Re-grading Green Bay Packers’ 2021 NFL Draft Class

We’ve officially reached the point in this series where it’s a bit premature to hand out full grades for a draft class. However, we still need to review the Green Bay Packers’ 2021 draft to understand general manager Brian Gutekunst’s work.

We’ve previously reviewed the other four years he’s ran the draft. You can review them here:

• Grades for 2018
• Grades for 2019
• Grades for 2020
• Grades for 2022

After we conclude this portion, we’ll review the entire body of work for each offseason. That will complete the puzzle and determine whether he’s truly on the hot seat or if it’s just social media mumbo jumbo.

Let’s look back at the Green Bay Packers’ developing 2021 NFL Draft class, Brian Gutekunst’s third draft as the general manager.

I’m admittedly not as high on Eric Stokes as other analysts are, which is my grade is a bit lower. According to PFF, he was okay his rookie year, ranking ninth in coverage grade among all rookie cornerbacks. His second year got off to a disastrous start, as he was exploited over and over. His season ended prematurely due to an injury, but his PFF grade ranked 105th among 118 qualified cornerbacks in the nine games he did play. Like many players on this list, 2023 will sway this grade significantly.

Grade: C

Josh Myers was anointed as the Packers’ starting center the moment he was drafted. He’s a great communicator and was praised for how quickly he picked up the playbook. Unfortunately, that lack of competition may have stalled his progress, as he quietly had a down 2022 season. We’ll see if he can show some growth in his third season.

Grade: C+

Amari Rodgers followed the footsteps of so many Packers’ third-round picks before him. He couldn’t earn a spot on offense and was handed return duties for some reason. After two-and-a-half years of struggles, Green Bay mercifully moved on from him.

Grade: F

Royce Newman started 16 games in his rookie year, but that number plummeted to six in 2022. He’s now looking at a backup spot with little chance of starting (barring injury). He’s a decent depth pick as a fourth-rounder, but we’ll see how he progresses as time goes on.

Grade: C

TJ Slaton has received limited snaps during his first two years, but showed positive growth in Year 2. So much so that the Packers are confident in his abilities moving forward, and have positioned him to be in line for an increased role.

Grade: B

Shemar Jean-Charles is just kind of around. He doesn’t get much attention one way or the other. He could move to safety this season due to the need. He’ll have to stand out somehow, as he could be a cut candidate going into his third season.

Grade: D+

Cole Van Lanen only lasted one year in Green Bay, in which he spent most of that time on the practice squad. However, Gutekunst gets a C for this draft grade because he flipped him for a 2023 seventh-rounder.

Grade: C

McDuffie is a nice depth pick for the Packers, and he’ll be moving up the depth chart this season. So far, he’s been primarily a special teams player and a good one at that. That’s quality value for someone taken in the sixth round.

Grade: C+

Kylin Hill had some promise as a rookie third-string running back before an ACL tear ended his freshman campaign early. He returned last year, but wasn’t gelling with the team and was cut. That’s disappointing, but most seventh-round picks don’t stick around too long.

Grade: D+

Overall Class:

This class is just meh. There are no superstars and only one real bust. Gutey found a few nice depth pieces, but nobody who is going to push this team over the top. Stokes play in the next two years will greatly sway the overall grade and he’s the one to watch the most. If he bombs, this grade will plummet quickly.

Grade: C