In the 2021 NFL draft, the Green Bay Packers select...
Eric Stokes, DB, Georgia (#29 overall) - Decent rookie year (14 passes defensed) starting opposite Jaire Alexander, and then Rasul Douglas after Jaire was injured. Rough-looking second season ended halfway through by serious injury. Came back in 2023 and played just over 100 snaps before suffering another injury. Seems unlikely he'll be a starter in 2024 but he'll be in the mix. 25 starts with 1 INT over three seasons is a poor yield due to the injuries.
Josh Myers, C, Ohio St. (#62) - Drafted as an immediate replacement for Corey Linsley, fans are pretty sick of this guy and anxious for him to be replaced either by a 2024 rookie (Jacob Monk?) or a reshuffling of current OL starters. He's never been outright terrible but he's never been consistently good. After an injury-shortened rookie year he has played nearly every offensive snap in 2022 and 2023. Famously drafted one spot ahead of Creed Humphrey, I'll leave it up to the reader whether "they were never going to draft a left-handed center" is pure copium. I'm counting Myers as a projected 2024 starter for now.
Amari Rodgers, WR, Clemson (#85) - the Packers traded up to select Rodgers, who was Trevor Lawrence's top target in 2020 and the son of championship-winning Tennessee QB Tee Martin. Rodgers projected as a slot WR and kick returner. A few months later, the Packers traded to re-acquire Randall Cobb, pushing Rodgers to the bottom of the WR depth chart. But, okay, he can still return kicks, right? In fact, no, he was insanely prone to fumbling and was released midway through his second season. He has spent time with HOU and IND since then and is currently leading the UFL in punt return yardage. Meanwhile, Keisean Nixon took over returner duties for the Packers, made All Pro twice and signed a long-term contract in 2024.
Royce Newman, G, Mississippi (#142) - Newman lined up next to Myers as Day 1 starters on the OL as rookies. His run as preferred starter ended a couple months into the 2022 season. It's possible he may not make the 2024 roster at all.
Tedarrell (TJ) Slaton, DL, Florida (#173) - Didn't play much until 2023 when he started every game. Doesn't offer much in terms of pass rush but he was a solid pick in the fifth round. Projects as a 2024 starter and might fare better in the team's new defensive scheme. While the Packers probably got the most "value" out of Josh Myers, Slaton is probably their best pick from this draft based on his career progression to this point. Ouch.
Shemar Jean-Charles, DB, Appalachian St. (#178) - Basically never played outside of special teams. Didn't make the roster in 2023.
Cole Van Lanen, OL, Wisconsin (#214) - a Green Bay native, Van Lanen's pro career in that city resulted in a single regular-season snap. He's played more (but still very little) after catching on with JAX.
Isaiah McDuffie, LB, Boston Col. (#220) - Typically a special teamer, McDuffie became an injury-replacement starter at LB for half the season in 2023. He's below average there but a solid end-of-the-roster guy who is likely to at least make the team in 2024.
Kylin Hill, RB,
Mississippi St. (#256) - Hill looked like he might be a good kick returner until a knee injury halfway through his rookie season. He was cut during his second season with Matt LaFleur stating it was about Hill's attitude rather than his play.
- Players still with the team: 5 (out of 9)
- Starters: 2 (Myers & Slaton)
- Likely future starters: none, unless Stokes bounces back
- Pro Bowls: Uhh... how about, this draft indirectly led to Keisean Nixon making All Pro?
- Grade: This all sounds pretty bad, and it is! But I don't think it's that much worse than an average draft. I'm grading it a C-