Mel Kiper’s latest mock draft for ESPN has the Green Bay Packers getting help at both receiver and tight end in the first two rounds.
Kiper’s fourth mock draft of the draft season projected the Packers grabbing Clemson receiver Tee Higgins at No. 30 overall in the first round and Dayton tight end Adam Trautman at No. 62 overall in the second round.
Kiper believes Higgins would give Aaron Rodgers a “big target who gobbled up touchdowns in college,” while Trautman could provide a “threat with the ball in his hands” at tight end.
Higgins, who caught 25 touchdown passes the last two seasons, was the sixth receiver off the board in the first round of Kiper’s mock, trailing Jerry Jeudy, CeeDee Lamb, Justin Jefferson, Henry Ruggs and Brandon Aiyuk.
Trautman, the No. 1 tight end on Dane Brugler’s draft board, caught 23 touchdown passes the last two seasons and ended up as the second tight end off the board in Kiper’s mock, behind only Cole Kmet.
The Packers need more playmakers in the passing game and could use help at both receiver and tight end. Higgins and Trautman could give the offense two reliable pass-catchers capable of complementing the pieces already in place in Green Bay. It’s time for the Packers to invest valuable resources in the passing game and provide Rodgers with all the tools he needs to have a successful end to his career.
This is the draft to do it, although grabbing a tight end in the second round might be a reach considering needs at offensive tackle and linebacker. However, if the Packers think Trautman can be a versatile player and form a strong combo with Jace Sternberger, the addition works, especially in an offense that likes two tight ends on the field.
Kiper’s mock is interesting at the receiver position, where players such as Denzel Mims, Chase Claypool, K.J. Hamler, Devin Duvernay, Jalen Reagor and Michael Pittman all went in the second round. Overall, 12 receivers came off the board in the first two rounds. Expect the Packers to be one team grabbing a receiver in the first two rounds next week.
