Recent Mock Draft Has Green Bay Packers Selecting a QB in Round 1

A recent mock draft has the Green Bay Packers selecting a quarterback in Round 1 but is that the best decision this year?

While most fans and draft analysts are fixated on the wide receiver and inside linebacker positions in Round 1 when it comes to the Green Bay Packers, there are other needs that they could address as well.

These other positions include tackle, interior defensive lineman, tight end, and heck, given how often Mike Pettine uses three safeties, I don’t think that’s as far-fetched as some would think. But should quarterback be on that list?

Well, that’s the million-dollar question. Some would say that with Aaron Rodgers in the final four or five years of his career, that it is time to start finding his eventual replacement. On the other hand, it’s easy to argue that all resources should go towards winning right now.

In a recent press conference with the Packers’ beat writers, GM Brian Gutekunst had this to say when asked about drafting a quarterback early on this year:

"“I just don’t think developing a young quarterback is … a waste. You just don’t know when that time is going to be when you’re going to need him. I know this – if you make it a priority to develop quarterbacks I think it’s going to be a positive for your organization.”"

Gutekunst would also add that he wouldn’t shy away from drafting a quarterback in the first or second round if it is a player that they really like. And that does make sense. No team wants to feel that they have to take a certain position at a particular point in the draft. That’s how you end up reaching, and if Green Bay does love a player – as they did with Aaron Rodgers – then they shouldn’t pass him up.

Now with that said, I’m not advocating for a quarterback in Round 1, but Bucky Brooks of NFL.com sure is. Below you will find Bucky’s selection, his reasoning, and my big takeaway on the pick.

Pick 30: Jacob Eason QB – Washington

Here is what Bucky Brooks had to say about the selection for the Green Bay Packers:

"“With Aaron Rodgers entering the twilight of his career, the Packers could snag their quarterback of the future and let him spend a few years as an apprentice before taking over the franchise.”"

Takeaway: A former five-star recruit, Jacob Eason began his career at Georgia where he saw significant playing time as a freshman. However, he would complete just 55 percent of his passes that season with 16 touchdowns to eight interceptions. He would lose playing time in 2017 and eventually transferred to Washington.

As the Huskies starting quarterback this past season, Eason Completed 64.2 percent of his passes for over 3,100 yards with 23 touchdowns to eight interceptions.

Eason is an athletic quarterback with a huge arm and in an interview with Michael Silver of NFL.com, a few anonymous NFL GMs expect him to rise up draft boards at the combine. But as expected, when it comes to his game there is still work to be done. And that would be one of the big benefits of Green Bay drafting him as he’d be able to sit behind Aaron Rodgers for a few seasons.

To take a closer look at Eason’s skill set, Jordan Reid of The Draft Network highlights what he has to improve upon in his scouting report:

"“With just over two full seasons of experience as a full-time starter, Eason shows positive signs of growth, but it also involved lots of up and down play. While his peaks are ultra-intriguing, there’s a huge mix of bad plays littered in as well.Right now, he’s more of a thrower than a pitcher – meaning that he wants everything to be fastball instead of switching up his pitches to compensate for the certain types of necessities and for who he’s throwing to.His back and forth dilemma with consistency will result in him always facing questions of whether or not he can take the next step in his development. His arm strength and baseline traits will help him eventually become a starter, but it ultimately will come down to his decision making and if he can hone in on the turnovers. If able to do that, he could eventually turn into a starter.”"

As I mentioned above, I for one am not in favor of this draft choice in Round 1. It’s easy to point at the Packers drafting Rodgers as an example of taking a quarterback right away and planning for the future, but there are key differences.

For one, Rodgers was thought by many to be the No. 1 overall pick that year. Eason is currently a Day 2 pick that some think can move into the back-end of Round 1. Now, if Tua Tagovailoa, Joe Burrow, or even Justin Herbert are available at 30th overall, then it’s a totally different conversation.

There is also the huge factor that Rodgers’ current contract is going to align very closely with what Eason’s rookie deal would look like in terms of years.

While some may want to get rid of Rodgers, for whatever reason, I’m here to tell you that it’s just not going to happen any time soon. Barring some unforeseen circumstances, Rodgers will be a Packer for the next three seasons at least. His dead cap hit the next three years stands at $39.7 million, $31.5 million, and $17.2 million. 2023 is likely the earliest that Green Bay would move on from Rodgers.

Meanwhile, Eason’s rookie deal as a first-rounder is four years plus a fifth-year team option. So Rodgers will be around for three of those years at a minimum and possibly all four. Meaning the Packers could have to make the decision about whether to pay Eason or not without him having seen a ton of meaningful playing time. That is as long as Rodgers stays healthy.

But overall, deciding whether to pay a young quarterback with limited experience isn’t a position most teams want to be in.

There are several factors that play into this but given team needs, the fact that the Packers were just one game away from the Super Bowl last season, and that Rodgers is very likely going to be in Green Bay for the next three years and possibly four, unless Tua or Burrow falls to pick 30, I’m out on drafting a quarterback in Round 1 this year. The 2021 draft, however, is a different story.