The Green Bay Packers have the building blocks of an unstoppable offense.
Jordan Love enjoyed the breakout season the Packers hoped to see, guiding his team to the divisional round with MVP-level quarterback play. Alongside him was one of the league's most exciting receiving groups and an improving offensive line.
Aaron Jones proved he is still a superstar running back. How long he remains in Green Bay is unclear, but Jones showed no signs of slowing down.
Green Bay used three of its top four picks on offense last year. General manager Brian Gutekunst doesn't need to go all-offense early in the 2024 NFL Draft, but he has a chance to add the finishing touches to an exciting Packers offense. Let's look at five dream draft targets on offense.
5. Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington
The Packers' offensive line played as well as any in the second half of the season, but they will need reinforcements with David Bakhtiari, Jon Runyan Jr., and Royce Newman potentially on the way out.
Washington's Troy Fautanu played almost exclusively at left tackle in college. The Packers don't need a starter following the emergence of Rasheed Walker, but Fautanu can line up at any position along the offensive line, and his best fit might be at guard.
If the Packers view him as a tackle and he outperforms Walker over the summer, fine. If a move inside is the best option, great. Fautanu can become an outstanding starter wherever the Packers need him, and he could cover at other positions.
Green Bay loves to draft linemen with positional flexibility—Elgton Jenkins and Zach Tom have played across the line—and Fautanu can do the same.
It's exciting to be a Packers fan right now, but you can make it even better with a chance to win big at FanDuel Sportsbook. All you have to do is sign up, deposit $10 or more and then bet $5 or more on ANY team to win this week. If your team wins, you'll get $150 in bonus bets! Sign up with FanDuel with this Lombardi Ave link today.
4. Malachi Corley, WR, Western Kentucky
For the first time in years, it won't be a problem if the Packers don't draft a wide receiver. However, that doesn't mean they shouldn't if the right opportunity arises.
If Green Bay does add a receiver, it should happen early. Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, and Dontayvion Wicks are roster locks. Bo Melton and Malik Heath played well this season. Would a mid-to-late-round prospect win a spot on the 53-man roster ahead of those six receivers?
But if an opportunity comes up to add a difference-maker, the Packers should take it. They have five top-100 picks, which could put them in perfect position to land Western Kentucky's Malachi Corley.
Otherwise known as "The YAC King," Corley would offer something new to Green Bay's offense. He has drawn comparisons to Deebo Samuel for his size, physicality, and explosiveness. Corley is dominant after the catch—he can run through defenders and has the acceleration to pick up yards quickly.
Get Corley the ball, and he will do the rest. Whether it's in the slot, out of the backfield, on jet sweeps—you name it—Matt LaFleur would find creative ways to get him the football.
And with Christian Watson stretching defenses vertically and clearing space underneath, a combination of Corley and Jayden Reed in the slot would be unfair on opposing defenses.
3. Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
The Packers never draft wide receivers in the first round, but if LSU's Brian Thomas Jr. falls to No. 25, they should make an exception.
Thomas offers size, athleticism, speed, big-play ability, and versatility. The Packers have a deep and talented receiving corps, but Thomas has the potential to become Green Bay's top pass-catcher. That's how good he is.
"Thomas is a big-play machine and has the upside to develop into a No. 1 receiver for his drafting team," writes NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah.
At 6-foot-4, 205 pounds, Thomas is dominant in the red zone. He caught an unbelievable 17 touchdowns in his final season at LSU. He also averaged 17.3 yards per reception, highlighting his big-play ability.
Christian Watson has struggled to stay healthy in his first two seasons with the Packers. Thomas would give Green Bay another receiver who can stretch the field and hurt defenses vertically. And when they're both on the field together, look out.
The Packers don't need a first-round receiver, and there's a good chance Thomas will be long gone by the time they hit the clock. However, with so much receiving talent in this year's class, including Thomas's LSU teammate Malik Nabers, he could fall to No. 25, giving the Packers an opportunity to add the final piece to an unstoppable receiving corps.
2. Graham Barton, OL, Duke
Another early-round option for the Packers is Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton. Where he plays in the NFL depends on the team that drafts him. Barton played at left tackle in college, but many view him as a guard or center at the next level.
"Barton's technique, toughness and athleticism are exactly what teams will be looking for from an early starter with Pro Bowl potential," writes Lance Zierlein of NFL.com.
The Packers could have an opening at right guard if Jon Runyan Jr. departs, but it's also possible Barton just outplays Josh Myers and takes the starting center job. Myers is a solid starter and improved in the second half of the season, but it's an area the Packers can upgrade.
Barton is strong in both the pass and run games and can become a quality starter for several years in the NFL. He likely wouldn't start at tackle in Green Bay but could cover for injuries. The Packers love to draft tackles who can move inside, giving them positional versatility, and Barton checks every box.
Green Bay has a solid starting five but should look for upgrades. If nothing else, the Packers need depth across the board, and Barton's ability to play almost anywhere along the line is a major plus.
1. Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon
Green Bay has its quarterback and a deep receiving corps. If the Packers can turn their offensive line from good to great, you're looking at serious Super Bowl contenders. Oregon's Jackson Powers-Johnson can help them get there.
Starting center Josh Myers is entering the final year of his rookie deal and hasn't played with the consistency Green Bay hoped for when drafting him in the second round. Powers-Johnson would give the Packers an upgrade at the heart of the offensive line.
Powers-Johnson has experience at guard but will most likely play center in the NFL, and he can become a dominant starter.
"Jackson Powers-Johnson is an NFL-ready center who showcases the size, athleticism, and awareness to be an anchor on a team's offensive line," writes The Draft Network's Brentley Weissman.
Not many Centers are often worth a first round selection
— PFF College (@PFF_College) February 19, 2024
Jackson Powers-Johnson is absolutely one of them🦆 pic.twitter.com/9UwYE30yYJ
The Packers have drafted several Senior Bowl standouts in recent years. They will be well aware of Powers-Johnson's dominant performance on the practice field in Mobile, Alabama.
Whether he's at center or guard, Powers-Johnson has Pro Bowl potential. The Packers have a solid starting offensive line but must take advantage of any opportunity to level up. They also need more depth at every position.
The Packers passed on Creed Humphrey in 2021. They shouldn't do the same with Powers-Johnson if he is available at No. 25. It's a move many fans might not initially appreciate, but they will be thankful when he is bullying defenders in January.