The long awaited day has finally arrived. After months of speculation and mock drafts, we’ll get our first glimpse into Green Bay’s latest rookie class – perhaps the most important in recent memory. The 2022 Packers NFL Draft is intriguing given the amount of capital they have for a team coming off such a successful season. They come in with 2 picks in each the first and second round – including picks #22 and #28 tonight.
But if GM Brian Gutekunst have shown us anything over his tenure, it’s that he has no qualms about moving around the board. His propensity for trading up in the first round has been well documented. And this year he comes armed with more ammunition than he’s ever had. The need for a wide receiver is an obvious one following the trading of Davante Adams. But it’s looking more and more that if Gutekunst wants one of the top tier prospects, he’ll likely have to go up and get them.
The Packers struck out attempting this in 2020, eventually trading up to select Jordan Love. If Green Bay is enamored with someone like Chris Olave or Jameson Williams, they’ll probably need to leapfrog New Orleans and Philadelphia – both of whom own 2 picks from 15 to 19. However, if they decide to let the board fall to them, they should still have their choice of many solid players that could make an impact from day 1.
Players like George Karlaftis, Daxton Hill, Logan Hall, Tyler Smith should all be available around the Packers selections. And there are reports now that the Packers may decide to wait until day 2 to take a WR. With the depth at WR in this class, someone like George Pickens or Treylon Burks could fall into the top of the 2nd round, and the Packers have the capability of packaging picks to move up.
If there is one thing Packers fans should have learned when it comes to the draft, it’s patience. Rashan Gary and Eric Stokes are both recent examples of why emotion and instant draft grades should be put aside. We won’t have any inkling one way or another until any of these players take the field, so best to sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.
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Jared is a rogue Packers fan from a Steelers family and an overall football junkie, including playing 4 years at Ithaca College. You can follow him on twitter at @JPrugar.
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