Some Packers fans were surprised with the Lukas Van Ness pick, however, LVN was exactly what Gutey looks for in a first-round pick. OLB/Edge was a position of need for Green Bay since Rashan Gary will be out for at least a few games to start the year and the depth behind him and Preston Smith is relatively solid but not great with Enagbare and Hollins behind them. Adding a 6’5 272lb power rusher with a 4.58 40yd dash and a Relative Athletic Score of 9.39 was too good to pass up. LVN can also play the inside which was apparent in allot of the videos that have been circling around Twitter. Many fans wanted JSN, but he just did not fit RAS wise of what Gutey looks for and the second round has always been Green Bay’s Honey hole for WR’s. In the past 20 years Green Bay has drafted the following in the 2nd and 3rd rounds, Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Christian Watson, and James Jones. All ended up being elite guys for AR12 to throw to. Now that we have settled down and are starting to feel at ease with the LVN pick, let us look towards the 2nd and 3rd rounds tonight and take a look who I think GB will target.
Tight Ends and WR’s will be there if the board fall right in the second round. Green Bay could also look for a Tackle, Safety, or DT. I have noticed in the first 3 rounds of the draft, Gutey loves to utilize the RAS scores to help guide his picks. None were under nine last year, and most were in the top 10 at their positions. In last year’s draft Green Bay drafted the following in the first three rounds and LVN in round 1 this year, here are their RAS Scores.
Quay Walker – 9.63
Devonte Wyatt – 9.6
Christian Watson – 9.96
Sean Rhyan – 9.35
Lukas Van Ness – 9.39
Are you starting to see a theme here? Now let us look at the prospects I think will be great fits for Green Bay and have a chance of being there when they select.
WR
Jonathan Mingo (Ole Miss) – 6’2 220 lbs- 4.46 speed – RAS 9.87
Mingo had somewhat of a breakout year in 2022. He had 51 catches for 861 yds and 5 TD’s. Very athletic and had a great YPC at 17 yds. Deep threat with 4.46 speed. Muscular and can go up and get a ball with ease, very imposing. Only knock is he can fail to get separation which is trait that can be learned with NFL Coaching. Would not be surprised if he is the pick at 45.
Rashee Rice (SMU) – 6’1 204lbs – 4.51 speed – RAS 9.53
Rice was a highly productive player at SMU accumulating 233 rec, 3100 rec yds and 25 TD’s. Has soft hands and is able to separate due to his great short area quickness. Has good catch radius and is a crisp route runner. Would be an ideal fit for the slot but is also able to get over the top. He is coming from a wide-open spread offense, so his route tree is limited. With NFL coaching he will no doubt grow into his physical tools.
TE
Luke Musgrave (Oregon St) – 6’6 253 lbs – 4.61 speed – RAS 9.78
Musgrave is the nephew of ex NFL QB Bill Musgrave. Has great speed for his outstanding size at 6’6 253lbs, he ran a 4.61 at the combine and has the ability to split the seam. Can go up and get the ball and has great hands. He is an ample blocker and could be a two way tight end in the NFL. The only knock on him is his injury history. He started off hot in 2022 catching 11 passes for 169 yds and a score in just two games, he then missed the rest of the year with a knee injury
Darnell Washington (Georgia) – 6’7 270 lbs – 4.64 Speed- RAS 9.88
Washington is a man amongst boys in FBS. His Height, Arm and Hand Size all rank in the to 10thpercentile of TE’s since 2003. He’s often been compared to Gronk and Marcedes Lewis, due to his ability to block and receive. His short shuttle was an outstanding 4.08 which was the third fastest by a TE over 260lbs since 2003. He was a bit underutilized due to Georgia having Brock Bowers overshadowing him due to much of his career as a Bulldog. Washington only has 45 receptions during his 3 years at Georgia, but that was mainly due to how the team was using him vs ability.
DT
Keion White (Georgia Tech) – 6’4 290lbs -4.79 speed – RAS 9.2
White is another physical freak that is a disruptive 3 Technique DT that can also play outside as a 3-4 defensive end. Has a tireless motor, but a bit undersized which is the reason he is available in the 2nd round. As a junior at Georgia Tech, White produced 40 QB hurries, 4 QB hits and 7 total sacks. He has very strong hands and has grown into his solid frame. Has an outstanding spin move and has an excellent feel for Moving off blockers. He is a bit overaged at 24 years old and tends to take bad angles that opens up the running lanes for opponents.
DB
Riley Moss (IOWA) – 6’1 193lbs – 4.45 speed – RAS 9.68
Moss was simply a ball hawks at IOWA, begging B1G QB’s to throw his way. He had 9 total interceptions during his college career. He was a lockdown CB with the ability to also play safety due to his frame. He has a strong core and is fluid in his hips allowing him to blanket and lock up his opponents. He had the lowest shuttle time of anyone at the combine with a 3.85 which was a full tenth of a second faster than anyone else. His only weakness is he tends to play off WR’s too much and needs to develop his defense of Pro Route combinations.
Packers Nation will lose themselves if Green Bay does not walk away from Day 2 with at least 1 TE and WR tonight! These are the 6 guys I am confident Green Bay will pick if they are available. They all have excellent RAS and most have been extremely productive college players or project to be outstanding NFL prospects.
My Mock for Tonight
42: Keion White
45: Darnell Washington
78: Riley Moss
Angry Mike
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