Our choice in a media mock concept

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Our official prediction will be released Thursday morning, but Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean was the pick in a mock media draft conducted by the Jacksonville Jaguars’ flagship radio station.

The Pittsburgh Steelers took Georgia right tackle Amarius Mims at No. 20, the Miami Dolphins took Alabama right tackle JC Latham at No. 21, the Philadelphia Eagles took Oklahoma right tackle Tyler Guyton at No. 22 and the Dallas Cowboys took West Virginia center Zach. Frazier at number 24.

With the offensive tackle class picked over the last tree in the apple orchard, I turned my attention to the defense by giving new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley a major player.

DeJean had five interceptions in 2022, including three returned for touchdowns. In 2023, he was named the Big Ten’s best defensive back and best kick returner.

Whether he’s a safety or a corner is largely irrelevant, as the Packers could use a player at either spot.

“I think he can do both. I think he is very versatile in that regard.” general manager Brian Gutekunst said this week. “I think he’s obviously a very good athlete. His ability to take the ball away is very impressive. Obviously he has some (special) team skills too. He is a very versatile player. I think he can do both. I think it really comes down to where you need it.

ESPN (Rob Demovsky): Iowa DB Cooper DeJean

In ESPN’s media spot, Packers writer Rob Demovsky selected DeJean over Georgia Right Tackle Amarius Mims.

ESPN.com: Iowa DB Cooper DeJean

Matt Miller went with DeJean for the same reason I did in the media spot in Jacksonville.

“It’s a legitimate battle between cornerback and offensive lineman for the Packers, but with the run on tackles here in the early 2020s, I think they would get the most versatile defensive back in their class. … He can play inside corner, outside corner or safety. The Packers would love his ball skills (seven career picks) in Jeff Hafley’s defense.

NFL.com (Bucky Brooks): Iowa DB Cooper DeJean

Brooks gave new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley one “Swiss Army knife.”

“After bringing in a new defensive coordinator (Jeff Hafley) and high-priced safety (Xavier McKinney), Green Bay adds another big defensive piece in DeJean, who brings athleticism and … ball skills to thrive in a see-the-ball, see-the-ball get’ system.”

NFL.com (Charles Davis): Iowa DB Cooper DeJean

With eight offensive linemen off the court, Davis also grabbed DeJean.

“I listed DeJean as DB, rather than CB, because of his exceptional versatility. He can also run, cover, tackle, catch… and return at an elite level. DeJean and All-Pro kick returner Keisean Nixon would give Green Bay additional special teams.”

The Athletic (beat writers): Duke OL Graham Barton

In The Athletic’s latest beat writer spot, Matt Schneidman went with Barton about Oklahoma’s Tyler Guyton.

“Now that the Packers have found their next franchise quarterback, it appears, the No. 1 priority becomes protecting him for what they hope will be the next decade,” he wrote as part of a larger summary. “The Packers could go here with Tyler Guyton or Barton from Oklahoma to accomplish that. They choose Barton, who offers the versatility GM Brian Gutekunst desires.”

33rd team (7 rounds): BYU OT Kingsley Suamataia

With six offensive linemen off the board, Ian Valentino went with Suamataia about cornerbacks Kool-Aid McKinstry and Nate Wiggins and Oklahoma offensive tackle Tyler Guyton, who fell in the second round. Suamataia played right tackle in 2022 and left tackle in 2023.

“The biggest reason Kingsley Suamataia isn’t routinely ranked above some of his peers is his height,” Valentino said. “However, he has the length needed to stay on the outside, and his play is better than other blockers who have been mocked in this range. He is a great athlete who will thrive in the Green Bay ecosystem.”

Georgia cornerback Kamari Lassiter, who may be too slow, and Wake Forest safety Malik Mustapha, who may be too short, were among the picks on Day 2. However, Michigan linebacker Junior Colson (second round) and Kansas pass rusher Austin Booker ( third round) would be a good fit, and Gutekunst got his quarterback in the late round with Tennessee’s Joe Milton.

Yahoo: BYU OT Kingsley Suamataia

In the latest mock from Charles McDonald and Nate Tice, the choice was Suamataia – the eighth lineman off the board.

“Green Bay needs a long-term solution at left tackle following the departure of David Bakhtiari. At this point in the draft they will likely make an upward pivot and Suamataia works in this scenario.”

Sports Info Solutions (7 rounds): Georgia OT Amarius Mims

SIS, which has its own unique data similar to Pro Football Focus, opened his seven-round mock with Mims, who “has one of the highest upsides in the entire draft class.” He’s a huge man and a surprising athlete who has given up just one push in 2023.

The Day 2 picks were NC State linebacker Payton Wilson, an elite prospect with a troubling injury history, Michigan’s Mike Sainristil, who is too short for the Packers’ liking, Michigan guard Zak Zinter, who has a broken leg, and Georgia center Sedrick Van Pran.

Arizona’s impressive slot receiver Jacob Cowing highlighted the Day 3 picks.

The Ringer: Georgia OT Amarius Mims

Mims is a “tremendous” right tackle who landed in a perfect spot given Green Bay’s developmental history. said Benjamin Solak.

“Great day at the office for general manager Brian Gutekunst, who sees one of the highest ceiling players in the entire class fall into his lap – and in a position of need, no less! Mims may not start over Rasheed Walker on the left side, but he could compete for it in camp, and he may not start over Zach Tom on the right side, but Tom has great positional versatility, so he could bounce inside for space to make for Mims. ”

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