It's great for the Green Bay Packers to have a sequence of wins. Over the last three weeks, their playoff chances went from 9% to 50%. But that also means the draft pick will be lower. When A to Z ran its mock draft a couple weeks ago, the Packers had the seventh overall pick, so I was able to mock wide receiver Keon Coleman for them.

Now, the Packers are slated to pick at 13. And The Athletic's draft guru Dane Brugler made an interesting decision for Green Bay: Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold.

_{"The Packers' cornerback situation has been in flux, making it a position the organization might look to upgrade this offseason. Green Bay prioritizes athletic traits and competitiveness, which is why Arnold is the pick here, despite some undisciplined tendencies. Arnold will be ranked higher on some draft boards than his Alabama teammate Kool-Aid McKinstry."}

To put the pick into context, the best options at offensive tackle (Joe Alt, Olu Fashanu, JC Latham) and wide receiver (Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, Keon Coleman) were gone. Arnold ended up being the third defender selected, after edge Dallas Turner and fellow cornerback Nate Wiggins. Getting the third defender with the 13th pick is a pretty interesting scenario.

Analysis

According to Brian Maafi, a draft guide contributor for CheeseheadTV, the pick makes sense following the Packers historic trends.

_{"While not a sexy pick, Terrion Arnold makes sense with how Brugler's board fell. He also fits the type of corners that the Packers target. Big, long, athletic freaks with big upside and usually from a Power Five school. There are still questions at nickel next season and if Stokes and Jaire can stay healthy. Valentine has played really well in short spurts, and was a favorite of mine in the draft cycle. But it's still too early in his career to say we know what Green Bay has with him. I think if this were to happen in real life, Gutenkunst might look to trade down and grab a Patrick Paul, Kamren Kinchens, Cooper DeJean (convert him to safety) or Delmar Glaze if he comes out."}

Cornerback depth

Even after trading Rasul Douglas to the Buffalo Bills right before the trade deadline, the Packers still have a relatively comfortable situation at cornerback. Jaire Alexander is under contract through 2026, Erick Stokes is under a guaranteed deal for 2024 plus a team option for 2025, and rookie Carrington Valentine has a cheap contract through 2026. Recently acquired Kyu Blu Kelly also has a long deal.

But cornerback is a volatile position, and a weak-link system. Jaire is a young, All-Pro level player, but Stokes hasn't played much — and well — since his rookie year in 2021. Valentine has played at a good level, but not good enough to preclude the Packers to get another first-rounder at the position.

Ideally, the Packers might prefer to get an offensive tackle — and Packers fans usually want offensive weapons. But with the best offensive options gone, and knowing how much general manager Brian Gutekunst likes to invest in defensive pieces, Brugler paints a pretty realistic scenario.

Who Terrion Arnold is

Terrion Arnold is listed by NFL Draft Buzz as a primary outside man/press cornerback. And while Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes have similar profiles, defensive coordinator Joe Barry's scheme is zone-heavy.

Arnold is 6-0, 196 lbs, and is projected to run a 4.45 40-yard dash.

His ratings are better for run defense and coverage, but not so good for zone and tackling. He's a former four-star recruit by ESPN.

He redshirted in 2021. Last season, he appeared in 11 games, with 45 total tackles, one interception, and eight passes defended. This year, he's appeared in 12 games already, with 55 total tackles, five interceptions, 10 passes defended, one sack, and one forced fumble.

With the 7th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers select…

Check out the way too early mock