Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst is doing his due diligence leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft. On Friday, he is attending the Missouri Tigers Pro Day. Green Bay is selecting 25th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
One of the Packers’ needs in the NFL Draft is a cornerback. One of the prospects that Gutekunst must be scouting at the Tigers Pro Day is cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. He has been projected to go in the late first round and possibly early in the second round.
Jaire Alexander is the top cornerback on the roster, but he missed a lot of games last season due to injury. Gutekunst also needs to draft that position because the backend of the defense is currently a weak link.
Green Bay Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst Being At the Missouri Tigers Pro Day Is An Interesting Development
It is an interesting development that Gutekunst attended the Tigers Pro Day on Friday. With the NFL Draft a little bit over a month away, it is getting more serious in what teams want to take. Ennis Rakestraw Jr. has to be the reason why Brian Gutekunst decided to make the trip.
Rakestraw Jr. has shutdown corner potential. The Missouri Tigers had a good year last year in the SEC. He is a 6’0″ player and weighs 188 lbs. His stats last season were 35 total tackles, one forced fumble, zero interceptions, and four pass deflections. The zero interceptions mean that teams have not targeted his side very much throughout college.
According to nfldraftbuzz.com, some of his strengths are:
“Instinctual player with a keen understanding of the game, showcasing an ability to anticipate plays and react swiftly. Exhibits superior man coverage skills, using a blend of physicality and technique to disrupt opposing receivers. Remarkable twitch and agility allow for quick direction changes, staying on the hip of receivers throughout their routes.”
Some of his weaknesses are:
“Ran slower than expected at the combine with a 4.51 forty and a very poor broad jump. May not be the athlete we anticipated. Light frame could hinder effectiveness against more physically imposing receivers and in shedding blockers. Zone coverage skills are underdeveloped. May be a liability if thrown into a complex zome scheme as a rookie.”
This selection would make sense for the Packers in the 2024 NFL Draft. Ennis Rakestraw Jr. has a very good upside at the cornerback position. Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst is looking to add quality players through the NFL Draft and developing them. It would be a surprise if he went to the Missouri Tigers Pro Day and was looking at anybody else.
