Big Changes for Packers in Brock Purdy-Inspired 2022 NFL Redraft

With Brock Purdy going from Mr. Irrelevant to NFL MVP candidate, where would he go in a 2022 NFL redraft, and how would that have impacted the Packers?

GREEN BAY, Wis. – In 2022, Brock Purdy was the last player selected in the NFL Draft. In 2023, he’s an NFL MVP candidate.

In that light, The 33rd Team – the site created by former NFL executives Mike Tannenbaum and Joe Banner – conducted a redraft that would have had major ramifications for the Green Bay Packers.

No, they didn’t select Purdy. He went to the Atlanta Falcons at No. 8 overall. But who would the Packers have selected with their first-round picks, which were Nos. 22 and 28 overall?

In the real draft, they grabbed linebacker Quay Walker at No. 22. In the redraft, they stuck with one of their picks, but it wasn’t Walker or Christian Watson. Rather, it was right tackle Zach Tom.

A fourth-round pick – and a compensatory pick, at that – Tom is one of the NFL’s best young offensive linemen. Tom played center and left tackle at Wake Forest. Where would he fit best in the NFL? Perhaps he’d be a really good center but he’s emerged as a high-quality starter at a premium position.

Pro Football Focus has charged him with two sacks allowed even while facing a gauntlet of pass rushers that’s included Cam Jordan, Aidan Hutchinson, Maxx Crosby, Danielle Hunter and T.J. Watt.

His ability to not just survive but thrive at multiple positions would make him a “big value” at this spot, The 33rd Team’s Marcus Mosher wrote.

Watson, despite his on-again, off-again hamstring injuries, went to No. 23 to the Buffalo Bills. Pairing Watson’s game-breaking ability with elite quarterback Josh Allen would “almost be unfair,” especially with Stefon Diggs being the No. 1 receiver.

Finally, at No. 28, comes what’s always been an interesting debate.

In the real draft, the Packers had their choice between Walker and Utah’s Devin Lloyd at No. 22. The Packers went with the athletic Walker while Lloyd, the Butkus Award-winning linebacker from Utah, went to Jacksonville at No. 27.

Both teams were thrilled with the results as they wound up being the All-Rookie linebackers.

In 2022, Walker played in all 17 games with 16 starts and tallied 121 tackles, zero interceptions, three forced fumbles and seven passes defensed. In 2022, he’s started all 10 appearances and has 92 tackles, one interception, three passes defensed and zero forced fumbles. He’s got four games of 10-plus tackles this year.

In 2022, Lloyd started 15 of his 17 games and finished with 111 tackles, three interceptions eight passes defensed and zero forced fumbles. In 2023, Lloyd has played in and started 11 games and has 99 tackles, seven passes defensed and zero interceptions or forced fumbles. He’s got six games of 10-plus tackles this year.

In the redraft, the Packers landed Lloyd rather than Walker or their real choice at No. 28, defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt.

In Mosher’s estimate, Lloyd would provide a “massive improvement” over Walker in fixing the team’s chronically horrible run defense.

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