Green Bay Packers

2017 NFL Draft: 5 Dream Targets for Green Bay Packers in First Round

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 8:45 p.m. ET

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Dreams don't always come true, but they would for the Green Bay Packers during the 2017 NFL Draft if one of these five players were available at No. 29.

In today's sports climate, disappointment is much more common than satisfaction. Dreams rarely come true, but that's often what happens when there's so much competition and only so much success to go around. Speculation on what-if scenarios is often a result of this dismay among fans.

That's why I'm here today–to speculate on some "dream" scenarios for the Green Bay Packers during the 2017 NFL Draft. These situations throw reality out the window, and replace it with immeasurable optimism and hope. In a way, though, that's what the offseason should be all about. It's time to forget about past letdowns and focus on a potentially brighter future.

More specifically, I want to focus on a few players the Packers would love to get an opportunity to draft. While most are likely to be long gone by the time GM Ted Thompson is up at No. 29, that doesn't mean we can't imagine scenarios in which they're still on the board.

With that in mind, here are five "dream" targets for the Packers during the 2017 NFL Draft. They may not be feasible given the players' current stocks and Green Bay's draft position, but they sure would look great with a big "G" on their helmets next season. Join me in this wonderful place where logic is gone and dreams actually come true.

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5. Christian McCaffrey, RB – Stanford

At this moment, the Packers have Ty Montgomery penciled in as the starting running back. It's not the worst situation to be in, but having a true workhorse back would probably be in the Green Bay offense's best interests heading into 2017.

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The loss of Eddie Lacy undoubtedly hit the team hard. Even with his weight and health issues in recent years, it's difficult to see a former early-round pick who showed elite potential take his talents elsewhere. Thankfully for Green Bay, the 2017 draft class is loaded with high-upside playmakers who could immediate upgrade their backfield.

In the case of Christian McCaffrey, he'd give the Packers a dynamic offensive weapon. While not the definition of a workhorse back, the former Stanford star offers surprising power to go with his speed, agility and vision. And then there's the whole part of his game that makes him an elite weapon in the passing department.

If McCaffrey were to fall to Green Bay at No. 29, Aaron Rodgers would be smiling from ear to ear. The Cardinal saw the type of difference maker he could be as a receiver, and I'm sure the Packers would love to give him every opportunity to make a similar impact at the next level. It's not unrealistic for him to fall, but unlikely considering his current stock.

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4. Haason Reddick, LB – Temple

At this moment, edge defender appears to be one of the Packers' top draft needs. Unfortunately, even in this rundown of dream scenarios, I can't in good conscious include top edge talent Myles Garrett on this list. Him falling to No. 29 is impossible, even in the wildest of dreams.

Unfortunately, the middle of the first round isn't exactly rife with other edge rushing talent. There will likely be some guys who come off the board sooner than expected, but I don't necessarily think there are a ton of prospects who are ideal fits for Green Bay. Most of the guys who could be options stand a decent chance of being available near the end of Day 1—meaning they don't fit in the "dream" category.

In the instance of Haason Reddick, though, he seems like a dream target for the Packers. After an explosive Combine performance, he's worked his way into the conversation to be taken in the first half of the first round. Especially with the aforementioned absence of first-round edge rushers, Reddick is all the more likely to come off the board in the mid-teens.

If the Packers are lucky, though, they could get a shot at the Temple product at No. 29. They've love to bring his athleticism off the edge behind Nick Perry and Clay Matthews, with the potential to take over for the latter in the near future. Even if he doesn't bulk up enough to serve as an outside linebacker, he could slide inside where Green Bay also has a need.

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3. Marshon Lattimore, CB – Ohio State

At this moment, the cornerback position is a bit of a sore thumb for the Packers. They've got some solid young options on the outside, but most are coming off a down year in 2016. With Sam Shields gone and Davon House back in the mix, it's unclear what the future holds.

Drafting a potential star at cornerback, however, would get things going in the right direction. It's great for Green Bay that the 2017 draft class is overflowing with talented cover men, but there's one in particular who seems like the best of the bunch. Unfortunately, there's almost no way the Packers get a shot at him barring a trade into the top five.

That is, unless you're living in a dream world. Seeing as that's where we are right now, let's assume Green Bay does have a shot at Marshon Lattimore. The Ohio State cornerback is near the top of most draft boards, and for good reason.

If he were to head north to Wisconsin, he'd be an instant upgrade to the Packers' defense. He brings smart, instinctive coverage to the pass defense, and shows the grit and toughness to get dirty against the run. He's the safest cornerback of the class, which makes him a dreamy draftee for Green Bay.

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2. Leonard Fournette, RB – LSU

Landing McCaffrey in the first round would be great. However, imagine if one of the most intriguing running back prospects in recent memory somehow tumbled to the Packers at No. 29? It's unlikely, but stranger things have happened during the NFL Draft.

I'd imagine Green Bay would jump at the opportunity to add Leonard Fournette to their backfield. Following the loss of Lacy, the Packers are left with only Montgomery and Christine Michael as experienced options on the roster. Montgomery showed promise last year after switching over from wide receiver, but is limited due to his lack of size and power.

Drafting Fournette would give Green Bay a true workhorse back who could make this offense even more dynamic. He'd take pressure off Rodgers to carry the offense while giving their ground game an elite talent similar to what they appeared to have early in Lacy's NFL career.

Chances are Fournette will come off the board by the middle of the first round, at the latest. However, if he were to slip due to the general lack of value currently carried by running backs, it's not out of the realm of possibility for him to fall to the Packers. Even then, this is a dream scenario so anything is possible.

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1. Reuben Foster, ILB – Alabama

Right now, most folks have Reuben Foster listed as a top-five talent in the 2017 draft class. However, as we've seen in recent years, inside linebackers don't always carry the value during the draft that their overall talent may warrant.

Hence, there's an ever-so-slim chance that he could slide on Day 1. It also helps that his dismissal from the NFL Combine could force some teams to reconsider selecting him so early, even though he doesn't have any other character concerns in his history. Still, it would be a dream scenario for him to be available at No. 29.

If he was, though, I'd guess the Packers would have to think long and hard about calling the Alabama star's name. They've got a big need at inside linebacker with Blake Martinez and Jake Ryan currently slated as the starters. Bringing in the near-elite Foster would do wonders for this defense, especially as Matthews continues on his rapid decline.

Foster has all the makings of a dynamic playmaker at inside linebacker. Inserting him into the Green Bay starting lineup would give them an unquestionable presence in the middle. Foster would have the potential to assert himself as a decisive leader and tackle machine for the next decade of Packers football.