Aaron Rodgers was okay with Green Bay Packers first round

The Green Bay Packers stood still while other teams made a run on the elite wide receiver prospects in the NFL Draft.

Instead of trading up, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst stuck with his two first-round picks. He used those picks to select Georgia linebacker Quay Walker and defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt.

The Green Bay Packers do need help on defense but it was puzzling they would take two players at positions where they seemed covered heading into the 2022 season.

Kenny Clark and Dean Lowry are still in the trenches to give offensive lineman headaches. Gutekunst brought back De’Vondre Campbell who had an All-Pro season at linebacker.

The Packers could have used another edge rusher. Florida State’s Jermaine Johnson was still on the board. Also, the Packers probably needed another safety.

The Green Bay Packers still refused to address probably their biggest need in the first round—wide receiver.

Davante Adams is now on the Las Vegas Raiders and they could not help having a little fun at the Packers expense after they went defense with the 22nd pick.

Green Bay fans and media seemed a little concerned the Packers missed out on the wide receiver.

It felt like Green Bay Packers franchise quarterback Aaron Rodgers would not be thrilled that the Packers went another draft without getting him an offensive weapon.

It turns out Rodgers was happy with the picks.

Aaron Rodgers was a guest on the Pat McAfee draft show. Rodgers shared he was aware of the Green Bay Packers draft day plan and appeared to not have an issue with Gutekunst going defense in the first round.

During last year’s draft, the story was Rodgers was unhappy with the front office and wanted to be traded. Part of the reason was he felt the Packers’ front office was not including him on decisions that impacted his job.

Now, that all seems to be water under the bridge.

The defense does need some game wreckers in their front seven. Wyatt has the size and speed to blow up offensive lines. The best 3-4 schemes also usually have two fast inside linebackers flying to the ball.

Plus, the defense has played its role in a lot of the playoff losses during the Rodgers era so investing in that area of the team seems like a sound plan. The role in the losses has ranged from significant like the NFC Championship Game loss to the San Francisco 49ers to just not being able to get a key stop like in last season’s playoff loss.

Gutekunst was not going to reach for a wide receiver.

Gutekunst explained why he did not trade up when receivers were flying off the board.

"“They’re really good players,” Gutekunst said of the receivers who were picked. “At the same time, I think you’ve got to look at the asking price, and does that make sense? Our board was strong from a numbers perspective, so we decided to stay and pick.”"

The Packers were not going to reach for a receiver.

"We play in September, and we’ve got nine picks the next couple of days and a whole summer before we get to that first game. So, I think certainly by the time we get to that first game, we’re going to add someone way or another to that room. Hopefully, it’ll fall right for us the next two days but, if it doesn’t, I don’t think we can reach and make bad decisions just because they’ve got a WR by their name.”"

The Packers still have a chance to get a great receiver on day two or three of the draft.

This draft class is deep with talented receivers. The Green Bay Packers can still get a good receiver on their roster in the second round.–where they have two picks. That always seems to be the preferred round the Packers like to use to address the position.

The Packers took Adams in the second round in 2014. Randall Cobb, Jordy Nelson, and Greg Jennings were all second-round picks and had great careers in Green Bay.

There are a couple of receivers available who can carry on the second-round tradition.

North Dakota State’s Christian Watson is a big, deep-threat wide receiver. Western Michigan’s Skyy Moore is still on the board. South Alabama’s Jalen Tolbert is a productive receiver with size and speed.

Alabama’s John Metchie III is nursing an injury but he has a ton of potential. Finally, Gutekunst can go back to the Georgia Bulldogs pipeline with George Pickens.

There are also a couple of third through fifth-round prospects that have the potential to be special.

Purdue’s David Bell did not have the greatest 40-yard dash time but he catches practically everything. Cincinnati’s Alec Pierce, Nevada’s Romeo Doubs, and Notre Dame’s Kevin Austin Jr also have high ceilings.

The last time there was a deep wide receiver draft was 2020. The Packers decided against taking a weapon for Rodgers. As long as they do not repeat that history, Green Bay should be fine.