Packers' Top 2024 NFL Draft Targets

It's an exciting time to be a Green Bay Packers fan. The Packers head into the 2024 draft with plenty of momentum after what must be considered a successful 2023 campaign.

Not only did Green Bay make a run to the divisional round as the league's youngest team, but it also got answers about whether Jordan Love can be the quarterback of the future. He can.

Falling in line with the team's draft-and-develop strategy, general manager Brian Gutekunst wasn't overly active in free agency—though he did add Josh Jacobs and Xavier McKinney. However, he'll have a chance to add more long-term building blocks with 11 total draft selections.

While every pick will be important for the Packers, Thursday's 25th overall selection will provide Green Bay's best chance of adding an immediate difference-maker.

Here, we'll examine three top draft prospects the Packers must consider with the 25th pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

Green Bay Packers: CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama

Ryan Kang/Getty Images

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: Defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry #1 of the Alabama Crimson Tide defends in coverage during the CFP Semifinal Rose Bowl Game against the Michigan Wolverines at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 1, 2024 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images)

The Packers have one star cornerback in Jaire Alexander. While 2021 first-round pick Eric Stokes showed promise as a rookie, he's been limited to just 12 games over the past two seasons and hasn't performed well during that stretch.

After trading away Rasul Douglas in 2023, Green Bay could afford to bolster its cornerback depth.

Should Alabama's Kool-Aid McKinstry fall to No. 25, he'd be a logical pick for the Packers. That's precisely what happened in the latest Bleacher Report Scouting Department mock draft.

"His skills are undeniable and gives defensive coordinators the versatility to play multiple schemes. Look for him to be a starter early in his career," Cory Giddings of the B/R Scouting Department wrote of McKinstry.

This might seem like a luxury pick for the Packers, but let's not forget how Green Bay's postseason ended. Two of Love's off throws were intercepted, while San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy got away with a couple. A more reliable and productive secondary could be the key to a deeper postseason run.

OT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma

Brian Bahr/Getty Images

NORMAN, OK - OCTOBER 15: Left tackle Tyler Guyton #60 of the Oklahoma Sooners looks up at a banner as he runs onto the field for a game against the Kansas Jayhawks at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma won 52-42. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

With Love very much looking like the future, the Packers should be very interested in protecting him. Expect them to address the offensive line at some point in the draft, possibly with the 25th pick.

Replacing guard Jon Runyan could be a priority, and Green Bay could use an upgrade over Josh Myers at center. However, the interior line class is deep, and Green Bay may have an internal candidate for the interior.

"I was told by a couple people, within the organization, they think Zach Tom is a Pro Bowl right tackle, an All-Pro guard and a potential Hall of Fame center," ESPN's Rob Demovsky told the Wilde & Tausch podcast (h/t Justis Mosqueda of SBNation).

If the Packers believe that Tom can be better on the interior than the edge, then flipping the switch on a tackle makes a ton of sense in Round 1. Oklahoma's Tyler Guyton could be the perfect pick for the Packers.

Guyton has intriguing size at 6'8" and 322 pounds. While he may need some seasoning at the pro level, his upside is tremendous. The Packers should be just as concerned with how they're built in three years as in Week 1. As a long-term prospect, Guyton would be worth snagging at No. 25.

DL Jer'Zhan Newton, Illinois

Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 28: Illinois defensive lineman Johnny Newton answers questions from the media during the NFL Scouting Combine on February 28, 2024, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Every team wants a dominant defensive tackle. Unfortunately, they're not easy to find in the draft, and they're incredibly expensive on the open market—the Las Vegas Raiders gave Christian Wilkins a four-year, $110 million deal in free agency.

Illinois defensive tackle Jer'Zhan Newton has the tools to become a difference-making interior defender at the next level.

"Newton is just a disruptive player overall," Matt Holder of the B/R Scouting Department wrote. "He's strong and stout at the point of attack against the run to stun offensive linemen and stay in his gap. He also has little to no issues getting off blocks and can make plays outside of his gap with his impressive blend of strength and athleticism."

From a value standpoint, getting Newton would be a big win for the Packers. Green Bay did just invest a 2022 first-round pick in Devonte Wyatt, but pairing Wyatt and Newton together would be a great plan for the future.

Defensive tackle Kenny Clark i entering the final year of his contract and remains a potential 2024 cap casualty. Releasing or trading Clark after June 1 would save $17 million in cap space. That's a substantial amount of cap space that could go a long way toward extending Love beyond the 2024 season.

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*Contract information via Spotrac.