Packers GM Brian Gutekunst and head coach Matt LaFleur John Fisher/Getty Images

Packers' Team Needs to Fill in 2024 NFL Draft

Alex Ballentine

It's already been an exciting offseason for the Green Bay Packers and the fun of the 2024 NFL draft hasn't even started.

Thanks to a series of moves and trades, the Packers are one of the teams with the best set up to really improve their roster through the draft. They aren't scheduled to be on the clock until the 25th pick, but they are sixth in draft capital by Tankathon's rankings.

In all, the Packers have 11 picks with five of them in the top 100.

After making some big signings in free agency, there aren't a ton of glaring team needs for the Packers. However, there are still a few spots on the roster that could use a promising rookie to fill out the roster.

All that draft capital should give them the flexibility to get aggressive with trades if they have a specific prospect in mind or more bites at the apple.

Regardless, these three positions should be of particular interest when the draft rolls around on April 25.

Offensive Tackle

Georgia tackle Amarius Mims Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images

Jordan Love is the only offensive player the Green Bay Packers have drafted in the first round since 2011.

They might want to consider breaking that trend by targeting an offensive tackle in the first round this year. The Packers have answers at just about every premium position. After parting ways with David Bakhtiari, it's time for a new era at left tackle.

Heading into the draft, Rasheed Walker is penciled in as the starter. Walker had his moments as a second-year player who was a seventh-round pick in the 2022 draft. However, he also surrendered seven sacks, per Sports Info Solutions.

The Packers confirmed that Jordan Love is their quarterback of the future last season. Now it's time to protect him.

This is an exceptionally deep draft at the tackle position. The Packers could wait and see who is available at No. 24. In B/R's latest mock draft, Tyler Guyton would probably make the most sense.

However, they could also trade up and make someone like Amarius Mims, who goes at No. 24 in the mock draft, could be in play.

Both prospects are a little unrefined but hold massive potential due to their athleticism and physicality. Either could develop into a long-term solution who will help Love out for years to come.

Interior Offensive Line

West Virginia center Zach Frazier G Fiume/Getty Images

If the Packers don't target at least two offensive linemen with their top 100 picks it will be a surprise. Green Bay has thrived on its offensive line depth and will need to continue investing in linemen to continue that trend.

Jon Runyan Jr. left in free agency and the Packers are depending on Sean Rhyan to take the next step and become a starter. That's not a given. Neither is center Josh Myers playing well enough to have job security in 2025.

Again, the interior offensive line is a strength of this draft class. Multiple interior guys could be drafted in the first round and there are 13 total interior linemen in our top 100.

If the Packers choose to go for one in the first round then Troy Fautanu (guard) and Jackson Powers-Johnson (center) would be names to watch out for. But even if they don't take one in the first there are plenty of options in the second and third round that would make sense.

West Virginia center Zach Frazier and Georgia center Sedrick Van Pran stand out as high-ceiling picks at the position.

Regardless, the Packers should come out of this draft with additional options on the inside and a more fortified offensive line.

Linebacker

Jeremiah Trotter Jr. Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

One of the Packers biggest offseason additions was defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. Joe Barry struggled to get the Green Bay defense playing up to its talent level so the former Boston College head coach will get the opportunity to make his own improvements.

Among the changes he's likely to bring is a switch to a 4-3 base defense.

Obviously, the Packers will still play plenty of nickel, but the switch to a 4-3 defense is going to require more off-ball linebackers. In a 3-4, Quay Walker and De'Vondre Campbell were the primary off-ball linebackers. In a 4-3 they will need three.

Campbell is now a San Francisco 49er and the Packers have yet to replace him.

There aren't any obvious first-round candidates. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. is the first linebacker off the board at No. 51 in our latest mock draft. Edgerrin Cooper is next at 62 meaning the Packers could have multiple opportunities to add the top prospects at the position.

Payton Wilson is another name to watch. He's a risky prospect based on his injury history, but he had the highest RAS score of any linebacker at the combine and the Packers have been known to value defensive prospects with elite athleticism.

Visit B/R's NFL Scouting Department hub for scouting reports on all of the top prospects.

   

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