On Monday, a mock draft by Ben Standig of The Athletic caused a stir among Green Bay Packers enthusiasts by proposing a significant deviation from their original draft strategy. Rather than sticking with their 25th pick, Standig envisioned the Packers aggressively moving up to the 12th overall spot, currently held by the Denver Broncos. However, this maneuver came at a steep cost of four draft picks.
What exactly did the Packers sacrifice to secure such a high position in the first round? According to Standig, they would relinquish their original first, second, third, and seventh-round picks. Despite this, they would still retain the New York Jets’ second-round pick (acquired via the Aaron Rodgers trade) and the Buffalo Bills’ third-round pick (obtained through the Rasul Douglas trade). Nonetheless, this bold move undoubtedly dampened the anticipation for Day 2 of the draft among Packers fans.
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The coveted player targeted by the Packers in this mock draft scenario was Quinyon Mitchell, widely regarded as one of the top cornerbacks in a stacked draft class at that position. Mitchell, hailing from Toledo, earned consecutive First-Team All-MAC accolades in the past two seasons and made a notable impression at the Senior Bowl alongside other prominent prospects. His combine performance further solidified his prospects, boasting impressive physical attributes such as a height over 6’0”, a 4.33-second 40-yard dash time at 195 pounds, and a 38” vertical leap, all of which are highly desirable for a cornerback.
In analyzing the selection, Standig noted that the Packers, with their 11 draft picks, made a substantial leap to secure what they perceive as the standout defensive talent of the draft class. Mitchell’s stellar performance during the pre-draft phase, coupled with his standout season with the Rockets, adds significant strength to a secondary that will encounter formidable opponents like Justin Jefferson, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Allen, and Moore twice a season.
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The article’s introduction emphasized that the mock draft incorporates insights from scouting and coaching sources, suggesting a degree of credibility to the proposed scenario. However, it remains uncertain whether there is genuine speculation within the league linking the Packers to Mitchell or indicating their willingness to trade up in the draft. With just one month remaining until the draft kicks off in Detroit, many questions linger unanswered.
Readers were encouraged to share their thoughts on the selection in the comment section, expressing whether they approved of the trade-up or vehemently disagreed with it.
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