5th round
Clay Matthews may have played his last snaps as a Packer, but that doesn’t mean a long-haired, blonde, former USC Trojan won’t be rushing the quarterback next season.
USC’s Porter Gustin (6-foot-4, 255 pounds) has struggled with injuries thus far in his career but offers upside as a situational pass rusher at the next level. Green Bay’s activity in the edge market in free agency could mean they’ll opt for a developmental player at the position in later rounds, which is where Gustin fits in.
Gustin plays with great intensity and could be a valuable special teams contributor early on while he develops further as a pass rusher.
6th round
To say that Jacksonville State’s B.J. Autry is massive would be an understatement. Autry weighed in at 337 pounds at the Combine, which was even lighter than his reported playing weight earlier in the year of 365 (!) pounds.
Autry is unusually quick for his size and offers upside as a power run-blocker at guard. After adding Billy Turner in free agency, the Packers could let Autry develop as a reserve in the hopes of one day using him as a regular starter.
Aaron Jones will be the main attraction in the Packers’ backfield next season but his injury history could make the team consider drafting a running back in the later rounds.
Nebraska’s Devine Ozigbo is a big back (5-foot-11, 222 pounds) with great athleticism who has made a name for himself during the pre-draft process. He was a surprising Combine snub and has turned that into a positive.
Ozigbo is a punishing runner who absorbs contact well and should be valuable in short-yardage situations.
7th round
The NFL is a copycat league and Taysom Hill’s role with the Saints could mean other teams will look to add the same type of wrinkle into their own offense.
Mississippi State’s Nick Fitzgerald is a dynamic runner but has struggled as a passer, meaning he could very well be the best fit for a Taysom Hill role in the entire class. Green Bay could have interest in adding Fitzgerald to the fold and is helped by the fact that new Packers offensive coordinator Luke Getsy served in the same role with Fitzgerald’s Bulldogs last season.