NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

Green Bay Packers mock draft guarantees Jordan Love’s success

By Michael Johnson

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - NOVEMBER 12: Michael Mayer #87 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs with the ball after making a catch against the Navy Midshipmen at M&T Bank Stadium on November 12, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - NOVEMBER 12: Michael Mayer #87 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs with the ball after making a catch against the Navy Midshipmen at M&T Bank Stadium on November 12, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
Green Bay Packers
AUBURN, ALABAMA – NOVEMBER 13: Defensive end Eku Leota #55 of the Auburn Tigers celebrates after a big play during the second quarter of their game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Jordan-Hare Stadium on November 13, 2021 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images) /

Eku Leota, Edge, Aubrun

Doubling down on a position of need is something the Packers will do. They should take an edge rusher early on and another early on Day 3.  Eku Leota out of Auburn is ready to make an impact as a rotational rusher on 3rd and long, at worse, he’s a special teams ace.

Leota spent three seasons in the Big Ten with the Northwestern Wildcats, but his real potential was unlocked in his limited starts with Auburn this season. In just five games, Leota accounted for 10 pressures and four sacks, showing off his active pass-rushing abilities and strong motor.

But it’s not just his pass-rushing that makes Leota a great prospect for the Packers. He’s got a good build and length to set the edge when defending the run game, and his hand power is sufficient to soften edges and angles, making it easier to get to the football. Plus, his quick burst allows him to affect the outside arc of offensive tackles.

Sure, Leota may lack ideal bend around the edges and a wide array of pass-rush moves, but his size, length, and athleticism more than make up for it. And while he may still be raw from a technical standpoint, his potential is sky-high, especially if he can refine his game and continue to get more reps.

So why not take a chance on this former three-star recruit who’s ready to prove himself on the big stage? With a quick first step and functional play strength at the point of attack, Leota is a perfect prospect for the Packers in the fourth round. Who knows, with a little development, he could become a valuable asset in the team’s defensive pass rush package. So let’s all raise a glass to Eku Leota, and hope he can help bring a Lombardi Trophy back to Green Bay.

Home/Green Bay Packers