Is Packers’ 2020 draft a bust? It’s way too early to tell
Some think the Green Bay Packers’ 2020 draft class is a total bust already, but others contend we need time to evaluate the results.
If you’ve hopped on social media lately, you may have noticed a weekly battle between fans, analysts, bloggers and writers alike surrounding the Green Bay Packers‘ 2020 draft class. Critics argue the Packers wasted their top picks on three players who have had minimal roles on a team with championship aspirations. On the other side, defenders point to a plethora of information supporting the front office’s decisions as well as the team’s current record. Who is right?
The ugly but true answer is it’s way too early to glean anything from their 2020 draft class.
To catch everyone up, the Packers traded up in the first round to select quarterback Jordan Love out of Utah State, before taking running back A.J. Dillon in the second and tight end/fullback/h-back Josiah Deguara in the third. They followed that up with a fifth-round selection of inside linebacker Kamal Martin, and offensive linemen Jon Runyan, Jake Hanson and Simon Stepaniak in the sixth. In the seventh, they took safety Vernon Scott and edge rusher Jonathan Garvin.
Love hasn’t seen a snap this season and was unable to beat out Tim Boyle for the backup quarterback position. He was reportedly erratic in training camp and appears to be an athletically gifted quarterback with a lot of raw talent he needs to hone in.
Dillon is a big bruising running back who has only played in eight games this season due to covid-19. In those contests, he’s run the ball 23 times for 97 yards (a 4.2 average) and has one reception for 16 yards.
Deguara figured to play a prominent role on the Packers’ offense as a blocker and occasional pass-catcher from the backfield, traditional tight end spot and even the slot from time to time. Unfortunately, he played in only two games before tearing his ACL and is out until next year.
Martin and Runyan are the biggest contributors in Year 1. Martin has flashed his athleticism and hard-hitting ability and could become a starter as soon as next year if he can stay healthy. Runyan has taken over as the starting right guard following Corey Linsley’s injury and has impressed in his playing time. If Linsley departs as a free agent this offseason as many expect, Runyan will likely become the full-time starter.
As for Stepaniak, Scott and Garvin, well, there’s not much to say about them. They are your typical late-round picks who have had a minimal impact on the team.
Back to the debate.
Supporters and critics argue whether the Packers made the right decision to bypass the plethora of capable wide receivers available and select players at other positions. Supporters point to the Packers’ high-scoring offensive attack and 10-3 record as signs Green bay made the right decision. And they’re right. However, Titletown USA doesn’t hang banners for division titles or for having the best record in the NFC 13 games into the season. The true test will come in the postseason. If Green Bay’s offense struggles and it results in an exit from the playoffs, the debate will rage once more.
Even the end of this season will be way too early to make a determination about this draft class. We’ll see what happens with pending free agents Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams this offseason, but if they both go (which looks likely) then Dillon will step into the spotlight. It’s been extremely difficult to evaluate him so far, but next year will give us plenty of opportunities one way or the other.
The player everybody will remember from this class–for better or worse–is Love. Green Bay not only moved up to select him, but started the clock on Aaron Rodgers’ departure as well. Rodgers was not fond of that move, as he wants to play for the Packers into his early 40s. He’s also responded by looking better than ever at 37-years-old and there’s no kicking him out at this rate. It might take half a decade or more, but the Love pick will either be the golden goose or the ugly duckling.
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This dispute will last throughout this season and way beyond. As both sides continue to dig their heels in the truth is it is way too early to tell–one way or the either. It will take years to decide whether general manager Brian Gutekunst made the correct decisions on draft day. And that’s okay.