How Did the Combine Shift Green Bay’s Draft Strategy? – Zone Coverage

Green Bay Packers

How Did the Combine Shift Green Bay's Draft Strategy? - Zone Coverage

Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The NFL Scouting Combine is more or less a lengthy job interview for NFL prospects throughout the week at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Prospects can show off their athletic abilities and make their stock boom or have disheartening performances that cause their stock to fall.

Now that the Green Bay Packers and 31 other teams have had a chance to see all of these players up close and personal, here’s what I could see the Packers doing when it’s time to make the selections this April.

How Did the Combine Shift Green Bay's Draft Strategy? - Zone Coverage

Round 1 (23) – Derrick Harmon, DL, Oregon

Harmon shot up draft boards after the combine. He led college football in pressures and has the versatility to play the A and B gap spots along the offensive line.

hello, people. derrick harmon, call the family. pic.twitter.com/t5g6AoS2GQ https://t.co/sQvKDlb1L0

— Kyron Samuels (@kyronsamuels) February 27, 2025

Kenny Clark is getting older and has been less effective. The time is now to shift to the new interior defensive line led by Harmon and Devonte Wyatt.

Also considered: Kelvin Banks, Mykel Williams, Armand Membou

Round 2 (55) – Darian Porter, CB, Iowa State

While I would have loved Jayden Higgins from Iowa State here, Porter showed out at the combine.

Darien Porter needs more round 1 buzz in my opinion:

🔘 99.9th percent athlete at CB
🔘 Great ball skills, former WR
🔘 90.1 PFF Coverage grade (5th among CB’s)
🔘 4.7 QB rating when targeted (1st)
🔘 39.0 coverage snaps/reception allowed (1st)
🔘 29.4 REC% allowed (1st)

🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/rlwE68zNy7

— TJS Football (@TJS_football_) March 3, 2025

Porter was likely a late Day 2 or even Day 3 pick coming into the combine. However, his elite athleticism and coverage skills launched him up the boards in Indy. Would be a great fit to replace Jaire Alexander at boundary corner.

Round 3 (87) – Jared Wilson, C, Georgia

Brian Gutenkunst loves his Bulldogs. He’ll grab another here in the third round to replace Josh Myers, who will have a strong market in free agency, and the Packers probably won’t want to match the highest bidder.

Jared Wilson is a OC prospect in the 2025 draft class. He scored an unofficial 9.98 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 2 out of 622 OC from 1987 to 2025.

Splits projected, times unofficial.https://t.co/ZIdrLsm28H pic.twitter.com/51vQHCQo7M

— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 2, 2025

Wilson allowed only five pressure and zero sacks last season and projects as the second-most athletic center ever tested at the NFL Combine. Worth the swing for a superior athlete.

Round 4 (124) – Antwaun Powell-Ryland, ED, Virginia Tech

APR is a super productive edge rusher who lacks traditional size. However, after the combine, he may have the athleticism to overcome it.

Antwaun Powell-Ryland is a DE prospect in the 2025 draft class. He scored an unofficial 8.50 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 272 out of 1802 DE from 1987 to 2025.

Splits projected, Times unofficial.https://t.co/Q0oS3wjFBK pic.twitter.com/hOlKIuoSH9

— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) February 27, 2025

14 sacks for Virginia Tech last season made him a force to be reckoned with. He’s got an arsenal of pass-rush moves and could be a solid contributor for the Packers even in his first season.

Round 5 (160) – Danny Stutsman, LB, Oklahoma 

Possible day two btw

— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) February 28, 2025

Stustman was one of the standout linebackers at the combine, and if the Packers can nab him in the fifth round, that will be a solid bet for a late-round pick who could have Day 1 impact.

The Packers re-signed Isaiah McDuffie, which makes this less ideal. Still, I’m all in on Stustman’s athletic ability and tools to play linebacker in the NFL.

Round 6 (200) – Jimmy Horn Jr., WR, Colorado

Draft experts praised Horn for his route running and speed during the combine.

Fastest on the field! Jimmy Horn Jr. hit 19.81 MPH the fastest speed of any WR during the 2025 NFL Combine Gauntlet Drill 🤯🔥

(Via: @ezlazar) pic.twitter.com/GZLxnr5cfR

— STAMPEDE (@stampedeftbl) March 2, 2025

The Packers could use some of that in their receiver room as the team struggled against man coverage. Horn was productive for Colorado’s explosive offense, and he’s worth a shot in the sixth round.

Round 7 (239) – Montrell Johnson Jr., RB, Florida 

One of the most explosive backs at the combine, Johnson showed he can be electric with the ball in his hands. Never can have enough speed from out of the backfield. Worth a seventh-round pick.

A whopping SIX running backs earned a 90th-percentile SPORQ athleticism rating at the Combine this weekend:

Bayshul Tuten – 99.5
Omarion Hampton – 96.1
DJ Giddens – 94.6
RJ Harvey – 93.2
Montrell Johnson Jr. – 91.4
Quinshon Judkins – 91.0

This class is unreal! pic.twitter.com/AjqAUxHMq6

— Ryan Heath (@RyanJ_Heath) March 3, 2025

Round 7 (251) – Tyler Shough, QB, Louisville

A veteran quarterback by college standards, Shough could immediately step in and be a solid backup in the NFL. Smart, poised, has solid arm strength. These are the things you’re looking for at the combine and he’s a worthy add in the seventh round as quarterback insurance.

Down the board guys who helped themselves the most at the combine

QB: Tyler Shough
RB: RJ Harvey
WR: Jaylin Noel
TE: Terrance Ferguson
OT: Jonah Savaiinaea
IOL: Jared Wilson

DT: CJ West
DE: Tyler Baron
LB: Danny Stutsman
CB: Darien Porter
S: Hunter Wohler

— Mike Renner (@mikerenner_) March 3, 2025

The Packers ended this mock with some impact players in the trenches and some playmakers on the outside. Not thrilled with this mock but that’s often how it goes.

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