The Green Bay Packers reload the wide receiver room and much more in this 7-round 2022 NFL Mock Draft.
The NFL continued its season of shock and awe on Thursday, this time involving the Green Bay Packers. After tagging Davante Adams, the Packers surprisingly traded him to the Las Vegas Raiders, where Adams is set to sign a deal that will make him the highest-paid wide receiver in the league, the most money for a non-QB as well.
With all the reports swirling, it sounds like the Packers were willing to give him a similar deal to the one he’s getting from the Raiders, but the sense is Adams wanted to go play in Vegas with Derek Carr, keeping him set in a wider window than he would’ve had in Green Bay with Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers also apparently knew that Adams would likely not return in 2022.
The Packers may look to bring back someone like Marquez Valdes-Scantling with the (over) $20 million in cap space the trade created, and may look elsewhere in free agency to add a veteran to a receiver room featuring (currently) Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, and Amari Rodgers at the top.
Green Bay Packers 2022 Mock Draft: WR Adds Post-Adams Trade
The Packers don’t walk away empty-handed, as the Adams trade nets them two picks in the 2022 NFL Draft, picks 22 and 53 from Vegas. Adding that to the draft capital they have already, and the Packers will walk into the 2022 NFL Draft with five picks in the top 100, a good opportunity to reload the roster that’s suffered some losses due to the salary cap.
So how do the Green Bay Packers reload at receiver after trading Davante Adams? This Packers mock draft addresses the position and much more. Let’s dive in!
Round 1, 22nd Overall: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
It’s finally time! The Green Bay Packers have done it! They’ve selected a receiver in the first round for the first time since Javon Walker! It feels pretty good, doesn’t it? At this point, even if a veteran is added, the room needs some juice. Buckeyes receiver Chris Olave can bring just that to the room.
Olave went back to school for his senior season, but that shouldn’t deter teams and analysts with his grade and potential at the next level. He was the player he always has been in 2021, creating separation by attacking leverage well and setting up moves with subtle movements in his stem.
Olave has the master’s degree in routes, and he adds the deep threat element with great burst and buildup speed. His hands are reliable and he tracks the ball well, making subtle adjustments with his strides to get into position where he can only make the play.
He can be an elite WR2 in Green Bay and develop a great rapport with Rodgers from day one with his technique and reliability.
Round 1, 28th Overall: Boye Mafe, EDGE, Minnesota
It’s great that the Packers have Rashan Gary and Preston Smith set as their top two edge defenders for several years going forward. Gary has become a great rusher using his explosion to power to drive back tackles, and Smith is a great run defender who uses his length to tip passes.
Still, the Packers need to add to the room. It might still happen in free agency, but the 2022 NFL Draft will bring about spending picks at the position. Here, the Packers go with Boye Mafe out of Minnesota, a great athlete who brings the speed to threaten around the arc and the change of direction to win inside as well.
What Mafe did over the course of 2021 was get better at the contact point, using his hands more to disengage off of blockers and work into counter moves. That improvement, combined with the athleticism, gives the Packers a good third edge defender who can unlock more in the NFL.
Round 2, 53rd Overall: Travis Jones, DL, Connecticut
The barrage on the defensive line continues in this Green Bay Packers mock draft, and taking advantage of the value defensive tackle has on day two of the 2022 NFL Draft is a big deal. If Travis Jones actually happens to fall to this selection, it should be a no-brainer.
Jones packs a wallop at the point of attack, displaying impressive power in his lower half and staying low to drive back opponents. He has the ability to two-gap against the run and be a heavy contributor on early downs. At the Senior Bowl, Jones showed the impressive quickness and power to threaten one-on-one as a rusher. He’d thrive next to Kenny Clark.
Round 2, 59th Overall: Alec Pierce, WR, Cincinnati
Getting the “Z” in Olave was important in round one, and now the Packers get an “X” type here in the second round. Because he fits so many thresholds for Brian Gutekunst and the Packers, Alec Pierce will be a popular selection in mock drafts.
He has the size and athleticism combination that they like, and adds value with his ability to win quickly off the line of scrimmage. That burst in the short area and long speed makes him a dangerous deep threat, and he does a great job high-pointing the football to win at the catch point. Pierce and Olave is a great start to the wide receiver reload.
Round 3, 92nd Overall: Chris Paul, OL, Tulsa
This is perhaps my favorite selection in this Green Bay Packers mock draft. With the release of Billy Turner and losing Lucas Patrick to free agency, there’s still some work that can be done with the offensive line, even if Yosh Nijman or Elgton Jenkins takes over at right tackle.
The interior of the offensive line has Jenkins and Jon Runyan to man the interior, and Royce Newman is still developing. No matter how things shake out with Jenkins, Nijman, etc., depth is a bit more of a concern that it was in 2021.
Chris Paul is the guy to bring some stability and depth. He had 38 career starts in his time with Tulsa, 18 of which were at right tackle (including 10 in 2021). He’s also played both guard spots. Paul has fleet feet and looks comfortable and balanced in his pass sets. Paul plays aggressive and likes to attack rushers, and does the same in the run game without playing out of his frame, staying balanced and taking good angles.
Paul might be one of the most underrated offensive linemen in the 2022 NFL Draft, and he’d be a fabulous addition to break the streak of third round picks that have struggled in their time with the Packers.
Round 4, 132nd Overall: Daniel Bellinger, TE, San Diego State
The tight end position is one that needs some clarity for the Green Bay Packers. We don’t know if Robert Tonyan or Marcedes Lewis will be back in 2022, and even if Tonyan is, there is a question of injury. Josiah Deguara has also dealt with injuries and hasn’t become the reliable dual-threat talent just yet.
Enter Daniel Bellinger, who has made a name for himself in recent months leading up to the 2022 NFL Draft. Bellinger is a phenomenal blocker inline, who has the athleticism to unlock more as a pass-catcher. He flashes some hip sink as a receiving threat and can work to develop it with the Packers while being a “sixth lineman” early in his career.
Round 4, 140th Overall: Percy Butler, S, Louisiana
It’ll be interesting to see what the Green Bay Packers do at the safety position in the draft. They haven’t extended the contract of Adrian Amos, so it’s possible he isn’t around in 2023. It could be addressed earlier, but with new developments, safety takes a backseat until day three.
Percy Butler has an intriguing skill set. He has flashed some range but does a great job filling the alley and making plays near the line of scrimmage. His processing skills are quick, and he’s a great mover in space.
Round 5, 171st Overall: Nephi Sewell, LB, Utah
The Green Bay Packers got a major boost with De’Vondre Campbell returning, and he should anchor the linebacker room for a long time. It wouldn’t hurt to add to that room, especially with Oren Burks moving on. Nephi Sewell is worth a look on day three, as he can flow to the run well and plays a reliable brand of football.
Round 7, 228th Overall: Joshua Ezeudu, OL, North Carolina
It’s a Green Bay Packers tradition to double down on the offensive line, and it happens in this Packers mock draft. Joshua Ezeudu is another lineman with tackle and guard experience, and would add to a room that needs depth on the interior.
Round 7, 250th Overall: Kevin Austin Jr., WR, Notre Dame
Finding speed is always a good option on day three of the draft, and the 2022 NFL Draft produced the fastest group of receivers ever at the combine. Kevin Austin Jr. turned heads with his time, and can be added to the Packers as a deep threat with impressive change of direction skills through his breaks.
Round 7, 258th Overall: Gerrit Prince, TE, UAB
After getting an inline type earlier, the Green Bay Packers work to get another pass catcher in the room at tight end. Gerrit Prince has some juice in open space and can thrive as an “F” type moving all over the field to make plays.