In the recently completed 2019 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers used the number 12 pick on Michigan Edge Rusher Rashan Gary. Many pundits have the opinion that Gary was a reach the Packers didn’t need to make. They have said Gary would’ve been available later in the draft. His shoulder issues have also become an issue for his detractors. There has in fact been objective medical reports supporting Gary, saying his shoulder will not hinder his performance this season. Yet the list goes on for those who didn’t approve of this pick.
Of course the only opinion that matters is that of the Green Bay Packer’s GM Brian Gutekunst. He trusted his college scout Joe Hueber who had given Gutekunst very high grades on Gary. Gutekunst used the term “Locked in,” when describing their first pick. Gary was not a conciliatory pick, he was rated very high on their board. The Packers felt lucky when Gary was available at number 12. When the opportunity presented itself, Gutekunst got his man. Gutekunst claimed the Packers had been focused on Gary since February.
While at Michigan, Rashan Gary faced multiple double teams, and combination blocks from opposing offenses. When those teams devoted excessive attention to Gary, it allowed his teammates to pursue the ball and compile impressive defensive stats. With Gary’s speed, 4.6 second 40, and his size 6’4″, 275 lbs, you can believe Mike Pettine will utilize him all over the defensive front seven. Just imagine a front line of Gary, along with FA signees Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith. Combine them with current starters Daniels, Clark, Fackrell and Martinez, and Pettine will have a formidable defensive front.
The Packers certainly believe Rashon Gary landed exactly where he should have. Mike Pettine has a penchant for extremely athletic and versatile players that can present match-up problems for the opposing offense. If Pettine places Gary on the inside of the front line, there are very few NFL guards who would be able handle his speed and power. Pettine will want to utilize Gary’s disruptive ability much like Michigan did.
I’m hoping the Packer fans and most importantly the media give Gary and Gutekunst the benefit of the doubt. Let’s see how he is allowed to use his skills to make the Packers defense consistently a force to be reckoned with in the NFL in 2019.
As Always, Go Pack Go
PackerGreg
PackerGreg Veteran/Go Army @DrGTP on Twitter
10 responses to “Doubt Surrounds Packers Gary”
We shall see.
I’m just a fan, but an avid one who opposed drafting Gary. He was the one top rated prospect that I did not want the Packers to draft. Gute and team are the experts and I and thousands of Packer fans hope he is the brain trust who has the right man. It is extremely important the Packers get a difference maker drafting this high.
I’m not so concerned with the shoulder because they can fix that. What concerns me about Gary is that he scored a 9 on the Wonderlic intelligence test. 10 or better means he is literate. In a complex defensive scheme, you need players that are intelligent. Apparently, Gary can’t even read and write.
The Wonderlic score is not a good measurement, so I wouldn’t put much stock in it. Johnny Manziel scored a 32 and we know how he turned out.
In a 2009 study led by Brian D. Lyons at Fresno State, researchers looked at the link between scoring high on the Wonderlic and succeeding in the NFL.
Their hypothesis was that the two would be strongly correlated.
That was not the case.
Using 762 players drafted between 2002 and 2004, Lyons and his colleagues found no relationship between the Wonderlic and performance on the field. In fact, players who scored lower on the Wonderlic actually turned out to be a tiny bit better, on average, than those who got high scores.
I’ve warmed up quite a bit to the Gary pick. Like Greg has mentioned I can’t help but think of what a guy like Gary might be able to do inside while on the field with Preston and Z Smith outside and Clark lined up right next to Gary. Kenny Clark is so strong and pretty damn quick in his own right so Guards and Centers are in for a world a trouble every Sunday.
Same here Nick. Anyone who watches the film will see teams designing plays to avoid him at all costs.
Can you say Jerel Worthy! 12 HOLE PICK people! 12th overall! When I think about a guy taken 12 overall, I’m thinking about a top talent starter, not an injured project. The Packers could have traded out of 12, moved back just a little, picked up another 2nd, kept their forth rounders, and still have taken Savage, plus another 1st round talent at 30. Didn’t love this move by GB. Just reeks of Jerel Worthy or Dantone Jones all over again. All that’s left for me is “Hoping I’m Seriously Wrong About This”.. Yet doubting I am..
Yep, you know everything. Good thing you have a crystal ball…
Nope, no Crystel ball, just been watching this kind of thing for 55 years of following football. Just reeks of a bad deal for GB, and as I stated above – Hoping I’m wrong, because screw ups like this set back franchises sometimes for years..