Green Bay Packers Trade Up in 3 Round NFL.com Mock Draft

It’s natural as fans of the Green Bay Packers to see them trading up in a mock draft and think, “nah, they won’t do that.” But during Brian Gutekunst’s tenure as GM, he has been very aggressive early on in each draft that he has been in charge of.

In 2018, after trading back in Round 1, he would trade up for Jaire Alexander. Gutey would also trade up in Round 3 that year for Oren Burks. In 2019, he would move up to take Darnell Savage, he would move up again in 2020 to select Jordan Love, and then again in Round 3 of the 2021 draft to pick Amari Rodgers.

So not only could they trade up in the 2022 draft, it would be odd if they didn’t based on Gutekunst’s first four drafts.

In a recent mock draft from Chad Reuter of NFL.com, he has the Packers sticking with that trend as they move up in Round 1 to address a key position. He also has them addressing two other big holes on this roster with their second and third-round picks as well.

(TRADE) Green Bay Packers Pick 21: Jermaine Johnson II, EDGE, Florida State

"“With Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith looming as potential cap casualties, the Packers might need a powerful edge player to complement Rashan Gary,” said Reuter. “Johnson fits that bill. Trading up for him will cost Green Bay two fourth-round picks (the team could pick up a compensatory fourth-rounder for the loss of Corey Linsley).”"

Edge rusher is going to be a big need for the Green Bay Packers this offseason; the question is, to what degree? If the Packers move on from both Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith for the cap savings that come with it, then without a doubt, edge rusher is need No. 1. As good as Rashan Gary was in 2021, he needs help and can’t do it all on his own.

However, even if P. Smith is back, for example, I would still address edge rusher early on in the draft. While Gary and P. Smith were two of the more productive edger rushers last season, the depth behind them was lacking, and it was evident when those two weren’t in the game. Edge rusher is one of the most important positions in football, and even with those two on the team, the depth of the position should be addressed.

The 2021 season was a breakout year for Jermaine Johnson, who spent his first few college seasons at Georgia playing a small role on their defense before transferring to Florida State, where he became a starter.

Johnson, who stands 6’5″ and weighs 262 pounds, recorded 46 pressures this past season along with 14 sacks, and 17.5 tackles for loss. Out of 200 eligible edge rushers, Johnson was PFF’s 34th highest-graded player, and he also finished ninth among edge rushers in stops–which are plays that result in a “loss” for the offense–for example, Johnson makes a third-down tackle short of the first down marker.

"“As a pass rusher, Johnson is quick off the ball, has terrific length, a variety of rush moves, takes good angles, and relentlessly pursues the quarterback,” said Joe Marino of The Draft Network. “As a run defender, Johnson is an exceptional processor that is stout at the point of attack, understands how to respond to blocking schemes, effectively stacks and sheds blocks, and is a consistent finisher.”"