Packers Brian Gutekunst attending Tennessee Pro Day

Following the NFL Owners’ Meetings in Phoenix, Arizona, Green Bay Packers GM Brian Gutekunst will be attending the Tennessee Volunteers’ Pro Day on Thursday, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic.

Gutekunst has reportedly already taken in the Iowa State, Ohio State, and Penn State Pro Days, along with the Packers’ organization being represented at a number others.

Participating in the Tennessee Pro Day will be 14 2023 NFL Draft prospects:

P Paxton Brooks
LB Jeremy Banks
DL LaTrell Bumphus
IOL Jerome Carvin
TE Princeton Fant
S Trevon Flowers
QB Hendon Hooker
WR Jalin Hyatt
K Chase McGrath
LB Solon Page
IDL Maurese Smith
WR Cedric Tillman
OT Darnell Wright
Edge Byron Young

Of particular interest for the Packers from this group could include receivers Hyatt and Tillman, with Green Bay in need of both depth and playmaking at the position. Hyatt is a potential first-round pick and was a downfield target with the Volunteers, playing primarily from the slot while bringing big play potential with his YAC abilities.

Although Hyatt doesn’t meet the typical 200-pound threshold that the Packers often covet at receiver, Justis Mosqueda of Acme Packing Co. would report that Green Bay is still very interested in him, just as they were in Chris Olave last offseason.

Tillman, meanwhile, meets those size requirements, measuring in at 6’3″ – 213 pounds. He was a high-volume target at Tennessee, with most snaps coming from the boundary. Over the last two seasons, which included only six games in 2022, Tillman hauled in 1,348 yards at almost 14 yards per catch with 12 touchdowns.

Wright is another potential first-round pick and would compete right away for the Packers starting right tackle opening with Zach Tom and Yosh Nijman. Wright had a dominant 2022 season as a pass blocker, allowing no sacks and only three pressures. Although tackle isn’t a huge need on paper for the Packers this season, it potentially becomes a big need in 2024.

In what is a deep edge rusher class, Young could provide the Packers with an alternative at the position if they decide not to address the need early on. Over the previous two seasons, Young has totaled 64 pressures and 14 sacks, per PFF. Rounding out the edge rusher rotation and pressuring the quarterback more often in 2023 are two things that should be high up on Gutekunst’s to-do list.

Linebacker is far from a big need for the Packers, but Banks put up good testing numbers at the NFL combine, has special teams experience, and for what it’s worth, graded out well against the run in 2022. Hooker has been recovering from a knee injury and while Green Bay needs to find a backup for Jordan Love, my guess is they won’t do so in the portion of the draft when Hooker could be selected—although leave it to Gutekunst to surprise me.

Young, Hyatt, Tillman, and Wright all tested very well at the NFL Combine, with each posting an elite Relative Athletic Score of over 9.0.