Green Bay Packers Mega Mock Draft Monday: What Will Be The Approach?
Four, count them, FOUR, 2024 mock drafts for the Packers.
Despite currently sitting at 6-8, one game out of the playoffs, there are still positive to take away from this Green Bay Packers season. Jordan Love is playing impressive ball - it’s chaotic, headlined by misses on layups and rhythm throws, but also absurd precision and off-script gems.
The offense has a lot working for it around Love. Zach Tom looks like the long-term solution at right tackle. Tucker Kraft and Luke Musgrave are shaping up to be a very exciting duo in 2024. Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks looks like hits.
Struggles still exist on defense, and after making Tommy DeVito look competent (sacking him zero times) and Baker Mayfield look elite, Joe Barry needs the axe. The personnel on the current roster should also draw criticism, as should the philosophy build on that side of the ball.
That’s where the 2024 NFL Draft starts for the Packers right now. The secondary needs work, and Quay Walker probably needs a running mate at linebacker. Could the Packers add more to the front seven in terms of run defense? Maybe.
Green Bay currently sits in the 11th position, a spot that makes things a little difficult. There’s strength at the top at quarterback, wide receiver, and offensive tackle. The issue with tackle is that the top two left tackles, Olu Fashanu and Joe Alt, both fit the Packers in terms of size and style. Wide receiver isn’t a need, and quarterback likely won’t be the pick either.
Safety, defensive line, and corner are the likely directions for the Packers at pick 11, but which is best for the Packers? Well, we take the different avenue for each of these mock drafts, looking at how edge and defensive back early affect the mocks.
Four Packers mock drafts on a Mock Draft Monday. Sit back, grab some coffee or tea (or eggnog, it’s the holidays), and enjoy!
Pro Football Focus Mock Simulator
Pick 11: Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa
Pick 37: Patrick Paul, OT, Houston
Pick 42: Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M
Pick 76: Caelan Carson, CB, Wake Forest
Pick 82: Christian Haynes, OL, Connecticut
Pick 111: Marshawn Lloyd, RB, USC
Pick 134(comp pick): Jasheen Davis, EDGE, Wake Forest
The skinny: Packers nation is forming their opinion on who the pick should be at 11, and Cooper DeJean is the overwhelming favorite. With experience at corner, safety, and the slot/box roles, DeJean has succeeded everywhere he plays. His dominant 2022 season and down 2023 season could benefit the Packers.
Patrick Paul from Houston has the track record as a pass protector that the Packers like. He was verified at 6’7” and 308 pounds last spring, and has improved his flexibility when changing direction and varying up pass sets. Edgerrin Cooper was an All-American in 2023 with similar size to De’Vondre Campbell. Cooper’s coverage ability in terms of range and recognition is excellent, and he can offer a role as a blitzer.
Caelan Carson has the requisite size and plays with great physicality on the outside. He gave Keon Coleman some trouble this season, and could fit well if the Packers stay similar in terms of scheme. Christian Haynes has incredible quicks and mirror skills in pass pro with the ability to dominate in gap and zone run blocking looks. Marshawn Lloyd has the burst and elusiveness to excel in a committee in Green Bay (7.1YPA, 56.7BAY% in ‘23). Jasheen Davis would add some juice to a loaded edge rusher room. He had 44 pressures and 8 sacks in 2023.
Pro Football Network Mock Simulator
Pick 11: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
Pick 37: Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington
Pick 42: Tyler Nubin, SAF, Minnesota
Pick 76: Audric Estime, RB, Notre Dame
Pick 82: Bucky Irving, RB, Oregon
Pick 111: Junior Colson, LB, Michigan
Pick 134(comp pick): Nelson Caesar, EDGE, Houston
The skinny: This mock draft follows Dane Brugler’s mock in the beginning, selecting the most improved corner in the class, Terrion Arnold. Arnold has 5 interceptions and 12 pass breakups this season and has allowed a 52.5 passer rating in coverage. His transitional quicks look impressive in coverage, he plays physical, and can find the ball and be productive at the catch point.
Day two starts things off with an offensive tackle that could move to guard. Troy Fautanu is around 6’3” and 319 pounds, and while that doesn’t quite fit the Packers thresholds, the positional flexibility is something that does. Fautanu has great flexibility, technique, and a two hand punch at contact that gives him an edge. Tyler Nubin has been elite in coverage this year and provides the well-rounded skill set Green Bay needs
The double down at running back is fun, and something we’ll likely see from Green Bay in the 2024 NFL Draft. Audric Estime has great burst for a bigger back, has great power and balance, and is improving his feel as a zone runner. Bucky Irving has an elite lateral toolbox to force missed tackles, and can carry a load on occasion. Junior Colson is big, athletic, and can help the run defense woes. Nelson Caesar, once again, adds to the edge rusher room.
NFL Mock Draft Database Simulator
Pick 11: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
Pick 37: Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona
Pick 42: T.J. Tampa, CB, Iowa State
Pick 76: Rod Moore, SAF, Michigan
Pick 82: Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin
Pick 111: Payton Wilson, LB, NC State
Pick 134(comp pick): Darius Robinson, DL, Missouri
The skinny: This is where things get interesting. If the Packers don’t believe there’s value at defensive back in round one, Brian Gutekunst could go back to the well at edge. There are four good names at the top, and if Preston Smith moves on, a rotation of Gary/Van Ness/Jared Verse/Enagbare would be excellent. Verse has 60 pressures and 11 sacks in his second season at Florida State, and has improved as a tackler. His explosion to power is tantalizing, and he has effective counters at confrontation to create pressure in a variety of ways.
Jordan Morgan gives the Packers another pass protector with similar measurables to Zach Tom. T.J. Tampa has impressive size, speed, and ball skills to succeed in a man or zone scheme. Rod Moore had a great 2022 season, and he’s been getting back to his 2022 form after an injury kept him out of early contests this season.
Braelon Allen has elite size at 6’2” and 240 pounds, but offers more speed and tempo/vision as a rusher than A.J. Dillon. With a scheme that works under center, he’ll thrive in the NFL. Payton Wilson has dealt with injuries, but he’s so impressive as a linebacker when healthy. Darius Robinson has the versatility the Packers will like along the defensive line.
My Current Projections
Pick 11: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
Pick 37: Kamren Kinchens, SAF, Miami
Pick 42: Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB, Clemson
Pick 76: Kiran Amegadjie, OT, Yale
Pick 82: Jaylen Wright, RB, Tennessee
Pick 111: Dominick Puni, OL, Kansas
Pick 134(comp pick): Sebastian Castro, DB, Iowa
The skinny: After mixing and matching combinations, it’s time to throw out a prediction of my own doing. Let’s start at pick 11 with Kool-Aid McKinstry, who has the size, length, and catch point physicality to dominate in man coverage. His fluidity is built for any scheme, and he’s still a young, ascending player, something the Packers always like.
Kamren Kinchens’ stock is tough to read right now. He could be a sure fire top 20 pick, but a tough injury and inconsistent play could push him down the board, and give the Packers the size, range, tone-setting ability, and turnover creation they desperately desire at safety. In this mock, they capitalize by seeing that potential a season earlier, something they did with Kraft, Reed, and Wicks.
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. does a bit of everything on the Clemson defense. He’s had 50 pressures and 13 sacks the last two seasons, while also showing off eye discipline, instincts, and closing speed in coverage. Kiran Amegadjie is a mid-round dart throw at offensive line, something the Packers do often. His physical tools offer upside, and his nasty demeanor would be welcomed.
Jaylen Wright is the riser the running back class needed. His acceleration and speed bring about big play ability, and his testing should open eyes at 5’11” and 210 pounds. Wright had 1,010 yards for Tennessee in 2023 and averaged 7.4 yards per carry.
Dominick Puni is a great fit for the Packers, offering great functional athleticism and potential versatility to play tackle or guard. His tackle experience will draw the Packers to him, and seeing how he fares in Mobile at many positions will be important. Sebastian Castro rounds out the mock. He’s an elite cover player for Iowa in the slot or at safety, and brings enforcer-level toughness as well.