20 minutes a day 365 days a year. This is the Packaday Podcast. Welcome back to another episode of the Packaday Podcast. You can get all your Packaday updates and follow us on Twitter at Packaday Podcast. Remember to subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Google Play, Tune In or Spotify. And of course, you can always check us out at cheesetv.com. My name is Andrew Merrick. I'm happy to be back with series in the lead up to the NFL Draft. Today, I'm going to be talking about the top 10 most likely picks when the Packers are on the clock Saturday in the seventh round for picks 236 and 235. We're going to wrap those into one episode. If you've been following along with the series, we covered the second through six rounds with for the second and third. Today, I was joined by Kyle Fellows, the fourth and fifth, Maggie Lone, and I covered the sixth round by myself. So if you haven't seen any of those or heard them, please go back and check them out. But today, we're going to be focused on the seventh round. I'm looking historically. The Packers have made quite a few seventh round picks over the last several seasons. You get DB Mike Robinson, Guard John Williams from last year, quarterback Michael Pratt, quarterback Kaling King, blue nickels, DB Anthony Johnson, wide receiver, Grant Dubose, defense lineman, Jonathan Ford, often tackle Racheed Walker and wide receiver, Samari Toure. So a lot of names, a lot of people, a lot of players that a lot of Packers fans were infatuated with maybe in the off season, preseason, maybe wanted to see get more opportunities. Not a lot of substance there. One outlier for sure that is Racheed Walker, who of course walked in free agency this off season, but to get a starting left tackle out of the seventh round, highly unusual by any standards in the NFL, and certainly given the rest of the Packers history. Jonathan Ford left, came back, we'll see if he has a chance to contribute, but not a lot else there to write home about. Well, the Packers haven't had a lot of success drafting the seventh round. I also wanted to talk about the NFL is getting out of players around that 230 to 257 range. So just the last three of the last four years. Last year we saw running back Kyle Minunguy go to the Bears in this area, Tess Johnson to the Bucks, running back to Corey Krosky Merritt. So we saw some really nice, maybe singles there. Minunguy will wait and see maybe he's a little bit more than that. In 2024 wide receiver Devon Bailey was the big name and now we're talking about a range of 27 picks who would think like some names in 2023 no one of substance so I didn't know what they were going to say down. I going back to 2022 Jalen Watson the corner from Kansas City, who they let walk, but was a really good contributor for them, of course Rashid Walker after mentioned in running back as the up check. So, some interesting running back names in this range but typically what you're seeing, not a ton of substance, a lot of guys who don't even make the roster. So, I'm really practice squad kind of players and every once in a great while you get a hit and for the Packers to be on that list, I think is pretty telling. Right, we didn't like what we heard of the list of names but honestly that's pretty good for drafting the seventh round so just to go over some of the rules that I'm going to follow and how I'm picking out these players. So, first, I'm taking a look at a range in NFL mock draft database so if you're not familiar with that source, they aggregate mock drafts from all across the NFL draft world. And then sort of, they will generate either individualized ways that people have players ranked or you can go to the consensus big board. So, what I did was I go there, I say who is currently between 220 and 257, and then I can pick any one of those players to say they have a chance to be there when the package back. Of course, it's not scientific. It's not exact when people are mocking out seven rounds of draft picks. There are probably 30 or 40 people doing all seven rounds and so it's small sample size. But historically, if you go back and look, it's relatively accurate. So, I know the natural instinct when watching or listening to these shows is that player is never going to be there in the seventh round and maybe you're right. I think this is the most honest way to go about doing these kind of activities and assuming that somebody in this list of 10 is going to be a realistic possibility for one of the packers seventh round picks. I also try to follow along with the packers thresholds. You hear me talking about athletic testing. I don't think that this is like written in stone, but I do think you know the packers have sort of types and we're going to try to follow along with that. But factoring in New DeVance, a coordinator, a little bit different schematically on offense have been going heavier, maybe a little bit less athletic guards lately too. So, we will jump in from there and we're going to go in reverse order 10 to one from least likely to most likely, but I think everybody on this show should be relatively interesting. The first player I'm going to talk about is linebacker TJ Quinn out of Louisville and I am recording this episode about a week before it's released. So, I don't have all of the packers 30 visits yet, but we know Quinn is one. He's an electric straight line guy 45240. His shuttle just misses the packers traditional thresholds. His three cone is much slower than they normally like so it is interesting this is not a guy who kind of fits what their traditional linebackers look like but on top of that he's six foot 225 which is a bit light in the modern NFL like linebackers around 230 it's not as big of a deal right. But I wonder if this is a special teams related visit and they would view a player like this is UDFA. But he's worth mentioning because one some teams will draft players that they have as preferred UDFA is in the seventh round and the packers have the second to last pick and draft. I believe 255 maybe a third the last pick, but it that's a good chance to get whoever your preferred UDFA is so if they they get word that maybe Quinn is already negotiating with some other teams the UDFA as as players do towards the end of the seventh round. Or if they just think it's not worth taking the risk is somebody they really like. I could see them drafting him. But that's why he's number 10 because I don't think they would need to utilize a pick to get him. I could probably get used on somebody else. And number nine we have safety Jacob Thomas of James Madison. This is another 30 visit player. I think he's viewed again more as a UDFA, but he played 50 games at a very very successful program and James Madison. He ran a 445 unofficial 40th pro day a 421 shuttle a 6.83 cone. These are all numbers Green Bay is going to love so summation good athlete. He's someone who may have raised some eyebrows and if the packers were like we really like this player but we're not sure what kind of athlete is and they test really really well. They may say we can't wait for UDFA we got to grab this guy now they may look to secure him at 255 if they aren't confident of bringing him in as UDFA. So that's another name to look at I would say both Quinn and Thomas are players that you should keep your ears open. If they don't draft them. These are guys that they're probably going to work really hard to bring in. Number eight, he is also unlikely and mainly because I I'm really really shocked to see him in this range on NFL mock draft database. And that's Utah edge Logan Fano Fano. I pronounce that right but Fano projects as a physical balance ed rusher good power functional speed off staff snap has been his average but he plays a strong hands good leverage. I think you can convert rushes into pressure you through effort and through technique you show the developing counter repertoire. I like his inside moves when tackles get a little over set and like I mentioned good good physical tools. So he can get them on their back foot against the run he's reliable I think sets edge really well he has a good ability both against tight ends and tackles to hold his own projects as a rotational ed rusher with three down potential and structured schemes. We're in a 459 40 at 250 seven pounds that's that's good that's moving. I'm a little surprised to be in projecting this range, like to me he's a easy fourth fifth rounder, but the NFL is not me. And so, while I have him graded high with the activity. I'm going to say, maybe he's there in the sixth or seventh round. It makes sense to add him to the list as somebody I like. I think he can definitely come in and compete with Brandon Cox Jr. and Baron Sorrell, potentially make this roster so that in the seventh round would be highly valuable. I wouldn't be surprised to see him go earlier in the draft but since he is on the list of possible players for me to pay I did want to mention Fanno here as well. And number seven I'm going to go with quarterback Toriano pride junior out of Missouri he was outside corner of college but I think he's going to have to kick him to the slot in the NFL. If the Packers are looking to get a backup option for Javon Bullard I think pride could be a consideration late in day three. He's 510 185 so Packers historically have not like that style of frame, but he is an explosive player he ran a 4243 240 great jumping and he's a great striker besides the size the thing that makes you hesitant about him as a potential Packers three cone time is a 7.2 the Packers traditionally have preferred 69 and under. So, again, this would buck a lot of trends, it's it would be unusual. I do a little bit more against the grain kind of drafting recently and like trends are only trends until they're not. And so we don't know. Maybe, Gannon really would like to have an additional slot player. Maybe they just think like this is a good football player. Let's give him a shot in the seventh round. But out of the corners that that I saw a pride junior was one of the more intriguing ones that could be available late in the seventh round. Number six, we went with wide receiver Caleb Douglas out of Texas Tech 6 3 206 you ran a 439 40 so big guy, very athletic at least in the straight line. And I'm a build up speed player. I think if you're going to take a chance on a player in the seventh round taking chance a big time athlete, and I've been harping on the Packers needs for wide receivers and 2027. Hopefully you've been listening along and Andy mentions a lot like almost everybody in the wide receiver room is going to be free agents upcoming offseason may see a trade. We may see, you know, extensions, but the packers are going to need some depth and taking the wide receiver in the seventh round with some! And I'm going to be a good move. I think you could potentially stash Douglas on the practice God for the whole year, and then try to work them in as a for their fifth option next season. But Caleb Douglas really intriguing guy here. Number five, I have cheated a few times during this series and I'm going to do it again I picked two players really focusing on quarterback here. The first one, Sawyer Robinson Sawyer Robertson out of Baylor the second one Luke Altmaier out of Illinois and Robertson to me solid functional arm strength and a power to challenge intermediate zones. He lacks a little bit drive outside the numbers his accuracy is a strength particularly on quick game concepts and play action throws where his footwork stays disciplined his field vision and decision making are advanced. He processes efficiently limits negative plays. He understands defensive leverage. He's also really solid athlete 63216 Packers are going to like that size 973 RAS. Here's my issue. I don't know if if Robertson is really going to be around here. I think this is one where I have Robertson much higher than the seventh round but again he was on this list. A quarterback who I do think is going to be there is Luke Altmaier out of Illinois. He's steady. He is a control passers throw powers adequate, not really defining trait. I think he needs a clean platform to maximize ball placement. His accuracy is consistent underneath and in breaking concepts, where he doesn't have to necessarily throw with a ton of velocity. We can utilize touch field vision decision making are reflective of a good processor who understands structure. He really reads the defense well. I think he can be a little too conservative where it can pass his first read. Occasionally he'll pass up some tighter window throws but you know with these two players. I said I think sort of Robertson is gone. He's currently 223 NFL mock draft database so that's not too far off. I think one of these two players would be really interesting with one of the seventh round picks of the Packers don't go quarterback a little bit earlier and are planning to sign a veteran after the draft. So think like Jimmy Groppolo for instance, hopefully he hasn't signed in between me recording and you hearing this episode but like if they were going to get a veteran because they didn't get a guy in the fourth or fifth round that they wanted. But they also would want to develop a third string quarterback behind them. I think a Luke Altmaier style player would be really great. If soy Robertson was there I think he's a slam dunk. I think this is that's exactly the kind of quarterback that you want to develop in Green Bay. Going to number four we have another Illinois player and that is guard Josh Gueski. This is yet another Packers 30 visit player. I think maybe he's viewed as a UDFA level talent like the previous two players I talked about but Packers may try to get ahead of that by taking them late on Saturday. This one in particular Gueski is a super impressive athlete. Six five three hundred twenty nine pounds. So if they are serious about this like big guard thing. This is a big card. He's got really good straight line and jumping numbers. The question is what are shuttle times what are three cone. And they're above what the Packers typically prefer but this is also a bigger player and they have made some exceptions. They sort of like saying well if you're slightly bigger you can have slightly slower agility times and that would be the case with with Gueski as a power focus guard but I also want to point out to put a 30 reps on the bench press that's really good. This is absolutely a people mover and I think he has just enough movement skills that you could see this as a really good depth player with the potential to be a starter. I don't think you expect that out of a seventh round pick or a potential UDFA but I think Gueski has that kind of upside but he also has a pretty safe floor because he is so physical and so powerful so really like that option. I think that is a name that we should absolutely be watching out for in Green Bay in this draft. In number three I have linebacker Lander Barton out of Utah. He's one of my favorite day three prospects in this draft and I would be totally comfortable if they took him in the fifth round in the sixth round. But this is where he's projected to go right now. He's disciplined he's instinctive. He excels at reading run past keys and taking proper angles his movement is pretty fluid for his size. He's allowing him to close gaps quickly. He can actually disengage from blockers and traffic which is unique of linebackers in the modern game. He's effective in both run stopping and pass rush opportunities. He's not like an elite burst guy but in coverage steady and zone assignments. He can handle tight ends effectively. His lateral agility is going to be a problem against faster outrunners right like you don't want him taking on slot wide receivers or those really really athletic tight ends but he's six four two thirty three is forty was only four seven nine but the shuttle numbers fit in with both packers typically look for. I think the height makes up for a little bit of that straight line speed like he can drop back and he's long and he can get in throwing lanes and zone coverage. This is a player I think you know is a great option if the backers looking to add a little bit of additional depth at linebacker. And number two and go Alabama corner domani Jackson pretty rare for Alabama corner to go this late or any defensive back from Alabama. To me I value him more as like a fourth fifth rounder but this is where NFL mock draft database projecting him Jackson is a high end athlete excellent speed good recovery. His quickness allows him to stay attached to man coverage ball progression has been really inconsistent and he can he can like arrive on time but he isn't particularly good at finishing at the catch point in zone. I think he's more relying on athleticism than anticipation and his tackling effort is present but it's inconsistent and so like I think he's a maybe a high ceiling player but. I also think that there is some very obvious reasons why he is sliding in the day three conversation. That said from an athletic standpoint six foot one ninety four nineteen reps on the bench press which is great for a corner that they even did the bench is impressive but to put up nineteen that's awesome four four one forty. If he's available I'd love him as developmental project corner. I think this is the guy who can handle the outside even though he's you know he's six foot it's fine. He's not going to give you great ball skills but I think this is the guy who can shadow and give you a little bit of what you're looking for maybe not a perfect fit in the Ganon scheme. Maybe he doesn't get there in the seventh but I really like Domani Jackson out of Alabama as a potential day three Packers prospect and then at number one. I'm going to go with defense attack James Thompson Jr. also out of Illinois a lot of fighting the lion I hear but he has climbed from a UDFA to a likely day three player just based on his testing alone he's six five three oh eight put up thirty six. He's six reps on the bench press which is absolutely elite I know he's three hundred eight pounds but that is crazy strength. He ran a five flat forty which is totally fine at three hundred eight pounds three cone of solid if the Packers don't plan to address no sacral infrage and see after the draft I think they will probably take multiple swings of the bat during draft Thompson Jr. He's a really solid floor player with some upside as a pass rusher. I think he could be seen as a steal after a few years of development and other Packers have some like seven brown UDFA guys rolling over on the roster this year. I think Thompson could probably offset some of them and take their roster spots and I think this is the guy who is a seventh runner but he has a really good chance of making the roster if they do in fact draft him. Late on day three so that is it the series is in fact not over even though we've gotten through the most likely players in the second through seventh rounds. I'll be back doing some mock draft stuff doing a few other related topics I'll be bringing some friends along too so make sure you're checking that out. We'll be on Packard a audio each episode that that is released the videos will be on YouTube from members first and then a few days later available to everyone else if you want to check those out. Seriously go take a look at the YouTube memberships that is a great way to support the podcast. If you aren't interested or you can't afford that. At least give us a like and a review or leave a comment on the video. Tell me you don't like any of the players may be there's somebody else that you would have liked to see listed we really appreciate that interaction that helps all of us who are involved in Packard a and specifically Andy who puts out so much amazing content all throughout the year. So make sure you're supporting that but that is all time that we have for today's been Packard a podcast you can find me at Andrew mercy. Make sure you check out the rest of the draft series and cannot thank you enough for listening and hopefully continue to will be back soon. Make sure you check out all the packet a content. Thanks for listening again and as always remember. Thank you. .
