Second-round mock: Packers crave Su'a Cravens
The NFL draft’s second round could get awfully redundant Friday night.
Teams took a wise approach in Thursday’s first round, filling positions of need that had less depth in this draft instead of plucking prospects from a historically deep and talented defensive line class.
The Green Bay Packers were one of five teams to take an interior defensive lineman in the first round. They actually started a run on defensive tackles to close the first round. Three of the final five picks were interior defensive linemen. Before the Packers, only two of the first 26 picks targeted that position.
Related: Complete Packers draft coverage
Packers put Clark at top of DL group
General manager Ted Thompson used his first pick to replace B.J. Raji, drafting UCLA nose tackle Kenny Clark at No. 27. Clark is young, athletic and has a lot of upside. He also fills a big need.
The Packers have plenty other needs to address in the second and third rounds, namely a coverage linebacker. Do they get a crack at one of the top coverage linebackers in this draft? That’s where Friday night’s redundancy can help.
Expect an unprecedented run on interior defensive linemen in the second round. The more that are taken, the better chance the Packers have of finding a top coverage linebacker. Will they get it done? Read our second-round mock draft to find out.
32. Cleveland Browns
QB Connor Cook, Michigan State: The Browns need a long-term quarterback option, and Cook can have time to develop behind 2016 starter Robert Griffen III.
33. Tennessee Titans
LB Myles Jack, UCLA: With three of the first 14 picks in the second round, the Titans can afford to go best player available here and upgrade the middle of their defense.
34. Dallas Cowboys
QB Christian Hackenberg, Penn State: The Cowboys have an interesting decision to make here between drafting a developmental quarterback to learn behind Tony Romo and bolstering their defense, most likely through an edge rusher.
35. San Diego Chargers
DT Jarran Reed, Alabama: Reed, considered the best run-stuffing defensive tackle in this class, would make an excellent complement playing next to pass-rushing defensive end Joey Bosa.
36. Baltimore Ravens
ILB Reggie Ragland, Alabama: Ragland may be limited in coverage, but he’ll be protected playing alongside former Alabama teammate C.J. Mosley, instantly forming one of the league’s best inside linebacker tandems.
37. Kansas City Chiefs (via San Francisco)
S Vonn Bell, Ohio State: Chiefs trade back and get a player they would’ve been justified drafting No. 28 overall in Von Bell, whose coverage skills will pair nicely with Eric Berry.
38. Jacksonville Jaguars
DT Andrew Billings, Baylor: The Jaguars continue adding to their defensive front seven remake with one of the best interior run defenders in this loaded defensive tackle class.
39. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DT A’Shawn Robinson, Alabama: Robinson is an ideal 4-3 defensive tackle, and he could form a dominant core playing alongside All-Pro Gerald McCoy.
40. New York Giants
DE Noah Spence, Eastern Kentucky: After barely missing out on Leonard Floyd in the first round, the Giants get a high-upside edge rusher to pair opposite free-agent acquisition Olivier Vernon.
41. Chicago Bears
CB Kendall Fuller, Virginia Tech: The Bears need a cornerback long-term cornerback to play opposite Kyle Fuller. Who better than his younger brother?
42. Miami Dolphins
DE Kevin Dodd, Clemson: The Dolphins signed Mario Williams this offseason, but Dodd would give them a true replacement for Olivier Vernon.
43. Tennessee Titans
CB Mackensie Alexander, Clemson: With time, Alexander could develop into a No. 1 lockdown corner for the Titans.
44. Oakland Raiders
DT Chris Jones, Mississippi State: A former five-star prospect out of high school, Jones’ size, length and athleticism gives him unlimited potential.
45. Tennessee Titans
WR Sterling Shepard, Oklahoma: After getting quarterback Marcus Mariota a new blocker with their first pick, the Titans get him the best slot receiver in the draft with their third second-round pick.
46. Detroit Lions
CB Xavien Howard, Baylor: Howard needs time to develop, but once he does his natural ball skills will make a nice complement on the opposite side of the field from Darius Slay.
47. New Orleans Saints
DE Jonathan Bullard, Florida: Nothing flashy, Bullard is a grinder on the defensive line who wins at the point of attack.
48. Indianapolis Colts
OT Jason Spriggs, Indiana: The Colts draft an in-state prospect to continue revamping an offensive line that made playing football especially dangerous for Andrew Luck.
49. Buffalo Bills
ILB Joshua Perry, Ohio State: The Bills need a physical presence in the middle of the field, and 6-foot-4, 254-pound Perry is a Rex Ryan-type player.
50. Atlanta Falcons
TE Hunter Henry, Arkansas: Henry provides an immediate upgrade as a complete tight end, giving QB Matt Ryan an athletic target down the seams.
51. New York Jets
OLB Kameli Correa, Boise State: In Tom Brady’s division, it’s always a good idea to add pass rushers.
52. Houston Texans
G/C Nick Martin, Notre Dame: Martin immediately upgrades the interior of the Texans offensive line either at center or guard.
53. Washington
DT Austin Johnson, Penn State: After drafting a receiver in the first round, Washington fills its biggest need with a run-stuffing nose tackle.
54. Minnesota Vikings
G Cody Whitehair, Kansas State: After getting their preferred receiver prospect in the first round, it’s time for the Vikings to start rebuilding their offensive line.
55. Cincinnati Bengals
WR Michael Thomas, Ohio State: If the local receiver slips this far, the Bengals will waste no time making their pick.
56. Seattle Seahawks
DT Sheldon Day, Notre Dame: Day’s motor is always running, just the way Seahawks coach Pete Carroll likes it.
57. Green Bay Packers
S Su’a Cravens, USC: Would Ted Thompson follow the new trend of getting hybrid safeties to play nickel linebacker? Who knows, but Cravens would fill the Packers' biggest need as a nickel ‘backer who could move Clay Matthews back to outside linebacker. Cravens is undersized, but he should have plenty of protection against the run playing behind first-round pick Kenny Clark.
58. Pittsburgh Steelers
S Darian Thompson, Boise State: The Steelers continue adding to their secondary with one of the best coverage safeties in the draft, one round after taking their future No. 1 cornerback.
59. Kansas City Chiefs
WR Tyler Boyd, Pittsburgh: The Chiefs desperately need receiving talent beyond Jeremy Maclin, and Boyd is good value at this spot.
60. New England Patriots
DE Jihad Ward, Illinois: Finally, the Patriots get their first pick in the 2016 draft, and they spend it on a defensive end with first-round talent.
61. New England Patriots
OT Shon Coleman, Auburn: Making up for lost time, the Patriots draft a prospect who could develop into their future franchise left tackle.
62. Carolina Panthers
OLB Emmanuel Ogbah, Oklahoma State: Panthers saw first-hand the importance of a deep edge-rushing group in their Super Bowl loss to the Broncos.
63. Denver Broncos
LB Deion Jones, LSU: As a coverage linebacker, Jones would be the perfect replacement for free-agent departure Danny Trevathan.
rwood@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @ByRyanWood