B-
Green Bay Packers
A sensible, unshowy class lands the Packers a B-.
by GSD3 ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 11 picks
· 1 steals
· 5 reaches
The move everyone will second-guess came early. The Packers reached some 35 spots for Cedric Gray, and value like that does not grow back. A dependable weekend that grades out a B-.
That edge rusher hole did not close this weekend, and it was the biggest one on the wall. On value alone, Washington makes the weekend a net positive.
Job largely done: cornerback settled and 5 of 8 of the wish list covered.
In sum, a sturdy weekend with one asterisk, the edge rusher spot they never got to.
Pick-by-Pick
In pick No. 25 they get protection for the quarterback at fair value. A clean fit for the roster.
Jonathon Brooks at Round 2, Pick 9 is neither steal nor reach, just the going rate. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
A premium they did not need to pay, Jaden Hicks a notch or two before his time. It adds depth where they could use a little.
A conviction pick on DeWayne Carter at slot 88 that the board grades a round light. A need, and now a little less of one.
They left a pile of value on the table to take Cedric Gray this early at the Round 3 slot. A minor need, but a need all the same.
They liked Christian Jones enough to skip the value, taking him in No. 126. The roster fit checks out.
They talked themselves into Elijah Jones at pick No. 169, and the board did not agree. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
Tahj Washington is a better player than the Round 6 slot suggests; smart patience, rewarded. It plugs a real leak on the depth chart.
Tyrice Knight in Round 6, Pick 44 lands just on the right side of the ledger. Stacking talent where they were already deep.
Jordan Magee in the 245th pick is exactly on the number, no argument either way. They doubled down on a strength rather than a need.
A reasonable price with a little left over, Kenny Logan Jr. in slot 255. A want dressed up as a pick, at a spot they had covered.