The 2024 NFL Draft will be the seventh for Green Bay Packers GM Brian Gutekunst since he took over the position in 2018. The draft is vital to any NFL team and the Packers are no exception. With that in mind, here is a look at the best picks made by Gutekunst in each round of the NFL Draft. The rankings are based on how these players performed with the Packers. Any success they had with other teams is not taken into consideration.
The Packers Best Picks in Each Round of the NFL Draft Under Brian Gutekunst: Round 7, OT Rasheed Walker
The Packers selected Rasheed Walker with the 249th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft. The Penn State alum entered his final season in college with the potential to be a high pick, but he struggled and fell down the board.
Walker took over as the starter at left tackle last season last season after David Bakhtiari was shut down for the season. His play improved as the season went on. By the end of the year, he had developed into a solid starter at protecting Jordan Love’s blindside.
Depending on who the team drafts, Walker could continue as the starting left tackle which is already a great return on a seventh-round draft pick.
Round 6: G Jon Runyan
Jon Runyan Jr. played four seasons with the Packers and started for three of them. Not a bad return for the 192nd overall pick in the 2020 draft.
The former Michigan star gave the Packers a consistent performance. His strength was pass protection, while his run blocking was average.
Runyan played through injuries in 2023 and his play suffered as a result. He signed with the New York Giants as a free agent during this offseason.
The Packers Best Picks in Each Round of the NFL Draft Under Brian Gutekunst: Round 5, WR Dontayvion Wicks
Dontayvion Wicks surprised a lot of people with his strong performance as a rookie. Gutekunst added him with the 159th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Wicks was expected to be far down on the depth chart but managed to play in 15 games and start six.
The Virginia product caught 39 passes for 581 yards and four touchdowns during the regular season. Wicks also scored a touchdown in the Packers playoff win over Dallas.
Wicks demonstrated good speed and the ability to make plays downfield. He showed good hands and only dropped three passes all season. Wicks has a lot of potential and could play a bigger role in the Green Bay offense in the near future.
Round 4: OT Zach Tom
Zach Tom edged out Romeo Doubs for the fourth-round spot on this list. Tom started five games as a rookie and played four different positions along the offensive line.
In 2023, he earned the starting right tackle position and graded out as the team’s best offensive lineman. Tom was the team’s best run blocker and did a great job in pass protection as well.
While he is undersized, the Wake Forest product has very good technique and a high football IQ which make him very effective.
The Packers Best Picks in Each Round of the NFL Draft Under Brian Gutekunst: Round 3, TE Tucker Kraft
The Packers have struggled to find quality players in the third round of the draft, but tight end Tucker Kraft ended the third-round jinx in 2023.
Kraft made a big jump from South Dakota State to the NFL. Early in the year, he was used primarily as a blocker. But when starter Luke Musgrave went down with a lacerated kidney, Kraft stepped in and played well.
He finished his rookie campaign with 31 catches for 355 yards and two scores. He had an impressive catch percentage of 77.5 and excelled at running after the catch.
Kraft appears to have a bright future ahead of him and is by far the team’s best third round pick under Gutekunst.
Round 2: G Elgton Jenkins
Elgton Jenkins has already earned two trips to the Pro Bowl as a result of his fine play and was likely on his way to a third when an injury cost him the rest of the 2021 season.
Like Tom, the Packers love Jenkins’ versatility. He started at guard and tackle and played well at both before the injury. He can also play center.
The Mississippi State alum signed another contract with the Packers and remains one of the team’s best linemen at both pass protection and run blocking. He is also a leader on the field and in the locker room.
The Packers Best Picks in Each Round of the NFL Draft Under Brian Gutekunst: Round 1, QB Jordan Love
Gutekunst took a big gamble by trading up to select Love in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. The team already had Aaron Rodgers on the roster and the veteran wasn’t pleased with the move.
But after sitting behind the future Hall of Famer for three seasons, Love took over in 2023 after Rodgers demanded a trade to the Jets.
Love struggled in the first half of the season as both he and his young receiving corps adjusted to their new roles. But in the second half of the season, Love was one of the best quarterbacks in the league.
He finished the season with 32 touchdown passes and just 11 interceptions. In the final eight games, he threw 18 touchdowns and just one interception.
Love appears ready to be the Packers next franchise quarterback and he edged out Jaire Alexander and Rashan Gary for this spot.
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