3 positions Packers must address in 2024 NFL Draft (and who they should target)

Guard/Center

Despite losing All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari again to a knee injury, the Packers offensive line is again lining up to finish ranked in the top 10 in football. Jordan Love has been sacked only 29 times, and the line is surrendering one of the lowest pressure rates in the NFL.

Green Bay historically does not take offensive linemen in early rounds, but they continuously hit big on mid- or late-round picks, so there's no need to. With as much riding on Jordan Love as there is, the Packers would be wise to spend a premium pick to shore up the offensive line.

While center Josh Myers has been impressive in pass protection, owning a 94% pass block win rate, he's consistently struggled as a run blocker and hasn't fully lived up to his second-round draft status from a few years ago. It's still no guarantee he will receive a second contract in Green Bay, and he is fresh off allowing a season-high six pressures in Week 17 against the Vikings.

However, guards Jon Runyan Jr. and Royce Newman have struggled the most, leaving right guard as the leading vulnerability.

Assuming one or both of Runyan and Newman aren't retained, 2024 is set to be a wide-open competition at right guard for the Packers. Right now, Sean Rhyan, who looks vastly improved in all regards this season, is likely the favorite to land the job.

Ideal Pick: Jackson Powers-Johnson

In case the name Jackson Powers-Johnson alone wasn't enough as a perfect pairing for the mauling interior offensive lineman with a wrestling background, his profile fits the prototypical lineman that the Packers look for.

JPJ is a plus athlete who's a fire hydrant in pass protection thanks to possessing a solid base from his time wrestling. With success at left and right guard before finding his new home at center in 2023 for the Oregon Ducks, he will likely be starting early into his NFL career at guard or center. In 2022, he logged 382 snaps, primarily at right guard, allowing zero sacks. This past season on 829 snaps at center, he allowed one hurry and, again, zero sacks.

He carries tenacity as a run-blocker and works well in space, fitting nicely into Green Bay's often-used zone-blocking schemes under LaFleur.

Power-Johnson's versatility and success at three positions are reminiscent of Packers Pro Bowl left guard Elgton Jenkins and rapidly ascending right tackle Zach Tom. If not starting right away at right guard, he'll offer the team immediate versatility across the line and has the skills to take over full-time at a moment's notice.

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