The Green Bay Packers are going to take a tight end (or two) in the 2023 NFL Draft. The question is when? Will they take one in the first round? The last time they did that, Bubba Franks was their selection in the 2000 NFL Draft. The fact of the matter is that the Packers do see the tight end position as one of first round value. The same is true for the wide receiver position (though Brian Gutekunst did try to trade up into the first round last year to get Christian Watson). Former Packers fullback John Kuhn, too, is wary of taking a tight end in round one. He explained why on his show “Nine 2 Noon” on 97.3 The Game in Milwaukee.
John Kuhn Does Not Think the Green Bay Packers Should Draft a Tight End in the First Round
During Tuesday’s show, Kuhn addressed the question of whether or not the Packers should look to take a tight end in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft:
“I just firmly believe that drafting a tight end in the first round is a huge risk. If the Packers draft one, and it’s a hit, and Dalton Kincaid is the next Tony Gonzalez, if he’s the next Jason Witten, if he’s the next Antonio Gates, or Travis Kelce or George Kittle, then it worked! Then it was a great pick.
“But if he’s just, you know, tight ends just don’t impact the game. The high-end tight ends impact the game massively. Just be a solid starter for six, seven, eight years, they don’t impact the game like a tackle or a rush end would. Like another cornerback would.”
Interestingly, offensive tackle, edge rusher, and cornerback are all positions that the Packers value in the first round. Kuhn’s co-host, Wisconsin Badgers basketball legend Brian Butch, stated, “There is not a single part of me that thinks tight end is the way they will go.” He cited Green Bay’s recent history of drafting defensive players as his reasoning for believing that they will wait to draft a tight end.
For more on Kuhn’s and Butch’s discussion on the draft, as well as their analysis of the Milwaukee Brewers and NBA Playoffs, listen to their show at the link above,
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