The Draft Pick That Could Have Transformed Packers' Destiny

The Green Bay Packers have been part of the National Football League since 1921 and have participated in every single NFL draft since it was instituted in 1936. In the 2024 NFL Draft, the Packers selected offensive lineman Jordan Morgan as their first pick, followed by other notable selections such as linebacker Edgerrin Cooper and safety Javon Bullard. The Packers' draft strategy focused on addressing needs in their offensive line, safety, and linebacker positions. While some questioned the decision to select two off-ball linebackers in the top 100 picks, the team's general manager, Brian Gutekunst, has received praise for his draft choices, with some analysts calling it a solid draft class. The Packers' rookie class of 2024 has shown promise, with Cooper and Bullard standing out for their impressive performances.

Jordan Morgan's performance

Jordan Morgan was the Green Bay Packers' first pick in the 2024 NFL draft, selected 25th overall in the first round. Morgan is an offensive lineman with 37 career starts, known for his elite athleticism and positional versatility. Indeed, Packers GM Brian Gutekunst believes that Morgan can play both tackle and guard spots.

Morgan's selection was not a surprise to some, but it did follow a familiar Packers draft narrative: the team chose a player who was a box-checker, ready to play immediately, but with room to grow. Morgan's selection was also an investment in Jordan Love, the Packers' new franchise quarterback.

Unfortunately, Morgan earned the distinction of playing the least snaps of any first-round pick in the Brian Gutekunst era (excluding Jordan Love, who was never intended to play as a rookie). Morgan lined up for just 186 snaps in his rookie season.

Despite this, Morgan's performance in the preseason showed promise. Packers offensive line coach Luke Butkus said that Morgan looked ready to "rip somebody's lips off" ahead of a preseason game.

Edgerrin Cooper's performance

Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper was the Green Bay Packers' second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He was the team's second selection in the second round, with safety Javon Bullard being the first.

Cooper's playing time was limited at first, but he eventually became a core part of the team. He was named the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Month and was spectacular when he did play. Cooper became just the second rookie since 2000 to record 13 or more tackles for loss in a season while playing 14 or fewer games. The other player to do so was Joey Bosa in 2016.

Cooper's selection was not a surprise, as he was a dominant player in the SEC with elite-level athleticism. However, some questioned whether the Packers needed to use a top-100 pick on another off-ball linebacker, especially since they already had Cooper and Rashan Gary.

Javon Bullard's performance

Javon Bullard was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Bullard, a safety from Georgia, was the 58th overall pick.

Bullard's performance in the NFL has been impressive so far. In his rookie year, he has already made an impact on the Packers' defense. He has been praised for his physicality and versatility by defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, who said, "I love the play style, love the versatility. He's a physical guy."

Bullard himself has stated that he just wants "to be around the ball and make plays." He has certainly done that, with multiple forced fumbles and recoveries, including a crucial late-game turnover against the Chicago Bears.

Bullard's performance in the 2024 preseason slate also earned him high grades from Chad Reuter, who noted that Bullard made a great first impression.

Prior to his NFL career, Bullard had a successful college career at Georgia. He appeared in 40 games with 22 starts at defensive back, finishing with 114 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, four interceptions, 12 passes defended, and a fumble recovery.

In his senior year in 2020, he recorded 74 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 10 passes defended, and two sacks, earning him the title of a four-time all-region selection at Baldwin High School.

Bullard's performance in the NFL thus far has been a continuation of his impressive college career, and he is expected to be a valuable asset to the Packers' defense moving forward.

MarShawn Lloyd's performance

Unfortunately, Lloyd experienced a string of injuries throughout the year, including hamstring, hip, and ankle issues, as well as a ruptured appendix. As a result, he found himself on the injury list multiple times and was unable to play consistently. Despite these setbacks, Lloyd was determined to contribute to the team, stating, "I want to do whatever I can to help this team as much as possible."

Lloyd's resilience and dedication to his recovery are commendable, and he is expected to enter the 2025 season with fresh legs and a renewed sense of purpose.

Ty'Ron Hopper's performance

Hopper's performance in the season itself has been unremarkable. He has played the most snaps without needing to move, with most of his "work" coming on special teams. He played 215 special teams snaps, 93 of which came on kickoff coverage and 68 on kickoff return, with the rest occurring on punt return.

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