National Football League

Green Bay Packers draft radar: Four college players to watch Week 5

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.

Without a Packer game this weekend, its a good time to get your football fix by tuning in to some exciting college football games this weekend.

Three contests are between two teams ranked in the top ten.

Wisconsin will look to steal a win on the road against another Big Ten heavyweight in Michigan. Likewise, Louisville and Clemson will compete for bragging rights as the top team in the ACC.

And on the West Coast, Stanford and Washington square off Friday night. If you haven’t had the chance to pay close attention to the college football season so far, this weekend is the perfect time to get caught up on all the action.

With so many key matchups headlining the weekend, its also a great time to get a sneak peek at a few players that could be important prospects in the 2017 draft class.

As Packers fans, here are four college players to pay attention to as you watch all the action this weekend.

Michigan Wolverines tight end Jake Butt (88) tackled after his catch by Maryland Terrapins linebacker Jalen Brooks (43) at Byrd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

1. Jake Butt, TE, Michigan

There may not be a more complete tight end in the upcoming 2017 draft class than Jake Butt. The Michigan product has made plenty of plays in the passing game over the first four weeks.

He’s currently the Wolverines second-leading receiver with 19 receptions for 234 yards and three touchdowns. He’s also averaged a respectable 13.32 yards per catch.

Butt is a sharp route-runner with soft hands who knows how to work the middle of the field and find openings between coverage. He’s also a very solid run blocker in the ground game, making him a balanced prospect for any team looking for a starting-caliber tight end at the next level.

Only three weeks into the NFL season, a lot remains to be seen when it comes to the Packers tight end situation. They appeared to have decent depth at the start of the season with Jared Cook and Richard Rodgers headlining the position.

However, Cook could miss several games with a high ankle sprain, and we have yet to see him develop into a key part of the offense. Only on a one-year contract, there’s no guarantee Green Bay brings Cook back after this season.

Rodgers is an adequate role player on the roster, but the Packers could still use a reliable receiving threat over the middle of the field. And finding a tight end who can block would be a nice as well.

Butt checks all of these boxes. He’s definitely a player Green Bay could show interest in come this spring.

When to Watch: Wisconsin vs Michigan this Saturday on ABC at 2:30 pm central

Next: Standout Big Ten Linebacker

Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker Josey Jewell (43) tackles Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey (5) during the fourth quarter in the 2016 Rose Bowl at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

2. Josey Jewell, LB, Iowa

Based on how the 2016 season is going so far inside linebacker may no longer be a pressing need for the Packers. Jake Ryan, Blake Martinez, and Joe Thomas are all playing well and have done a nice job shoring up things in the middle of the defense.

However, with only three players on the depth chart the position remains thin and could use another solid player on the roster.

Plus, Josey Jewell is just too good to prolong talking about him. Jewell has easily become one of my favorite college football players to evaluate on film, but very few people are talking about him outside of Blackhawks fans. If you’ve yet to watch any Iowa games this year, I highly recommend you check out some Jewell’s games over at draftbreakdown.com.

He plays linebacker how the position should be played. He’s instinctive, athletic, tough, and gives maximum effort on every snap.

He’s a true three-down linebacker, who makes plenty of plays against the run. Last year, he was the Big Ten’s second-leading tackler with 126 stops, and this year he’s already off to a strong start with 33 tackles in the first four games.

However, what makes Jewell standout is his play speed and ability to drop in coverage. He’s one of the better cover linebackers I’ve watched on film this year. He can trail tight ends down the seam and close in on the ball in zone coverage.

He also has very good ball skills. Last year, he recorded four interceptions and six pass breakups.

The only caveat with Jewell is he’s still only a junior, so he may still decide to play out his senior year at Iowa in 2017 and wait to enter the NFL in 2018.

When to Watch: Northwestern vs Iowa this Saturday on ESPNU/WatchESPN at 11 am central

Next: Big Play ACC Wide Receiver

Clemson Tigers wide receiver Mike Williams (7) catches a touchdown pass over Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defensive back Lance Austin (17) in the first quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

3. Mike Williams, WR, Clemson

On the eve of the 2015 season, it looked likely Williams would enter the draft early and declare following his sophomore season. However, the Clemson receiver injured his neck in the opening game and missed the rest of the year.

Williams is back this season and already on a tear. In his opening game against Auburn he recorded nine receptions for 174 yards.

He’s out to prove he’s one of the top receivers in the upcoming draft class. His 15.15 yards per catch average showcase his big-play ability. He could be a late-round first round option for a team like the Packers who could use more weapons on the perimeter of their offense.

Williams brings size to the position (6-3, 225) and excellent athletic traits. He goes up and high points the ball well and can use his long frame to haul in receptions over defenders.

He’s also explosive enough to make plays in the open field and do damage with the ball after the catch on bubble screens or slant routes.

This Saturday Clemson faces a steep challenge taking on Louisville, who so far over the first four weeks has dominated their opponents. However, look for Clemson to utilize Williams in creative ways on offense to help DeShaun Watson and the Tigers offense get in rhythm.

When to Watch: Louisville vs Clemson this Saturday on ABC at 7 pm central

Next: Cover CB to watch Friday Night

Washington Huskies defensive back Sidney Jones (26) attempts to intercept a pass intended for Oklahoma State Cowboys running back Desmond Roland (26) during the first half in the 2015 Cactus Bowl at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

4. Sidney Jones, CB, Washington

One of the most anticipated matches this weekend comes on Friday night between Pac-12 heavyweights Stanford and Washington.

The Pac-12 North rivalry will showcase plenty of potential NFL talent, but one guy that should be intriguing to watch is Husky cornerback Sidney Jones.

It’s no secret Green Bay’s secondary hasn’t exactly gotten off to the greatest start this year. However, despite possessing some young talent at the position, Sam Shields’ injury this season and the struggle to replace him have exposed how thin the cornerback position is overall on the roster.

Damarious Randall and Quentin Rollins aren’t going anywhere in the near future and LaDarius Gunter has his moments, but it wouldn’t hurt for the Packers to add another young talented defensive back to the group in next year’s draft.

Jones is currently one of the better pure cover corners in college football. He had four interceptions to go with 14 pass defensed last year, showcasing good ball skills, and he did this matched up against some of the elite receivers of the Pac-12.

Jones has the top-end speed to stick with wideouts downfield and is very technically sound when coming up and pressing receivers and then sticking on their hip as they cut in and out of their routes.

At 6-0 and 181 pounds, Jones could serve to add some weight and get stronger before he enters the NFL, but even a bit undersized, Jones remains a defensive back with high upside and a guy that could soar up draft boards if he continues his strong play throughout the 2016 season.

When to Watch: Stanford vs Washington this Friday on ESPN at 8 pm central

Previous CFB Players to Watch: Week 2, Week 3, Week 4

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