20 Days Until NFL Draft: Packers Get Cooper DeJean, Linemen in Latest Mock Drafts
With the first round of the NFL Draft set for April 25, here are the latest projections for the Green Bay Packers.
GREEN BAY, Wis. – The first round of the 2024 NFL Draft is just weeks away. With free agency and the pro-day circuit almost complete, things are beginning to crystallize. With that, here is who the Green Bay Packers are landing in the latest mock drafts.
Yahoo: BYU OT Kingsley Suamataia
In the latest mock by Charles McDonald and Nate Tice, Tice picked Suamataia to fill the void at offensive tackle created by the release of David Bakhtiari and the free-agent departure of Yosh Nijman.
Suamataia played right tackle in 2022 and left tackle in 2023. He was excellent on the field with zero sacks allowed in 2022 and two in 2023 and tested well, too. At 6-foot-4 5/8 and 326 pounds, he ran his 40 in 5.04 seconds with a Relative Athletic Score of 9.40.
“Suamataia has a bit to go to harness his raw ability, but he is long, strong and athletic with potential to be a good starter at either tackle spot. With a ceiling even beyond that, too,” Tice wrote.
CBS Sports: Alabama OT JC Latham
Tom Fornelli loved the consistency of Latham, who started 27 games at right tackle for the Crimson Tide.
“There are some spectacular moments, but it's the overall consistency of Latham's not doing anything poorly that stands out,” he said.
Selecting Latham meant bypassing, among others, Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean, who went a pick later to the Buccaneers.
NFL.com (Maurice Jones-Drew): Texas DT T’Vondre Sweat
The path to the Super Bowl for the Packers will require one big accomplishment.
“NFC defenses must find a way to stop the 49ers’ elite rushing attack,” NFL.com’s Maurice Jones-Drew said in his mock draft.
With the Packers ranking last in the NFL in yards allowed per carry under coach Matt LaFleur, Jones-Drew picked ginormous Texas defensive lineman T’Vondre Sweat in his latest mock draft.
“Sweat, one of my favorite players in the draft, has the ability to help the up-and-coming Pack up front as an enormous space eater with game-changing ability against the run,” the former star running back continued.
Enormous? Yes, indeed. At 6-foot-4 1/2, he weighed 366 pounds at the Scouting Combine. His 40-yard time of 5.27 seconds is rather impressive considering his girth.
“I move incredibly well for my size. They see 365 on the scale and it scares them. It never scared me,” he told The Draft Network’s Justin Melo.
“Don’t get scared because it’s a big number. A lot of people aren’t used to that number. I understand that. I love to showcase what I can do at that size. I’ve been doing this my entire life. I’ve always been the biggest kid on the playground. This is nothing new to me. It doesn’t phase me.”
Pro Football Network: Clemson CB Nate Wiggins
The Packers have a couple key questions at cornerback. Can Carrington Valentine take a big Year 2 step and become a legit starting corner? And can Eric Stokes’ career be resurrected?
Joe Broback took out some big-time insurance with Wiggins, the fastest corner in the draft. More than just fast, he allowed 18 completions and 176 yards on 41 targets, according to PFF.
“He’ll be tested plenty with Alexander on the other side of the field,” Broback said, “but Wiggins is ready for that test.”
The 33rd Team: Iowa DB Cooper DeJean
The Packers made a big upgrade in the secondary by signing Xavier McKinney. But who will start alongside Jaire Alexander at corner? And who will start opposite McKinney?
“Cooper DeJean can play all over the field, including in the slot,” Marcus Mosher wrote. “He would give Green Bay more flexibility on defense and more athleticism.”
Draft Countdown: Iowa DB Cooper DeJean
Said Brad Melendez: “Green Bay needs DB help, with who’s been drafted already, I could see them take DeJean and use him in a variety of roles in the secondary. He’s a sure tackler and has enough athletic ability to help as a corner or safety.”
Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry and Oklahoma offensive tackle Tyler Guyton were among the players still on the board.
Draft Countdown (7 Rounds): Duke OL Graham Barton
Miranda Wilhelm did an all-Packers seven-round mock a couple weeks ago, which escaped our attention.
Barton was a three-year starting left tackle at Duke after starting his career at center. The interior will likely be his destination in the NFL, but he’s a big-time athlete (9.99 RAS) with a lot of experience.
“The Packers have had some fantastic grabs for the O-line in the past and this one just screams Green Bay!” Wilhelm wrote. “Barton is a beast who can play up and down the line to fill whichever need they are facing.”
The interesting pick was Iowa’s DeJean falling to the second round. Houston offensive tackle Patrick Paul, Clemson linebacker Jeremiah Trotter and Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright round out the Day 2 picks.
In Day 3, three consecutive picks for the defense was interrupted by running back Frank Gore Jr. in the sixth.
Touchdown Wire: Georgia TE Brock Bowers
Brock Bowers? Really? With Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft at tight end?
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