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5 sleepers worthy of Packers’ attention in NFL Draft

By Rucker Haringey

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst during the NFL Scouting Combine on February 27, 2019 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst during the NFL Scouting Combine on February 27, 2019 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The Packers should be able to get great value with their pair of first round selections, but taking these five guys later in the draft could be even better.

The vast majority of NFL Draft coverage focuses on prospects that can go in the first round. That ignores the fact that many teams make or break their respective drafts based on what they get done on Day Two and Three. This piece will examine five sleepers the Packers should be targeting in rounds 2-7.

The challenge in projecting this group lies in not knowing what roster holes Green Bay will feel with their pair of first round selections. As a result, this list will focus more on players that are being undervalued than how they can fill a need for the Packers. Need won’t be ignored entirely, but it is a secondary focus here.

Without delay, let’s get started by looking at an underrated tight end who could really help Brian LaFleur’s offense.

5. Tommy Sweeney

The former Boston College star isn’t an electric athlete who’s going to make big plays down the field, but he can absolutely catch the ball in traffic. For a quarterback with the accuracy that Aaron Rodgers possesses, he can turn into a really valuable underneath weapon.

You can’t ignore the fact that LaFleur likes to play multiple tight ends. Many of his sets feature one tight end flexed out in the slot and another guy lined up off tackle. Sweeney’s size would allow him to become a quality blocker for runs on the edge and also a match-up problem for smaller slot corners and safeties.

Sweeney isn’t going to develop into a Pro Bowler, but he’s a Day Three selection that can play meaningful snaps as a rookie. He wouldn’t be a sexy pick or Gutekunst and his front office, but he’d give them a really solid player on offense to make Rodgers’ life easier in the pocket.

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