OVERVIEW

Heading into the third day of the draft, there were two operative words that figured to guide the Packers strategy.  Those two words were "special teams".  Certainly, there were still positional concerns.  Tight end and safety had yet to be addressed.  The team still needed more fortification at receiver and offensive line.  But it was logical to think that every selection on this final day would be done with an eye toward improving the special teams that cost Green Bay so dearly in the previous year. 

 

4th Round, Pick #132

Romeo Doubs, WR, Nevada

Height: 6’2”, Weight: 201 lbs.

 

BIOS

Doubs finished an excellent career at Nevada with back-to back 1,000-yard seasons. His athletic testing is a mystery as he sustained a knee injury at the NFL Combine. At this point, he’s a dynamic athlete on film (especially speed-wise) with some work to do in the finer points of playing the receiver position. His speed is evident on film. Doubs does an excellent job getting stacked and getting open down the field but struggles to shake defenders in the short and intermediate areas. He’s very competitive at the catch point. Doubs was an adequate run blocker, but you’d like to see a little more attitude from a receiver with his size.  -- CHTV Draft Guide

 

Former Nevada receivers coach Eric Scott coached Doubs (pronounced dubs) at Jefferson High School in Los Angeles and knew him from Snoop Dogg's Youth Football League. Scott took over recruiting for Nevada in 2017 and made sure to sign Doubs. He returned an 80-yard punt for a touchdown on his first collegiate touch, eventually starting nine of 13 games in his true freshman season (43-562-13.1, two TDs receiving; 1-22-22.0 kick returns; 6-107-17.8, one TD punt returns). Doubs was an honorable mention All-Mountain West Conference pick and the team's Most Valuable Player in 2019, leading the squad with 14.8 yards per reception (44-649, four TDs; 8-86-10.8 punt returns in 11 games, eight starts). MWC coaches voted him first-team all-conference in 2020 as he ranked eighth in the FBS with 111.3 receiving yards per game (58-1,002-17.3, nine TDs; 11-100-9.1 punt returns in nine starts). Doubs was a first-team All-MWC selection in 2021, as well, after leading the Wolf Pack with 80 receptions, 1,109 receiving yards (13.9 per catch) and 11 touchdowns while effectively returning punts (12-170-14.2). He opted out of the team's bowl game to prepare for the NFL draft. -- by Chad Reuter/NFL.com

 

Full College Stats

 

Analysis

The special teams emphasis becomes immediately apparent.  Doubs returned punts, averaging over fourteen yards per return.  He will get a shot at winning that job immediately.  Like Christian Watson, Doubs figures to be more of a field stretcher speed receiver, more in the mold of an MVS than a Davante Adams possession type target.  He needs work on running sharper patterns in the short yardage route tree.  Watching him on video, he reminds you a bit of a Jordy Nelson type.  It is well known that Aaron Rodgers loves to throw the long ball, constantly looking for the big strike.  Watch for him to launch bombs to Doubs and Watson, while relying on his veterans to pick up short yardage first downs.

VIDEO

 

 

4th round, Pick #140

Zach Tom, Tackle, Wake Forest

HEIGHT   6'4"

WEIGHT  304 lbs.

ARMS  33.25 "

HANDS  10.3"

 

BIO

Tom is a Louisiana native whose parents are both employed at LSU. His father is a mathematics professor and his mother an IT professional. His brother, Cameron, was a four-year starter at Southern Miss and has played for the Saints and Dolphins. As a redshirt freshman, Zach played in 12 games with one start at center. He played the same position for all 13 games in 2019, earning honorable mention All-ACC notice from league coaches. Tom moved to left tackle for 2020, starting all nine games, and then received first-team All-ACC recognition for his play as a 14-game starter at that position in 2021. He also won the Jim Tatum Award as the conference's top senior student-athlete among ACC football players. -- by Chad Reuter/NFL.com

 

Full College Stats

 

ANALYSIS

Another prototypical Green Bay O-Lineman, versatile, big and tough.  The Packers would love to see him challenge for a starting tackle spot eventually, but in taking Tom, they have also probably found their back-up center.  The loss of Lucas Patrick and the delay in the return of Elgton Jenkins leaves the Pack in need of center depth, and Tom played that position well before moving out to left tackle as a junior.  He would likely be an upgrade as a back-up center to Jake Hanson, who may not be able to compete with what should be a very competitive O-line room.  Oh, and Aaron Rodgers will love this stat.  PFF gave Tom the highest pass blocking grade in all of FBS level college football.  

 

 

5th Round, Pick #179 (from Denver)

Kingsley Enagbare, Edge, South Carolina

6'4", 261 lbs.

Hands 10 2/8", Arms 35", Span 83 5/8"

 

BIO

Kingsley Enagbare was Named the Class AA Defensive Player of the Year and first-team all-state while playing at Hapeville Charter Academy in Atlanta. He was ranked as the 10th-best strongside defensive end in the nation and the 29th-best player in the state of Georgia by 247 and as a result, was highly recruited and ultimately joined the Gamecocks.
After seeing limited action as a freshman in 2018 he played in all 12 games in 2019 making one start, and was credited with 27 tackles including 16 solo stops, he logged 7.0 tackles for loss including 3.5 sacks and also notched three quarterback hurries.
Enagbare's Junior season was impressive as played and started eight games at the BUCK position. He led South Carolina with 6.0 sacks and three forced fumbles, ranked second in the SEC in both sacks (0.75) and fumbles forced (0.38) per game, and tied for 13th in fumbles forced per game. As a result, he was named first-team All-SEC by the league’s 14 coaches and by Phil Steele.
2021 was his best yet - while playing on 553 defensive snaps he made 28 tackles, 19 stops, 4 sacks, and a huge 45 total QB pressures on the season. -- nfl draft buzz.com

Enagbare is an elite rusher, even if he’s not a pure natural athlete.The South Carolina Gamecock finishedtop-three in Pro Football Focus’ pass rush grade among players with at least 250 snaps. Unfortunately for Enagbare, he didn’t test as well as one might have hoped in Indianapolis (and his hopes for improving on them at South Carolina’s pro day did not materialize either). Enagbare played at South Carolina as a true freshman and amassed an impressive 1,500-plus snaps over four seasons. He’s an experienced, productive rusher. The real question is just how much “upside” exists.
Positional Skills: Enagbare is extremely efficient and technically sound coming off the line of scrimmage. With few false or wasted steps, Enagbare achieves above-average get-off with average to below-average athleticism. His flexibility is fine, but certainly nothing to write home about. Where he succeeds mightily is the ability to convert speed to power and work off of counter rush moves when that initial push doesn’t seal the deal. Enagbare is a more versatile defensive weapon than he is just a true EDGE He’s played effective football up and down the defensive line.-- CHTV Draft Guide

 

Full College Stats

 

ANALYSIS

The stat that jumps out at you with Enagbare is quarterback pressures.  He led all of the Power Five conferences in QB hits.  The Packers are hoping to find a guy here who can ease the loss of Za'darius Smith.  Rashan Gary and Preston Smith will be a formidable pair of starting edge rushers, but the team needs to do better than Jonathan Garvin and Randy Ramsey to back up the unit.  Enagbare does not play the run well but he can get after the signal caller.  He had 7.5 tackles for loss and 4 sacks playing in the rugged SEC.  He looks like a third down pass rusher type who needs to bulk up to be stouter on run defense.  Apparently, Green Bay didn't feel Enagbare was on anybody else's imminent radar, as they were comfortable trading down eight spots with Denver to take him, and pick up another 7th round selection in the process.  He is a sure tackler, so he will probably be a good prospect for kickoff and punt coverage teams.

VIDEO

 

 

 

7th Round, Pick #228

Tariq Carpenter, Safety, Georgia Tech

6'4", 225 lbs.

40 time:  4.52

Hands 9", Arms 33.8", Span 80 5/8"

 

BIO

2021 (Senior): Saw action in all 12 games and made nine starts at safety … Appeared in 52 games in five collegiate seasons, including 50-straight to close his career … Tallied 41 career starts, all at safety … Ranked fifth on the team and second among defensive backs with 65 tackles in 2021 … After recording just three tackles over the first two games of the season, exploded for a team- and career-high 13 stops in narrow 14-8 defeat at No. 6 Clemson (Sept. 18) … Broke up passes in win at Duke (Oct. 9) and narrow defeats against Virginia Tech (Oct. 30) and Miami (Nov. 6) … Led Georgia Tech with nine tackles at No. 6 Notre Dame (Nov. 20) and six against No. 1 Georgia (Nov. 27).

2020 (Senior – “Covid Year” – year of eligibility retained): Overcame offseason injuries to appear in all 10 games, making nine starts at strong safety … Finished fifth on the team with 39 tackles, including two for loss … Had an interception and six passes defended … Recorded at least three tackles in 9-of-10 games … Broke up a pass to go along with three tackles in season-opening win at Florida State (Sept. 12) … Had a season-high six tackles at Boston College (Oct. 24) … Recorded five tackles against UCF (Sept. 19), Duke (Nov. 28) and Pitt (Dec. 10) … Turned in perhaps his best all-around performance of the season against Duke, with a season-high two pass breakups and an interception that he returned 43 yards to set up a Georgia Tech touchdown in the Jackets’ 56-33 victory.

2019 (Junior): Appeared in 11 games, starting 10 at strong safety … Led all defensive backs on the team and finished third overall with 62 tackles (48) solo on the year … Joined Charlie Thomas and David Curry in becoming the first Georgia Tech trio since 2012 to have more than 60 tackles apiece … Finished with seven tackles in five games – South Florida (Sept. 7), North Carolina (Oct. 5), at Duke (Oct. 12), at Miami (Fla.) (Oct. 19), and at Virginia (Nov. 9) … Made a season-high seven solo stops against South Florida (Sept. 7) … Set a career high with 2.0 tackles for loss against South Florida (Sept. 7) … Forced his second career fumble against The Citadel (Sept. 14) … Made the game-winning solo stop in overtime at Miami (Fla.) (Oct. 19), tackling a wideout just shy of converting on fourth down to seal the victory … Hauled in his third career interception against Pitt (Nov. 2) … Finished with five pass breakups on the season … Set a career high with two pass breakups against Virginia Tech (Nov. 16).

2018 (Sophomore): Started all 13 games at strong safety … Ranked fourth on the team with 55 tackles … Tied for team lead with two interceptions and seven passes defended … Had at least one tackle in 12-of-13 games and multiple stops in 10-of-13 contests … Tied for third on the team with five special-teams tackles (all on kickoff coverage) … Intercepted a pass on the opening series at USF (Sept. 8) but was ejected from the game due to a targeting penalty one defensive series later, a turning point in the Yellow Jackets’ 49-38 defeat … Came back the next week to record five tackles, including one for loss, at Pitt (Sept. 15) … Made eight stops (second-highest total of the season) against eventual national champion Clemson (Sept. 22) … Had six tackles in limited action in rout over Bowling Green (Sept. 29) … Made key interception that led to Georgia Tech’s go-ahead touchdown in fourth quarter of 35-28 victory at North Carolina (Nov. 3) … Notched six tackles and forced a fumble in win over Miami (Nov. 10) … Had a career-high 10 tackles in overtime win over Virginia (Nov. 17).

2017 (True Freshman): Made his collegiate debut in Georgia Tech’s fifth game of the season at Miami (Oct. 14) and played in five of the final six games of the season … Saw action primarily on special teams, with both of his tackles (Nov. 4 at Virginia, Nov. 18 at Duke) coming in punt coverage.

High School: Rated as a three-star prospect by ESPN and 247Sports … Named first-team all-state as a senior by RecruitGeorgia.com … Also an all-region, all-district and all-area honoree … Versatile athlete played defensive back, wide receiver and returned kicks during his prep career … Had the longest kickoff return in school history as a senior … Four-year letterwinner and three-year captain … Coached by Eric McNair … Also played basketball for two seasons and was two-year captain of track and field team, participating in long jump and high jump … Honor roll student.

Personal: Graduated from Georgia Tech with B.S. in literature, media and communication in December 2021 …  Is one of nine siblings … Mother, Demetria Fiffie, played basketball at Central Methodist University (1992-96) … Mother went on to become a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army, serving five international tours of duty, including three deployments to Irag and one to Afghanistan … Uncle, Thurlos Pearson, played football at Missouri … Tariq began playing football when he was five.-- Ga Tech SID

Tariq Carpenter is long and has a firm athletic build with long arms. He shows solid foot quickness and short-area burst at his size. Versatility to play deep, in the box and as a hybrid safety/linebacker type. Very good physical and competitive toughness, playing fast with good effort and is not afraid to make tackles. Possesses the size and length to play in the box and make plays in the run game. Very willing to get involved and makes plays vs the run. Solid tackling ability using his length and physicality well in this area. Solid mental processing reading run and working downhill. He projects well to a special teams role.

Carpenter is stiff in his hips and lacks explosiveness and long speed. He lacks range to play on the backend at single high. Shows adequate instincts in zone and man coverage reacting late to routes and lacks the ideal athleticism to recover. Displays adequate ball skills, struggling to track and find the football and had limited on-ball production. His struggle in coverage will limit him to a sub-package role. -- SI.com

 

Full College Stats

 

 

Analysis

At six-four Carpenter has ideal size for a hybrid linebacker-safety type role.  The Packers would figure to use him to cover in the short field and to stop the run.  He is worrisome covering deep because he lacks speed and recovery adjustment.  He will have to show he is a better option than veteran Vernon Scott, who is scrambling to regian his place on the team after being a healthy scratch much of last season. Henry Black was not re-signed, so this was a need pick. Here again, Carpenter projects as a solid special teams candidate, as he is a solid tackler if he can keep his man in front of him.  

 

 

Round 7, Pick #234

Jonathan Ford, DT, Miami

6"5", 318 lbs.

 

BIO

2020 (Senior): Saw action in 10 games and made nine starts as second-year starter on interior of defensive line…Totaled 19 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and one forced fumble…Started season opener against UAB (Sept. 10) and had two tackles…Started in road win at top-20 Louisville (Sept. 19)…Lone tackle was half-tackle for loss in start in romp of rival Florida State (Sept. 26)…Had one tackle at top-ranked Clemson (Oct. 10)…Posted two tackles in win over Pittsburgh (Oct. 17)…Had pair of tackles in win over Virginia (Oct. 24)…Recorded two stops in come-from-behind win at NC State (Nov. 6)…Finished with career-high six tackles in win at Virginia Tech (Nov. 14)…Had one tackle for loss in regular season finale against North Carolina (Dec. 12)…Started 2020 Cheez-It Bowl against Oklahoma State (Dec. 29).

2019 (Junior): Started all 13 games on interior of defensive line…Totaled 18 tackles (seven solo) with 3.5 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks…Added one PBU and one forced fumble…Made first start of career in season opener vs. Florida (Aug. 24)…Started at North Carolina (Sept. 7)…Made third straight start in home opener versus Bethune-Cookman (Sept. 14)…Credited with two tackles and 0.5 TFLs in start versus Central Michigan (Sept. 21)…Posted one solo tackle in start versus Virginia Tech (Oct. 5)…Started game versus Virginia (Oct. 11) and finished with four total tackles, including 3-yard sack…Had one solo tackle in start versus Georgia Tech (Oct. 19)…Lone tackle in start versus Pittsburgh (Oct. 26) was half-tackle for loss…Finished with 8-yard sack and two total tackles in start at Florida State (Nov. 2)…Started in win over Louisville (Nov. 9)…Had one tackle in start versus FIU (Nov. 23)…Started and posted three total tackles, including half-sack, in regular season finale at Duke (Nov. 30).

2018 (Sophomore): Saw action in 10 games…Totaled eight tackles and 2.0 tackles for loss…Saw action in season opener against LSU (Sept. 2)…Had one tackle in win over Savannah State (Sept. 8)…Posted two tackles and 1.0 tackle for loss in win at Toledo (Sept. 15)…Had two tackles in win over FIU (Sept. 22)…Saw action against North Carolina (Sept. 27) and Florida State (Oct. 6)…Played at Georgia Tech (Nov. 10)…Saw action in wins at Virginia Tech (Nov. 17) and at home vs. Pittsburgh (Nov. 24)…Had pair of tackles in New Era Pinstripe Bowl vs. Wisconsin (Dec. 27).

2017 (True Freshman): Saw action in seven games…Totaled one tackle…Made career debut in season opener against Bethune-Cookman (Sept. 2) and finished with one tackle…Saw action in win at Duke (Sept. 29) and against Georgia Tech (Oct. 14).

High School: Consensus three-star defensive line prospect by from 247Sports, Scout and ESPN…Rated as the 27th-best defensive tackle by 247Sports…Ranked as the 52nd- best prospect in the state of Florida according to 247Sports…Selected Sun-Sentinel First Team All-County…Coached by Lorenzo Davis at Dillard High School…Chose Miami over offers from Kentucky, Tennessee, USC, Auburn, Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma and West Virginia--. U. of Miami SID

 Ford played in 50 games with 30 starts over five seasons. Coming back for the bonus COVID year, Ford played in 10 games (eight starts) and had one tackle for loss among his 14 stops. According to Pro Football Focus, Ford had 15 total pressures in 2019 and a combined nine the past two seasons. According to PFF, 140 interior defensive linemen played at least Ford’s 151 run-defending snaps. Ford ranked 83rd in PFF’s run-stop percentage. That metric measures impact tackles and mirrors Green Bay’s win/loss system in which a first-and-10 tackle for 3 yards is a win and a first-and-10 tackle for 4 yards is a loss.

Personal touch: Ford weighed 275 pounds when he was recruited but packed on the pounds during his five years.

Ford was benched during the 2020 season but responded just the way defensive coordinator Blake Baker hoped. “Outstanding game,” Baker said after a game vs. Virginia Tech. “Best game of the season, maybe his best game [overall]. … Low pad level, came off the ball, was productive. He’s a senior that, a week before, had gotten his job taken from him. I always say, ‘You got two choices when that happens: You can mope and feel sorry for yourself or you can continue to roll up your sleeves and go to work,’ and that’s what Jon did.” -- SI.com

 

Full College Stats

 

ANALYSIS

A massive space eater who can gobble up blockers if you can get his motor running.  As indicated in his bio, coahces had to occasionally bench him to get his attention.  The Packers now have plenty of options on the defensive line.  If Ford shows he can play, combined with the addition of first round pick Devonte Wyatt, one wonders if veteran Dean Lowry and his salary might become expendable to give the team more cap room.  The Packers are definitely younger and quicker on the front. 

 

 

7th Round, Pick #249

Rasheed Walker, Tackle, Penn State

6'6", 313

Hands 10 5/8", Arms 33 5/8"

 

BIO

Rasheed Walker entered the 2021 season as one of the top tackles in the class, and many viewed him as a future first-round pick. He was coming off a year allowing 14 total pressures with two sacks, which was a tremendous improvement from the year before. However, he took a big step back in 2021, allowing four sacks and 26 total pressures while getting called for six penalties. There is plenty of experience with Walker as he played 2,147 snaps on offense, but many see him limited to right tackle in the NFL, where he has played 29 total snaps. Lacking positional versatility when playing on the offensive line can hurt the value because the more you can do, the better. Then you look at his limitations in the scheme, to one that works more between the tackles because of his range issues and his value gets even lower. -- si.com

 

College Career

 

ANALYSIS

This is my favorite sleeper pick of the Packers' draft.  Had Walker come out after the 2020 season, many analysts say he would have been a first round pick.  But his play nose dived in 2021.  It's a potential pick for sure, but Walker is a massive man who makes it a long trip around him to the quarterback.  He joins a suddenly very crowded O-line room where he takes his place in line as a candidate for the right tackle job.  Gutekunst obviously wanted to restock his O-line room, possibly reflecting some concern over the long term future of David Bakhtiari.

 

7th Round, Pick #258

Samouri Toure, WR, Nebraska

6'1", 191 lbs.

BIO

Samori Toure is a versatile wide receiver prospect that runs routes with pace and knows how to attack leverage. Toure displays solid height and athleticism with good play speed. He shows an advanced understanding of leverage and runs routes with good pace. He displays good spatial manipulation to move DB’s off their spot using pace and leverage. Toure displays twitch getting in and out of breaks. He made an impact on all three levels and was highly productive working vertically. He shows the versatility to play inside and outside and run routes over the middle of the field. Solid hands and downfield tracking catching the ball over his shoulder. Excels getting free releases off of motion using momentum on his routes. He is solid after the catch. Toure is an older prospec. He is not the most explosive athlete. Sometimes he seems to lack a plan. He struggles versus press and lacks play strength. Toure has a thin frame and struggles to make consistent contested catches. He will allow the ball into his chest at times instead of attacking it.  

He started his college career at Montana then transferred to Nebraska. Toure finished his career with the Griz with 155 receptions for 2,488 yards and 20 touchdowns, ranking in the top 12 in Montana history in each of those categories. 2021 was his first year at Nebraska. A member of the Biletnikoff Award watch list, Samori Toure played in all 12 games with nine starts in his lone season at Nebraska in 2021. Toure led Nebraska with 46 receptions, 898 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns. He tied the Nebraska season record with five 100-yard receiving games, posted the second-highest yards-per-catch average in Nebraska history (19.5) among Huskers with at least 40 catches in a season and tied for sixth place on NU's single-season receiving yardage list. Toure's performance earned him third-team All-Big Ten honors from Pro Football Focus and honorable-mention accolades from the conference media. -- si.com

Full College Stats

ANALYSIS

Here we have more of a short yardage possession type pass catcher.  He was all world playing against small college programs at Montana.  Transferred to Nebraska and was the leading receiver on a bad Cornhusker team.  Reminds me a little of Allen Lazard.  Runs the short crosses and short outs well, but lacks the speed to run past NFL defensive backs deep.  Gutekunst throws him into the mix to compete for a receiver position.  So the Packers wind up adding three draft prospects to the receiver room.  It's going to get a bit crowded for veterans like Malik Taylor and Juwann Winfree.  Then again, one wonders if Aaron Rodgers will have enough confidence in them to throw to any of them, or will he stick to the veterans he knows.