Packers: Grading Green Bay’s past 10 second-round draft picks
The Green Bay Packers have found some of their greatest players from the Aaron Rodgers era in the second round of the draft.
Players like Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams, and Nick Collins were picked in the second round. But how well have the Packers drafted in this round in recent years?
Having already handed out grades for the past 10 first-round picks, it’s time to move on to the second round.
2022: Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State
We can only base this grade on one season, but Watson is everything the Packers hoped he would be.
After a slow start, Watson showed off his incredible athleticism, speed, and size in the second half of the season, putting up 523 receiving yards and eight total touchdowns in the final eight games.
Grade: A
2021: Josh Myers, C, Ohio State
Myers has been a solid starter the past two seasons, although he is too inconsistent. It sure doesn’t help that the Kansas City Chiefs selected center Creed Humphrey one pick later, who is already a Pro Bowler and All-Pro.
Grade: C
2020: AJ Dillon, RB, Boston College
This pick was met with criticism from a number of draft analysts back in April 2020. Well, it’s fair to say Dillon has proved them wrong.
The Packers knew they would likely lose either Aaron Jones or Jamaal Williams a year later.
Following Williams’ departure, Dillon has stepped in, forming one of the league’s top running back duos with Jones. Dillon has 1,573 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns over the past two seasons.
Grade: B
2019: Elgton Jenkins, OL, Mississippi State
Brian Gutekunst hit a home run in 2019. Jenkins can play all five positions along the offensive line, although his best position is left guard, where he was a Pro Bowler in 2020 and 2022.
Grade: A
2018: Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa
The Packers doubled down at cornerback in 2018. After selecting Jaire Alexander in the first round, they went with Jackson in the second. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out for Jackson.
According to Pro Football Reference, he allowed passer ratings of 106.1, 143.7, and 113.0 in his three seasons with the Packers.
The Packers traded Jackson to the New York Giants in 2021.
Grade: F
2017: Kevin King, CB, Washington
King often receives criticism from Packers fans, but he was a solid starting cornerback when healthy. He started 42 games in Green Bay, making 30 pass defenses and seven interceptions.
Of course, the Packers shouldn’t have traded down when T.J. Watt was on the board.
Grade: B
2017: Josh Jones, S, North Carolina State
Jones played in 29 games for the Packers but was released after only two seasons.
Grade: F
2016: Jason Spriggs, T, Indiana
The Packers traded up for Spriggs in 2016, but he struggled to get game time, making just nine starts in three seasons. The Packers waived Spriggs in 2019.
Grade: F
2015: Quinten Rollins, CB, Miami (OH)
Rollins had an encouraging rookie season with six pass defenses and two interceptions, including a pick-six, but he couldn’t build on it. Rollins was also unlucky with injuries. He was released after three seasons and hasn’t played a regular-season game since.
Grade: F
2014: Davante Adams, WR, Fresno State
Five Pro Bowls and two first-team All-Pros during Adams’ time in Green Bay. Is that good? Adams sits near the top of the list in almost every Packers all-time receiving record, and he owns single-season franchise records in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns.
An A+ grade isn’t even high enough.
Grade: A+