The Green Bay Packers stayed put during the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. They clearly had an agenda, drafting two quick, athletic players from the University of Georgia, Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt. We have the Packers draft grades for those two picks here.
Hopefully, Brian Gutekunst didn’t hurt himself too bad reaching for Walker at No. 22 last night. It’d be a shame if he couldn’t show up for Day 2 of the draft tonight, which will be Rounds 2 and 3.
Now, the Packers’ ego when it comes to drafting wide receivers in the second round is massive. They feel like they cannot miss. So much so that Gute had a smirk on his face talking about it immediately after trading away a Hall of Famer at the position. The pressure is on. The Packers will look to draft a Hall of Famer in the second round, and they truly believe they can do it.
Here is a list of Green Bay Packers draft targets for Day 2 of the 2022 NFL Draft. Well, at least they should be targets.
Green Bay Packers Draft Targets For Day 2
John Metchie III, WR, Alabama
The wide receiver for Alabama is the next-best wide receiver in terms of fit, in my opinion, for the Green Bay Packers. We know of the Packers’ recent history of developing wide receivers, which hasn’t gone great. John Metchie III comes in ready to produce, once he’s cleared from his knee injury. He is also a player who should be there when the Packers draft picks come around in the second round, meaning they won’t need to trade up. For all of these draft targets, I will keep that in mind.
Metchie is not the biggest guy, but he has been successful creating space off his release with his feet. He is a terrific all-around player who could blossom into a star in the NFL.
Jalen Tolbert, WR, South Alabama
As soon as the Packers let Marquez Valdes-Scantling walk, I said in articles, podcasts, videos and tweets that Jalen Tolbert is probably their plan. Tolbert, to me, can step in and immediately fill the MVS role. While he doesn’t have the ceiling that many other receivers available have, he is the MVS type, and I’m simply looking for the Packers to not mess up.
Many have Tolbert higher on their boards than I do. I think he’s a third-round talent, though it is very Packers to trade up in the second for him, of all players.
Alec Pierce, WR, Cincinnati
A speedy outside receiver they many are comparing to Jordy Nelson. Why are they comparing him to Jordy you ask? Well, he’s tall, fast and white.
Comparisons aside, because they don’t matter, the Packers need an outside receiver that can stretch the field. We cannot have all of our eggs in the Sammy Watkins basketball, and Alex Pierce can be that player. Hopefully, he is taken in the third and not the second round.
Wan’Dale Robinson, WR, Kentucky
Again, third round and not second round, but I would love to see Wan’Dale Robinson in Green Bay. Though undersized, he is extremely versatile and dynamic in the open field. He can be the creative gadget player that some wanted Amari Rodgers to be before actually watching him play football.
Romeo Doubs, WR, Nevada
The last wide receiver on this list, I would love to trade up in the fourth round and hopefully get Romeo Doubs. However, I wouldn’t hate a third-round selection for the Nevada product. He has great footwork, can be a strong route runner, has the speed to get behind the defense, and he was a productive punt returner.
Max Mitchell, OT, Louisiana
Max Mitchell would be my offensive lineman Packers draft target of choice, though the next man is also more than worthy. Mitchell is a third-round guy who may not fall to where the Packers are, so trading up could necessary. His pass sets are a thing of beauty and his flexibility is crazy. He needs to put on some weight and improve his power, but living in Wisconsin naturally helps with this.
Abraham Lucas, OT, Washington State
Abraham Lucas is another great pass protector, but he is likely going in the second round. He has the perfect build and frame to play offensive tackle in the NFL immediately. Lucas could also benefit from some lower body strength, and he needs to be coached on his hand placement, but he is a high-upside guy who could start right away.
Drake Jackson, EDGE, USC
Could Drake Jackson fall because of his injury? The Packers certainly hope so. Jackson has all of the tools to be a great speedy rusher in the NFL, though he is another project, and the Packers already have some rookie defensive projects. Jackson would likely be peaking when Preston Smith’s contract is up, which is the forward-thinking move the Packers love, though a Super Bowl-winning move is nice too.
In all, I like Drake Jackson and I know of the Packers’ interest in him. Going offense twice in the second round may be smarter though.
Jelani Woods, TE, Virginia
I believe the Packers put out the Darren Waller reports to either get a feeling for how the Packers fanbase feels about investing in tight end or to simply ease the fans into it. Considering the report was an illegal trade for Waller, there wasn’t an actual plan to get him.
However, they could invest in pass-catcher on Day 2 through the tight end position. I like Trey McBride more, but Jelani Woods will go later. Woods is a large, rangy, athletic tight end. He’s a good blocker and he has the tools to be a threat in the receiving game.
Don’t Draft
Please Packers, don’t target Daniel Faalele or Darian Kinnard. I would prefer you don’t go for George Pickens either. Please and thanks.
2022 Packers Draft Picks
ROUND | OVERALL | Picks |
1 | 22 | Quay Walker, LB |
1 | 28 | Devonte Wyatt, DL |
2 | 53 | |
2 | 59 | |
3 | 92 | |
4 | 132 | |
4 | 140 | |
5 | 171 | |
7 | 228 | |
7 | 249 | |
7 | 258 |