Packers and Bears Best Drafts
I have done a few different things with picking players for the Packers and the Bears over the years. The last few years I tried a bunch of different draft engines. However, with PFF implementing the consensus big board I stuck with the PFF Engine and I have been running a series of drafts for both teams the last few weeks to refine who I like best for each team. Narrowing it down further I picked my top 2 drafts for both teams. The rules were that it had to come from the same draft simulation. There are some very similar picks between the top 2 for each team but small differences so I will address both when applicable. One note here: I think there is a 90% chance that both the Packers and the Bears have at least 1 trade down to acquire another mid-round pick.
Packers – I think I have been saying the Packers need a CB for the last 3 years. Given this is a very deep draft they can wait unless the right guy is there in the 2nd but then absolutely need to double dip at that position. Some reinforcements along the Offensive Line, particularly at Center, are needed. Also, a back-up TE and possibly a RB in there. A developmental WR would also add some icing to the cake. From there, fill in the gaps elsewhere.
Favorite Draft:
Runner up Draft:
Round 2 Pick 52:
Lee Hunter, DL Texas Tech – I am really not sure if this is realistic or not but if Lee Hunter is there, I want him. I think Hunter is getting very underrated with how great of an athlete he is for his size. I see him in a similar vein to everybody’s favorite TD dancing bear, BJ Raji. If Chris Johnson CB San Diego State (I am convinced that he might just be the best CB in the entire draft) somehow fell here I would take him ahead of Hunter, I just do not think it happens.
Round 3 Pick 84:
Daylen Everette, CB Georgia – I think Everette is a gamble but clearly like him enough to take him in both drafts. The thing that Everette does possess that is important to playing Cornerback is that he has a shorter memory and just plays down in and down out. Additionally, he is a strong tackler that likes to hit. I also love the note from Brugler that an NFL scout that he is the leader of the DB room. No matter what, he feels like an upgrade over every CB on the Packers right now.
Round 4 Pick 120:
Top Draft - Austin Barber OT, Florida – The first diversion between the two drafts. I stared at Barber and thought he was far too good to pass up at this point. While we do not want to throw in the towel with Jordan Morgan yet, this is insurance. Additionally, we are not sure if Zach Tom will be back right away. Regardless, this adds a very talented player to the room that could push to start in a few years somewhere along the line.
Runner-up Draft – Trey Zuhn III OL Texas A&M – Coincidentally, another offensive lineman but I simply did not like anybody quite as much as I like Zuhn at this point. He is essentially a clone of Zach Tom in that he is a little light but an incredible technician. I think he mostly sticks to Tackle but backs up at Center for the time being. Not the Tackle prospect of Barber but much more versatile. He is one of my favorite players in the draft.
Round 5 Pick 153:
Top Draft – Charles Demmings CB, Stephen F. Austin – Demmings demonstrated that he can play with the big boys at the Senior Bowl. All of the physical traits are there and some of the instincts. He is worth the gamble at this spot as he will give it his all and worst case scenario he is a core special teamer. That said, I think he has the potential to be a good starter in the NFL, just not a star.
Runner-up Draft – Hezekiah Masses CB, California – I love the demeanor of this player as he plays the run like a safety. However, he is underpowered, so it does not always work. To me, that means he just needs a year to get stronger. Additionally, he has good instincts at CB and is hard worker from reports. If he fails in the NFL it is not due to his work ethic and you want those types of players on your team.
Round 5 Pick 160:
Top Draft – Pat Coogan C, Indiana – Coogan has a somewhat dumpy looking body but the way he plays is precisely what you want at the Center position. I think he is also an underrated athlete as well as he has had some impressive plays where he pulls and charges down the field. There are a lot of Centers I like in this draft but Coogan in the 5th is my favorite Center scenario.
Runner-up Draft – Kaelon Black RB, Indiana – After watching the Senior Bowl I walked away thinking that he was the player that impressed me the most. He is the type of player that you have to account for the entire game. One thing I love is playing bigger than you are which reminds me of former Packer Aaron Jones. He is a different type of player but there are some parallels there.
Round 6 Pick 201:
Top Draft – Dallen Bentley TE, Utah – I am split on if I want a true TE or the blocking gadget TE for the Packers. But Bentley looks like an incredibly underrated TE as he has blocking skills, very good hands, and good play speed. Bentley looks like he could be a future #2 TE for the Packers after Luke leaves in a year. I really like this player a lot.
Runner-up Draft – Riley Nowakowski TE/Hback/FB – I am absolutely all in on Nowakowski playing for the Packers. He is not a true TE but he is the closest player we have seen to Kyle Juszczyk, who for the record I also kind of loved, skills since he came into the league. He is not going to be a #1 TE but he will be an X-Factor.
Round 7 Pick 236:
Jaden Dugger LB Louisiana – Dugger was not on my radar until the Packers brought him in for a visit. Even then I was confused. Until I started to piece together that they likely see that he was playing out of position in College. He is not going to be an off-ball linebacker but rather he will be an Edge rusher for them. Which in their system makes him a likely 3-4 OLB. That does mean, he needs a year to build up some muscle but the potential is there. Or I am way off and they seem him as a ILB but I still think he is a situational pass-rushing ILB for them.
Round 7 Pick 255:
Anthony Smith WR East Carolina – Again, this is another player that was not on my radar until the Packers brought him in for a top 30 visit. He is strictly a developmental player at this point but his upside is huge between his height, speed, and the good catches. This is the exact type of player that the Packers typically gamble on late in the draft. Might never be anything other than a bottom of the roster player but could develop and certainly could learn to play some special teams. Just needs to work on his concentration, his hands look to be fine on his good catches, and build some more girth. His drops are concerning but that is why he is available here for a shot.
Bears – After numerous mock drafts, I came to the conclusion that my favorite combo was Bears getting DT help with Woods in the first and AJ Haulcy in the second round. It did not always work out that way but I love that combination. While I think they need to figure out a way to find a #1 WR, maybe Odunze or Burden can step up so give them a year. Additional considerations here, they need a Center of the future for sure so a strong focus had to be on that as well. Finally, get some more pass rush was also key and then filling gaps from there.
Favorite Draft:
Runner-up Draft:
Round 1 Pick 25:
Peter Woods DT, Clemson – I know Woods is not a finished product yet but the flashes are strong. Clemson had something weird going on last year apparently so that may have set him back or not allowed him to reach his potential. Given that, if he can take that next step and do so consistently, this looks like a steal of a pick. If not, he should be at least a decent starter.
Round 2 Pick 57:
Top Draft - A.J. Haulcy S, LSU – Haulcy was not really on my radar until I saw the Packers bring him in for a visit an the more I saw of him the more I liked him. He is not perfect by any means but he looks like a smart NFL player which is what you want in a safety. He should fit in well with the Bears.
Runner-up Draft – Gabe Jacas Edge, Illinois – This was a situation where Jacas being there made it impossible to go any other direction. He would be a very good compliment to Sweat which would allow Booker to be more of a rotational pass-rusher. His relentless power style would fit in well here.
Round 2 Pick 60:
Top Draft - Dani Dennis-Sutton Edge, Penn State – DDS only makes sense here in this scenario since they addressed Safety. I think he is definitely a small gamble on greatness as he is more potential than dominant production at this point. However, he was consistent in his two years starting so he should continue to progress. There is a lot to like here though and he is well worth investing in.
Runner-up Draft – Bud Clark S, TCU – This is a small reach but he is taken here in anticipation of a run of Safeties between this pick and the Bears next pick. With that said, Clark is a smart safety that coaches can have faith he will be assignment sure. There is still probably some room for growth and development and he could get a little stronger with NFL training programs. There is a lot to like about Clark’s game even if it does not always pop.
Round 3 Pick 89:
Top Draft – Malik Muhammad CB, Texas – Muhammad is a near perfect #2 cornerback where he will give it his all, stay consistently good, and not lose the game for you. His strength lies in his consistency over anything else. He is an experienced player that is a decent athlete with instincts and smarts. Ultimately, the Bears need a little consistency with their #2 CB, so he is perfect in this spot.
Runner-up Draft – Jake Slaughter C, Florida – I mean what a name! In all seriousness though, in evaluating the Centers in this class, I was really impressed with Slaughter overall. There is a lot of depth so maybe this is not totally necessary this early but I think Slaughter could easily beat out Bradbury right away. That is a huge win after unexpectedly losing Dalman. Slaughter is up there with some of my favorite players in the draft.
Round 4 Pick 129:
Top Draft - Jager Burton C, Kentucky – In watching the Senior Bowl, I felt that Burton was one of the more impressive players there. I know there is only so much you can see from a Center at an all-star game but the fact that he stuck out was impressive to me. Burton may not overtake the Center position right away for the Bears but he would give Bradbury a run for his money in camp and at the very least should overtake him in a season.
Runner-up Draft – Ephesians Prysock CB, Washington – In this scenario, Center has been taken care of so the Bears can focus on another need at CB. Prysock was another that impressed me while watching all-star games. In looking over his college tape, I wondered why he was not more highly thought of. I get that tall CBs are a little out of style these days but Prysock looked like he was sticking to every receiver and not getting beat at all. I think Prysock is an exception to the rule and will have a good NFL career. Maybe a year away from starting but should contribute.
Round 7 Pick 239:
Top Draft – J. Michael Sturdivant WR, Florida – This is all about potential here as JMS has some pretty impressive tools. There is a reason that he has fallen this far, he needs to put that athleticism to use, but being patient with a player like this can really pay off and at the very least, he should contribute on special teams.
Runner-up Draft – Nolan Rucci T, Penn State – The seventh round is prime time to take on a project and Rucci has some tools to work with. He needs to refine his technique and get stronger but there is enough to work with here and he might be able to be a solid swing lineman for a few years. There is a certainly lineman that is being projected in the 2-3rd round that I look at as much clumsier and less upside as Rucci.
Round 7 Pick 241:
Top Draft – Nolan Rucci T, Penn State – This scenario had Rucci available here after drafting a very raw but talented WR so a nice pick.
Runner-up Draft – Tyren Montgomery WR, John Carroll – Montgomery is not likely to be a star WR in the NFL but he could be a quietly solid third-down type of receiver who gets you what you need on a consistent basis. Guys like this are also core special teamers who you appreciate even if they are not superstars at their given position.
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