Carrington Valentine, a cornerback, is an excellent illustration of how starting-caliber players can be found in the seventh round, despite their rarity.
Before giving them opportunities on offense or defense, Brian Gutekunst typically prefers to select players who can make an impact on special teams.
We used The Athletic’s Consensus Big Board for the top 100 picks and the NFL Mock Draft Database for later selections to create this exercise of determining who would be the best target for each pick.
It’s likely that the Packers will select two seventh-round picks. In addition to the original selection, the team is anticipated to receive a seventh-round pick in compensation for the loss of defensive lineman Dean Lowry to free agency in the previous season.
Select 243 – TE Arizona’s Tanner McLachlan (232nd)
Although McLachlan lacks the agility to move quickly side to side, he moves fairly quickly in a straight line. That’s why, at the NFL Combine, he only took a few tests. He is also a tough player and a reliable catcher. Since we first created this exercise, he rose slightly in the consensus board, from 236th to 232nd.
The Packers are mostly set at tight end at the top, but depth is a consideration. Last year, the team drafted Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft on day 2, and they also claimed Ben Sims off waivers from the Minnesota Vikings. In 2024, they will have three promising tight ends entering year 2.
However, Josiah Deguara and Tyler Davis are free agents, so another late-round pick at that position wouldn’t be a total surprise, especially so late in the process. As a shorter and lighter tight end, McLachlan could execute Deguara’s role moving forward.
WR Anthony Gould of Oregon State (256th) is selected in compensatory pick 251.
With the exception of his height and, to a large extent, weight, which he cannot alter, he excelled in every aspect of his performance at the NFL Combine.