Green Bay Packers Brian Gutekunst Attends Ohio State Pro Day

As part of the pre-draft process, the Green Bay Packers scouting department will attend dozens of Pro-Days to get an up-and-close look at some potential draft prospects, who may have caught their attention in the film room, as they go through their on the field testing.

Brian Gutekunst himself will also make some appearances on the Pro-Day circuit, and reportedly, the Green Bay Packers GM was on-site at Ohio State’s.

With a massive void to fill at wide receiver following Davante Adams’ departure, and now equipped with two first-round picks, I imagine that Gutey was keeping a close eye on Ohio State receivers Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave.

Wilson had a breakout year in 2021, catching 69% of his 102 targets at 15.1 yards per catch with 12 touchdowns. He spent most of his time lined up on the boundary, but Kyle Crabbs of The Draft Network projects him as a slot receiver in the NFL.

Over half of Wilson’s targets came within 10 yards, where he was able to showcase his YAC ability—something this Green Bay Packers offense could use. Crabbs also adds that he would like to see Wilson utilized on RPOs as a bubble screen threat, jet motions, and as an underneath option in space to get the ball in his hands. All of which would work very well in Matt LaFleur’s offense.

Olave is a favorite among Packers fans and is regarded by many draft analysts as the most refined route runner in this draft class, with The Draft Network calling him a “route technician.” He caught 70% of his career targets at Ohio State and can win in all three parts of the field.

Olave is someone who could step in right away and be a high-volume target in this Green Bay Packers offense, given his ability to win at the line of scrimmage, and he should be an immediate impact player—which again, is an element they are missing on offense at the moment.

Shifting gears, Gutekunst could also have his eye on offensive tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere. With Billy Turner being released, Dennis Kelly a free agent, and Elgton Jenkins still recovering from an ACL injury, the Packers’ offensive tackle depth could use a boost.

Petit-Frere was the Buckeyes starting left tackle in 2021, where he allowed two sacks and 26 pressures. He was also one of PFF’s highest-graded run-blocking tackles last season as well.

Tight end Jeremy Ruckert may have been another name on Gutey’s radar, with Josiah Deguara as the only tight end on the roster under contract beyond 2022. However, Ruckert did not participate in any events as he is still recovering from a foot injury.

Ruckert caught 23 passes last season for 284 yards with three touchdowns. The Draft Network would call him a “willing and enthusiastic blocker.”

Other players participating in the Pro-Day, according to SI, were running back Master Teague, receiver Chris Booker, offensive lineman Thayer Munford, defensive end Tyreke Smith, defensive tackles Antwuan Jackson and Haskell Garrett, along with cornerback Demario McCall.