2017 NFL Draft Grades: Green Bay Packers Day 3 Picks

Round 5: DeAngelo Yancey, WR — Purdue (175)

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Playing in the Big Ten for four seasons has to help the professional progression of new Packers wide receiver DeAngelo Yancey as he faced some stiff competition in his four years against the likes of Ohio State, Michigan, Wisconsin and Michigan State defensive players who have been selected over the past few seasons. Yancey played in 12 games in each of the past two seasons, and this past year was his best with 49 receptions for 951 yards. He improved his yards per reception from 14.6 his junior season to 19.4 his senior season. Yancey finished with 10 touchdowns, which is how many he totaled during his first three seasons at Purdue.

The Packers are getting a player full of potential who broke out his senior season. Mark Dulgerian of NFL.com said Yancey will “need to earn his keep on special teams early.” That is a true statement, but if there is one team who seems to be able to find players who fit within their system, it is the Packers. It won’t be a breeze for Yancey, but he’s getting a good opportunity to make himself noticed by the Packers, and he’ll have to make the most of this chance.

Aaron Jones, RB — Texas El-Paso (182)

The second running back taken by the Packers in the NFL Draft on Day 3, the Packers are seemingly going to have a big battle as to who is a part of their running back depth chart next season. Jones can make big-time runs and can catch the football out of the backfield as well. His numbers last season included 1,773 yards on 229 carries. He finished with 17 touchdowns, and also caught 28 passes for 233 yards and three touchdowns for UTEP.

Jones might have not played in the strongest conference, but if a player is good, he’ll rise to the top of the depth chart. Being a player who is versatile with his speed as a running back and his abilities to catch the football, with the right coaching and patience with progression, the Packers might have found a gem with this pick, though it isn’t expected Jones will be an every-down player.