Welcome back to part two of our look ahead at the Packers 2024 NFL draft. If you missed the first part of this series looking at the offensive players, check it out here! Today, it’s time to look at the players on defense the Packers may look at in the 2024 NFL draft.
This list will include players eligible for the 2024 NFL draft that fit those typical Packers thresholds. With this season being such a mystery, the list will be longer than usual; although, like my previous part, I will not be including players like Jared Verse or Kool-Aid McKinstry, because I don’t see any possibility of Green Bay drafting them. The players are also in no particular order.
Defensive line:
Credit: John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
With the four defensive linemen the Packers have drafted recently, I don’t think they draft one early, but you never know.
Ruke Orhorhoro – Clemson
Keith Randolph Jr. – Illinois
Tyleik Williams – Ohio State
Leonard Taylor – Miami
DeWayne Carter – Duke
Brandon Dorlus – Oregon
Darrell Jackson Jr. – FSU
Kris Jenkins – Michigan
Ty Hamilton – Ohio State
Maason Smith – LSU
J.J. Pegues – Ole Miss
Justin Eboigbe – Alabama
Alfred Collins – Texas
Jordan Kelley – Oklahoma
Patrick Jenkins – Tulane
John Tuitupou – Hawaii
Edge Rusher:
Credit: Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images
This is another position that the Packers have invested in heavily recently. I don’t see them drafting one early, but they might take one later for depth.
J.T. Tuimoloau – Ohio State
Laiatu Latu – UCLA
Bralen Trice – Washington
Jack Sawyer – Ohio State
Trajan Jeffcoat – Arkansas
Rondell Bothroyd – Oklahoma
Jordan Burch – Oregon
Zion Tupuola-Fetui – Washington
Deontae Craig – Iowa
Cedric Johnson – Ole Miss
Isaac Ukwu – Ole Miss
RJ Oben – Duke
Ashton Gillotte – Louisville
Dayon Hayes – Pittsburgh
Jack Sullivan – USC
Van Fillinger – Utah
Abi Nwabuoku-Okonj – James Madison
Linebackers:
Credit: Joe Robbins/Getty Images
Another position they have somewhat invested in lately. De’Vondre Campbell has a $14 million dollar cap hit in 2024 and he will be 31. They may still keep him, but I could see them moving on in 2025, which means they may be looking for his eventual successor.
Tommy Eichenberg – Ohio State
Curtis Jacobs – Penn State
Jestin Jacobs – Oregon
Junior Colson – Michigan
Jamon Dumas-Johnson – Geogia
Jackson Sirmon – Cal
Edefuan Ulofoshio – Washington
Geoff Cantin-Arku – Memphis
Travion Brown – ASU
Dallas Gant – Toledo
Marlowe Wax Jr. – Syracuse
Steele Chambers – Ohio State
Ben Bywater – BYU
Jamoi Hodge – TCU
Jack Kiser – Notre Dame
Nikhai Hill-Green – Charlotte
Easton Gibbs – Wyoming
Cornerbacks:
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This group could be interesting, depending on what happens with Eric Stokes and Rasul Douglas. Can Stokes get healthy and back to the way he played as a rookie? Do the Packers keep Douglas and his $11 million cap hit at 30 years old? Do they extend Keisean Nixon?
Fentrell Cypress II – Florida State
Shyheim Battle – NC State
T.J. Tampa – Iowa State
Cam Hart – Notre Dame
Duce Chestnut – LSU
Jahdae Barron – Texas
DJ James – Auburn
Jason Marshall Jr. – Florida
Denzel Burke – Ohio State
Trey Amos – Alabama
Deantre Prince – Ole Miss
AJ Woods – Pittsburgh
Max Melton – Rutgers
Decamerion Richardson – Mississippi State
Devin Kirkwood – UCLA
Alex Hogan – Houston
Quinyon Mitchell – Toledo
Marcus Banks – Mississippi State
Nicktroy Fortune – UTSA
Christian Roland-Wallace – USC
Storm Duck – Louisville
Noah Avinger – SDSU
Jakorey Hawkins – Wyoming
Micah Abraham – Marshall
Daquan Evans – USF
Safeties:
Credit: Alika Jenner/Getty Images
This is obviously a major position of need. The only safety under contract for 2024 is Anthony Johnson Jr. and he was just a 7th round pick. While he looks like he has some potential upside, they still need to fill out the rest of the group — and will probably be replacing Darnell Savage. They will need at least one starter, if not two.
Kamren Kinchens – Miami
Andrew Mukuba – Clemson
Calen Bullock – USC
LaMiles Brooks – Georgia Tech
Rod Moore – Michigan
Tyler Nubin – Minnisota
Caelen Carson – Wake Forest
Patrick McMorris – Cal
Beau Brade – Maryland
MJ Griffin – Louisville
Kitan Oladapo – Oregon State
Seyi Oladipo – Boise State
Bud Clark – TCU
Dez Malone – San Diego State
Morice Norris – Fresno State
R.J. Mickens – Clemson
Cooper DeJean – Iowa
Kenny Logan – Kansas
DeShawn Gaddie Jr. – Ole Miss
Evan Williams – Oregon
Tra Fluellen – Middle Tennessee State
Jack Howell – Colorado State
Ayden Hector – Colorado State
As always, you can always view my database if you want a deeper dive on these and other NFL draft prospects.
Training camp and the preseason has made the final cut down as always very interesting for Packers fans. As constructed, the Packers roster heading into training camp doesn’t have as many questions as a lot of other teams did. Still, there are some interesting competitions going on. Some do not seem to have an obvious winner while others do. So lets get to it and go over my final Packers roster prediction.
I will also list my practice squad predictions and day one roster moves. For an idea of how my views of the Packers roster has changed, check out my previous Packers roster prediction piece. Of course, you can also find the Packers roster on their official site.
Packers Roster Prediction: Offense
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Quarterback: (2)
Aaron Rodgers, Jordan Love
Does anything else need to be said here? This position has been set since before training camp.
Running back: (3)
Aaron Jones, AJ Dillon, Patrick Taylor
This one was a bit of a hard one. Both Patrick Taylor and Tyler Goodson were deserving of the 3rd spot. Coach LaFleur came out recently and said special teams and blocking would be a large determining factor in who ends up being the 3rd running back. Goodson obviously had the special teams snafu and got trucked in pass pro. So I gave it to Taylor who has contributed at both.
There is a chance Taylor gets cut on cut-down day and re-signed a day later. Goodson is a year away from being able to trust in pass pro. He needs a year in the weight room to put on some functional strength and bulk, being under 200 pounds right now. Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon are obvious and easy.
Wide Receiver: (6)
Allen Lazard, Sammy Watkins, Randall Cobb, Romeo Doubs, Amari Rodgers, Christian Watson
The top six are set and have been set since before training camp. There have been a lot of Packers bloggers and fans talking about “The Packers have to keep Toure” or “Winfree will get claimed”.
What’s funny is Packers fans say this every year during training camp when some bottom of the roster receiver makes some plays in camp. Then of course the Player doesn’t get claimed and ends up on the practice squad. Even if Juwann Winfree gets picked up, are the Packers really missing out? He is a nice story, but he is a #4/#5 receiver at best.
I doubt Samori Toure gets picked up, because there is a reason he went in the 7th round. From a pure athletic standpoint he is average for an NFL receiver. He struggles with press, which he would see A LOT more of in a regular season game, and he is going to end up playing mostly in the slot. The Packers already have three guys who will play in the slot.
Tight End: (4)
Robert Tonyan, Marcedes Lewis, Josiah Deguara, Tyler Davis
Three of these guys were always locks to make the roster. Only questions were: Will Robert Tonyan start the year on the PUP list? Well that’s already been answered. Will Tyler Davis do enough to keep his spot? I would say barely, but his hold on a roster spot will be tenuous until he starts playing better. Would they keep five tight ends? None of the other tight ends stepped up enough to force their way on the roster.
Offensive Line: (9)
David Bakhtiari, Jon Runyan Jr., Josh Myers, Royce Newman, Yosh Nijman, Zach Tom, Jake Hanson, Elgton Jenkins, Sean Rhyan
Whether to keep nine or 10 offensive linemen is a big question. A lot will depend on how the Packers feel about the availability of Elgton Jenkins and David Bakhtiari at the beginning of the season.
If they feel neither will be ready, I could see them keeping a 10th. But it seems from practice reports Jenkins should be good to go. Maybe he misses Week 1, but beyond that it looks like he’ll be ready. I think if the Packers at least have Jenkins early, they will feel fine with nine until Bakhtiari is ready since he can play anywhere.
If they keep a 10th, it will be between Caleb Jones and Rasheed Walker. The rest of the line is pretty set.
Packers Roster Prediction: Defense
Credit: Dylan Buell/Getty Images
Defensive Line: (5)
Kenny Clark, Dean Lowry, Jarran Reed, TJ Slaton, Devonte Wyatt
I know Jack Heflin has been the talk of Packers Twitter after the good game he had against KC. But I just don’t see them keeping six. They play a lot of two DL in their nickel packages, which take of 70% of the snaps on defense. So that 6th guy is probably essentially a game day inactive all season.
Even if someone gets hurt you, might see them go into a game with only four active DL, especially against teams that pass a lot. Or, they could just bring up someone from the practice squad for a game or two. They also will want to get Wyatt snaps; being a 1st round pick and all. I don’t see anyone claiming Heflin either.
Edge Defenders: (5)
Rashan Gary, Preston Smith, Kingsley Enagbare, Kobe Jones, Jonathan Garvin
This position was interesting. You have four guys fighting it out for two spots. They all bring their own different skills sets. Keeping each has different advantages and disadvantages. Kobe Jones and Jonathan Garvin are the two who have shown the most upside, and been the most consistent throughout camp. Jones has those long 34 1/2″ arms. Garvin still flashes upside with his elite explosiveness and length.
They could keep Tipa Galeai for his special teams play, but he’s not a player you really want seeing many snaps from scrimmage. He is 25 going on 26, and hasn’t shown much growth. Galeai came in at 229 and looks like he might weight 235 now. He is probably maxed out.
La’Darius Hamilton has shown flashes, but for the most part looks like he is the player he is going to be. This is another position though that may see someone cut and re-signed a day later.
This group was an easy one. De’Vondre Campbell and Quay Walker are your starters, with Krys Barnes and Isaiah McDuffie as your 3a and 3b. From preseason play, it looks like both will play plenty of special teams. I think Barnes will see most of the #3 reps, especially in shorter yardage situations.
Cornerbacks: (6)
Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes, Rasul Douglas, Keisean Nixon, Shermar Jean-Charles, Kiondre Thomas
At the start of camp the top three were set, but after that was a lot of unknown. Throughout camp Keisean Nixon showed up — once he was healthy. Shermar Jean-Charles showed some improvement from year 1, and Kiondre Thomas stepped up of the remaining corners.
Nixon should see some time in the slot, dime back, and of course on special teams. Jean-Charles looks like a solid #4/#5 CB and special teamer. Thomas stepped up the most from scrimmage of him, Kabion Ento, and Rico Gafford. He, of course, will also play special teams when activated. Interestingly he is probably the third-fastest of the six corners, behind Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes, of course.
Safeties: (4/5)
Adrian Amos, Darnell Savage, Shawn Davis, Micah Abernathy, (Dallin Leavitt)
After the starters this position was a big question mark. Who would be the #3 and #4? Would they keep five? Through training camp and last minute pick ups, I feel those questions have been answered.
Shawn Davis showed some flashes in mini camp and continued to play well in training camp and preseason. I’d say he is locked in as the #3 safety. He was battling Vernon Scott, until Scott was injured and waived. That left the #4 spot wide open. Tariq Carpenter was injured most of camp, and when he did play he got burned in coverage.
Innis Gaines and De’Vante Cross didn’t do anything, and Dallin Leavitt was injured early on. That leaves Micah Abernathy, who looked explosive, aggressive, and physical. All great fits for special teams and a guy who could play some snaps if there was was an injury. He also tested out as an elite athlete when he came out with a 9.09 RAS score.
Dallin Leavitt will be on the initial 53, but will go to the IR the next day and may be brought back later in the season.
Specialists: (3)
Mason Crosby, Pat O’Donnell, Jack Coco
This is a pretty easy group to pick out. Mason Crosby says he will be ready. Pat O’Donnell has had some boomers, but also out kicked his coverage a couple times. Jack Coco is the only question.
Coco hasn’t been bad per se, but he hasn’t been great either. He is definitely better than Steven Wirtel. There is a chance that another long snapper gets cut that Green Bay likes better, but for now I think Coco stays.
Practice Squad: (16)
Danny Etling, Tyler Goodson, BJ Baylor, Caleb Jones, Rasheed Walker, Sal Cannella, Samori Toure, Juwann Winfree, Jack Heflin, Chris Slayton, Jonathan Ford, Ellis Brooks, Kabion Ento, Tariq Carpenter, Ramiz Ahmed, and a free agent
Offense
Danny Etling is the #3/emergency QB. Goodson and BJ Baylor get a year to develop and could get activated with Aaron Jones’ injury history. Same thing with Caleb Jones and Walker. Jones needs to continue to work on his body and Walker on his technique.
Sal Cannella showed some flashes as a move TE. He could be worth a year to develop. Toure gets time to develop and hopefully come in next year to replace Randal Cobb. Winfree would be the first guy up in case of an injury. Heflin would be the first guy to be called up if there was an injury as well. He has looked a little quicker this pre-season. If he continues to work, he could be a rotational guy next year.
Defense
Chris Slayton showed some flashes as a play-maker and could make the rotation next season. Jonathan Ford is overkill right now with the Packers already having three guys who can play nose tackle on the roster and Ford being a “nose-tackle-only” type player. He also needs to continue to work on his fitness and his anchor. For a NT, his anchor is not that good.
Ellis Brooks is young and still has some potential. Summers and Wilborn are 26 and 25 respectively, and we kind of know what they are at this point. Just because he knows the defense, I think they keep Kabion Ento, but I would not be surprised if they brought someone in from the outside.
Carpenter gets to change meeting rooms (linebacker) and told to put on 5 to 10 pounds. Ramiz Ahmed is kept incase Crosby’s age starts to show or he’s not ready by week one. I also see them bringing in at least one outside player — They usually bring in at least one. Probably a safety, cornerback, or interior offensive lineman.
There is my final prediction for the Packers roster. I hope you enjoyed reading the 100th Packers roster prediction article out there. Let me know what you guys think!
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My first 53 man roster predication of the year. This is post mini-camp, pre training camp. Something fans seem to forget when putting together a 53 man roster is that it NFL teams do not just pick the 53 best players. Since 1/4 of the players on a roster are going to be role players. They will need guys to play special teams, guys who can back up at multiple positions, and a balanced roster. So with my prediction I try to follow those rules. You can find the current roster here.
QB(2):
Aaron Rodgers, Jordan Love
I would love for them to keep Kurt Benkert. I feel he has #2 quarterback potential, but it just doesn’t make sense in this day and age. I’m pretty sure they would love to have him back on the practice squad.
RB(3):
Aaron Jones, AJ Dillon, Patrick Taylor
The top two are super easy. Jones and Dillon will see the lions share of snaps/carries. The battle will be for the #3/#4 back. With Kylin Hill coming of the ACL tear he will end up starting the season on the PUP and I feel Taylor offers the best of both worlds for the #3 spot. He can do a bit of everything and he still has some upside. Goodson and Baylor should have shots at being on the practice squad.
WR(6):
Allen Lazard, Sammy Watkins, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Randall Cobb, Amari Rodgers
A lot of people want to keep Samori Toure and I get it, but right now I don’t see a spot on the roster for him. He struggles with press coverage and he is more of a slot receiver. The Packers already have two slot receivers. LaFleur rarely uses four receiver sets. Also with the lack of experience at wide receiver on the roster its expected they will lean on their running game and use their backs in the passing game. Toure can play special teams but so can Doubs, Lazard and Watson. So I see Toure spending a season on the practice squad getting stronger.
This group was another easy group to figure out. Lewis is your blocker, Deguara is your hback, Davis is kind of the do it all guy, and Daffney is the hback/full back type guy. Robert Tonyan starts the year on the PUP. Out of the other two tight ends on the roster I think Wolf probably has the best shot at being back on the practice squad.
OL(10)
David Bakhtiari, Jon Runyan, Josh Myers, Royce Newman, Yosh Nijman, Sean Rhyan, Cole Van Lanen, Zach Tom, Jake Hanson, Rasheed Walker
The only debate with this group was whether to keep 9 or 10. Hanson and Van Lanen were the border line guys. With Jenkins likely starting the season on the PUP I think they go with 10 and probably Van Lanen gets cut. Every offensive lineman on this roster has positional versatility outside of Bakhtiari, Nijman and Walker. Walker could learn guard though.
Offense(25)
DL(5):
Kenny Clark, Dean Lowry, TJ Slaton, Devonte Wyatt, Jarran Reed
A number of people want to keep 6 and I get it, but there is no need. The Packers rarely run a three DL front. I don’t see the reason for keeping Jonathan Ford. He is a pure nose tackle and the Packers already have three guys on the roster capable of playing that position. He would just be a waste of a roster spot. They should easily be able to place him on the practice squad. Wyatt and Clark are the pass rushers. Reed and Lowry are kind of the do it all guys and Slaton is the developmental guy that can play some NT and provide a little pass rush.
Edge(5):
Rashawn Gary, Preston Smith, Kingsley Enagbare, Randy Ramsey, Jonathan Garvin
Gary, Smith, and Enagbare are all locks to make the roster. After them it comes down to what type of edge rushers do the Packers want as their #4/#5 guys. Historically it seems they like to keep at least one for special teams duties. That is why I kept Ramsey and Garvin because of the guys left he probably has the most potential.
Campbell and Walker will be the starters. Barnes is still good enough to see some time though. He has also shown he can play special teams and could see an increase in snaps there with a reduction of snaps from scrimmage. McDuffie is there purely for special teams. Brooks is a down the road developmental guy. He started just two years at Penn State, but also played a lot of special teams his first two years so he can contribute there while developing.
DB(10):
Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes, Rasul Douglas, Keisean Nixon, Shemar Jean-Charles, Adrian Amos, Darnell Savage, Vernon Scott, Tariq Carpenter, Raleigh Texada
I feel the top five corners are pretty much locked in at this point. Obviously Alexander, Stokes, and Douglas are your top thee. Nixon and Jean-Charles are both solid special teams players who look to be better slot corners than outside corners and the Packers lack a true slot in the top three guys. Nixon is the better corner at this point though and will see a decent amount of time in the slot with Jaire, Savage and Douglas also seeing time there. Texada is the young guy with upside who can pitch in on special teams
At safety, of course Amos and Savage are your starters. It seems Barry doesn’t use a lot of “big Nickel” or 3rd safety packages. Scott is probably the best safety on the roster when you look at the rest. He also has experience on special teams. Carpenter is a safety/linebacker hybrid who will probably see some time at both, but will spend most of his rookie season on special teams.
Defense: 24
ST(3):
Mason Crosby, Pat O’Donnell, Jack Coco
Crosby and O’Donnell are locks for obvious reasons. I went with Coco because Wirtel was terrible last year and I think they try to make a clean sweep outside of Crosby. There is the possibility that the long snapper isn’t even on the roster at this point.
My thoughts on the Packers first round picks. So to start off, I was wrong. I never thought they would draft an off-ball linebacker in the first round. As we all know they haven’t done that since AJ Hawk. I thought there was a good chance they would draft one. I just didn’t think it would be in the first. Both players were on my Packers board. I will also have full scouting reports up for Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt tomorrow.
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Quay Walker:
Obviously most people were surprised by the pick. There had been rumblings the last week or so that he would end up as the first linebacker drafted. But no one thought it would be to the Packers in the first round. Then yesterday we started seeing mock drafts with the Packers drafting him, and it was a number of “connected” people within the draft community.
It was thought that it might mean something. The Packers under Ted Thompson really had no value on linebackers. Brian Gutekunst seemed to follow this with only drafting Oren Burks in the 3rd round, and no other linebackers on day one or two. So, there is another threshold of Ted that he broke. He did stick to their athleticism thresholds though.
Now to Quay Walker as a player. He has some similarities to Eric Stokes in that he is super athletic, came out as a junior, and was seen as a player who is still a little raw and needs some work before he reaches his potential. He should team with De’Vondre Campbell to form a very highly athletic duo while he develops. I wouldn’t be surprised if he shared those duties with Krys Barnes early on. This will also allow them to use a lot more base defense, especially if he can show solid coverage skills.
He shows a lot of hustle on film, and is always around the ball. Those are good qualities to start with. He might even play special teams early on, where he could be a demon. This pick also puts a limit on how long Campbell will be in Green Bay. If Walker develops as hoped, then I don’t see Campbell being a Packer for more than two more years. Walker then takes over as a lead guy.
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Devonte Wyatt:
The Packers traded away one Devonte — or in this case, Davante — and draft another. Wyatt was always one of my favorite defensive linemen in this draft. He fit the Packers almost to a T, except of course the age issue. The former Bulldog can team with Kenny Clark to form an elite due that can both stop the run and rush the passer.
He also adds a complement to Clark as a pass rusher, with Wyatt winning with his explosion, speed, and agility versus Clark’s leverage, strength, and drive. Clark is seen as a “slow burn” pass rusher, whereas Devonte wins fast/quick. He immediately becomes the second-best defensive lineman on the roster. Early on he will probably rotate with Jarran Reed. That is something the Packers like to do. They like to bring their rookies a long slowly as the season goes.
Wyatt does have the off-field issues that popped up recently, even though they were from 2020 and were in the news. Some people just read the headlines and automatically assumed he beat his girlfriend or something like that. But if you read the report it wasn’t that type of thing.
Was he in the wrong? 100% and it should have never happened, but he didn’t hurt any one or point a gun at anyone. People do make mistakes, and the Packers tend to lean conservative when it comes to off-field issues with draft picks. So if they gave him the go ahead, I have full confidence in Gutekunst that it was just a dumb mistake made by a young kid. I also expect the Packers to have him on a “short leash” and told him as much.
Final Thoughts:
While I personally would have drafted a Tyler Smith or a Jermaine Johnson over Walker, I understand why the Packers took him in the first round. Of course, I love the Wyatt pick and think he will have the bigger impact in year one and could even have a bigger impact in year two, as well. Walker will be the Packers future at inside linebacker with Campbell turning 30 soon and the Packers not usually keeping guys past 30. I won’t give this draft a grade. Its three years too soon, but I will say so far I like it!
Will they now be called the Green Bay Bulldogs? If they draft George Pickens tomorrow, they might!
It’s time for a Green Bay Packers themed mock draft, folks. We all know about the rumors of Aaron Rodgers ending up in Denver now that Nathaniel Hackett got hired there and is possibly bringing Justin Outten as his offensive coordinator. So I did a mock draft to get an idea of what kind of players the Packers could get in the draft if they traded him to Denver.
I used the mock draft simulator at Rise N Draft Scouting, and since you can not trade players for draft picks with the draft simulators I took over as GM for both the Packers and the Broncos.
I think we can all agree that a package for him would start with at least a first and a second this season. The compensation in 2023 and beyond is unimportant for this exercise though. So let’s not worry about that for the moment. With the “trade” the Packers acquire picks #9 and #40 from the Broncos. This gives the Packers a total of 11 draft picks.
This mock is assuming the Packers go full ‘rip the band-aid off’ and lose Adams, both Smith brothers, Lewis, MVS, Lowry, Crosby, Cobb, Sullivan, Douglas, and Wirtel. All restricted free agents are back, plus Bojorquez and Campbell. Now to the picks.
Round 1: Pick 9 – David Ojabo – Edge – Michigan
We start this Packers mock draft with Michigan EDGE David Ojabo. With the Smiths gone, there of course is a gaping hole opposite Gary. Ojabo fills it perfectly. He is a freak athlete with immense upside and potential. He has little experience though, only having played football since his junior year of high school. I would suspect his development will take a similar arc to Gary.
Round 1: Pick 28 – Daxton Hill – S – Michigan
Ojabo and his teammate get to keep playing together. Hill has similar athleticism and upside as Darnell Savage had when he came out. He is super fast and explosive along with having experience playing in the slot. Unlike Savage, he is more of a pure free safety and is also a touch bigger. This selection would allow Savage to move into the “star” role, even potentially opening an option to be used interchangeably.
Round 2: Pick 40 – George Pickens – WR – Georgia
If not for his Achilles injury in the spring, we would probably be talking about Pickens as a top 20 pick. He is long, super athletic, and already a very good deep threat. It’s no exaggeration that this young man has #1 receiver potential. Even if he doesn’t reach his full potential, the Packers still have an MVS-type player on their roster.
Mathis gives Kenny Clark the help fans have been clamoring for over the last three seasons. A bit of a late bloomer, his first three seasons he was seen as mostly just a big, strong run stuffer. He has really improved his pass rush skills this season and could play nose to let Kenny go outside and one gap — or the other way around. He would make it a lot harder for teams to double Kenny and leave Mathis and the edge rushers all one-on-one.
Likely would be the most athletic tight end that the Packers have drafted since Jermichael Finley. He brings a similar skill set, but not as big. Likely would be the seam-splitting tight end that the Packers thought they were getting with Sternberger, but faster. He would create a great tag team with Tonyan.
Emezie is another great fit for what the Packers look for in their wide receivers. He is 6-foot-3, 212 with long arms, good speed, and good hands. Emezie plays a physical game, is a good blocker, and is great on contested catches and in the red zone. There’s still room for growth in his route running, but he has #2 receiver upside.
The Packers #3 and #4 safeties have been poor these last two years. With Hill and Cook on board, this selection makes it a strength. Cook has versatility and can play both free, strong, and even some slot experience. Cook brings good size to the field. 2021 was his best season to day, especially in coverage. He picked off two passes, broke up seven, and did not allow a single touchdown.
Round 5: Pick 169 – Austin Allen – TE – Nebraska
Allen is a huge tight end; at 6-foot-8 260, lbs. People would think he is a big, lumbering tight end that is essentially an offensive tackle. In reality, he is actually a pretty solid athlete. He is a very good blocker though, and would be a great replacement for Marcedes Lewis. He has good hands and was underrated as a receiver since he plays at Nebraska, where throwing the ball is not a staple.
Round 7: Pick 224 – Tyler Vrabel – OT – Boston College
I tried targeting a tackle earlier, but the board just didn’t fall right. Here, the Packers nab the son of Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel. As a standard of Boston College lineman, Vrabel brings experience at both left and right tackle. Physical and aggressive, he might be better off inside due to questions about his length and tendency to get a little top heavy. That said, he has good agility, which is something the Packers emphasize with their OL.
Yes we triple dipped. With only Rodgers and Lazard back, the Packers will need a major infusion of talent. Melton has similar size to Cobb (5-foot-11, 194), but runs in the low 4.4s. He also brings explosiveness to the field as a potential big YAC player, but has average agility. He can play slot and was also used on jet sweeps, screens, and special teams.
Round 7: Pick 255 – Cal Adomitis – LS – Pittsburgh
Why not finish this Packers mock draft with a long snapper? He is universally regarded as the best long snapper in the draft class — probably the only one that deserves a late pick. If the Packers had a decent long snapper, they might’ve beat San Francisco.
In conclusion:
This mock draft would set the Packers up for the future. You get five or six players with starter potential and at least three with Pro Bowl potential. They are almost all highly athletic. This was kind of a traditional Gutekunst draft.
