The Green Bay Packers had more success in 2023 than almost anyone expected them to have. The team won a playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys and quarterback Jordan Love took a step forward in his development.
The quicker-than-expected turnaround for the Packers had the team take a different approach this offseason. Typically, the Packers are conservative in free agency and rely more on the draft. This offseason, however, the team made a couple of splash moves, bringing in running back Josh Jacobs and safety Xavier McKinney.
The Green Bay Packers Got Their Future Running Back And Safety
While the team added a couple of difference makers, the team also parted ways with some notable names. David Bakhtiari, De’Vondre Campbell, and Aaron Jones are no longer around and the team has several holes that still need to be filled.
Today, I decided to hop into the mock draft simulator on Pro Football Network and see what a 7-round draft could look like for the Packers. Let’s get right into it.
Dec 30, 2023; Pasadena, CA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry during Rose Bowl media day at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Green Bay Packers Round 1, Pick 25: CB Kool-Aid McKinstry
The Green Bay Packers need to upgrade at the corner position. Jaire Alexander is still one of the best corners in the league when he’s on the field, but the team needs a contingency for Eric Stokes. Stokes has played just 11 games over the last two seasons and the results haven’t been great even when he is available.
Kool-Aid McKinstry would be the perfect addition to this unit. McKinstry has plenty of big-game experience from his time at Alabama and is a true ball hawk. The corner collected 93 tackles, two interceptions, and defended 23 passes in 42 college games.
The Packers have gone defense in the first round every year since 2020, and I don’t think that streak ends this year. McKinstry gives the team another lockdown corner who is incredibly athletic and has All-Pro upside.
Green Bay Packers Round 2, Pick 41: OT Jordan Morgan
With David Bakhtiari no longer around, the Packers need to add a young tackle with upside. Rasheed Walker filled in admirably at left tackle in 2023, but Morgan has the upside to be a plus starter for years. Morgan started 12 games at LT for the Arizona Wildcats in 2023 and earned First-team All-Pac-12 Conference honors.
Morgan could immediately slot into the LT role for the Packers, providing Walker the opportunity to be a viable swing tackle. With Yosh Nijman departing in free agency, the Packers need tackle depth.
Morgan had the 5th-highest total score among all tackles at the 2024 NFL Combine. The tackle has the size and speed to match up well against blockers and also blocks well at the second level in the run game. This isn’t a sexy pick, but it feels a need for the next several years.
Green Bay Packers Round 2, Pick 58: S Kamren Kinchens
Kamren Kinchens was once viewed as a first-round prospect, but due to a mediocre showing at the combine, Kinchens has slid on boards. However, the Packers need depth here and Kinchens has the traits to be a solid safety at the next level.
The defensive back collected 59 tackles, five interceptions, and defended five passes in 2023 for the Miami Hurricanes. 2023 wasn’t the first season in which Kinchens found the ball. In 2022, the DB collected six INTs and defended six passes. Kinchens has received praise for his toughness and football IQ and could be an immediate contributor.
Kinchens is slightly undersized and speed could be a concern, but he has the ball-hawking traits you look for in a safety. Considering new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s safety-heavy scheme, this may be the perfect landing spot for Kinchens.
Green Bay Packers Round 3, Pick 88: LB Payton Wilson
Payton Wilson at Pick 88 would be an amazing bargain. The Packers have a need at linebacker after cutting De’Vondre Campbell, and Wilson fills that need perfectly.
The linebacker was a tackling machine at NC State. In 2023, Wilson collected 138 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, and three interceptions. Wilson did it all for the Wolfpack, and he showed out at the combine with his athleticism. Wilson had the 2nd-highest total score at the combine and showed incredible speed and strength.
Wilson could contribute as a third-down blitzer but could also hold his own in coverage. This is great value here.
Green Bay Packers Round 3, Pick 91: DL DeWayne Carter
DeWayne Carter was a productive player for the Duke Blue Devils. Carter racked up 41 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and one sack in 2023. However, the lineman’s best season came in 2022 when he collected 11 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks.
The Packers can use help on the defensive line. Kenny Clark is still a very good player and Devonte Wyatt has developed as a pass rusher. However, rotational depth is important here and Carter would slot in perfectly. Carter will likely contribute more as a pass rusher than a run stopper in the NFL, but the Packers can use a player like that.
Green Bay Packers Round 4, Pick 126: OL Mason McCormick
As mentioned above, the Packers need to replenish some depth on the offensive line. David Bakhtiari and Yosh Nijman leaving have created a couple of holes. One of those was filled with the selection of Morgan in the 2nd round. Next, the Packers add to the interior with Mason McCormick.
McCormick stood out for the South Dakota State Jackrabbits. The guard had the best athleticism score among all guards at the combine and had the 4th-best overall score. McCormick can play either guard spot and has the toughness to fill in immediately.
Round 5, Pick 169: TE Erick All
The Packers drafted two tight ends in the 2023 NFL Draft, so the position isn’t likely on many fans’ minds for 2024. However, the team could use some depth behind Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft and Erick All could be the best blocker of the group.
All was not super productive in the receiving game in 2023, but that can’t be held against him considering he played for the Iowa Hawkeyes. All still managed to catch 21 passes for 299 yards in seven games. There are injury concerns, but All has the upside to be a quality backup tight end who contributes on special teams and in the run game.
Green Bay Packers Round 6, Pick 202: EDGE Myles Cole
Myles Cole had his best collegiate season in 2023 for the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Cole racked up 32 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks and flashed a real ability to get to the passer. Cole also had the best athleticism score among all edge rushers at the combine.
Cole has great size, but he’s not especially polished as a pass rusher. However, with the right system, Cole could harness his physical traits to develop into a solid rotational piece. This is good value this late in the draft.
Green Bay Packers Round 6, Pick 219: RB Carson Steele
The Packers brought Josh Jacobs into the fold and also retained AJ Dillon. However, behind that duo is not much. Adding a young rookie with upside is always worth a flier, especially at this point in the draft.
Steele spent one season with the UCLA Bruins in 2023 and rushed 167 times for 847 yards and six touchdowns. The back also caught 17 passes and found the end zone twice as a receiver. Steele is a solid RB3 option and provides good value here.
Green Bay Packers: Round 7, Pick 245: K Cam Little
That’s right, I have the Green Bay Packers adding a new kicker. Cam Little from Arkansas is the best kicker in this draft and is worth being selected.
Incumbent Packers kicker Anders Carlson struggled in 2023. The kicker made just 81.8% of his field goals and 87.2% of his extra points in 2023. Those numbers aren’t horrible, but they also shouldn’t prevent the Packers from seeking an upgrade. Little nailed 100% of his extra points in 2023 and 83.3% of his field goal tries. Little would be an upgrade and is worth a late pick.
Round 7, Pick 255: LB Maema Njongmeta
Rounding out the draft here, we have the Packers taking Maema Njongmeta. Njongmeta was productive at Wisconsin, collecting 158 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks over 28 collegiate games.
Njongmeta struggled at the combine but has the physical tools to be a developmental piece. Njongmeta can help fill out the bottom of the roster and compete for a special teams role immediately.
