2021 NFL Draft Grade: Green Bay Packers

May 13, 2021

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) walks off the field fter the Green Bay Packers 31-26 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Championship playoff game Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. - Photo by Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via USA TODAY NETWORK ORG XMIT: DBY1 Nickelcol01 P2

Picks

Round 1 Pick 29: CB Eric Stokes

Round 2 Pick 62: C Josh Myers

Round 3 Pick 85: WR Amari Rodgers

Round 4 Pick 142: OL Royce Newman

Round 5 Pick 173: DL Tedarrel Slaton

Round 5 Pick 178: CB Shemar Jean-Charles

Round 6 Pick 214: OT Cole Van Lanen

Round 6 Pick 220: LB Isaiah McDuffie

Round 7 Pick 256: RB Kylin Hill

Analysis

The Green Bay Packers entered the draft with a ton of headlines surrounding their franchise, but little of them had to do with the actual event. Instead, everyone was talking about (and still is) the situation revolving Aaron Rodgers and his supposed displeasure with the Packer organization.

With all the hullabaloo going on in Green Bay, let’s focus on what actually happened in the draft. No, Aaron Rodgers did not get his precious receiver in the first round. But here’s the thing: the Packers shouldn’t have taken a receiver in the first round. Green Bay was a top five offense in 2020 with what they had, and they are adding Devin Funchess this season after he opted out last year.

This isn’t a team in desperate need of weapons. What Green Bay did need were cornerbacks and offensive line depth. They got both early on. Eric Stokes in the first round is a speedy corner who can keep up with anyone and has the competitive edge that will make him a dynamic playmaker. Josh Myers is a beefy Big 10 center who will eat up snaps in replacement of the now-Charger Corey Linsley.

And guess what? Green Bay still got a quality slot receiver in the third round by taking Amari Rodgers. He is a receiver built like a running back at 5’9, 210 pounds. The Packers could use him as their new Randall Cobb type player where he never really becomes a star, but he always finds ways to be effective.

Day Three brought more of the same as Green Bay found more o-line depth, including Wisconsin’s starting left tackle Cole Van Lanen, and another corner to provide some depth to the defense and special teams. Aaron Rodgers may not be a fan, but the Packers did what they should have done in this draft.

Grade: A-

No draft is going to be perfect. Could the Packers have taken Elijah Moore in the first round? Yeah, they could’ve, and Moore is probably a much better receiver than Rodgers. Eric Stokes also has some questions surrounding his playstyle. He can get a little grabby sometimes, leading to unnecessary penalties. That said, the Packers got some quality players that can provide immediate impact for their team.