Seven-Round Packers Mock Draft 8.0: Cornerstone Lineman

In Jacob Westendorf’s eighth mock draft of the year, the Green Bay Packers selected a potential stud at offensive tackle and fixed the defense with a lineman, linebacker and safety.

Texas defensive lineman T'Vondre Sweat / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

It’s officially draft month. The Green Bay Packers will be on the clock in a little more than three weeks.

Soon, the mock drafts will be over and the discussions will be about who Brian Gutekunst actually picked instead of who he could pick.

This week’s mock was completed using the Pro Football Network draft simulator and yielded these results, starting with a big addition on both sides of the line of scrimmage.

First Round: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma

Guyton recently visited Green Bay on a top-30 visit. He has the traits and athleticism that likely have Brian Gutekunst salivating at the chance to pair him with assistant coaches Luke Butkus and Adam Stenavich.

Guyton is raw, but if he hits, he could be a cornerstone for the franchise for years to come. The Packers also have the ability to be patient as Rasheed Walker and Zach Tom are in-house as capable starters.

Guyton’s athleticism gave him the nod in this scenario over Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton and Alabama defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry.

Second Round: T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas

Stop me if you’ve heard this before. The Packers need to fix their run defense.

They do. They were terrible against the run again last season after doing little in terms of adding personnel that could fix a longtime shortcoming.

No longer. This year, Gutekunst decides he’s tired of watching his defense get run all over in the playoffs and adds a massive defensive tackle.

The 366-pound Sweat’s athleticism could make him a viable part of a pass rush, as well. Even if he doesn’t, the Packers have a plethora of pass rushers. They need someone to do the dirty work and stop the run.

Nobody in this draft class does that better than Sweat.

Second Round: Payton Wilson, LB, NC State

Concerns about Wilson’s injuries are valid. His athletic potential, however, is through the roof. Wilson’s athleticism could be something that gives the Packers two run-and-chase linebackers in their defense if Quay Walker can live up to his potential.

With the release of De’Vondre Campbell, the Packers are thin at linebacker and will need to add one before the draft ends.

The Butkus Award-winner as the nation’s top linebacker in 2023, Wilson ran a 4.43 40 standing at 6-foot-3, 233 pounds.

He’s smaller than Walker, but might be equally as athletic.

Third Round: Javon Bullard, S, Georgia

The Packers need to add another safety, and Gutekunst loves his Georgia Bulldogs.

In a recent media availability, Gutekunst said the team preferred a younger player whose best football was in front of him rather than double-dipping in the free-agent pool.

Bullard finished the 2023 season with five pass breakups and two interceptions to go with a passer rating against him of 34.0, according to Pro Football Focus. He has extensive experience in the slot, as well.

Third Round: Jonathon Brooks, RB, Texas

Yes, the Packers just spent premium money on a running back by signing Josh Jacobs, but if there’s anything to be learned from last year, running backs do matter in Matt LaFleur’s system.

It’s also true that Jacobs and AJ Dillon may be short-term solutions to the backfield. Brooks at this stage of the draft is a steal. If not for a knee injury suffered at the end of the college football season, he may have been picked much higher than here.

The Packers have the ability to be patient with Brooks due to the presence of Dillon and Jacobs, but also could unleash him later in the year with fresh legs a la James Starks during the run to the Super Bowl in 2010.

Fourth Round: Mason McCormick, OL, South Dakota State

McCormick was a two-time FCS All American guard for the Jackrabbits and has elite athletic ability. 

McCormick could be given a chance to compete with Sean Rhyan for the starting job at right guard. Rhyan rotated in with Jon Runyan Jr. throughout the second half of the season but has zero starts in two seasons. He’s unlikely to just be handed a job.

If nothing else, his presence on the interior could allow him to be a primary backup to all three spots. That spot is occupied by Royce Newman, who has struggled in any extended action he’s been asked to play.

Fifth Round: Josh Proctor, S, Ohio State

Another safety to add to the roster. The Packers don’t have many under contract, even with the addition of Xavier McKinney. 

Proctor had five pass breakups and an interception in his final season for the Buckeyes. He has plenty of experience, as well, playing for six years at Ohio State. That could give him an edge early in camp to contribute on defense and special teams.

Sixth Round: Deantre Prince, CB, Ole Miss

Prince steps in as a developmental corner at the back of the room to go with Corey Ballentine, a key backup last year, and former Rams draft pick Robert Rochell.

Prince, who measured 6-foot with 4.38 speed in the 40, was a core special-teamer for the Rebels, playing 341 snaps.

Sixth Round: Drake Nugent, C, Michigan

Nugent was a starter at Stanford before transferring to Michigan for his final season. He was the pivot man for an offensive line that powered its way to a national championship.

Nugent could sit for a season behind Josh Myers before taking over as the starter in 2025.

Seventh Round: Trevin Wallace, LB, Kentucky

Wallace was a top-30 visit for the Packers and could give them another athletic linebacker to put behind the tandem of Quay Walker and Isaiah McDufifie.

Wallace could compete with Eric Wilson and Kristian Welch for snaps on special teams, where he played 412 snaps for the Wildcats.

Seventh Round: Dillon Johnson, RB, Washington

A fifth running back might seem like overkill, but LaFleur did allude to some possibility that AJ Dillon’s role could be changing to put him in positions other than just as a running back.

What that means, remains to be seen. Perhaps there is nothing to it at all, but Dillon is not guaranteed anything based on a unique contract he received this offseason. Ditto for Emanuel Wilson. 

Johnson has plenty of experience catching the ball. He caught 173 passes in four years. That experience could give him the nod as a potential third-down option over Dillon or Wilson.

What Worked?

Guyton is a swing for the fences for a high-end offensive tackle. He will either start at left tackle as a rookie or become a swing tackle behind Rasheed Walker and Zach Tom.

Adding Sweat should help the Packers navigate the potential loss of TJ Slaton following the 2024 season but also help a run defense that has been putrid since Gutekunst took over as the general manager.

Payton Wilson’s athleticism is a potential boon for the defense if he is able to stay healthy. Brooks and Dillon Johnson give the Packers two solid running backs to help push into the future should they move on from both Jacobs and Dillon following the 2024 season.

What Didn’t Work?

The inability to add a defensive back until the third round stings a little bit. The safety room will be relying on a rookie, unless Gutekunst is able to find a bargain free agent following the draft.

In addition, no quarterback was added, which was a practice Gutekunst said he wanted to get back into, channeling the days of Ron Wolf.

The cornerback group is also going to be banking on a bounceback season from Eric Stokes or continued development from Carrington Valentine, as no cornerback was added prior to the third day of the draft. 

Related Story: Here Are Packers’ Draft Picks, Biggest Needs

The Green Bay Packers will be on the clock on April 25. / File photo

The Packers have five picks in the first three rounds to fill these needs.