Mel Kiper Jr. predicts dream scenario for Packers in Round 1 of NFL Draft

The countdown to the start of the 2024 NFL Draft is underway, and we're just hours away from the Chicago Bears drafting a quarterback they hope is the second-best in the NFC North behind Jordan Love.

The Green Bay Packers will be watching the early part of Round 1 closely. They have the draft capital to trade up, should they wish, but ideally, several top prospects will fall to them. An expected early run on quarterbacks will help.

Green Bay has four picks on Day 2, so the hope is for plenty of talent to fall to the second and third rounds.

Mel Kiper's final predictions provide some optimism.

Final Mel Kiper Jr. NFL Mock Draft creates dream scenario for Packers

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. didn't post a final "mock draft" on Thursday morning, but it was along the same lines with a list of specific predictions, and there's potential good news for the Packers.

Iowa's Cooper DeJean is the overwhelming favorite for the Packers in various final mock drafts, but what about in Round 2?

Kiper predicts two potential Packers targets—Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry and Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson—could fall out of the first round.

This would be a dream scenario for Green Bay. With a combined four picks in the second and third rounds, the Packers would be perfectly positioned to move up from No. 41 to draft either player early on Day 2. It's also possible one of them could fall to them with their pick from the Jets early in the second round.

Kiper believes the Jones fracture McKinstry has dealt with this offseason could cause him to fall, but notes his drafting team could be getting a "future star." McKinstry could be a Day 1 starter at cornerback opposite Jaire Alexander.

The Packers rarely take interior offensive linemen in Round 1, but it changes in Round 2 and beyond. They took Josh Myers with a second-round pick in 2021, so it would make sense to draft his potential replacement on Day 2 this year if Powers-Johnson is available.

Landing McKinstry or Powers-Johnson in Round 2 would be a dream scenario, especially if Green Bay takes DeJean or one of the premier tackle prospects on Thursday night.

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