Green Bay Packers' Draft Flexibility Opens Up Possibilities for GM Brian Gutekunst
ICARO Media Group
In an impressive display of draft capital, the Green Bay Packers enter this year's NFL draft with five picks in the top 100 and a total of 11 picks, tying them for the most in the league. This surplus of selections provides General Manager Brian Gutekunst with significant flexibility and opens up the possibility of making moves up the draft board if the right player becomes available.
Gutekunst acknowledged the value of having numerous draft picks, stating, "It also gives us a little bit of flexibility, whether it's moving around within the draft or if there's veteran players that are available, that could be a possibility as well." He emphasized the importance of having as many high picks as possible but also highlighted the strategic advantage of having options and ammunition going into the draft.
Throughout Gutekunst's tenure as GM, he has shown a willingness to be aggressive in the draft, despite having fewer draft assets in previous years. Notably, he traded up to select players like Jaire Alexander in 2018, Darnell Savage in 2019, Jordan Love in 2020, Amari Rodgers in the third round of the 2021 draft, and Christian Watson in the second round of the 2022 draft. These moves demonstrate Gutekunst's proactive approach to acquiring impactful talents.
To gauge the potential cost of moving up in this year's draft, various trade scenarios were assessed using the Rich Hill trade value chart as a guide. The goal was to determine fair trades by aligning the numeric values of the draft picks being exchanged as closely as possible. Although other factors come into play during actual trades, this exercise aimed to provide insight into the potential value required from the Packers to move up in the draft.
In one scenario, the Packers traded up to pick 15 and managed to acquire an additional draft pick, despite surrendering a second-round pick. This clever maneuver allowed the Packers to maintain five selections in the top 100.
Another scenario saw the Packers trading up to pick 17, which required them to give up a third and fourth-round pick. Despite this, Gutekunst's strategic accumulation of draft assets meant that the Packers still possessed two second-round picks and a third-round pick, affording them flexibility.
Trading up to pick 19 left the Packers with four picks in the top 100 and a strong draft position. Similarly, a trade up to pick 21 resulted in the Packers losing their fourth and fifth-round picks but still retaining all five top 100 selections.
The last scenario involved the Packers trading up to pick 23, potentially engaging with a divisional rival. While trading within the division is not the ideal preference, recent history has shown that it is not out of the question. The Packers may opt for this move if they believe another team is eyeing the same player.
With a surplus of draft picks and a proven track record of being proactive, the Green Bay Packers and GM Brian Gutekunst enter the upcoming NFL draft with ample flexibility and strategic options. The trade scenarios presented provide a glimpse into the potential moves the Packers could make to secure the talent they desire. As draft day approaches, anticipation grows for how Gutekunst will utilize his arsenal to shape the future of the franchise.