What to Know: Packers GM Brian Gutekunst attends Penn State Pro Day

After attending the Iowa State, Ohio State, and Alabama pro days, Green Bay Packers GM Brian Gutekunst was at the Penn State pro day on Friday.

The Nittany Lions had 13 players participating:

CB Joey Porter Jr.
S Ji’Ayir Brown
TE Brenton Strange
WR Parker Washington
WR Mitchell Tinsley
IDL PJ Mustipher
IOL Juice Scruggs
QB Sean Clifford
IDL Nick Tarburton
LB Jonathan Sutherland
K Jake Pinegar
P Barney Amor
LS Chris Stoll

Porter is the top-rated Penn State prospect in this draft class, along with being one of the top cornerbacks overall. While cornerback may not be a huge need on paper for the Packers, that hasn’t stopped Gutey in the past from making a selection. Cornerback is a premier position, and this is a draft class with a lot of talent at the top–not to mention that another cornerback in the mix would give Green Bay added flexibility to move Rasul Douglas to safety.

Strange and Brown are two other prospects who could have the Packers’ attention, given the massive needs they have at both tight end and safety, where depth and playmaking are required at each. Strange caught 69 passes over his career at 11.0 yards per catch with 11 touchdowns, and in 2021, was one of PFF’s better run-blocking tight ends by grade, for what it’s worth. Brown, meanwhile, has been very versatile, with snaps lined up in the box, in the slot, and as a free safety. He’s also been a willing tackler and run defender.

Washington and Tinsley were both focal points in the Penn State passing game, with each having over 200 career targets. Washington lined up primarily in the slot, while Tinsley played mostly on the boundary. Both had over 500 receiving yards in 2022. Continuing to add to the receiver room will again be a top priority for the Packers.

Mustipher is an experienced player and a run-stuffer, with 1,673 snaps over five seasons, most of which have come from the B-gap. The Packers have their top three spots in the rotation accounted for with Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt, and TJ Slaton, but this is a position that very much needs more depth. Scruggs is a player that Green Bay has reportedly met with separately and can play all three interior positions. He spent 2022 at center.

Not to say that Clifford will be who the Packers add, but I won’t be surprised to see them, at a minimum, add a quarterback after the draft or even spend a draft pick on the position. Once Aaron Rodgers is traded, only Jordan Love and Danny Elting will be on the roster.

The Packers have 10 selections in total in this year’s draft, with picks 15, 45, and 78 being within the top 100–for now.