Brian Gutekunst has traded up in the first round in three of his four NFL drafts as the Packers GM. In the 2018 Draft Gutekunst initially traded back in the first round, only to trade up to take Jaire Alexander. In 2019 he traded up to take Darnell Savage with the 21st pick. As we all remember in 2020, Gutekunst traded up in the first round to take Joran Love with the 26th pick. History could repeat itself in 2022:
Proposed trade has Green Bay trading with New England:
New England currently holds the 21st pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. On draft night if it’s approaching pick #22 and there a multiple guys high on Green Bay’s draft board they love , Gutekunst might move up. Especially if they feel both won’t make it until pick #28:
Packers receive:
- Pick #21 in 2022 NFL Draft
- Pick #28 in 2022 NFL Draft
- Pick #92 in 2022 NFL Draft (third round)
The teams that pick from 23-27 are the Cardinals, Cowboys, Bills, Titans, and Buccaneers. Many of those five teams have similar draft needs as the Packers. Below are the widely presumed needs for each of those teams:
- Arizona Cardinals: Offensive Line, Edge Rusher, Defensive Tackle
- Dallas Cowboys: Offensive Line, Wide Receiver, Edge Rusher, Safety
- Buffalo Bills: Running Back, Offensive Line, Wide Receiver, Cornerback
- Tenneesee Titans: Offensive Line, Quarterback, Wide Receiver
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Offensive Line, Cornerback, Safety, Linebacker
A LOT of those needs are identical to Green Bay’s. If the Packers are all-in on a few players in this year’s draft, don’t be surprised if this is the type of move that is made.
