The first wave of NFL Free Agency is in the books. Now, many will be shifting their attention to the 2022 NFL Draft. Right on cue, the Mel Kiper Mock Draft 3.0 was dropped this morning. So, who does the long-time draft analyst project the Green Bay Packers to select in the first round?
After trading away Davante Adams, the Packers have No. 22 overall draft pick from the Raiders to go along with their No. 28 pick. Of course, they also have a gigantic hole at wide receiver. The Packers have selected only two WRs in the first round since 1988 (Sterling Sharpe and Javon Walker). Given they have had a Hall of Fame quarterback nearly the entire time, that seems a bit light. Will they finally do it again this season?
Mel Kiper Mock Draft Green Bay Packers Projections
22 — Kenyon Green, OG, Texas A&M
For the Packers’ first pick in the Mel Kiper Mock Draft, he has them addressing their offensive line. While many Green Bay fans would moan at the selection, it’s abundantly clear that Kenyon Green would make the Packers immediately better. This isn’t to say he’s the best available, but he is an upgrade.
Green would immediately come in and start at right guard, with Lucas Patrick now with the Bears. While Aaron Rodgers does do many, many things to make his offensive line look good, not even he could make Royce Newman look like anything other than one of the worst starting linemen in the league last season.
The Packers also emphasize versatility to a fault, and Kenyon Green does have the versatility to play multiple positions up front, as he played both guard and tackle for Texas A&M. But, much like Royce Newman, Green didn’t exactly stand out at either position. However, unlike Newman, Green wouldn’t be a massive liability.
While this does seem like a pick the Packers could make, I also believe this is a prime spot for a team to trade back into, so don’t be surprised if Green Bay moves up.
28 — Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
You did it. You crazy son of a bitch, Gute, you did it. FINALLY, the Green Bay Packers have drafted their second first-round wide receiver this millennium (according to the Mel Kiper Mock Draft 3.0). However, he also fits one specific area the Packers continue to seemingly look for in their wide receivers in the draft. He’s slow.
Yes, Treylon Burks is a 6-3, athletic wide receiver that is capable of breaking tackles after the catch. However, he’s not fast enough. If this is the Packers’ addition to the WR room, we will be begging for one, just one, wide receiver to break man coverage come September. Some like to compare him to Deebo Samuel, and I get it, but he’s slower than Samuel.
So, with teams possibly trading back for a quarterback, look for the Packers to possibly trade up to take their preferred wide receiver choice.
2022 Green Bay Packers Draft Picks
- Round 1: No. 22 (from Raiders), 28 overall
- Round 2: No. 53 (from Raiders), 59
- Round 3: No. 92
- Round 4: No. 132, 140
- Round 5: No. 171
- Round 7: No. 228 (from Bears through Texans), 249, 258
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