Ten Things We Learned from Day Three of the Green Bay Packers 2024 NFL Draft

The Green Bay Packers added six players on the third day of the 2024 NFL Draft. That gives the team 11 new players to compete for jobs in training camp this summer. GM Brian Gutekunst made trades during the day which reduced the number of picks from 13 to 11 and allowed the team to move up and select specific targeted players. Here are ten things we learned from day three of the Packers 2024 NFL Draft:

Ten Things We Learned from Day Three of the Packers 2024 NFL Draft, Number One: S Evan Williams Adds Toughness

The Packers traded up for Oregon safety Evan Williams with the 111^th overall pick in Round 4. Williams started for four years at Fresno State before spending 2023 at Oregon. He had a strong showing at the Senior Bowl while covering tight ends which helped his draft status.

Williams is a hard-hitting safety who can be successful as a blitzer. One of his strengths is his smarts and ability to anticipate plays. He also has experience on special teams.

The biggest concern surrounding him is a lack of size at 5’11” and 202 pounds and a lack of deep speed to stay with receivers. If he’s used in the right way, he has the ability to make an impact on defense while also contributing on special teams.

Number Two: Jacob Monk Adds Depth to the Interior Offensive Line

The Packers added interior offensive lineman Jacob Monk in the fifth round with the 163^rd overall pick. Monk has versatility which Gutekunst desires in his offensive linemen. At Duke, he started at both guard and center. NFL scouts project him more as a center due to his short arm length.

Monk started for five years in college and was the starting right tackle as a freshman and then right guard and center later in his career. He was a two-time captain and has an excellent work ethic.

While he can pull on sweeps and screens and gets good initial pop on his run blocking, he needs to work on his pad level and hand technique to excel in the NFL. He will compete for a roster spot along the interior offensive line.

Ten Things We Learned from Day Three of the Packers 2024 NFL Draft, Number Three: The Packers Added More Competition at Safety

With their second pick in the fifth round, the Packers continued to add talent to their safety room when they drafted Kitan Oladapo with the 169^th overall pick. The Oregon State alum made a strong showing in the Senior Bowl where he was one of the better players in coverage.

Oladapo has only average speed, but he is a willing tackler and can play well near the line of scrimmage and against the run. In coverage, he will play well in zone but struggles more on deep passes or crossing patterns where he has to keep up with a receiver for an extended period.

Oladapo will contribute on special teams and add depth at safety.

Number Four: Travis Glover Adds More Versatility on the Offensive Line

In the sixth round, the Packers selected offensive tackle Travis Glover of Georgia State. Glover started for five years in college and played both tackle and guard. At 6’6” and 317 pounds, he is a brawler in close and loves to play to the whistle.

He struggled against speed rushers but has the ability to maul an opponent and is agile enough to block at the second level.

Glover gives the Packers more depth and versatility on the offensive line.

Ten Things We Learned from Day Three of the Packers 2024 NFL Draft, Number Five: The Packers Added a Quarterback

Gutekunst told reporters before the draft that he wanted to return to drafting developmental quarterbacks in the late rounds of the draft and he meant it. With the 245^th overall pick in the seventh round, the Packers selected quarterback Michael Pratt.

The Tulane product lacks an elite arm but is a good decision maker and delivers a catchable ball to the right receiver. He has only average mobility but gets the job done with his decision making and football IQ.

Pratt projects as a backup quarterback in the NFL who will compete for a roster spot with Sean Clifford. He could also be given time to learn and develop on the practice squad.

Number Six: More Depth in the Secondary Added with the Final Pick

With their final pick in the draft, the Packers added cornerback Kalen King. King was a two-year starter at Penn State. Like many Packers draft picks from 2023, King had a better season the year before he was drafted rather than his final college season.

King possesses only average speed but has good size and football intelligence. Some scouts believe he is better suited to safety because of his lack of speed, but others see him as a corner.

He also has experience on special teams coverage units which the Packers look for in the later rounds of the draft. If he can regain his 2022 form, he can contribute more on defense as well.

Ten Things We Learned from Day Three of the Packers 2024 NFL Draft, Number Seven: Gutekunst Addressed Needs

Throughout this draft, Gutekunst focused on the team’s needs. He emphasized the offensive line, safety, cornerback, and linebacker. Gute accomplished this while also getting good value at most of his picks. He also continued to emphasize athleticism and versatility at many positions.

The result will be more competition in training camp this summer.

Number Eight: There Was a Slight Emphasis on Defense

Of the 11 players picked by the Packers, six were defensive players. The Packers added two linebackers and four defensive backs. These picks were designed to give defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley the tools he needed to implement the team’s new four-man front and to replace the departed trio of safeties from last season.

For only the second time since 2012, the Packers did not pick a defensive player in the first round which did come as a bit of a surprise.

Ten Things We Learned from Day Three of the Packers 2024 NFL Draft, Number Nine: Special Teams Were in the Mix on Day Three

Most of the Packers selections on day three of the draft have special teams experience and could help improve Rich Bisaccia’s much-maligned unit.

This has been something Gutekunst has done in recent years and the team is hoping it will pay off this season to improve the kick and punt coverage units.

Number 10: The Packers Also Signed Eight Undrafted Free Agents

The Packers also added eight undrafted free agents after the seventh round concluded. While these players are considered long shots to make the final 53-man roster, at least one undrafted free agent has made the roster each year for the Packers.

The Packers added players at long snapper and defensive tackle, two positions they did not address in the draft.

The undrafted free agents signed include:

LB Ralen Goforth, Washington

RB Jarveon Howard, Alcorn State

TE Messiah Swinson, Arizona State

OT Trente Jones, Michigan

OT Donovan Jennings, South Florida

LS Peter Bowden, Wisconsin

DT James Ester, Northern Illinois

DT Rodney Matthews, Ohio