Green Bay Packers 2024 NFL Mock Draft: To QB Or Not QB?
Two mock drafts, one with a new quarterback, and one without.
The Green Bay Packers offense has sputtered, and the rhythm isn’t there.
We're long removed from a six-touchdown, zero-interception start from Jordan Love. The offense was creative, unpredictable, and found some rhythm against the Chicago Bears and the Atlanta Falcons. However, injuries have piled up. David Bakhtiari played a single game. Christian Watson has struggled to stay on the field. Aaron Jones is still getting back to a full workload. Elgton Jenkins doesn’t quite have it off a knee injury. Now, Luke Musgrave is in a walking boot.
The running game has struggled due to Jones’ absence, but the interior of the offensive line hasn’t put enough consistency out there in terms of line of scrimmage push and assignments. Tackle depth was heralded in the preseason, but “on paper” hasn’t matched “on field”. Is it fair to expect a lot from a second-year, seventh-round pick in Rasheed Walker? No, but he’s here and called upon.
Are there positives? Sure! Jordan Love and the offense can string drives together. He can make things happen out of structure, and change arm angles to make tougher throws. The accuracy flashes are there. A.J. Dillon has found a bit of rhythm. Dontayvion Wicks has an impressive win rate versus man coverage. Romeo Doubs can win through the catch point.
But, for every good play, there are so many plays where all 11 players don’t finish the job, leading to drops, interceptions, and sacks, all drive-killers. Now, youth is fair to point out. Three rookies at tight end. Second-year and rookie receivers. Year two players at tackle. It’s not an easy path to navigate, especially with a first-year starter at QB on top of it.
Through all that turmoil, the Packers find themselves picking seventh in the 2024 NFL Draft as of now (A Vikings MNF loss drops them to 8). Let’s look at two possibilities for the Packers in the 2024 NFL Draft, a path with a QB and a path without.
The No-QB Mock Draft
Round 1, Pick 7: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
The Packers have to take advantage of the impressive tackle class in the 2024 NFL Draft. There will be plenty of options in the first round, wherever Green Bay ends up picking. Joe Alt is one of the consensus top three tackles in the class right now, and he possesses the quicks and technique for a zone blocking scheme with the flashes of uprooting defensive linemen. As a pass protector, he’s got the change-of-direction agility to mirror and is the epitome of losing slowly at the tackle position. As he works through his functional strength and improves his balance/punch variance, Alt can reach a pinnacle of performance in the NFL.
Round 2, Pick 39: Dontay Corleone, DT, Cincinnati
All options feel open on the offensive and defensive side of the football. It wouldn’t be at all surprising to see more investment in the defensive line to further figure a way to win early downs. Dontay Corleone is an extremely talented defensive tackle and at 6’2” and 320 pounds, he can anchor against the run and use his core strength and functional power to dominate the line of scrimmage, get off blocks quickly, and finish with stopping power.
Round 2, Pick 49: Jonathon Brooks, RB, Texas
Yes, running back is a position that the Packers will look at extensively, as Aaron Jones gets longer in the tooth and A.J. Dillon might be overlooked in terms of extensions. Perhaps not in the second round again, but Jonathon Brooks is quickly emerging as a potential threat to RB1 in the 2024 NFL Draft. Brooks is averaging 6.4 yards per carry and 4.06 yards after contact per attempt, per PFF. His ability to evade would-be tacklers with power, balance, and stop-start acceleration translates well.
Round 3, Pick 71: Tory Horton, WR, Colorado State
The Packers can’t sit on a room of young receiver talent without giving every effort to improve it at every turn. There’s no guarantee that Christian Watson takes the giant step, that Romeo Doubs becomes the WR2, or that they realize Dontayvion Wicks needs more looks. Keep swinging. Tory Horton is another developmental receiver with legit 4.4 speed to threaten vertically, great hands, body control, and ball skills.
Round 4, Pick 107: Jaden Hicks, SAF, Washington State
Will Rudy Ford sign an extension? Will Darnell Savage come back? Those are the present questions for the Packers at safety. Even if one comes back, you’re looking at a potential pairing with Anthony Johnson Jr. Get more help in the room with Jaden Hicks. Tackling is a bit hit or miss with Hicks, but his elite size, ball production, and versatility could give the Packers more stability on the back end.
Round 4, Pick 134: Christian Haynes, G, Connecticut
The Packers can’t just get better at tackle. They have to get better on the interior as well. Christian Haynes has impressive foot speed, agility, and mirror skills in pass protection and also offers a zone fit in the run game. He’s underrated in draft circles right now.
The QB Mock Draft
A lot more maneuvering for this one, almost a “have your cake and eat it too” situation here.
Trades Made:
Pick 7 for Pick 17, 2025 2nd, Pick 117 with NYJ
Pick 31 for Pick 39 and Pick 71 with KC
Round 1, Pick 17: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
We’re getting wild from the start in this Packers mock, especially moving around via trades. Instead of waiting at receiver, let’s get the WR1 right now. Rome Odunze has the traits of a WR1, with impressive burst and acceleration in the short area, allowing him to win against man coverage at a high rate. He has reliable hands, great catch-point adjustment skills, and the ability to win at all three levels.
Round 1, Pick 31: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
A new quarterback for the Packers at the end of round one. Could J.J. McCarthy go higher in the draft? Absolutely, just based on the demand at the position. For now, the Packers secure a fifth-year option for McCarthy, who has taken an impressive step in 2023. He doesn’t bite off more than he can chew, works through progressions well, and processes quickly post-snap. The accuracy flashes are taking a step in the intermediate and deep areas of the field. Not to mention, his mobility offers creation skills out of structure and an addition to a run game.
Round 2, Pick 49: Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona
The Packers still grab a tackle in this mock, securing Jordan Morgan out of Arizona in the second round. Morgan is a powerful blocker with impressive size, but his athleticism is the true calling card for Morgan, who can become a true blindside protector for McCarthy or Love.
Round 4, Pick 107: Zach Frazier, C, West Virginia
Let’s take a next step at center here for the Packers. Josh Myers might get looks at guard in this scenario as Morgan and Zach Tom secure the tackle spots. Zach Frazier has the quicks and linear explosion to handle second level assignments, and he plays with great body positioning and pad level at contact.
Round 4, Pick 117: Jase McClellan, RB, Alabama
The running back position probably still needs a facelift in any scenario, and Jase McClellan is an intriguing senior with big play ability and reliability between the tackles.
Round 4, Pick 134: Lathan Ransom, SAF, Ohio State
Safety rounds out this four-round mock draft for the Packers, and Lathan Ransom has played much more consistent football in 2023, from tackling to his eyes in zone coverage to playing the catch point.
Which mock is better? Vote below!