Packers Mock Draft: Trade Edition

NFL Draft week has arrived, and even without a first-round pick this year, there's plenty of energy surrounding the Green Bay Packers. Yesterday, we gamed out a draft scenario in which Brian Gutekunst stood pat and didn’t make any trades. Today, we’ll take the cuffs off Gutekunst and see what the draft board might look like if he did some wheeling and dealing.

Round 2 - No. 49 (via trade) - Chris Johnson / CB / San Diego State

Gutekunst sits around long enough before moving up three spots with the Minnesota Vikings to snag Johnson. In this trade, the Packers move up to No. 49 overall and part ways with the No. 52-overall pick and the No. 201 pick, but also get back No. 234. Johnson is a versatile corner who's shooting up the projections, and it's becoming increasingly unlikely he'll be available at 52.

In this mock, he's on the board at No. 49, so the Packers moved up. Johnson can play on the inside or the outside, the type of versatility that makes Green Bay gush. The Packers don't typically draft cornerbacks shorter than 6’0", and Johnson is a tick above that mark. For potential future CB1, Green Bay gets aggressive to get its guy.

Round 3 - No. 87 (via trade) - Ted Hurst / WR / Georgia State

In this trade, the Packers scoop up an extra pick by doing a deal with some familiar faces in the Miami Dolphins. The Packers move three spots back from No. 84 overall to No. 87 and collect the No. 227 pick, too. In Hurst, Green Bay gets a wide receiver it brought in for a pre-draft visit.

His 6'3” frame, coupled with the 4.4-second 40-yard dash time, leaves the Packers salivating to a point that they can't pass up Hurst, despite having more pressing needs. With Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks gone and Christian Watson and Jayden Reed entering the final year of their deals, Green Bay could use another jolt at wide receiver. Hurst gives them that and then some if he reaches his full potential.

Round 4 - No. 120 - Will Lee III / CB / Texas A&M

Another pre-draft visit selection, the Packers double up at cornerback by taking Lee. Keep in mind the Packers ended up with five players last year who they brought in through their 30 pre-draft meetings. It's worth monitoring who they bring in every year.

Lee provides an instant depth option at minimum, and the upside is that of someone who could be a starting corner in due time. Lee stands at 6'1”, checking off a big box for Green Bay, given its history of cornerback selections.

Round 5 - No. 160 - Jeremiah Wright / G / Auburn

Wright plays with a mean streak in him and started all 24 games the past two seasons at right guard. He dabbled a bit at left guard earlier in his career. That versatility is a welcome sight in Green Bay, and the Packers need to still add depth on the offensive line.

The starting five is in place, but behind that group exist plenty of unknowns. Wright would be an unknown as a fifth-round pick, and no selection is a guarantee. Still, Green Bay has a history of drafting offensive linemen later in the draft and developing them into studs. Wright could be the latest.

Round 5 - No. 164 (via trade) - Kaytron Allen / RB / Penn State

Green Bay was scheduled to pick at No. 153 overall and No. 160. However, in this mock draft, we traded back with the Jacksonville Jaguars. In this trade, the Packers give up No. 153 and No. 236 and get back No. 164 and No. 203. At this pick, we scooped up Allen, the former Nittany Lion.

If MarShawn Lloyd can stay healthy, the Packers have a solid three options at running back, with Josh Jacobs being the bell cow. If Lloyd is banged up for a third consecutive year, it becomes a problem. Chris Brooks is a better situational No. 3 back than a true No. 2. Allen provides a safety net in case there are injuries this year, and could work his way into the rotation as early as 2027.

Round 6 - No. 203 - Dae'Quan Wright / TE / Ole Miss

The intrigue with Wright was too good to pass up in the sixth round.

Wright was a solid vertical threat in the Rebels' passing game, but he needs a lot of work as a run blocker. In Green Bay, it's a must at the tight end position if you want to see the field. With Wright, the questions center on his technique and drive in the run-blocking department.

Having Tucker Kraft to watch and mold his own game after would help Wright. With three tight ends all currently on deals set to expire at the end of the year (Kraft isn't going anywhere), the Packers need some new blood at the position.

Round 7 - No. 227 - Vincent Anthony Jr. / EDGE / Duke

Micah Parsons is going to miss at least the first couple of games of the regular season. Rashan Gary is off to Dallas, and Kingsley Enagbare has signed with the New York Jets. It's a prove-it year for Lukas Van Ness, and two second-year players in Barryn Sorrell and Collin Oliver should both have opportunities.

With all the moving parts and uncertainty, why not add another option to the mix in Anthony?

Round 7 - No. 234 - Jordan van den Berg / DL / Georgia Tech

van den Berg has a rugby background, was tremendous against the run the last two years, and has an insane Relative Athletic Score, which Green Bay covets even though Gutekunst will deny it to this day. It's possible van den Berg goes undrafted, but with three seventh-round picks at his disposal, we have Gutekunst using one here on a player the Packers brought in for a pre-draft visit who is a freak athlete.

Round 7 - No. 255 - Behren Morton / QB / Texas Tech

Malik Willis is gone, and what the Packers will do at backup quarterback is still in flux. Desmond Ridder and Kyle McCord are currently on the roster, but there's no clarity on how things will shake out.

Will Green Bay carry three quarterbacks on the active roster? What about two on the active roster and a rookie like Morton on the practice squad? That seems most likely, but why Morton? Well, the Packers also brought in Morton for a visit before the draft.