Dane Brugler’s first mock draft of the 2024 cycle — posted Wednesday at The Athletic following the conclusion of the regular season in college football — has the Green Bay Packers taking a cornerback in the first round.
At No. 13 overall, the Packers received Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold.
Brugler highlighted Arnold’s “athletic traits and competitiveness” as a fit for Green Bay and said some teams will have Arnold higher on the draft board than teammate Kool-Aid McKinstry.
Alabama lists Arnold at 6-0 and 196 pounds. The redshirt sophomore and Florida native has five interceptions, 10 pass breakups, six tackles for loss and a forced fumble so far in 2023. He broke up nine passes and had an interception during an Freshman All-American season in 2022.
The Packers have All-Pro Jaire Alexander locked up long-term and rookie Carrington Valentine has displayed legitimate flashes of starting ability since Rasul Douglas was traded to the Buffalo Bills, but nickel cornerback Keisean Nixon will be a free agent after this season and 2021 first-round pick Eric Stokes is a question mark given his recent injury history.
Here’s Brennen Rupp’s breakdown of Arnold:
NFL teams are going to love Terrion Arnold’s competitive spirit. He is more than willing to mix it up against the run and he’s combative at the catch point. He has quick feet and everything works in unison in his backpedal. A high school safety, Arnold has the versatility to play on the boundary or in the slot. With his athleticism, fluidity in coverage and coverage instincts, Arnold has the makings to develop into a lockdown corner.
According to Pro Football Focus, Arnold has allowed 35 catches on 65 targets into his coverage and has the highest overall coverage grade on Alabama’s defense. He’s forced 12 incompletions and has a 50.5 passer rating allowed into his coverage. Arnold’s coverage grade ranks seventh among cornerbacks with at least 250 coverage snaps in college football this season. He’s also second among cornerbacks in interceptions.
In Brugler’s mock, Caleb Williams went No. 1 overall to the Chicago Bears, Drake Maye went No. 3 overall to the New England Patriots and Jayden Daniels went No. 7 overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Keep in mind, Brugler had the Packers taking Lukas Van Ness in his second mock draft of the 2023 cycle last year.
