How many 53-man roster spots do the Packers need to fill in this draft? Not many. I'm thinking they need a minimum of one WR, one offensive lineman, one defensive tackle, and two CBs. That's only five, and they have eight picks. What they need is a few impact players, not a bunch of players to fill out the roster. So the first three or four rounds are crucial. And where do they need the impact, more than any other position? Wide receiver.

The good news is that the more I look at the receivers available in this draft, the better I feel about the Packers' opportunity to draft one who makes an impact. Not counting Travis Hunter, there are about ten receivers who look to me like they have the potential to be difference-makers as rookies. I still think the sooner they get one, the better, but if the Packers have a few of them rated higher than other teams do, they may be able to wait as long as the third round to pick one. I still think the second round is probably the best place to get one though, and I wouldn't complain if they took one in the first round.

Beyond that, the DT pick is the most important, and this is a good year to get one. If a great DE falls into their lap in the first round, maybe they can take him, but I'm all about DT and WR.

Here are the WRs who I think at least have the potential to be difference makers, listed in order, and again not counting Travis Hunter:

Tetairoa McMillan, Emeka Egbuka, Matthew Golden, Luther Burden, Jayden Higgins, Jack Becht, Tre Harris, Jalen Royals, and Tory Horton.

There is a caveat with a couple of the smaller ones--Golden and Burden--which is that Matt Lafleur may have to change the offense a little to accommodate for them not being good blockers.

There are a lot of 6' 200lb athletes in the draft every year. Drafting the athletic big bodies early makes sense because there simply aren't as many of them. We may never agree on drafting a WR in the first round but I think we all agree that our defensive line needs to be re-tooled. Everybody drafted for our d-line was drafted for the 3-4 defense.

The 3-4 defense uses 3 DTs.
The 4-3 defense only uses 2 DTs.

My question is, what is the difference for those DTs now that we switched to a 4 man front? How do you know if a guy is a better fit for the 3-4 or 4-3? Does the type of defense you play matter when drafting DTs or is their job basically the same in either defense?

Let the draft come to you. I'm sure that the braintrust has mapped out more scenarios than we can fathom through this draft. If not, they don't belong in their positions.

Saying "we need to draft this position at 23" is how you overdraft that slot.

"The draft class is not very deep at receiver ... to get an impact player, you have to strike early." I couldn't disagree more with this take.

This WR draft is WEAK AT THE TOP. Its DEPTH is fine; in fact maybe even above-average.

Guys like Ayomanor, Harris, Thornton, TeSlaa, Gadsen, Felton, Prather, Nash, McCoy, Brooks, Bryant, Horton, and Felton would ALL be a solid addition to our current WR room.

On the other hand, the top group lacks a single guy that really impresses me as worthy of a first-round grade, and that includes McMillan, Hunter, and Egbuka. There's no way I pick any of those guys over one of the top DTs, EDs, LBs, CBs, or OL.

Obviously, we should draft a defensive player, because our defense fails us every year. 13 points to SF. 20 to the Lions. 24 to SF. 22 to the Eagles.

Sheeesh.

If Egbuka is on the board at at our pick, he should be the guy selected. These mock drafts that have us getting a DT and a DE before picking up a WR in the 3rd will have us going home early in the playoffs after another low scoring playoff loss.

Furthermore, the draft is about the future. The guys we draft this year will be with us for 4 years....the Jordan Love window. If we haven't won a Super Bowl by then, we're going to have a new coach and a new QB. We should be getting guys on the offensive side of the ball who can help us score points and win games.

WR, WR, OL, TE.......that's what we should be adding to the 21 guys we dress on offense.

Brenton Cox at one point was a projected first round pick the more snaps he gets the more sacks he will have when you rotate 4 or 5 guys I think that diminishes their production.

DL, CB, WR, OL with the first 4 selections, hopefully in that order of priority. If not, at least draft those four positions before any other.

This draft class, while not loaded with stars, has its best depth at DL and OL. Decent depth at CB and WR. It actually lines up well for the Packers. Tactical fit to find a starter or two and important depth for '25...and strategic depth for the next off season to assist with big decisions on veterans.

I'm hoping for more "Football Players" picked by Gutekunst this year OTHER than the guy with a high RAS score and hardly any production during his entire college career.

I don't give a flying f##k what the guy ran, jumped, or shuttled while wearing those spandex garments they'll NEVER wear on Sundays. Gary, Van Ness, and Walker are just a few of those guys and I think we can all agree those aren't what you hope for.

Nope give me the Football Player EVERY time please...

This one is easy. Assuming a top ten prospect of a less urgent position falls dramatically for no apparent reason, take the WR, DT, or edge with the greatest chance of starting and making an impact in their rookie season. Keep CB on the radar as well, but it's probably best to wait until later rounds. Do not under any circumstances take another prospect in the first round that takes at least three years to develop.

One other note: When drafting OLs later, pay attention to the prospect's floor so we're not in a pickle when we need to turn to depth. With the signing of A. Banks, someone got pushed to depth anyway, but still, the fact that Monk couldn't even get on the field in a dire situation was a little surprising... Or maybe we can pick up a proven veteran after the cuts so we don't have to worry.

We all know there are 4 positions most in need of an upgrade. WR, Edge, DT, CB.
So, get ready for an OT or an ILB :-) ........and if he DOES get one of this years big 4 positions of need, it won't be the guy you want or expect. THAT is my experience over many years of following the Packers.

Don't get me wrong, the Packers do alright in the draft, just not what most expect.

DT. Drafts don't come along very often where you have talent like Harmon, Nolen and Grant possibly still being there at 23. In fact the DT classes have been weak since 2019 and that class was top heavy with only three DTs taken in the 2nd and 3rd rounds.

This class is deep but even so the options for a penetrating 3T that's decent at the pass and run drop off fast. Strike while the iron is hot. It also pays to remember if they pick up Wyatt's 5th year option he will be 28 at the end of the '26 seasons, soon to be 29. Will they want to give him a 4 year deal at that point? Milton Williams isn't a good run defender at all, wasn't a starter for the Eagles and got a $100 million contract this year. That's a good example of how few truly good pass rushing 3Ts there are. When the demand is high you take advantage of the supply when it's there.

Tough choices to Definite needs to fill.
IMO - if that is the argument. Then trade Down.

Free Agency was suppose to bring immediate impact.
Draft Value, is about hope.

I get what Gute has to address.
But relying on one pick, one player,
has never brought a team to the super-bowl.
(And you should know that after our MVP Qbs.)

Instead of concentrating on the NEEDS.
Concentrate on who gives us a advantage.
Because if Hafley’s adjusting, brought us success.
It isn’t broken. THE THINKING IS make it stronger!

Gute drafted his pass rushers.
Either they're the problem.
Or Gute is. Are they broken?
THE OBVIOUS IS NOT YET.

The player drafted; must give the position
a advantage.
Against those, who are against us.
Difference makers will start!
Investing in something with No potential
for improvement, is a waste of resources.
And I don’t see it as a priority.

What I do see is a priority who got hurt.
And Nobody is around to take Watson’s place.

LOL! Is anybody saving Stocky's most bizarre rants? I'm not sure this one is top 10 but it's way up there!

Let the Difference Makers be Against Those that are Against US!!!

Can I get that in a T-shirt? Then when people inquire about it I can say "don't ask" and leave them wondering like most of Stocky's comments aspire to!

But to be serious for a moment in his twisted, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, way Stocky makes a good point, intentional or not. In the last 20 years what has beaten great QBs in the SB? The Giants(twice), The Buccaneers and the Eagles all had one big thing in common and that's DLa that are deep and can get it done with four.

Huh??

What position to draft first? Best available at the following positions OL, WR, CB, Edge and DT. Rinse and repeat next round.

What will Gute do? Who freaking knows. In Jan 2020 we got run over to the tune of 285 yards rushing in the NFC Championship Game.

Three months later did we shore up our Run D? Nope we picked a backup QB, RB and TE in the first three rounds. Yes we picked Love and maybe that alone will make that draft good, but I want a GM that is going for the Title next year not some guy building for the future. Most of that 2020 draft was a bust. Gute is average at drafting and we’re not getting to 14 titles with a GM that is average at drafting.

It's not a tough choice at al Gil.....AR never had a #2 WR for several years and now Love does not have a #1 OR #2 WR. Several years in a row our OL was unable to stop a 4 man rush without TE and RB help constantly which enables 7 Defensive players to cover 3 receivers. Now our OL is getting beefier and the stupidest thing our GM could do is not have a #1 OR #2 WR to take advantage of our improvement.....
So I'm betting Edge round 1, because it would be another luxury pick we don't need and won't start for 2-3 years. That's why we have not been to a SB in 15 years. We do need a DL but WR is a far bigger need......unfortunately 1 was not signed this off-season....now we need a couple stud WR's in the draft...and the way you ensure that is to MOVE-UP and top off the Offense with QUALITY PLAYERS at this position.

Of course everything depends on how the draft comes down to us. So, there are too many variables to say how it turns out. We have three major needs as I see it. Edge DT CB and on offense WR. Most can see that. So best available at either position seems most rational.

My favorite first pick would be Edge/DT Shemar Steward. He is fast, big and versatile and could play any where along the front four. If you draft him you would not need to draft a DL early. Also I don't don't why you would pass on a speed edge specialist like James Pearce. So what if he only plays on third down passing situations. He runs a 4.47. That is incredible speed off the edge.

As for offense there is only one WR worthy of the Packers first pick and that would be Golden. Some lucky team will walk away with him and won't regret it. So what if he is small. He will always be open. He is the fastest receiver in the draft and has great hands. Nuff said

Offense:
OT - Josh Simmons
WR - Emeka Egbuka

Defense:
DT - Derrick Harmon
Edge - Landon Jackson
CB - Shavon Revel

In no particular order, I think OT, WR, DT, Edge, and CB are Packers greatest needs. These are my 1st round picks at each of those positions.

Josh Simmons:
Unless a team has an elite LT, they should always be looking to upgrade. It's a premium position. Walker is serviceable or whatever other adjective you'd prefer, but not elite, so prior sentence takes precedence. Simmons was a top 5 -10 prospect until the patellar tendon injury. That injury takes 6-12 months recovery and news is that is ahead of schedule. He mirrors and shuffles very smoothly. When he locks on your done. He slides to the second level easily. Has a bit of nasty and finishes to the whistle. In 2 yrs he allowed one sack. If he drops and the Packers take him they would have their LT for the next 10+ years. The OL would be set. I'm always of the opinion you get the trenches right first and work your way out.

Emeka Egbuka:
If the Packers finally take a 1st round WR, he'd be my choice. His hands are outstanding with a career 5.5% drop rate and I think only 3.89% last year. He's probably not a WR1 or a real deep threat, but I don't see any elite WR's in this years draft. He does have very good shuttle score that translates to his quickness on the field. He's a YAC move the chains WR2, and I get the Packers have a bunch of those, but Egbuka would be the best of them. Actually, I hope the Packers don't take a WR in the 1st rd. There is a big, scorching speed, somewhat sleeper, maybe Watson replacement (until healthy) who looks to be available in the 3rd-4th rds. I don't know why he isn't higher other than production doesn't stand out, but he had 9 TD's last year, very high yds per avg., and only 2 drops. Don't pay attention to the "he doesn't run the route tree" copy and paste analysts. I watched his game breakdowns and he runs most of them not just the go routes. Shows a high IQ for open spaces. I'm baffled he isn't higher. His name - Donte Thornton, Tenn.

Derrick Harmon:
DT may be the biggest need. Clark is getting older. Slaton is gone. Wyatt hasn't progressed as much as anticipated. Brooks and Wooden are ok. The Packers need an upgrade. Harmon had 45 tackles, same amount as top DT Mason Graham, 11 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, and 55 pressures last year (12 more than any other IDL in FBS), 4 Pass Def, and 2 FF. His stats are better than the two Michigan DT's. If Harmon is there at the Packers pick he'd be very hard to pass on.

Landon Jackson:
IMO, the most underrated Edge. Fits more of a 4-3 DE. Great size with frame to add more weight. Elite vertical and broad jumps which shows his power on the field. But what stood out to me when watching his tape is his almost pro level hand use and pass rush technique. If Gary and LVN knew how to use their hands like this kid, they'd be great rushers. Maybe Jackson can give them some pointers. Very good at holding the edge and run stop. 10 tackles for loss. More production than Shemar Stewart and Mykel Williams by a good bit at 49 tackles and 6.5 sacks. And he is not a tweener like Mike Green, Donovan Ezeiruaku, James Pearce, and Nic Scourton. Unless the Packers want to go the tweener route. Landon probably would be available in the 2nd, but probably not to the Packers pick at 54. Either a trade back if they want him or a trade up of their 2nd in the second round.

Shavon Revel:
ACL injury robbed him of last year, so your betting on his 2023 year, which was outstanding, and his physical traits. Good height and arm length, speed, very good tackling, and running/shadowing with receivers. 2023 - 54 tackles, 4 for loss, 1 sack, 13 Pass Def, 1 FR for TD. Blocked 2 field goals. 2 Int, 1 for TD last year before he got hurt at game 3. He is a risk both because of injury and experience, but I'd bet on his high upside.