Now that the Aaron Rodgers trade has FINALLY gone done, here is my post-trade Packers mock draft. Since the trade just went down I decided to just stick and pick, but thought about trading down a few times, I might do one more with some trades.
Of course you can always read anything else I have written here. I used the Pro Football Network Mock Draft Simulator. Now let’s open up a new era of Packers football with the first post-Aaron Rodgers mock draft.
Round 1, Pick 13: Myles Murphy – ED – Clemson
I went with Murphy because Paris Johnson Jr. and Broderick Jones were already gone and I feel the wide receiver rumors are smoke screens. There isn’t a WR worth a top 15 pick in this class in my opinion. Murphy was the best player that fit the Packers left on the board. Murphy is in a similar boat that Gary was when the Packers drafted him, he will need time, but can be a pro bowler.
Round 2, Pick 42: Kendre Miller – RB – TCU
Get Jordan Love some weapons. Miller can play in all phases and will give Green Bay the type of running back they have lacked since Ryan Grant; a workhorse who can be the lead guy. He would obviously be the #3 guy behind Jones and Dillion for his rookie year, but would take over after that.
Round 2, Pick 45: Jonathan Mingo – WR – Ole Miss
Most everyone knows how I feel about Mingo’s fit in Green Bay. He has the size, speed, skills, and versatility they like. He obviously still needs some work, but coming in as the #3/4 receiver will give him time to develop and could be a dangerous trio with Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs in a couple years, where all three can line up at any spot.
Round 3, Pick 78: Tucker Kraft – TE – South Dakota State
This might be considered a little bit of a slip for Kraft, but it’s certainly possible. He fits the mold of the type of tight end that Green Bay usually goes for. Someone who can be an all-around tight end, can contribute as a receiver and red zone threat, and be a solid blocker. Like any other rookie tight end, he will need time to develop. I expect Gutekunst to bring in some vet tight end.
Round 4, Pick 116: John Ojukwu – OT – Boise State
I have been singing Ojukwu’s praises for awhile, and I feel he would be a great future replacement for David Bahktiari. He has a few technical things he needs work on, and could add a little more core strength. He has experience at right tackle, so he could beat out Yosh Nijman at RT or be a swing tackle as a rookie, then take over at left tackle in 2024.
Round 5, Pick 149: Gervarrius Owens – S – Houston
Owens fits the mold athletically of what the Packers look for: 6’0 almost 200 pounds and a 9.21 RAS score. Skill set wise, he was more of a box safety most of his career at Houston, but he really showed some development in coverage in 2022. If he develops and learns to play a little more in control, he could be a very solid all-around safety in the Adrian Amos mold.
Round 6, Pick 207: Jalen Redmond – DL – Oklahoma
Redmond started two years at Oklahoma and was used all up and down the line, but he fits best as a 3-tech penetrating type of defensive lineman. He never quite developed as a pass rusher, but was always a solid run defender — despite being under 300. He could spend his rookie year as the #4/5 DL and bring solid depth to the trenches while he develops.
Round 7, Pick 232: Jason Taylor II – S – Oklahoma State
This pick is another one that, in my opinion, probably isn’t there at this point, but I took him anyway and thought about taking him at 207. He has been a two-year starter and played well both seasons, with eight interceptions and six pass break-ups in that time, and has shown he can even be used as a blitzer. Taylor also has experience lining up all over, having played more strong safety in 2021, but more free in 2022. The former Cowboy has even taken over 400 career snaps in the slot. He really fits the mold of what the Packers like.
Round 7, Pick 235: Darrell Luter Jr. – CB – South Alabama
Another guy who I picked a little later than I think he will end up going. He has been very good for South Alabama the last two seasons. He had 4 interceptions and 10 passes defensed in 2021. Luter is also a good tackler and run defender. He could even play some from the slot and has over 350 snaps played on special teams. He would be an improvement over Shermar Jean-Charles.
Round 7, Pick 242: Davis Allen – TE – Clemson
Allen is another tight end in the typical Green Bay mold. He can do a bit of everything, but doesn’t excel at anything. He can play inline, detached, as a fullback or H-back, and has a lot of special teams experience. Allen is a solid receiver and can get some YAC. He does need to add some bulk and core strength to be a better blocker and more physical at the point of attack.
Round 7, Pick 256: Jake Moody – K – Michigan
There were a lot of options I had here. I thought about getting a linebacker because I don’t feel great about the depth right now. I thought about a quarterback. I thought about an edge rusher. Ultimately, I finished our Packers mock draft with the guy sure to be contributor as a rookie. Moody has been a very good kick off specialist and really improved his field goal accuracy this past season. He doesn’t have prime Mason Crosby range, but he can hit 53 yards pretty comfortably.