The 2024 NFL Draft is rapidly approaching, and this will be an important time for the Green Bay Packers. The Packers surprised everybody by making the playoffs in Jordan Love’s first year as starter and crushing the Cowboys in Dallas in their first playoff game. To take the next step the Packers will need another strong draft just like they had a year ago. How will GM Brian Gutekunst handle this year’s draft? Here are five things to expect from the Packers in the 2024 NFL Draft:

Five Things to Expect from the Packers in the 2024 NFL Draft, Number Five: A QB Will be Drafted on Day 3

The Packers are set with Love as their starting quarterback. Gutekunst also indicated he was pleased with second-year backup Sean Clifford.

But Gute also indicated he wanted to return to the team’s habit under Ron Wolf of taking a flier on a quarterback in the late rounds of most drafts. These became developmental quarterbacks who were often traded for more draft capital after serving as the team’s backup for a few seasons.

In the past, players like Mark Brunell, Matt Hasselbeck, and Aaron Brooks went on to become starters elsewhere while the Pack added valuable draft picks. That eventually helped them win Super Bowl XXXI.

Look for Gutekunst to select a quarterback on the third day of the draft. Even if the player spends this season on the practice squad, it’s a move Gutekunst wants to make.

Number Four: The Packers Will Draft At least Three Offensive Linemen

Offensive line depth is paramount for the Packers in this year’s draft. The Packers have lost starting right guard Jon Runyan and swing tackle Yosh Nijman in free agency. They also let former All Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari go for injury and salary cap reasons. That creates a lack of depth along the line.

The Pack needs a candidate at right guard to compete with Sean Rhyan and they need depth along the interior offensive line.

They also need a swing tackle and possibly a player to compete with Rasheed Walker at left tackle. This means a minimum of three offensive linemen are likely to be among the 11 players the Packers currently are expected to draft.

Five Things to Expect from the Packers in the 2024 NFL Draft, Number Three: The Packers Will Draft Two Safeties

The Packers decided not to re-sign any of their top three safeties from last season. Gutekunst made a splash by signing free agent Xavier McKinney, but the team lacks an experienced starter opposite him.

The safety class isn’t considered a deep one, but the Packers will add at least one and more likely two safeties in this year’s draft.

The Packers tend to value players with versatility at many positions. The team could draft a college corner and convert them to safety or have them play any combination of corner, safety, and slot. Look for one choice in the first two days of the draft and at least one on day three.

Number Two: The Packers Draft At least One Off-Ball Linebacker

Like safety, linebacker is a big need for the Packers but it’s not a deep position in the draft. Gutekunst will select at least one linebacker to join Quay Walker and Isaiah McDuffie in the starting lineup.

With Jeff Hafley installing a four-man front, the Pack will need three starters at linebacker. Because the Packers will usually play in nickel, the third linebacker may only play 20 percent of the snaps. Still, more talent and depth are needed here and Gutekunst will address it on day two or day three.

Five Things to Expect from the Packers in the 2024 NFL Draft, Number One: Gutekunst Makes a Trade on Day One or Two

Gutekunst likes to make trades in the draft. He’s traded up and back, on occasion doing both in the same year.

The Packers have 11 picks in this draft including five in the top 100 picks. That breaks down to one in the first round and two each in the second and third.

With the team expected to compete for a Super Bowl this season, Gute may move up in round one. He’ll do that to grab one player he thinks can help the team get to the next level.

Gutekunst could also make a trade to move up in the second or third round depending on how the board is falling. He did something similar to trade up for Christian Watson in 2022.

 

 

Follow Gil Martin on Twitter @GilPackers

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