The Packers are a team known for drafting exceptionally well, especially when it comes to 2nd round receiver and offensive lineman. It’s no shock Green Bay is known to get the best out of their late round players, but who has been the best steals over the past five years?
2022 Draft: Romeo Doubs, 4th round pick 132
While the Packers took 3 WRs this draft and Christion Watson being the best of the three, Doubs was the best steal of the draft. Coming into the draft Doubs was ranked as the 18th best WR in the draft after putting up 225 receptions, 3,322 yards and 26 touchdowns along with 2 First Team All MW in 4 years at Nevada. He quickly proved in the preseason that he was special, and showed loads of talent. He started the NFL season strong, most notably with 8 receptions for 73 yards and his first career touchdown in a 14-12 win against the Buccaneers before slowing down and getting injured, all while Rodgers was throwing the ball less than normal. He came back in week 15 and finished the season with 42 receptions for 425 yards and three touchdowns. Doubs and Watson both have really bright futures in Green Bay, but Doubs seems as though he’ll be the biggest steal of this draft class for years to come.
2021 Draft: Josh Myers, 2nd round pick 62
The Packers love to draft and develop offensive lineman, and Myers was no exception. After receiving First Team All Big 10 honors in 2021 with Ohio St, Myers fell to Green Bay in the 2nd round and they happily took him. While only playing 400ish snaps his rookie year, he took over the Center position full time for Green Bay and logged 1091 snaps, while showing vast improvement from his rookie year. No matter who’s behind Myers next season, he’ll continue to improve on what was an amazing sophomore season.
2020 Draft: Jon Runyan Jr, 6th round pick 192
Runyan wasn’t set to play much his rookie year, just snaps here and there in games until the injury bug hit Green Bay and he was thrust into the lineup, where he did well for himself. Fast forward 2 seasons later and he’s been great for the Packers at RG and allowed 1 sack and was only accountable for 1 penalty flag this last season. A 2 time First Team All Big 10 player at Michigan, he fell right into a place that loves to draft and develop O-Lineman, and it turns out to be a perfect fit for him. He’ll enter his 4th season next year and the surefire starting RG, and will help an O-Line that is one of the best when fully healthy.
2019 Draft: Elgton Jenkins, 2nd round pick 44
There’s a common theme you can see from these drafts. Lots and lots of offensive lineman, but for good reason. Elgton has transformed into one of the best all-around lineman at football, and has taken snaps at LG, C, and RT. He can do it all at every position, but shines most in his normal role of LG. Since being drafted to Green Bay, he has solidified himself as one of the best Lineman in football, and was recognized with 2 pro bowl bids in 2020 and 2022. Jenkins Has a argument to be the best player on the line, with the guy to his left, David Bakhtiari, being the only other one in that conversation. Either way, Jenkins has made a name for himself and seems as if he’ll continue to play at a high level for Green Bay for years to come.
2018 Draft: Jaire Alexander, 1st round pick 18
While MVS was a later pick, he is a solid role player at best. Jaire was a home run pick that turned into the best CB in the NFL. Look at any redraft, and Jaire is a top 6ish pick in what was a loaded draft. There’s not much else to say about Jaire, we all know who he is and the amazing player he has become, but there is but there is plenty to say about the others in this draft class. All are off the team, and besides Marquez Valdes-Scantling did next to nothing for Green Bay. JK Scott was cool but he wasn’t nearly as good as he could’ve been, and the only other notable player Equanimous St Brown was a fan favorite and nothing more. And so while Jaire may be only a steal for where he was taken in the first round, he was a home run pick nonetheless.
