Excellent article.

I agree with you that the 7th round selection might be the best surprise of the 3rd day. Highlights shows a willing runner, powerfull, shifty.
I haven't checked the pass protection but if he puts the same kind of commitment to push back blitzers than to break tackles, Hill could get a big role in the running back rotation.

It seems alaso a very good idea to draft players with in mind a role for them in Special Teams. That is really something that needs to be improved.

Now, we have to cross fingers and hope that AR and the Packers can cool down this heated situation and go back to work for bringing the Lombardi Trophy home.

Going into the draft I was hoping to get two major contributors to this years team. I believe Gutey and Co. have done just that. Stokes should get 70% snaps.

Myers is a plug and play Center who I expect to be the starter as a rookie. Rodgers to Rodgers, maybe not, but

Amari is the type MFl wants in his O. I suspect he will get 30% of snaps and possibly be our new punt returner.

Slaton has some very good pass rush moves with quick feet, he will need to get better run stuffing technique to get playing time but I suspect he will get some game time.

Kylie Hill, is one of the more interesting players almost not drafted because he was projected to go as early as day two. Might his social justice stance dropped him lower. Regardless, I see him getting some playing time and if any injury a lot more.

Gutey hit a potential home run with what I project to be 3 major contributors and possibly 2 minor others while building depth and ST’s with the other picks.

You're right Ken, it wasn't a sexy draft but in 3 years when grades REALLY matter and teams know what they have, I think this will turn out to be a very good draft for the Packers.

I really like the Stokes and Meyers picks. I guess we'll find out in 3 years if Meyers or the Center who went right behind him was the right pick. I think Meyers has more versitility and in GB that's a must.

I LOVE the Amari Rodgers pick and can only hope AR 12 is the QB in 2021 and beyond throwing him the ball. Amari Rodgers is MADE for MLF's scheme and it wouldn't surprise me a bit if he has a Randall Cobb effect on this team week one just like Cobby did againstr the Saints in 2011.

I don't understand why more aren't excited about Shemar Jean-Charles. It wouldn't surprise me at all if this kid is pushing Sullivan for his job...QUICK.

The RB is the 7th, Kylin Hill, is a STEAL. He runs with EXCELLENT balance and has been playing against the best defenses in College Football AND he can catch and block in pass pro.

Could it have been better? Sure and the "Boo Birds" who hate Gute would have had issues had he gotten Surtain, Chase, Barmore and fill in the blank. Lets give em time and SUPPORT the guys they did pick.

Hill was a steal in the 7th. As this team continues to transition to a balanced offense pass pro may become less important for the RBs. It's critical when everyone knows a pass is coming. If they really don't know, then the Packers can move that skill from "must-have excellence" to "needs to be competent."

The nice thing about a balanced offense (and a balanced team) is that it benefits both aging QBs and new QBs. It also benefits QBs who are not necessarily hall-of-fame caliber. I don't think this defense will ever be great until they find another high level DL and a more dynamic ILB, but they at least are getting to competent now.

The remaining QBs in FA are in a word, really lousy, really past their prime, or really not worth the headaches. If a trade goes down the Packers will have to get a competent veteran QB to complement Love. You could just decide to let Love take his lumps and clean house next year, but then I think you risk creating a lot of bad habits or even wrecking his career.

Great piece, Ken. I do think Day 3 was heavily targeted at improving both quality depth and STs.

While the AR flap may have had no effect, I’m left wondering if it had a huge effect on positions essentially omitted. What if AR trade to DEN is agreed to in principle?

DEN has 10 DL on their depth chart. They also have 4 QBs. GB added just 1 WR, an ILB who knowingly lacks coverage but will be a great tackle machine on STs, and ZERO QBs.

Were some of their picks this weekend made for the Packers? When you said Stokes to the star, it got me thinking... Surtain II on the outside? Baron Browning at ILB? Did DEN draft Seth Williams for us, or are we going to get a Jerry Jeudy or a Courtland Sutton at WR...? Safety seemed a glaring ommission to me in this draft by GB. Caden Sterns? If this hunch is right...

I had not considered Stokes at the star position at all, thinking Savage would make the shift there, thereby creating a need at FS.

Hmmmm.

When you draft at 29 & 62 it is not going to be sexy.

I have to give it to Gutey, he remained steadfast with his draft board even though he and Murphy are at the center of the Aaron Rodgers disaster that will eventually cost Gute his job.

I like Gute but he blew the Rodgers thing and if he doesn’t come back, the whole thing implodes!

BOOM!!

I didn't think we had any needs. At least thats what Gute said before the draft. I can see Gute Loves Roster strength. But did these needs stand out to everybody? If they did, the last few drafts were a mistake. You make a point that Gute avoided the DL. Thats been the story since he became GM. And he just has kept the door swinging at LB, CB, and now the OL. Pat the guy where you want. But Gute; just keeps re-drafting the same positions. -- And now we will need a QB. Every year since 2010 we've put such a importance to the Packers drafts. It been the same o , same o. So whats the magic fix here. Well it's been Rodgers. And now the chrtism/Divide has come to Green Bay. You got to be a company suck ass not to back Rodgers. Gute had this planned. They wanted Rodgers out. Regardless what they say. But enough is enough, I don't care what either side says. They all have money and just don't care what the fans think. What a shame nobody cares to win now.

Gutekunst and team did a good job. The first three picks should be able to contribute early. The CB, DT, and Hill the RB are all good value and should improve what we have. The latter round investment in in the O-line is good and concerning. Tells me that the team feels the on-roster talent isn't there. I hope that there is a starting right tackle on this team not named Billy Turner.

The thing that struck me about the draft and picking at the bottom is that it is incredibly challenging. I watched LBs, OTs, Safeties and yes D-lineman that could have helped come off the board 10 and 12 picks ahead of our spot. The scouts did a great job picking from the bottom of the order.

The other thing that struck me is how incredibly selfish Aaron Rodgers and company chose to be. At a time when all these young men are set to take the spotlight, his camp uses it to push their agenda. He needs to speak to this.

I think one of the things that we've been spoiled about not having to worry about in recent years is the OL. When was the last time you can legitimately say that the Packers had a "less-than-average" OL? Even a couple years ago when McCray and Bell were playing poorly at RG and Baktiairi/Bulaga were in and out of the lineup with varying knee and ankle injuries, it was still a better than average front when healthy.

BG looks like he's going the competition route this year. He needed to make sure Jenkins is available to play wherever camp battles say he's needed...and they decided C wasn't going to be that spot. I think a couple holdovers are going to have a tough time making the 53. Just as they did a year ago before signing Wagner, the Packers are without a true swing OT at this point. Jenkins and Turner look like they can man either position, but this team is lacking in what you'd call "true OTs". Whatever the case, they're going to need #69 back sooner rather than later. Just because you have bodies, it doesn't mean you have depth. Stenavich has his work cut out for him.

I thought with 3 oline last year and 3 this year pointed to quality and depth. It seems Green Bay always has UDFA making the team to fill in oline spots due to starters going down. Maybe now the next man up will be starter quality.
The reverse could also be true that the 3 guys drafted last year...and only one is starter quality. I really don't know but the oline should be set for a few years.

One other thought...the middle of the Packers d is still soft. ILBs and Dline guys were not there for them to pick. Would expect some FA pick-ups as mentioned above.

IMO it was another miss of a draft. NBC gave them a B but the worst score they gave was a C to the colts. Just read another analyst of hit versus misses and the Vikes was a big hit and the packers a big miss.
There assessment not mine: Stokes was a reach at where he was taken. Meyers was rated a 4th round pick at best and they passed on the top center from Okla. who was available. The rest of the assessment was the guys who were available that they passed on versus who they took.
This BS of 'we only draft people who play multiple positions' for the o line is total crap. Plan on another year of mucical chairs versus solid starters who dominate.

Kylin Hill has another positive trait that Jamaal Williams has... no, not the dancing... his ball security.

I've seen reports that say that Kylin Hill has had only 1 fumble in his college career (and another article said zero fumbles). Jamaal was great in that regard. He never fumbled as a Packer.

Here's to Kylin Hill never fumbling as a Packer!

I don't really get where everyone says the Packers don't have weapons? They have weapons. Adams is top 2 WR in the league and he is not #2. Jones is a top 5 RB. Tonyan was possibly the most productive TE in the league. MVS is one of the top 2-3 deep threats in the league. Dillon looks like he might be a beast this coming year. Lazard is a guy that really only has played 1 year. He should be improving as well. They have enough weapons to be top 5 offense in the league.

That all being said, my conclusions on the draft are this.

They are not expecting Bakhtiari to be back at the start of the year, but won't be surprised if he is. They are covering their butts if he won't be. They did cover their butts with Linsley leaving. With the 3 OL they added last year and 3 they added this year they have really built up the OL depth. My thoughts on a few of the players. Stepaniak might be one to really watch for this summer. He was highly thought of and got some practice time late in the year. He is a guy to keep an eye on to possibly win a starting OG spot. A lot of people have pegged Runyan as an OG. I would not be surprised if he was in the running for the RT spot. He played OT in college, and if Bakhtiari can't start the season, Turner will likely be the LT, meaning they need a starting RT. Myers looks to be a plug and play OC for them. They clearly saw something in him that they really liked. The last Interior OL they selected in the 2nd round was Jenkins. Who was also an OC. Myers might be a guy they consider at OG as well. With Patrick going to OC. I would assume he will be OC though. Newman and Van Lanen might be OG or OT. They have some flexibility. They have a lot of guys who look like can play OG, so Jenkins may move to OT until Bakhtiari were to come back. They have given themselves a LOT of options.

They added a perfect WR to the offense. A needed player as well. Rodgers is the perfect compliment to the offense. They have a guy who is a slot guy who can be the jet motion guy. He is a very tough RAC guy. Rodgers reminds me of Cobb. He will be one of the QB's best friends. Also I think he will be the top return man this year.

The NFC Championship game clearly left a lasting impression on the team. They do not want anymore Scotty Millers running past our CB's for a TD in the final seconds of the first half. They also wanted more depth. They clearly don't trust Josh Jackson and Kevin King, and don't expect them back after this year.

Slaton is a BIG DT. They needed some more beef up front. He was a 5th round pick so we can't expect him to be a big contributor his rookie year. BUT, they have had plenty of 5th round picks that have contributed. If they can find a role for him early he could flourish next to the guys around him.

Beings ILB was not a higher pick, I think they really feel good about Barnes and Martin. They have some guys that can provide some depth.

Another position that I think they feel good about is the 3rd safety spot or the hybrid spot. While they could resign Greene, I think they like Scott and Black.

Obviously it is way to early, but I'm penciling in Hill for the 3rd RB spot. He reminds me a bit of Williams as a runner. I think he will fit right in.

Overall I like the draft. I think they found a lot of guys that will fill some holes and provide solid depth.

Have fun and look at the entire league draft results. See who could have been taken at CB, C, and WR, if Gute had only changed the order of picks, meaning maybe taking Rondel Moore 1st. Who was left at pick 62 at CB or C? Different combinations. See if you can do better.

It's apparent that the first three players selected have outstanding potential. But other than the two CBs and slot WR taken, I believe our draft priorities were out of whack.

The infatuation with the offensive line has gotten a bit out of hand. One solid tackle prospect would have sufficed. We have now collected SIX linemen in the past two drafts in addition to the mega-expensive Bakh re-signing. We do not need a Pro-Bowler or a potential one at every position to succeed here. Last year we had the #1 scoring /#5 yardage offense with a versatile group (which admittedly shrunk during the transactional period, but we have younger players who may be ready). So this endless search for depth seems somewhat wasteful and comes at expense of improving other areas of the team....

....Such as the interior defense. Under the current administration, the Packers habitually present distorted rationales for not reinforcing these important positions with top-notch prospects. Don't tell me the board was devoid of talent or didn't fall the right way, because plenty of other teams didn't have a problem selecting them in Rounds 2-4. Gute certainly doesn't mind building the offense from the inside out, but when it comes to defense, only the perimeters seem to matter. When the Packers have come up against premium defenses with skilled interior players in the last two NFCCGs, guess which team has won?...
I'm not dismissing the addition of Slaton, but I think we could have used an additional lineman that was maybe a little more active and versatile in an earlier round, or if not...gasp...and inside linebacker.

So while soaring optimism is generally the rule of the day(s) after the draft, a more balanced approach is probably needed to ground any expectation of greatness here. Of course, any future doubts can be erased by a snapshot of a smiling Gute holding the Lombardi Trophy in his hands.

Offensive line should always be a top priority to have covered. You've got to protect the franchise. I believe Gutekunst went into his first draft 2018 trying desperately to fix some of the glaring mistakes in Ted Thompson's last years at the helm, and OL kind of got away from him, and most of us, in terms of depth. It was such a dominant OL.

Thompson had ZERO OL pan out since his Corey Linsley selection at C with the 161st pick in 2014.

Ted took no OL in 2015, traded up for Jason Spriggs at 48 in 2016, adding OT Kyle Murphy in R6. He then took C Kofi Amichia at 212 of the 2017 draft, and that was it.

Gutekunst focused on fixing our DB problem in 2018, along with adding 3 WRs. He went D heaving again in 2019, while getting the steal of the 2nd Round in Elgton Jenkins. Last year he worked to upgrade interior OL, this year, he added OT plus a starter to take over for Linsley. I think we were all lulled to sleep a bit with the continued dominance of David Bakhtiari. Once he went down unexpectedly, shit got real, and we may have lost the NFCC as a result. Gutekunst knows now how important it will be to maintain a steady stream of talent there.

I actually love this draft. Good group of talented players all the way through. Wishing we could have added Jabril Cox and Alim McNeill, my two biggest draft crushes for the Packers, but, I like who they got.

OL competition will be the highlight of camp. Thanks for posting.