The 1st Round of the 2024 NFL Draft is in the books, and for almost the entirety of the Draft, Packers fan were saying, "We've got them right where we want them." Unfortunately, or more like as predicted, instead of making the "smart decision" to draft a Cooper DeJean, Kool-Aid McKinstry, Graham Barton or Jer'Zhan Newton amongst other favored picks, the Packers took a swing tackle in Jordan Morgan out of Arizona. And like some of you, I just can't get enough of watching the Packers World burn to the ground in protest. But, whether you like it or not, Jordan Morgan is now a Packer, and he fits a need of upgrading and/or adding competition to the offensive line. Lotta ballgame left though, because Rounds 2 & 3 are up next Friday night.

The Packers are going into Friday night with four selections - tied for 2nd-Most in the league. With the Jordan Morgan pick locked in, I'm sure many a fan is wondering if Gutekunst will look to add any more players to the mix on the offensive line. And of course, there's the millions upon millions of cries to add a Safety, and they likely won't stop til Iowa's Cooper DeJean's services have likely been secured elsewhere around the league. Moving to a 4-3 system under new Defensive Coordinator Jeff Hafley will also warrant some reinforcements at the Linebacker position, with all but Quay Walker's spot up for grabs. Keisean Nixon is returning with a new $6M contract (and it won't be just to return kicks), but I wouldn't mind a CB being brought in to challenge him and Eric Stokes for more time. While I don't necessarily agree with the analysis, some think the Packers may be looking to add to the Defensive Tackle room as well, but it seems like more of a luxury given the other needs on the team. And while I do think the Wide Receiver room is just fine as is, there have been whispers of adding a vertical threat to the group, which I would consider the ultimate luxury at this point.

Like many of you, I thought 25th might be up for sale when the likes of Amarius Mims, Quinyon Mitchell, and Terrion Arnold went off the board. But since the Packers stood pat and took Morgan, 4 picks are likely all we'll see tonight. However never say never, as Gutekunst expressed he will be picking up the phone to hear teams out; although I suspect at this stage of the game, compensation coming back will likely include Day 3 or 2025 picks. I've sifted through my board, which is very, very much intact, and came away with a few names that I'd love to see in Lambeau in 2024.

Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB - Alabama

I have McKinstry as my CB3 in this year's class. What's great about Kool-Aid is he's just as physical in the run game as he is in coverage, he also has the flexibility to play in the slot. I love his willingness to fight for the ball through the catchpoint. Should he fall to the Packers in the 2nd Round, it gives me Eddie Lacy vibes all over again, and we can hail Gutekunst as the genius he is.

Kingsley Suamataia, OT - BYU

Suamataia might be the best mover left on the board at his position. He has the ideal size and length for the position and for the most part, is technically sound. I have some minor concerns given the level of competition he faced at BYU, but I do believe he's more than capable as an OT at the NFL level. 

Adonai Mithcell, WR - Texas

There are rumblings of the Packers desiring a vertical weapon to add to their list of weapons, and Mitchell certainly fits the bill. Mitchell ran a 4.34 forty with a 2.5 twenty and 1.48 ten. You know who posted very similar testing numbers? Christian Watson. Whereas I would prefer Watson as the "X" Receiver, Mitchell profiles as a "Z". What I love most about Mitchell is he can win with more than just speed; he excels at selling the route, stacking his man, and has the IQ to break off his stem to find the hole in zone coverage. Let's not forget the Packers' well-documented success in the 2nd Round with drafting WRs either.

Max Melton, CB - Rutgers

The younger brother of Packers WR Bo Melton is CB4 in this year's class, he's just as fast as he is physical, and he was baptized by fire in the BigTen. I have no qualms about Melton starting Day 1 on the outside for the Packers. He brings the "edginess" that I hope Coach Haf can reinsert back into the secondary(and the defense overall); which will be a welcome addition with the NFC North loading up on offense Thursday night.

Kiran Amegadjie, OT - Yale

Kiran may be a little on the raw side, but his play inspires you that he can be a future All-Pro down the line. He received an invite to the Senior Bowl but was unable to compete due to injury; but once fully recovered, the future seems bright for this former Ivy League star. 

Cooper DeJean, SS - Iowa

I'm only putting DeJean in here so you guys can get your panties out of a bunch. But in all seriousness, the league has trended towards the Safety position not being a priority in the 1st Round, so no surprise he's still available. However, I do think DeJean is this year's SS1, and Gutekunst said when asked about DeJean that he would "play him where he needed him"; that position is Strong Safety. I like DeJean's ball skills and think he's best when he has his eyes to the QB so he can break on routes. He has a blue-collar mentality, which should be a plus for the run game. What's a SS's value in the 2nd Round when other premium positions are also available? I guess we'll soon find out.

Renardo Green, CB - Florida State

Green has my CB5 ranking this year, and he may even be more physical than CB3 McKinstry before him. That physicality could get him in trouble though, as NFL refs will be throwing the flag if he continues to be too grabby down the field. Green is flexible at both Boundary Cornerback and Nickel, and you know what...I think he's got some Safety in him too. 

Chris Braswell, OLB - Alabama

There's so much focus on the Linebacker position that fans are forgetting there's another Outside Linebacker position to be filled too, and that group is far more shallow than the inside guys. Braswell is better against the run than pass right now but his incredible strength will give many an Offensive Tackle anxiety. If he can develop his hands and pass rush plan I see him as an impressive "Sam" Linebacker who seals the edge and forces the QB to make a decision when he collapses the pocket.

Edgerrin Cooper, LB - Texas A&M

Considered the LB1 in this year's class, "Edge" is built to thrive in the middle of the defense. He crashes down with a controlled level of chaos and has the chops to cover RBs and TEs in the open field. He's a little on the lighter side for what would be considered the prototypical 4-3 MLB, but his athleticism is in line with what the modern-day LB should be. Considered even better than Quay Walker when he came out of Georgia, Edgerrin Cooper should be a Day 1 starter in Hafley's defense.

Ruke Orhoroho, DT - Clemson

An absolute freak at the Defensive Tackle position, I don't know what Ruke can't do on the defensive line. Ruke needs some real coaching to fully unlock his potential as he's been winning purely off athleticism, which won't cut it in the NFL. If Coach Haf & Co. can coach him up, he's a lock for being a future All-Pro.

Kris Jenkins Jr., DT - Michigan

The son of a former All-Pro, Jenkins plays similar to his dad, but isn't quite his dad when it comes to rushing the passer. Probably the class' strongest athlete, Jenkins will be an immediate disrupter in the run game. As a card-carrying member of the "Get Kenny Some Help" Club, Jenkins is a guy who can contribute right away in the rotation on 1st and 2nd downs. With additional development, he's a "never leave the field" type of player.

Christian Haynes, OG - Connecticut

Troy Fautanu be damned, UConn's Haynes is my OG1 in this year's class. He dominated all comers at the Senior Bowl, making the edge rushers look like kids trying to go through a brick wall. He's Day 1 ready for the NFL and would instantly transform the Packers' offensive line interior.

Jarrian Jones, CB - Florida State

If I had to say there was a Nickel1, it would be Jones. Despite less-than-ideal arm length, the Packers did bring him in for a visit. His production this past year was incredible. And while I do see him as Nickel only, he could be a future star manning the slot.

Cam Hart, CB - Notre Dame

At 6'3, Hart is likely to be on many teams' list on Day 2. He possesses better-than-good man-coverage skills and is more than adequate against the run. I've heard rumors of some teams wanting to try him at either Safety position too given the underwhelming class at the position. If the Packers are interested, they probably need to move sooner rather than later.

Jermaine Burton, WR - Alabama

Burton, the vertical threat in Bama's aerial attack, was brought in by the Packers for a visit. I think it was likely to see if he had learned from his maturity/character concerns in Tuscaloosa. If there are no perceived issues there, the speed and the skills are readily apparent from the tape; with some additional muscle and work on his release against press-man, Burton is a future weapon at X, Z, or in the slot. Depending on how teams view his growth in that area, he could be the low-hanging fruit for the Packers on the back end of Day 2. 

Jackson Powers-Johnson, OC - Oregon

Since Graham Barton went first, Powers-Johnson is OC2 for 2024. Powers-Johnson, possibly considered the most outstanding lineman at the Senior Bowl was just a bully up front. He's not a total paperweight either, that frame has some agility to boot. I think he's probably too large for the Packers' thresholds and is probably gone too early, but if he were to slide a little too much, maybe Gutekunst might bite.

Jonathan Brooks, RB - Texas

Given the Packers' latest trend to take guys with some injury woes, it's not hard to project the Longhorns' Brooks to the Packers late on Day 2. Had he been healthy, Texas might have claimed another National Championship. Brooks has a hard running style that may not be long for the NFL, but I can't think of a better mentor than Josh Jacobs to mentor him on how to be successful in the NFL. If he can unlock more elusiveness to his game, which I do believe is there on the tape, this is a bell-cow back in the making for the Green and Gold.

Trey Benson, RB - Florida State

Possibly this year's RB1 in a weak class. Benson's patience and ability to turn a wrinkle of grass into chunk gains is a welcome addition to any offense. While there is a desire for him to put on more weight and get better in pass-pro, Benson profiles immediately as a change of pace back who can provide immediate value in the passing game. With new RB Josh Jacobs in the fold for only a two-year contract, Benson provides a potential long-term solution at the position that could develop into a mainstay for years to come.

Christian Mahogany, OG - Boston College

One of the 2024 Joseph's Gems, Mahogany played for new DC Jeff Hafley in a power gap scheme, but his movement skills show he can be more than good in a zone scheme as well. Mahogany looks to finish you every play, it's the nastiness that I think this offensive line group desperately needs up front when it's time to move the pile.

Mason McCormick, OG - South Dakota State

The most athletic Guard in the class with a 9.96 RAS, I have to believe that Gutekunst is in on McCormick. As one scout put it, "He plays like an a**hole." What's not to like about that? Should Jordan Morgan pan out at LT, McCormick is an instant contributor at the RG spot. I have concerns about his functional strength, to go along with his footwork and punch. But if he can answer those questions in the preseason, Sean Rhyan will have no choice but to concede the starting role. Coming out of the small NFL Factory that SDSU has become recently, he should be a surefire fan favorite next to his former teammate Tucker Kraft.

Jaylen Wright, RB - Tennessee

The Volunteers' Wright blew the testing out of the water but the tape is questionable. He has blazing-fast speed, but his vision is lacking and he gets brought down way too easily. He's a project that could come along later down the line, which is hopefully towards the end of Josh Jacobs' contract. Immediately, though he profiles as a change of pace back who can give Jacobs and A.J. Dillon a spell and compete with Emmanuel Wilson for additional snaps down the road.

21 players, 4 picks (for now). Could the next four Packers come from this list? Or maybe none of these players become Packers...which do you think is more likely? Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft begins at 6 pm Central, 7 pm Eastern. I'll see you all right back here on Saturday for the Day 3 Targets.

#GPG