Green Bay Packers: Defending the 2020 NFL Draft class
New Dogs, New Tricks
It can be argued that, by not drafting a wide receiver in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Packers neglected the offense by not adding any playmakers to the squad. Those arguments are negligible though, as the selections of running back A.J. Dillon and tight end Josiah Deguara provide this offensive core with two highly productive and multi-purpose athletes who can contribute right away.
Dillon, a 6-0, 247-pound power back, gives the Cheeseheads a tank that can excel in third-and-short situations while being a highly productive back in the red zone. He finished his Boston College career with 918 rushing attempts for 4,382 yards (4.8 avg) and 38 touchdowns on the ground. Through the air, Dillon totaled 21 receptions for 236 yards (11.2 avg) and two touchdowns.
His ball protection could use some improvement after recording four fumbles in 2018 and 2019 but he has come at a time where both running backs Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams have expiring contracts headed into the 2020 season, thus giving the team a little more safety in the event one of them walks in the offseason.
As for Deguara, what he lacks in height standing at 6-2, he makes up for in intangibles as he registered a 4.72-second 40-yard dash, 25 reps in the bench press, a 35.5-inch vertical, a 9-foot-7 broad, a 7.15-second 3-cone and a 4.35-second 20-yard shuffle.
In short, Deguara provides the Packers with a young tight end who can compete with Jace Sternberger for the No. 2 spot in the depth chart. He is a good blocker and showed the ability to make an impact in the passing game as he recorded a breakout year as a senior with 39 receptions for 504 yards (12.1 avg) and seven touchdowns.
For those who say that the front office did nothing to provide their veteran quarterback with weapons to use in his quest for a second Lombardi Trophy, both of these draft picks counter those arguments, as both of these players have a legitimate chance to be serious producers in this Matt LaFleur offense.