Having hosted the NFL draft last year, and without a first round pick this year, Packers fans might be excused for feeling lower levels of expectation and excitement for next month’s draft in Pittsburgh.
Adding to this year's malaise, the Packers have just seven picks. They have one pick in each round, two through seven, plus an extra compensatory pick in the 7th round – the third to last pick in the entire draft.
The Packers’ compensatory math promises to be far more favorable in 2027 when the team is slated to earn numerous mid-round picks thanks to the wave of key departures this offseason. The Packers will also benefit from an extra 4th round pick secured from the Cowboys in the Rashan Gary trade. But that’s another conversation for another day.
In this upcoming draft, Packers GM Brian Gutekunst could still maneuver his way into more picks through trades, but absent such a development, the seven picks this year would mark the fewest number of selections he’s had since taking the GM reins in 2018.
In Gutekunst’s tenure, he’s selected eight players twice (2019, 2025), nine players twice (2020, 2021), eleven players three times (2018, 2022, 2024), and thirteen players once (2023).
Gutekunst seems to have embraced the philosophy of his predecessor, Ted Thompson, who explained that more picks was always the goal. “It's like Ron [Wolf] always said, it's kind of like baseball,” Thompson explained. “You're not going to get a hit every time you go to the plate, but if you have more swings you have a better chance at getting a hit. I think in general philosophy I'd rather have more than less.”
However, with his blockbuster trade for Micah Parsons, Gutekunst also showed a willingness to deviate from the norm. Going back 50 years, the Packers have only been without a first round pick three times (1986, 2008, 2017). Absent more dealing, they will now be without a first round pick two years in a row.
As a result, Gutekunst will now have to do more with less. For that reason, this year might be his most pressure-packed and important draft to date.
The Packers are certainly in a unique position. According to the Las Vegas oddsmakers, only 4 teams (Rams, Seahawks, Bills, Ravens) have better odds to win the next Super Bowl. The bettors clearly see the Packers as a top contender. However, while the Packers are locked and loaded in some key areas, it’s not as if they don’t have needs to address.
The Packers seem reasonably well situated at wide receiver and safety, and perhaps also at linebacker, but almost everywhere else they could use depth and/or real solutions for the future.
Both the offensive and defensive lines need help. The Packers re-signed Darrian Kinnard as a reliable and battle-tested swing tackle, however the backups on the interior feature lesser known names like Travis Glover, Jacob Monk, Karsen Barnhart, and Donovan Jennings.
The defensive line could use some help on the edge. Gary and Enagbare are now gone, and Parsons will be returning from injury. Van Ness is nearing the end of his rookie deal, and the players behind him are relatively untested. The defensive interior may also need future help behind the aging Javon Hargrave and Devonte Wyatt, who is also coming to the end of his rookie contract.
Despite the offseason addition of Benjamin St-Juste, the Packers still have a glaring need at cornerback. The team hasn’t had a true CB1 since Jaire Alexander, and his last full season was three years ago. Gutekunst has devoted 7th round picks to the position in each of the last three drafts (Micah Robinson, Kalen King, and Carrington Valentine), but none of those resources have stabilized the position. Robinson and King are no longer with the team and Valentine’s play has been up and down. It would be surprising if the Packers didn’t use one (or more) of their picks at corner this year.
Beyond that, the Packers also have a need for a backup quarterback, a running back, and they may also seek to add help at tight end, and even kicker.
These remaining needs lead me to believe Gutekunst probably isn't done making moves. First, the Packers aren't typically a team to plug-and-play first year players. Second, Gutekunst has shown a willingness to hunt for talent long after the free agency rush is over. Last year, Gutekunst added Nick Niemann in August. In 2021, Gutekunst added De'Vondre Campbell (in June) on a bargain $2 million deal. Campbell went on to have an All Pro season.
Whatever moves the Packers do or do not make, it’s clear Gutekunst will have his work cut out for him next month. For the Packers, it may not be their most thrilling draft, but it could be among the most meaningful.