NFL Mock Draft: Packers hit home run with blockbuster trade for top QB prospect
After a tough loss on Sunday against the Denver Broncos, a number of Green Bay Packers fans have fixed one eye on the 2024 NFL Draft, and understandably so.
Heading into Week 8 of the season with a 2-4 record and three straight losses, the Packers would hold the seventh overall pick in the draft if the season ended today. But picking seventh overall would keep them out of range of this year's top QB prospects Caleb Williams (USC) and Drake Maye (North Carolina).
So, would general manager Brian Gutekunst make a bold move -- a Lambeau Leap, even -- up the board for one of these quarterbacks? I think he just might, especially with the extra second-round pick coming over from the New York Jets providing some additional ammunition.
What if the Packers make a big move up the board for a QB? Chicago currently holds the top pick thanks to their blockbuster deal with Carolina this past offseason. Arizona would own the No. 2 pick. With Kyler Murray on his massive contract, would they be willing to trade that second overall pick? Let's say the answer to that is yes.
Round 1 (2): Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Packers trade with Cardinals
To get up into the second overall slot, the Packers would have to trade an arm and a leg. They'd probably be looking at giving up their 2024 and 2025 first-round picks, as well as one of their 2024 second-round picks and maybe a 2025 third-round pick.
And that would be guessing on the low end, because we're talking not only about the Packers moving up for a QB, but we'd also be talking about whoever is picking second (the Cardinals, in this instance) being willing to move out of range of Marvin Harrison Jr. and Olu Fashanu.
As unrealistic as that may be, let's at least explore the possibility. This type of trade would leave the Packers without a first-round pick in 2025, but you would also have a new quarterback in place in Drake Maye. Maye has drawn some comparisons to Justin Herbert coming out and those comparisons seem pretty valid.
Maye has a big arm, he does a tremendous job of noticing coverages before the snap, and he's accurate with the football. He's had a lot of time on task there at North Carolina and he's consistently gotten better not only as a playmaker, but an all-around field general. He's a home-run pick for any team needing a QB of the future.