On April 28, the NFL Draft will finally be here. No more reading between the lines and trying to decipher well planned smoke screens from NFL front offices so as not to tip their hand.
This will be Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst’s fifth draft. We can definitely glean one thing from all of those drafts — he likes to make a deal.
Gutekunst has engineered six trades since 2018, including moving up nine spots to take Jaire Alexander and he also moved up four spots to take Jordan Love.
Which is what makes this year’s draft even more intriguing. Gutekunst has plenty of draft capital at his disposal with four picks in the top 60 and seven in the top 150. The Packers are going to end up with some playmakers, it all depends on how those playmakers end up in Green Bay.
For example, if Gutekunst has his eyes on Alabama star wideout Jameson Williams and he can get him with the No. 17 pick, then I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes and does that. Not just because Williams is one of the most dynamic receivers around, but because he isn’t afraid to lower his head and block. Gutekunst could make that trade with the Chargers for No. 22, No. 92 and No. 132. That’s a late first, late third and a late fourth for arguably one of the best wideouts in this draft. The good news is that the Packers would still have another first rounder for a potential defensive line or safety pick and two more picks in the second round.
This draft is a general manager’s dream. They have loads of picks in a draft where you don’t really have to reach for anyone.
But at the same time, Gutekunst knows that he has to put together a winning roster. How many years will the Packers have Aaron Rodgers? I don’t see him playing out the entire deal that goes through 2026. Mainly because I don’t see the Packers paying the $59.3 million cap hit in 2025.
That’s why all of the pressure is on Gutekunst. I have really liked what Gutekunst has done since taking over for Ted Thompson. Drafting guys like Alexander, Rashan Gary, Elgton Jenkins, AJ Dillon, Josh Meyers and Eric Stokes. Then there are the diamonds in free agency with De’Vondre Campbell being the best of the bunch that includes Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith, Adrian Amos and Billy Turner.
Gutekunst clearly knows talent. Whether that’s talent in the form of high pedigree players or guys that were forgotten by most teams as in the case of Rasual Douglas.
The key is seeing how the pieces fit. Back in March, LaFleur said, “We need a legit guy that can take the top off the coverage.”
Enter stage right Gutekunst. Thanks to wide receiver inflation, the Packers are not going to go after high-priced wideouts in free agency. Green Bay got a steal with Sammy Watkins and his $1.7 million deal. They cannot pay a wideout north of $20 million while they pay a quarterback $40 million.
This is Gutekunst’s Super Bowl. He needs to hit a home run with a playmaker in the first or second round. With four picks, it would be better if he hit a couple home runs.
The key won’t just be finding those guys, but making sure they will mesh with the offense and with Rodgers. Because what’s the point of having a Ferrari if it doesn’t get used properly?
Has Gutekunst gotten everything right? Of course not. Josh Jackson comes to mind. And so does Jace Sternberger. But Gutekunst has landed more draft picks than most and there’s no reason to think he won’t do the same with more draft ammo on his belt.
Jameson Williams being physical pic.twitter.com/oCgAJQbhyB
— Speak Up (@_SpeakU) April 16, 2022
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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on “Clubhouse Live” and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn