Green Bay Packers mock draft: Best and worst-case scenarios for Matt LaFleur in 2024 NFL Draft
The Green Bay Packers are a team that has their quarterback and are ready to improve now. The issue for Matt LaFleur is finding the right balance between starting quality and effective depth in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Jordan Love’s ability to replace Aaron Rodgers has been surprising but in a good way. It has been testament to the long-held tradition of Green Bay drafting the right player at the right time, even if it will upset fans.
Matt LaFleur took the league by surprise in guiding the Packers to the divisional round of the playoffs in 2023, and they gave the San Francisco 49ers a hell of a fright in that game.
Of course, the Packers over-performed and will need to bolster their roster, but LaFleur’s coaching showed just why he is so respected in Wisconsin.
Perhaps the most important position for the Packers to hit on in this draft is offensive tackle. They need to protect Love better, and drafting a player in that position in the first-round will be very likely.
Unless one of the star receivers inexplicably drops in the manner of Laremy Tunsil, don’t expect fireworks from the Packers in the first-round. They are going offensive tackle, and their team will be better for it.
Green Bay Packers 2024 NFL mock draft scenarios
Packers mock draft: Best-case scenario
Sportskeeda’s 7-round Mock Draft simulator agrees with me that the Packers will focus on their offensive line with their opening selection. JC Latham is a massive human and a lineman who has the fundamentals of the position perfected.
You won’t find him making sloppy mistakes or giving away penalties. He’s one of the most disciplined rookies we’ve seen at the position in years. He doesn’t get turned around by defenders and remains in the perfect position to protect his quarterback.
The only real concerns about Latham center around his weight. If he doesn’t shed some pounds, there are going to be issues on whether he could be on the field for every down, and that’s far from ideal.
Green Bay have always been a franchise that's seen as professional and perhaps embodying the very best of American Football. Whilst there isn’t a glaring need for a pass rusher right now, Bralen Trice out of Washington just fits in Green Bay.
He’s not a glittering star or a media phenom; he isn’t Sauce Gardner, but he gets a locker room behind him. He's the consummate professional, and people forget that in 2022 his pass rushing stats were up there with anyone in the collegiate ranks.
In the second-round, this is a steal of a pick and one that just fits with the Green Bay ethos.
Addressing needs in the third-round sees the Packers selecting Payton Wilson out of NC State. He’s a mobile linebacker who has tremendous vision for the game, as well as the speed to act out on what he sees happening in front of him. Experts say that he has a complete game at the position, and that's exactly what the Packers need.
Injuries have been a problem and seen him drop out of first-round contention, but if he stays healthy, this is a starting NFL defender right here.
Green Bay need depth in the backfield and they are able to add two players with potential in Josh Newton and Malik Mustapha. Both are interchangeable in whether they can play at cornerback or at safety, and they look capable of vast development with reps in the NFL.
Classic Green Bay. These aren’t exciting picks but, in a year, or two, you’re looking at these guys as cornerstones of a championship defense.
Here are the picks in full:
· JC Latham, OT, Alabama
· Bralen Trice, EDGE, Washington
· Payton Wilson, LB, NC State
· Josh Newton, CB, TCU
· Malik Mustapha, S, Wake Forest
· Mason McCormick, OG, South Dakota State
· Malik Washington, WR, Virginia
· Myles Murphy, DT, North Carolina
· Marcus Harris, DT, Auburn
· Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin
· Sanoussi Kane, S, Purdue
Packers mock draft: Worst-case scenario
It’s difficult to imagine the Packers getting a draft class as wrong as this, but in a worst-case scenario Matt LaFleur could decide to target a wide receiver with his first-pick.
Devontez Walker would arrive when there are gaping holes on defense, and it would also be a source of frustration after the Packers failed to get Aaron Rodgers adequate receiver help over the years he was in place.
Ruke Orhorhoro is a strong defensive tackle, but it doesn’t necessarily address the key need on defense. The Packers needed backfield help and to add a starting quality offensive lineman, but they fail to do that in this case.
Calen Bullock is a good safety, but there are concerns about his size and power, while Layden Robinson is taken so late in the draft that he’s not going to be of the require quality on day-one to start.
All this draft return does is provide Green Bay with lower quality depth and potential trade fodder in the future. There are no clear signs that it improves the team from 2023, and that will leave Matt LaFleur and Jordan Love exceedingly frustrated.
Here are the worst-case picks in full:
· Devontez Walker, WR, North Carolina
· Ruke Orhorhoro, DT, Clemson
· Calen Bullock, S, USC
· Roman Wilson, WR, Michigan
· Jonathon Brooks, RB, Texas
· Layden Robinson, OG, Texas A&M
· Jaylan Ford, LB, Texas
· Myles Harden, CB, South Dakota
· Patrick McMorris, S, California
· Brady Latham, OG, Arkansas
· Taulia Tagovailoa, QB, Maryland