The Packers wrapped up the 2021 draft by taking Mississippi State running back Kylin Hill in the 7th round, the 256th overall choice.
He’s a powerful 5-11, 215 pound tackle breaker who has shown ability in the passing game. I thought it was a bit surprising he lasted until the final round but he opted out of the final six games of the 2020 season which might have caused the slide.
As a junior in 2019, he led the SEC with 1350 yards rushing, averaging 5.6 a carry and scoring 10 touchdowns for the Bulldogs. Hill finished his career with 67 receptions out of the backfield which might be a plus in Head Coach Matt LaFleur’s offense.
The selection of Hill gave the Packers nine choices overall, they had 10 going into the draft but General Manager Brian Gutekunst sacrificed the first of his fourth round picks to move up in round three.
Here’s the Pack’s class of 2021:
1 (29) Eric Stokes CB Georgia
2 (62) Josh Myers C Ohio State
3 (85) Amari Rodgers WR Clemson
4 (142) Royce Newman OL Mississippi
5 (173) T.J. Slaton DT Florida
5 (178) Shemar Jean-Charles CB Appalachian State
6 (214) Cole Van Lanen OT Wisconsin
6 (220) Isaiah McDuffie LB Boston College
7 (256) Kylin Hill RB Mississippi State
At first blush, the Packers filled a lot of needs at the top with Stokes expected to get on the field quickly in the secondary and Myers possibly replacing another former Buckeye at center in Corey Linsley.
Rodgers joins a receiving corps that has no one, Davante Adams included, under contract after this coming season.
The offensive line competition will be pretty fierce for backup jobs as the Packers have now drafted six linemen in the past two years with Van Lanen being a tremendous local story as a nearby, Bay Port High School product.
