It is finally (almost) time. We’re just a few short days from the start of the 2024 NFL Draft. After agonizing over every possibility, we’ll finally see what our favorite teams do starting this Thursday. Good luck to all who celebrate.
Brian Gutekunst didn’t tip his hand too much when he spoke to the media on Monday morning. Gutekunst said one of the many lessons he learned from the late, great Ted Thompson was subterfuge. Therefore, we’ll have to wait until Thursday to see what the crafty GM plans.
But Gutekunst’s comments did reveal a few dominant themes and some of his process. He made clear that he plans to use all 11 of the Green Bay Packers’ draft selections (the most in the draft) and, if possible, snag a few more. Gutekunst is looking to add volume and competition across the roster, which could be a great way to bolster this young team.
“Greedy” Gutekunst isn’t just satisfied with his team’s league-high 11 picks. He wants even more to drive competition and fill the roster with talent.
“We have 11 right now. I’d love to end up with 13, 14, or more,” Gutekunst said on Monday. “I’d never shy away from that.”
The Packers exceeded expectations in Year 1 of the Jordan Love era, finishing minutes away from a potential NFC Championship appearance. Despite the young offense exploding to end the season, Matt LaFleur told them not to become complacent. Green Bay needed to build on that strong finish and can’t take anything for granted.
That message is also at the forefront of the front office’s approach to roster building. Gutekunst wants to use every one of his picks and more. He isn’t afraid to upgrade the team, even pushing out role players from last season.
“I don’t ever subscribe to the thought process, ‘Hey, we’ve got a pretty good team. These guys might not have a chance to make the team,’” he said.
While the Packers have one of the NFC’s best rosters, switching to a new defensive scheme, losing valuable players in free agency, and upgrading a few weak spots means they’re more than just a piece away from the Super Bowl. Gutekunst doesn’t believe in that concept, valuing the idea of competition bringing more to the table than one player at the right position.
“I’ve talked a lot about competition in every (position) room and how much it accelerates the growth of your football team,” he said. “I think that’s the best way for your team to move forward, so to me, there’s never enough.”
Opportunity helps these picks get a fair shot to succeed early. Even in their more active years, Green Bay doesn’t spend wantonly on outside free agents, and they rarely trade draft picks for veteran players. These rookies are given the chance to compete immediately, often against players in their own class.
That won’t stop the Packers from trading up if they want a player, though. Gutekunst has the capital to make an early trade up if he wants, but that player must move the needle.
“To use one of those picks to move up,” Gutekunst said, “it better be for one of those players you don’t feel like you’re going to get most years.”
That’s in line with what we’ve seen from Gutekunst in the past, even under some of the more stacked rosters with Aaron Rodgers under center. In just the past two seasons, Gutekunst drafted 24 players; 22 are still on the roster, and even the later-round players have gotten some usage. We’ve seen multiple Day 3 picks play significant roles, including Zach Tom, Karl Brooks, Dontayvion Wicks, Rasheed Walker, Carrington Valentine, and Anthony Johnson Jr.
Last season alone, Green Bay traded down and turned their original second-round pick into Jayden Reed, Wicks, and Brooks. Look for them to attempt similar moves this weekend.
More draft picks equals more swings at the board. A volume-based approach makes sense in a random event like the NFL draft, where even the best prospects can bust. The Packers are, first and foremost, a draft-and-develop team. The more players they hit on, the better the roster.
The Packers made a legitimate playoff run last season with a first-year starting quarterback and the league’s youngest roster. That isn’t easy to accomplish. Most rookies aren’t good. Still, taking so many swings allowed Gutekunst and the Packers to develop an exciting core group. To help the roster take the next step, he must maximize those picks and bring in as much quality competition as possible.
