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32 most likely options for Packers in first round of 2022 NFL draft

Highlighting the 32 most likely options for the Packers in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft.

The Green Bay Packers hold the 22nd overall pick and 29th overall pick in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft. As is the case most years, the Packers are picking late in the round on Thursday night, even after acquiring an additional first-round pick by trading Davante Adams to the Raiders. Predicting which player Brian Gutekunst will pick remains a difficult exercise, especially if the team is interested in trading up or down.

His past four first-round picks provide a blueprint of sorts: Gutekunst likes young prospects with elite athleticism at premium positions.

By eliminating the most likely top 10 or so picks and digging deep into the team’s draft preferences, needs and player fits, a prospect list for the Packers in the first round can form.

Eliminated: Aidan Hutchinson, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Sauce Gardner, Derek Stingley Jr., Travon Walker, Ickey Ekwonu, Garrett Wilson, Kyle Hamilton, Evan Neal, Charles Cross and Jermaine Johnson. We also won’t include cornerbacks (Packers are three-deep, with two first-round picks) or quarterbacks.

Here’s a 32-player list of the most likely options for the Packers in the first round of the 2022 draft, sorted by position.

Packers GM: Sammy Watkins has ‘some juice still left in him’

Packers GM Brian Gutekunst addressed the signing of Sammy Watkins on Monday.

Sammy Watkins caught only 27 passes and scored just one touchdown last season with the Baltimore Ravens, but the Green Bay Packers still think the 28-year-old receiver can be a legitimate contributor for Matt LaFleur’s team in 2022.

General manager Brian Gutekunst addressed the signing during his pre-draft press conference on Monday.

“Sammy has a pretty good history in this league. He’s got some juice still left in him, I think,” Gutekunst said. “Adding a veteran receiver was just something we wanted to do.”

Watkins, a 2014 first-round pick now on his fourth NFL team, joins a receiver group in Green Bay featuring Randall Cobb, Allen Lazard and Amari Rodgers. Assuming he makes the team, he’ll play a role in helping the Packers replace the production at receiver of Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling.

The Packers signed Watkins to a one-year deal worth up to $4 million, but he’ll need to enjoy a bonuce-back season in 2022 to earn the entire salary. The contract includes only $350,000 guaranteed, and over $2 million of the deal is tied up in playtime and performance incentives.

Brandon Carwile of Packers Wire dove into Watkins’ tape from 2021 and came to a similar conclusion as Gutekunst. While he may not step in and produce big numbers in Green Bay, Watkins can give the Packers an experienced pass-catcher who can do some of the little things right, like find open space against zone, win at the line of scrimmage, get open late in plays, and block in the run game.

Watkins won’t be the only addition at receiver. The Packers are entering the 2022 NFL draft with 11 picks, including five in the first 100 picks. Watkins is one piece of the puzzle, but more pieces will soon be arriving.

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Packers host pre-draft visits for quartet of SEC offensive linemen

The Packers hosted pre-draft “Top 30” visits for four different offensive linemen from the SEC.

The Green Bay Packers hosted official pre-draft visits for a quartet of offensive linemen from the SEC. The team had Darrian Kinnard of Kentucky, Ed Ingram of LSU, Jean Delance of Florida and Jahmir Johnson of Texas A&M in Green Bay for “Top 30″ visits before the 2022 NFL draft, per Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Kinnard and Ingram could be Day 2 picks, while Delance and Johnson both have the potential to be priority free agents following the draft.

The Packers hosted visits with multiple offensive linemen, suggesting the team will use the 2022 NFL draft to help rebuild the depth up front on offense. Green Bay lost Billy Turner and Lucas Patrick this offseason, Dennis Kelly remains unsigned and Elgton Jenkins could miss a chunk of the season while recovering from an ACL injury.

Kinnard (6-5, 322) started 37 games at right tackle and two more at left tackle for Kentucky. He was a two-time All-SEC and two-time All-American. He has giant arms (35″) and hands (11 1/4″) but tested poorly during the pre-draft process (3.28 Relative Athletic Score), especially in the agility drills, making him an unlikely fit for the Packers. A move to guard is likely.

Ingram (6-3, 307) started 23 games at left guard and 13 at right guard for LSU. He lacks Kinnard’s size but tested better athletically (7.29 RAS), and his movement skills are more befitting of Green Bay’s usual offensive line tendencies. His pass protection ability is a plus. An arrest in 2018 resulting in a year-long suspension might have been the team’s motivating reason for the pre-draft visit.

Both Kinnard and Ingram could come off the board in second or third round.

Johnson is ranked as Dane Brugler’s No. 33 overall offensive tackle in the class. Delance is No. 39. Both got free agent grades from Brugler. Often during the pre-draft process, teams use visits for players down the draft board for recruiting purposes.

Johnson, who weighed in at only 290 pounds, started 11 games in 2021, including starts at left tackle. Delance, a transfer from Texas, started 37 total games over his final three seasons and was a participant at the East-West Shrine Game.

Neither tested particularly well, but Delance has 36.5” arms, creating an intriguing trait for his transition to the NFL. Having the pair come to Green Bay may increase the team’s chances of signing them if they go undrafted.

The Packers have also met with Washington State’s Abraham Lucas, Tulsa’s Tyler Smith, Penn State’s Rasheed Walker, Utah’s Bam Olaseni, Central Michigan’s Luke Goedeke and Wisconsin’s Logan Bruss.

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Boston College OL Zion Johnson in play for Packers in first round?

Zion Johnson, an impressive offensive line prospect from Boston College, could be a first-round option for the Packers in the 2022 NFL draft.

A surprise name has been linked to the Green Bay Packers with the draft set to begin Thursday. Sources have told Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline that Boston College offensive lineman Zion Johnson is a name to watch for in the first round. The Packers currently own the 22nd and 28th overall selections and could use either pick to address their offensive line.  

Johnson started two and a half seasons in college, mostly at left guard. In 2020, he started all 11 games at left tackle before moving back to guard for his final season.  

Before arriving at Boston College, Johnson was a 0-star recruit with zero FBS offers. His first year after transferring from Davidson, he would go on to start in seven games, impressing enough coaches to earn second-team All-ACC honors.   

Johnson has only gotten better since. He is described as a “phone booth guard” thanks to his impressive size and power. Even though Johnson has experience at tackle, expect him to remain on the interior at the next level.   

Following an impressive performance at this year’s NFL Scouting Combine, Johnson earned a Relative Athletic Score of 9.74. Green Bay likes to draft and develop athletic linemen, and Johnson certainly fits that mold.   

In terms of athleticism and versatility, Johnson could remind the Packers of Elgton Jenkins. Jenkins was selected 44th overall back in 2019 and has become a Swiss-army knife type player that can excel at basically every spot on the offensive line.   

However, this may not be the case for Johnson, who is susceptible to athletic defensive linemen in space. Johnson’s best fit will be as a starting guard, but he does have the potential to play center.   

Green Bay is always a team to watch for when it comes to athletic offensive linemen. It makes sense for them to like Johnson, given his potential and their need for offensive linemen. The Packers recently parted ways with Billy Turner, who was a mainstay up front for the past three seasons. Turner started 43 games in Green Bay before getting released this offseason.   

Even though Turner mostly started at right tackle, that doesn’t rule out Johnson as a first-round pick. The Packers place tremendous value on offensive linemen with his kind of measurables and positional flexibility. Johnson could step in and play right away as Green Bay will have to think about replacing Turner and finding a short-term answer for Jenkins. Coming off an ACL injury suffered in Week 11, Jenkins isn’t expected to recover in time for the start of the regular season.  

Johnson is a potential short-term and long-term solution for the Packers.   

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Packers linked to first-round interest in Arkansas WR Treylon Burks

Could Arkansas WR Treylon Burks be a top option for the Packers in the first round?

Rumors surfacing during the week of the draft must always be viewed through a critical lens, but consider this: the Green Bay Packers have been connected with a likely first-round receiver prospect.

Albert Breer of MMQB.com has heard the Packers linked with Arkansas receiver Treylon Burks, who could be an option for general manager Brian Gutekunst at No. 28 overall.

Breer also made the common comparison of Burks to Deebo Samuel, calling him a “bigger receiver who, like Deebo Samuel, you need to have a plan for.”

Burks, who made a pre-draft visit to Green Bay, is 6-2 and 225 pounds and one of the best players in the class with the ball in his hands. He could be a terrific player after the catch in Matt LaFleur’s offense, especially if the Packers find easy ways of getting him the football while he develops into a more well-rounded receiver.

But there is buyer beware on Burks: He got a lot of manufactured touches at Arkansas, often relied on winning contested-catch situations and then didn’t test out like an elite athlete during the pre-draft process. There is a bust factor in play here, which is why Burks could be available deep into the first round.

In a perfect world, Burks would become a more dangerous version of Alshon Jeffery or a reincarnation of A.J. Brown or Josh Gordon.

The Packers need to reload at receiver after losing Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Burks could be one piece of the puzzle.

Of course, rumors of this kind – especially this late in the process – could be smokescreens designed to confuse other teams and help a different player get into range. Breer says the Packers could take a top four receiver prospect if one falls to No. 22 or wait until the second round to address the receiver position. At this point, it’s all a guessing game.

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Packers mock draft 7.0: Final, seven-round edition

Making all 11 picks for the Green Bay Packers in this last mock draft before the 2022 NFL draft.

It’s officially NFL draft week. The start of the league’s annual roster-building event is three days away, which means it’s time for the final mock draft of this year’s draft cycle. Here’s who we picked for the Green Bay Packers over all seven rounds:

Unpacking Future Packers: No. 5 Drake Jackson

USC edge rusher Drake Jackson checks in at No. 5 in Unpacking Future Packers, a countdown previewing the NFL draft for Packers Wire.

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2022 NFL draft.

The Green Bay Packers need to improve the depth behind pass-rushing duo Rashan Gary and Preston Smith. Luckily for Brian Gutekunst and the Packers the 2022 NFL draft is rich on talent on the edge.

An edge rusher that the Packers could target early in the 2022 NFL Draft is Drake Jackson. The USC edge rusher checks in at No. 5 in the Unpacking Future Packers countdown.

A four-star recruit, Jackson burst onto the scene as a freshman. The California native recorded 11.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and three pass deflections in 2019. In just six games in 2020, Jackson recorded 5.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and one interception.

In nine starts this past season Jackson recorded eight tackles for loss, five sacks and one interception. 

Pro Football Focus on Jackson’s progression:

“Before his late-season injury, Jackson proved that he had taken a significant next step in his development. He improved his 66.6 pass-rushing grade as a sophomore to 87.7 in 2021.”

At 6-3, 273 pounds with long arms (looks like Gumby), Jackson looks like a prototypical edge rusher. He has a quick first step with long strides that chew up grass and he has explosive upfield speed. He has the flexibility to dip and bend the edge. Jackson plays with a low pad level and natural balance to work through contact. Once he wins the corner he shows great closing burst to the quarterback. He’s able to open up inside rush lanes for himself by getting offensive tackles leaning to the outside. 

“His bend and flexibility are undoubtedly his biggest strengths,” PFF’s Anthony Treash said. “He  has a nasty speed dip and ghost move because of it.”

From the Athletic’s Dane Brugler on Jackson’s ability as a pass-rusher:

“Although his initial step can be better, Jackson rushes with outstanding flexibility, length and arc acceleration along with the instincts to capture the corner or fire back inside.”

As a run defender, Jackson shows outstanding range. He’s a high effort player and that motor shows up with his ability to chase down ball carriers from the backside. Overall, Jackson has his inconsistencies as a run defender due to his play strength. A team will be drafting him for his pass-rushing chops and we’ll have to be patient, as he develops against the run.

Jackson is a fluid athlete and looks comfortable dropping into space. At USC’s pro day, Jackson posted a three-cone time of 7.09 and a short shuttle time of 4.28.

“Drake Jackson’s greatest strength is athleticism off of the edge when getting to the quarterback,” Evan Desai, the editor of Reign of Troy, said. “His athleticism allowed for Todd Orlando to send him into coverage, of course. Orlando sent him out way too much and didn’t let him do what he did best (pass rush of course), but it at least did show that he had athleticism to where he can be used in different roles like that situationally.”

It’s worth noting that the Packers hosted Jackson on a pre-draft visit. Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported the visit.

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Fit with the Packers

Jackson checks all the boxes. He’s a good athlete. He plays a premium position and he just turned 21 years old. 

The USC edge rusher has all the tools and it would not be shocking to see Gutekunst take the talented edge rusher with the 28th overall pick. It’s more likely he goes day two, but Jackson screams Gutekunst first-round selection.

“He’s likely a designated pass-rusher to start,” Treash said. “He never really grew as a run defender and had a lack of playmaking in that facet throughout his career. He still has high upside as a pass rusher because of his tools.”

The Packers have their two starting outside linebackers in place with Gary and Smith. Now, Gutekunst needs to add quality depth behind that duo. 

Adding Jackson would give Joe Barry an athletic and talented edge rusher with all the tools to be a game-changer at the next level. Jackson has the frame and flexibility to disrupt the pocket on Sundays. 

From Brugler:

“Jackson is a twitched-up speed rusher with the upside to be disruptive in the NFL if he can develop his play strength and hand/power moves without sacrificing athleticism. He has the upside of an impactful NFL starter but has work to do if he wants to reach that level.”

If Jackson were to land in Green Bay he could serve as a designated pass-rusher during his rookie season. Given his age and skill-set, the USC edge rusher could be viewed as the future running mate for Gary.

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Packers host pre-draft visit with Tulsa OL Tyler Smith

The Packers hosted a Top 30 pre-draft visit with Tulsa OL Tyler Smith, a potential first- or second-round pick in the draft.

The Green Bay Packers hosted an official pre-draft visit with Tulsa offensive lineman Tyler Smith, according to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Smith is a young (21 years old) and ascending prospect with tackle/guard versatility and a real chance to go within the first 50 picks of the 2022 NFL draft.

A three-year starter at Tulsa, Smith manned the left tackle position for 23 games, including 21 starts during the last two seasons. He was an all-conference selection in both 2020 and 2021.

Dane Brugler of The Athletic ranks Smith as the sixth-best offensive tackle prospect in the class and the No. 50 player overall.

Smith’s combination of left tackle experience and athleticism creates an intriguing mix for an offensive line prospect. At 6-4 and 325 pounds, Smith ran the 40-yard dash in 5.02 seconds, hit 27.5″ in the vertical leap, covered 8-9 in the broad jump and finished the short shuttle in 4.65 seconds and the three-cone drill in 7.78 seconds. His Relative Athletic Score is 8.77 out of 10.0.

Smith has 34″ arms and massive hands (10 3/4″). The Packers need a developmental option at offensive tackle after losing Billy Turner and potentially losing Dennis Kelly, who remains unsigned.

Lance Zierlein of NFL.com calls Smith a “power merchant” who is “big, wide and nasty” and “explosive and athletic.” He needs development as a pass-blocker and a full-time move to guard might be necessary.

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Packers host pre-draft visit with USC edge rusher Drake Jackson

The Packers hosted a pre-draft visit with USC edge rusher Drake Jackson.

The Green Bay Packers hosted a pre-draft visit with USC edge rusher Drake Jackson, according to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Jackson is an ascending pass-rusher with the athletic tools and upside capable of making him one of the Packers’ first four picks in the 2022 NFL draft.

Jackson, who just turned 21 years old, produced 25.0 tackles for losses and 12.5 sacks over 28 games (26 starts) at USC. He was a second-team All-Pac-12 pick as an 18-year-old true freshman in 2019 and ended his three-year collegiate career as a three-time all-conference selection.

At the NFL Scouting Combine, Jackson – weighing 253 pounds – hit 36.5″ in the vertical leap and covered 10-7 in the broad jump. At USC’s pro day, he bulked up to 273 pounds and finished the short shuttle in 4.28 seconds and the three-cone drill in 7.09 seconds. His Relative Athletic Score is 9.66 out of 10, meaning he’s an elite athlete at edge rusher.

Jackson has 34″ arms and a wingspan of almost 83″, giving him excellent length despite only standing 6-3. His ability to add weight and still remain explosive bodes well for his chances of becoming a quality player on the edge as a standup outside linebacker.

The Packers are in need of a developmental edge rusher to coach up behind Rashan Gary and Preston Smith. Given his upside and athleticism, Jackson might be one of the best options in the 2022 draft class.

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Packers host pre-draft visit with Nevada WR Romeo Doubs

The Packers hosted a pre-draft visit with Nevada WR and punt returner Romeo Doubs, per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

The Green Bay Packers hosted an official pre-draft visit with Nevada receiver Romeo Doubs, according to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Doubs (6-1, 204) was a four-year starter at Nevada who caught 225 passes for 3,322 yards and 26 touchdowns over 45 games and 37 starts. He followed up a breakout 2020 campaign (58 catches, 1,002 yards and nine touchdowns in nine games) by catching 80 passes for 1,109 yards and 11 touchdowns over 11 games in 2021.

Doubs is also an accomplished punt returner, totaling 463 yards and one touchdown over 37 returns (12.5 yards per return).

His straight-line speed, ball skills and special teams value could give him a lot of ways to help the Packers.

Brennen Rupp of Packers Wire profiled Doubs here. Rupp called him an “instant accelerator” with the kind of “excellent top speed” needed to be a vertical threat.

Dane Brugler of The Athletic ranks Doubs as the 27th best wide receiver prospect in the draft class and projects him to be a Day 3 pick. The Packers have six picks on Day 3 of the draft.

Doubs, who is 22 years old, has a 78″ wingspan and 10″ hands. He did not do pre-draft workouts due to a knee injury and has an incomplete athletic profile.

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