2024 NFL Draft: Ranking the Packers' picks by potential for Year 1 impact

The Packers selected 11 players in the 2024 NFL Draft. Some of those picks have an easier road to contributing on the field than others.

In the NFL, it typically takes years to gain the perspective necessary to fully judge a draft class. Teams select prospects primarily on the basis of their long-term outlook, and often that potential doesn't manifest on the field during a player's rookie season.

However, for the 2024 Green Bay Packers, first-year contributions from their rookie class will matter in at least a few crucial spots. As part of the defensive reboot under new coordinator Jeff Hafley, general manager Brian Gutekunst and his front office drafted four defenders among the top 111 picks. Even the team's two offensive prospects selected in that range have paths to considerable playing time as rookies.

The Leap's past attempts to project Year 1 rookie contributions have some misfires, but the track record looks strong overall. Readers can review those efforts here:

• 2023 NFL Draft

• 2022 NFL Draft

Accounting for all those factors -- though not for future injuries given the unpredictable nature of player health -- here's a subjective ranking of the Packers' newly minted draft picks in terms of likeliness to play a meaningful role this season.

11. Travis Glover, OL, Georgia State

The Packers had accumulated three offensive linemen by the end of the 2024 draft. The last of those additions, mammoth Georgia State blocker Travis Glover, differs from the other two in critical ways. From a testing perspective, Glover doesn't offer high-end athleticism, grading as a below-average athlete by Relative Athletic Score (4.72 out of 10 as an offensive tackle). However, he saw considerable action at tackle and guard and impressed coaches at the Senior Bowl. The Packers view him as a project and won't press him into action unnecessarily this season.

10. Michael Pratt, QB, Tulane

Back in March, The Leap correctly identified Michael Pratt as one of Green Bay's few true Day 3 quarterback targets. The team eventually landed the Tulane product in the seventh round, a selection of considerable value according to the consensus board. Though the late draft slot means Pratt doesn't have a secure roster spot at this stage, Gutekunst has an established track record of retaining nearly all his picks during their rookie seasons.

Even before rookie minicamp, the stakes appear fairly clear Pratt. He will spend the summer competing with second-year pro Sean Clifford for the right to back up Jordan Love, a role that puts Pratt a single snap away from significant NFL action. Still, the rookie has to win the job, and Clifford begins 2024 with a considerable lead in that race. Because of the variables and obstacles currently in Pratt's path -- Love would also have to miss time for him to see meaningful action -- his chances to contribute as a rookie look slimmer than most of the draft class.

9. Kalen King, CB, Penn State

Of all the Packers' 2024 picks, none expressed as much emotion during his media conference call as Kalen King. The former Penn State corner felt angry that he had to wait until the final few selections of the draft before hearing his name.

"Honestly, this whole experience definitely was one of the toughest things I had to endure in my life," King said shortly after Green Bay selected him. "I feel like today was a blessing and a curse. Even though I didn't get drafted where I wanted to, I feel like I made the right choices in every decision. Everything's happened for a reason. I feel like I'm in a place where I'm supposed to be. I'm happy I got my name called."

King's selection comes just a year after the Packers found a seventh-round gem in corner Carrington Valentine. But unlike Valentine, King lacks the elite athleticism for the position, grading as a 6.68 by RAS. The lack of speed -- the Penn State product ran a 4.61-second 40-yard dash -- as well as an on-field regression in 2023 help explain King's fall to the back of the draft.

Perhaps injuries open up a path to playing time for King. However, he faces more hurdles at this point in the process than Valentine did last year.