Grading the Green Bay Packers 2024 NFL Draft class
The NFL Draft for 2024 is in the books, as the best college football players made their dreams a reality as they secured a spot on an NFL roster. With Caleb Williams and Chicago Bears stealing a lot of the limelight, their divisional rival Green Bay Packers had a productive weekend taking 11 players, five of those being taken in the first three rounds.
The Packers got a good spread of players on both sides of the ball and were able to fill positions that needed attention. Last season’s 9-8 record and then their playoff victory over the Dallas Cowboys exceeded many expectations for the Green Bay faithful.
As the youngest team in the NFL, that trend looks to continue with Green Bay and even if the draft picks don’t start, they will be good depth options.
Let’s take a look and grade the Green Bay Packers draft picks…
Round 1, Pick 25: Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona
Coming into the draft, the Packers biggest needs were the offensive line and secondary and they did add to those areas. Jordan Morgan was their first-round pick which came as a shock to many Packers fans who felt a cornerback or safety would’ve been the first addition to the roster.
The 6”5 o-lineman played 37 games over five seasons with Arizona and made the first-team All-Pac-12 team. He is likely to backup Rasheed Walker at left tackle but many suspect his skillset may be better suited to playing the guard position and with Jon Runyan having moved on.
It wasn’t the most attractive of first picks by the Packers but Morgan can definitely be the long-term David Bakhtiari replacement and play a part in Green Bay moving forward.
Grade: B-
Round 2, Pick 45: Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M
Veteran linebacker De’Vondre Campbell was released by the Packers and so that was an area to fill and Edgerrin Cooper certainly does that. New defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley likes to have a 4-3 base defense and Cooper fits that scheme perfectly. He led Texas A&M in tackles, tackles for loss, sacks and forced fumbles which shows his all-around talent on the defensive side.
His ability to defend in both the run and in coverage will be a huge asset for Green Bay alongside Quay Walker. It does leave the Packers somewhat inexperienced in that area of the defense with Walker showing some signs of immaturity with ejections. No doubts that Cooper can be on the field for the defense and special teams and make an impact.
Grade: B+
Round 2, Pick 58: Javon Bullard, S, Georgia
Georgia safety Javon Bullard might just be the Packers best selection of the draft. Being able to get him late in the second round is a steal and his ability to play cornerback gives the Packers another option to use him. With McKinney, he could make a really strong tandem in the secondary for years to come in Green Bay.
His ability to move into the box and be involved in the pass rush is another asset of Bullard’s that Hafley can use and allow him to fly around the secondary and make plays across the field. Bullard is an excellent pick for the Packers.
Grade: A
Round 3, Pick 88: MarShawn Lloyd, RB, USC
MarShawn Lloyd was an intriguing pick but was also one of the more talented running backs in the draft. The former USC man averaged over seven yards per rush last season and will add depth behind Josh Jacobs. He will be able to take the load off Jacobs at times and could become the best running back duo in the league.
Why this was interesting is due to AJ Dillon re-signing in the offseason and having been a solid backup since 2020, it looks like he could slowly see his snap count lowering. Drafting Lloyd creates competition in the backfield and he is unbelievably talented so this is another good pick.
Grade: A-
Round 3, Pick 91: Ty’Ron Hopper, LB, Missouri
Their final pick in the top 100 saw the Packers go with linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper. It was surprising Green Bay went with another linebacker here instead of taking a cornerback in the top 100. Hopper is a great athlete and is likely to be involved a lot in special teams, but the projected fifth-round pick is likely to take time until he challenges for a starting spot.
Hopper is strong defending the run game as his speed allows him to fly across the field and pursuit running backs. This pick adds depth to the linebacker position, which is never a problem, but the Packers maybe could have looked to address other needs first before adding for depth on day two of the draft.
Grade: C
Round 4, Pick 111: Evan Williams, S, Oregon
Early on day three a lot of Oregon players flew off the board with safety Evan Williams being the first of the Packers picks. Williams plays well in the run game and enjoys being a box safety and now with McKinney and Bullard, Hafley has a number of ways he can use his safeties in the defense.
In the pass coverage he can struggle but he can easily improve on that during his time in Green Bay. His energy is great and he will likely start as a backup to Bullard but we may see those too and McKinney on together with Bullard moving to nickel corner. Overall, a solid depth piece that can improve and be a nice piece of the defense.
Grade: B-
Round 5, Pick 163: Jacob Monk, C, Duke
Again, the Packers added to their o-line with center Jacob Monk being added. Monk is listed as a center but can play across the offensive line with 12 games at right tackle, 36 at right guard and 10 as a center. The depth he brings will be key with that sort of versatility and the center position is not necessarily locked down by Josh Myers so he could make strikes to become the starter.
Grade: B
Round 5, Pick 169: Kitan Oladapo, S, Oregon State
The third safety for the Packers and GM Brian Gutekunst making it clear that it was a key area of need and more than addressing it. Kitan Oladapo is another safety that can play at the cornerback position should he need to and his ability to track routes helps him in coverage. With plenty of depth now at the safety position he will be looking to impact in training camp and on special teams to push towards a starting spot.
Grade: B-
Round 6, Pick 202: Travis Glover Jr., OT, Georgia State
In 2023 the Packers didn’t draft any offensive lineman so taking three off the board here adds to the depth and allows the rookies to fight for positions with only Elgton Jenkins really having his position locked down. Similar to Monk, Travis Glover Jr. can play multiple positions, seeing time at both tackle positions and left guard during his time at Georgia State. His five years starting in college brings him into the NFL with plenty of experience and the depth he provides will be key.
Grade: B-
Round 7, Pick 245: Michael Pratt, QB, Tulane
Jordan Love was exceptional in his first year as a starter and liked what they saw from backup Sean Clifford in stints last season and in practice. Michael Pratt is not the most high-level physical QB, but he has great calmness in the pocket and is able to spray the ball across the field and read the defense well. Pratt will be competing for the backup spot and may be the new practice squad quarterback too.
Grade: C+
Round 7, Pick 255: Kalen King, CB, Penn State
With their 11th and final pick of the draft, Green Bay took a cornerback and it was that of Kalen King from Penn State. King was projected as a first-round pick over a year ago but following a struggle last season, his stock plummeted and could be a steal for the Packers. He is a great athlete and if he can find his way back to his 2022 season form then he might well be the steal of the draft. At the least he will add depth at the corner position for this coming season.
Grade: B-
Overall draft grade: B+
Overall, it was a solid draft by Green Bay an the addressed many of the issues they had. Most of the selections don’t necessarily jump off the page but they all can have some sort of role on the roster and provide Matt LaFleur and his staff with valuable depth across the board and competition for places in some of their weaker areas.
