Matching the Packers Needs With 2024 NFL Draft Sweet Spots
Where are the sweet spots for the Packers to attack different positions in the 2024 NFL Draft?
By markoldacres
The Green Bay Packers have 11 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft and plenty of areas they could look to improve the roster, but where are the sweet spots to attack each position?
By examining nflmockdraftdatabase.com’s consensus top 257 prospects (the number of picks in this year’s draft), a decent picture can be created of which positions are best to attack with which picks. For this exercise, the top 257 has been split up into five segments.
Picks 1-50 (Packers selections: 25, 41)
The strongest positions in the premium part of the draft excluding quarterback, are projected to be wide receiver and offensive tackle, with 11 and nine prospects in the consensus top 50 respectively.
32.35% of the wide receivers in the entire top 257 come from this section, and for offensive tackles, it is a whopping 45%, although this could be impacted by the fact many college tackles drafted later will be listed as interior offensive linemen as that is where they will play in the NFL.
Green Bay has an obvious need on the offensive line after losing David Bakhtiari, Jon Runyan and Yosh Nijman in free agency, however, Brian Gutekunst has done an impressive job bargain shopping in the later rounds for offensive linemen.
Add to that the specific thresholds the Packers generally want offensive linemen to hit, there would need to be an ideal match when they are on the clock, but given the strength of this year’s class, they could have multiple opportunities to select a premium prospect.
Jordan Morgan, Kingsley Suamataia, and Graham Barton (who is not technically listed as a tackle, and may well end up inside), are all names to keep in mind.
The wide receiver room is brimming with talent in Green Bay, so it would be something of a surprise to see the Packers select one early this year, but with the success they have had in the second round in the past, and the quality of player expected to be available, do not rule it out.
Frankly, if Gutekunst is going to select a receiver at all, it would make more sense to do it early, as a day three pick at the position may struggle to make the roster given the talent already on hand.
Picks 51-100 (Packers selections: 58, 88, 91)
Between picks 51 and 100, the deepest positions are cornerback and EDGE. There are eight edge rushers and seven corners listed in this range. Taking a corner in round two or three could make some sense for the Packers, who may not want to address that position in the first round.
There is depth on the roster between Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes (if he can turn his injury-riddled career in Green Bay around), Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine, but adding a T.J. Tampa, Max Melton, Cam Hart or Khyree Jackson to the room could be beneficial.
Green Bay selected edge rusher Lukas Van Ness in the first round last year, but with Preston Smith potentially entering his final season with the team and Kingsley Enagbare recovering from an ACL injury, the Packers could use more depth long-term.
There are a plethora of enticing options, too, including Chris Braswell, Bralen Trice, Marshawn Kneeland and Adisa Isaac.
Picks 101-150 (Packers selections: 125)
Safety, running back, and once again, cornerback are the densest position groups here.
Although Packers fans may not be happy to see their team wait until at least the fourth round to address the position, 101-150 is the meatiest part of the class, with six players ranked in this range, a hefty 31.58% of the total safeties in the top 257.
Green Bay waited until the seventh round to draft a safety last year in a weak class, and they should not reach again this year if the right player does not fall to them in round two or three.
They could still add talent to the room in the form of a Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Sione Vaki, Kitan Oladapo or Beau Brade by waiting until day three.
There is actually one more corner ranked in this section than between 50-100, with nine of them ranked in the 101-150 range, or 26.47% of the cornerbacks in the entire top 257.
If his impressive athletic testing has not lifted him out of this part of the draft, keep an eye on Jarrian Jones, who could be an ideal eventual successor to Nixon in the slot. Caelen Carson, Kalen King and Nehemiah Pritchett could also be in play at cornerback.
The signing of Josh Jacobs and re-signing of A.J. Dillon has lessened the need for a running back earlier on in the draft, allowing the Packers to potentially pick one up on day three. MarShawn Lloyd, Audric Estime, Will Shipley and Isaac Guerendo are players to watch in round four to five.
Picks 151-200 (Packers selections: 168)
Another thin part of the draft for Green Bay in terms of draft capital with only one selection, the 151-200 range projects to offer plenty of options. There are eight interior offensive linemen, eight edge rushers, eight linebackers and seven tight ends expected to be drafted.
The Packers can feel good about their tight end room, consisting of Luke Musgrave, Tucker Kraft and Ben Sims, but if they want to add, this appears to be the time to do it. 53.85%(!) of the total tight ends in the top 257 are ranked between 151 and 200.
A strong blocking tight end like A.J. Barner could make some sense here, or Green Bay could look to recreate the Josiah Deguara role via Jaheim Bell. Workout warriors Tip Reiman and Jared Wiley are other possibilities, betting on the athletic upside.
In a weak linebacker class, 40% of the prospects in the top 257 are expected to be drafted in the between 151 and 200.
Waiting this long to add to the room would be something of a risk given Green Bay’s issues at the position, but they could still add an enforcer such as Marist Liufau or athletes like Curtis Jacobs or Jaylan Ford to the mix.
Gutekunst could add more depth to his offensive line by selecting a tackle and moving them inside to guard, with Brandon Coleman, Sataoa Laumea and Delmar Glaze all Packers types who are listed as interior offensive linemen despite playing on the edge in college.
Picks 201-257 (Packers picks: 201, 219, 245, 255)
Another swing or two in the trenches could be the play late on for the Packers, with a strong number of linemen expected to be available on both sides of the ball. Seven defensive linemen, seven interior offensive linemen and six offensive tackles are ranked in the final 57.
There are lots of players who are Green Bay’s type athletically on the offensive line in particular, including Garret Greenfield, Walter Rouse, Julian Pearl and Tylan Grable.
On the defensive side, Marcus Harris and Jaden Crumedy could make some sense to add another body to the group.
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Mark Oldacres is a sports writer from Birmingham, England and a Green Bay Packers fan. You can follow him on twitter at @MarkOldacres
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Comments (54)
Cheezehead72
March 29, 2024 at 07:03 am
Interesting and informative article.
Here is my one prediction so far.
On day 2 we will hear "with the 88th pick of the 2024 NFL draft the Green Bay Packers select Malichi Corley WR Western Kentucky".
Can we say Randall Cobb but stronger. He is the YAK King and can be used all over the field.
golfpacker1
March 29, 2024 at 08:10 am
And who is he going to push to the bench? Why use a premium pick on a player @ a position that GB is already super strong at? Wouldn't it make more sense to add to the weak position groups? With such a high pick we can snag a potential starter @ Safety or RB. What makes more sense?
Stockholder or Leatherhead always remind us there are only so many targets and plays per game, who are you taking them away from, to put Corley or any WR on the field? I don't always agree with whoever said this but it's true.
Cheezehead72
March 29, 2024 at 08:54 am
I will not disagree that it appear that our WR room is full and that there are just so many opportunities to get guys the ball in a game.
The Packers drafted Cobb in he 2nd round in 2011 when they had Jennings, Driver, and Nelson as WR and Finley and Crabtree (who was looking good) as TEs.
Sometimes the best time to draft a player is when you do not need him. We always need to draft to the future. Some of these receivers will be playing for another team in 1 to 2 years.
Corely is a player that can line up in the backfield because he is a physical speciman.
Cheezehead72
March 29, 2024 at 08:55 am
I will not disagree that it appear that our WR room is full and that there are just so many opportunities to get guys the ball in a game.
The Packers drafted Cobb in he 2nd round in 2011 when they had Jennings, Driver, and Nelson as WR and Finley and Crabtree (who was looking good) as TEs.
Sometimes the best time to draft a player is when you do not need him. We always need to draft to the future. Some of these receivers will be playing for another team in 1 to 2 years.
Corely is a player that can line up in the backfield because he is a physical specimen.
Coldworld
March 29, 2024 at 10:13 am
While I agree with the general logic, the one spot I don’t think we see an addition is slot. Reed is the incumbent, Melton is also a slot player. Wicks takes slot snaps and so does Musgrave. All of those players are already fighting for snaps and young. Even with injuries we are heavily covered. That’s without even counting Heath, Dubose or Toure, all of whom play slot in part.
As to the backfield, if we don’t want to use Reed, Melton and Watson have handled that role. If we do pick a receiver before the last rounds I suspect it will be a tall perimeter type with long speed. That’s the one area we currently have no depth in behind Watson.
jannesbjornson
March 29, 2024 at 11:23 am
He will go earlier than #88. If the talent is there, bag a WR in rd three.
golfpacker1
March 29, 2024 at 08:20 pm
And then pass on RB? Or CB? Or OL? Or DT? All are positions we should select before WR. Hell, I will add lets pick/upgrade backups @ LB and Edge before adding another WR.
In 2025 DT & Edge are probably the 2 biggest needs to use the first 2 picks on. Draft WR 3rd or 4th in 2025.
jannesbjornson
March 30, 2024 at 01:07 pm
I wouldn't over-value the back end of the WR depth chart. If a Playmaker is in front of you, snag him. I would grab three RBs in this draft, regardless of positioning.
stockholder
March 29, 2024 at 07:20 am
Gute does not go for Best Available player.
So let's just throw that out in the first round.
All three of the Tackles could go at #41.
But the biggest need Right now is replacing Campbell.
Which is the sweet spot for the top 2 @41.
Next is Demand. And Stokes is a Bust/injuried.
So if he doesn't take a CB. They suck later.
Not one CB has the measurable traits of Alexander.
But then if DeJean is there, the Versatility is a win.
And being he dumped Douglass, he'll have to draft it.
The NFL Teams dumped a lot of safeties.
They will go fast and teams will reach.
So if Gute doesn't replace Owens.
It will be a bigger hole than CB.
Coldworld
March 29, 2024 at 10:26 am
I’d say Gute has shown considerable willingness to take the BPA as assessed by our scouting. That may not always be successful, but he’s gone for difference makers on many occasions, usually to your indignation. Douglas brought us about the same return as Sneed, which puts that trade in perspective. The only certainty in this draft is that you will be screaming that Gute has betrayed us it seems.
Where do you see DeJean fitting? At SS? It’s quite a gamble to take a player to convert in the first round and do so expecting him to contribute heavily from the outset. in the past that type if pick been one of your many reasons for asserting incompetence on Gute’s part.
stockholder
March 29, 2024 at 01:12 pm
You'd say= I say No.
And if I showed the mistakes ,
that would open the flood gates.
If Betrayed is in your mind.
You already justified others, and
your own feelings.
Example: Your comments about Watson.
DeJean plays anywhere.
And thats just what you want from a playmaker.
Keep in mind X can play both safety positions.
And so can DeJean. Even back up the slot.
Regardless; if he follows his board.
It's about value.
So don't confuse BPA with value.
Because if your right.
Gute should take a WR rd. 1.
Coldworld
March 29, 2024 at 02:57 pm
You’ve no concept of BPA in any real sense, or that it’s never totally divorced from position and need even we’re there such a thing as a truly objective measure of value. BPA as a concept just emphasizes perceived excess talent, difference making potential.
BPA doesn’t suggest taking 10 players at the same position because they are the “best” 10 in one draft or over several. Obviously that’s stretching the point to emphasize.
In this draft, it looks to me that there’s a good argument that, after the to 10 we could take a couple of offensive lines if we followed your concept. WR is not the strongest or deepest group in this draft.
You are entitled to your opinion. I’m entitled to find it preposterous.
LLCHESTY
March 29, 2024 at 05:08 pm
If his punctuation murders aren't enough to give you a headache his analysis surely is.
LLCHESTY
March 29, 2024 at 04:57 pm
How do you know he can play single high FS? He played ONE SNAP of deep safety in his college career. That's a giant BS assumption. But it makes about as much sense as most of your goobledygook comments.
jannesbjornson
March 30, 2024 at 01:10 pm
He compares to Harrison Smith. He should fill the requirements Hafley is looking for in his safeties.
golfpacker1
March 29, 2024 at 08:27 pm
Coldworld, I am an Iowa fan of 50 years and that is my big hangup with drafting DeJean. A new position he hasn't starred at. Nope, not with the 25th pick. If JPJ is gone I would trade back to no later than #42 and start GBs draft with Cooper Beebe and either Cooper or Colson @ LB with our first 2 picks of the 2nd round. That fills the 2 biggest holes with immediate 10-year starters.
Sorry but I would wait until the 3rd for Bullock, Hicks, or Bishop in the 3rd. And I am signing a bridge FA Safety after the draft, like Michah Hyde.
jannesbjornson
March 29, 2024 at 11:31 am
The three tackles mentioned will easily be gone before #41. Yes, the Campbell void must be filled, but one of Cooper, Wilson, or Gary will be there @ #58. I would bag a CB if Melton, or Caelen Carson are available along with Beebe. Two CBs from this draft to cover for the Douglas FU. #41 could be Beebe, but he probably goes earlier. Best to try to secure another selection in rd two. Rds5-7 has plenty of strong safety types to fill whatever Owen's job was for the Pack.
stockholder
March 29, 2024 at 01:20 pm
You mean Guards- Because if the scouts are
right about arm length, footwork, and Punch etc.
Thats where they will end up.
Sorry but I don't like your choice at CB.
I'll take the kids form Missouri if forced.
Plenty of SS - Not with speed.
And they can't tackle and cover TEs.
jannesbjornson
March 29, 2024 at 01:52 pm
Morgan will start as a LT. Footwork and Punch win vs the pass rush. He has 10-7/8 " mitts and 33"-0 arms with the 81+ Span. They all have to work on the counter-moves and stunt recognition. The" scouts "rated Michi Becton as a Number One. The other guys are RTs, or guards like the Washington crew.
jannesbjornson
March 29, 2024 at 12:24 pm
See who shows up, but I would add a #two pick and use 2025 's #one to get Players, like T. Sweat. The existing O line depth is tenuous. Probably will have to hunt for a veteran.
#26 Jordan Morgan LT Arizona
#41 Cooper Beebe OG K State
#58 Kam Kinchens S Miami
#88 Trevin Wallace LB Kentucky
#91 Jaden Hicks SS WASU
#126 Jarrian Jones CB FL State
#169 Eichenberg LB OSU
#202 N Pritchett CB Auburn
#219 Omar Speights LB LSU
#245 Sam Hartman QB N.Dame
#255 Dillon Johnson RB WASH
Maybe he signs a veteran safety at fair Money, post-draft? I would go young with the LBs and get downhill guys. Eichenberg doesn't get the respect, but he knows the Game. The CBs all went fast in the early second round.
stockholder
March 29, 2024 at 01:32 pm
JB - Morgan is falling
Morgan over Barton for sure.
Beebe is overweight
Is he a pulling guard?
Kinchens is to slow
I'll give you Hicks because-
IMO he'll be better than Kinchens.
Wallace is a fit and Eich is to slow.
He can't get sideline to sideline without
taking the wrong angle.
He's the reason OSU lost against Uof M.
I won't say your guys won't contribute.
Because the Packers can coach up
a controversial player.
jannesbjornson
March 29, 2024 at 02:08 pm
Kinchens has the same speed as McKinney and LeRoy Butler. Actually his 4.5 Pro Day was faster than McKinney's 4.6. Your speed guy was Savage. How did that work out? RAS is not RASTA. Kinchens knows how to read a QB and Mirror receivers to make plays on the ball. No SEC
guys. Hicks can play low and range if he has to. Eichenberg was All Big Ten, 1st Team, for a reason. I watch the Games. He know where to be, while Walker is still processing. Quite a few mocking Morgan to #25, which means nothing. Morgan would have gone Rd One last year. OT/OG flexibility is now an essential. Coleman fits the bill. Beebe was there at #41, T. Sweat was gone.
LLCHESTY
March 29, 2024 at 05:03 pm
Beebe wasn't overweight or slow and his 7.44 3-cone is way below Packer threshold. Do you just make up your own info?
https://twitter.com/MathBomb/status/1764442077943714087?t=fon6UriOHfjsH2...
golfpacker1
March 29, 2024 at 08:34 pm
Beebe is the #1 OG, and he played 2 years of OT with only 3 sacks. He is better than Barton @ both positions.
Kinchens ran 4.51 @ his Pro Day so the too slow label is gone.
I like Wallace a lot, maybe 3rd after Colson & Wilson
SicSemperTyrannis
March 29, 2024 at 07:06 pm
You're still only picking two Olinemen. Tht would be disastrous, even if they're the first two picks. We've lost 3, and need to push Newman out. That's 4 gone. Replacing them with 3 is only possible because Bakh couldn't play anyway, but it still leaves us thin.
jannesbjornson
March 30, 2024 at 02:05 pm
There will be plenty of Free Agent O linemen available after the draft/cut-downs. He probably keeps Newman to save face. One of his guys.
murf7777
March 29, 2024 at 07:34 am
We can all guess and that’s fun to try, but the reality is Gutey normally takes someone none of us expected or many times even considered. For me, it’s about the big guys…#buildthetrenches
TKWorldWide
March 29, 2024 at 07:43 am
One thing I’ve learned in recent years is that GB’s big board can differ greatly from the “consensus” big board, and that is perfectly okay. Not every pick pans out and that is no surprise, either. Heck, just a couple years ago, the “consensus” big board rated Trey Lance and Zach Wilson right behind Trevor Lawrence.
I just try to trust Brian G and hold on tight!
Boneman
March 29, 2024 at 07:44 am
I've done a number of mock drafts and your names in the spots you listed them are highly realistic. Watch for sleepers like safety Trey Taylor from Air Force, Center Hunter Nourzad from Penn State, LB's Darius Muasau UCLA or Dallas Gant from Toledo. Expect Gute to trade up and down liberally to get his guys and also to accumulate some picks in 25 and reduce the picks he has now. We really don't have room for 11 new rookies.
Cheezehead72
March 29, 2024 at 08:02 am
I would not say that the Packers do not have room for 11 rookies when they will fill the 91 man (we have an exemption for Kenneth Odumegwa) with UDFAs. So drafting 11 is just the start. I would not see it as a surprise if Gute packages the four 7th round picks to move up to get a guy he likes. But then I could see us having 11 + or - 1 picks in the draft.
golfpacker1
March 29, 2024 at 08:29 am
Cheese, the picks in the last 2 rounds are much more valuable to sign "take a chance on" players, depth players, or UFDAs that we really want, than to package them to trade up. Those late picks are almost worthless as trade capitol.
Who is to say the 11 that we could draft this year aren't better than players we have. We also have holes from free agency to fill.
I saw a recent mock that had GB trading down with the Texans from #25 to get #42 & #59. They don't have a first-round pick and that would give us 4 second round picks to fill holes @ OG, LB, CB, and Safety. That's an easily attainable best-case scenario to start the draft.
#41 Cooper Beebe
#42 Edggerin Cooper or Junior Colson
#58 Max Melton, Khyree Jackson, Cam Hart
#59 Kinchen, Bullard , Hicks, Bullock, Bishop
dobber
March 29, 2024 at 08:59 am
"I would not say that the Packers do not have room for 11 rookies..."
Agreed. Just about every roster has half or more of its players at replacement level or below. As you say, rosters go to 90, then it's a battle for 53 + the PS.
If you start doing the add/subtract from January's final 53, the Packers are already more than halfway to 11 in roster spots open to competition. If people don't think a rookie can't push a Robert Rochell, Eric Wilson, or Kristian Welch for a roster spot, then they're too in love with 2023...maybe that wins in 2024, or maybe it lets other teams pass you by.
Coldworld
March 29, 2024 at 11:26 am
Players taken late are as much for the PS as for the roster. Yes, some force their way on in summer, but most represent depth potential to develop and form the bulk of our PS squad each year.
We picked 13 times last year. Only one, Lew Nicholls was not with the team in September, but he was replaced by a UDFA. Heath made the roster as a UDFA over Dubose, so we essentially added, rostered and played 13 draft/UDFA players. Most of those were on offense.
I find it very easy to see 11 this year, if mostly on D with the exception of OL. We are reestablishing depth on the 53 and PS. Will we pick 11, maybe not if a pick yields a player they particularly want via trade, but I could just as easily see picking 12 after a trade back. We will still add a few UDFAs on top of that too. Sapp and Telfort were additional UDFAs who are still on the 90 even after those 13 picks.
The idea that you can only use 8 picks or so is a hold over from when our roster was largely established and the focus on keeping it together. This year is “2023 II, the defensive edition” (plus OL).
Renllaw
March 29, 2024 at 12:20 pm
I think we might have room…
On the O-Line we need to replace Runyan and Nijman. And looking to upgrade Newman = 3
Safety we are looking to replace Owens and Ford. Looking to upgrade Anderson (Added Mckinny) = 2
Linebacker we are looking to replace Campbell. Looking to upgrade Wilson, plus we need 2 for the room = 4
Corner we are looking to upgrade Rochelle and Ballentine = 2
We need to refill special teams with some bodies also….
They don’t all have to be rookies. But why the heck not with Gute’s recent hit rate in the draft?
NickPerry
March 29, 2024 at 08:04 am
I've been looking forward to THIS draft since the end of the season. Gute went out and signed the best FA Safety he could but IMO still needs another. He also HAS to address the ILB position. Where I'll be watching is how he addresses the O-Line.
This is Meyers last year and IMO you don't extend him based on those first 3 years for sure so Center is a need. Whether it's moving Tom or leaving him where he is, the Packers need to draft at least 3 O-Linemen.
A ILB, Safety, a couple of O-Linemen, and a DE or DT with those first 5 picks in no particular order would make me pretty happy. Gute has five picks in the first 91 selections...With THAT kind of ammunition Gutey can afford to let the board come to him and take the BPA.
This draft is all about putting the whipped cream and cherry on top of an already really, REALLY good team.
Turophile
March 29, 2024 at 08:10 am
Talking about the strength of the draft is all very well, but it looks a little different with CBs and OTs when, by the time the Packers probably pick at #25, the top 5 CBs and top 5 OTs are all off the board. Is the 6th best CB or OT better than (for example) the best IOL (Powers-Johnson or Barton), DL (Murphy), or Safety (if you see DeJean as a Safety) ?
Round 2 (pick 58) and 3 is a sweet spot for a safety, after the original top two safeties (Kinchens and Nubin) tested poorly. One of Bullard, Hicks, Bullock or Bishop could be there at 88, but if you really want to secure a specific one of those 4, you might be tempted to get them earlier at #58. You could wait until round 4 for Taylor-Demerson, but he might not be there at #126.
For Inside Linebacker, you could shell out early for Cooper at #41 and the Packers do appear to like him, but my favourite prospect is Junior Colson, either at #41 or more likely at #58. Wilson is probably the top prospect as has everything you need.......except for a long injury history that might mean he is entirely off the Packers big board. If you miss out early, then Trotter in the 3rd (he is rather light in the pants but has great intangibles and smarts) or Gray or Eichenberg, in the 4th.
The Packers could use a slot corner. While Sainristil seems the best out there, he has risen on the draft boards until he is a mid 2nd pick which may be too high for the Packers. However they really like Jarrian Jones, who is a fine fallback option and fits what the Packers like. There is some dispute as to where he slots in on a big board, but may well be available at #126.
golfpacker1
March 29, 2024 at 08:13 pm
Hey Turo, I am with you as in NO to a first round CB or OT. A BIG yes to drafting Powers-Johnson if he is available @ #25. If not trade back to # 42 with the Texans and get their other second rounder #59. That blows the draft wide open for us.
Trading back helps us not hurts us, because we don't reach for the best OG in the draft who happens to be:
#41 Cooper Beebe-OG/OT/OC #1 Need Filled and he plays OT better than Barton
#42 Junior Colson (He is my favorite and the BEST all around LB in this draft). The Packers had Cooper in for a visit,
but he could be gone so we get Colson for sure @ #41-Can't take one later than #41
#58 Kam Kinchens-S-He ran 4.51 @ Pro Day-or wildcard pick best DT available-T Sweat ??
Sneaky need Pick but not in first round
#59-Khyree Jackson-CB-If Stokes is a no show again-replace him -trade him-if he regains form trade Alexander in 2025
PackEyedOptimist
March 29, 2024 at 08:28 am
I like the concept and effort of this article a lot, but I think it errs in saying "which position is best to attack with which pick." It should say "which position is most likely to be attacked."
"Best" is completely dependent on who is AVAILABLE. If Cooper DeJean drops to 25, you don't say "Only QB/WR/OT are worthy."
That said, my current prediction is that Gute will choose Kingsley Suamataia at 25, or possibly Cooper DeJean. KS is just a typical Gute pick: young, high RAS lineman at a position of need. (Having Tom really helps, since he can move to IOL if we pick an OT high)
41 is really tough to guess. The quality from around pick 20 to 100 is more equal than usual, so it all depends on other teams' Big Boards. I predict people will be very surprised at where players get picked. The DTs are especially wild cards; guys like Orhorhoro, Fiske, Taylor, Hall, Smith, Robinson, Wingo, and Davis could go anywhere in any order.
My useless guess is that Gute will take a LB at 41: Edgerrin Cooper seems the most his type--super fast, long arms, aggressive style which suits the new system. I'd RATHER get a Center/Guard at 41, especially Zach Frazier if he drops, but I don't think Gute will like him as much as I do.
At 58 anything goes. I could see a DT here, or a S if we didn't get either at 25 or 41. Safety Calen Bullock screams Gute + new DC: only 20 years old, extremely smart with great ball skills/playmaker. I could also see DT Michael Hall (or Braden Fiske or Ruke Orhorhoro, but I think they will already be gone).
88 and 91 will likely fill whatever two positions of these five haven't already been filled: OT, IOL, LB, S, or RB, UNLESS a clear Best Available Player is there (at any position)
I want to also state that I absolutely don't think we need to pick a RB before pick 169; Jackson and Dillon are going to be our #1 and #2 backs. Wilson seems a very capable #3.
Now, if Trey Benson is there at 88/91, I could see Gute taking him, but we don't NEED a RB early; next year would be a better year to draft one high.
golfpacker1
March 29, 2024 at 10:02 am
I don't understand the rationale of waiting until #169 to pick a RB. If you wait that long you get to choose from 3 or 4 of the Bottom 10 RBs in the draft. If you select one @ #88 or #91, you are choosing from 6 of the TOP 10 and GB is picking one to be RB2 on this year's team. A guy that could get 120 carries easily. The guy we choose could be in line to replace Jacobs next year or in 2 years if this doesn't work. His contract is structured if that happens.
It would be huge if in a couple of small trades back GB could acquire extra picks in the 4th & 5th rounds. The picks we have there are at the wrong end of the round to pick effectively. If we trade back from #25 or from #88 or #91 gaining those picks would be doable.
MooPack
March 29, 2024 at 08:43 am
This is my pipe dream draft. I got this a couple days ago at consensus. I think the algorithm it uses is a bit goofy. One day you get a guy falling 10-20 spots, same day you get the same guy taken 10-20 spots higher than it has him rated. Even when there is no movement on their big board. Probably done on purpose to keep it interesting. At PFF you get the same guys pretty much over and over.
My Pipe Dream:
25) S Cooper DeJean
41) OT King Sua
58) LB Edgerrin Cooper
88) RB Jaylen Wright
91) Edge Myles Cole
126) OG Brandon Coleman
169) CB Jarrian Jones
All these guys are probably going to go higher than where I got them, but again, why I call it my pipe dream. Be kind to my dream. ;)
Alberta_Packer
March 29, 2024 at 11:16 am
At this date Moo - your mock is just as valid as anyone else's. By the way I really like Jaylen Wright at 88. In a recent interview Gutie disclosed that he would really like to add a RB who is a good receiver. Jaylen Wright is certainly that. Another (and my draft crush) is Tyrone Tracey Jr.
MooPack
March 29, 2024 at 11:26 am
Yeah, I really like Tracy as well. If anyone looks A. Jones esque, it's Tracy. Couple inches taller. Former WR that added 15 lbs. Obviously good receiver. Also good blocker. Very good vision and cut ability. Elite explosion and agility scores. Pretty good production for someone that made the switch. If they pass on some guys in the 3rd round, he may last til the 4th.
Alberta_Packer
March 29, 2024 at 11:51 am
Another consideration for TTJ is that he is also a KR. With the new kick off rules this year - 2 KRs will be required on the field. Of course Nixon is 1 but another is now needed. As for Tracey's receiving skills - some analysts think that he is good enough to be a slot receiver.
MooPack
March 29, 2024 at 11:58 am
I saw that. You may have just convinced me to go for Tracy over Wright. (if they wait)
LLCHESTY
March 29, 2024 at 12:17 pm
Wright averaged 6.4 yards a catch. Brooks and Benson both had more catches and averaged over 10 yards a catch. Lloyd averaged 17.8 yards a catch. There are better options than Wright if they want a receiving back.
golfpacker1
March 29, 2024 at 08:50 am
I have said all year that this year's draft, the needs we have, where our picks in the first 3 rounds are at, and where the position groups are strongest or will come off the board at, really align with GB to have a super strong first 2 days.
This article shows that you can plan out a draft strategy by filling GBs needs at certain spots. BPA is not set in stone for all teams or any pick, especially the Packers this year. And what's really great is GB can win this draft 2 different ways. If we just stay put where we currently pick, we fill all 5 biggest needs with:
#25-Interior OL
#41-LB
#58-CB or S
#88-S or CB or RB
#91-RB or CB or S
Or if we trade back from #25, and today I saw a mock on Lombardi Ave that sent #25 to Texans for #42 & #59
That would be almost ideal to select :
#41 Cooper Beebe
#42 Cooper or Colson,
#58 Best CB
#59 Best Safety
What a start that would be. From there I would move some combo of one of the 2 third rounders & some late picks to score 2 more picks in the 4th & 5th rounds.
Any combo of RBs, Edge, S, CB, DT using the picks from #88 on.
packers_0808
March 29, 2024 at 11:03 am
Hafley runs a lot of single high safety coverages, so we don't necessarily need 2 studs at safety. I think that we should see what Anthony Johnson Jr. has to offer as a starter this year for the double high safety packages. This year's safety class is weak and I dont like any of the options, if Johnson doesn't pan out, we can draft a early round safety next year.
Coldworld
March 29, 2024 at 11:57 am
Johnson had significant issues tackling last year. Where he showed flashes was deep. He might be depth at FS, but seriously doubt he’s under consideration to play box safety at this point, particularly in a Hafley system. Sapp, though a tad smaller, might even be a more likely depth candidate there.
LLCHESTY
March 29, 2024 at 12:22 pm
At this point I'd say they don't have a starter or backup at SS. It looks like they don't have any interest in resigning Ford even though he was their best safety last year. I'd be ok with signing Gipson as a one year stopgap. He played 976 snaps for the 49ers with a 4.8% missed tackle rate and would probably be under $2.5 million. Let him compete with a rookie at SS and be a veteran presence in a very young room.
Coldworld
March 29, 2024 at 03:03 pm
I’d agree. I think we see how the draft goes and will then consider more FA. By this point, that’s probably the remaining FA veteran safeties’ strategy too as the best chance to maximize pay outside of waiting for injuries.
golfpacker1
March 29, 2024 at 08:45 pm
How about Micha Hyde for same $$?
Alberta_Packer
March 29, 2024 at 11:34 am
I know that the Packers have 11 picks. However, on more than one occasion Gutie has subtly mentioned that he may not want to add that many new players onto the roster. So my guess is that he'll end up with 9 - after trading down once and trading up twice - particularly targeting the sweet spots. Thus ending-up with:
3 O-line
2 CB-Safety
2 LB
1 RB
1 DL/TE/WR
I think that he'll bypass on drafting a QB - as none in Day 3 appear more impressive than Clifford. Still, we can expect a boatload of UDFAs - in all positions.
Coldworld
March 29, 2024 at 12:14 pm
I think your top 6 is pretty much dead on except that I could see 2 safeties as well as a corner.
As to how many, Gute is just signaling that he will not be afraid to move about to get players he thinks represent the best opportunity to help the team. He will sacrifice later picks if he think that’s justified and can find a taker. Otherwise, like last year, he will take what falls.
While I think it’s quite possible we take a DL, I don’t think an edge rusher is out of the question, possibly a speed type. I would not be at all surprised if we don’t draft a TE at all. I’d not be all that surprised if we do not draft a WR and do take an extra RB, CB, ILB, OL or S or a developmental QB. If not, we are likely to after the draft.
There is a lot of unproven depth on the current off season roster, in some cases there’s still an absolute lack of depth. We need to restock our PS as well as the roster and there’s going to be a lot of competition for those already on the back end of the 90. That’s not worth missing on a covered player earlier, but if the draft falls in a way that doesn’t trigger the trade up option, we have plenty of opportunities to improve the strength and upside of our depth.
Alberta_Packer
March 29, 2024 at 01:57 pm
I muse that we (GB) may have too many draft picks. Conversely, what is it like for a fan base when their team has too few? Like the Bears with 4 or the Browns with 5.
I believe that a person has more of a chance of selecting the winning Power Ball numbers - than to precisely predict what Gutekunst will do from April 25 -27. This is the game-sport-entertainment for me. To match my draft board with Gutie's. If I get 50% correct - I would be thrilled.