The Green Bay Packers started off Day 3 of the 2017 NFL Draft and then focused on the offense, but how did they do with their picks?
The Green Bay Packers didn’t make a first-round pick, and on Day 2 worked on adding to their defense, which continued on Day 3 of the 2017 NFL Draft early. After that, though, it was all about offensive depth, especially at running back.
For the first time in a long time, the Packers selected three running backs to battle for roster spots, two wide receivers and one offensive lineman. That all came in addition to their first selection of the fourth round — and the first overall selection of Day 3 — which stayed focused on the defense.
Let’s see how the Pack did and grade the picks.
Related Story: 2017 NFL Draft: Grades For All 32 First-Round Picks
Round 4: Vince Biegel, LB — Wisconsin (108)
This is an excellent pick for the Packers as Biegel gives off the aura that he is just the type of hard-nosed linebacker they like to have on their roster. If Biegel is successful in the NFL he’ll do so by being strong on the Green Bay special teams, plus be a role player, but eventual starter within the defense when called upon.
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com described Biegel as a “worker bee.” Easy to say, the linebacker will go 100 percent pretty much when he’s on the field and will be an edge rusher for the Packers.
As for his collegiate stats, Biegel (who was named after Vince Lombardi) during his senior season totaled 44 tackles (six for a loss) with four sacks, one forced fumble and one pass defensed. It should be an exciting experience for Green Bay fans to watch Biegel process with a defense that was in dire need of some reinforcements in their depth. Biegel provides that, and we’ll all get to see just how much he can improve on his game as he gears toward his NFL career.
Round 4: Jamaal Williams, RB — BYU (134)
The Packers used their first four picks of the 2017 NFL Draft on the defense. But with their second pick of the fourth round, they decided to add to their lackluster running back depth, and the first of three running backs they drafted was Jamaal Williams of BYU. Though he played all four years at BYU, Williams played in a total of 18 games his junior and senior seasons. This past year, he played in 10 games, finishing with 1,375 yards on 234 carries. He collected 12 touchdowns and even caught seven passes for 80 yards.
Though he’ll most likely be battling for a reserve role at running back, he should have a good chance to earn a roster spot behind current starter Ty Montgomery. Currently behind Montgomery on the Packers depth chart are Christine Michael and Don Jackson. Williams fills a much-needed position for the Packers, and it is said he can run between the tackles, which would work well with the outside rushing abilities of Montgomery.