Predictions for both of Packers’ first-round picks in 2022 NFL Draft
Who will the Packers select in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft?
It is impossible to predict what happens at the NFL Draft. No one truly knows which players are going to which teams. People can guess what positions and players teams are targeting but again, no one truly knows.
Naturally, I am here to give you my predictions for who the Green Bay Packers will be drafting in Round 1 of the 2022 NFL Draft.
The first of Green Bay’s two picks in the first round comes at No. 22.
The team’s largest need is still at receiver. The current receiver corps contains Randall Cobb, Allen Lazard, Sammy Watkins, Amari Rodgers, Juwann Winfree, and Malik Taylor.
The top three are all solid players.
Cobb has had Aaron Rodgers’ trust in the slot for a long time.
Lazard is your typical do-it-all receiver. He is one of the best blocking receivers in the game, his route-running is clean, and his height is a massive plus.
Watkins is a true pro. He can run every route, his 4.4 speed is dangerous, and he played for Matt LaFleur on the Los Angeles Rams.
The Packers are hoping for Amari Rodgers to take a big leap in his second season. Winfree and Taylor are predominantly practice squad players but have made the most of their opportunities when they’ve been given them.
With that said, I predict that GM Brian Gutekunst will draft Arkansas WR Treylon Burks at No. 22.
At 6-foot-2, 225 pounds, Burks is a big body that produced great numbers in arguably the toughest conference in America.
He put up eight catches for 179 yards and two touchdowns versus Alabama last season.
Burks is comparable to A.J. Brown or Deebo Samuel but with more of a burst. Getting more size should be a priority for Green Bay at WR (Allen Lazard is the only WR above 6-foot-1).
Aaron Rodgers would be absolutely juiced if the Packers can bring Burks to Green Bay.
At No. 28, the second of Green Bay’s two first-round selections, the team needs to find depth in a few spots. Offensive line, edge rusher, inside linebacker, and safety are those positions.
Gutekunst has a track record of going defense in Round 1. But this time around, he will be going big on offense.
After adding a big receiver at No. 22, Gutekunst will be going offensive line with this pick. Boston College OL Zion Johnson would be a very solid pick.
Johnson is primarily an interior offensive lineman but also has experience at left and right tackle. That versatility is key.
The Packers have been known to churn out versatile offensive lines over the years.
Pro Bowl guard/tackle Elgton Jenkins is returning from his ACL tear. Center/guard Lucas Patrick signed with the rival Chicago Bears, and Green Bay cut ties with tackle Billy Turner. The Packers need more depth.
The current starting five, while Jenkins remains out is: LT David Bakhtiari, LG Jon Runyan, C Josh Myers, RG Royce Newman, RT Yosh Nijman.
Johnson’s wide frame, steady base, and overall power provide him with a high ceiling in the NFL, especially in a place like Green Bay.
Again, no one knows what is truly going to happen at the NFL Draft, especially in the first round.
Green Bay has made multiple first-round trades with Gutekunst at the helm. They could very well trade up to draft a different receiver. They might trade back in order to accumulate more picks.
Rest assured, the Packers have a plan or multiple plans in place in case something unpredictable happens. Something always does.
The Packers are in a great spot, though. They are already a Super Bowl contender and have multiple first-round picks. It will be interesting to see what they do on Thursday night.