McNeil from Bacon Level, AL
So, any big plans for the approaching weekend?
Nah. Just spending an inordinate amount of time with Mike Spofford.
Bob from Rome, NY
Gentleman: "Pressure is what you feel when you don't know what you are doing." – Peyton Manning
Nothing to worry about with our front office making the picks! Thank you.
And thank you for all your submissions. I tallied the votes for the No. 22 and 28 picks dating back to midnight Thursday and posted the results below. Editor's note…I only included people who made exact predictions, not those who named five or six random players. Now buckle up, everyone. It's going to be a wild ride.
Brian from Green Bay, WI
My best bet for the two first-rounders are Treylon Burks and George Karlaftis. Hopefully they are both available.
I do one mock draft and one mock draft only. It's with my friends down at 1010XL in Jacksonville. I've been doing their mock for years and will keep doing it until they no longer require my services. Once that happens, my mock days will be over. Anyway, I picked Burks and Karlaftis at No. 22 and 28, respectively, on Wednesday. I came within one pick of getting Devonte Wyatt but he went to Tampa at No. 27. Those are my picks. If the Packers stand pat, I feel like both players provide good value at useful positions.
Jeff from Indian Lake, NY
Hey Wes, the draft is finally here! There is a plethora of prospects I'd be happy to have but I'll give you two for the sake of time. Pick 22: Devontae Wyatt. Pick 28: George Pickens. Wyatt because you must get the big guys early and Pickens because I don't think he'll last long into the second round and his potential is tantalizing. Good luck with II the next few days to you both!
Wyatt is the one to watch in all this. He reminds me a lot of Kenny Clark coming out of UCLA. Wyatt is a tad smaller than Clark, but he's kind of that new wave of athletic defensive linemen who play bigger than what they're listed. He ran a 4.77 40 and possesses the power and burst to cause some havoc in the middle. Wyatt took a back seat to Travon Walker and Jordan Davis at Georgia, but I think he could be a really good pro.
Derek from Norton, KS
My predictions for the Packers picks are Treylon Burks and Logan Hall. I originally wanted to name two wide receivers, but I figured that is highly unlikely. What do you think are the chances the Packers would pick two wide receivers by the end of the second round?
I've fallen more and more in love with Burks' game as the draft has neared. Arkansas found innovative ways to get the ball in his hands. He needs to improve his pass-catching a bit but has the right combination of size, speed and athleticism. And yes, even if the Packers take a Day 1 receiver, it's in the realm of possibilities that Green Bay takes two wideouts the first two days. As far as Hall is concerned, Daniel Jeremiah's comparison to Marcus Davenport caught my attention. His 6-foot-6, 283-pound frame screams five-tech in a 3-4 base, while also having the pass-rushing prowess to move inside on passing downs.
Matthias from San Antonio, TX
Treylon Burks hunts feral hogs...I say he's going to love Green Bay!
He also has that going for him…which is nice.
Andy from Verona, WI
Since we usually pick players nobody seems to be mocking to us, I'll say our first two players chosen (in no particular order) are: Tulsa tackle Tyler Smith and Purdue edge George Karlaftis.
Karlaftis is a good athlete who still has a lot of room to grow in his game after picking up the sport in eighth grade. He has an inspiring backstory, as well. Born in Greece, Karlaftis came to the United States when he was 13 and then lost his 44-year-old father to a heart attack. Karlaftis is a powerful rusher who received a lot of attention during his senior year at Purdue. I think he would benefit from following the blueprint Green Bay developed with Rashan Gary, allowing Karlaftis to develop behind two established veterans and feasting on the one-on-one opportunities created by playing across from Gary and Preston Smith.
Shel from New York City, NY
I hope the Packers draft Watson and Boye Mafe but I don't think they will. If either player slips into round 2, I hope the Packers trade up to get one of them. Both are excellent athletes at positions of high need. I think KC will pick one of them. Also hope Packers pick KR/PR Jones, a position of need.
If it's not Karlaftis, then it's Mafe for me. Lance Zierlein compared Mafe's pro upside to Rashan Gary and I thought it was perfect. He's going to take some time to develop but Mafe could be a real player in this league. He had good college production but also opened eyes at the Senior Bowl. Then, there's his 4.53 time with a 38-inch vertical at the combine. The guy has a lot of ability.
Michael from West Bloomfield, MI
Barring a trade up for Treylon Burks or Chris Olave the Packers picks will be….
No. 22 Devonte Wyatt
No. 28 George Karlaftis
BG will move around in Rounds 2-3 to get two quality receivers suck as Christian Watkins, George Pickens, Skyy Moore, John Metchie III, Jalen Tolbert and an IDL for depth. He will get quality and value in this draft as he has the picks to move around in Rounds 2-4 to get what he needs. Thanks for all you do and can't wait to read your articles on all our picks.
At the end of the day, what I'm most interested to learn isn't which receiver the Packers draft – it's what type of receiver did they feel they need to add to the roster. Because these first two rounds have it all – explosive home-run threats, lengthy perimeter options and smaller athletes who could play more than one position. It's the perfect year to have four picks in the top 60.
Mark from Regina, Saskatchewan
Good morning, Wes. First off, thanks for making this a thing! These were my picks in my mock draft last week. With the 22nd pick in the 2022 draft, the Green Bay Packers select Dax Hill, safety, Michigan. Intelligence with greasy hips and once the game slows down for him, he WILL be a ball hawk! With the 28th pick overall in the 2022 draft, the Green Bay Packers select Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia. He exemplifies TEAM! FWIW, my WR was Alec Pierce, Cincinnati, in Round 3.
Pierce won't go in the first round, but he's already won over the hearts of Packers fans. He's definitely the sentimental fan favorite going into the weekend.
Jeffery from Brooklyn, WI
Hey II, the day is finally upon us, I can't wait to read all the disgruntled fans in tomorrow's II after they wait until the second round to pick a WR. Personally, I think they get Skyy Moore.
Moore has the best name possible for a receiver and his play lives up to it. The Packers have had success with former Western Michigan standouts before, as well.
Randy from Raymond, IA
With the 22nd pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers select Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah. With the 28th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers select Kenyon Green, OG Virginia Tech. Book it!
Two out-of-the-box picks, Randy. So, kudos to you for that. I don't think Lloyd makes it past New England, but the Packers would have a tough choice to make if he did. He projects as an inside linebacker but really can help a defense in a number of ways. Green played everywhere in college but most scouts seem to think his best position is at guard. Would the Packers take him in the first round if that's his future?
Dean from Leavenworth, IN
WR, OT, DT, edge, and S. I expect the two first-round picks will be among those position groups. I won't be surprised if Gute moves up into the 15-18 range for his first pick. If he moves up, which of those position groups would surprise you the most and which the least with his first pick? FTR, I predict Chris Olave and Karlaftis.
I could see the Packers trading up, especially if there's a big run on wideouts. I like Olave's makeup and character. At 6-0, 187, however, Olave isn't the type of receiver Green Bay traditionally has drafted that high. That being said, he's quick as a hiccup and a determined route-runner. I think Olave could blend some of the things Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling did well in this offense.
Shannon from Ovilla, TX
We have a trade. With the 13th pick the Green Bay Packers select Jameson Williams, wide receiver, Alabama, after trading No. 22 and 53 to get to 13. With the 28th pick, the Green Bay Packers select Quay Walker, Georgia linebacker. Two streaks broken in one year!
Gutekunst has the ammunition to do practically anything he wants in this draft. Two months ago, I thought the Packers might have a shot at Williams after the ACL injury. But it's probably going to take a top 12-15 pick to get him. Also, how freaking good was Georgia's defense last year. Mercy.
Ryan from Bloomer, WI
Although this draft appears to be very deep in WR prospects, I'm not so sure Gutey lets Adams walk out the door unless he sees a guy he is in love with and has a sound and confident plan to draft him. Here are my picks. I predict the run on WR prospects to start at No. 13 with Houston, Packers trade picks No. 28 and No. 59 to acquire a pick from 16-18 and take Treylon Burks. Gutey stands fast at 22 where Nakobe Dean is ripe for the picking. A Gutey pass on Dean would feel a lot like T.J. Watt. Playmaker!
For starters, there isn't a single trade in the first round that'll result in the Packers keeping 22 but losing 28. The other team is going to ask for the better selection in the compensation. Dean, to me, is a first-round linebacker. But when does he get taken? He was available in both my and Spoff's mock drafts.
Derek from Eau Claire, WI
More QBs are taken than expected in the first 21 picks and the Packers select Devonte Wyatt at No. 22. He will be the third defensive player for Georgia off the board. Chris Olave is on the board at No. 28 and the Packers select Trevor Penning, OT, from Northern Iowa, in that spot. Packer nation is in a tizzy over Olave not being the choice. In Round 2, the Packers select Christian Watson. He goes on to catch Rodgers' last pass attempt: a game-winning TD in Super Bowl LIX on Feb. 5, 2025. Let Gute cook!
I love how you not only predicted the picks but also the reactions to said picks. That's top-tier work. Penning is the portrait of an NFL offensive tackle at 6-foot-7, 325 pounds, while running a sub-5 40. I like the comparisons of Jon Runyan Sr.'s size/demeanor to Penning, who did exactly what you want him to do against FCS-level competition – dominate. Now, it's up to him to do that at the next level. Penning absolutely has the head for it, though. He won't back down.
Statham from Pineview, GA
No. 22 – Devonte Wyatt: A guy who can immediately hop into the rotation on the D-line and make a Day 1 impact.
No. 28 – Christian Watson: A speedster with the ability to play X or slot, while immediately becoming your top special teams weapon.
I like Watson in the first, but I really love him in the second. As I mentioned on our draft preview of "Packers Unscripted," Watson sort of reminds me of Jordy Nelson in 2008. Not necessarily from a playstyle standpoint, but as a guy with a first-round grade who could possibly be taken in the second. From a size, speed and production standpoint, I'm sold on Watson. My only question mark is the same as Penning – how will he fare against elite competition?
Gardner from Circle Pines, MN
In a very deep draft, Gutey is patient and waits for the players to come to him in the first round. Pick No. 22 is George Karlaftis, edge from Purdue. Pick No. 28 is Bernhard Raimann, tackle from Central Michigan. Expect a trade up in Round 2 for a WR.
There are some mammoth O-linemen in this year's draft, including Raimann. The native Austrian started as a tight end at Central Michigan before beefing up and making the switch to tackle. Like Watson, I wonder if he could be there on Day 2, though. You guys have been asking about wanting to see the draft board. These are the type of players I wish I could tell you exactly how the Packers rated them. To a novice like me, it's such a wide-open field.
Gary from Bear Valley, WI
A.J. Hawk is the only first-round pick I have gotten right. Draft this year, I'm going with George Karlaftis then Treylon Burks in the first round and Christian Watson then Tyler Smith in the second round.
In my very first mock draft, I took Datone Jones and he remains the only first-round pick I've chosen correctly for the Packers.
Rich from Colorado Springs, CO
On this "Draft Day" with all its uncertainties, who was (were) the lightest or smallest player(s) ever drafted or to play in the NFL? Whoever you can pull out of your helmet. I mean hat.
Trindon Holliday (5-5) was the shortest player to play in the modern NFL. However, the Guinness Book of World Records recognizes Jack Shapiro (5-1, 120) who played in 1929 for the Staten Island Stapletons.
Russ from Henrico, VA
There are worse problems than having to stay up late to watch your team pick year after year after year. No?
Correct. There also are eight teams that aren't even picking at all.
Kathie from Pasadena, TX
I think that I am just about the only one who really isn't concerned about the draft. I look at it as it is what it is. Same thing with their games, win or lose, you can't change the outcome, just make the necessary adjustments for the next game.
There will be twists and there will be turns. We'll have you covered from the first pick until the last. (Fair warning ... Insider Inbox on Friday and Saturday mornings will post a couple hours later than usual.) As for the first round, Inbox readers agreed with me and said the Packers are most likely to take Treylon Burks at No. 22 and George Karlaftis at 28. Devonte Wyatt (at both spots), Chris Olave (No. 22) and George Pickens (No. 28) were the other leading vote-getters. For what it's worth, Burks received the most votes of anybody. Will that be enough to put him in a Packers uniform? In a matter of hours, we'll discover the answers you've been waiting for. Enjoy the first round, everybody.
