Green Bay Packers Mock Draft Roundup 3.0

The Mecole Hardman signing will help the Packers make up for the loss of Christian Watson as he recovers from a January knee injury, but the team still requires long-term help at the position. Golden's speed and ability to win contested catches make him a legitimate downfield playmaker.

Emeka Egbuka isn't going to wow you with his speed or his size, but he's just a good player, man. The Packers have taken plenty of guys based on their traits at WR and it hasn't worked out. This time, instead of drafting traits, they take the guy who can play the position.

Whatever the conclusion is of the Jaire Alexander Experience, the Packers look to find his successor (and the successor to the recently departed Eric Stokes). Revel injured his knee early in the 2024 season, but his body of work was already pointing toward the first round. He has the size, twitch and most of all the toughness to be an impact player on the outside.

The Packers will be without their best deep threat in Christian Watson for at least the first half of the season because of a torn ACL suffered in Week 18. Their best chance to replicate his ability to take the top off defenses is by taking Golden, the speedster from Texas whose stature may not scream WR1 but whose skill set can give the Packers an explosive option their passing game desperately needs. Green Bay's top four wide receivers are all entering their third or fourth seasons, so the pipeline needs replenishing in case more than one leaves in free agency. The drought is finally over, as the Packers take a wide receiver in the first round for the first time since 2002. — Matt Schneidman

It's not clear if Jaire Alexander has a future in Green Bay, so the Packers turn to the highly dynamic Hairston at cornerback.

Jordan Love's emergence as one of the NFL's better young gunslingers is all the more impressive given that the Packers lack a true No. 1 receiver. With two of his favorite targets — Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson — each entering the final year of their respective rookie deals, the Packers might see Burden's YAC skills as the perfect fit.

Scourton is about as pro-ready as they come at the edge-rusher spot, and the Packers need a legitimate running mate for Rashan Gary.

Early in the process, some players might get glossed over due to a season-ending injury from the year prior. But as teams start to hear more about a certain player's health status, meet with them and see their medicals, you get a better idea of where their stock is. From what I've been hearing, the reports are good surrounding Simmons' knee injury. I think his stock is rising now.

Egbuka's game is really refined. He is a great route runner. He has good hands. He reads the defense well. And while Green Bay doesn't have much history of drafting wide receivers on Day 1 (Javon Walker was the last one in 2002), this seems like a good year to break the streak. Christian Watson, Jayden Reed and Romeo Doubs all have injury concerns, and I'm not sure any of them are true WR1s when healthy. Egbuka had 1,011 receiving yards last season, and he could make an immediate impact on this offense.

I'm also watching the Jaire Alexander situation. If he gets traded or cut, Green Bay could look at the cornerback class.

The Packers buck their trend eschewing first-round wide receivers for a unique talent in Luther Burden III. The injury concerns for Romeo Doubs (concussions) and Christian Watson (ACL) force their hand here. Burden is not only sure-handed, but also a playmaker with the ball in his hands. Green Bay could use both.

Green Bay made a big bet by drafting Lukas Van Ness in the first round a few years back. It hasn't paid big yet, which leaves the door open for more pass rush help to enter the fray.

Williams has elite length and good power. Plus, he comes with a more extensive resume than Van Ness did leaving Iowa.