Revisiting Pre-Draft Predictions for Green Bay Packers

Prior to the 2022 NFL Draft, I posted my 6 Realistic Predictions for the Green Bay Packers in regards to how I thought the seven rounds would unfold for them. Now that the draft is complete, it’s time to revisit them to see how I did.

Prediction No. 1: Green Bay Packers select one WR in the first two rounds

My reasoning behind this was that while receiver was the biggest need on this roster, there were other positions that needed to be addressed as well. Prior to the draft, the offensive line, edge rusher, interior defensive line, and safety were some of the positions that I mentioned.

In addition to that, as big of a need as receiver was, it’s not as if there were a ton of roster spots up for grabs either, with Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, Amari Rodgers, and likely, Sammy Watkins accounting for four of them.

So for those two primary reasons, my initial prediction was that Green Bay would only spend one of their first or second-round picks on the position.

Verdict: Correct

Prediction No. 2: Green Bay Packers draft at least two OL

As I’ve talked about fairly regularly over the last month, the offensive line depth was not anywhere near as deep as it has been the last two seasons. If we had considered David Bakhtiari, Jon Runyan, Josh Myers, Royce Newman, and Yosh Nijman the Week 1 starters, the only other healthy options on the roster were Cole Van Lanen, Michal Menet, and Jake Hanson.

Green Bay was one injury away — especially at tackle — from being in a world of hurt. I also mentioned that it wouldn’t be a bad idea for Nijman to have some competition at right tackle either this summer as he hasn’t played the position since college, and he has just over 600 career snaps.

Well, the Packers not only drafted two offensive linemen but for the third consecutive year, they took three–and the depth of this unit all of a sudden looks much better.

Verdict: Correct

Prediction No. 3: Green Bay Packers take an edge rusher in Round 1

Edge rusher was a fairly big need for the Packers, and this year’s draft class was loaded at the position. Those two factors, coupled with Green Bay’s history of addressing the position early on, led me to believe that they would do the same once again.

However, that wasn’t the case. Whether it was the board not falling correctly, Green Bay putting an emphasis on other positions first, or both, the Packers didn’t draft an edge rusher until Round 5, when they selected Kingsley Enagbare, who was a terrific value selection at that point in the draft.

Verdict: Wrong

Prediction No. 4: One of these players will be Green Bay Packers

The players I was referring to were Daxton Hill, Chris Olave, David Ojabo, Trent McDuffie, George Karlaftis, Kaiir Elam, Logan Hall, and George Pickens.

The reason why I selected these eight is because they all meet thresholds that the Green Bay Packers have traditionally stuck to in the draft–with those benchmarks being a RAS of 8.0 or higher, being no older than 21, and playing premier positions.

But instead, with both first-round picks, Brian Gutekunst broke the mold. After not traditionally valuing the ILB position, the Packers selected Quay Walker at pick 22. Then after typically staying away from first-round prospects who were older than 22 — every first-round pick since 2009 has been either 21 or 22-years-old — the Packers took 24-year-old Devonte Wyatt at pick 28.

Verdict: Wrong

Prediction No. 5: The Green Bay Packers Trade-up once again

Before the draft began, I would say that all the ingredients for the Green Bay Packers to trade up early on were there. Gutey has a history of doing so, having traded up five times within the first three rounds in his previous four draft classes. The Packers also had a big need to fill at wide receiver, and they had the draft capital to make a move with 11 picks in total, including five in the top-100.

After staying put in Round 1, Gutekunst would package up both second-round picks to move to pick 34 to select wide receiver, Christian Watson.

Verdict: Correct

Prediction No. 6: George Pickens or Alec Pierce will be Green Bay Packers

Why George Pickens and Alec Pierce? Both players check a lot of the boxes that the Packers look for at the receiver position–from their size and athleticism to their skill sets. With that said, shame on me for not also adding Christian Watson to this prediction because he checks many of those same boxes as well.

Watson has the size and athleticism that the Packers typically covet at the position. He can be moved around the formation, can be utilized on gadget plays, is a vertical threat, has kick return experience, and he’s a willing blocker as well.

Verdict: Wrong