Packers GM Gutekunst's background shows he's willing to deal

Updated Apr. 23, 2021 3:03 p.m. ET

Associated Press

Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst has made at least one trade on the opening night of the draft each of the past three years.

NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah believes that trend could continue next week.

“I would bet they’ll be on the move again,” Jeremiah said.

Gutekunst made one of the most surprising moves of last year’s draft by

Jeremiah wonders if the Packers might trade out of the first round this time. The Packers have the 29th overall pick in the draft as they look to take the next step after losing in the NFC championship game each of the past two seasons.

“When you look at where they are and what they need, and you look at kind of those early second-round corners that could be there, you look at some offensive line depth,” Jeremiah said. “To me that kind of screams getting out of (round) one and getting some extra picks. They’re a prime candidate to me to slide back a little bit.”

Jeremiah mentioned Georgia teammates Tyson Campbell and Eric Stokes plus Florida State’s Asante Samuel Jr. as cornerbacks who could still be available early in the second round. The Packers also would like to boost their depth on both sides of the line of scrimmage.

Green Bay’s salary cap situation prevented the Packers from doing much on the free-agent market, so their best chances at upgrading their roster will come in the draft.

The Packers’ biggest offseason change so far has been the decision to have

“I think there might be some subtle things, but at the same time I think we’ve always kind of strived to find versatile football players that can really thrive in any scheme,” Gutekunst said.

ROUNDING UP RECEIVERS

the past two years, which makes it seem likely they’ll finally take at least one this time.

The second round historically is when the Packers have found quality wideouts. Greg Jennings (2006), Jordy Nelson (2008), Randall Cobb (2011) and Davante Adams (2014) were all second-round picks.

OFFENSIVE LINE ISSUES

Green Bay’s

But after

CORNERBACK CONCERNS

The Packers have one of the game’s top cornerbacks in Pro Bowl selection and

Green Bay’s issues at cornerback were apparent when they gave up three touchdown passes to Tom Brady in the first 32 minutes of the NFC championship game.

MORE YOUTH AT LINEBACKER?

The Packers have a couple of promising young inside linebackers in 2020 fifth-round pick Kamal Martin and undrafted free agent Krys Barnes, but both dealt with injuries in their rookie seasons last year.

Perhaps those injury issues might cause the Packers to add an inside linebacker in the draft, though it’s a position they generally haven’t prioritized with early picks.

WHEN THEY’LL PICK

The Packers have two picks in the fourth, fifth and sixth rounds and one pick in every other round. Those extra late-round picks could give Gutekunst an opportunity to move up and down the board on the third day of the draft.

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