National Football League

Green Bay Packers draft radar: Four college players to watch Week 4

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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In this weekly series, we highlight four college football players to watch over the weekend that could be on the Green Bay Packers radar for the 2017 NFL Draft.

Two weeks are in the books of the 2016 NFL season and the Green Bay Packers stand 1-1 after a heart-breaking loss on the road to division rival the Minnesota Vikings.

This Sunday the Packers will regroup and host their first home game of the year, hoping to get back on track on offense against a porous Detroit Lions defense.

We’ve seen a relatively small sample size of the 2016 Packers squad, but even after two games, it’s clear there are still some areas on the roster that could use reinforcements next offseason.

With this in mind, today we’ll take a look at four future NFL prospects that could help bolster Green Bay’s roster. These players will take the field this Saturday in another exciting lineup of college games.

Now, we are all well aware of the Packers’ struggles on offense in the early going this year, so it’s no surprise this week’s prospect watch favor offensive playmakers.

Granted, I know the NFL season is still very young and it’s not time to overreact to what we’ve seen in the first two weeks. After all, the positions we focus on each week could look very different by seasons end as Green Bay’s apparent needs change and evolve.

However, the following four college players could be good fits on the Packers roster as things currently stand in the first month of the season. The following four prospects are also just plain fun to watch.

Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey (5) rushes against USC Trojans defensive back Marvell Tell III (7) during the first half of a NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

1. Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford

The 2015 Heisman runner up is already off to another monster season. His 53 rushes for 298 yards and three touchdowns lead the Pac-12. Impressively, McCaffrey has put up this production in only two games (Stanford had Week 2 off).

After eye-popping production last year, McCaffrey is on just about everyone’s radar when it comes to the 2017 NFL Draft. He led all of college football in all-purpose yards, exceeded the 2,000-yard rushing mark, and finished the year with 15 touchdowns, two of which came on kick returns.

The junior halfback is a good bet to declare early for the draft. If he puts together another productive year, he should cash in and go pro.

Only measuring in at 6-0 and 200 pounds, many knock McCaffrey’s small frame, but the Colorado native offers a balanced game as a running back prospect. Yes, his speed, quickness, and ability to make defenders miss in the open-field jump off the tape, but he’s also tougher and better between the tackles than people give him credit for.

He’s a decisive runner who makes plays with the ball in his hands. Reggie Bush comparisons aren’t that far off, but McCaffrey will still more than likely go later in the draft than his skillset warrants because of his smaller frame.

McCaffrey will more than likely get pegged as a third-down back early in his career, even though I–along with many others–feel he could handle the responsibilities of a starting halfback in the NFL.

Depending on what happens with Eddie Lacy and James Starks this season, the Packers could seriously consider selecting a running back in one of the first few rounds next spring.

McCaffrey would fit well in the Packers spread offense and would give Rodgers another weapon to utilize in the passing game. Even if Green Bay retains Lacy after this season, McCaffrey would be an excellent complement as a change-of-pace back.

The Stanford running back could have a big game this week against a sub-par UCLA running defense.

When to Watch: Stanford vs UCLA this Saturday on ABC 6 pm central

Next: A Pair of Big Ten WRs

Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Jehu Chesson (86) runs for yards after a catch against the Michigan State Spartans during the 2nd half of a game at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

2. Jehu Chesson and Amara Darboh, WR, Michigan

Between Chesson and Darboh is was too hard to just pick one to highlight this week (I know I’m breaking the rules). I suggest paying attention to both Michigan wideouts this Saturday.

Chesson is the higher profiled player and may have a higher ceiling. At 6-foot-3 and 203 pounds, he has good size as a boundary receiver, but he’s also speedy and works well out of the slot.

Michigan will even use him out of the backfield occasionally or will hand off to him when he’s motioning from the slot. Last week against Colorado, he rushed three times for 25 yards and a touchdown.

However, Chesson is a receiver first and foremost. Last year, he led the Wolverines in receiving with 764 yards and nine touchdowns on 50 receptions. His 15.28 yards per catch average reflects his big-play production.

Already this season, Chesson is averaging 18.14 yards per catch as he continually proves he’s an explosive downfield threat.

However, surprisingly its Darboh who is Michigan’s leading receiver so far this season and not Chesson. Darboh has hauled in 10 receptions for 204 yards and a team-leading four touchdowns. He’s also posted an impressive 20.4 yards per catch average.

Darboh is a little stouter that Chesson at 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, but both receivers are a good combination of size and speed. They also both do a good job creating separation, and Chesson particularly utilizes the entire route tree well to keep defenders off guard. He’s very smooth in and out of his breaks.

This Saturday against Big-Ten rival Penn State watch how No. 86 and 82 on Michigan’s offense fare. They could be nice fits in the Packers offense in the future and potential early-round targets in the draft.

Green Bay could certainly use more explosive options on the perimeter of their offense.

When to Watch: Penn State vs Michigan this Saturday on ABC 2:30 pm central

Next: A Speedy SEC Cornerback

3. Tre’Davious White, CB, LSU

If you’re a Wisconsin Badgers fan, you may remember White from his pick-six in Week One at Lambeau Field.

White is a tremendous athlete with blazing speed. Many analysts and scouts anticipate he’ll run a sub or low 4.4 at the combine next spring.

However, its White’s ability to smother receivers downfield in coverage that will most likely push him into the first round of the draft. He also shows good ball skills, even though his production doesn’t always reflect this fact.

Last year, White recorded seven pass breakups but failed to record a single interception. He also only has one pick over the first three weeks of this season. However, when you watch the film, it’s apparent opposing quarterbacks rarely throw in his direction.

Measuring only in at 5-foot-11 and 192 pounds, White makes up for his lack of size with superb athleticism and speed, not to mention a brash feistiness that allows him to take on wideouts much bigger than himself. He’s also a decent defender in run support.

To top it off, White has been a productive punt returner over the past two seasons for LSU. He returned one punt for a touchdown last year and has already matched this effort with a punt return touchdown over the first three weeks of the 2016 season.

White is a great prospect with a high potential, who could fit well in Green Bay’s defense. Heading into the 2016 season, it seemed defensive back would not be a need on the Packers roster in the near future.

However, considering their play in the first two weeks and the potential career-threatening concussion issues for Sam Shields, Green Bay may view the position as a high priority next offseason.

When to Watch: LSU vs Auburn this Saturday on ESPN 5 pm central

Next: A Big-Play Tight End

Mississippi Rebels tight end Evan Engram (17) runs past Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Ronnie Harrison (15) during the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Alabama won 48-43. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

4. Evan Engram, TE, Ole Miss

I made the mistake of writing Engram off last year as a highly-regarded pro prospect. I don’t usually put much stock in 6-foot-3 and 235-pound tight ends.

However, Engram has really proven me wrong in the first three weeks of this season. Not only is he leading the Rebels in receiving, but he’s also currently leading the SEC in receptions with 20 catches for 302 yards.

Engram is on a tear, and his 15.12 yards per catch average show he’s made big plays down the seam and has punished opposing defenses with his speed and athleticism. He’s a complete mismatch for linebackers in coverage, and he’s even left several safeties and slot corners in the dust.

Ole Miss has used Engram primarily out of the slot. Last week against Alabama–one of the nation’s top defenses–Engram was highly effective in this role, recording nine receptions for 138 yards and a touchdown.

The Rebels have even used Engram in many other creative roles. When he’s lined up in the backfield as an H-back, he can be an effective lead blocker, but he’s even taken handoffs and run the ball in this role. He’s also effective taking screen passes and making plays in the open field, as well as creating mismatches on the boundary as a perimeter receiver.

Engram is a unique athlete, whose versatility could give an offense like the Packers a new weapon to keep defenses on their toes.

Even if Jared Cook returns next season and Richard Rodgers remains a mainstay in the offense, it still might not be a bad idea to target a player like Engram in the draft. Green Bay could find creative ways to utilize him on the field, or they could even transition him to the wide receiver position.

He has the skillset to fulfill multiple roles on the field.

When to Watch: Georgia vs Ole Miss this Saturday on ABC 11 am central

Previous CFB Players to Watch: Week 2, Week 3