The Green Bay Packers are in an interesting spot heading into the 2024 NFL Draft. There’s no doubt the team overachieved thanks to an easy schedule last season. However, with confidence high and Jordan Love’s contract cheap for one more season, it would make sense for this organization to go all-in to try and win a Super Bowl this year, and one would think the Packers’ draft targets reflect this.
Of course, the Packers’ organization traditionally does not do this. With no pressure from an owner, those in the front office know a winning record and beating the Chicago Bears is all that is needed to keep their jobs safe. So, even if the Packers are a game away from the Super Bowl, for example, there is little reason for them to be aggressive and try to win it all the following year.
With all of this in mind, it’s clear the Green Bay Packers’ draft pick in the first round can be a “project” instead of someone looking to be great immediately. This opens the door for many different players a No. 25. Yes, the Packers could and probably should trade up in the round. However, let’s pretend Green Bay stays put. Here are three Packers’ draft targets at No. 25.
Green Bay Packers Draft Targets at No. 25
Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
There have been three Georgia football players drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the first round over the past three seasons, and they have been rumored pretty heavily to draft another this year. Depending on who you ask, the Packers have one, zero or both of their starting offensive tackles for this season on the roster. They recently signed Andre Dillard, who has plenty of starting experience, but Zach Tom would also be a much better player sliding inside, which would vacate the spot at right tackle. This is the position Amarius Mims would fill for the Packers.
While he has the size to play tackle and some nice athleticism, Mims is pretty inexperienced overall. There’s a lot of work to be done in pass protection, but it wouldn’t be a first-round Packers draft pick without it being a project. Mims does, however, possess a lot of power and will move bodies in the run game.
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Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa
In free agency, the Green Bay Packers overpaid for their slot cornerback, and then they signed a talented safety, but he’s a safety that needs to be moved around and play in the box. Naturally, that means Cooper DeJean, a player who would play those two positions, is being rumored to the Packers. Truly, this doesn’t seem like the right fit at all, but this also means it is somewhat realistic based on the past of Brian Gutekunst. He also fits due to his high RAS, which is something Gute has placed a ton of weight in.
Regardless, Cooper DeJean is a good football player who has a ton of smarts. He’s versatile and extremely athletic, despite his skin tone. No, he’s not as fast as others at his position(s), but if he plays in the box, he could be a great weapon who would win consistently.
Jackson Powers-Johnson, IOL, Oregon
As stated previously, there are some who believe the starting 2024 Packers offensive tackles are already on the team. Still, the Packers need offensive line help now and in the future, and Jackson Powers-Johnson gives them some flexability now and in future seasons.
Those who have followed my work for the better part of the past decade know my background and my track record with offensive linemen. So, with that being said, Jackson Powers-Johnson is a top-three offensive lineman in this draft class, and he possibly could be the safest prospect of them all, in my opinion. He is a powerful lineman with starting experience at both center and guard, so Green Bay could play around with their lineup in training camp.
Of course, it also means there’s no pressure to keep Josh Myers next season. He can walk, JPJ could play center, then the Packers could look at tackle early next year. Powers-Johnson will move bodies on the interior, and he has the nastiness needed upfront for this team. If you’re looking for a player with attitude, then JPJ should be the Packers draft target.
