After the first wave of free agency, the Green Bay Packers signed safety Xavier McKinney and running back Josh Jacobs. Who are they getting in the latest mock drafts?
The Packers are a difficult team to define, much like many other teams that select in the second half of the first round.
Most mock drafts have offensive linemen, defensive backs, and pass rushers coming to the Packers at No. 25.
Kiper: I wonder if this is a landing site for the best pure edge rusher in this class, or if Green Bay is another team looking to target one of these offensive tackles—David Bakhtiari was cut last week.
Although Lukas Van Ness was selected in the first round a year ago, he is more of a run-stopper and power rusher than a real double-digit sack generator. Over the previous two seasons, Latu recorded 111 quarterback pressures and 23.5 sacks.
He is already proficient in technique and possesses exceptional pass-rushing abilities. He has some medical concerns; in 2021, while playing football for Washington, he had to retire from the game due to a neck injury.
For this reason, he is not a lock to be selected in the top 15. Still, I adore how well he fits with the Packers.
Breakdown: If the Packers are satisfied with Latu’s medicals, they may not need a first-round edge rusher. However, he would be difficult to pass up. At a premium position, he is a good athlete (9.30 RAS), and pass-rushers with his caliber of work and abilities are rarely available this late in the first round.
Sikkema: The Packers might still use another impactful safety, even with the addition of Xavier McKinney in free agency.
The more I considered it, the more I liked the concept of putting playmakers in the back end of this defense.
Nubin possesses talent, productivity, and experience. He should be selected in the first round.
Breakdown: Although not everyone thinks Nubin is a first-round talent, the Packers could have an interesting safety combination if they pair him with Xavier McKinney.
Nubin could take on the position of strong safety/robber, while McKinney would handle post-safety duties. Nubin is a great fit for a squad looking to increase productivity on the ball in a vision-based covering scheme.
Jeremiah:David Bakhtiari is no longer with the Packers. Although Mims’ potential would be incredibly alluring in this situation, I could still see Green Bay using this choice in a number of different paths.
Breakdown: Yosh Nijman and David Bakhtiari are gone, so the Packers really need an offensive lineman.
Even if Zach Tom and Rasheed Walker played fantastically in the last months of 2023, it is still possible to protect a top offensive spot, especially with Jordan Love set to ink a massive contract extension.
