The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Since the Ted Thompson days, the Green Bay Packers have done a great job of finding offensive line talent on day three of the NFL Draft. Players like David Bakhtiari, Josh Sitton, TJ Lang, Corey Linsley and JC Tretter were all drafted on the draft’s third day.
An offensive lineman that the Packers could target on day three of the 2022 NFL Draft is Cade Mays. The Tennessee offensive lineman checks in at No. 51 in the Unpacking Future Packers countdown.
Mays was a five-star recruit coming out of high school and attended Georgia for two seasons prior to transferring to Tennessee for the 2020 season.
During his first season on Tennessee, Mays started six games at right guard and one game at right tackle. This past season Mays started 10 games at right tackle.
“Cade Mays had a very interesting path to Tennessee,” Ryan Schumpert, the beat writer for Rocky Top Insider, said. “His father, Kevin, was an offensive lineman at Tennessee, and Mays grew up in Knoxville and played his high school football at Knox Catholic. He was a five-star recruit and was a longtime Tennessee commit. After UT fired Butch Jones and the ensuing coaching search was a disaster, Mays de-committed before signing with rival Georgia. Tennessee recruited his younger brother Cooper while Georgia did not. After Cooper signed with Tennessee, Cade followed suit and transferred back home before his junior season.”
It’s all about the versatility with Mays. During his collegiate career, he started 35 games, with 19 coming at right guard, 12 at right tackle, two at left guard, and two at left tackle. He even saw snaps at center during his time at Georgia. That type of versatility makes him a very attractive day three target for any NFL team.
“His versatility is his greatest strength,” Schumpert said. “He’s grown tremendously as an offensive tackle. At Georgia and his first year at Tennessee, he jumped around at a bunch of positions and while he played tackle, he struggled there. He made the full-time switch to right tackle before his senior season and when he was named to the preseason All-SEC Team I scoffed because I didn’t think he was a good offensive tackle, let alone an all-conference one. But, he made me eat crow. He made huge strides and earned Second Team All-SEC honors at the end of the season.”
Mays has a good frame and length for the position. He creates a lot of movement as a run blocker. He has strong hands and latches on to create running lanes. The versatile offensive lineman plays with a bid of an edge as a run blocker. He has easy athleticism to climb to the second level and hit his landmarks.
“At the college level, he was a really strong run blocker and really an elite run blocker for an offensive tackle,” Schumpert said. “Tennessee definitely had its most success running behind the right side of the line of scrimmage this season. He doesn’t have the size and strength to be a complete mauler at the interior of the offensive line like Trey Smith – UT grad, Chiefs offensive guard has – but he’s certainly a capable run blocker.”
Pass protection is an area where Mays has improved each season. He’s an okay athlete, where he could play on an island and match speedy edge rushers, but he’s probably better suited at guard. He has power and the anchor to stonewall bull rushers. According to Pro Football Focus, Mays gave up just one sack this past season.
“This is where he’s really grown,” Schumpert said. “I’d advise people to go watch some of the second half of the 2020 Tennessee at Georgia game. Azeez Ojulari took over that game in a way I’ve only seen a few college defensive linemen do. Mays simply could not block him. Now, Georgia has a fantastic team and Ojulari was an awesome college player, but those were consistent struggles we saw when he had to play offensive tackle. Another game to watch would be Georgia’s Sugar Bowl win over Baylor. He gave up three sacks in that game. He missed three games with injury but was night-and-day better as a pass protector — at least at offensive tackle.”
Fit with the Packers
A team can never have enough quality offensive linemen. Gutekunst has done a great job of building The Great Wall of Lambeau.
Since taking over as general manager in 2018, Gutekunst has drafted at least one offensive lineman each year. That streak will likely continue this season. With his ability to play all five positions, Mays could be a target for the Packers on day three of the draft.
“I would draft Mays because of that versatility,” Schumpert said. “He isn’t great at any one thing which is why he’ll likely fall to the third day of the draft, but I think that makes him extremely valuable as a late-round pick. He’s a solid player who should at least be serviceable when asked to plug into a spot as a backup. I definitely think his ceiling is highest at offensive guard, but he could hold his own in spot opportunities as a tackle.”
Mays could battle for the starting right guard spot as a rookie. Even if he doesn’t start his rookie season, having a player that could step in and play guard, center, or right tackle is great value on day three of the draft.