Did the First Gutenkunst Draft Generate Solid Prospects?

The 2019 NFL Draft has come and gone, so let’s jump right in and review the Packers draft. It is safe to say that this was not exactly the most hoped for draft for Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst.

Round 1A: Rashan Gary/DE/Michigan-  Of all the options on the table for Gutekunst here, and with no overly pressing need, he elects to go with a player who looks good on paper, but has never played up to his potential? Noah Fant was available, Brian Burns was available, Martez Sweat was available, the best wide receivers were still on the board. Gutekunst could have even traded down. We’ll see if this pick works for the Packers, and there is time, seeing that free agency pick ups will be the first line of defense, literally.  

Round 1B: This one was better, and Gutekunst actually traded up, which was something Ted Thompson would have never done, to select Maryland safety Darnell Savage. Savage was a high riser leading up to the draft, and has speed and ball-hawking skills NFL teams drool over. Expect Savage to start from day one.

Round 2: Elgton Jenkins/OG/Mississippi State- Broncos director of football operations John Elway traded up two spots in front of the Packers to select Lock, so Gutekunst went back to the board and filled a need. The selection of Jenkins and the return of last year’s fourth round selection Cole Madison means that Lane Taylor is pretty much finished in Green Bay.

Round 3: Jace Sternberger/TE/Texas A&M- The Packers could not leave this draft without adding to their tight end position, and Gutekunst added a tremendous athlete with high potential here. Sternberger could grow into an elite player in Gutekunst’s offense.

Round 5: Kinglsey Keke/DT/Texas A&M- Gutekunst went back to College Station and grabbed Keke, a big body who will be a nice rotational piece in Mike Pettine’s version of the 3-4.

Round 6: Dexter Williams/RB/Notre Dame- The Packers needed to add a third running back, specifically for third downs, and they did just that with Williams.

Round 7: Ty Summers/ILB/TCU- With the departure of Clay Matthews, the Packers needed to add depth late in this draft to their inside linebacker position. Summers will probably end up on the practice squad in year one, but this is a long term project.