The 2024 NFL Draft is complete. Another draft in the books, which means Mel Kiper can now go into hibernation. But now is the time for the people who cover NFL teams to figure out how each team did. Today, we take a deep dive into Brian Gutekunst and grade the 2024 Green Bay Packers draft class.
Green Bay Packers NFL Draft Grades: Marks For the Whole Class
This year’s NFL Draft was the seventh Green Bay Packers draft with Brian Gutekunst running the show. While this year’s draft class won’t grab too many national headlines, Gutekunst put together a solid draft class. It was a draft class that filled several holes on the Packers roster.
As we have stated before, it will take at least three seasons to determine how good these draft picks are. So handing out letter grades to players that haven’t played a down yet is damn near impossible. No matter what other so-called draft experts tell you.
However, you can judge how well Brian Gutekunst and his staff did. For this exercise, we use a very simple grading system. A number one grade means that the Packers got great value in the pick, a possible steal. A number two grade indicates that the player went where he was expected. Finally, a number three grade means that Gutekunst and the Packers reached, meaning they could have gotten that player later in the draft.
To help us with our grading, we will utilize ourlads.com, walterfootball.com, and NFL.com and use their round projections for each player the Packers selected. Here is our breakdown.
First Round, 25th Overall, Offensive Tackle, Jordan Morgan
Grade: 3
The first round of this year’s NFL Draft fell in place for Brian Gutekunst and his staff. Iowa defensive back Cooper Dejean and Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton were both available when the Packers went on the clock. Dejean and Barton would have both filled needs. But instead, the Packers decided to fill another hole, offensive tackle.
Don’t let our grade and Lance Zierlein’s second-round projection fool you, the selection of Arizona’s Jordan Morgan isn’t a true reach. Yes, Zierlein expected him to go into the second round, but with how many offensive tackles went off the board before the Packers picked, it was a solid pick. Morgan was a standout at Arizona. If not for a 2022 knee injury, he would have elected to declare for the 2023 draft and been a first-round.
While some have said he might see time at guard, Morgan is a true tackle. He will serve as a backup to starting left tackle Rasheed Walker and if Walker slips, he will step in. From the game highlights we saw of Morgan, he reminds us of a young David Bakhtiari.
Second Round, 45th Overall, Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper
Grade: 1
If you are looking for a standout of the 2024 Green Bay Packers draft class, Edgerrin Cooper is your guy. Ourlads.com projected him as a first or second-round pick. He was a very productive player playing in the SEC, arguably the best college football conference in the nation. With new Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley implementing a new 4-3 defense, there is no doubt that Cooper will be a big piece to make the transition a successful one.
Second Round, 58th Overall, Safety, Javon Bullard
Grade: 2
It appears that Brian Gutekunst is a big fan of the University of Georgia’s football program. He has selected Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt, both from Georgia, in past drafts. Gutekunst once looked to Georgia for help in the selection of Javon Bullard.
Some have projected Bullard as a nickel back. However, his skills fit well to playing safety in the NFL. He is expected to be a starter next to free agent signee Xavier McKinney. Walterfootball.com had a second or third-round projection on Bullard.
Third Round, 88th Overall, Running Back, MarShawn Lloyd
Grade: 2
While Zierlein gave MaShawn Lloyd a third or fourth-round projection, fellow NFL.com employee Daniel Jeremiah didn’t agree. On the NFL Network’s draft coverage, Jeremiah indicated that Lloyd was his top-rated running back in this year’s NFL Draft.
Lloyd is a dual-threat running back. While at USC, he displayed big-play ability as both a runner and pass catcher. From the video we saw, Lloyd reminded us a little bit of former Packer Aaron Jones. If he turns out as half as good as Jones, Gutekunst, and the Packers have a steal in Lloyd.
Third Round, 91st Overall, Linebacker, Ty’Ron Hopper
Grade: 3
If Daniel Jeremiah’s reaction to the selection of Missouri’s Ty’Ron Hopper in the third round is any indication, then it appears the Packers reached on this pick. Jeremiah’s review of Hopper wasn’t glowing by any means. While he has good length, he lacks speed and sometimes gets caught up in a crowd. Zierlein seems to agree with Jeremiah’s assessment, giving him a fifth-round projection. If Hopper is going to make a name for himself, it will be on special teams, which doesn’t bold well for grabbing him in the third round.
Fourth Round, 111th Overall, Safety, Evan Williams
Grade: 2
Walterfootball.com had Evan Williams out of Oregon rated as their tenth safety going into this draft. They projected him to go in the third, fourth, or fifth round. Gutekunst knew the Packers safety position opposite of McKinney was a need going into this draft. Williams gives the Packers a hard-nosed safety who isn’t afraid of contact. He is also a polished blitzer, something Hafley might utilize in his defense. Packers special teams coordinator Rich Bisaacia must be thrilled with this pick. Williams should become a core player on the Packers’ special teams.
Fifth Round, 163rd Overall, Offensive Lineman, Jacob Monk
Grade: 3
While Gutekunst might have missed out on one Duke offensive lineman (Barton) earlier in the draft, he did select Barton’s teammate, Jacob Monk, in the fifth round. While Zierlein gave Monk a sixth-round projection, which made us give him a 3 grade, we do like this pick.
Monk doesn’t have great size, but he is a leader, as indicated by his being a former captain at Duke. He is a grinder, and we believe he will compete with Josh Myers for the starting center position this season.
Sixth Round, 169th Overall, Safety, Kitan Oladapo
Grade: 1
Did we mention that Gutekunst emphasized the safety position in this year’s draft? Oregon State’s Kitan Oladapo was the third safety selected in this year’s Green Bay Packers draft class.
Oladapo is very similar to Williams, productive as a tackler, and should project well on special teams. Walterfootball.com projected Oladapo to go in the fourth, fifth, or sixth round.
Sixth Round, 202nd Overall, Offensive Lineman, Travis Glover
Grade: 2
When it gets down into the late rounds of the NFL Draft, most NFL teams are looking for projects that they hope can develop into something. Georgia State’s Travis Glover is a prime example of this.
A projected sixth-round pick, Glover is an experienced collegiate left tackle. At 6’5″ and weighing over 330 pounds, Glover is a mountain of a man. But he just doesn’t have size, he does have some skill for Packers offensive line coach Luke Butkus to work with.
Seventh Round, 245th Overall, Quarterback, Michael Pratt
Grade: 1
When legendary Packers general manager Ron Wolf was in charge of the Packers draft, he made a habit of drafting quarterbacks. Even when he had iron man Brett Favre as his quarterback, he knew that drafting a quarterback could benefit his team. His thinking was that his coaching staff could develop the quarterback into a high-end backup, which would let him flip the quarterback to another team in search of a quarterback, in exchange for a draft pick.
It appears Brian Gutekunst is hoping he can do the same with Tulane’s Michael Pratt. His stats were solid for the Green Wave and has the tools to become at least a solid backup. Last year, Gutkeunst took Sean Clifford in the fifth round. We believe Pratt can overtake Clifford as the Packers backup. Walterfootball.com projected Pratt to go higher than the seventh round.
Seventh Round, 255th Overall, Cornerback, Kalen King
Grade: 2
Interestingly enough, the Packers waited until the seventh round to address the cornerback position. Seems that Gutekunst is high on the cornerbacks they currently have on their roster.
Kalen King has good size for a cornerback and has some skills to work with. He can be a press cornerback, something it appears Hafley is looking for. King could be a good candidate to make the Packers practice squad.
Main Photo: Tork Mason – USA Today Sports
