The first round of the 2024 NFL Draft is 178 days away. That day can’t come soon enough for Green Bay Packers fans. Through eight weeks, the Packers are on a four-game losing streak and sitting at 2-5 overall.
If the draft were to kick off today, the Packers would own the sixth overall pick. Let’s take a look at the prospects they landed in my first mock draft of the 2024 NFL Draft cycle.
TRADE: The Packers trade the 6th overall pick to the Los Angeles Chargers for the 7th overall pick, a fourth-round pick, and a fifth-round pick.
7th overall pick: Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa
How would Cooper DeJean describe himself? Three words, electric, x-factor, game-changer. In a word, DeJean is a playmaker. Like Lukas Van Ness, DeJean checks a lot of the boxes for the Packers. He’s a dynamic athlete, who competed in four sports during his prep playing career. He was a state champion in the long jump and 100-meter dash.
After picking off five passes with eight pass deflections last season, DeJean has two interceptions in eight games this season. DeJean could wear multiple hats in the secondary, with the versatility to play on the boundary, in the slot, or deep.
204 days until the Green Bay Packers select Cooper DeJean in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. https://t.co/jWsbYaIijz pic.twitter.com/NscdhuLwsZ
— Brennen Rupp (@Brennen_Rupp) October 5, 2023
DeJean is a standout on special teams. Thus far this season, DeJean has logged 136 snaps on special teams and recorded three tackles. As a returner, DeJean has returned one punt for a touchdown and averages 12.3 yards per punt return.
On top of everything he brings to the football field, DeJean will only be 21 years old when the 2024 NFL Draft rolls around. It all sure smells like a future Green Bay Packers first-round pick.
With Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Olu Fashanu, Joe Alt, and Marvin Harrison Jr all off the board, the Packers add to a secondary that’s desperate for a player with DeJean’s playmaking ability.
38th overall pick: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
It’s easy to spot Fuaga on the gridiron. At 6-6, 333 pounds, Fuaga is a mountain of a man and loves to punish anything that gets in his way. Oregon State’s right tackle has a powerful upper half and overwhelms defenders at the point of contact. Fuaga has started 22 straight games and has given up zero sacks and 16 pressures during that span.
Oregon State fourth-year OT Taliese Fuaga has been a shit-kicker all year in pass pro and the run game. Big-time athlete in space, very good agility/recovery.
When he punches people, people move. (PFF's No. 1-graded run blocker through seven games) 📈📈📈📈📈@BeaverFootball pic.twitter.com/tKsKWZOxaL
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) October 27, 2023
A year after selecting no offensive lineman, Brian Gutekunst could invest heavily in the offensive line if the current group continues to underwhelm. Even if that group starts progressing, Gutekunst will likely look to upgrade the tackle depth chart.
50th overall pick: Jonathon Brooks, RB, Texas
As you are reading this Jonathon Brooks just forced another missed tackle, leaving a defender grasping at air. The Texas Longhorns had to replace running backs Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson this fall. Brooks has made the state of Texas forget about that duo.
In eight games, Brooks has rushed for 923 yards and seven touchdowns, including 814 yards and six touchdowns in the last six games. According to Pro Football Focus, Brooks has picked up 605 yards after contact and forced 58 missed tackles.
Jonathon Brooks: 58 Missed Tackles Forced this season
Leads all Power Five Running Backs🤘 pic.twitter.com/uow9Kloucg
— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 29, 2023
The Packers could potentially be looking to replace both Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon this offseason and Brooks could step in from day one and provide the Packers with a dynamic playmaker.
