These Players Would Be the Packers’ “Perfect” Draft Picks
These athletes would be ideal candidates given the Green Bay Packers’ six selections in the first four rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft.
the Green Bay Packers and general manager Brian Gutekunst, the 2024 NFL Draft is very important. Gutekunst has put the team in a position to contend for a Super Bowl as early as 2024 after dominating each of the previous two draft classes.
The Packers could overcome their apprehension and make it to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2010 if they add a couple more impact players in this draft class.
When someone begins working on a mock draft, their goal is to achieve perfection. NFL general managers are in the same boat. If Gutekunst had his wish, he could select any player in this draft class at any moment while he was in the clock. Although that is obviously not possible, some players are ranked according to the rounds in which Gutekunst believes they offer the highest value.
Using the Consensus Big Board at Mock Draft Database and other mock draft websites, the goal of this exercise was to determine which player would be the best fit for each of the Packers’ first-round picks who would really be available when they’re on the clock.
Joe Alt, the offensive tackle from Notre Dame, is one player Gutekunst probably adores, but he won’t be available unless something terrible happens in the interim before the day.
With their position on the Consensus Board shown in parenthesis, these are our selections for each of the team’s first six picks.
Ever since the draft season started, DeJean has been the Packers’ most mocked player. That makes sense. His school is one that the Packers have previously had success selecting players from. A season ago, they had just selected Lukas Van Ness, one of DeJean’s old colleagues, in the first round.
DeJean might be used as a slot corner, safety, or cornerback. He had a 4:44 40-yard dash and a 38.5 vertical jump at this week’s pro day.
DeJean might face off against Eric Stokes and Carrington Valentine for a position in the outside corner. As the slot corner, he might pose a challenge to Keisean Nixon. Alongside Xavier McKinney, he might start at safety.
As one of the top punt returners in college football, he may assume the lead role if none of those things work out for him in his first season.
There are instances when a choice that is considered the most obvious is made for a purpose.
DeJean is the ideal first-round selection because he resolves a ton of possible problems for Green Bay.
This is a bit of a stretch pick, given the Packers might also consider Barton at 25th overall. Across the NFL, this might be the case. Many teams might be vying for the adaptable Duke talent.
Still, there’s a chance that Barton falls through the cracks. He has shorter arms, and a prospect may occasionally be hurt by a versatile player.
Green Bay would not experience that. Elgton Jenkins was selected 44th overall, and Barton can theoretically play all five positions and has a similar resume.
One tackle for the Packers has less-than-ideal metrics on his roster. Zach Tom has too few arms and is too tiny. In addition, he is their top offensive lineman.
Josh Jacobs was signed by the Packers this summer for a high salary, but if things don’t work out, Jacobs might only be on the team for one season. On a new one-year contract, AJ Dillon was signed.
When Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams’ contracts were about to expire in 2020, the Packers used the 62nd overall pick to acquire Dillon. Even if Jacob’s contract isn’t actually ending, there may be a similar circumstance here. Benson has the ability to hit home runs, which this Packers backfield lacks, even if Jacobs gets back to his All-Pro level. In the passing game, he has more room to develop.
In the event that Dillon struggles, Benson could surge into the role of backup running back while still having plenty of time to study the NFL game with Jacobs and Dillon.
Benson might provide the Packers with the youthful, dynamic legs they need in the backfield, regardless of how his rookie campaign plays out.
Burton just had a predraft visit to Green Bay, and more research indicates that the Packers would naturally be interested in a receiver of his caliber.
Without a real deep threat to take the top off of opposing defenses, the attack of the Packers is essentially different. This has been the case ever since Jordy Nelson’s ACL injury kept him out of the 2015 campaign for the whole duration.
Christian Watson is the team’s deep threat, and his game-changing speed makes the offense better when he is in the lineup. Without him, Bo Melton is the only receiver on the team with those kinds of abilities. Melton did have a strong conclusion to the 2023 campaign, but it was his first meaningful contribution to an NFL offense.
With an average of more than 20 yards per reception while at Alabama, Burton was a big-play machine. In the last two seasons at Alabama, he has scored 15 touchdowns.
Although Watson has endless potential, it’s always a good idea to have insurance. Too many times now, the Packers have suffered from a lack of a second-speed threat. Burton would take care of that.
There is much to be desired in the linebacker class. The Packeers have been in contact with Edgerrin Cooper, but his signing would probably necessitate the deployment of funds that would be better used elsewhere.
Gray’s position on the Consensus Board is 92nd, which coincides with the position of the Packers’ second third-round selection, which is anticipated to be at 91.
The Packers were hoping for a combination when they selected Walker and signed recently released De’Vondre Campbell to a large contract. Gray may partner with the incredibly athletic Quay Walker.
With Walker, the Packers prized Gray’s ability to run and hit. The expectation would be for him to be more reliable.
As a former Wisconsin Badger, Bortolini is a familiar name to most Packers fans. This choice is not based on nepotism. Bortolini is a player. He was a five-position player at Wisconsin and is most likely the team’s best swing player on the interior.
Although there were some issues with his snaps when he was a center, Bortolini is still a starter and can be fixed. On the Consensus Big Board, he is rated 143, and the Packers are scheduled to select him 126th in the fourth round.
More than ten years ago, Gutekunst was heavily involved in the selection of David Bakhtiari. Two years ago, he selected Zach Tom in the fourth round. With the potential to contribute in his first season and succeed Josh Myers, a free agent to be in 2025, Bortolini might be the next player in that line.
