Green Bay Packers first-round pick odds ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
Unless there’s a trade, the Packers will pick late Thursday night to open their NFL Draft. And the mocks suggest Green Bay will select a DB. But the oddsmakers say an offensive lineman.
So there could be some drama at pick No. 25 as the Packers add another youthful layer to their already young team. The folks at BetOnline established these odds for Green Bay’s first round selection. And yes, some of it is crazy stuff.
Offensive lineman: 1/2
Cornerback: 9/4
Defensive line/edge: 6/1
Safety: 11/1
Linebacker: 16/1
Wide receiver: 40/1
Quarterback: 100/1
Running back: 100/1
Tight end: 100/1
The Packers do need an offensive lineman. In fact, that need inspired some draft analysts to speculate about a trade because Green Bay desires a big guy in the trenches. Earlier this month, ESPN’s Field Yates floated a trade between the 49ers and Cowboys. In this scenario, San Francisco wants to jump ahead of the Packers so that they can pick Georgia’s Amarius Mims. The former Bulldog is very raw, but is a fascinating tackle prospect for either the Packers or 49ers.
Will the 6-8, 340-pounder last that long on the draft board?
“He has an unbelievable set of physical tools,” Yates said. “It’s hard not to think that that guy is not going to be a first 25 or 26 overall pick.
Other offensive line possibilities include Oklahoma’s Tyler Guyton and Duke’s Graham Barton. The Steelers, with pick No. 20, are thought to be interested in Barton, who can play all five line positions. Guyton, who switched to full-time offensive line in college, probably will be available at No. 25.
But if it’s not an offensive lineman, chances are the Packers will look to a defensive back. There aren’t any safeties with a first-round grade this year. But Iowa’s Cooper DeJean, who can play both corner and safety. could be a Green Bay target.
His versatility is a plus for the Packers.
“I feel like I have the athleticism to play any position in the back end,” DeJean told reporters who watched his Iowa pro day. “It’s football, and I love to play football. So, you put me on the field, I’m going to play football wherever I am.”
Coming into the draft, the Packers own 11 picks, starting with No. 25. The 11 picks are tied for the most in the league. The Rams and Cardinals also have 11. Five of the picks come between No. 25 and 91. There are extra picks in the second and third rounds as part of Green Bay trades last year with the Jets and Bills.
Last year’s Packers draft class was a huge success as judged on sheer numbers and staying power. The Packers selected 13 players last April. Of those 13, 11 made the team. Plus, four undrafted free agents earned roster spots. The rookie class made the Packers one of the youngest teams in the NFL. And given that Green Bay, as the seventh seed, made it to the divisional round of the NFC playoffs, the trajectory for this season is only going up.