Jordan Love the Last Hope for the Packers’ 2020 Draft Class
The rest of Green Bay's 2020 draft class has been a disappointment.
By markoldacres
When Jordan Love was selected with the 26th pick in the 2020 draft, it was immediately clear his success or failure in the NFL would define the class for the Packers. With Brian Gutekunst’s other picks not exactly panning out, that sentiment has never been truer.
In his first four starts as the true number one quarterback in Green Bay, Love has shown the talent which made him a first-round pick and the progress which gave the Packers confidence to hand him the keys to the franchise.
And that’s good, because almost every other pick from the 2020 class has been hugely underwhelming. Five of the other eight selections are no longer on the team, while the three who are still around only seem to have declined over time.
The prime example is A.J. Dillon, who was an above average running back during his first three seasons in Green Bay, although not dynamic enough to justify the second-round pick Gutekunst spent on him.
In 2023, Dillon has been calamitous. Some putrid run blocking hasn’t helped, but in some cases, he isn’t even picking the yardage that is blocked for him.
Entering the season, a contract extension certainly felt possible or even likely. The Packers may have been motivated to validate their second-round pick if he continued to put in solid performances, especially given Aaron Jones’ contract situation.
The concept of Dillon staying in Green Bay now looks extremely unlikely. It must be said the selection of the former Boston College back in the second round has not been justified.
Neither has the decision to take Josiah Deguara in the third. The idea of Deguara has always been more appealing than what he produces on the field. He is a perfectly fine H-Back/tight end hybrid but has never lived up to his third-round pedigree.
On draft weekend it felt as though the Packers could have waited another round to take both Dillon and Deguara. In hindsight, taking them in the fourth and fifth rounds respectively might have been more appropriate.
Jon Runyan Jr. has to be marked as a success, given he was taken in the sixth round and has been mostly solid-to-good over three years as a Packer, but has he played well enough to get a second contract in Green Bay?
Solid offensive linemen can make a killing on the open market due to the dearth of quality big men league wide. The Packers will have limited cap space to play with in 2024 so it feels unlikely they will be the ones to overpay Runyan.
The Packers used their fourth-round pick in 2020 to trade up for Love, while their fifth-rounder Kamal Martin was cut before his second season. He hasn’t played an NFL snap since January 2022 with the Panthers.
Jake Hanson was selected in the sixth round and served as Green Bay’s backup center for three years, starting one game at guard in the 2022 season opener, when he was victimized by the Vikings. He didn’t make the 2023 roster out of training camp.
Green Bay’s third and final sixth-round pick, Simon Stepaniak never played in an NFL game, while seventh-rounder Vernon Scott barely contributed in his two years with the Packers, playing 89 total snaps.
At least the Packers got some use out of Jonathan Garvin, their final pick in the 2020 draft who played 673 snaps over three years, but if anything, this spoke to the lack of pass rush depth in Green Bay at the time.
Garvin had just 1.5 sacks and one tackle for a loss with the Packers and was cut during training camp ahead of the 2023 season after falling down a more stacked depth chart at the EDGE position.
None of Martin, Hanson, Stepaniak, Scott or Garvin are on an NFL roster or practice squad as of writing, and of the players set to become free agents at seasons end, Runyan appears to be the only one with a chance of getting anything close to a lucrative contract elsewhere.
Love looks like he has a legitimate chance to be an above average, or even great starting quarterback for years to come, and ultimately that’s all that matters, but Gutekunst has to be disappointed with the rest of his 2020 draft class.
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Mark Oldacres is a sports writer from Birmingham, England and a Green Bay Packers fan. You can follow him on twitter at @MarkOldacres
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Comments (38)
Coldworld
October 02, 2023 at 06:06 pm
Kamal. Martin was cut for medical reasons that look like they were confirmed. I’m not going to count that. He flashed but had his career cut short.
Runyon looked promising at one time, but seems to have regressed along with all OL here not named Tom or Bakh. Could that be un draft related?
Deguara has never been used for the purpose drafted. Dillon seems to be regressing, but much if that may be the OL regression and coaching.
Certainly not a stellar crop as a whole but there are some wider questions than draft merit about where they are now.
pack69go
October 02, 2023 at 07:16 pm
I agree, much of the lack of development (or Regression) of the OL follows the same time line of the promotion AS to OC and LB to OL coach, I think AS was a great OL coach but I can't say the same for LB.
LLCHESTY
October 02, 2023 at 09:19 pm
Stepniak had a knee injury that he never totally recovered from. My main problem with 3 straight OL guys at that point was your biggest need was DT and WR and you didn't address either.
dobber
October 03, 2023 at 08:22 am
Really? We're going to harp over OL taken in the 6th round?
canadapacker
October 02, 2023 at 06:51 pm
The Packers drafting had been poor the last few years under TT. Now we had a lot of poaching of staff members over the past decade or so - but somehow the process seems to have been deficient. Unlike other teams - ie Ravens, we seem to have some big misses - and definitely not finding the gems down later in the draft. Now there are several things IMO -including local scouts and talent finders - secondly who is making the final decisions ( hope they are not listening too closely to those sports draft rankers ( Mel Kiper et al))- and thirdly - who and how are these guys getting training to maximize their abilities.
Packerpasty
October 02, 2023 at 07:17 pm
Love is "OK" so far, just about bottom of the league in his stats and he's the same as in college, takes chances forcing the ball in tight coverage and not so accurate ...growing pains I hope...next year this "the team is young" b.s. wont fly...
lecko
October 03, 2023 at 06:21 am
I know very well that Fantasy football is another world from real football. But still, after 4 weeks Jordan Love is ranked #4 of all quarterbacks in fantasy points in espn leagues with standard scoring for qb. But it is true he had played at least against 2 of the weaker defences.
1. Herbert 23,9 points average
2 , Allen 22,6
3, Jackson 21,4
4. Love 21,3
5. Hurts
6. Tua
7. Cousins
8. MAhomes 19,9
9. Wilson
10. Stroud 18.6
KenEllis
October 02, 2023 at 07:42 pm
The Pack was coming off the 2019 NFC Championship game and could have really used an infusion of talent in 2020.
Instead, they got a plodding RB, an unathletic and undersized H-Back, a JAG Guard and a backup QB.
If Jordan Love turns into a top 10 NFL QB it will ameliorate a lot of the stink from that draft..
Packers1985
October 03, 2023 at 10:39 am
This is what has been one knock on Gutey. That draft could've taken this packers to the next level or at worse by now we would've had some experienced weapons around Love who would've definitely helped the receiver groups in development. Also then we really dont have a Wr2 and also at some point we might have to let Adams and some other wrs go. That draft will definitely decide Gutey's Fate. Esply now it all falls on Love
mnbadger
October 03, 2023 at 12:52 pm
His first draft won't decide his fate. It will leave a stench in the locker room, but his fate is secure through the MM reign.
I think he's done much better in recent drafts.
Too early to give up, and I'll follow every week, but with the inept coaching and leadership, the offseason and April can't get here soon enough.
My hope for SB winner this year is firmly the Packers. Detroit is second and nobody is 3rd.
GPG!
splitpea1
October 02, 2023 at 07:52 pm
Maybe I'm not interpreting the last paragraph correctly, but: 1) We haven't seen enough of Love to make any such judgment, and 2) Ultimately what matters is that the QB has an excellent supporting cast on offense, defense, and special teams in order to be NFL champions once again. Haven't we learned from a dozen seasons that a great QB can't do it alone?
Packers1985
October 03, 2023 at 10:45 am
"Ultimately what matters is that the QB has an excellent supporting cast on offense, defense, and special teams in order to be NFL champions once again. Haven't we learned from a dozen seasons that a great QB can't do it alone?"
This what i have been saying for a while but alot complain it's all on 12(part of blame for sure but not entirely). For any team to win atleast 2 of their phases has to be good and the other phase can be fine being mediocre. But for packers it's always been 2 phases being mediocre and one phase being good. They never played a complimenting football
Patrick
October 02, 2023 at 08:32 pm
Well, if Gute..? can't pick talent, then the pres has to look at all his draft pics, and make a decision on keeping him or moving on, it's as simple as that.
therealcause
October 02, 2023 at 08:38 pm
Lions draft in 2020:
Rd 1 (3) Jeff Okudah - Playing for the Falcons in exchange for a 5th round pick (oops)
Rd 2 (35) D'Andre Swift - Tearing it up for the Eagles in exchange for a 5th round pick (oops!)
Rd 3 (67) Julian Okwara - 47 tackles and 7 sacks in 3 full years
Rd 3 (75) Jonah Jackson (Pro Bowler) - Starting guard, 2022 pro bowl injury replacement
Rd 4 (121) Logan Stenberg - Guard waived before this season
Rd 5 (166) Quintez Cephus - Released after 2023 gambling incident
Rd 5 (172) Jason Huntley - Cut in 2020
Rd 6 (197) John Penisini (LOL) - Retired after 2021-2022 season
Rd 7 (235) Jashon Cornell - Released before 2022-2023 season
Not much there, other than a good-to-great guard!
LLCHESTY
October 02, 2023 at 08:50 pm
No Doubt. So many better choices.
4thand10
October 02, 2023 at 09:02 pm
Pretty hard on Dillon. I have not seen any proficiency in run blocking for him. This is still the same Dillon that put up 200+ rushing yards against the titans a couple of yrs ago. And they had one of the better run D in the NFL at that time. The running backs have been used so sparsely in GB as of late , how can anyone expect they get into a rhythm? I would line him up in an I formation behind a FB for at least a full quart in a game . It would open some thing up if LaFluer had some patience just to do it for the first quarter. I don’t care what anyone says…it’s tough for one guy to bring him down if he’s running angry. A full quarter of him running…whether it produces anything or not will wear on a defense. And it’s better than 3 and outs not giving our defense a rest. I would like to see him left in a game as an every down back before i pass judgement because i’ve only seen it 2x in his 4+ yrs in GB and he performed excellent . The 2x they left him in for a full game.He stole the spot from Jamal Williams who was not so bad himself. Dillon can pound the rock if they would just have the patience to leave him in there. I have to love the term “ plodding” sarcastically because he was about the only back that i had seen that could drag Aaron Donald a full 3 yards in that Rams game. Aweful short memories around this joint.
dobber
October 03, 2023 at 08:33 am
I think they need to be critical of the RB position. They've got a big contract (Jones) that they're going to be paying on yet in 2024 at a position many teams just draft and turn over.
I agree, Dillon will probably flourish in more of a power-gap scheme with more of a mauler mentality, but he was never a Derrick Henry...he's more of a Mike Alstott. A complementary runner who can have big games and make an impact if used well. At this stage, I think his best value to the Packers might be as more of a FB in 21 personnel.
Packers1985
October 03, 2023 at 10:42 am
Totally agreed and a he totally does not worth a Rd 2.
SicSemperTyrannis
October 04, 2023 at 05:54 am
I agree on #28, although I'm not sure he's an every down back. Trying to use him as a bell cow, opposing defenses tee off on him. That's the fault of our O line, not Dillon. How much of that is effort, player talent, sheer strength, or scheme? I cannot say.
Using him.as part of a "committee" of RBs is a much better idea, I think. MLF gives up on the run game as well as individual RBs when he sees it's not working. That's not an in game adjustment, that's just giving up. Only to later lament not using #33 enough. This is part of being soft.
Starrbrite
October 02, 2023 at 09:06 pm
I recall many us did not necessarily criticize the players we drafted, but rather when they were drafted. Dillon at #2 was silly.
Go Packers!!!
Packers1985
October 03, 2023 at 10:43 am
Yes that yr's draft was full of reaches by Gutey.
stockholder
October 02, 2023 at 09:12 pm
The draft Guru's couldn't believe any of it.
The Draft grade was a incomplete.
MLF Kid looked like he could pick better.
And truthfully, He probably could have.
LLCHESTY
October 02, 2023 at 09:22 pm
My god, how can you post so many comments without improving your command of punctuation? 💩
Johnblood27
October 03, 2023 at 07:07 am
There are many thought processes there that need improvement. Punctuation is the least of the concerns...
PASSdaRELISH
October 02, 2023 at 11:43 pm
Why is Gute getting a free pass for our guys getting whipped in the trench’s? When is someone going to question him about why he values finess players over physical players? Also ask him why his 2020 draft was so terrible?
jannesbjornson
October 03, 2023 at 06:56 am
Brian Burns and Montez Sweat filled the 2019 cupboard, then no need to overpay one of the Smith Bros. Toss in the 2021 draft for good measure. The wrong Georgia CB, Myers over Creed Humphrey and Amari Rodgers over Equan's brother?
Packers1985
October 03, 2023 at 10:50 am
"Brian Burns and Montez Sweat filled the 2019 cupboard". Exactly though Gary has been good for us compared to Burns and Sweat his impact so far has been less in comparison.
Myers over Creed has been scratcher for me too.
jannesbjornson
October 03, 2023 at 01:18 pm
Burns started day one. He wasn't held back to the bench. Gary needed to be a DE in a 4-2/flex. Neither one of the Smiths could play the run. Burns with 41sacks and Sweat with 32 to date. I liked this combo in round one and exclude Savage from the story. See how Gary responds this year.
Starrbrite
October 03, 2023 at 09:33 pm
Meyers over Creed—why?—an excellent point.
Cheezehead72
October 03, 2023 at 06:15 am
I never disagreed with them taking Love in the 1st but trading up to get him I thought was a reach and not needed. Gute messed up in the 2nd. He should have taken Logan Wilson MLB from Wyoming. Good player that likes to play the game. They should have took the chance that Dillon and Deguara would have been available a round later each.
Gute has no problem drafting a guy too early but he does have a problem trading or releasing a player too early. He plays it too safe and makes the popular choice.
Packers1985
October 03, 2023 at 10:51 am
I feel Gutey has more success with FA's and finding some Practice sqaud guys but his drafting has never been that good comparatively excluding his recent 2 drafts.
dobber
October 03, 2023 at 08:40 am
Did the 2020 draft turn out to be a mess? It's looking like it, yes.
Can Love save the draft? I suppose, if we're intent on viewing three-year old drafts individually as W/L rather than roster-building in its entirety. Litigating draft picks--they should've taken X rather than Y--in the rearview is a waste of our time.
EnemyTerritory
October 03, 2023 at 08:56 am
Thumbs up since I can’t get it to take…
TxFred
October 03, 2023 at 09:13 am
MLF needs to kick ass. Kick his offensive line coaches asses. Get those to coach basic. fundamental blocking technique. Damn. Might as well re- visit pass blocking. Couldn't care less what PFF ratings are. They all missing & definitely not blocking. Coach & develop. Teams in the league are lacking their chops. Long year ahead. Not negative rather constructive criticism. GPG!!
Starrbrite
October 03, 2023 at 09:50 pm
MLF can’t pull off an angry rage action. The staff and players would giggle—-me too.
I’m reminded of the Saturday Night Live skit poking fun at politician and surgeon Ben Carson when he becomes angry.
I personally believe Dan Campbell is a kook—and not a good coach. But it does appear (for the time being) to have convinced his squad to be tuff guys.
I wish we had some tuff guy attitudes on the Packers staff—Kevin Greene comes to mind.
Vachio
October 03, 2023 at 11:22 am
Yeah, but it was really a crappy draft overall. The best moves we could have made would have been to trade 2020 picks for future draft picks. When you look at the other players on the board when we picked, there aren't many "Oh, I wish we had taken that guy instead!" moments. Dillon hasn't been great, but looking at the board, who would have been a game changer for us in that spot? Same for Deguara. It's not like we passed on some all-world talent to get them.
arthurl
October 03, 2023 at 11:33 am
You don’t always hit every year. These past few have been very good it appears. If Love pans out, even with the many that haven’t, I would say that was a successful draft. One flaw this team has is this constant picking defensive guys in the 1st round. The defense has been either average or below for many years. Having coordinators that can’t scheme their talent makes no sense. Very disappointing to see the same old, same old.
jhtobias
October 04, 2023 at 07:26 pm
I'm at the other end of the discussion . Not really sure what bringing in good players would do to strengthen this team at this point.
Sure they can hang with New Orleans , middle of the road teams which is fine , but this team is no different than the 2019 -2023 teams.
this team is lacking a physicality to it and by no means am I a football coach , but if four the last 4 to 5 years I told my boss we have to be better at run defense etc and still put out the same product day in and day out I would have been gone along time ago .
I guess Barry and especially Lafluer are the true MVP'S they keep cashing sweet checks and making excuses kudo's gentleman and inspiration for slackers everywhere