General manager Brian Gutekunst seems open to trading up and trading down during draft weekend.
The Packers are not quite on the clock, but the Draft is close enough that they might as well be. And Brian Gutekunst and company appear to be ready.
Not that he’d say anything else during his press conference, but the Packers GM seemed poised and excited to add more young talent to his already young and talented roster. The only question that really remains is exactly where the Packers will pick.
Gutekunst has traded both up and down during his tenure as general manager, and even though he downplayed the idea of being a player or two away, his hands could be somewhat tied. If he decides the Packers need help on the offensive line, for instance, he might have no choice other than to trade up and get one of the elite prospects rather than hoping they slide all the way to 25.
But Gutekunst also said he wants to add more draft capital. The Packers currently have 11 picks, but Gutekunst said he wouldn’t mind making 13 or 14 over the three-day extravaganza that comes this week.
Of course, the ultimate question here comes down to a dance partner: who would trade with the Packers? If they choose to trade up, who will benefit from the Packers’ buying mentality? Or, if someone wants to jump up from the second round, what will they be willing to give up?
Moving both up and down the draft board comes with risks.
We’ve kept a close eye on the Packers’ top 30 visits, but Gutekunst raised the possibility that some of them might misdirects.
Probably nothing, but this is a good look at what might be available for the Packers at 25.
It seems like just about everyone agrees that the Packers will take a linebacker at some point this weekend, but when and who?
“Don’t bring a snake to the hospital” seems like common sense advice, but I kind of get where the bite victims are coming from here.