Laviska Shenault Jr. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
This Green Bay Packers mock draft is focused on finding as much help for quarterback Aaron Rodgers to make a Super Bowl run in 2020.
Behind a much-improved pass rush and a voracious young secondary, the Green Bay Packers turned the ship around in 2019. They finished the season as one of the top 10 defenses in terms of points allowed, with interceptions galore.
But despite returning as a powerhouse in the NFC with a 13-3 record in Matt LaFleur’s first season at the helm. the Packers failed to impress on offense. Their leading receivers in terms of receptions after star man Davante Adams, who missed time with an injury, were running backs, Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams. And Jimmy Graham, who joined the Chicago Bears in free agency, was fourth. Yikes.
So the Packers need to prioritize finding weapons for Aaron Rodgers in the 2020 NFL Draft after returning to their dormancy in free agency.
Here’s a look at who they could get to help Rodgers, in addition to some more young talent for their improving defense.
Laviska Shenault Jr.
Wide Receiver, Buffaloes
If Denzel Mims is unavailable, Laviska Shenault Jr. becomes the ideal wide receiver selection for the Green Bay Packers. And even if the former Baylor Bears star is there at No. 30, Shenault is squarely on the radar as the team’s first pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Shenault had a disappointing 40-yard dash result at the NFL Combine due to a core injury, but there’s no doubt he has sub-4.5s wheels on film. An absolute mismatch maker at 6’1″, 227 pounds, Shenault’s main question marks surround his health.
He should immediately be the No. 2 wide receiver across from Davante Adams in the Packers offense, taking pressure off the clear top guy while enabling the former Fresno State star to go for more home runs down the field. Shenault has been compared to the likes of DeAndre Hopkins for his ability to get his hands on absolutely anything thrown in his direction, and he has big-play ability with the ball in his hands.
The concerns about Shenault’s route-running are valid since he had a surprisingly low yard per reception average despite his explosiveness. This concern is especially important with the demanding Rodgers at quarterback, but Shenault is a top-five wideout in this class and has the catch radius and physicality Green Bay needs.