NFL Draft is Thursday: Ready to See Who the Packers Will Pick?

The 2016 NFL Draft begins Thursday night, and the Green Bay Packers currently have the 27th pick.

Are you ready?

Here is the schedule for Rounds 1-7, including start times and TV networks:

Thursday, April 28

Round 1: 8 p.m. ET on ESPN, WatchESPN and NFL Network.

Friday, April 29

Rounds 2-3: 7 p.m. ET on ESPN*, WatchESPN and NFL Network. *Coverage moves to ESPN 2 at 8 p.m. ET.

Saturday, April 30

Rounds 4-7: Noon ET on ESPN, WatchESPN and NFL Network.

Many agree that the team needs help at linebacker, nose tackle and perhaps wide receiver. The team made a huge splash in free agency (for the Packers GM Ted Thompson, at least) by signing TE Jared Cook in free agency.

Bleacher Report thinks it’s going to be NT Andrew Billings from Baylor - but not by much. The top 3 predictions each garnered less than 20 percent consensus with “other” coming in at #2.

15 Fearless Forecasts for the Packers 1st Round Pick:

Patch.com compiled 15 notable NFL Mock Draft predictions for you to peruse and ponder over the next week. Here’s who they predict, and their take on each player.

Mel Kiper, Jr. NFL Analyst, ESPN.com - Kamalei Correa, OLB Boise State

Correa (6-2 5/8, 243, 4.69 40) is a very good athlete who plays hard on every down. Correa's best position might be outside linebacker in a 3-4 base defense. He is a lot like former Seattle Seahawks and current Oakland Raiders defensive end Bruce Irvin.

Tod McShay, NFL Analyst, ESPN.com - Vernon Butler, DT Louisiana Tech

Butler (6-3 5/8, 323, 5.17 40) had a very good week at the Senior Bowl. He's a young player (just 21 years old), but is very strong and can push the pocket. He competes on every play. Butler will start on Day 1 in the NFL.

Daniel Jeremiah NFL Analyst, NFL.com - Andrew Billings, NT, Baylor (6-0 5/8, 311, 5.05 40)

Billings won't turn 21 until March of 2016, but he has the overwhelming strength of a full­-grown NFL defensive tackle. With elite power and unusual closing speed for a big man, Billings has a chance to become a playmaking nose tackle with the ability to dominate at the point of attack.

Charley Casserly NFL Analyst, NFL.com - Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama

Reed (6-2 7/8, 307, 5.2 40) is very strong and competitive. He played very well against the run, and had 53 tackles last season. Reed is a never-give-up type of player. He can play both defensive end and tackle.

Bucky Brooks NFL Analyst, NFL.com - Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama

Ragland (6-1 1/4, 242, 4.72 40) stayed in school for a fourth season and it shows. He's a very competitive middle 'backer, but did play some snaps with his hand in the ground.

Charles Davis NFL Analyst, NFL.com - Hunter Henry, TE Arkansas

Henry (6-4 7/8, 250, 4.66 40) is a very good athlete who needs to get stronger and become a better blocker. He ran very well at Arkansas' pro day, and has good hands. Henry had no drops last season and has an ability to get open.

Will Brinson NFL Sports Writer, CBSsports.com - Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville

Smallish in size but explosive as all get out, Rankins has a little bit of Aaron Donald factor going here (poor man's version) and could be nice value for Ted Thompson this late.

NFLdraftgeek.com - Darron Lee LB, Ohio State

Darron Lee doesn't have prototypical size, but in every other category he's exactly what you look for in an off-ball linebacker. Lee's speed, instincts, motor, angles and wrap-up tackling form make him an omnipresent playmaker.

ProFootballFocus.com - Andrew Billings, NT, Baylor (6-0 5/8, 311, 5.05 40)

Green Bay adds some bulk up front in Billings, who is fantastic when asked to play straight ahead and beat up the man right in front of him. There’s some work to be done to polish up his game, but Billings can push the pocket and clog the middle in the run game (No. 10 run grade in the nation in 2015).

SI.com - Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama

Ragland (6-1 1/4, 242, 4.72 40) stayed in school for a fourth season and it shows. He's a very competitive middle 'backer, but did play some snaps with his hand in the ground.

Peter Schrager, NFL Writer, Foxsports.com - Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame, Jr.

Smith's a fascinating case study. We might not see him on an NFL field for another year. Who'll be bold -- and patient -- enough to find out what he's like after he recovers from his heinous knee injury? Green Bay did nothing in free agency and likes to build through the draft. If there's any team willing to take a roll of the dice on the long-term, it would be Ted Thompson and the Packers.

Jon Harris, Washington Post - Kamalei Correa, OLB Boise State

This is a stretch, in some sense, at outside linebacker, but the Packers have a need at the position. Clay Matthews can play either ILB or OLB but Julius Peppers can’t play for the next five years. Correa can do a little bit of everything and has advanced pass-rushing skills for a young player.

Dan Kadar, SB Nation - Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA

Clark (6-2 5/8, 314, 5.06 40), whether it's playing at end or over the nose, Clark showed his versatility at UCLA. That could be attractive to a team like Green Bay, which needs an infusion of young talent up front to go along with players like Mike Daniels and Letroy Guion along the defensive line.

Eric Edholm, Yahoo Sports - Andrew Billings, NT, Baylor (6-0 5/8, 311, 5.05 40)

Even with Clay Matthews expected to play more back on the outside, this is a thin spot with Nick Perry hitting free agency and Julius Peppers in the twilight of his career.

DraftScout247 - Kamalei Correa, OLB Boise State

The Packers have been searching for a way to get Clay Matthews back on the outside where he would best be utilized, but if none are available here they may have to go in a different direction. Correa is very underrated in the draft media in my personal opinion. He’s lightning quick off the edge and has great athletic ability, making him a very dangerous pass rusher.

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