![\"Kentucky](\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,w_4898,h_2755,x_0,y_0\/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images\/ImagnImages\/mmsport\/packer_central\/01jsfxrcg5h4av8hjtj0.jpg\")
<\/p>\nIn the latest and greatest mock drafts before the NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday night, the Green Bay Packers selected a bunch of cornerbacks and receivers in the first round.<\/p>\n
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Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston at the Senior Bowl. \/ Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images<\/em><\/p>\n GREEN BAY, Wis. \u2013 Jaire Alexander wasn\u2019t just premier cornerback for the Green Bay Packers. He was a premier playmaker. The last time he was healthy, 2022, he intercepted five passes.<\/p>\n If Alexander doesn\u2019t return (or he does return but is injured again), the Packers will miss Alexander\u2019s game-changing plays. Filling that void could be Kentucky\u2019s Maxwell Hairston, the first-round pick in Bucky Brooks\u2019 new mock draft at NFL.com.<\/p>\n \u201cThe playmaking cover corner is the ideal ballhawk to play in Jeff Hafley\u2019s system,\u201d Brooks explained. \u201cHairston excels as a \u2018see ball, get ball\u2019 defender with superb instincts, awareness and diagnostic skills.\u201d<\/p>\n Hairston replaced Carrington Valentine in Kentucky\u2019s lineup in 2023 and delivered five interceptions and 11 passes defensed. He took two of those back for touchdowns.<\/p>\n A shoulder injury, however, limited him to only seven games in 2024. He had one interception and five passes defensed. According to Pro Football Focus, he yielded a completion percentage of 54.5 and passer rating of 78.2 and did not allow any touchdowns.<\/p>\n Entering the 2024 season, Hairston told The Draft Network: \u201cI played wide receiver growing up. That\u2019s where the ball skills come from. It definitely helped with that. I feel like I can catch any ball thrown my way just like a receiver can. I have great instincts for the position, as well. When I do see something, or I have a natural feel for something, I\u2019m not afraid to trigger and trust my instincts.\u201d<\/p>\n Ohio State offensive linemen Josh Simmons and Donovan Jackson, Georgia edge Mykel Williams and Texas receiver Matthew Golden were among the next picks.<\/p>\n Hairston was mentioned during Daniel Jeremiah\u2019s predraft conference call with reporters.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think they will go the wide receiver route,\u201d he said. \u201cIf I\u2019m looking at options for them, I think you can always look on the defensive side of the ball for corners. Max Hairston makes a lot of sense to me in that spot. You can look at edge rushers, (as well).\u201d<\/p>\n Also at NFL.com, Eric Edholm picked a cornerback \u2013 Michigan\u2019s Will Johnson.<\/p>\n \u201cJohnson has been a tricky player to place in mock drafts because of questions about his health and long speed,\u201d he explained. \u201cBut at No. 23, the Packers absolutely can justify the risk for a highly pedigreed talent at a needed spot.\u201d<\/p>\n Johnson went ninth in Brooks\u2019 mock.<\/p>\n Johnson also was Green Bay\u2019s pick in Gordon McGuinness\u2019 new mock at Pro Football Focus. While there are questions about Johnson\u2019s speed, there are no questions about his play.<\/p>\n \u201cMy thinking behind Johnson in Green Bay has more to do with the uncertainty about Jaire Alexander\u2019s future with the team,\u201d he explained. \u201cI like Johnson\u2019s fit in the Packers’ zone scheme, but even more so, I like that he didn\u2019t allow a touchdown in coverage in each of the past two seasons.\u201d<\/p>\n In Pete Prisco\u2019s \u201cwhat teams should do\u201d mock draft at CBS, he thought general manager Brian Gutekunst should break the eons-long drought and use a first-round pick on a receiver.<\/p>\n His choice? Ohio State\u2019s polished Emeka Egbuka.<\/p>\n \u201cThey have injury questions with receivers Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs,\u201d Prisco correctly noted. \u201cSo why not add a reliable receiver who will catch a lot of passes and make it easier for Jordan Love? I know they don’t take receivers in the first round, but this would be hard to pass up.\u201d<\/p>\n Egbuka was the choice at receiver over Arizona\u2019s Tetairoa McMillan.<\/p>\n Texas\u2019 Matthew Golden would give the Packers a standout from a receiver corps filled with No. 2 targets, Jacob Infante said in his new mock.<\/p>\n \u201cA coordinated, intelligent route runner with impressive body control attacking the ball in the air, Matthew Golden has risen up draft boards significantly after the season,\u201d he explained. \u201cHe\u2019s a well-rounded target who ran incredibly well at the Combine, and he should be a strong complementary starting receiver in the NFL.\u201d<\/p>\n Egbuka went to an NFC North rival.<\/p>\n In their ninth mock, the tag-team tandem of Charles McDonald and Nate Tice went with Arizona receiver Tetaiora McMillan as the Packers\u2019 pick.<\/p>\n Tice noted Green Bay\u2019s history but thought McMillan would be too talented to overlook.<\/p>\n \u201cMcMillan has the size the Packers covet at the position and would complement their young receiver group nicely,\u201d he wrote. \u201cHis upside as a true No. 1 would allow the other Packers to slot into more fitting roles, plus give them someone who can actually beat man coverage on their roster (something that hindered them greatly in 2024).<\/p>\n \u201cA McMillan-Jayden Reed-Tucker Kraft-Romeo Doubs pass-catching group (with Luke Musgrave, Dontayvion Wicks and an injured Christian Watson on the roster) has great synergy and would be exciting to watch with Jordan Love. I\u2019m trying to manifest this one.\u201d<\/p>\n Asked specifically about McMillan on Monday after Brian Gutekunst was the only GM at his pro day, he said little (which could be something): \u201cWe had him up for a 30 visit, as well,\u201d Gutekunt said. \u201cHe’s a third year junior coming out, so we’ve spent a lot of time with him. So, it’s been good.\u201d<\/p>\n In a two-rounder for PFN, Cameron Sheath noted the need at defensive tackle following the loss of TJ Slaton but zeroed in on receiver with Egbuka.<\/p>\n \u201cEmeka Egbuka is a team-first receiver with exceptional route-running ability,\u201d he explained. \u201cHis willingness to block in the run game makes him a great fit for Matt LaFleur\u2019s offense. As does the fact that he stayed at Ohio State throughout college, despite possessing the talent to be an alpha elsewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n The absences of Christian Watson and Jaire Alexander hurt the Packers down the stretch. Thus, the second-round pick went on high-upside Iowa State cornerback Darien Porter. As a sixth-year player, Porter for the first time became a part-time starter. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed five completions and broke up five passes.<\/p>\n With Green Bay on the clock, The Press-Gazette\u2019s Pete Dougherty selected Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Packers also would consider edge rushers Shemar Stewart and Donovan Ezeiruaku, but Barron provides positional versatility and skill at another defensive position of need,\u201d Dougherty wrote.<\/p>\n Cornerback is a position of need but is Barron anything more than a slot? If not, it\u2019s hard to believe he\u2019d be the pick. If he can play on the perimeter \u2013 and he was excellent at Texas in 2024 \u2013 then this would shore up the secondary.<\/p>\n More Green Bay Packers News<\/strong><\/p>\n Focusing only on the #Packers<\/a>' primary positions of need (WR, OL, edge, DT and CB), here are our top 50 prospects. It's insanely long with stats, PFF stats, @JacobWestendorf<\/a>'s scouting and biographical nuggets on everyone. https:\/\/t.co\/Je7eM9h7uy<\/a><\/p>\n — Bill Huber (@BillHuberNFL) April 22, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n![\"Eight](\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/video\/thumbnail\/mmsport\/01jsd0ykghxhgv8w6t9f\/01jsd0ykghxhgv8w6t9f-39acfced0c7e0995f026d8f7abaab3b6.jpg\")
<\/p>\nNFL.com: Cornerback<\/h3>\n
PFF: Cornerback<\/h3>\n
CBS: Receiver<\/h3>\n
Pro Football Network: A Different Receiver<\/h3>\n
Yahoo: And Another Different Receiver<\/h3>\n
Pro Football Network: Two Rounds<\/h3>\n
Los Angeles Times: Beat Writer Mock<\/h3>\n
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