Chad Reuter’s pre-combine mock draft at NFL.com has the Green Bay Packers getting a linebacker, tight end and receiver in the first three rounds, providing talent in the middle of Mike Pettine’s defense and new weapons for Aaron Rodgers and Matt LaFleur in the passing game.
Reuter’s first-round pick for the Packers is a familiar one: LSU linebacker Patrick Queen, who we recently profiled as a potential top pick for GM Brian Gutekunst.
Jack Wepfer of Packers Wire described Queen as an “intuitive” linebacker who “commands the middle of the field” with “fantastic play speed.” He likened Queen to an “angry hornet,” believing the LSU star to be capable of providing an “instant athletic upgrade” at linebacker for the Packers.
By taking Queen at No. 30, the Packers would have a potential solution to the defense’s major problem at linebacker, injecting speed and playmaking talent into the second level of the defense.
In the second round, Reuter projected the Packers to take Florida Atlantic tight end Harrison Bryant, who could combine with Jace Sternberger to give the offense a pair of versatile, pass-catching weapons at the position.
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com compared Bryant to 49ers’ All-Pro George Kittle, noting his “toughness as a blocker” and “speed and separation talent” as leading reasons why he could emerge as a difference-making tight end.
Any player with Kittle’s profile is worth investigating, especially for an offense that needs a dual-threat tight end.
The Packers are likely to release veteran tight end Jimmy Graham before the start of the new league year, and Marcedes Lewis is a free agent. Bryant and Sternberger would provide a young and compelling duo at the position long-term.
Finally, in the third round, Reuter sent a receiver to the Packers, projecting SMU’s James Proche at No. 94. He’s been overlooked in an incredibly deep class of receivers, but Proche caught over 200 passes the last two seasons and would bring elite ball skills to the position in Green Bay.
Reuter’s picks for the Packers:
1.30: LB Patrick Queen, LSU
2.62: TE Harrison Bryant, FAU
3.94: WR James Proche, SMU
