(Note: Look below for a Thursday -- i.e. day of -- update of mock drafts)
Well, the time is finally here. After waiting months -- and hearing endless talk -- the NFL Draft is upon us.
There have been a myriad of mock drafts issues over this time period but there's always time for one more right before the draft hits.
Who will the Green Bay Packers select with the No. 27 overall pick in the first round of the draft? If you think some kind of defensive player, well, that's what most of the mock-ers think will happen as well. But not all. There are a couple of big-time surprise picks out there. And also a couple who think Green Bay is in prime position to select injured Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith.
Most have issued their final mock draft but some do wait until the day of the draft. However, we know you want the information as soon as possible, so be sure to check back Thursday and we'll do our best to update/add any new mocks we see.
As usual, if we included a mock previously (some of the ones we had before have not been updated since), we'll also include the picks from that earlier mock draft (note: some mocks update often; we'll just include the pick we used). Not all mocks have updated since our last roundup, so if you are curious, click on the links off on the side for the previous mocks.
Be sure to check back with FOXSportsWisconsin.com for coverage of all of Green Bay's picks (as well as Wisconsin Badgers, if you are also a fan) and what the experts thought of them.
And now, here's the sixth -- and final -- look of who the prognosticators think Green Bay will take in the NFL Draft. Clip and save to see who was right and who was wrong (and who were totally off base).
UPDATE: THURSDAY MOCKS
Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com: Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama. "Ragland is a dominant run defender and he is underrated in coverage."
Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN.com: Jarran Reed, NT, Alabama.
Matt Miller of Bleacher Report: Round 1 -- Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech; Round 2 -- Jaylon Smith, LB; Round 3 -- James Bradberry, CB; Round 4a -- Thomas Duarte, TE; Round 4b -- Tajae Sharpe, WR; Round 4c -- Tyvis Powell, FS; Round 5 -- DeAndre Washington, RB; Round 6 -- Joe Schobert LB; Round 7 -- Tevin Carter, S.
Evan Silva of Rotoworld.com: Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama.
Nate Davis of USAToday.com: A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama.
Dane Brugler of NFLDraftScout.com: Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama.
Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News: Noah Spence, OLB, Eastern Kentucky.
Walter Cherepinsky of WalterFootball.com (April 27): Round 1 -- Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech; Round 2 -- Jihad Ward, DE/DT, Illinois; Round 3 -- Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame; Round 4a -- Paul Perkins, RB, UCLA; Round 4b -- Matt Ioannidis, DT, Temple; Round 4c -- Avery Young, OT, Auburn; Round 5 -- Deiondre' Hall, CB, Northern Iowa; Round 6 -- Beniquez Brown, ILB, Mississippi State; Round 7 -- Mitch Mathews, WR, BYU. (Previously: Round 1 -- Butler; Round 2 -- Hunter Henry, TE, Arkansas; Round 3 -- Joshua Perry, LB, Ohio State; Round 4a -- Willie Beavers, OT, Western Michigan; Round 4b -- Jordan Howard, DE/OLB, Indiana; Round 4c -- Tajae Sharpe, WR, UMass; Round 5 --Tyrone Holmes, DE/OLB, Montana.)
Ben Volin of the Boston Globe (April 27): Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA. "The Packers defense was a bit leaky in 2015, finishing 21st against the run and allowing 4.5 yards per carry. With nose tackle Letroy Guion more suited for a backup role, the Packers would do well to take Clark, an excellent 6-foot-2-inch, 314-pound line-clogging run defender who had an excellent combine and totaled six sacks last season."
Mark Maske of the Washington Post (April 27): Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama.
Jonathan Valencia of BreakingFootball.com (April 27): A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama. "Ted Thompson and the Packers front office are all about bringing in good football players â they're one of the few teams in the league who elect to build their team strictly through the draft and don't fall into the temptations of free agency. The Packers really could use some help on the defensive line alongside Mike Daniels. While they have solid players in Boyd, Jones etc. a guy like A'Shawn Robinson immediately improves that unit. Robinson has a tremendous combination of size, strength and athleticism. He finds himself in a great fit with the Packers."; Round 2 -- Bronson Kaufusi, DE, BYU; Round 3 -- Scooby Wright, LB, Arizona; Round 4a -- Jordan Howard, RB, Indiana; Round 4b -- Kolby Litenbee, WR, TCU; Round 4c -- Alex Lewis, OT, Nebraska; Round 5 -- Darion Griswold, TE, Arkansas State; Round 6 -- Matt Ioannidis, DL, Temple; Round 7 -- Montiz Boehringer, WR, Germany. (Previously: Su'a Cravens, LB, USC.)
Will Brinson of CBSSports.com (April 27): Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech. "Versatile, powerful guy from a smaller school starting to get first-round buzz later in the process." (Previously: Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville.)
Chris Fedor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer (April 27): A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama. "After B.J. Raji retired this pick became easy -- at least with the position. Picking the player is the real challenge, as Baylor's Andrew Billings and Vernon Butler from Louisiana Tech are also possibilities. However, Robinson, the 20-year-old tackle with plenty of upside, would give the Packers a much-needed physical presence inside." (Previously: Robinson.)
Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times (April 27): Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech.
Doug Farrar and Don Banks of SI.com (April 27): Banks -- Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi; Farrar -- Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State. (Previously: Farrar -- Lee.)
Jason McIntyre of The Big Lead (April 27): A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama.
Steve Serby of the New York Post (April 27): A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama.
Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News (April 27): Darron Lee, OLB, Ohio State. (Previously: Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA.)
Steven Ruiz of For The Win (April 27): Hunter Henry, TE, Arkansas. "It's been a long time since Aaron Rodgers has had a good tight end to work with."
Pete Fituak of collegefootballnews.com (April 27): Round 1 -- Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama. "Defensive tackle is the desperate need pick for the Packers, and several are going to be on the board. Is Vernon Butler an option? How about lower-level superstar Javon Hargrave? Reed might be the massive B.J. Raji-type of anchor, but he's an active prospect for the interior."; Round 2 -- Kyler Fackrell, LB, Utah State. (Previously: Robert Nkemdiche, Mississippi.)
Joe Marino of DraftBreakdown.com (April 27): Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama.
Bob Glauber of Newsday (April 27): Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana.
Brennan Smith of the Salt Lake Tribune (April 27): A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama.
Greg Cote of the Miami Herald (April 27): Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama.
Devon Jeffreys of Football Insiders (April 27): Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia. "Floyd has been compared by observers to a young Clay Matthews and with Matthews getting long in the tooth, it makes sense for Green Bay to pursue a player in the same mold to fill their need outside. And who better for Floyd to learn the ropes from before taking the spot over full time than the man himself?"
Peter Schrager of FOXSports.com (April 26): Round 1 -- Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor. " If Billings slips to 27, the Packers would be awfully pleased. With B.J. Raji out, Billings could step in. A record-setting powerlifter who can stuff the run. Missed some time with an ankle injury. Could be a great fit in Dom Capers' 3-4."; Round 2 -- Jihad Ward, DE/DT, Illinois; Round 3 -- Tyler Boyd, WR, Pittsburgh; Round 4a -- Jerell Adams, TE, South Carolina; Round 4b -- Vadal Alexander, OT/OG, LSU; Round 4c -- Will Redmond, CB, Mississippi State; Round 5 -- Anthony Brown, CB, Purdue; Round 6 -- Josh Ferguson, RB, Illinois; Round 7 -- B.J. Goddson, LB, Clemson. (Previously: Round 1 -- Billings; Round 2 -- Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State.)
Peter King of SI.com (April 26): Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama. "The Packers could play the versatile Ragland inside and let free Clay Matthews to do what he does best -- chase the quarterback off the edge. Ragland's pedigree is tremendous, as the defensive captain of Nick Saban's demanding defense, the SEC defensive player of the year, First Team All-America, two-year starter at a high level and a tough and physical tackler with good instincts. He'll go somewhere in the first round, and Dom Capers would quickly learn to love him."
Eddie Brown of the San Diego Union-Tribune (April 26): Round 1 -- Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor. "The Packers do not necessarily have to replace B.J. Raji in a one-for-one way. They do need to find more assistance for Mike Daniels up front. Billings can plug the middle or slide out to three- or five-techs.â"; Round 2 -- Deion Jones, OLB, LSU; Round 3 -- Caleb Benenoch, OT, UCLA; Round 4a -- Jonathan Williams, RB, Arkansas; Round 4b -- Thomas Duarte, TE, UCLA; Round 4c -- Blake Martinez, ILB, Stanford; Round 5 -- Maurice Canady, CB, Virginia; Round 6 -- Sebastian Trelola, OG, Arizona State; Round 7 -- Devante Bond, OLB, Oklahoma. (Previously: Round 1 -- Will Jackson III, CB, Houston; Round 2 -- Brothers; Round 3 -- Murphy; Round 4a -- Drake; Round 4b -- Roger Lewis, WR, Bowling Green; Round 4c -- Feeney; Round 5 -- Temarrick Hemingway, TE, South Carolina State; Round 6 -- Tyrell Powell, S, Ohio State.)
Greg Bedard of SI.com (April 26): Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor. "In another tradition unlike any other, I call for the Packers to take a plugger in the middle to help their woeful run defense, they don't do it, and then they get pushed around by somebody at some point. The Packers allowed 4.5 yards per rush last season (29th in the league) and allowed 13 rushing touchdowns (23rd). Get the beef.â"
Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball.com (April 26): Round 1 -- Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech. "Butler was a bit of sleeper prospect, but that ended when he showed extremely well at the Senior Bowl. In the pass-rushing one-on-ones, Butler was too fast for the offensive lineman and showed nice strength to bull rush. Sources say that Butler has all the physical tools, but doesn't know how to play the game yet. They say his play doesn't match his potential, but they feel he has upside at a premium position."; Round 2 -- Jihad Ward, DE/DT, Illinois; Round 3 -- Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame; Round 4a -- Paul Perkins, RB, Notre Dame; Round 4b -- Matt Ioannidis, DT, Temple; Round 4c -- Kolby Listenbee, WR, TCU; Round 5 -- Avery Young, OT, Auburn; Round 6 -- David Morgan, TE, UTSA; Round 7 -- Mitch Matthews, WR, BYU. (Previously: Round 1 -- Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson; Round 2 --Austin Hooper, TE, Stanford; Round 3 -- Kenneth Dixon, RB, Louisiana Tech; Round 4a -- Josh Forrest, LB, Kentucky; 4b -- Nick Kwiatkoski, LB, West Virginia; Round 4c -- Listenbee; Round 5 -- John Theus, OT, Georgia.)
Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com (April 26): Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor. "They need a power player in the middle of their defense. Billings is that type of player." (Previously: Billings.)
Charles Davis of NFL.com (April 26): Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama. "The Packers get their inside, downhill thumper, and Clay Matthews gets to move back to outside linebacker on a permanent basis. The Pack's overall defense gets better." (Previously: Hunter Henry, TE, Arkansas.)
Cameron Wolfe of the Denver Post (April 26): Noah Spence, OLB, Eastern Kentucky.
Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (April 26): Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor.
Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (April 26): Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama. (Previously: Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama.)
Bucky Brooks of NFL.com (April 26): Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama. "The addition of the Alabama standout would allow the Packers to move Clay Matthews back to outside linebacker." (Previously: Ragland.)
Matthew Glenesk of the Indianapolis Star (April 26): Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State.
Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (April 26): A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama.
Dan Kadar of SBNation/Mocking the Draft (April 25): Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech. "The Packers need some talent up front, and Butler is a player who could line up in a number of different positions. That versatility, coupled with no off-field concerns, pushes him ahead of Robert Nkemdiche of Ole Miss." (Previously: Reggie Ragland, MLB, Alabama.)
Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com (April 25): Javon Hargrave, DT, South Carolina State. "There is always a surprise in the first round. Hargrave is gaining steam because of his explosiveness and productivity." (Previously: Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor.)
Ourlads (April 25): Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama. (Previously: Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State.)
Mike Tanier of Bleacher Report (April 25): Kenneth Dixon, RB, Louisiana Tech.
Hays Carlyon of the Florida Times-Union (April 25): Round 1 -- Noah Spence, DE/OLB, Eastern Kentucky; Round 2 -- Le'Raven Clark, OT, Texas Tech.
Steve Palazzolo of Pro Football Focus (April 25): Andrew Billings, NT, Baylor. "The draft lines up well for Green Bay to add Billings whose strength at the point of attack is among the best in the class. Billings can push the pocket in the pass game while blowing up run plays with his power, though he can do a better job of learning to use his hands to shed blocks. His overall grades ranked 13th and 15th in the nation each of the last two years, so if he can improve in a couple of key areas, he has the potential to be a game-changer in the middle of the Packers' defense." (Previously: Billings.)
Josh Norris of Rotoworld.com (April 25): Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA. "The Packers are taking a defensive lineman early in this draft. Andrew Billings, A'Shawn Robinson and Clark are the three still on the board here that seemingly fit the Packers' mentality. Based on buzz I have heard, the NFL likes Clark more than many media evaluators." (Previously: Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama.)
Jason LaCanfora with an NFL college scout for CBSSports.com (April 25): Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech. "My guy had some conviction about this one."
Andrew Abramson of the Palm Beach Post (April 25): Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor.
Dane Brugler of NFLDraftScout.com (April 25): Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama. "With B.J. Raji taking a hiatus this season, Reed is a plug-and-play nose tackle who offers versatility on the Packers defensive line." (Previously: Reed)
John McClain and Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (April 25): McClain -- Darron Lee, OLB, Ohio State; Wilson -- Artie Burns, CB, Miami.
Charlie Casserly of NFL.com (April 25): Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville. (Previously: Jarran Reed, NT, Alabama.)
Rob Rang of NFLDraftScout.com (April 25): Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor. "The loss of starting nose guard B.J. Raji to a 'hiatus' creates quite literally a massive hole in the middle for the Packers. Stout, strong and surprisingly athletic, Billings would seem to be a logical replacement." (Previously: A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama.)
MyNFLDraft.com (April 25): Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech. (Previously: Butler.)
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com (April 23): Hunter Henry, TE, Arkansas. "Henry is a combination tight end with outstanding hands and the ability to help out as an in-line blocker or as a go-to target on third downs. There are very few true tight ends in this class and Green Bay grabs the top tight end." (Previously: Henry.)
Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free-Press (April 23): A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama. "Robinson is one of the top run-stuffers in the draft and should help replace the departed B.J. Raji." (Previously: Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech.)
Bob McManaman of the Arizona Republic (April 23): Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville. "B.J. Raji retired so there is a natural need for a nose tackle and Rankins checks all the boxes. He's a powerful force who brings energy and a real fury at the snap of the ball."
Jonathan Mack of NFL Draft Blitz (April 23): Round 1 -- Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia; Round 2 -- Sterling Shepard, WR, Oklahoma; Round 3 -- Willie Henry, DL, Michigan.
DraftTek (April 22): Round 1 -- Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama; Round 2 -- Kamalei Correa, OLB, Boise State; Round 3 -- Deion Jones, ILB, LSU; Round 4a -- Cole Toner, OT, Harvard; Round 4b -- Joel Heath, DE, Michigan State; Round 4c -- Tyler Ervin, RB, San Jose State; Round 5 -- Kevin Byard, S, Middle Tennessee State; Round 6 -- Thomas Duarte, TE, UCLA; Round 7 -- Eric Mac Lain, G, Clemson. (Previously: Round 1 -- Reed; Round 2 -- Correa; Round 3 -- Jones; Round 4a -- Ben Braunecker, TE, Harvard; Round 4b -- Brendon Shell, OT, South Carolina; Round 4c -- Adam Gotsis, DE, Georgia Tech; Round 5 -- Byard; Round 6 -- David Morgan II, TE, UTSA; Round 7 -- Joe Thuney, G, North Carolina State.)
Chad Reuter of NFL.com (April 22): Round 1 -- Chris Jones, DT, Mississippi State." Jones is versatile enough to play inside or outside in the Packers' scheme. He should be an effective part of the team's rotation up front immediately, which Dom Capers needs due to the departure of nose tackle B.J. Raji."; Round 2 -- Jaylon Smith, ILB, Notre Dame; Round 3 -- Joe Schobert, OLB, Wisconsin; Round 4a -- Willie Beavers, OT, Western Michigan; Round 4b -- James Bradberry, CB, Samford; Round 4c -- Malcomn Mitchell, WR, Georgia; Round 5 -- Dan Vitale, TE, Northwestern; Round 6 -- Luke Rhodes, ILB, William & Mary; Round 7 -- Robby Anderson, WR, Temple. (Previously: Round 1 -- Hunter Henry, TE, Arkansas; Round 2 -- Tyler Johnstone, OT, Oregon; Round 3 -- Sheldon Day, DT, Notre Dame; Round 4a -- Daniel Lasco, RB, California; Round 4b -- Schobert; Round 4c -- D.J. White, CB, Georgia Tech.)
Cris Collinsworth of Pro Football Focus (April 22): Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor. "He is a hammer in the running game who would protect the Packers' inside linebackers by keeping blockers off of them, as that was a problem position for Green Bay last year (and Clay Matthews is being moved from middle linebacker back to an edge-rushing role). Billings was also surprisingly effective as a pass-rusher for Baylor, producing 30 total pressures, including five sacks, in 2015." (Previously: Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama.)
Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (April 22): Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech. "The Packers have a need at inside linebacker, and Reggie Ragland could be a fit, but they may not place the value on that position that other teams do. They could also use help along the defensive line, and a promising interior rusher like Butler could fit the bill." (Previously: Butler.)
Todd McShay of ESPN.com Insider (April 21): Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor. "The Packers picked a good year to have one of their most glaring needs be a 3-4 nose tackle. Billings has an outstanding combination of quickness, athleticism and power, which helps him wreak havoc on the interior. He'd be a plug-and-play starter for the Packers, who are looking to find a difference-maker on the interior after B.J. Raji announced he's taking a hiatus from football." (Previously: Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama.)
Michael Schottey, Forbes (April 21): William Jackson III, CB, Houston. "Jackson is a top-notch prospect from a tools perspective who is extremely raw. This pick is perfect just as much for him as it is for Green Bay, as he likely would not have as good of a career anywhere else since the Packers are the league's best at polishing up diamonds in the rough." (Previously: Jackson.)
Louis Riddick, ESPN.com Insider (April 21): Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi.
Nate Davis of USAToday.com (April 21): Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama. "Selecting him would remove any temptation the Pack might have to continue deploying Clay Matthews inside extensively." (Previously: Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech.)
John Harris of the Washington Post (April 21): Noah Spence, OLB, Eastern Kentucky. "Spence has a checkered past and it'll keep plenty of teams from writing his name on the card. But, the Packers are fairly desperate to find anyone on the edge that can rush the quarterback. Even if the Packers leave Clay Matthews on the outside, Julius Peppers won't play for much longer. Spence is a more explosive, dynamic edge player as opposed to Boise State OLB Kamalei Correa."
Jared Dubin of CBSSports.com (April 21): Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor. "We've had Kenny Clark in this spot for a while not, but that was because Billings was already off the board. He gives you the run-clogging with the added benefit of being able to chase QBs and running backs all over the field." (Previously: Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA.)
Curtis Conway of NFL.com (April 21): Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama.
Brennan Smith and Eric Walden of the Salt Lake Tribune (April 21): Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama. "B.J. Raji retired, leaving a literal and figurative void in the middle of GB's defensive line. Reed is a space eater and can rush the passer."
Mel Kiper and Todd McShay of ESPN Insider's head-to-head mock (April 21): Round 1 -- Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama; Round 2 -- Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Mississippi; Round 3 -- Xavien Howard, CB, Baylor.
Chris Burke of SI.com (April 20): Round 1 -- Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech. "The Packers do not necessarily have to replace B.J. Raji in a one-for-one way. They do need to find more assistance for Mike Daniels up front. Butler can plug the middle or slide out to three- or five-techs.â"; Round 2 -- Jeremy Cash, S/LB, Duke; Round 3 -- Jerell Adams, TE, South Carolina. (Previously: Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama.)
Nick Klopsis of Newsday (April 20): Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama. "The Packers appear ready to move Clay Matthews back to his natural position of edge rusher after he played inside linebacker for the last season and a half, so they'll need someone to help man the heart of the defense. Alabama's Reggie Ragland is a three-down linebacker with excellent instincts, decent coverage skills and the leadership qualities teams look for in their defensive signal-callers. However, there are some concerns about his speed, which is why he could fall this far."
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