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5 worst Packers’ draft picks in Brian Gutekunst era

By Brian Sampson

Oct 25, 2020; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) runs with the ball as Green Bay Packers cornerback Josh Jackson (37) attempts to make a tackle during the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2020; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) runs with the ball as Green Bay Packers cornerback Josh Jackson (37) attempts to make a tackle during the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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There are many reasons the Green Bay Packers aren’t living up to expectations this season. Perhaps, one of the primary ones is the lack of draft picks they’ve hit on during general manager Brian Gutekunst’s era.

It’s fine if a team relies heavily on drafting and developing their players…if that’s what they actually do. The Packers have long been just that under Ted Thompson and now Gutekunst. However, they aren’t having great success at drafting.

Considering their allergy to dipping their toes in free agency to bolster their team, the lack of successful draft picks has really hurt the Packers in their quest to win another Super Bowl. With Gutekunst taking over as the general manager in 2018, here are the five worst draft picks of his era.

Here are the five worst Green Bay Packers’ draft picks during general manager Brian Gutekunst’s era.

Josiah Deguara

Deguara was selected with the 94th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft and is part of a puzzling first couple of days for Green Bay (they traded up to select Jordan Love in the first round and grabbed AJ Dillon in the second).

Deguara missed most of his rookie year with an injury he sustained in Week 2. The Packers thought of him as a fullback/tight end hybrid that could be a weapon wherever he lined up. However, he’s seldom used and hasn’t been able to work his way into the offense. Halfway through his third year, he only has 37 career receptions for 363 yards and two touchdowns. Considering the other third-rounders Green Bay has selected, Deguara deserves credit for still being on the roster.

Oren Burks

Burks was part of Gutekunst’s first draft class a third0rounder in 2018. The Packers had hopes of playing him as a safety/inside linebacker hybrid, but he never lived up to the hype. Burks couldn’t capitalize on his athleticism, but somehow found a way to stay in Green Bay for four years. He never really contributed anything positive or memorable during his tenure.

Amari Rodgers

Recently cut, Rodgers is part of a long list of failed third-rounders that pre-dates Gutekunst’s tenure. Rodgers was undersized and brought in to play in the slot and on special teams. Only, Green Bay also brought in Randall Cobb to play the same exact position. Rodgers never showed the electricity he had at Clemson and coughed the ball up far too many times. He’s actually lucky he made the roster coming into the season.

Jace Sternberger

Sternberger took a very similar path to Rodgers. As a 2019 third-rounder, her only lasted a season and a half in Green Bay before getting cut. Unlike Rodgers, he never caught on with another team and hasn’t played in an NFL game since. It takes tight ends a while to develop, but he was never able to get anything going. Considering he was selected with the 75th overall pick in his class, he’s a huge miss.

Josh Jackson

Packers’ fans were excited when Jackson fell to them in the second round. Many wanted them to use their first-round selection on the playmaker out of Iowa. Jackson had a nose for the football and found a way to get that ball into the endzone for his team. He never quite showed those same skills in the NFL. His lack of athleticism was a trait he was never able to overcome and he only lasted three years with the Packers.

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