Cornerback a Popular Pick for Packers in 2024 NFL Mock Drafts

The Green Bay Packers were a hot mess at cornerback this season. Improving that key position was a focus of the latest NFL mock drafts.

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers will enter the 2024 NFL Draft with needs at cornerback, safety and offensive line. The early lean in the latest batch of mock drafts is to fill the hole at cornerback.

In a three-round mock draft by Luke Easterling for Sports Illustrated, the Packers grabbed Missouri cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. at No. 25 of the first round.

After missing most of 2021 with a torn ACL, Rakestraw intercepted one pass with 12 passes defensed in 2022. He had four breakups in 2023.

“Green Bay's defensive backfield needs help at both corner and safety, and in this scenario, they opt for the more premium position with sights set on a back-end defender on Day 2,” Easterling explained. “Rakestraw is one of the fastest-rising prospects in this class, with impressive film that should have him in the first-round conversation.”

A safety and defensive lineman filled the second round, and an offensive tackle and a running back were the third-round choices.

The running back is a familiar name to Wisconsin-based Packers fans, with Braelon Allen having the size to fill the role played by free-agent-to-be AJ Dillon. In three seasons, the 240-ish-pounder ran for 3,494 yards, caught 49 passes and scored 35 touchdowns.

Fox Sports: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

Longtime NFL Draft analyst Rob Rang focused on cornerback, where Rasul Douglas was traded and the Packers could lose Keisean Nixon and Corey Ballentine in free agency. McKinstry had one interception and 15 passes defensed in 2022 and zero picks and seven passes defensed in 2023.

Wrote Rang: “The Packers boast a talented secondary but their most gifted cornerback (Jaire Alexander) has missed some action in four of his six NFL seasons. With a talented press cornerback in McKinstry falling into their lap in this exercise, general manager Brian Gutekunst likely wouldn't hesitate to add to a secondary that finished 31st in the NFL with just seven interceptions.”

CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards also went with McKinstry, who gave up only three touchdowns in three seasons, according to PFF.

Pro Football Network: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

A seven-round mock by A.J. Schulte started with Mitchell, who is “an elite athlete” who “thrives in man coverage.” Mitchell, who picked off five passes in 2022 and allowed a 43.5 percent completion rate in 2023, will be one of the best testers at the Combine.

Schulte added safeties in the second and third round and selected a running back in the third round, as well.

Draft Network: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma

Guyton played mostly right tackle for the Sooners. The Packers are set at right tackle with Zach Tom; can Guyton transition to the left side? He allowed zero sacks in 2023 and just four total pressures in 2022, according to Pro Football Focus.

Justin Melo called him “raw” but with a high ceiling: “It's beginning to look like three-time Pro Bowl left tackle David Bakhtiari may not recapture the form he enjoyed before suffering recurring knee injuries. Former seventh-round pick Rasheed Walker exceeded expectations this season, but general manager Brian Gutekunst should add competition to the position.”

Pro Football Network: Graham Barton, OT, Duke

Barton was the full-time starting left tackle the past three seasons. According to PFF, he allowed two sacks in 2022 and two more in 2023, when he earned some All-American recognition.

Barton projects at tackle or guard, veteran NFL writer Adam Caplan said.

Draft Wire: Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington

Fautanu was the stud left tackle for the powerful Huskies the past two seasons. He won third-team All-American honors and captured the Morris Trophy as the best lineman in the Pac-12 in 2023. According to PFF, he allowed zero sacks in 2022 and two sacks in 2023.

An offensive tackle at Washington, Fautanu could be an “elite” guard, Curt Popejoy wrote.

Grading the 2023 Packers: Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs and Receivers