The Green Bay Packers will be busy at the 2024 NFL Draft. They have five picks in the first three rounds as a result of dealing Aaron Rodgers and Rasul Douglas. Green Bay has few gaps on their youthful, upstart roster, which stunned many with their playoff presence and victory over the Dallas Cowboys. They are ahead of schedule and can use the draft to expand their roster. Three sleepers jump out as viable candidates to pursue. The players are Graham Barton of Duke, Tyler Nubin of Minnesota, and Jaylen Wright of Tennessee.
Graham Barton, Offensive Lineman, Duke
Graham Barton’s versatility is something that should really appeal to the Packers. Green Bay has long valued players being able to play multiple positions on the offensive line. Elgton Jenkins, who primarily plays left guard but has also played left tackle, right tackle, and center throughout his career, is one example. Zach Tom is another. Tom mostly is stationed at right tackle but he can also play center and guard for Green Bay.
Barton should fit in well with the Packers. He began his freshman season at Duke as a center, but later shifted to left tackle. He played there for the next three seasons and was particularly effective in 2022. During that season, he was the only tackle among Power Five schools to receive a PFF grade of 85 or higher as both a pass and run blocker. When questioned about his meeting with the Packers at the NFL Combine, he emphasized his versatility.
Green Bay may also use some help on the offensive line. They dismissed David Bakhtiari earlier this summer to clear some contract space after injuries limited his playing time. Jon Runyan Jr., the Packers’ starting right guard, also left in free agency to join the New York Giants.
Green Bay received excellent play from Rasheed Walker at left tackle late last season, but it never hurts to add depth. The Packers might also aim to improve Josh Myers’ performance at center, but right guard is where they should focus their efforts. Barton could play there immediately away and would be an excellent fit with Green Bay.
Tyler Nubin, Safety, Minnesota
Green Bay already addressed safety during free agency with their blockbuster signing of former New York Giant Xavier McKinney, but they could use another. That’s where Minnesota’s Tyler Nubin could come into play.
Nubin has done a little bit of everything during his time with the Gophers. He is a solid tackler who can contribute in the run game, but he shines best protecting against the pass. He racked up 11 pass deflections and 13 interceptions in college, including two in their season debut in 2023.
Nubin did not test well at the combine, and being a solid athlete is something the Packers value highly. But he’s a very good player, and someone who could help Green Bay’s secondary.
Jaylen Wright, Running Back, Tennessee
If the Packers want a great athlete, they’d covet Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright. Wright blew up the NFL combine with his testing and measurables in Indianapolis.
Wright also balled out in a part-time role with the Vols. He averaged six yards per carry in 2022 and put up a 7.4 clip in 2023. That amounted to 1,888 rushing yards with an additional 24 receptions for 149 in the passing game. Wright isn’t a small, change of pace back either. At 5-foot-10 and 210-pounds, what he was listed at at the combine, he can handle a big workload.
During free agency, Green Bay swapped Aaron Jones for Josh Jacobs. Throughout their careers, Jacobs has proven to be more durable than Jones, but Jones is the more explosive player. AJ Dillon is still there, but he does not make many big plays either.
With Jones sidelined, the Packers could use a boost in speed and enthusiasm in their backfield. Later in the draft, they may discover that type of guy in Wright. He is a player to keep an eye on.
