2014 NN community mock draft: With the 21st pick, the Green Bay Packers select ...

We're back for the 21st pick of the 2014 Niners Nation Community Mock Draft. You can see previous picks below in the draft table. You can also follow the mock draft board through this story stream.

With the 21st pick of the 2014 NFL Draft, Rowingdave and the Green Bay Packers select Ryan Shazier, OLB, Ohio State. He also considered defensive tackle Ra'Shede Hageman, cornerback Jason Verrett, and offensive lineman Joel Bitonio. Here are his thoughts on the pick:

The Packers are one of those teams that could go in a range of directions, given their many needs and the versatility they have with being able to rely on Aaron Rodgers at QB. The Packers invested a first round pick last year on Datone Jones, but Hageman could be a real possibility. He has the flexibility to move inside over center, or excel at the DE position in a 3-4, and makes him an intriguing pick opposite Jones and Pickett. The offensive line is still a mess, despite investing picks in 2010 and 2011 on Marshall Newhouse and Bryan Bulaga, but I don't think the value is there at 21; the Packers are pleasantly surprised with David Bakhtiari's performance, but probably aren't excited about investing a high round pick and entrusting Rodgers's health to another rookie.

I view Jason Verrett as the best corner in the draft, and teams can always find room for slot corners, as Verrett is purported to be; I see Verrett has more versatile than just a "slot ceiling" CB, but the player I see as the most dynamic is Ryan Shazier.

Shazier is the best athlete in the draft, and as a LB, is faster than all safeties in this year's draft; he is excellent in pass coverage, yet almost led college football in 2013 with 23 tackles for loss...that's amazing, given that he was asked to drop back in coverage against tight ends and physical receivers many more times than Trent Murphy from Stanford, who tied Shazier at 23 TFL; Aaron Donald was the only player to eclipse both Murphy and Shazier with a crazy 28.5 TFL.

Shazier is lightning quick, but can be categorized as a "tweener," due to his weight.  That hasn't seemed to bother Luke Kuechly or Lavonte David, to name a few. Shazier is a player who will rarely have to come off the field, and be can used in pass defense as easily as he can be asked to blitz, clearly showing himself to be the best blitzing linebacker in college football last year. There have been criticisms of "over-pursuit," but if you watch the tape, nobody gets quicker to the ball than Shazier, blending natural athleticism with ridiculous awareness.

Trevor Woods: I really like the pick of Shazier here. Shazier fits defensive coordinator Dom Capers aggressive scheme and he will be able to utilize his abilities fully. The Packers need more offensive lineman and a tight end, but Shazier is the best value here. He's speedy, a hard hitter, but Colin Kaepernick is ready to run past him.

Nick Chiamardas: With needs at S, OLB, WR, and TE the Packers could have a ton of flexability at 21 with 2-3 possible options at each position available. I like the upside that Shazier offers but I'm not sure I'd take him over Dee Ford. Regardless, selecting an OLB early and targeting a S or WR in round two may workout as both of those positions are very deep in the 2014 draft.

Round 1

1.		wiseguy545	Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina [Full Story]
2.		El Shorts	Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn [Full Story]
3.		9er4life22	Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville [Full Story]
4.		Boss Clifford	Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson [Full Story]
5.		Mark Balliet	Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M [Full Story]
6.		CheekeeMunkee	Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo [Full Story]
7.		TopFlightSecurity	Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M [Full Story]
8.		Hoopers Judge	Blake Bortles, QB, Central Florida [Full Story]
9.		jmart7	Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina [Full Story]
10.		germinator	Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA [Full Story]
11.		49feelinfine	Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State [Full Story]
12.		superk0725	Taylor Lewan, OL, Michigan [Full Story]
13.		El Shorts	Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama [Full Story]
14.		BryKno	Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh [Full Story]
15.		SigepPT49er	C.J. Mosley, ILB, Alabama [Full Story]
16.		Mira Loma Maulers	Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M [Full Story]
17.		JMichael39	Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State [Full Story]
18.		Desert Dog Runner	Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State [Full Story]
19.		albert.55	Zack Martin, OT, Notre Dame [Full Story]
20.		MidnightSpecial	Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville [Full Story]
21.		Rowingdave	Ryan Shazier, OLB, Ohio State [Full Story]
22.		MisterEclectic
23.		Rowingdave
24.		BearAKA
25.		CraigRED&GOLD
26.		Boss Clifford
27.		Roy_from_Israel
28.		dave.bocchino
29.		49ersCusefan
30.		Tre9er
31.		ak4niner
32.		timmyg24