The Green Bay Packers had five picks in the first three rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft. Players selected in the first three rounds usually face high expectations, yet one year later, three of the five players taken lack a clear-cut role on the roster. All three of them will need a strong training camp and preseason to earn a starting job for the 2025 season. These Packers high picks from 2024 currently lack a starting job:

These Packers High Draft Picks Currently Lack a Starting Job, Number Three: LB Ty’Ron Hopper

The Packers love the athleticism of linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper who they took in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The Missouri alum played all 17 games for the Packers as a rookie, but nearly all his action came on special teams. In fact, Hopper played just 18 snaps on defense all season long. He was credited with nine total tackles.

Hopper needs to show a better grasp of the defense to earn more playing time. The third starting linebacker position remains up for grabs. Isaiah McDuffie currently holds that position. McDuffie provides experience and leadership. Hopper, however, has the speed and athleticism that McDuffie lacks.

If Hopper can make a second-year jump and take over as the third starting linebacker, the trio of Hopper along with Quay Walker and Edgerrin Cooper would give the Packers the most athletic group of starting linebackers they’ve had in many years.

Number Two: DB Javon Bullard

Second round pick Javon Bullard accomplished a lot in his rookie season. The Georgia alum started 11 games and played in 15. He did well closer to the line of scrimmage but had his struggles in coverage.

Part of the problem for Bullard was switching positions. He started the season at safety and was later moved to the slot. When injuries struck later in the season, he moved between these two positions.

Bullard played better in the slot. When he moved there, fellow rookie Evan Williams played well at safety. Williams and Bullard are likely to battle for the starting job in training camp.

The Packers also signed free agent cornerback Nate Hobbs who played mostly in the slot for the Raiders. If Jaire Alexander remains with the Packers, Hobbs will compete with Bullard for the starting slot position.

Bullard will compete for playing times at two positions but may not win either of them. He will have to battle for playing time in his second season.

These Packers High Draft Picks Currently Lack a Starting Job, Number One: OL Jordan Morgan

Injuries limited Jordan Morgan to just six games in 2024. He started one game when center Josh Myers was injured and Elgton Jenkins moved to center. Morgan stepped up and started at guard.

The Arizona alum played left tackle in college, but many scouts felt he was better suited for guard in the NFL due to his length of prototypical arm length for an NFL tackle.

After the Packers drafted Morgan, the team intended to have him compete at both left tackle and right guard. By the time training camp opened up, he was competing solely at right guard, with the coaches saying that it gave him the best chance to play right away. Morgan lost the job to Sean Rhyan but rotated in several series per game.

This season, Morgan will again compete at left tackle with incumbent Rasheed Walker and at right guard with Rhyan. Both players are entering the final year of their entry-level contracts. Morgan will have to battle with both players to try to win a starting job but is not guaranteed to win either.

The former first round pick enters his second NFL season without a set position and without a guaranteed starting job. This will be a crucial season in his development and the trajectory of his career.

As these three early picks head into their second NFL season, all three of them will be fighting for a starting job.

 

 

 

 

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