Packers Draft Day 2 is upon us

No, I’m not talking about a sequel to the Kevin Costner movie; even though I probably would see that. I mean, who doesn’t want to know how Sonny Weaver Jr. followed up his 2014 draft class? I’m talking about the 2nd day that General Manager Brian Gutekunst hopefully finds the next great players to join the Green Bay Packers. Over time, we will find out if Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt will have their place in Packer’s history. But whether you think this year’s 1st round will or not, Packers history has shown us day 2 can still bring some great, maybe legendary, players to the Green and Gold. Maybe this year, a new player will be added to the list of Packers Day 2 Legends.

Second day hits of the past

The second and third rounds haven’t always been known as Day 2. Ever since 2010, the NFL decided the Draft deserved to be a three-day event. But regardless of what day they’re picked, many great Packers players were 2nd and 3rd round picks. The first round is, of course, the one everyone pays attention to. Why shouldn’t they? It could be a Franchise-altering pick, so it deserves the attention. But some of those Day 2’s could be very valuable as well. The Packers could have picked a Receiver on Day 1, but with the Greg Jennings, James Jones, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, and Davante Adams Day 2 picks of the past, let’s pump the brakes on that it “needs” to be Day 1 to be good. In fact, Aaron Rodgers agreed with this last night on the Pat McAfee Show defending his past Day 2-picked targets. All of those picks were productive their first year, and each one will have their spot in the Packers Hall of Fame. How about Offensive Line? Daryn Colledge and Elgton Jenkins were both Day 2 picks and contributed right out of the gate. We need secondary you say? Well, Nick Collins came out of the 2nd round and he’s been considered for immortality in Canton where he could one day join the list of Packers legends taken on Day 2.

So, who are these legends?

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has already enshrined four “Day 2” Packers draft picks; Bobby Dillon, Forrest Gregg, Jim Taylor and Ray Nitschke all have their place in Canton. They will soon be placing a bust of 1990 2nd round DB Leroy Butler in the Hall’s gallery as well. Amongst these five players are sixteen championship rings that they definitely helped earn. The Packers could certainly use some more Day 2 players to help us get there. So now that leaves the question, “Are there any Day 2 picks from the last two drafts that could be big contributors?”

The Future

There are some players that are just built for the Green Bay cold. You think of past Packers running backs that were bruisers and Jim Taylor, who I mentioned before, immediately comes to mind. Taylor, teamed with fellow RB Paul Hornung, were anchors of the Packers 1960’s dynasty. 62 years after the Packers drafted Taylor, they drafted RB AJ Dillon in the 2nd round in 2020. Dillon has already drawn comparisons to Taylor as he enjoys hitting defenders before they can hit him. In just his second year, Dillon put up over 1100 all-purpose yards with 7 touchdowns. So, he can definitely be counted on to perhaps be the Jim Taylor to Aaron Jones‘ Paul Hornung.

Of course, you need someone to block for those running backs. In the 2nd round of 2021, the Packers drafted OL Josh Myers. Unfortunately, injury derailed Myers’ rookie campaign a bit. But before that injury hit, Myers was seen as an undeniable starter at Center, and could be there for many years to come.

Could we see the next Packers Legend taken tonight?

Greg Meinholz is a lifelong devoted Packer fan. A contributor to PackersTalk as well as CheeseheadTV. Follow him on Twitter at @gmeinholz. for Packers commentary, random humor, beer endorsements, and occasional Star Wars and Marvel ramblings.

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