One week closer to the NFL Draft, and another mock draft is here to figure out how the Green Bay Packers could best use their 11 picks.
This week, we looked at a way to solve some of the needs the Packers have, while also giving a nod to some of the potential hints they’ve given via predraft visits.
Using the Pro Football Network simulator, this mock draft shook out a little differently than some of the others, with one big exception, which required a small move up the board.
First Round: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
Guyton is one of the team’s predraft visits, having taken a trip to Green Bay recently. The massive offensive tackle is likely seen as a left tackle after protecting the blindside of southpaw quarterback Dillon Gabriel in Oklahoma’s pass-happy offense.
With Guyton on the board and with the Packers having brought in Guyton and Amarius Mims for predraft visits, the thought is they are looking at the top of the class for an offensive lineman.
With that in mind, general manager Brian Gutekunst is not shy about going up to get his guy in the first round. He has traded up to get Jaire Alexander, Darnell Savage, Jordan Love and Lukas Van Ness during his tenure.
Guyton would add to that list and give the team an opportunity to replace former All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari with a high-upside prospect. A move from 25 to 21 cost both of the team’s sixth-round picks.
That’s a move that would be more than worth It if Guyton lives up to his potential.
Guyton oozes athleticism and would be afforded patience with the team having Rasheed Walker and Zach Tom set as capable starters.
Second Round: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
Coleman could be seen as a luxury pick in this spot, but there is an argument to be made that the Packers do not have a full handle of how good their receivers are at this point in their careers.
In addition, Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson will be entering contract years in 2025, which could have the team looking to the future.
The Packers did not need a receiver when they took Randall Cobb or Jordy Nelson. They don’t necessarily need one now, but Coleman’s ability and potential is too much to pass up in this spot.
Second Round: Michael Hall Jr., DT, Ohio State
Hall was another predraft visit to Green Bay, who could be looking for some reinforcements on their defensive line.
Hall is another good pass rusher that could compete with Colby Wooden, who had a relatively nondescript rookie season, and add some more punch to what could be a vicious pass rush.
Third Round: Renardo Green, CB, Florida State
Green is an aggressive cornerback that could play on the boundary, as the Packers only have one cornerback they should feel good about trusting. Jaire Alexander is a great player when he’s healthy.
Every other cornerback on the roster has a giant question mark next to his name.
Third Round: Blake Corum, RB, Michigan
Corum is a tough, hard-nosed runner with a similar size to Aaron Jones, who the Packers recently released. With 731 touches in four seasons, there are concerns about his enormous workload in college, but Corum has upside as a runner and in the passing game.
Corum would be looked at as a long-term replacement to either AJ Dillon or Josh Jacobs should they choose to move on from either player after the 2024 season.
Fourth Round: Tykee Smith, S, Georgia
Waiting until the fourth round to pick a safety is likely not high on the Packers’ list of preferences, but if there’s anything we’ve learned about Gutekunst, is that he won’t force a pick just to say he picked a player at a position.
Smith had four interceptions and two pass breakups in 2023. His four interceptions would have doubled the total that led the Packers a season ago.
Fifth Round: Elijah Jones, CB, Boston College
Jones is an easy mid-round choice because of the familiarity he has with the Packers’ defensive coordinator. Jones played for Jeff Hafley at Boston College and spoke highly of him at the Scouting Combine.
“I love Coach Haf, man,” Jones told Packer Central. “Great football mind. Biggest thing I think he helped my game was just how I learned about football. That it's not just going out there and playing the game, it's more about understanding your opponent, understand how you’re going to attack, and he was just a great teacher.”
Seventh Round: Jordan Magee, LB, Temple
The linebacker board just never fell in a way that made sense to pick one, so one of the seventh-round picks is going to have a big opportunity to make an impact in 2024.
With big-time athleticism, Magee had 41 run stops for Temple in 2023. He could have an opportunity to win a starting job with the release of De’Vondre Campbell.
Seventh Round: Sam Hartman, QB, Notre Dame
Hartman has a bunch of experience, and Gutekunst has said he wants to get back into the practice of drafting quarterbacks.
With more than 15,600 career passing yards, he’d compete with Alex McGough for a spot on the practice squad.
What Worked?
Guyton is the left tackle of the future. The offense received some other added firepower with the additions of Coleman and Corum. The defense and a talented defensive lineman in Hall along with a pair of talented defensive backs in the middle rounds.
Guyton required a small move up the board, but if he’s a star left tackle of the future, he is more than worth the two sixth-round picks that were used to move up the board to get him.
What Didn’t Work?
The linebacker class is not considered to be a great one, and all of the top prospects were off the board by the time the Packers’ second pick in the second round came around.
This could be a scenario in which Brian Gutekunst may need to explore the trade market.
There will also be some reliance on Royce Newman and internal options along the interior, as we failed to find a suitable player.
The trade for Guyton limited the ability to potentially grab another linebacker, safety or offensive lineman later in the draft. That’s something that would be more than worthwhile if Guyton reaches his potential.
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