Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette picked a terrific tandem of prospects for the Packers in USA TODAY’s first-round mock draft featuring reporters and analysts from across the network.
Dougherty’s picks addressed two of the Packers’ biggest needs: wide receiver and edge rusher. At No. 22 overall, Dougherty selected Ohio State receiver Chris Olave. At No. 28, he got Purdue edge rusher George Karlaftis.
Getting Olave and Karlaftis on Thursday night would have to represent a preferred scenario for the Packers. Olave is a smooth route runner who can create separation and help reproduce some of the easy completions Davante Adams once provided in the passing game. Karlaftis is an athletic power rusher who can disrupt from the edge and inside and would help replace some of the production Za’Darius Smith once provided against opposing quarterbacks.
Dougherty on the Olave pick: “The Packers are rebuilding their receiving corps from the bottom up after trading Davante Adams. Hard to see them passing on Olave unless they prefer the bigger Treylon Burks.”
Dougherty on the Karlaftis pick: “You can never have too many pass rushers, and he’s surprisingly available. WR George Pickens might be another player they’d strongly consider.”
This exact scenario could play out on Thursday night. The Packers will be hard-pressed to pass up a receiver – the team’s biggest need position – if one like Olave drops to No. 22, and general manager Brian Gutekunst always like to keep edge rusher well-stocked with young talent. Olave and Karlaftis could be instant impact contributors to a Super Bowl contender in 2022.
