These Players Would Be ‘Perfect’ Draft Fits for Packers

The 2024 NFL Draft is a crucial one for the Green Bay Packers and general manager Brian Gutekunst. After nailing each of the last two draft classes, Gutekunst has the team in position to compete for a Super Bowl as soon as 2024.

With a few more impact players added in this draft class, the Packers could push themselves over the hump and into the Super Bowl for the first time since 2010.

Anytime someone sits down to do a mock draft, they’re hoping to make things perfect. Same for NFL general managers. If Gutekunst had his way, he’d be able to have his pick from any player in this draft class anytime he was on the clock. That’s not feasible, of course, but there are players that are ranked by the rounds in which Gutekunst sees the best value.

The idea for this exercise, using the Consensus Big Board at Mock Draft Database and other mock draft Web sites, was to figure out who would be the perfect player for each of the Packers’ picks in the first four rounds that could feasibly be available when they’re on the clock.

For example, Gutekunst likely loves Notre Dame’s offensive tackle Joe Alt, but barring something catastrophic between now and draft day, he won’t be available.

Here’s a look at who we think the perfect picks are for each of the team’s first six picks, with their ranking on the Consensus Board in parentheses.

First Round: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa (21)

DeJean has been the most-mocked player to the Packers since draft season begins. It makes sense. He plays at a program the Packers have had success drafting from in the past. They just took one of DeJean’s former teammates, Lukas Van Ness, in the first round a season ago.

DeJean could play cornerback, safety or slot corner. At this week’s pro day, he ran the 40-yard-dash in 4.44 seconds and had a 38.5 vertical jump.

DeJean could compete for a job at outside corner with Eric Stokes and Carrington Valentine. He could give Keisean Nixon some competition as the slot corner. He could be the starting safety next to Xavier McKinney.

If none of those things work out for him as a rookie, he could take over as the team’s primary punt returner, where he was one of the best players in college football.

Sometimes a pick that is called the most obvious gets that way for a reason.

DeJean solves a plethora of potential issues in Green Bay and would be the perfect pick in the first round.

Second Round: Graham Barton, OL, Duke (25)

This pick is a bit of a stretch because Barton could be in play for the Packers at 25th overall, as well. The same could be true across the NFL. Plenty of teams could line up to take the versatile Duke prospect.

There is a feasible scenario, however, where Barton slides down the board. He has shorter arms, and sometimes versatility is a trait used against a prospect.

That would not be the case in Green Bay. Elgton Jenkins was picked 44th overall, and Barton has a similar resume with the ability to theoretically play all five positions.

The Packers have a tackle on the roster with less-than-ideal measurables. Zach Tom is too small and has arms that are too short. He’s also their best offensive lineman.

Second Round: Trey Benson, RB, Florida State (60)

Yes, the Packers spent some premium free agent money on Josh Jacobs this offseason, but Jacobs could only be in Green Bay for one season if things do not go well. AJ Dillon was re-signed on a one-year contract.

The Packers spent the 62nd overall pick on Dillon in 2020 when they had Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams playing on expiring contracts. This could be a similar situation, even if Jacobs’ contract is not truly expiring. Even if Jacobs returns to his All-Pro form, Benson has the home-run hitting ability that’s missing from this Packers backfield. He has room to grow in the passing game, as well.

Benson would have room to learn the NFL game behind Jacobs and Dillon, but also catapult himself into the second running back role if Dillon struggles.

Regardless of how his rookie season goes, the Packers need to add some young, explosive legs to the backfield, and Benson could be that guy.

Third Round: Jermaine Burton, WR, Alabama (82)

Burton was recently in Green Bay for a predraft visit, and further examination says it makes sense that the Packers would be in the market for a receiver like him.

The Packers’ offense is fundamentally different without a true deep threat taking the top off opposing defenses. That has been true dating all the way back to losing Jordy Nelson for the entire 2015 season with an ACL injury.

Christian Watson is the team’s deep threat, and the offense is better when he’s in the lineup because of his game-changing speed. Without him, the only receiver on the roster with skills like that is Bo Melton. Melton had a nice finish to the 2023 season, but that was the first time he truly contributed to an NFL offense.

Burton was a big-play machine at Alabama, averaging more than 20 yards per reception. That includes 15 touchdowns in the last two seasons at Alabama.

Watson has all the potential in the world, but an insurance policy is never a bad thing. The Packers have been burned too many times by not having a second speed threat. Burton would fix that problem.  

Third Round: Cedric Gray, LB, North Carolina (92)

The linebacker class leaves a lot to be desired. Edgerrin Cooper has been on a top-30 visit with the Packeers but would likely require use of capital that could be better spent elsewhere.

Gray is 92nd on the Consensus Board, which lines up perfectly with the Packers’ second third-round pick, which is set to be at 91.

Gray could pair next to the uber-athletic Quay Walker to give the Packers a tandem they were hoping for when they drafted Walker and gave a big contract to the recently released De’Vondre Campbell.

Gray has the run-and-hit skills the Packers valued with Walker. The hope would be that he could be more consistent.

Fourth Round: Tanor Bortolini, OL, Wisconsin (143)

Bortolini is not a new name to most people who follow the Packers as a former Wisconsin Badger. This is not a nepotism pick. Bortolini can play. He played all five positions at Wisconsin and could probably be the team’s top swing player along the interior.

There are some concerns with snaps when he played center, but that is something that can be cleaned up to make Bortolini a viable starter. He’s ranked 143 on the Consensus Big board and the Packers are set to pick 126th in the fourth round.

Gutekunst played a big part in picking David Bakhtiari more than a decade ago and selected Zach Tom in the fourth round two years ago. Bortolini could be the next player in that line, with the ability to contribute in his first season and replace free-agent-to-be Josh Myers in 2025.

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