GREEN BAY, Wis. — From Donald Driver to Mark Tauscher, and even Carrington Valentine last year, the Green Bay Packers have had successful seventh round draft picks in the past. Two seventh rounders from this year’s draft hope to continue that tradition.
Michael Pratt out of Tulane knows that Jordan Love is the Packers’ starting quarterback. It’s up to Pratt to show that he belongs in the NFL.
“Just controlling what I can control,” Pratt said recently. “Control my attitude, my effort, and try to get better every day. Also elevating all the people around me and, whatever my role is here, doing it to the best of my ability. Just taking it day by day.”
Pratt has known Packers backup quarterback Sean Clifford for a few years through the Manning Passing Academy. Pratt said he is excited about coming to the Packers.
“I was super fired up,” said Pratt about finding out the Packers drafted him. “Just the culture here, and the history here in Green Bay, and how they develop quarterbacks specifically.”
The Packers’ other seventh round pick, cornerback Kalen King from Penn State, was once thought of as a first rounder until his stock dropped. King was asked what most NFL teams missed about him.
“I don’t know exactly what they didn’t see,” said King. “All I know is, I know that Green Bay sees something in me. I’m happy that they saw what they saw and took the opportunity on me and took a chance on me. So, I can only speak for what Green Bay is seeing. I’m glad they took a chance and I’m happy to be here. I feel like it definitely put a chip on my shoulder, a permanent chip. I feel like I will never forget that feeling. And I feel like that’s only going to make me go harder and just keep me going forward.”
Having idolized former Packers defensive back Charles Woodson, King said he doesn’t think it’s a coincidence he wound up in Green Bay.
“Charles Woodson is my favorite cornerback ever,” said King. “Just to have the opportunity to play on the same team that he played for us is amazing. Like just a full circle moment.”
King said he was impressed by his first look at Lambeau Field. Now, he said he hopes to do the impressing.