Brian Gutekunst: Deep draft class for Packers at Edge, CB and TE
By Paul Bretl
In a conversation at the NFL Combine with Larry McCarren, Green Bay Packers GM Brian Gutekunst mentioned tight end, edge rusher, and cornerback being deep positions within the 2023 draft class.
Two of those positions, tight end and edge rusher, should be priorities for the Packers this offseason, whether that be through the draft or free agency.
"“The tight-end class looks a little deeper than maybe it has been in the past,” said Gutekunst via Packers.com. “It seems to be a deeper class than it has been at the edge rusher position, along with corner; we’ve seen more numbers than we have other times.”"
Not that Gutey’s comments need reassurance, but the big board put together by NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah backs this up. In his initial ranking of the top 50 prospects, Jeremiah had 11 edge rushers, six tight ends, and seven cornerbacks.
Tight end is arguably the biggest positional need that the Packers have. Josiah Deguara, who is actually more of an H-back, is the only tight end on the roster with NFL experience. In addition to depth, this is a position that also needs more playmaking. Robert Tonyan, the only true pass-catching threat at the position in 2022, ranked in the bottom 20% of eligible tight ends in yards per catch last season.
In addition to drafting a tight end in the early rounds, this is a position where Gutey should double-dip with a free-agent addition as well. For one, they need the depth, but also, rookie tight ends often don’t contribute in a significant way, given the difficult transition that comes with this position in the jump from college to the NFL.
At edge rusher, the Packers, fortunately, have Rashan Gary, who was one of the more dominant pass rushers in 2022 prior to his injury, and he will earn an extension this offseason. However, we don’t know when he will be back on the field, and the pass rush really lacked consistency without him. This is also a heavily rotated position where four-man rotations are common, so again, depth is needed, with La’Darius Hamilton and Jonathan Garvin the only other options on the roster behind Gary, Preston Smith, and JJ Enagbare.
Lastly, on paper, with Rasul Douglas, Jaire Alexander, and Eric Stokes, cornerback may not seem like a big need. However, if the Packers do plan to have Douglas play some safety, as Gutey discussed at the Combine, then Green Bay does need a third cornerback with how heavily five defensive backs are utilized in today’s NFL. Behind Douglas, Stokes, and Alexander, there is little experience on the depth chart.
Other potential factors in this decision could include the uncertainty of when Stokes will be available coming back from injury. In addition to Douglas possibly playing safety, 2023 could be his last in Green Bay, and relying fully on Darnell Savage to fill the slot duties comes with some risk based on what we saw last season.
Also, it’s not as if drafting from a perceived position of strength has stopped Gutekunst before. In 2019, after signing Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith, he drafted Gary. In 2020, Gutey took Jordan Love while still having Aaron Rodgers and then AJ Dillon while he still had a backfield with Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams in it. And after not prioritizing the off-ball linebacker position for years, Gutekunst drafted Quay Walker after re-signing De’Vondre Campbell.
The point being that cornerback is a premier position, it’s a position of strength in this draft, and Gutey has a history of loading up at positions that may not be considered major needs. If the right player is available, I certainly wouldn’t rule out the selection, even early on in the draft.
As of now, the Packers hold three picks in the top 100, at 15, 45, and 78 overall. Other positions that could be on their radar in the early rounds include safety, offensive tackle, and wide receiver.