Packers make shocking trade in 4-round 2024 NFL Mock Draft
Safety is the Green Bay Packers' top offseason need, but they don't necessarily need to make it a priority in the draft. General manager Brian Gutekunst should make the most of one of the deepest free-agent classes in recent memory, taking the pressure off finding a starting safety in the draft.
The Packers could find a quality starter in the early rounds, but outside of a few names, it's not a great draft class. Green Bay can effectively take the position off the draft board by investing in free agency.
That brings us to this mock draft. The way the board fell, Green Bay missed out on several of the top safety targets, highlighting the importance of using free agency.
Signing one of the top available safeties, like Xavier McKinney, would open up the draft, allowing the Packers to be flexible in the early rounds.
Round 1 (15): Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toldeo
Packers-Colts trade
Gutekunst traded up in the first round for Jaire Alexander, Darnell Savage, and Jordan Love. With five top-100 picks, he could do it again to land one of the top prospects at a premium position.
Toledo's Quinyon Mitchell checks every box and is arguably the best cornerback in the class. Mitchell meets the Packers' size, athleticism, and production thresholds and has star potential in the NFL. He was among the standout players at the Senior Bowl—Gutekunst loves to draft prospects who perform well in Mobile, Alabama.
Any hopes of Mitchell falling to No. 25 likely ended after his outstanding performance at the NFL Combine. His Relative Athletic Score of 9.75 ranks 56th among 2,222 cornerbacks since 1987. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.33 seconds, and his 20 bench-press reps ranked first at the position.
Mitchell can be a Day 1 starter in Jeff Hafley's defense. He made six interceptions with two pick-sixes while breaking up 37 passes in his final two seasons at Toldeo. He is also a willing run defender, which the Packers will love.
Mitchell would be a game-changer in this defense, but the Packers will likely need to trade up to get him.