The Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions have suddenly become the juggernauts of the NFC North. It has been two years since the Packers won the division, but their rise at the end of the 2023 season certainly put the league on notice.
The Lions are very aware that the Packers are on the rise, and they made a trade in spite of it.
The Detroit Lions Make Splash Trade In Spite Of The Green Bay Packers
According to Adam Wells of Bleacher Report:
One reason the Detroit Lions traded up in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft to select Terrion Arnold is because they were concerned about an NFC North rival taking the Alabama cornerback.
Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Green Bay Packers were believed to have Arnold rated “highly” on their board as their turn was coming up in the first round.
One AFC scout who spoke to Fowler praised what Arnold brings to the Lions’ secondary: “As far as talent, speed, coverage, ball production, tackling, size, ability to play inside and outside —I had him as the best corner.”
The Lions wound up making a trade with the Dallas Cowboys to acquire the No. 24 pick, putting them one spot ahead of the Packers that was used to take Arnold.
Cornerback wasn’t necessarily the biggest need for the Packers coming into this draft, but they did seem likely to address the position at some point. Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes and Carrington Valentine is a volatile cornerback trio, but it has plenty of upside if all of them play up their potential in 2024.
With Arnold off the board at No. 25, the Packers addressed arguably their biggest need for an offensive tackle by selecting Arizona’s Jordan Morgan.
The Packers Went The “Smart” Route With The 2024 NFL Draft
Taking offensive tackle Jordan Morgan as the 25th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft was a good decision for the Green Bay Packers. He started at left tackle for Arizona. Getting a left tackle of the future was a necessity after moving on from David Bakhtiari.
Rasheed Walker is currently ranked first on the depth chart due to his start at left tackle for the Packers last season. It remains to be seen if he will be the starter for Week 1.
It will be interesting to see how quickly Jordan Morgan can cement himself as a long-term option for this offense.
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