Packers' draft plans are a little clearer after latest news
The Green Bay Packers are 3-5 and honestly, it doesn't seem like they're making the playoffs in 2023. And, they are currently on track to land a top-10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.There are all kinds of different directions the team can go in if that holds through. There are needs at left tackle (even […]
The Green Bay Packers are 3-5 and honestly, it doesn't seem like they're making the playoffs in 2023. And, they are currently on track to land a top-10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
There are all kinds of different directions the team can go in if that holds through. There are needs at left tackle (even if David Bakhtiari plans on playing in 2024), along the interior of the offensive line, running back, wide receiver, cornerback, safety, and even the defensive line. Hell, if things go completely south with Jordan Love, there could even be a need at quarterback.
All of the needs/questions/current draft status make it hard to get an idea of what the Packers are looking to do, but Saturday's news puts us on track when it comes to a starting point.
Packers eyeing players at Michigan-Penn State showdown
Per ESPN's Jordan Reid, who is one of the network's top draft experts, the Packers have "multiple representatives" in attendance for Saturday's showdown between the two Big 10 schools.
Some of the top prospects in this game include:
- Michigan QB JJ McCarthy
- Michigan RB Blake Corum
- Michigan RB Donovan Edwards
- Michigan S Rod Moore
- Michigan DT Kris Jenkins
- Michigan WR Roman Wilson
- Michigan G Zak Zinter
- Penn State LT Olumuyiwa Fashanu
- Penn State EDGE Chop Robinson
- Penn State CB Kalen King
- Penn State EDGE Adisa Isaac
A lot of those names make a lot of sense when it comes to joining the Packers in 2024. Penn State LT Olumuyiwa Fashanu probably makes the most sense out of all of them. If Love is the Packers' long-term answer at quarterback, having a stud left tackle to protect his blindside -and on a rookie contract- would go a long, long way in helping his development.
I mean, we saw what an elite Bakhtiari did for Aaron Rodgers and co. There's no reason to think that couldn't happen with Fashanu and Love.
Matt Malaspina is the Packers Director of College Scouting. Per the team's website, he was promoted on May 25, 2018 – about four-and-a-half months after Brian Gutekunst was hired. He joined the Packers in 2017 as a college scout after "serving as the director of college scouting (2013-16) and a college scout (2005-12) for the San Francisco 49ers following five seasons as an area scout with the Seattle Seahawks (2000-04)".
We'll see what other breadcrumbs are left as the final weeks of the college season come to pass.
