The Green Bay Packers had two first-round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft after trading Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders. This year, their trade with the New York Jets centered around Aaron Rodgers resulted in moving up to No. 13 overall.
In the 2024 NFL Draft, there is a chance that the Packers will have two first-round picks once again. Part of the stipulation from the Rodgers trade is that if he plays 65 percent of the offensive snaps with the Jets in 2023, New York’s first-round pick in 2024 will convey to Green Bay. If he plays fewer snaps than that, it will be a second-round pick.
In a recent 2024 NFL Mock draft done by Matt Miller over at ESPN, the Packers receive that second first-round pick, which comes in at No. 23 overall. With the 23rd pick, Miller has mocked the team to select Clemson linebacker, Barrett Carter.
“Let’s just assume Aaron Rodgers plays 65% of the Jets’ snaps this season, which means the Packers would have this second pick in Round 1. Green Bay doesn’t have anyone like Carter, a three-down playmaker on defense, and while most project him as a weakside linebacker in the pros, he has the tools to line up off the ball or as a stack ‘backer. He had 5.5 sacks, 73 tackles, eight tackles for loss, two interceptions and two forced fumbles last season. His instincts are top notch, and Carter has amazing short-area speed and surprising power for a 6-1, 225-pound linebacker. Scouts are already buzzing about him as a potential top-10 talent in the class.”
There is a little bit of concern with the current group of linebackers that the Packers have when it comes to run defense. Quay Walker and De’Vondre Campbell, one of the better linebacker duos in the NFL, both struggled against the run in 2023. If that occurs again, expect the Packers to look to add some more talent to the mix.
Carter would certainly qualify as such. The second level of the Packers’ defense is the only one lacking a star currently and based on early scouting reports on the Clemson linebacker, he may be able to change that.
The versatility that he possesses would fit in well with the Packers. He would enable the team to cast a wider net when looking for upgrades as he could fit alongside a number of different players with his diverse skill set.
With Campbell just turning 30 in July and having a potential out in his contract after the 2024 season, selecting a linebacker in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft could be a good long-term move for the Packers to consider.
