By Adam Roberts – 4/28/2021
Having to have a reaction to every draft selection is one of the most difficult parts about hosting a draft show. Last year, when the Packers selected quarterback Jordan Love after trading up, I’m happy that I had both Mitch Speltz and John Pappadopoulos to react in real time to the pick with a concise breakdown of the “whys”, “hows” and “whats”, because I was borderline speechless.
Going into the 2021 draft, I’ve honestly been so focused on lining everything up as a producer that I haven’t been able to give 100% of my time to researching what avenue GM Brian Gutekunst and the Packers’ front office will take this year. The fan in me believes they might go the route of grabbing a wide receiver to appease Aaron Rodgers and turn the tide of that nonverbal war in their favor. The sports reporter in me believes they could instead bolster a secondary that was gassed in the NFC Championship Game. And the wildcard in me believes the team could take the approach Steve Fifer has hinted at this week on the Wendy’s Big Show and go edge rusher with the hope of lessening their cap hit.
The Green Bay Packers have 10 total picks across seven rounds, and it stands to reason somewhere in that pack of picks each of these positions will be selected. But what do the Packers do at pick 29? My game notes include names like Rashod Bateman from Minnesota as a possible wideout that could fall to 29th and Florida’s Kadarius Toney who would I think gel well with Matt LaFleur’s offense. But don’t forget, despite the offensive line mostly returning in tact this year, Green Bay is without a full-time center with the departure of Corey Linsley and despite how much I like the guy David Bakhtiari has some notable injury concerns. Lane Taylor is also gone, so maybe Green Bay pursues a name like Teven Jenkins from Oklahoma State or Alijah Vera-Tucker from USC if he falls that far.
To make this interesting, I’ll throw out the name Terrace Marshall Jr from LSU. The 6’2″ receiver might fly under the radar a bit considering he played alongside both Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson. He had a career year as a senior despite opting out a number of games. And I do truly believe, somewhere in the back of his mind, Gutey doesn’t want this draft to be yet another talking point when he’s going to have to be answering Rodgers questions for the “foreseeable future”. (See what I did there?)
Prediction: Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU