With the 2020 NFL Draft now in the rearview mirror, we can take the time to take stock of the Green Bay Packers. The team selected nine new prospects to be part of the roster. Here is the Packers NFL Draft Recap 2020.
Jordan Love – QB – Utah State
1st Round, 26th Overall
The Packers made the biggest headline when they surprised the NFL world and moved up in the first round to draft a quarterback. They were so high on Jordan Love that they gave up their fourth-round pick to the Dolphins in order to grab him. He is not a finished product and will need time before he is ready to play but his upside and arm talent is undeniable. Love might have the highest ceiling of all the quarterbacks in this draft. He can make any throw, is mobile and has good footwork both inside and outside the pocket. Love is an exciting player but needs to work on his decision making as he is prone to forcing throws into bad spots. 2019 was down year for him after an excellent 2018 campaign. The selection was a shock because Green Bay still has Aaron Rodgers‘ major cap hits for the next three seasons. This is good for Love to learn and grow behind an all-time great. However, for a team that is in win-now mode, this was a bit of a head-scratcher.
A.J. Dillon – RB – Boston College
2nd Round, 62nd Overall
In the second round, Green Bay surprised again by grabbing big bruising back A.J. Dillon. With both Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams in contract years, this pick makes sense. Add in the fact that Matt LaFleur wants to use more backs to keep everyone fresh, adding a running back with a different style does provide a different dynamic. Though Dillon is big with a thick lower body, he is really athletic. He moves well as his 4.52-second 40-yard dash indicates, at least when adjusted for weight. Dillon’s explosive numbers jumped off the table. His 41″ vertical jump and his 131″ broad jump are jaw-dropping. Dillon is a great athlete with tackle-breaking traits. He put on a lot of mileage at Boston College, but in a split role we should not see any effects of that.
Josiah Deguara – TE – Cincinnati
3rd Round, 94th Overall
Josiah Deguara is a strong, gritty tight end that is a bit undersized. He will make his hay as a move tight end and H-back. With LaFleur coming from the Kyle Shanahan tree, the Packers will most likely try to use Deguara like the 49ers employ Kyle Juszczyk. Deguara is an able and willing blocker but also has nice soft hands in the passing game. Outside of Marcedes Lewis who is a blocker only at this stage of his career, Green Bay has a lot of young unproven guys. They are however bringing in the players to fit this new system.
Kamal Martin – ILB – Minnesota
5th Round, 175th Overall
Kamal Martin has great size and length to play inside linebacker. He as a solid athlete with good hitting power and ability to get off blocks. His nice size and range help him in defending the pass, which is evidently a coveted trait for a Mike Pettine linebacker. Martin played with an injury in 2019 but Brian Gutekunst really liked his 2018 campaign. Martin caused turnovers throughout his college career and he can even be a special teams contributor right away.
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Jon Runyan – OL – Michigan
6th Round, 192nd Overall
Jon Runyan Jr, son of Pro Bowler Jon Runyan, comes in as a two-time 1st-Team All-Big 10. He has good technique and is an ok athlete. Runyan is a tough, no-nonsense player that held his own against some of the best pass rushers in the country (see Chase Young). He might be better off kicking inside as a guard but according to Gutekunst, Runyan is going to get a shot out at tackle. LaFleur mentioned him as a guard so the book is still open.
Jake Hanson – OL – Oregon
6th Round, 208th Overall
Jake Hanson comes to Green Bay as a 4-year starter for the Ducks. He is another strong gritty interior lineman and plays with an edge. Hanson is not going to wow anyone with his athletic ability. However, his non-stop motor and run through a wall attitude will keep him around. Hanson adds depth right away and could potentially compete to start down the road.
Simon Stepaniak – OL – Indiana
6th Round, 209th Overall
For the third straight selection, the Packers again addressed the offensive line. This time, to the likes of Simon Stepaniak. He is another strong prospect with some really powerful hands and a gritty attitude. Stepaniak has some injury problems in college but he still started 33 games. He has some technical issues and is limited athletically but he will bring strength and toughness to the offensive front. One thing is for sure, Green Bay’s brass is looking to bring in their guys and run the ball for the future. These three linemen, along with Elgton Jenkins last season, seem to have power as a common trait.
Vernon Scott – S – TCU
7th Round, 236th Overall
Vernon Scott is raw and does not have a lot of experience. However, his best football could be ahead of him. Scott is a late bloomer but could be a nice piece of clay to mold. He is a big physical safety that can fill in many roles. Scott can play both and a zone cover schemes. He is not afraid of contact and is a good tackler. Scoot did not get an invitation to the combine and there was not a pro day. However, his game tape shows he is a more than capable athlete.
Jonathan Garvin – EDGE – Miami
7th Round 242nd Overall
On the hoof, Jonathan Garvin looks like he was built in a lab. He was nicknamed Spider because of his bendy long framed body. Garvin has a nice first step and can really bring it off the edge when his motor is running hot. The problem is that his motor is inconsistent. Too many times he takes plays off and disappears. Garvin has the skills and talent like a top prospect. He could be a nice late-round steal when used as a depth piece as part of an excellent pass rush.
Thank you for reading the Packers NFL Draft Recap 2020. Be sure to check out all of the other great pieces about the NFL Draft on Full Press Coverage.
– Jesse Hall is a writer for Full Press Coverage Packers. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @hall_jhall1212 Follow @FPCoverage and Facebook.
– Kyle Senra is the managing editor for Full Press Coverage Packers. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @nyama_ks Follow @FPC_Packers and Facebook.
