NFL Mock Draft Roundup: Packers let rival take player they should've drafted

Can the 2024 NFL Draft just begin now? We've reached the period of boredom before the event. For a while, there seemed to be a general consensus on the direction the Green Bay Packers could go in the first round.

Most mock drafts had Green Bay drafting a cornerback like Iowa's Cooper DeJean or an offensive lineman—Duke's Graham Barton and Georgia's Amarius Mims have been popular choices in recent weeks.

However, the closer we get to the draft, the bolder the predictions are getting for the Packers.

Last week's mock draft roundup featured all offensive tackles. In other weeks, cornerbacks have dominated. This edition is, well, interesting.

Packers mock draft roundup: Surprising decisions entering draft week

Chad Reuter, NFL.com: *Trade* Roger Rosengarten, T, Washington

Chad Reuter has the Packers moving down six spots to No. 31 overall, receiving a third-round pick from the San Francisco 49ers as compensation. The trade is fine. Washington's Roger Rosengarten is also an excellent fit for the Packers, and it won't be surprising if they draft him. But on Day 1? I'm not so sure.

The other issue is San Francisco trades up to get Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry. If it's a choice between the Packers drafting McKinstry or moving down to get Rosengartern and a third-round pick, they should just stick at No. 25. McKinstry can make an immediate impact as a starter on the outside opposite Jaire Alexander.

Letting the 49ers move up to get him could end up hurting the Packers, especially if Jordan Love has to throw against him in a playoff rematch down the line.

Josh Edwards, CBS Sports: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

There's so much to love about Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins, but the Packers might not consider drafting him at No. 25. At 173 pounds, Wiggins doesn't meet Green Bay's strict size thresholds at cornerback. However, Wiggins has a Relative Athletic Score of 9.43 after an outstanding NFL Combine performance. He has the potential to become an excellent starting corner in the NFL.

Nathan Jahnke, PFF: Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota

It's hard to agree with this pick for a couple of reasons. The Packers shouldn't take a safety in the first round, and although Tyler Nubin is one of the top prospects at the position, we can almost certainly take him off Green Bay's board. Nubin's poor athletic testing at his Pro Day gives him an RAS of only 3.36 (strong safety) and 2.73 (free safety).

Under Brian Gutekunst, the Packers have never drafted a player with an RAS as low as Nubin's, and it's especially unlikely in Round 1. All of Gutekunst's top choices have had an elite RAS (8.0 or above).

Owain Jones, Pro Football Network: Packers make big trade

The Packers are in the perfect position to trade with a team aiming to move up for quarterback Michael Penix Jr. This mock draft is an example. Green Bay trades the No. 25 pick to the Las Vegas Raiders for a second-rounder (No. 44), a fourth (No. 112), and a 2025 third.

Green Bay later uses its three second-round choices to select tackle Kingsley Suamataia, linebacker Payton Wilson, and safety Jaden Hicks. It's hard to argue with those picks—all three would help address the team's biggest needs.

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