffice as an NFL slot. He is a willing tackler in the run game, so there are no reservations there. In the passing game, he excels. He plays with rare level instincts which allows him to bait quarterbacks inside and make plays. He doesn’t have elite play speed for a smaller cornerback, but his instincts help to cover his deficiencies.

Ideal Role: Starting caliber NFL nickel slot.

[Bretsky]

would welcome Bateman or Toney in round one. I would welcome trading up for Bateman as well.

[Bretsky]

would welcome Bateman or Toney in round one. I would welcome trading up for Bateman as well.

CHECK OUT TONEY vs ALABAMA and LSA

ALABAMA 8 for 153 and 1 TD
LSU 9 for 182 and 1 TD

[Bretsky]

Florida’s Kadarius Toney was one of the players who generated a buzz for himself at the 2021 Reese’s Senior Bowl practices. Toney’s explosive athleticism and ball skills proved a challenge for any DB to line up across form him, and he was one of the players who seemed to be playing at a different speed than everyone else.

Toney is a four-year senior, but only has one season as a centerpiece in Florida’s offense.

Kadarius Toney projects best as an offensive weapon in an offense which blends West Coast and spread concepts.

He has the speed and ball skills to be a legitimate threat down the field, as well as the ability to turn short gains into big plays on quick passes. Creative offensive coordinators should be able to make good use of his versatility and background as a gadget player as well. His athleticism is threatening enough that jet motion or toss plays should always be respected, which could help add misdirection to an offense. Toney can be lined up all over the offensive formation, which should help offensive coordinators come up with ways to get him the ball, as well as attack weak points in opposing defenses.

[Bretsky]

This guy is electric. He’s a home run hitter who generates excitement, and scares the bejeezus out of defenses, every time he touches the ball. He can run by helpless cornerbacks or cut suddenly away from them downfield, make tacklers miss, and for a guy who is only 6-foot, 180 pounds makes a surprising number of contested catches and breaks a surprising number of tackles.

Toney can be used pretty much any way an offensive coordinator can think of, including as a runner or receiving threat lined up in the backfield. He offers the ability to return punts and kickoffs.

I asked our Nick Falato for a quick take on Toney. He said:

“Kadarius Toney is an electrifying receiver with exceptional burst, suddenness, and separation quickness - a lightning bolt for an offense. Toney’s athletic gifts cant’s be undersold and he wins at the line of scrimmage well with his release. Toney is smooth in and out of breaks; he can sink his hips and explode hitting a second gear that’s difficult to cover, if a DB is in a disadvantageous position. He has solid hands and contested catch ability, while displaying good body control and tracking ability. When in space, he’s ridiculously hard to locate - super shifty and agile. Toney is also a willing blocker who always competes. He’s going to be a fun weapon for a creative offense.

[Joemailman]

would welcome Bateman or Toney in round one. I would welcome trading up for Bateman as well.

I'm never really in favor of drafting a WR in 1st round. I guess because the Packers have had such great success drafting them in the 2nd round. Still, if they were draft one of those guys listed above, I'd be excited about the prospects.

One guy I like is D'Wayne Eskridge from Western Michigan.

D'Wayne Eskridge is a former defensive back that transitioned back and forth between the two positions due to injuries on the roster and other players transferring from the program. He had high-end production despite not being able to settle into a position until his final season. Eskridge is a well-developed wideout that has the mentality of a defensive player. With strong hands and a seasoned route tree, he’s capable of playing on the inside or outside. Also a mainstay on special teams, he’s a prospect that will be on every special teams unit—not only as a returner, but as a hustle man on both kickoff and punt groups. A vicious and high effort run blocker, he has bone-crushing blocks on the perimeter and doesn’t take plays off if the ball isn’t in his hands.

Ideal Role: Developmental No. 3 wide receiver.

Scheme Fit: No. 3 wide receiver with the potential to turn into a consistent No. 2 or slot option. Eskridge can be a Day 1 starter as a returner on kickoffs or punts.

He was the 54th pick in the mock draft I posted about earlier. https://thedraftnetwork.com/articles...aft-harris-5.0

[Bretsky]

I'm never really in favor of drafting a WR in 1st round. I guess because the Packers have had such great success drafting them in the 2nd round. Still, if they were draft one of those guys listed above, I'd be excited about the prospects.

One guy I like is D'Wayne Eskridge from Western Michigan.



He was the 54th pick in the mock draft I posted about earlier. https://thedraftnetwork.com/articles...aft-harris-5.0

Year after year is seems like quality WR's are drafted in rounds one and two, but most of the time they are gone by our second round pick

[HarveyWallbangers]

Rodgers threw for 48 TDs and 5 interceptions. I’m not opposed to drafting a WR, but we have way bigger needs at OT, CB, and DT.

[RashanGary]

Rodgers threw for 48 TDs and 5 interceptions. I’m not opposed to drafting a WR, but we have way bigger needs at OT, CB, and DT.

That’s true, but back to back deep WR classes could drop a star in our lap. I’ll take a superstar WR all day and not regret it at all of one slips.

[Joemailman]

WR isn't a huge need right now. However, as things stand right now, Adams, MVS, St. Brown and Funchess will all be unrestricted free agents in 2022 and Lazard will be a restricted free agent. So they need to do some restocking at the position.

[HarveyWallbangers]

WR isn't a huge need right now. However, as things stand right now, Adams, MVS, St. Brown and Funchess will all be unrestricted free agents in 2022 and Lazard will be a restricted free agent. So they need to do some restocking at the position.

No doubt. This board just spends an inordinate amount of time obsessing over Rodgers lack of weapons. Every year we spend 90% of draft discussion talking about WRs in the draft. The Packers scored the most points in the NFL and Rodgers won MVP.

[RashanGary]

No doubt. This board just spends an inordinate amount of time obsessing over Rodgers lack of weapons. Every year we spend 90% of draft discussion talking about WRs in the draft. The Packers scored the most points in the NFL and Rodgers won MVP.

So true. And I’m rarely in this conversation. But I’m a big value guy and believe in taking the stars who slip not drafting for need. There’s a good chance a star WR slips this year with so many teams having 1, 2, 3 Sometikes 4 quality WRs on their roster. It’s setting up for getting a possible stud with a late pick in round 1

[texaspackerbacker]

For the umpteenth time, we do not need to draft a WR early. The most we would need would be somebody to beat out Malik Taylor or Tavon Austin for the 5th or 6th spot. That being said, I wouldn't complain at all if we drafted a sure-thing superstar in the first round. The key, though, is sure-thing. Of the many many many drafted in the past few years, only a couple could be called superstars. Some, probably about half of the 1st or 2nd round pick WRs could be called good, and the rest are mediocre or worse. Point being, it's far from a sure-thing, even less sure than a lot of other positions.

And as Harvey says, there are a lot of higher priorities to draft early. In order IMO, Corner, ILB, D Line, O Line, and OLB.

[Upnorth]

Jason oweh could be like gary. Plays better than his stats indicate. Nice part is he is really good at the run game as well. I think he would make a good 1st rd pick.