Green Bay Packers 2018 Draft Class Review

With the 2018 NFL Draft behind us, it’s time to begin the review process on how each team stacks up with the selections they’ve made. In terms of running up and down the board and executing a draft plan to perfection, the Green Bay Packers get full marks in that regard. Knowing the team had a multitude of holes to fill and upgrade while trying to get the best players possible, ADF was a huge fan of what the Packers brain trust was able to do. Most impressively, the Packers found a way to garner two of the top defensive backs in this draft class to shore up their backend, utter brilliance, let’s review… 

Green Bay Packers 2018 Draft Class Review:

Round 1 – Pick 18 (18)

Jaire Alexander (DB)

Alexander was one of our top prospects at the defensive back position coming into this draft with his overall impressive ability. While Jaire doesn’t possess top flight size for what NFL teams are looking for these days, he makes up for it with his great speed and fantastic athletic ability. Alexander can play in both man and zone coverages making him quite the asset when developing game plans against the opposition. Alexander also possesses great ball skills and instincts placing him in the right situation more often than not.

Some scouts believe that Alexander needs more refining to his all-around game to be considered a threat, but ADF couldn’t disagree more. Jarie should pick up the NFL game very quickly and would have no issue staying step for step with the better receivers in the league. His size may be a bit of a concern in the redzone and contesting jump balls, but his 35 inch vertical (NFL Combine) should allow him to at least compete so long as he remains in the correct position which we know he’s capable of. This was a slam dunk for the Packers as they were able to move down the board collecting more draft capital while addressing one of their biggest needs.      

ADF Prediction: Day one starter, high potential.

Round 2 – Pick 13 (45)

Josh Jackson (DB)

While Green Bay chose Alexander in the first round, it was a clear no brainer for them to select Josh Jackson in the second to create a potential one-two punch starting tandem at the corner positions. Jackson is another player that ADF was really high on going into this draft, as his ability too is off the charts. We would’ve been more encouraged to see a better 40 time come off the clock, but that shouldn’t limit him what so ever with the Packers. Josh Jackson simply put is a true play maker!

Jackson showed fantastic ball skills which easily placed him in the ball hawking category in his time in Iowa. Quarterbacks whom chose to throw in his direction found themselves completing passes at a less than favorable rate. Having a fantastic final season which saw eight interceptions, two returned for touchdowns, and 18 pass breakups which placed him on the radar as a potential first round product. Much like the first round the Packers scored big on their second round pick with Jackson as he’ll team up with Alexander in a new look Green Bay backend.     

ADF Prediction: Day one starter, high potential.  

Round 3 – Pick 24 (88)

Oren Burks (LB)

Continuing on the defensive trend, the Green Bay management showed awareness in their weaknesses while using their top selections to address key positions on the team. Former Vanderbilt line backer Oren Burks looks to be a great fit on the Packers retooled defense. Burks has good size to man a middle line backer spot with good ability to instantly become a rotational player. Oren has good skill but lacks the overall speed to keep him in the lineup from day one. Burks will have to prove his worth as he does possess great cover ability which will help his cause to remain on the field during passing downs. There is potential for Burks to show-out during camp allowing the coaching staff to take notice. Special teams should be an instant fit with rotational play on the starting defense.   

ADF Prediction: Rotational player.

Round 4 – Pick 33 (133)

J’mon Moore (WR)

This draft class wasn’t loaded with uber-talented receivers, but it did carry pass catchers with extreme height and good hands. Moore measures in at 6’3” tall, weighing in at 207 pounds which allows him to be quite the mismatch on the field. His junior and senior campaigns showed great consistency which allowed his production to be almost mirror images of each other. Moore was able to amass 127 receptions, 2094 yards, and 18 receiving touchdowns in those last two seasons in Missouri.

With all the positives that come from his game, ADF isn’t overly wowed with his overall speed and route run ability. Moore will need to also prefect his release off the line and separation from his defenders. Lucky enough for Moore in his first season with the Packers, he will be allowed to learn from the sidelines while gaining game action late in the season.           

ADF Prediction: Moderate potential, depth player to start his career.  

Round 5 – Pick 1 (138)

Cole Madison (OL)

With the multitude of talent needed to assist Aaron Rodgers to take this team to the next level, none appears more important then protecting the star pivot from seeing another season ending injury. Addressing the depth concerns on the offensive line as the Packers have endured a multitude of injuries and constant shifting to try and keep a full unit on the field. Cole Madision has great potential to earn playing time if he can out-duel his new teammates showing his good ability and great size. While refining some of his fallbacks will be priority one in training camp, ADF wouldn’t be surprised to see Cole have a clear role on this team very early.  

ADF Prediction: Depth player with potential to start.

Round 5 – Pick 35 (172)

JK Scott (P)

I don’t believe ADF has seen a punter that stands as tall as JK Scott! This man is a tower at 6’6” tall and does possess quite the leg. Distance and hang time is the name of the game with Scott, and with no viable competition thus far on the Packers roster, the job is Scott’s to lose.

Round 5 – Pick 37 (174)

Marquez Valdes-Scantling (WR)

This pick is very intriguing to us at ADF as the skillset resembles that of a fantastically gifted player with great size and speed. Green Bay has been very good in drafting and developing receivers in the last number of years, while it also helps having Aaron Rodgers throw them the ball. Marquez has great height standing at 6’4” tall and runs a blazing 4.37 40 time for a man his size, very impressive. Marquez won’t have to step in right away on day one, but will have the luxury of learning behind a very talented receiver core to help add to his skill-set. Of all the receivers the Packers drafted in this year’s class, ADF believes the most upside belongs to Marquez Valdes-Scantling.     

Round 6 – Pick 33 (207)

Equanimeous St. Brown (WR)

The trend continues as the Packers secured another giant in terms of height to catch passes from the great Aaron Rodgers. St. Brown comes in at 6’5” tall and runs a quick 4.48 40 time which will potentially give Green Bay a future with two very tall very fast pass catchers. Much like Valdes-Scantling, St. Brown has some work to do in refining his abilities to find his way on the field. In special offensive packages, Green Bay could be very difficult to stop with St.Brown, Valdes-Scantling, and Jimmy Graham all towering above defenders, could be fun to watch.  

Round 7 – Pick 14 (232)

James Looney (DE)

Adding more depth to a defensive line that definitely requires more talented pass rushes to help the Packers get to the quarterback, they drafted James Looney in the seventh round. His speed and size could allow him to become a rotational player with regularity, but Looney will have to commit to his craft to become a better player than what he showed on tape. With that said, there’s still room to grow and decent potential here.  

Round 7 – Pick 21 (239)

Hunter Bradley (OL)

Finding key special teams players on day three is what good teams do, and the Packers secured another in long snapper Hunter Bradley. While his skillset is very limited, if he shows well in camp, the position should be his to be the mainstay at his position.

Round 7 – Pick 30 (248)

Kendall Donnerson (DE)

Adding more depth to the defensive line, the Packers scored one here in terms of athletic ability shown in how Donnerson tested at his pro-day in late March. Having plus size, paired with great measurables, makes Donnerson a great flyer pick in hopes coaching can elevate him to the next level. Expectations are low at this point but the upside has a great up-tick.

2018 Undrafted Free Agent Signings

Raven Greene, DB, James Madison

Parris Bennett, LB, Syracuse

Kyle Meadow, OL, Kentucky

Connor Sheehy, DE, Wisconsin

Tim Boyle, QB, Eastern Kentucky

Kevin Rader, TE, Youngstown State

Marcus Porter, LB, Fairmont State

Filipo Mokofisi, DT, Utah

Jacob Alsadek, OL, Arizona

Tyler Lancaster, DL, Northwestern

C.J. Johnson, LB/DE, East Texas Baptist

Austin Davis, OL, Duke

Naashon Hughes, LB, Texas

Alex Light, OL, Richmond