Analyzing the 2024 Draft Class for Green Bay

Going back to the well, Gutekunst took another Georgia defender, this time it was safety Javon Bullard. Having already brought in Xavier McKinney this offseason, adding Bullard expedites the reshaping process of this position in Green Bay.

Bullard is a heat-seeking missile when the ball is in the air, as he consistently is flying in to make a play. His coverage skills are some of the best in the entire class, making him a likely candidate to be the first man up alongside McKinney.

It’s not surprising that Gutekunst took an early swing at adding a safety, and Bullard is one of the best safeties in the draft.

MarShawn Lloyd – 88th (3rd)

Running Back – USC

Even though Josh Jacobs was signed this offseason, Green Bay can easily move on from him after his first year. Plus, with how cheap AJ Dillon was re-signed for, adding MarShawn Lloyd makes a ton of sense.

Adding Lloyd could be more of a move for the future, but Lloyd can make a big-time impact right away. His fluidity and shiftiness brings a lightning archetype to Jacobs’ thunder, something that will help balance out the RB room.

Lloyd was one of the first backs drafted this year in a class that was below average. Lloyd likely will be counted on more as a change-of-pace option with receiving upside, something that was seen quite often in his collegiate workload at both South Carolina and Southern California.

Ty’Ron Hopper – 91st (3rd)

Linebacker – Missouri

Probably the lone head-scratcher of the NFL Draft for the Packers was Ty’Ron Hopper from Missouri. The confusing part isn’t necessarily related to his skills, because he has good tape that should help him at a minimum factor into the special teams unit.

It’s more related to his draft spot, as Hopper wasn’t really seen as a top-100 player on many boards. Hopper produced his best collegiate season in 2022, so Gutekunst and his scouts are likely buying the dip on that being his potential, and not his 2023 tape.

His work on special teams likely factored heavily in his draft stock, but his play on defense stands out too. Expect Hopper to factor into potential dime packages where the best, most athletic prospects need to be on the field, which is what Hopper fits into.

Evan Williams – 111th (4th)

Safety – Oregon

The first pick of day three for Green Bay was the team’s second safety of the draft, Oregon’s Evan Williams. It’s tough to not be excited about Williams, who immediately looks to be the in-the-box safety for Hafley’s scheme.

An uber-athletic option with the ability to near the line of scrimmage, Williams should pair nicely with the physicality of Bullard and the center-field coverage of McKinney.

Jacob Monk – 163rd (5th)

Offensive Lineman – Duke

Along the same lines as why Green Bay targeted Morgan in the first round, Jacob Monk is a versatile OL that can play all over the line. Having suited up at center during his time with the Blue Devils, Monk looks to be a serious candidate to push Josh Myers for the starting center role.

Monk has plenty of starting experience, something that Green Bay values. The Packers are notorious for their late-round OL development, so Monk could become the next diamond in the rough.

Kitan Oladapo – 169th (5th)

Safety – Oregon State

A third safety came off the board for the Packers, as Oregon State’s Kitan Oladapo joins the young safety room. While taking three stabs at a position of need may seem like a bad much, Gutekunst has taken this approach before, and it has worked out.

While comfortable playing anywhere on the field, Oladapo is stout near the line of scrimmage, potentially being added as a sub-package LB in the process.

Travis Glover – 202th (6th)

Offensive Lineman – Georgia State

Patience is a consistent part of Travis Glover’s game, as he is quite calm when dealing with pass rushers. While a bit raw in some of his blocking skills, Glover does look to be a moldable prospect.

Glover doesn’t necessarily scream Green Bay prospect, but his extensive starting experience while at Georgia State likely was a driving factor. While Glover is a bit of a project, look for the OL staff to take him in and develop him into a backup option that can stick around for a while.

Michael Pratt – 245th (7th)

Quarterback – Tulane

It seemed to be only a matter of when, not if, that Green Bay drafted a quarterback, and it finally happened in the seventh inning. Tulane’s Michael Pratt is a strong candidate to make this team, and it was a pretty big surprise that he fell to the seventh round.

Having thrown for over 9,600 yards, Pratt doesn’t fit the typical seventh-round QB mold. Pratt will challenge Sean Clifford for the QB2 spot, and he has a legitimate shot at winning that job.

Kalen King – 255th (7th)

Cornerback – Penn State

The final pick of the 2024 NFL Draft for the Packers was yet another steal, as Kalen King was at one point seen as the best cornerback in the entire draft class. Granted, that was last offseason, but the potential with King is there for the development of Green Bay.

Having put up a far better season in ‘22 than ‘23, King is only one year removed from leading the Big Ten in pass breakups (21). With Carrington Valentine having been last year’s late-round steal, King looks to be following in his footsteps and could very well play a big role in Green Bay’s pass coverage in 2024 and beyond.