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Mel Kiper's first mock draft has Packers going running back

Mel Kiper Jr. must not think the Green Bay Packers are sold on the idea of Ty Montgomery as a primary running back or that Eddie Lacy is in their future plans.

In his first mock draft, the ESPN analyst has the Packers taking Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey at No. 29. The Packers are not locked into their draft spot yet pending the outcome of Sunday’s conference championship games and potentially the Super Bowl.

Even though Packers coach Mike McCarthy has said on multiple occasions this season that Montgomery, a converted receiver, is a full-time running back, they haven’t used him in a workhorse role. He has carried more than nine times in a game on just three occasions this season, and his season high for carries is 16 in his 162-yard, two-touchdown performance against the Bears last month.

Meanwhile, the Packers have a decision to make about Lacy, who will be a free agent this offseason. Lacy hasn’t played since an ankle injury ended his season in Week 6. Coming off his worst season, Lacy was off to a strong start, averaging 5.1 yards per carry. The outside consensus going into the season was that if Lacy had a big year, the Packers wouldn’t want to pay him big money, and if he had a down season, they might let him walk. His injury, however, could make him easier to re-sign.

In Kiper’s mock draft, McCaffrey was his third back off the board. LSU’s Leonard Fournette went at No. 8 to Carolina and Florida State’s Dalvin Cook at No. 12 to Cleveland.