Five Key Takeaways from the Green Bay Packers 2024 NFL Draft

The 2024 NFL Draft is now finished, and the Green Bay Packers added 11 new players during the three- day selection meeting. GM Brian Gutekunst was pleased with his picks which were designed to take the team to the next step in their quest to be contenders in the NFC. Here are five key takeaways from the Packers 2024 NFL Draft.

Five Key Takeaways from the Packers 2024 NFL Draft, Number One:  Offensive Line Seeks Versatility and the Best Five

The Packers entered the draft needing depth all along the offensive line. Gutekunst added Jordan Morgan in the first round, Jacob Monk in the fifth round, and Travis Glover in round six.

All three players provide versatility for the Packers and can play multiple positions. Morgan played tackle in college and the Packers indicated they would start him off there in camp. Many scouts believe he is better suited to guard in the NFL because of his short arms.

Monk started at tackle, guard, and center in college while Glover started at both tackle and guard during his time at Georgia State.

The goal for the Packers is to find the best five players to start along the line. With so many players who can play multiple positions, which gives the coaching staff more flexibility in finding that ideal combination of starters.

If Morgan wins a starting job at tackle, that could lead to Zach Tom moving inside to either guard or center. The Packers don’t have a clear cut starting right guard and may want an upgrade over center Josh Myers.

Either way, these three offensive linemen fit two key approaches Gutekunst takes in the draft: he seeks players who can play multiple positions and when he identifies an urgent team need, he will use multiple selections at that position to improve it.

Number Two: The Packers Tripled Down at Safety

Before the draft, safety was the team’s biggest need on the depth chart. The top three players on the 2023 depth chart were all no longer on the roster. The Packers signed Xavier McKinney in free agency but still lacked talent and depth at the position.

Gutekunst added three safeties during the draft. In the second round, he selected Javon Bullard, Evan Williams was added in the fourth round, and then in the fifth round, Gute picked up Kitan Oladapo.

Again, Gutekunst added multiple players at a position of need. The goal here was to give new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley what he is looking for at safety: having two interchangeable pieces on the field who can keep opposing offenses guessing which safety is playing which role.

Ideally, McKinney and Bullard can accomplish that goal. Bullard may also play in the slot which gives Hafley more options when constructing the defense.

Five Key Takeaways from the Packers 2024 NFL Draft, Number Three: The Packers Added Two Linebackers

Another position where the Packers needed to add talent and depth was linebacker. Gutekunst selected two new players to compete there. They include second-round pick Edgerrin Cooper and third rounder Ty’Ron Hopper.

Cooper will compete with Isaiah McDuffie for the second starting spot alongside Quay Walker. Since the defense will be in nickel most of the time, the team will have two linebackers on the field for the majority of snaps.

The third starter will be on the field when the team is in base defense, which is expected to be roughly 20 percent of the defensive snaps. Hopper will battle for playing time as the third starter or for a backup position.

Gutekunst again added multiple players at a position of need.

Number Four: The Packers Draft for Versatility

Versatility is something Gutekunst prizes at multiple positions. It gives head coach Matt LaFleur and his staff more options when constructing their game plans. It also gives the team more options when injuries inevitably strike, and the team needs to elevate backups into the starting lineup.

We saw that at wide receiver last season, where the Packers added players who could play either perimeter receiving position or line up in the slot. We’ve seen it at safety and linebacker this year where Hafley seeks interchangeable parts, and we see it along the offensive line.

The Packers will continue to look for players with versatility and athleticism as long as Gutekunst remains the GM.

Five Key Takeaways from the Packers 2024 NFL Draft, Number Five: The Packers Created Competition Across the Roster

This draft created competition at a lot of positions that lacked it last week. Backup quarterback? Now there’s competition between Sean Clifford and seventh round pick, Michael Pratt.

There’s more competition at running back behind Josh Jacobs now with the addition of third round pick MarShawn Lloyd.

We’ve already mentioned the offensive line, safety, and linebacker. This draft was designed to fill needs and to create competition throughout this young roster.