Packers NFL Draft Projections, Positions Needed and Mock Draft

Green Bay Packers Draft 2022

Green Bay didn’t let quarterback Aaron Rodgers get away. The moody veteran quarterback had signaled to the Green Bay Packers that he may exit following last season and had a long list of potential suitors to leave town. The 38-year-old quarterback isn’t showing too many signs of aging as he led the Packers to the top seed in the NFC playoffs, passing for 4,115 yards and 37 touchdowns to only four interceptions last season.

Even with Rodgers’ inspired play, Green Bay once again came up short in the playoffs. Despite having many successful teams since the Packers won Super Bowl 45 in 2011, Green Bay’s success as a team has come without any additional hardware. Making things more complicated this offseason is the departure of Davante Adams. Adams, who was Rodgers’ favorite target last season, caught 123 passes for 1,553 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Green Bay started this offseason nearly $50 million over the cap and have been working furiously to trade and open up space. The Packers have restructured the contracts of several high-profile players and also traded Adams. Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur is 41-19 over his first three seasons, but only 2-3 in the postseason.

Players Leaving the Green Bay Packers

Outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith was released by the Packers. After being named to the Pro Bowl and recording 26 sacks during his first two seasons with Green Bay, Smith only appeared in one game last season, recording a single tackle. Smith required back surgery and only played 18 snaps all season.

Guard Lucas Patrick signed a deal with rival Chicago on March 18. Patrick started 34 games out of the 73 he appeared in with Green Bay. Patrick was an undrafted player out of Duke, who made 11 states in place of starter Josh Myers last season.

Linebacker Oren Burks signed a deal with San Francisco. Burks, a former third-round pick, didn’t contribute much on the defensive side of the ball, but became a strong special teams player. From 2018 to 2021, Burks made 33 coverage tackles, including a team-high 10 last season, which led the team.

Wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown signed with Chicago after a few seasons in a reserve role with Green Bay. St. Brown only caught nine passes for 98 yards last season. In his career, St. Brown has caught 37 passes for 543 yards and a touchdown.

Positions Needed by the Green Bay Packers

Losing Adams sent up a signal for more playmakers at wide receiver, which was already a little thing with Adams. Last season, Allen Lazard was the Packers’ second-leading receiver and he finished with 513 receiving yards. Marquez Valdes-Scantling was third on the team in receiving, catching 26 passes for 430 yards.

Green Bay could use help at tight end as well. The Packers’ top tight end, Robert Tonyan, missed half of last season with a torn ACL. He caught 18 passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns in eight games. Veteran Marcedes Lewis, who was 37, and Josiah Deguara, who is 24, were counted on in Tonyan’s absence, but neither exceeded 250 yards receiving. If this offense wants to regain its punch, the Packers will need a big target in the middle of the field.

Green Bay have seen offensive lineman depart already and could use more protection for Rodgers. While Rodgers is still plenty mobile at his age, the Packers won’t want to see him take too many hits in the upcoming season. Green Bay allowed 33 sacks last season, 30 of which were taken by Rodgers.

The Packers could also use help at several positions on defense. Green Bay could use more depth at linebacker and one the defensive line. The Packers had 39 sacks last season and would like to generate a similar pass rush to keep opponents off-balance.

Green Bay Packers Mock Draft

The Green Bay Packers have nine picks in the 2022 NFL draft. Green Bay has two first-round draft picks and should be able to put that draft capital to good use. The Packers will be able to find a solid wide receiver in the first round. USC wide receiver Drake London, a 6-foot-5 target, had a career-best season for the Trojans last year.

London caught 88 passes for 1,084 yards and scored seven touchdowns. He really emerged as a junior, finishing with more receiving yards than his freshman and sophomore years combined. Green Bay should also be able to add Boye Mafe, an edge rusher from Minnesota in the first round. Mafe, a 6-4, 265-pound senior, had a strong career with the Golden Gophers.

Mafe recorded seven sacks and forced a fumble last season. He also recorded 34 tackles, including 26 solo stops. During his career with Minnesota, Mafe started making solid contributions as a sophomore.

In the second round, Green Bay could pursue cornerback Kyler Gordon out of Washington. The Huskies cornerback intercepted two passes and defended seven passes last season. Gordon made 45 tackles, including 36 solo stops. Check Packers’ NFL Draft odds and NFL Odds.

2022 NFL Draft Event Information

Date: Thursday, Apr. 28th (Round 1) | Friday, Apr. 29th (Rounds 2-3) | Saturday, Apr. 30th (Rounds 4-7)
Time: 8 p.m. ET (Thursday) | 7 p.m. ET (Friday) | Noon ET (Saturday)
Location: Allegiant Stadium, Paradise, NV
TV Channel: ABC | ESPN | NFL Network
NFL Draft Live Streaming: NFL Game Pass