The Green Bay Packers are enjoying a successful season by any measure in 2021. Green Bay’s victory over the previously undefeated Arizona Cardinals in Week 8’s Thursday Night Football matchup improved their record to 7-1, and they remain in sole possession of first place in the NFC North.

As a result, it’s stating the obvious to say the Packers aren’t among the cluster of teams that are already looking ahead to the 2022 NFL Draft. But that doesn’t mean we can’t get a sense of the narrative that’s beginning to form around this team in 2022 mock drafts.

The Draft Network’s Joe Marino published his third 2022 mock draft this week (yes, he’s published three mock drafts already!) and has the Packers selecting USC’s standout wide receiver, Drake London.

“I can feel the collective eye rolls from Packers fans and Aaron Rodgers himself as they see me mocking Green Bay a wide receiver,” Marino wrote. “And while history doesn’t suggest this will happen, that needs to change. With it widely accepted that this is Rodgers’ final season in Green Bay, the contract status of Davante Adams becomes all that more interesting. It’s unlikely that Green Bay would simply let him walk in free agency but a tag and trade isn’t out of the picture, especially if Rodgers isn’t back.”

The Rodgers Saga is on the back burner for now, and the fact that the Packers are trending as the NFC’s top contender has helped quiet the storm that hovered above Titletown all offseason. And while I don’t want to rain on Green Bay’s parade after such a big win over the Cardinals, it’s true that life after Rodgers is probably coming sooner than Packers fans would like.

It’s expected that the reins of Green Bay’s offense will be handed to 2020 first-round pick, Jordan Love, next season. In order to make his transition a bit easier, adding a big-bodied wideout like London should be a priority. It’s true that adding a receiver should’ve been a priority for general manager Brian Gutekunst last offseason too and he didn’t do it, the days of counting on Rodgers to outplay his supporting cast are running out.

Marino described London as “dynamic at the catch point” and a player who “brings more speed and post-catch ability to the table than expected for his angular frame.” With Adams potentially leaving Green Bay this offseason as well, drafting London (or any pass-catcher) in Round 1 could become a necessity.

The Packers have won seven straight games and are showing no signs of slowing down this season. But the best team-builders always have an eye toward the future, and the 2022 version of this team might experience a franchise-changing turnover on offense. Green Bay is hopeful they already have QB-next on the roster. In April, it’ll be time to find WR-next.