Green Bay Packers: Best-case scenario 7-round 2020 mock draft
By Joe Kipp
The Packers don’t necessarily need a starting safety, but drafting Antoine Winfield Jr. in the second round would be a huge get. Winfield can play multiple positions in the secondary, and Green Bay has a huge need for a slot cornerback with the departure of Tramon Williams, who remains unsigned as an unrestricted free agent.
Think of Winfield (5-9, 203) as a slot defender rather than a safety, similarly to how Micah Hyde was used during his time in Green Bay. Winfield’s presence would allow defensive coordinator Mike Pettine to mix and match coverages. Having Winfield, Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage all on the field at once would create confusion for offenses. Green Bay would be able to disguise different looks.
During the 2019 season, Winfield logged 399 snaps at free safety, 283 snaps as a box safety and 85 snaps as a slot cornerback in 2019, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). His instincts are off the charts, too. He grabbed seven interceptions and was rarely out of position, allowing just nine first downs for a combined 138 yards when targeted in coverage.
If the Packers were to draft Winfield, they’d essentially be filling two needs in one. Green Bay has minimal depth at safety and cornerback, two positions Winfield would help fill. The do-it-all playmaker was unanimously selected as a First-team AP All-American in 2019.