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

1. EDGE T.J. Watt (2017)

We all knew what was coming at number one. In 2017, the Packers needed help at edge rusher and cornerback. Many Packers fans hoped the team would draft Wisconsin’s own T.J. Watt.

And they had the opportunity to make it happen.

Green Bay owned the No. 29 pick and was on the clock. Instead of making a selection, the team traded out of the first round. At No. 33 overall, the Packers selected cornerback Kevin King.

At No. 30, one spot ahead of the Packers’ original selection, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Watt.

Watt has quickly become one of the league’s best pass rushers, making 72 sacks and 150 quarterback hits in his first five seasons.

His sack numbers have increased each year. In 2021, Watt tied the NFL single-season record for sacks with 22.5.

In just five years, Watt is a three-time first-team All-Pro, a four-time Pro Bowler, the 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and has twice led the league in sacks.

Still just 27 years old, Watt has laid the foundations of a Hall-of-Fame career.

Many Packers fans were disappointed with the team’s decision not to draft him in 2017. Ever since, the careers of Watt and King have been watched closely.

It’s fair to say this is one the Packers got horribly wrong.