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Cooper DeJean, Amarius Mims and other players connected to Packers in mock drafts with two weeks left

Just more than two weeks remain before the 2024 NFL draft in Detroit, with the picks beginning Thursday, April 25.

Cooper DeJean, the star Iowa cornerback who wasn't able to test at the NFL combine as he worked his way back from injury, had a private pro day April 8 and posted strong numbers that might have him escalating up draft boards.

Does he remain a player that mock drafts see as a likely fit for Green Bay, or did he just become a bit harder to get with the No. 25 pick?

He's one of the names still up for discussion in mock drafts around the internet. As we scan the latest round of mock drafts, we'll keep track in particular on four players who've been seen as fits for the Packers: Oklahoma offensive lineman Tyler Guyton, Georgia offensive lineman Amarius Mims, Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton and DeJean.

Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean returns an interception for a touchdown against Wisconsin during a Nov. 12, 2022, game.
Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean returns an interception for a touchdown against Wisconsin during a Nov. 12, 2022, game.

One draft that still likes Cooper DeJean for the Packers

Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic wrote, "Can DeJean play outside corner? Maybe, depending on the scheme and situation. Can he play safety? Absolutely, yes. DeJean is a versatile nickel with high-level return skills, and he’d fill a need for Green Bay."

  • Next three draft picks: Laiatu Latu, edge rusher, UCLA; Jer'Zhan Newton, defensive tackle, Illinois; Adonai Mitchell, wide receiver, Texas

  • Where's Graham Barton? No. 21 to Dolphins

  • Where's Amarius Mims? No. 22 to Saints

  • Where's Tyler Guyton? No. 24 to Cowboys

Jan 9, 2023; Inglewood, CA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Amarius Mims (65) and offensive lineman Tate Ratledge (69) against the TCU Horned Frogs during the CFP national championship game at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2023; Inglewood, CA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Amarius Mims (65) and offensive lineman Tate Ratledge (69) against the TCU Horned Frogs during the CFP national championship game at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Two drafts that still like Amarius Mims for the Packers

Adam Rank of NFL.com charted what each team should do, not necessarily what teams will do. With that in mind, he gave Mims to the Packers.

"You're in great position, Packer Backers. You have 11 picks and no obvious needs," Rank said. "No older players, either, because even though you have a franchise steeped in tradition, you have no sentimental value for anybody. (Bitter Bears fan speaking? Maybe.) I'd go with Mims here because he offers truly rare tools. He could eventually develop into a force in this league, and you have time to let that happen."

  • Next three: Chop Robinson, edge rusher, Penn State; Newton; Xavier Worthy, wide receiver, Texas

  • Cooper DeJean: No. 22 to Eagles

  • Graham Barton: No. 21 to Dolphins

  • Tyler Guyton: No. 31 to 49ers

Rhett Lewis of NFL.com also felt Mims would be the pick.

"The Packers have a compelling collection of young skill-position talent surrounding QB Jordan Love, so this year they opt to find a long-term replacement for David Bakhtiari at LT," he wrote.

  • Next three: Thomas; Byron Murphy, defensive tackle, Texas; DeJean

  • Graham Barton: No. 20 to Steelers

  • Cooper DeJean: No. 28 to Bills

  • Tyler Guyton: No. 23 to Bengals

Sep 3, 2022; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners offensive lineman Tyler Guyton (60) in action during the game against the UTEP Miners at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2022; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners offensive lineman Tyler Guyton (60) in action during the game against the UTEP Miners at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

One draft that still likes Tyler Guyton for the Packers

Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News still thinks the Packers wind up with Guyton.

"The Packers need to boost their offensive line for Jordan Love and Josh Jacobs after parting ways with long-time but oft-injured and aging stalwart David Bakhtiari," Iyer wrote. "Guyton went from big mauler to nimble pass protector, a perfect complete fit for them up front."

  • Next three: Kool-Aid McKinstry, cornerback, Alabama; Troy Fautanu, offensive line, Washington; Brian Thomas, wide receiver, LSU

  • Cooper DeJean: No. 19 to Rams

  • Amarius Mims: No. 20 to Steelers

  • Graham Barton: No. 30 to Ravens

Oregon Ducks offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) signals against the Washington State Cougars in the 4th quarter at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon, on Oct. 21, 2023.
Oregon Ducks offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) signals against the Washington State Cougars in the 4th quarter at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon, on Oct. 21, 2023.

Yet another offensive lineman to consider: Jackson Powers-Johnson

Max Chadwick of Pro Football Focus connected the Packers to Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson. He wrote, "Green Bay’s interior offensive line was the eighth-lowest-graded unit in the league last season, and starting right guard Jon Runyan left in free agency. Powers-Johnson falls into the Packers' lap here and can play either center or guard at a high level. He was the highest-graded center in the nation this past season and ranked third among FBS guards the year before."

  • Next three: Latu; Nate Wiggins, cornerback, Clemson; Mitchell

  • Cooper DeJean: No. 15 to Colts

  • Amarius Mims: No. 24 to Cowboys

  • Graham Barton: No. 30 to Ravens

  • Tyler Guyton: No. 31 to 49ers

Nate Bouda of NFL Trade Rumors also goes with Powers-Johnson.

"There are some areas of need, but when it comes to matching up the best available players and the Packers' needs, the offensive line stands out," Bouda wrote. "Powers-Johnson played center at Oregon, and Josh Myers is in the final year of his rookie deal. However, even if he's still in the Packers' plans long-term, Powers-Johnson would likely be cross-trained in Green Bay and could compete for playing time at right guard with Sean Rhyan."

  • Next three: DeJean, McKinstry, Mitchell

  • Tyler Guyton: No. 20 to Pittsburgh

  • Graham Barton: No. 24 to Dallas

  • Cooper DeJean: No. 26 to Buccaneers

  • Amarius Mims: No. 30 to Baltimore

Sep 4, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman JC Latham (65) blocks against the Miami Hurricanes at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 4, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman JC Latham (65) blocks against the Miami Hurricanes at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

What about Wisconsin native JC Latham, an offensive lineman from Alabama?

Bruce Feldman of The Athletic has an interesting spin, with the Packers swapping spots with Dallas and winding up with Latham, an Oak Creek native who began his high-school career at Catholic Memorial in Waukesha before transferring out of state to IMG Academy in Florida, then developing into a first-round talent in the NFL. Could he really fall this far? And perhaps more specifically, is there a scenario where the Packers and Cowboys would agree to exchange just one spot in the pecking order, with the Packers moving to No. 24?

"To have this guy still available after the top 20 is good break for Green Bay, which inches up to get him," Feldman wrote. "At 6 foot 6 and 342 pounds with 35 1/8-inch arms and 11-inch hands, Latham is a giant, like fellow SEC super heavyweight Amarius Mims, but he has a lot more experience and seasoning. He has started the last 27 games for the Tide at right tackle. Latham also could likely slide inside as well if needed."

Few mock drafts have Latham reaching this part of the first round.

  • Next three: Powers-Johnson; Robinson; Bo Nix, quarterback, Oregon

  • Cooper De Jean: No. 29 to Detroit

  • Tyler Guyton: No. 30 to Baltimore

  • Amarius Mims: No. 31 to San Francisco

  • Graham Barton: No. 32 to Philadelphia

Sep 22, 2023; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Virginia Cavaliers quarterback Anthony Colandrea (10) scrambles from North Carolina State Wolfpack linebacker Payton Wilson (11) during the first quarter at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 22, 2023; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Virginia Cavaliers quarterback Anthony Colandrea (10) scrambles from North Carolina State Wolfpack linebacker Payton Wilson (11) during the first quarter at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

One last name that's still lingering: linebacker Payton Wilson of N.C. State

Chad Reuter of NFL.com did a five-round mock draft and arrived at the man who was named the nation's best linebacker in 2024, not the mention the brother of current Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Bryse Wilson. "New defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley coached against Wilson when he was at Boston College, watching his Eagles beat the Wolfpack in 2022 despite the linebacker's three tackles for loss and interception," Reuter said. "Hafley knows full well the sort of athlete and football player Wilson would add to his scheme in Green Bay."

  • Next three: Fautanu, Wiggins, Latu

  • Cooper DeJean: No. 40 to Commanders (one pick ahead of Packers second-round pick, though this mock draft posted before DeJean's pro day)

  • Graham Barton: No. 16 to Eagles

  • Tyler Guyton: No. 30 to Ravens

  • Amarius Mims: No. 34 to Patriots

  • One more interesting name: Max Melton, cornerback, Rutgers at No. 32 to the Jaguars. Could the brother of current Packers player Bo Melton be rising all the way into the first round?

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: With two weeks to go, a roundup of mock-draft picks for Packers