NFL Exec believes rookies could impact Packers
By GERY WOELFEL
The Green Bay Packers have been knocking on the Super Bowl door the last two seasons.
The Packers posted 13-3 regular-season records and advanced to the NFC Championship game in each of those seasons before losing to the San Francisco 49ers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, respectively.
Considering the Packers have the vast majority of their starter back on both sides of the ball, could a rookie, or two, perhaps help them get over the hump and earn a spot in Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles on Feb. 13, 2022?
I asked a longtime NFL executive, who has more than 30 years of college scouting on his resume, to break down the Packers’ rookie draft class.
Here’s what he had to say:
Eric Stokes (Round 1, No. 29 overall)
Georgia
Cornerback
EXECUTIVE’S COMMENTS: “Stokes is a good player. He’s fast as hell. Explosive. Very good cover guy. Physical. Good tackler. Just a good, solid corner. And he’s versatile. He can play safety and nickel as well. The guy can line up anywhere. It was a really a solid pick.’’
Josh Myers (Round 2, No. 62 overall)
Ohio State
Center
EXECUTIVE’S COMMENTS: “He’s real good. Tough. Big. Aggressive. He’s a big son of a gun. He’s a big center. And he can play guard, if they need him there. He’s a leader, too. Tangible guy. I thought that was a heck of a pick. He’ll be a starting center for a long time.’’
Amari Rodgers (Round 3, No. 85 overall)
Clemson,
Receiver
EXECUTIVE’S COMMENTS: “I do like Amari Rodgers. He’s kind of like running back playing slot receiver. He’s fast and he’s a strong runner after the catch. He always gets yards after the catch. He can run all the inside stuff. And he’s a smart, good kid. No character issues at all. He was an under-the-radar guy at Clemson. For a third-round pick, that’s a really good pick.’’
Royce Newman (Round 4, No. 142 overall)
Offensive guard
Mississippi
EXECUTIVE’S COMMENTS: “He’s going to have to develop and get some strength. His lack of strength shows. He’s a good athlete – he’s got good feet, good flexibility — but he’s just not that strong. He’ll be a backup until he gets stronger.’’
Tedarrel Slaton (Round 5, No. 173 overall)
Florida
Defensive tackle
EXECUTIVE’S COMMENTS: “Slaton (pictured above) had some issues but I’ll tell you he could be a dominant nose tackle. When we looked at the tape, we noticed him. He’s a load in the middle. He controls blockers. He’s like 340 (pounds). He’s strong as hell. If he stays focused, that’s a pretty darn good pick.’’
Shemar Jean-Charles (Round 5, No. 178 overall)
Appalachian State
Cornerback
EXECUTIVE’S COMMENTS: “We didn’t have much interest in him, but I saw him on tape. He’s physical and aggressive. He’ll come up and make tackles. It looks like he could be good on special teams.’’
Cole Van Lanen (Round 6, No. 214 overall)
Wisconsin
Offensive tackle.
EXECUTIVE’S COMMENTS: “We didn’t have him rated very high. More of a free agent guy. But he’s one of those typical, smart, tough Wisconsin linemen. When you get to this round, you’re always looking for backups and I think he could be a decent backup.’’
Isaiah McDuffie (Round 6, No. 220 overall)
Boston College
Inside linebacker
EXECUTIVE’S COMMENTS: “He finds the football, he has a knack for that. He’s really productive. This is a guy who can make your team. He’s not the biggest guy, but got good instincts to make up for that’’
Kylin Hill (Round 7, No. 256 overall)
Mississippi State
Running back
EXECUTIVE’S COMMENTS: “He was one of the leaders in the SEC in rushing. He can run; he can catch. He’s productive as heck. Strong. A little stiff. He’s had some character stuff. But I like him. I think he’s a sleeper.’’
