Green Bay Packers: Did the 2024 NFL Draft Help or Hurt Green Bay’s Future?

We shall wait to see how each of the Packers’ draft picks pan out, but naturally, people are already weighing in on the team’s new additions. For example, although many were surprised that the Packers did not go for a “splashier” pick in the first round, the reaction to Green Bay picking offensive lineman Jordan Morgan was mostly positive. Many felt that this was a pick in order to fortify the protection for quarterback Jordan Love.

In a move that can only help bring him to Packers nation, Morgan got a ringing endorsement from the man he is replacing on the offensive line: former lineman David Bakhtiari. Bakhtiari tweeted:

Let’s go!!!! Good luck to Jordan Morgan. Represent the position, town, and G with pride. #gopackgo #pac12guy  10:14 PM · Apr 25, 2024 

Bakhtiari left the team after this past season after 11 years with the Packers. So him giving Jordan Morgan his seal of approval right out of the gate on draft night will most definitely resonate with the Packers’ faithful.

2024 NFL Draft: Who was available?

As stated above, the Packers did not make any moves during their draft that were necessarily attention-grabbing. But that doesn’t mean that their draft class was a bust by any stretch. Different teams have different needs, and division rivals like Chicago and Minnesota needed to go big in order to revamp their teams. That’s why they chose prominent college quarterbacks Caleb Williams and J.J McCarthy, respectively.

But going “big” may not always be what’s best for your team and your fans. In maybe the biggest shocker of the night, the Atlanta Falcons selected Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. With veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins already signed with Atlanta, the decision to draft Penix Jr. was confounding to not only the players involved but fans and critics alike.

The goal of a draft is not to confuse your fanbase but to reassure them by trying to fill the weakness on your team with young, up-and-coming talent. And that’s exactly what the Packers tried to do this year. After defensive struggles in 2023 led to Joe Barry’s ouster as defensive coordinator, the Packers built their defense by drafting several linebackers and safeties in the later rounds. And rising star Jordan Love will most likely sleep easier knowing that his offensive line has been beefed up with the addition of Morgan and others.

Final thoughts

All in all, the Green Bay Packers should be considered big winners now that the draft has wrapped up. In fact, it seems that all four teams in the NFC North had a solid 2024 NFL Draft. They all were able to address their most pressing needs and concerns and did not make any self-destructive mistakes or boneheaded decisions. Now, it will be up to each of these squads to build team chemistry and develop these players properly.