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Packers mock drafts don't have a consensus favorite for the first round, but here are 11 possibilities

If you're looking for a consensus around what the Green Bay Packers will do with the No. 25 pick in the 2024 NFL draft later this month, you won't find one among mock drafts during the final days of March and early days of April. Among major websites producing mock drafts, you're hard-pressed to find many players mentioned more than twice going to the Packers.

Even with that in mind, consider these 11 names as possibilities when things kick off in Detroit on April 25.

Jan 30, 2024; Mobile, AL, USA; American offensive lineman Tyler Guyton of Oklahoma (60) gets set on the line during practice for the American team at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 30, 2024; Mobile, AL, USA; American offensive lineman Tyler Guyton of Oklahoma (60) gets set on the line during practice for the American team at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

Tyler Guyton, offensive line, Oklahoma

The last time the Green Bay Packers drafted an offensive lineman in the first round was 2011 — it was Derek Sherrod — but this could certainly be the year to break that streak.

In his two-round mock draft, Field Yates of ESPN.com went with Guyton. "Green Bay's roster is full of youth with developmental upside -- many of whom hit their stride ahead of schedule in 2023 — and Guyton fits right in. He was essentially a one-year full-time starter in college, manning the right tackle spot for Oklahoma in 2023 (he began his career in 2020-2021 at TCU, which included snaps at H-back). At 6-foot-8 and 322 pounds, his frame alone makes him an intriguing player, but toss in his solid footwork, and the potential is immense. I view Guyton as an NFL left tackle who would immediately compete with Rasheed Walker for the starting job and soon become a fixture there.

Yates later gives the Packers Edgerrin Cooper, a linebacker from Texas A&M, in the second round, then Washington State safety Jaden Hicks, who's become a popular Day 2 pick for the Packers in mock drafts.

Matt Miller of ESPN also zeroed in on Guyton in his most recent mock.

"The Packers love drafting premium positions early, and Guyton could be a starter for them at left tackle or right guard after they lost Jon Runyan and David Bakhtiari this offseason," Miller wrote. "He started 14 games for the Sooners over the past two seasons after transferring from TCU and could thrive at multiple positions in the pros. The 6-8, 322-pounder has great length and moves like a tight end."

Miller has the Packers taking Ennis Rakestraw Jr., a cornerback from Missouri, in the second round, and he selects players for all seven rounds.

Vinnie Iyer of the Sporting News also likes 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."

Iyer's mock draft goes the full seven rounds, and he gives the Packers an edge rusher from Alabama, Chris Braswell, with the No. 41 pick, with Hicks at No. 58.

Nov 11, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils offensive lineman Graham Barton (62) before the game at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils offensive lineman Graham Barton (62) before the game at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Graham Barton, offensive lineman, Duke

Another offensive lineman could turn into a first-round fit for the Packers.

From Eric Edholm of NFL.com: "The Packers have a history of seeking versatility in their OL draft picks, especially those who have played tackle in college. Barton primarily manned left tackle at Duke, but he projects to center (where he played almost 500 snaps as a college freshman) or guard in the NFL. He fits a similar athletic profile to the departed Jon Runyan but with a higher ceiling as a player."

From Pro Football Focus writer Arjun Menon: "The Packers' roster doesn’t have many holes outside of the interior offensive line. Barton was a tackle in college but is being projected as a guard in the NFL, and he could slot into Green Bay's right guard spot. "

The Ringer: "The Packers’ young and talented offense gets even younger and talented-er with the addition of Barton, a college tackle who projects as a guard in the NFL. With the loss of guard Jon Runyan Jr., Barton figures to first find time on the interior, where he can win a starting guard spot over Sean Rhyan in camp. Of course, questions at tackle could also be solved by Barton, if Rasheed Walker doesn’t take the anticipated leap this offseason, or if injuries lead to a midseason scramble."

Georgia offensive lineman Amarius Mims (65) looks on during Georgia football's Pro Day in Athens, Ga., on Wednesday, March 13, 2024.
Georgia offensive lineman Amarius Mims (65) looks on during Georgia football's Pro Day in Athens, Ga., on Wednesday, March 13, 2024.

Amarius Mims, offensive tackle, Georgia

What about the behemoth lineman from the SEC?

From USA TODAY's Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz: "If Green Bay wants to go big this offseason, bringing on the 6-8, 340-pound Mims would certainly make a statement. Entrusting Jordan Love's blind side to a player who has only made eight career starts might be quite the leap for Brian Gutekunst, but the potential payoff is tantalizing for an offense that has so many promising young pieces."

Troy Fautanu, offensive lineman, Washington

Chad Reuter of NFL.com forecasts a trade with the Buffalo Bills that gives the Packers the 28th pick instead, and he selects Fautanu. "When it comes to his game, Fautanu reminds me of former Packers star LT David Bakhtiari," Reuter wrote. "But unlike Bakhtiari, he won’t last until the fourth round — despite having similar less-than-ideal height for a left tackle (6-3 3/4) — because of his natural bend, length (34½-inch arms) and strength as a pass protector."

Reuter's draft goes four rounds, and in successive rounds, he has the Packers taking Hicks, Ohio State defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr., North Carolina linebacker Cedric Gray and — in an interesting one — Wisconsin offensive lineman and Kewaunee native Tanor Bortolini.

Dec 31, 2022; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Cooper DeJean (3) defends during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats in the 2022 Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2022; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Cooper DeJean (3) defends during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats in the 2022 Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Cooper DeJean, cornerback, Iowa

And then there's the secondary. DeJean was a player who was seen as a popular fit for the Packers before free agency, when the Packers signed high-priced safety Xavier McKinney. DeJean plays cornerback but was seen as someone versatile enough to play the safety role. Needless to say, McKinney's signing doesn't preclude the Packers from going in this direction, whether or not they'd hope to shift DeJean to safety.

Pete Prisco of CBS isn't giving up on DeJean as the pick. "They need help at corner and Cooper DeJean would make sense," Prisco said. "He could also move inside to safety if they needed to do that down the road."

Bleacher Report: "DeJean is one of the most versatile defensive backs in the draft, if not the most versatile," BR scout Cory Giddings said. "Throughout his career, he has shown to be a true threat as a punt returner, averaging 13.1 yards a return."

Alabama defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry (1) gestures in celebration after Tennessee failed to convert a 4th down in the fourth quarter of a football game between Tennessee and Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023.
Alabama defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry (1) gestures in celebration after Tennessee failed to convert a 4th down in the fourth quarter of a football game between Tennessee and Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023.

Kool-Aid McKinstry, cornerback, Alabama

Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports: "The Packers have a history of only drafting defensive players in the first round, so I'm not going to break tradition here; Alabama thinks Kool-Aid McKinstry has legit NFL cover skills — the only question will be his deep speed -- and he answered those questions at his pro day when he ran a 4.47-second 40-yard dash. Added bonus: he can be an asset in the return game, too."

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - AUGUST 31: Tyler Nubin #27 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers celebrates his interception against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the first half at Huntington Bank Stadium on August 31, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - AUGUST 31: Tyler Nubin #27 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers celebrates his interception against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the first half at Huntington Bank Stadium on August 31, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

Tyler Nubin, safety, Minnesota

Even with McKinney's addition, the Packers will continue to be in the market for a safety, but this hasn't been seen as an elite draft class at the position. Would Green Bay nonetheless select one in the first round?

From NFL.com's Lance Zierlein: "Green Bay has a hole in the back end next to blockbuster free-agent addition Xavier McKinney, so why not add the best safety in this year's draft? Nubin has good size and is highly instinctive."

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 29: Payton Wilson #LB30 of North Carolina State participates in a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 29: Payton Wilson #LB30 of North Carolina State participates in a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Four other names to consider

  • Nate Wiggins, cornerback, Clemson: "The Packers give new DC Jeff Hafley another talented defender to play opposite Jaire Alexander in the secondary, wrote NFL.com's Charles Davis in his mock draft.

  • Payton Wilson, linebacker, North Carolina State: The brother of Brewers pitcher Bryse Wilson is the choice for NFL.com's Bucky Brooks. "If Wilson clears teams’ medical evaluations with an injury history that dates back to his high school days, he is a potential impact playmaker as a see-ball, get-ball defender," Brooks wrote. "Though off-ball linebackers are not usually considered premium prospects in the current NFL game, Wilson’s instincts, awareness and versatility could help him grade out as a blue-chip player early in his career."

  • Quinyon Mitchell, cornerback, Toledo: He's unlikely to be available at No. 25, but Ben Standig of The Athletic floated a big-time trade in which the Packers acquire the No. 12 pick in exchange for the 25th, 58th, 91st and 245th pick. That'd be a heck of a package to surrender, but it does highlight that the Packers' surplus of draft picks does make for a high likelihood of draft-day maneuvering one way or another. "... The Packers move up 13 spots for arguably the best defender in the class," Standig wrote. "Mitchell dominated the pre-draft cycle after blasting off last season with the Rockets. This addition and free-agent safety Xavier McKinney bolsters a secondary that will face Justin Jefferson, Amon-Ra St. Brown, (Keenan) Allen and (DJ) Moore twice a season."

  • Byron Murphy II, defensive lineman, Texas: Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports also projected a trade up, this one more modest with the Eagles to No. 22. "Armed with extra picks early, the Packers make an ascension for the consensus top interior rusher in the class," Trapasso wrote.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Packers mock drafts have these 11 first-round pick possibilities