5 star players the Packers could’ve drafted in past five years

2. WR Cooper Kupp (2017)

The 2017 NFL Draft is one of ‘what-ifs’ for the Packers, as the final two players in this list will highlight.

We start in the second round. With the 61st overall selection, the Packers selected NC State safety Josh Jones.

That pick didn’t go to plan. Jones spent two years in Green Bay, making 12 starts, but was waived before the start of the 2019 season.

Just eight picks on at No. 69 overall, the Los Angeles Rams selected wide receiver Cooper Kupp.

Yes, the same Cooper Kupp that just achieved the triple crown — leading the NFL in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. He was also the NFL Offensive Player of the Year, a first-team All-Pro, Pro Bowler, and Super Bowl MVP.

Not a bad season.

Kupp has over 5,500 receiving yards and 40 touchdowns in 71 regular season games. In 2021, he caught an incredible 145 passes for 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns — a season for the ages.

In fairness to the Packers, wide receiver wasn’t a major need.

Davante Adams had just enjoyed a breakout season. Jordy Nelson had just led the league in receiving touchdowns and was named NFL Comeback Player of the Year.

But we can still wonder just how different things would’ve gone had Green Bay selected Kupp in the second round of the 2017 draft. The Packers have always been good at drafting a wide receiver to develop before a veteran moves on.

Kupp could’ve been the receiver to develop in the latter years of Nelson’s career.