Ever since the late Ted Thompson took over as GM of the Green Bay Packers, the org has been a notorious hibernator during the March free agency period.
The "build-for-the-future" approach that prioritized homegrown guys over expensive veterans equated to a rough start to the offseason for Packers fans yearning for splash moves. Then, like clockwork, Thompson and Co. would disappoint even more a month later when acting on their "Best Player Available" philosophy in the NFL draft that largely ignored roster "needs" in favor of selecting the best remaining talent on the board.
Despite being a Thompson disciple, current-GM Brian Gutekunst has adopted more a hybrid model that fills some gaps on the roster during free agency and more frequently takes into account positional needs in draft day selections (such as last year's R1 pick of CB Eric Stokes). Such approach lends to the "win now" state that the Packers have been in since the arrival of head coach Matt LaFleur in 2019. But, front office activity over the past few weeks has put Gute in a favorable spot heading into still-the-most-relevant offseason event for the franchise.
Plugging Holes in March
Rewind just two weeks and it looked like the salary cap-burdened Packers would be furiously addressing certain positional needs during the draft. After all, it was entirely possible that Green Bay would lose a number of key players via free agency or release, including WR Davante Adams, OLB Za'Darius Smith, ILB De'Vondre Campbell, CB Rasul Douglas and OLB Preston Smith. But, coming as a bit of surprise, the front office was able to retain the last three of those players on multi-year deals while also resigning TE Robert Tonyan and adding Chiefs DE Jarran Reed to an extremely thin D-line.
While it didn't come cheap, the retention of this trio is important for two reasons. Firstly, the Packers sustain the necessary continuity to remain contenders for another season with Aaron Rodgers at the helm. Secondly - and I would argue even more crucially - Gute is afforded the ability to go "true BPA" in the coming NFL draft.
Had the Packers lost one or more of the three defenders mentioned above, Gute would be forced to find replacements early on in the coming draft. Not having a viable running mate beside LB Krys Barnes or EDGE threat opposite OLB Rashan Gary simple isn't an option if the team is serious about reaching the Super Bowl in 2022. Instead, the Packers' fifth-year GM has few burning needs to address and can get choosy with his 11 draft picks, four of which will come during the first 60 selections of the draft.
Snagging Gems in April
With the most crucial roster gaps already addressed, Gute has the luxury of pouncing on a premier talent that happens to fall out of the Top 20, such as Purdue EDGE rusher George Karlaftis. He can get ahead of a looming need at strong safety by drafting Penn State's Jaquan Brisker, who would succeed veteran Adrian Amos in a year. Or, he can added talented depth at injury-ridden positions, like offensive line and tight end. Here are a few potential selections that could surprise Packers fans fixated on the team's remaining needs.
Pass Rusher: George Karlaftis, Boye Mafe, Cameron Thomas
Safety: Jaquan Brisker, Daxton Hill, Jalen Pitre
Offensive Line: Bernhard Raimann, Zion Johnson, Darian Kinnard
Tight End: Greg Dulcich, Charlie Kolar, Cole Turner
Inside Linebacker: Devin Lloyd, Christian Harris, Quay Walker
The Packers should have the freedom to go BPA during most of their picks. However, one immediate gap does need to be addressed in the draft: wide receiver.
With Davante Adams traded to the Raiders, the organization faces quite possibly its largest gap at the position since Aaron Rodgers' second season as a pro in 2006. Fortunately for Green Bay, they'll be gifted a third-straight draft class of talented wide outs, including Ohio State's Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, Arkansas's Treylon Burks and USC's Drake London. With two first-round picks as ammunition, will Gutekunst finally pull the trigger on one of these pass targets in Round 1? He may not have a choice.
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