The Green Bay Packers approached the 2024 NFL Draft with ample picks, strategically utilizing them to their advantage. Their first-round selection of Arizona offensive tackle Jordan Morgan aimed to fill the void left by David Bakhtiari, while Texas A&M linebacker Edgerrin Cooper was chosen to step into the role vacated by De’Vondre Campbell.
Although the Packers made significant strides in addressing their roster needs, there were notable missteps during the draft. Despite bolstering the offensive line and reinforcing the safety and linebacker positions, the Packers overlooked crucial aspects.
- One glaring oversight was the linebacker position, which was underscored by the release of De’Vondre Campbell and the transition to a 4-3 defense. While drafting Edgerrin Cooper and Ty’Ron Hopper provided speed and talent, the decision to select Hopper, despite higher-rated prospects like Payton Wilson and Cedric Gray available, was questionable. This resulted in a redundancy of skill sets and potentially missed opportunities for better prospects.
- Additionally, Green Bay’s decision to wait until the seventh round to address the cornerback position was surprising. Despite making strides to fortify their defense by adding rookie safeties and acquiring free agent Xavier McKinney, the team neglected to adequately address the need for a solid cornerback opposite Jaire Alexander. This oversight left a significant gap in the roster, particularly considering the inconsistency of existing options like Eric Stokes, Keisean Nixon, and Carrington Valentine.
In summary, while the Packers made strides in addressing key areas in the draft, such as the offensive line and safety positions, their failure to capitalize on opportunities and address pressing needs at linebacker and cornerback stand out as significant shortcomings.
