Ten Things We Learned from Day Two of the Green Bay Packers 2024 NFL Draft

The Green Bay Packers added four players on the second day of the 2024 NFL Draft and traded back to accumulate more picks on day three. Three of the four players selected play defense with two linebackers and a safety being added to the mix. The lone offensive player on day two plays running back. The priority for GM Brian Gutekunst seems to be finding the players new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley needs to properly implement his new defense. Here are ten things we learned from day two of the Packers 2024 NFL Draft:

Ten Things We Learned from Day Two of the Packers 2024 NFL Draft, Number One: LB Edgerrin Cooper Gives the Packers Two Elite Athletes at LB

The Packers traded back from 41^st to 45^th in the second round and still got a player many scouts considered the top off-ball linebacker in this draft. Edgerrin Cooper has great size at 6’3” and 230 pounds and ran a 4.51 in the 40-yard dash. He also lettered in track in high school.

Cooper has the versatility to track down runners with his speed, to blitz the quarterback and to drop back into pass coverage as well. He led the SEC in tackles for loss last season with 17 and he also had eight sacks.

Cooper and Quay Walker will give the Packers two outstanding athletes at the linebacker position who can cover the field sideline-to-sideline. This will help Hafley run his new defense effectively.

Number Two: Cooper Also Has Special Teams Experience

In addition to playing linebacker, Cooper played extensively on both kickoff and punt coverage teams. Cooper played 585 special teams snaps in college.

Special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia will welcome Cooper with open arms. Even if he doesn’t become an immediate starter on defense, he should have an impact on coverage teams. This is an area the Packers have needed help at for several years.

Ten Things We Learned from Day Two of the Packers 2024 NFL Draft, Number Three: Javon Bullard Compliments Xavier McKinney at Safety

The Packers got another versatile player in safety Javon Bullard. The Georgia alum can play safety or slot and he has a reputation as a tough hitter when he tackles. Bullard can play in the box and help stop the run or drop into coverage.

Hafley told reporters he wanted his two safeties to be interchangeable parts to keep offenses off balance and Bullard and Xavier McKinney will allow him to do just that.

He provides leadership and football smarts. Many believe he has a future as a coach because of his understanding of the game and his competitive spirit.

The biggest concerns about Bullard are his lack of pure size at 5’11” and 195 pounds and that sometimes he is over eager to hit and can be out of position or take penalties as a result.

Number Four: Bullard Has Earned Many Honors

Bullard has earned honors throughout his career. He was named the Defensive MVP of the National Title Game in 2022. He was voted the top safety of the American Team at this year’s Senior Bowl. In addition, his hometown of Milledgeville, Georgia, celebrated “Javon Bullard Day” after he was named the Defensive MVP of the National Title Game.

Ten Things We Learned from Day Two of the Packers 2024 NFL Draft, Number Five: MarShawn Lloyd Gives the Packers a Change of Pace Back

MarShawn Lloyd gives the Packers a home run threat at running back every time he touches the ball. While he’s not built like a workhorse back at 5’8” and 220 pounds, he is fast and elusive as a runner and has soft hands.

Lloyd led USC in rushing with 820 yards and scored nine touchdowns despite missing two games. He averaged an impressive 7.1-yards per carry.

Lloyd needs to be a little more north/south in the pros and has to cut down on his fumbles. He’ll also need to improve his pass blocking to get extensive playing time with the Packers.

One scout compared Lloyd’s style to Josh Jacobs, and he would be a solid compliment to Jacobs in the Green Bay backfield.

Number Six: Lloyd Doesn’t Have a Lot of Wear and Tear on His Body

In three seasons in college, Lloyd carried a total of 291 times and averaged 5.6-yards per carry. He never ran the ball more than 116 times in any season.

At 23, he could have a longer career in the NFL because of the lack of contact he’s taken thus far in his career.

Ten Things We Learned from Day Two of the Packers 2024 NFL Draft, Number Seven: Ty’Ron Hopper Is a Playmaker

Ty’Ron Hopper matured and developed into a solid playmaker at Missouri. He showed good speed and led his team with 14 tackles for loss in 2022. He also recorded three sacks this past season and shows promise as a blitzer.

Hopper also has special teams experience, especially on punt coverage teams. He also showed leadership and was voted one of the team captains in his last season at Missouri.

Number Eight: Hopper Comes from a Football Family

Hopper has three cousins who all played big time college football. Tyrone Hopper II was a linebacker at North Carolina and is now a graduate assistant at Arkansas. Tyneil Hopper played last year at Michigan State after spending four seasons with Boise State while Tyjai Hopper is committed to play at James Madison in 2024.

Ten Things We Learned from Day Two of the Packers 2024 NFL Draft, Number Nine: Gutekunst Drafted for Need and Stayed True to His Preferences

This was a very typical draft for Gutekunst. The Packers GM added players at positions of need including multiple off-ball linebackers. He looked for athleticism and versatility and found them with these picks.

Gutekunst was also able to trade back in Round 2 and add an extra fifth and sixth round pick from the Saints. Entering Saturday, the Packers have eight more picks for a total of 13 over the entire draft.

Number 10: The Packers Still Have Needs to Fill

Gutekunst still hasn’t selected a cornerback which remains a position of need. Another safety also remains a distinct possibility.

Historically, the Packers find gems along the offensive line on day three of the draft with both current starting tackles being drafted there. Zach Tom was a fourth-round pick and Rasheed Walker a seventh rounder. Past offensive linemen taken on day three who went on to play major roles for the Packers include David Bakhtiari, Jon Runyan, Corey Linsley, and T.J. Lang. Look for the Pack to add at least two more offensive linemen on day three.

Gute also indicated he wanted to return to Ron Wolf’s strategy of selecting a developmental quarterback on day three, but we’ll see if he adds one this year.

A fullback or H-back also remains a need and a possibility for Saturday.