The Green Bay Packers offseason has been eventful with the Aaron Rodgers contract extension and the blockbuster Davante Adams trade. Needless to say, it makes the 2022 Packers mock draft a lot more interesting.
Green Bay avoided a quarterback problem by keeping Rodgers. On the defensive side, re-signing De’Vondre Campbell and Rasul Douglas ensures that inside linebacker and cornerback won’t be areas of weakness in 2022.
Before we dive into our 2022 Packers mock draft, let’s examine the draft picks Green Bay holds this year. Note, the compensatory selections are not officially released until later this offseason.
2022 Green Bay Packers draft picks
- 1st round: 22nd and 28th overall
- 2nd round: 53rd and 59th overall
- 3rd round: 92nd overall
- 4th round: 132nd and 140th overall
- 5th round: 171st overall
- 7th round: 228th overall, 249th overall and 258th overall
Let’s dive into our Green Bay Packers 7-round mock draft.
Green Bay Packers mock draft: Strengthening the team around Aaron Rodgers
One thing the Packers should feel confident about in 2022 is their defense. The secondary will be one of the best in the NFL with Jaire Alexander healthy and Douglas coming back. Cornerback, once an Achilles’ heel for this team, is an area of strength. While there are still some needs on the defensive side – edge rusher, defensive tackle, safety – this is already a top-10 unit in our NFL defense rankings.
On the other side, a team can feel great about an offense led by Aaron Rodgers. Green Bay will also get All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari back for Week 1 and center Josh Myers will be healthy. However, the Packers’ receiving corps is one of the worst in the NFL and right tackle is a weak point on the offensive line.
We’ll try to stick to some version of the Packers’ draft philosophy, placing value on specific positions. With that in mind, let’s dive into our Green Bay Packers mock draft.
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1st round, 22nd overall: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
The last time the Packers spent a first-round pick on a wide receiver was the 2002 NFL Draft, when they selected Javon Walker 20th overall. It seems fitting to end that drought 20 years later with the 22nd overall pick. Green Bay needs weapons for Rodgers and Olave definitely checks that box.
Drawing comparisons to Terry McLaurin from NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, Olave is an exceptional route-runner. Consider how important that is for a young receiver to find success and earn the trust of a veteran quarterback. Olave is capable of beating teams vertically with high-end speed, but he wins most often with the fluidity with which he moves and creates separation.
Olave is also sure-handed, finishing his Ohio State career with a very low 4.9% career drop rate (Pro Football Focus). He can be a No. 2 receiver immediately in the NFL and is versatile enough to be moved around the field. This is likely one of the top receiver targets on the Packers’ draft board.
One thing to keep in mind, there’s a possibility Olave doesn’t fall to No. 22. Given his fit in the Packers’ offense and the team’s need, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Green Bay trades up for him.
1st round, 28th overall: Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan
A member of Bruce Feldman’s 2021 freak athletes list for college football, Bernhard Raimann first played tight end and only recently converted to offensive tackle. A 6-foot-7, 305-pound lineman with top-end athleticism for his size immediately generates first-round consideration. Throw in how well he played in 2021 (94.6 run-blocking grade, 88.7 pass-block grade from PFF) and you’ve got a prospect that general manager Brian Gutekunst will love.
Raimann likely isn’t ready to start at left tackle, protecting a quarterback’s blindside. But Green Bay should have a healthy David Bakhtiari in Week 1. Instead, Raimann starts immediately at right tackle. There will be rookie mistakes along the way, but an All-Pro quarterback knows how to hide them. Plus, Aam Stenavich is a wizard with offensive linemen and could legitimately turn Raimann into a Pro Bowl right tackle before long.
The offensive line is integral to a successful Packers’ offense, making Raimann the easy pick at 28th overall. If Raimann hits, which his physical traits and development suggest is likely, Green Bay’s line will be dominant.
2nd round, 140th overall*: Jaquan Brisker, safety, Penn State
- TRADE: Green Bay Packers trade 53rd overall pick and 140th pick to Washington Commanders for 47th overall pick
Safety might not seem like one of the biggest Packers draft needs. However, it’s important to keep in mind that Darnell Savage is in the final year of his rookie contract before the fifth-year team option. Plus, deploying three safeties is something defensive coordinator Joe Barry wants to do.
Jaquan Brisker, who had a pre-draft visit with Green Bay before the NFL Draft, brings the athleticism and versatility this secondary covets. Penn State used him everywhere, from lining him up as a slot safety to deploying him in the box. He’s also extremely physical, helping him decleat the ball carrier.
Adding him could turn the Packers’ secondary into one of the best in the NFL. Defense is going to be more important than ever for Green Bay in 2022 and Brisker is a chess piece that fits Barry’s scheme. Landing top defensive talent was always going to be a priority in our Packers mock draft.
2nd round, 59th overall: Drake Jackson, EDGE, USC
Once viewed as a potential first-round pick, Drake Jackson didn’t show as much development as hoped in 2021. The 6-foot-4 edge rusher recorded just 8 TFLs in his junior season. It would be on full display when his short array of pass-rush moves didn’t work or the blocker got the first punch into him. While those are all knocks, this is still a player with outstanding potential.
The 20-year-old bends like rubber, using it to slip around the edge and create penetration. There is also room to add more strength onto his frame without losing much of the explosiveness, an asset that could turn him into a serious problem as an edge rusher. We saw what Green Bay’s coaching staff did for Rashan Gary. While Jackson would need some work, he’d be a solid No. 3 pass rusher for Green Bay in 2022 and could replace Preston Smith in a few years.
3rd round, 92nd overall: Darrian Beavers, LB, Cincinnati
Getting Campbell back is huge for Green Bay. However, it remains clear that this team would benefit from adding a No. 2 inside linebacker to replace Krys Barnes. The 6-foot-4 linebacker proved to be a key figure in Cincinnati’s outstanding defense, proving himself both in coverage and as a run defender.
There are several areas where he can help Green Bay’s defense. Even as a rookie, he could be trusted to be on the field for passing downs thanks to his football IQ, length and quick reactions helping him in zone coverage. He also offers the physical size and build to power through the ballcarrier, stopping them in their tracks. Beavers would be a strong addition to the Packers’ defense, providing them a shot to finish as a top-five unit in 2022.
Filling out remainder of Packers mock draft
- 4th round, 132nd overall: Jelani Woods, TE, Virginia
- 5th round, 171st overall: Matt Araiza, P, San Diego State
- 7th round, 224th overall: Reed Blankenship, S, Middle Tennesse
- 7th round, 245th overall: Kyler McMichael, CB, North Carolina
- 7th round, 255th overall: Eric Ezukanma, WR, Texas Tech
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