PackerNotes Staff Mock Draft 1.0: Green Bay Packers Address Secondary

The Green Bay Packers have five picks inside the top 100. For this mock, we will draft through round five with the idea of how Gutekunst and the Packers would draft. We used the PFF mock draft simulator and did not do any trades.

PFF grades the picks directly correlated with team needs. Here is PackerNotes Staff Mock Draft 1.0.

Green Bay Packers Mock Draft 1.0

Round 1: Pick 25: Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (Jimmy)

Rakestraw is a 6’0″, 188-pound corner from Missouri. He can play in the slot and the boundary and is not afraid to make a tackle. With the unknown, if Stokes can stay healthy, the Packers address the corner early. He would fit nicely in Hafley’s defense, where he can get up and press guys. Raksestraw also participated in the senior bowl. It will be interesting to see how he tests at the combine because this looks like a guy Gute would love to draft.

Round 2: Pick 41: Edgerrin Cooper (Zach)

This off-season, the Packers sent a message about what they want the defense to look like. That message was that we would look and play like the Niners. If the Packers plan on accomplishing that goal, they will need two stud inside linebackers who can do it all. Cooper might fit the bill; he has excellent speed and coverage skills. He has good recognition in the run game and can make plays all over the field.

Maybe the most encouraging thing is his play-making ability. Last season alone, Cooper recorded ten sacks and two forced fumbles. The Packers will look hard at linebackers, and Edgerrin will be on their radar early. There were reports, too, that the Packers met with Cooper during the Senior Bowl.

Was not studying LB Edgerrin Cooper when he forced his way onto our radar two seasons ago. Constantly around the football ✅️. Physicality to play downhill ✅️. Instincts & athleticism to make plasys sideline-to-sideline & in coverage✅️. LB1pic.twitter.com/D1H2ACEw0M

— Couch Potato General Manager 🏈 NFL Draft (@cpgmNFLDraft) February 16, 2024

Round 2: Pick 57: Kiran Amegadjie (Zach)

Rumors are swirling about David Bakhtiari and his possible future with the Packers. Regardless of what happens with David, the Packers need to add some depth at Tackle. In times like these, it’s hard not to like Kiran Amegadjie. He was a three-year starter at Yale. Last year, his season was cut short by injury, but he put out some great tape in that short four-game stretch. Kiran also played most of his Freshman season as a guard, so he is flexible. This is something I think that the Packers hold in high regard.

The Packers have always understood that you win and lose in the trenches, and if Bakhtiari isn’t back next season, you can bet they will be looking hard to Protect their new franchise Quarterback.

Round 3: Pick 88: Bucky Irving (Jimmy)

Bucky Irving is my favorite running back of the draft. Instead of trying to find a complement to Aaron Jones, why not draft another guy like him? Bucky is a homerun hitter with elite speed. He is shifty, with great acceleration and excellent vision.

Bucky Irving is my RB1 in this draft class. pic.twitter.com/FFoaTh6PFI

— Nick Penticoff (@NickPenticoff) February 15, 2024

The running back from Oregon had 186 carries for 1,180 yards and ten touchdowns in 2023. Irving also had two touchdowns through the air last year. The only knock on him is he must improve his pass-blocking.

With a decision to be made on A.J. Dillon, I expect the Packers to draft a running back or two.

Round 3: Pick 91: Tykee Smith (Jimmy)

A safety from the SEC who can also play the slot and is a willing tackler. Sign me up. The Packers did not extend Keisean Nixon or Darnell Savage; I doubt either is back. Both of them played a large amount of snaps that will need to be replaced. Tykee Smith is that guy. His high-energy personality would fit in seamlessly with the Packers’ secondary.

Round 4: Pick 126: Cooper Beebe (Zach)

It’s not often you see linemen rotating each series on the offense in the NFL, but the Packers used this strategy for most of the season at right guard. You could argue that right guard was one of the weakest positions for the Packers all last season. Last season, Cooper was the seventh-highest-graded guard overall in the nation and the third-highest-rated pass blocker, according to PFF. Either the Packers stick with the guys they have, which would mean resigning Jon Runyan, or they move on and get another young player in the draft. My money is on drafting a young player and having him battle it with Sean Rhyan to see who starts.

Round 5: Pick 168: Nehemiah Pritchett (Zach)

Here’s what you need to know about Pritchett. He is fast and smooth in coverage. Pritchett allowed a 46.2 percent completion when targeted in 2023. He may not be quite as complete a defender as his counterpart, D.J. James, but he has the tools to be a player in the future.

Nehemiah Pritchett with an awesome batted pass here on Xavier Legette. Ball was underthrown. pic.twitter.com/nR1t4NOV3N

— Cardiac Cats (@cardiacatsbrand) January 30, 2024

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