Ahh, yes, the guessing game. One of sport's most traditional pastimes. With the NFL draft being less than a month away, speculation season has strongly started springing mock drafts from draft experts brewing together thoroughly thought out lists. Who is going where? What is the logic behind this pick? Will this be the year a certain team prioritizes drafting a receiver in the first round?
There is an overwhelming amount of mock drafts out there to research providing unique perspectives and guesses. Out of twenty mock drafts from various sports outlets, here is a break down of what the experts think the Packers will do with their first-round pick.
Packers break the not drafting a wide receiver in the first-round curse?
25% of the mock drafts has Green Bay selecting a wide receiver. The fanbase of cheesehead nation will applaud so loudly at Lambeau Field during draft day if the Packers are able to draft a top three projected receiver. The glorious uproar of cheers will have Titletown going crazy! It is fun to imagine, right? Out of the mock drafts that made wide receiver predictions, there were three different names that were mentioned:
Matthew Golden WR Texas
Luther Burden lll WR Missouri
Emeka Egbuka WR Ohio St
Golden and Burden lll each received two guesses. A reality check may be necessary. Golden is a top three receiver in this draft and some speculate he could be drafted first in his position. With his already finely tuned route running and playmaking abilities, it would be shocking for him to still be available at the 23rd pick. Burden lll would give the Packers a playmaker and a receiver with trustworthy hands, which make him an enticing pick if he is still available.
Packers immediately address and upgrade the defensive line?
50% of mock drafts have the Packers taking an edge rusher or defensive lineman. Makes the most sense, right? Based on the Packers biggest necessity, which is improving the defensive line pressuring the quarterback, drafting a player that could have an immediate impact would be ideal here. Of all the players that are mentioned, there are two that stand out the most:
Mykel Williams Edge Georgia
Shemar Stewart Edge Texas A&M
Derrick Harmon DT Oregon
Kenneth Grant DT Michigan
Jahdae Barron DL Texas
The Packers have a recent history of drafting Georgia defensive players continuing the theme of carrying the G from college to the NFL. Williams receiving three guesses for Green Bay is a reflection of his stock falling in the draft as he was a top ten projected pick heading into last season, but he is coming off a year where he had ankle issues recording 5 sacks. He could be a sneaky steal for Brian Gutekust.
Drum roll please. The award for the player receiving the most mock draft guesses for the Packers first-round pick goes to Derrick Harmon. The Oregon DT is versatile and can be an immediate impact with his athleticism and production fitting the criteria to help improve the Packers defensive line issues. Does Harmon receiving 4 guesses solidify him as the favorite?
Packers add more depth to the cornerback room?
25% of mock drafts have the Packers drafting a cornerback. The Jaire Alexander situation remains the biggest mystery for the Packers. One could speculate it is no doubt he is gone, which is believable. One could also speculate he is staying, but is that more false hope than reality at this point? There are many different cornerbacks mentioned as potential first-round draft candidates:
Shavon Revel Jr CB East Carolina
Maxwell Hairston CB Kentucky
Benjamin Morrison CB Notre Dame
Will Johnson CB Michigan
Revel is the only cornerback receiving two guesses while everyone else received one. His size along with the toughness ability to defend the outside makes him a logical choice. However, with the Packers addressing the cornerback position in free agency with signing Nate Hobbs, it is difficult to envision Gutekust drafting another one at pick 23.
60% of mock drafts named a different player for the Packers first-round selection. It will not be shocking if the Packers zig while everyone is expecting them to zag. That is what makes mock draft guessing games fun, who really knows?
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Mitchell Adams is a passionate lifelong Packer fan bringing a unique West Coast perspective, and also produces multiple podcast platforms, is a published author, and a proud Packers shareholder. Follow him on X at @mitchadams209.
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