The Green Bay Packers are picking in the backend of the first round of the 2024 NFL draft, which begins Thursday night. Of interest, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com provided a list of four “potential surprise first-rounders” on Tuesday.
Last year, Pelissero provided six potential surprises. Three ended up going in the first round, including picks at No. 27 and No. 29, and a fourth landed in the top 40 picks.
Do any of the four players picked by Pelissero this year fit the Packers, who hold the 25th overall pick?
Let’s break it down:
WR Keon Coleman, Florida State
Height: 6-3 Weight: 213 Age: 20 RAS: 8.19 Breakdown: Coleman, a college teammate of Packers receiver Jayden Reed at Michigan State, checks first-round boxes in terms of being young and above average for both size and athleticism. He is a big, physical receiver who wins at the catch point, giving him a flashy power forward type game. The problem? The Packers are rich at wide receiver and haven’t used a first-round pick on the position in two decades. Contested catch artists in college don’t always translate to the NFL level either, and Coleman doesn’t have great speed and didn’t test agilities. Possibility in first round for Packers: Unlikely
LB Junior Colson, Michigan
Height: 6-2 Weight: 238 Age: 21 RAS: N/A (no testing, injury) Breakdown: Colson is the top linebacker in the class for some evaluators, and there’s no doubting the Packers’ need at linebacker. Colson didn’t test while recovering from an injury, which potentially complicates a first-round path to Green Bay. But he checks other boxes, including age and fit. Colson played “Mike” linebacker for Michigan and could be a natural fit there for the Packers, who are planning to play Quay Walker on the weak side. He’s probably the best tackler in the class. Using another first-round pick on a linebacker would be risky, but Colson projects as a Day 1 starter at a major need position. Possibility in first round for Packers: Decent
OT Kingsley Suamataia, BYU
Height: 6-4 Weight: 326 Age: 21 RAS: 9.40 Breakdown: Suamataia fits the bill for the Packers as a big, athletic, underdeveloped prospect at a premium (and need) position. He has movement skills and potential tackle-guard versatility. Evaluators are as split on Suamataia as any player in the draft class; some see him as a first-rounder, others believe he could be a late Day 2 or even early Day 3 selection. Picking at 25, Suamataia might be a reach for the Packers, but they need help up front along the offensive line and the former five-star recruit checks a lot of boxes in terms of what they look for in the first round. Possibility in first round for Packers: Decent
WR Xavier Legette, South Carolina
Height: 6-1 Weight: 221 Age: 23 RAS: 9.88 Breakdown: Legette broke out in a big way in 2023 (1,255 receiving yards, seven touchdowns) and then aced the combine, running 4.39 in the 40-yard dash and producing explosive jumps. He’s fast as a vertical threat and tough after the catch, and he’ll willingly block in the run game while also providing potential value as a kickoff returner. Dane Brugler of The Athletic believes Legette gives off “DK Metcalf vibes,” which is intriguing for his potential at the next level. Legette also had a pre-draft in Green Bay. The Packers don’t have a need at receiver, but Legette is much closer to a type they would target. Possibility in first round for Packers: Not impossible
Ranking the 4
1. OT Kingsley Suamataia, BYU 2. LB Junior Colson, Michigan 3. WR Xavier Legette, South Carolina 4. WR Keon Coleman, Florida State Paul Bretl of Packers Wire recently picked Suamataia as his “surprise pick” for the Packers in the first round. The BYU offensive lineman checks a lot of boxes and plays a premium/need position. Colson is a fascinating prospect who looks like a terrific fit in Jeff Hafley’s new defense, but a lack of testing because of an injury is troublesome for a potential first-round pick. The Packers value athleticism in a big way. Legette is a Packers type and a pre-draft visitor, but it’s tough to envision a first-round receiver for Brian Gutekunst. Is Coleman special enough to use a first-round pick at an already loaded position?
