We are just about two weeks away from the 2022 NFL draft. This draft may be the most important to date for Brian Gutekunst as the Packers GM. In three of four drafts as the Packers GM, Brian Gutekunst has made a trade in the first round. Going with that trend, two of these three mock drafts will feature a first round trade. Here we go:
Mock Draft #1 (No Trade):
This first draft went wide receiver heavy, but the value was too good to pass up. Treylon Burks is quickly turning into my favorite wide receiver in this years’ draft. He fell to us at #22 so it was a no brainer. The 28th overall pick was a tough choice between Guard Zion Johnson or Safety Lewis Cine. Both are great value at the 28th pick, however I chose protection for Rodgers. Johnson is versatile across the entire interior offensive line and I am more confident than most in Darnell Savage’s ability to rebound this year.
In the second round Nik Bonitto not only addressed a need but added a legit stud. Having him come in as a rotational piece and learn from Gary and Smith would be perfect. Pierce has had Jordy Nelson comparisons and if Shakir is still available in the third round you take that all day long.
Three wide receivers, and edge, and a safety addresses three positions of need.
Mock Draft #2 (Trade number one):
In many mock drafts I see wide receivers going to the Ravens at #14, the Eagles at #15 or #18, and the Saints at #16. In this draft I chose to give up one of the picks we got in the Davante Adams trade and go get the wide receiver we want before a chunk of teams took one.
Garrett Wilson is widely regarded as the best wide receiver in this years’ draft. If you don’t have him as that, he’s likely top 3. He will be an immediate performer no matter where he goes. Choosing to draft Lewis Cine in this draft was due to having one less pick later. Getting top tier Safety talent now was worth it rather than settling for a possible special team contributor later. Leaving the first round with possible starters at both wide receiver and safety is a win.
I am going to draft Nik Bonitto at #53 10 times out of 10. The value there is too great for a position that is in need of depth for the Packers. As far as Shakir, this is from his NFL draft profile: “Khalil Shakir finds a way to frequently show up on the notepad when watching tape and his will to outperform the guy across from him should not be overlooked. Shakir should become a valuable piece for a creative play-caller.” That description fits Matt Lafleur perfectly. Lafleur could get so creative with Amari Rodgers and Khalil Shakir in the uniform.
Mock Draft #3 (Trade number two):
When Gutekunst traded up to draft Jaire Alexander, he initially traded down. If Green Bay receives an offer to trade down for multiple day two picks, Gutekunst might consider it (even if he doesn’t trade back up). This mock draft has Green Bay giving up the 28th pick to the Colts for the 42nd, 73rd, and 122nd overall picks. This gives Green Bay 6 picks in the top 92, and allows the Colts to go get another weapon for Matt Ryan. T.Y. Hilton isn’t what he once was.
In this draft Green Bay still gets Treylon Burks at #22, a legit day one starter. Also allows for two more wide receivers, a safety, an edge, and a guard. The names may differ based on how the Packers draft board ranks the importance of these positions. However I wanted to show the impact of trading back with such a deep wide receiver and offensive line draft. Getting a safety worthy of a first or second round pick will be tricky, but this gives them a better shot if they don’t want to spend first round draft capital on one. Edge and guard are both positions of need. Having extra picks allows Green Bay to address these positions and STILL walk away with three wide receivers in the top 92 picks.
What draft do you like the most? (if any)
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