The NFL Draft is finally upon us. In just five days the draft will begin in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers hold the 23rd pick in the first round next Thursday. I have decided to test my luck with the draft simulator from Pro Football Focus. This my final one round Green Bay Packers mock draft.
As most know, the Packers have hosted numerous wide receivers for their pre-draft visits. General Manager Brian Gutekunst has held visits with wide receivers projected to go in a variety of different rounds. What stands out is that several visits were with arguably the top receivers in this draft.
The Packers have met with Matthew Golden out of Texas, Emeka Egbuka from Ohio State and even Tetairoa McMillan. Hosting three wide receivers projected to go in the first round is telling in my opinion. So, with that being said, this final mock draft of mine has the Packers taking a wide receiver in round one.
Round 1: Luther Burden III Wide Receiver, Missouri
After being determined to pick a round one receiver for the Packers, most were taken. In my mock, Golden went first to San Francisco 49ers. Then McMillan was selected by the Colts at 14 and Egbuka was snagged by the Broncos at pick 20.
That left me with Luther Burden III from Missouri. Despite not meeting with the Packers, Burden is still a projected first round selection. He also did not have a pre-draft visit with the Packers, but I think most fans would still be more than satisfied if he was the pick at 23.
Burden measures in at 6 feet tall and 206 pounds. He clocked in at 4.41 for his 40-time. Burden may not be the speedy vertical threat the Packers need, but he led the nation in missed tackles with 30 this past season at Missouri.
An NFC national scout compared Burden to Jerry Jeudy but compared his hands to Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Burden’s most impressive season came in 2023. He earned second-team All Associated Press All-American and first team All-SEC. He grabbed 86 receptions for 1,212 yards and 9 receiving touchdowns.
His production in 2024 earned him first team All-SEC again, but his yardage was significantly less compared to 2023, as he had 61 receptions for 676 yards. The same NFC national scout who compared Burden to Jerry Jeudy and Amon-Ra St. Brown stated, “I think he got bored with that offense.” It’s also important to note that the quarterback play was pretty inconsistent in 2024 for Missouri.
So, who else was on the board when I selected Luther Burden III? Right after I selected Burden, Marshall Edge Mike Green was selected by the Vikings at 24. Ole Miss DL Walter Nolen, who I also believe would be an excellent selection for Green Bay, was also still available and was picked at 25 by Houston.
I believe if this were to be reality next Thursday, the Packers offense would take a huge step in 2025. Luther Burden III would be an added physical presence to the Packers wide receiver room.
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