For those who follow the NFL Draft, this time of year is similar to a five-year-old child prepping for Christmas. The idea of your favorite NFL team replenishing their rosters with possible superstars brings a smile to NFL fans. So today, we do our best Brian Gutekunst impersonation and project the 2024 Green Bay Packers draft.
Projecting the 2024 Green Bay Packers Draft Class
From Mel Kiper to Daniel Jerimiah to Bucky Brooks to the hundreds of other supposed “NFL Draft experts”, all will be doing their mock drafts. None of them will be perfect. But it is a good practice to see how the NFL Draft will turn out. Being Brian Gutekunst and trying to predict how the Green Bay Packers draft class will look is always a fun exercise. But by no means is it a perfect science.
Heading into the 2024 NFL Draft, the Packers have several areas of their roster that need upgrading. Offensive tackle, interior offensive line, safety, and inside linebacker are at the top of the Packers’ draft needs list. But the Packers also have other positions, like running back and EDGE pass rusher that will most likely be addressed.
It is projected that there will be a lot of movement in the form of trades in this year’s draft. Especially at the top end of the draft. So projecting the Green Bay Packers draft won’t be easy. But we will do our best to project who the Packers might select next week.
First Round, 25th Overall
Projection: Amarius Mims, Offensive Tackle, Georgia
For the first pick in the Green Bay Packers draft, we would love it if defensive back Cooper DeJean or offensive lineman Graham Barton would still be on the board. But it is looking more and more like neither will be available. Both would be solid fits for the Packers. But with both expected to be gone, we go with the uber-talented Amarius Mims out of Georgia.
Even with the free-agent signing of Andre Dillard, the Packers still need offensive tackle help. Rasheed Walker performed well down the stretch in 2023, but he still has a lot to prove. The Packers seem high on former undrafted free agent Caleb Jones, but he is projected as a backup on the right side. Mims didn’t play a lot last season for Georgia, but his high RAS score is something Gutekunst values, which will be too much for Gutekunst to pass on.
Second Round,41st Overall
Projection: Tyler Nubin, Safety, Minnesota
You shouldn’t mix up Tyler Nubin for a Reuben sandwich because he is a very good safety. While the Packers signed free agent free agent Xavier McKinney this off-season, the depth is so paper thin, that Gutekunst must look for help through the NFL Draft. Nubin wasn’t just the Minnesota Gophers’ best defensive player, but it could be argued that he was their best player overall. He and McKinney would make up a very formidable duo. Also, Gutekunst’s Dad, John Gutekunst was once the head coach for the Gophers, giving him a connection to Minnesota and Nubin.
Second Round, 58th Overall
Projection: Max Melton, Cornerback, Rutgers
Packers fans should expect big things out of Jaire Alexander who will finally be playing in a scheme under new defensive coordinator Jeff Hefley that will better fit his skills. But the cornerback spot opposite of Alexander is a question. Former first-round pick Eric Stokes will once again be returning from injury. Behind him, the best option is 2023 seventh-round pick, Carrington Valentine. While Valentine is brash, he still has a long way to go to show he is a starting cornerback in the NFL.
Max Melton, the brother of current Packer Bo Melton, is an ultra-athletic cornerback who has a lot of potential but is raw. His speed and athletic ability should be a good fit in the Packers’ new defensive scheme.
Third Round, 88th Overall
Projection: Jaylen Wright, Running Back, Tennessee
The Packers parted ways with Aaron Jones and signed free agent running back Josh Jacobs to be their primary ball carrier this off-season. They then re-signed AJ Dillon to be Jacobs’ backup. But by no means is Dillon a long-term answer as the Packers second running back. Gutekunst needs someone young who is explosive and can develop behind Jacobs. Jaylen Wright has speed to burn and with Dillon entrenched as the number two ball carrier, he can take his rookie season to develop.
Third Round, 91st Overall
Projection: Cedric Gray, Linebacker, North Carolina
From early reports, it appears that Quay Walker won’t be playing middle linebacker in Hafley’s new 4-3 defensive scheme. So it appears that Gutekunst will be looking for a linebacker who can man the middle. Cedric Gray can be a very solid middle linebacker. He isn’t fast but has very good instincts.
Fourth Round, 126th Overall
Projection: Brendan Rice, Wide Receiver, USC
As we recently wrote, don’t expect the Packers to grab a wide receiver early in this year’s draft. But with that said, the fourth round seems like a good time to address the position. Brendan Rice, the son of legendary wide receiver Jerry Rice, is great value in the fourth round. Similar to his Dad, he isn’t a burner, but he understands the position. Before playing with Caleb Williams at USC, Brendan played with some awful quarterbacks at Colorado and was productive.
Fifth Round, 169th Overall
Projection: Mason McCormick, Interior Offensive Lineman, South Dakota State
Gutekunst and the Packers need to find someone who can compete with starting center Josh Myers and also provide depth at the two guard spots. Mason McCormick out of South Dakota State, has the size to play guard and agility to play center. While Myers is expected to be the starting center to start the season, it wouldn’t be surprising to see McCormick take over at center as the season goes along.
Sixth Round, 201st Overall
Projection: Nelson Ceaser, Defensive End, Houston
The Packers are very deep at EDGE pass rusher with Rashan Gary, Preston Smith, and Lukas Van Ness. But with the switch to the 4-3, the Packers are looking for true defensive ends, which Nelson Ceaser is. Also, Rich Bisaacia will be looking for athletic defensive ends to play special teams and Ceaser, if he makes the roster, could contribute on special teams.
Sixth Round, 219th Overall
Projection: Jordan Jefferson, Defensive Tackle, LSU
Out of our projections for the Green Bay Packers draft, getting Jordan Jefferson in the sixth round possibly could be the steal of the daft. Jefferson has a good burst off the line and has experience playing in an NFL-style defense. Not to sound like a broken record, but with a new defense, the Packers will be looking for true 4-3 defensive tackles.
Seventh Round, 245th Overall
Projection: Qwan’tez Stiggers, Cornerback, Toronto Argonauts
Qwan’tez Stiggers might be the most intriguing draft prospect in this year’s NFL Draft. His story is remarkable. He ended up playing in the CFL last season where he made a name for himself. There is a good chance he will be gone by the sixth round, but if he is on the board, Gutekunst should grab him.
Seventh Round, 255th Overall
Projection: Sam Hartman, Quarterback, Notre Dame
Before transferring to Notre Dame, Sam Hartman was one of the most productive quarterbacks in NCAA football at Wake Forest. He was very productive last season in Notre Dame’s very conservative offense. While there is a good chance that he will never be a starting quarterback, he could develop into a solid backup NFL quarterback. We believe he has more talent and upside than current backup quarterback Sean Clifford, who we believe was one of Gutekunt’s worst picks as the Packers general manager.
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