Green Bay Packers

Potential Packers Day 2 picks in 2018 NFL Draft

Published Apr. 27, 2018 12:07 p.m. ET

Green Bay entered the NFL draft with one pick each in the second and third round, but after making some deals on Day 1, the Packers have only one pick on Day 2 -- for now.

After trading down in the first round with New Orleans to acquire a first-round pick next year, as well as a fifth-rounder this year, the Packers moved back up to No. 18, but the cost included their third-round pick.

However, Green Bay has plenty of draft capital to move back into the third round. The Packers also own No. 101 and No. 133 in the fourth round, Nos. 138, 147, 172 and 174 in the fifth round, No. 207 in the sixth round and Nos. 232 and 248 in the seventh round.

Here are a number of players who are available and expected to be drafted in rounds 2-3 (listed in alphabetical order):

Lorenzo Carter, OLB, Georgia: The Packers need to think about Clay Matthews' replacement at some point. Carter isn't the same kind of pass-rusher, but he's a solid player who was rated by some as a first-round pick. He did have some injury concerns.

Carlton Davis, CB, Auburn: Picking cornerbacks with your first two picks might be a bit out of the ordinary, but Green Bay's secondary really struggled last season so why not add another coverage guy? At 6-foot-1, Davis has good height and possesses good -- but not great -- speed. Had 11 pass breakups in 2017 and was tabbed a second-team All-American.

Dallas Goedert, TE, South Dakota State: Tight end might not be a position of need, but Goedert is the kind of pass-catcher Aaron Rodgers loves and could do well to learn behind Jimmy Graham. A Senior Bowl invitee, Goedert had 72 receptions for 1,111 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2017.

Derrius Guice, RB, LSU: Does Green Bay need a running back? Maybe not, but Guice would be a great value pick since he was considered by most to be the second-best running back in the draft. A tough runner, Guide has 1,251 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in 2017.

Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama: Yes, the Packers took a safety in Round 2 last year in Josh Jones, who is expected to fill the hole left by a departed Morgan Burnett. But it doesn't hurt to have depth. Harrison is a solid safety, but also has decent coverage skills and could perhaps play the slot.

Will Hernandez, G UTEP: Last year's starter at guard, Jahri Evans, is still a free agent and a bit long in the tooth. Hernandez was twice named a second-team All-American and, like others, was thought to be first-round material.

Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan: Mo Wilkerson is only on a one-year deal, so Green Bay needs some future help at defensive tackle. Hurst was a first-team All-American in 2017, posting 14.5 tackles for loss and five sacks. However, a heart condition discovered at the combine knocked him down draft boards -- and out on some. Hurst has said he's cleared, but there's obviously a risk here.

Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa: Another player who some thought Green Bay would nab at No. 14. Has decent size (6-foot, 1/2-inch) and was productive in 2017, a first-team All-American after recording eight interceptions. A concern -- he only started for one year. But you can never have too many playmaking cornerbacks.

Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M: With Jordy Nelson gone and Randall Cobb in the last year of his deal, could the Packers grab Cobb Part 2? Kirk is a speedy, explosive receiver and returner. In 2017, Kirk had 12 total touchdowns, which included scores on punt and kick returns.

Harold Landry, OLB/DE, Boston College: Thought by many to be a first-round pick -- and in fact was mocked to the Packers by more than a few prognosticators -- but injuries limited him in 2017. In 2016, Landy led the nation in sacks with 16 and also had 22 tackles for loss and seven forced fumbles.

Chukwuma Okorafor, OT, Western Michigan: Okorafor has the physical tools and size (6-6, 320) to play in the NFL. However, he'll likely need some time to learn and improve to be a factor at the pro level. If Green Bay gets back into the third round, he'd be worth a look.

Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado: Oliver has a lot of upside but the general consensus is he needs some time to develop. If Green Bay can re-acquire a third-round pick -- and Oliver is still on the board -- he'd be a steal. However, he was projected to go in the first two rounds. But, as this and any draft shows, you just never know.

Brian O'Neill, T, Pittsburgh: Another lineman who might be more of a project than a Day 1 starter. However, O'Neill is big (6-7) and tough and would be a good fit in Green Bay's offensive scheme. With Bryan Bulaga's injury history, the Packers might want to start thinking succession plan.

Dante Pettis, WR, Washington: If not Kirk, perhaps Pettis? He projects more of a slot receiver in the NFL and could be a nice receiving threat (he had 15 touchdown catches in 2016 and seven last year). Where Pettis really could make his bones, though, is as a returner. Pettis had eight punt returns for touchdowns over the last three seasons, including four last year.

Harrison Phillips, DT, Stanford: Known more of a run-stuffer, although the 6-3, 307-pound Phillips did have seven sacks to go with his 102 tackles and 16.5 TFL in 2017. No. 14 in the second round might be a bit high to take Phillips, though, unless the Packers really want to fill the middle of their D-line.

Braden Smith, G, Auburn: As noted before, Green Bay still has an opening for a starter on its offensive line at guard. A four-year starter who was a first-team All-American in 2017, Smith has good size (6-6, 315) and is someone who could likely get on the field as a rookie, if not start.

Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU: In a down year in the draft for wide receivers, Sutton was near the top of the board at that position. He's not a burner, but has good size at 6-3 1/2. Sutton had 68 catches for 1,085 yards and 12 TDs in 2017.

James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State: Could Green Bay use a downfield threat at receiver? Um, yes. Washington might be the perfect guy to make Aaron Rodgers happy. While he doesn't possess top speed, Washington is still a vertical threat who does a great job of tracking deep passes. In 2017 he had 74 catches for 1,549 yards with 13 TDs. It's doubtful he makes it to Round 3.

Connor Williams, T, Texas: Once thought to be a surefire first-round pick, Williams struggled a bit in 2017, in part to missing time due to injuries, but nevertheless many mocks had him going in the first round. He's projected to be either a tackle or guard, depending on who you listen to, but the Packers could use both. Williams was a second-team All-American in 2016.