Under Brian Gutekunst, the Green Bay Packers have pretty much followed a script when it has come to utilizing their draft capital. Staying away from wide receivers in the first round and relying on defensive upgrades, expect more of the same in the 2024 NFL Draft at 25th overall.
Green Bay understands the importance of adding talent to both sides of the ball, but their focus has been on defense lately, at least for the first round. Since he became the general manager back in 2018, Gutekunst has had eight first-round selections at his disposal, and Jordan Love was the only non-defensive player taken on day one.
It also seems as though that Gutekunst and his team of scouts typically likes to target players from blue-chip programs early in drafts, with Georgia being a common destination. With all that in mind, let’s see where Green Bay is likely to go in April.
Offensive Line
The release of David Bakhtiari was a foregone conclusion this offseason, but losing Yosh Njiman to the Panthers means that the Packers now have lost two offensive linemen this offseason. With Gutekunst always taking the approach of drafting depth when you don’t need it, expect Green Bay to target an OL, likely a tackle.
Duke’s Graham Barton is likely near the top of the list for Green Bay, as his positional versatility fits the mold for what this team likes in their OL. While most of his time in college was spent at left tackle, Barton has some experience at center and likely would become the utility man, with the ability to suit up for all five spots.
Others, like Arizona’s Jordan Morgan or Oklahoma’s Tyler Guyton, will certainly be in the mix as well.
Defensive Back
While Green Bay has already begun the process of overhauling their safety room, they still need to find a few more options. Plus, concerns about the health of their current cornerback room likely means that they are looking to add a few warm bodies there too.
At safety, Minnesota’s Tyler Nubin looks to be the top option here, with Miami’s Kamren Kinchens and Georgia’s Javon Bullard falling in line as day two selections. Nubin was a ballhawk in college, amassing 13 interceptions across his five seasons, showing a knack as a playmaker.
At corner, options like Kool-Aid McKinstry, Cooper DeJean, and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. are all in play for Green Bay. DeJean has been mocked to the Packers a lot this offseason, and he has the potential to slide to safety as well.
Pass Rusher
While it shouldn’t be surprising that two of the three position groups on this list are defensive, pass rush may not be seen as quite the pressing need for a first-round selection. But Preston Smith isn’t getting any younger, Rashan Gary is , and Lukas Van Ness and Kingley Enagbare have both shown promise, but this spot could use another piece.
Gary had nine sacks coming off injury and looked to find his form as the season progressed, and while Van Ness and Enagbare are being looked at as the future pairing alongside Gary, this team lacks a full two-deep rotation for the future.
Near the end of the first round, expect pass rushers Chop Robinson, Darius Robinson, and maybe even Jared Verse to be under consideration for the Packers.
It would be surprising for Green Bay to not go defense in the first round, but it is entirely possible that Gutekunst works the draft board and moves out of the first round to take advantage of some early second-round talent in multiple ways as well.
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Mike Johrendt has been an avid fan of the Packers ever since he can remember. He is now a writer at PackersTalk and you can follow him on Twitter at @MJohrendt23
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