Green Bay Packers mock draft: Complete 7-round edition
After passing on an inside linebacker in the first round, the Green Bay Packers fill this need late in the second round by selecting Arizona’s Scooby Wright III with the No. 55 overall pick.
Wright is easily one of the biggest enigma’s of the 2016 NFL Draft.
The 6-foot, 239-pound junior declared for the draft despite only appearing in three games in 2015 due to a lateral meniscus tear in his left knee and a sprained right foot. His performance the year before, though, did more than enough to justify his decision to leave school early.
As a sophomore in 2014, Wright had arguably the most dominant season of any defensive player in college football.
He led the nation with 164 total tackles, five forced fumbles and 31 tackles for loss, and his 15 sacks ranked third in the FBS. Wright was named a consensus All-American and the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, in addition to taking home Nagurski, Lombardi and Bednarik honors. He also finished ninth in the Heisman voting and entered 2015 as a long-shot candidate to become the first defensive player since Charles Woodson in 1997 to win the prestigious honor.
But while his production may scream first round talent, Wright’s measurables reflect that of a mid-round selection. In addition to injury concerns, average athleticism has contributed to a constant sense of uncertainty surrounding the former Pac-12 star.
Wright ran an unimpressive 4.87 40-yard dash at his pro day. For some players, a poor showing in the 40-yard dash could be shrugged off. But for one whose glaring weakness is a lack of straight-line speed, it amplifies concerns.
Regardless, Wright’s football instincts trump his athletic shortcomings. With the Packers looking to find an inside linebacker that can contribute immediately, a player receiving frequent comparisons to seven-time Pro Bowler Zach Thomas would be a smart pick-up.
Next: Round 3