In the lead-up to the highly anticipated NFL draft, Green Bay Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst is no stranger to navigating the risks and rewards of trading up and down the draft board. With an impressive track record of making bold moves, Gutekunst's decisions have the potential to greatly impact the team's future.

Trading during the draft comes with inherent risks. One of the key concerns is the possibility of the player a team moves up for not living up to expectations. Additionally, draft capital is relinquished in the process, and there's always a chance of missing out on highly ranked prospects.

Since taking on the role of GM, Gutekunst has displayed a willingness to be flexible and proactive in maneuvering the draft board. Notable examples include trading down in the first round in 2018 before moving back up to draft Jaire Alexander. In subsequent years, Gutekunst traded up in the first round to secure Darnell Savage in 2019 and Jordan Love in 2020. In 2022, he made a significant leap in the second round to select Christian Watson.

These trades highlight Gutekunst's confidence in the players he targets and his desire to secure prospects who may not often be available to the team through the traditional draft process.

On the flip side, trading down also presents its own set of risks. The Packers traded down multiple times before selecting Jayden Reed with the 50th pick in last year's draft. With each trade, there was a chance that Reed would no longer be available when the Packers were back on the clock.

Gutekunst acknowledges the balancing act of trading back, recognizing that it may result in losing out on preferred players. The decision-making process revolves around finding the right value and selecting players who align with the team's long-term goals.

Over time, Gutekunst and his scouting team have developed a sense of resilience, understanding that highly ranked players on their board will sometimes be drafted by other teams. Nevertheless, they remain confident in their evaluation processes, trusting that they will ultimately secure quality players when their turn comes.

With the draft just around the corner, Gutekunst has already begun engaging in discussions with other teams about potential trade opportunities. Possessing a whopping 11 draft picks, tied for the most in the NFL, the Packers have the flexibility to make strategic moves based on how the draft board unfolds.

Having five selections within the first 91 picks offers Gutekunst and the Packers the chance to acquire five players who fall within their top 50 on the big board. This presents a golden opportunity for the team to make a significant impact on the upcoming 2024 season.

However, trading up on Day 1 would likely require parting with valuable draft picks. Gutekunst stresses the importance of these early selections, as the statistics and history show that the odds of landing impactful players are higher in the early rounds.

As the Packers' final draft board is being finalized, Gutekunst remains optimistic about the potential to land key players who align with the team's priorities. With months of meticulous evaluation behind them, Gutekunst and his team are well-prepared to make decisive moves during the draft.

Only time will tell which direction the Packers ultimately choose, but fans can expect a calculated and strategic approach from Gutekunst as he aims to build a roster that will propel the team to continued success.

Read all the latest news and updates on the Green Bay Packers' draft plans at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Packers Wire.