Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst took three defensive players and two on offense ... [+]
It’s political season across the country.
So, of course, that means half-truths are coming at a fevered pitch.
As far as we know, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst has no designs on political office when his football days expire. But Gutekunst has duplicity down to a science himself.
Gutekunst has always used the term “best player available” when discussing his approach to drafting. And maybe he did exactly that Friday.
Or, perhaps he stretched the truth a bit to take players that will fill immediate holes.
The Packers’ greatest needs entering draft weekend were offensive line, linebacker, safety, cornerback and running back. So coincidentally — or not — Gutekunst’s first five picks checked off four of those boxes.
After taking Arizona tackle/guard Jordan Morgan in Thursday’s first round, Gutekunst selected Texas A&M linebacker Edgerrin Cooper and Georgia safety Javon Bullard in Friday’s second round. Gutekunst followed that up with USC running back MarShawn Lloyd and Missouri linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper in Round 3.
If those truly were the highest players on Gutekunst’s board, and they play to the level Green Bay rated them, this draft could provide another windfall for a Packers team on the brink of greatness. If Gutekunst reached to fill needs, it could backfire.
“We really were able to stay with the BPA – best player available,” Gutekunst said. “The board held up exceptionally well, which is really a credit to our personnel staff. But it held up very, very well as we went.”
For the first time since 2008, the Packers will employ a 4-3 base defense in 2024.
That means outside linebackers are now defensive ends, and players like Rashan Gary, Preston Smith and Lukas Van Ness have left the Packers’ linebacker room.
It also means Green Bay’s remaining linebackers needed help. And lots of it.
Cooper and Hopper figure to be good starting points.
Cooper (6-2, 230) was a two-year starter at weak-side linebacker with the Aggies and ran the 40-yard dash in a sizzling 4.51 seconds at the NFL Combine. Cooper had 8.0 sacks in 2023 and finished his Texas A&M career with 204 tackles (30 ½ for loss), three forced fumbles, two interceptions and 10 passes defensed.
Many scouts were concerned by Cooper’s score of 11 on the 50-question Wonderlic test. The Packers, though, were drawn to his speed, athleticism and intensity.
“Long kid, great athlete, plays fast, aggressive, physical and a good (special) teams player for them,” Pat Moore, the Packers’ Assistant Director of College Scouting, said of Cooper.
Hopper (6-2, 221) produced his best season in 2022, when he had a career-best 14.5 tackles for loss, five passes defensed and an interception.
Hopper (6-2,221) posted 55 tackles, three sacks and six tackles for loss in 2023, then suffered an ankle injury after 10 games and wasn’t able to workout at the NFL Combine. At Missouri’s pro day, Hopper ran the 40-yard dash in 4.68 seconds and posted a 36-inch vertical jump. Gutekunst said the Packers timed Hopper in the high-4.5 range, though.
“He’s really physical, he can run, but his stopping power, when he takes on blockers, is pretty impressive,” Gutekunst said of Hopper. “Very serious-minded guy. I think he really helped change that defense. The Missouri defense this year was excellent. But his stopping power as a tackler was really impressive.”
Bullard (5-11, 199) played mostly slot corner in 2022 when the Bulldogs won the national championship. He had 3.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss that season, and was named Defensive MVP of the 2022 national championship game
The Bulldogs moved Bullard to safety in 2023 where he finished with career highs in tackles (56) and passes defensed (seven). He was also voted the top safety at the Senior Bowl.
Bullard’s versatility should allow new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley to move him around the field and form a perfect partner for free agent acquisition Xavier McKinney.
“I can play all three positions in the secondary,” Bullard said. “Whatever you need me to play. I feel like I proved my versatility throughout this process, man, being able to cover slot guys and being able to cover tight ends and being able to get down in the box and get down-and-dirty with your running backs, things like that. So I feel like I can play all over.”
Lloyd (5-8 ½, 220), who ran the 40-yard dash in 4.45 seconds, is one of the smaller backs in the draft. Lloyd spent three years at South Carolina, then played the 2023 campaign at USC where he had his best season, finishing with 820 rushing yards, nine touchdowns and a 7.1 yards per yards per carry average.
Lloyd is more of a slasher than a bellcow, but should provide a nice complement to free agent addition Josh Jacobs.
“I’m the best running back in the draft, for sure, and I think Green Bay got the best running back in the draft because they think the exact same,” Lloyd said. “I’m super confident with that.”
Late Friday evening, just before exiting Lambeau Field, Gutekunst seemed extremely confident about how his 2024 draft was unfolding.
“Really excited,” Gutekunst said. “I think we were really able to help the Packers, help this football team.”
If Gutekunst did that by staying true to his board, not reaching, and filling needs at the same time, his team could challenge for a Super Bowl in 2024.
Much like the political world, though, we may not get any concrete answers until November.
