The Green Bay Packers are less than one week away from the 2023 NFL Draft. As has been the case for weeks, there is still uncertainty regarding what player or position they will take in the first round. Historically, the Packers have valued safety, edge rusher, offensive tackle, interior defensive line, quarterback, and linebacker in the first round. While they do have needs at several of those positions this year, they also have glaring needs at wide receiver and tight end. With so many needs, former Packers fullback John Kuhn offered a slightly different strategy than the one being put forth by fans and analysts.
John Kuhn Offers a Different NFL Draft Strategy for the Green Bay Packers
During his show “Nine 2 Noon” on 97.3 The Game, which he co-hosts with Wisconsin Badgers legend Brian Butch, Kuhn offered the following opinion on the Packers’ approach to the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft:
“I firmly believe, as a fan, that unless you’re picking in the top five, you should not focus on players, but rather positions that you want your team to address. But as I look at this roster (I’ve been saying it for weeks, Butchy), this roster is not one where we simply say, ‘We need a tight end, we’ll get a tight end.’
“Well, if you go ahead and reach because you want a tight end, well, what about the wide receiver position? What about the safety position? What about the edge position? What about revamping on the line at that position? There are so many spots that the Packers could use a high-caliber player for a long period of time that I think Gutey’s in the best place possible.
“This is the best position you could be in when you are an organization that is known to draft best available player. Because you can’t go wrong! You can literally draft any position, other than quarterback, in the first round and I’d say it’s a good pick! Get your best player available, it could be any position, and it’ll be a good pick. Exclude the quarterback from that position, though, because I don’t think a quarterback should be the first round pick this year.”
The Packers truly do have a wide variety of needs to fill in the NFL Draft. Additionally, they need to plan for a successful future beyond 2023. Perhaps Kuhn is right; almost any position in the first round (other than quarterback) would be a good pick.
For Kuhn’s and Butch’s reaction to the Milwaukee Bucks’ blowout win over the Miami Heat in Game Two and other Packers draft talk, listen to the podcast linked above.
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