Aaron Rodgers gifts Packers a bonus pick in 2024 NFL Draft
It's official: The Green Bay Packers own 11 selections in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Along with their original seven and two from the Aaron Rodgers and Rasul Douglas trades, the Packers have received three compensatory selections.
The Packers love to stock up on compensatory picks. Since 1994, they have received 52 bonus selections, the third-most in the NFL behind the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys. Compensatory picks have helped Green Bay land many talented players, including Josh Sitton, Mike Daniels, Zach Tom, and Isaiah McDuffie.
Green Bay receives compensatory picks in Rounds 5-7 this year, and they can thank Aaron Rodgers for one of them.
Packers receive three compensatory draft picks in 2024
The best pick of the three is No. 168 overall, which is in the fifth round. The Packers will receive this bonus selection for the loss of Allen Lazard in free agency a year ago, and they can thank Rodgers for making it happen.
Last March, The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported that Rodgers had given the Jets a "wish-list" of players he wanted the team to target, including Lazard. Rodgers' arrival was a "big reason" why Lazard signed with the Jets, he said in an interview with TMZ Sports.
The Jets responded by handing Lazard a four-year, $44 million deal, a massive overpay for a veteran receiver who had enjoyed a solid career with the Packers but was by no means a WR1.
Lazard was made a healthy scratch in two games and finished the season with only 311 receiving yards and one touchdown. The Jets' overpay helped the Packers land a fifth-round compensatory pick despite Lazard failing to make an impact.
The No. 168 pick could be significant. Last year, Green Bay selected Dontayvion Wicks at No. 159 and Karl Brooks at No. 179. Key contributors can be found on Day 3 of the draft.
Green Bay will receive the No. 41 pick from New York for the Rodgers trade, but the four-time MVP helped the team land an additional fifth-rounder in 2024.
More Packers news and analysis
manual