Packers Have Had a Trend on Day 2 Under Gutekunst
Javon Bullard (20) and Edgerrin Cooper (56) were both Day 2 picks in the 2024 draft. Will the Packers go defense-defense again on Day 2?
Since 2018 when Brian Gutekunst became the Green Bay Packers general Manager, he has continued with the draft and development standard set by his predecessor Ted Thompson.
As of now, the Packers will be without their own first round pick. The last two times they did not draft in the first round it was after Draft Day trades where the Packers traded from their pick at the end of the first round into the early second round.
In eight previous drafts, Gutekunst has had several draft-day trends. In Round 1, he has preferred players with high RAS scores and come from Power 5 schools with the exception being quarterback Jordan Love, the team’s 2020 first round pick.
On Day 2, Gutekunst has been very reliant on drafting similar positions and sides of the ball in all eight of his drafts.
Since 2018, on Day 2 (Rounds 2 and 3), he has drafted two or three offensive players in six of eight drafts and two or more defensive players in the other two drafts.
By this logic, if Gutekunst goes with another wide receiver or offensive linemen with pick 52, his tendency would be another offensive player in Round 3.
If he goes with defense at pick 52 (edge rusher, defensive line, cornerback), the tendency would be defensive again in Round 3.
| Year | Round 2 | Round 3 |
| 2018 | Josh Jackson CB | Oren Burks LB |
| 2019 | Elgton Jenkins OL | Jace Sternberger TE |
| 2020 | AJ Dillon RB | Josiah Deguara TE |
| 2021 | Josh Myers OL | Amari Rodgers WR |
| 2022 | Christian Watson WR | Sean Rhyan OL |
| 2023 | Luke Musgrave TE, Jayden Reed WR | Tucker Kraft TE |
| 2024 | Edgerrin Cooper LB, Javon Bullard DB | MarShawn Lloyd RB, Ty'Ron Hopper LB |
| 2025 | Anthony Belton OL | Savion Williams WR |
Based on Gutekunst’s tendencies on the second day of the draft, it should be no surprise the Packers have two major needs at defensive tackle and cornerback. They are two positions that he has only drafted just one combined time on Day 2. With his second pick as general manager in 2018, the pick was Iowa corner Josh Jackson.
Drafting cornerbacks and defensive line on Friday would go a long way to fill some of the needs they have had the last few years.
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Mitch McLaughlin is a Packers fan and shareholder residing in Sacramento, California. He will be writing Packers stories each week on Cheesehead TV. He can be found on Twitter: @McLaughlinMitch
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Comments (19)
GregC
April 21, 2026 at 02:59 pm
That's a strong pattern, but it looks less significant when you consider that the pattern does not include the first round pick. Also, there is no obvious reason for this pattern, so I'm inclined to think it is coincidence. Why would they try to make the 3rd round pick be on the same side of the ball as the 2nd round pick, regardless of whether they picked on offense or defense in the 1st round? And with no 1st round pick this year, maybe the pattern doesn't matter anyway.
Since'75
April 21, 2026 at 06:38 pm
Yea, i wasn't buying the pattern theory either.
IMO...exactly as you stated...coincidence.
Sometimes, we over think.
GreenandBold
April 21, 2026 at 03:34 pm
Magic 8 ball says “ check back later “ and I will Friday night .
Since'75
April 21, 2026 at 06:38 pm
^He gets it!!^
stockholder
April 21, 2026 at 03:50 pm
If we're looking; just for “contributors", DT and CB work.
And I guess we can expect Georgia players again.
You would think the durability issues, and speed only.
Would change his thinking; for more of a role player
known for a nasty demeanor and smarts.
So here we go again; drafting for immediate need
rather than best player available.
Getting limited experience,
Requiring more time to develop.
If only he would look why
he made the trade for Parsons.
Extreme competitiveness, confidence, and aggression.
Thats what I want from this draft.
golfpacker61
April 21, 2026 at 05:40 pm
"So here we go again; drafting for immediate need rather than best player available."
You know Stock, sooner or later teams have to fill their biggest needs, or they just keep getting flipped to the next year and then there are 4 biggest needs instead of 2. That's what happened the last couple years. Plus add in those weak position groups stay weak and teams take advantage of obvious weaknesses they see. Case in point, our weakness @ CB after Parsons got hurt.
BPA is a great concept for the best teams in the league and judging by what we have accomplished the last 2 years we are NOT one of them. The Eagles are a great example of a team that can draft BPA in most of their drafts, but they still fill their needs too., or they would have the same holes in their roster that we do.
"If we're looking; just for “contributors", DT and CB work."
I think you are wrong. If we select a NT, he will only play 30% of the snaps so I guess he would be a "Contributor." But if we were to grab an Edge like Jacas or Dennis-Sutton @ #52, either would have a great opportunity to start and play a lot, even when Parsons gets back.
Same applies to CB, there are 6-8 CBs that will be available @ #84 and after that, and could easily start over Valentine, it's not like he is an All-Pro. If a CB can start and flourish at a Big 10 or SEC school like Ohio State or Georgia, he will have a great chance to be pretty good in the NFL. Valentine only started because our CB room sucks, plain and simple. That's why he and Nixon will be gone in 2027. It's way past time to rebuild the CB room, I don't want below average to average players at any positions. We have no really good CBs and no Edge rushers after Parsons that have done anything to write home about.
Draft and Edge and CB with our first 2 picks, they have a great chance to be starters right away.
stockholder
April 21, 2026 at 06:33 pm
I Think your just getting your hopes up.
Your points are exactly why I still wanted MLF.
Because as you point out year after year,
The lack of depth and game changers
have not been enough to get us to the super-Bowl.
The more you point to wanting a edge to start.
The more you hurt the next up guy.
The more Gute/MLF will depend on 7 rounders.
Since'75
April 21, 2026 at 06:43 pm
I'm with Greg on this one....
Personally, i think the phrase BPA, for a lot of teams, is hogwash.
Those with needs, tend to fill needs.
Only a small handful of teams are in a position, to truly draft 'BPA'
******
I've mentioned another way to look at it.
Draft BPA for a position of need.
BUT....if you truly think a player can possibly be a difference maker...grab him.
Difference makers are rare in this league.
Think back to when we heard the phrase..."It is time"
That is why i had absolutely no problem with Guter getting Parsons.
Sometimes you just have to say...WTF, and do it.
stockholder
April 21, 2026 at 07:02 pm
Greg- Edge or CB-?
If Cb -Stukes is in play. NB
DT- Jackson rd2.
And that would follow
everyones desire before edge.
Both are BPA per position.
(per selection)
jannesbjornson
April 21, 2026 at 07:46 pm
You have to include OT for the #52. Not much depth. The WR drafted will not supplant Watson, Reed and Golden. Williams will be his demo derby victim, until he get injured. College Plays. Sky Moore was a guy I wanted in the 2022 draft and obtain a reliable PR guy. I would hope a CB drops, or the Edge guy? I would look at Reiger @ EDGE, in the 5th.
stockholder
April 21, 2026 at 09:47 pm
THAt's true per OL.
But for the argument , we were sticking
to DT, CB, and Edge got thrown in.
I almost put Reiger in but went with Moore.
Faster/bend. And if he was TJ Watt as per comparison.
He wouldn't be going in the 5th.
PhantomII
April 21, 2026 at 09:49 pm
We can't even fill 11 spots on either side of the ball with NFL starters who could start on any team....Let's start with the minimum base roster and work our way to back-ups which is 90 % of our players.
Missing:
1-DL Starter
2-Edge Starters with Parsons out
2-CB's
(That's 5 on Defense.....)
Missing:
4-OL..So far until proven. (TOM) is the keeper.
1-TE before Kraft went down
(That's 5 on Offense...)
Remember when Rodgers was MVP...We needed a #2 WR and Gute did not even manage that...to win a Championship.
GB has really slumped in quality on both sides of the ball....No wonder this team operates like an engine that
misfires all the time.
Since'75
April 21, 2026 at 06:01 pm
Was in my car listening to Kuhns 9-noon radio show this morning.
They were grading Guter's draft prowess.
Kuhn gave Gute an A- to B+. 😁
I think it was Romney who gave him a solid B.
In a draft and develop philosophy, your goal is to keep as many drafted players as possible
From the drafts of 2018 - 2021, currently there are 2 players on the Packers roster.
That is out of 37 picks.
What grade is that?
********
So anyway, my first thought was.....huh?
I'm then thinking to myself, the two most solid players, were Alexander, and Jenkins, both no longer with the Firm.
Then it dawned on me, what about Love?
Well, why not, it's a beautiful day out, 70 and sunny, he's in!!
Now, since the Love pick, who jumps out to Packer fans?
Any difference makers? Any Pro Bowlers?
Lets take a looksie at his good picks imo, and yes, there are some.
Tom
Watson
Wyatt 🤷♂️
Musgrave 👍
Bullard
Cooper
Williams
*Golden....sorry, i like him, a lot, but i need to see more than a career of 29 receptions and 361 yards.
That's 7 of 43 draft picks.
Not ripping him for that, just saying
****
So after the grading, Kuhn and company went on, and repeated one word...a lot.
That word is 'potential'.
I agree!!
Potential is the keyword to all those guys, they haven't yet reached hopes and expectations for various reasons.
But as a Packer fan, we hope they do because they show real flashes, some even more than others.
Any intelligent dialogue is welcomed and appreciated.
The rest of you, know where the thumbs down is.
As Packer fans we hope for the best this season, even those of us who can be critical, passionate Packer fans.
Because at the end of the day, it's.....
Time to win Championships.
PhantomII
April 22, 2026 at 05:29 am
He's basically employed by GB= Draft grade D....I like all those picks...But, so far no Pro Bowlers...It says: A LOT...Mainly when Gute moves up, he does not hit the cream of the draft...
Since'75
April 21, 2026 at 06:57 pm
"......Green Bay Packers general Manager, he has continued with the draft and development standard set by his predecessor Ted Thompson."
Yea, i actually read the whole article, for once. It was short. 😏
Draft and Develop, kind of makes me scratch my head.
i mean...every team tries to draft and develop, don't they?
I just think some teams are better at it than others.
I suppose, no matter how you built your roster, all fans care about is winning.
*****
Always appreciate the winning history your team has had, never lose sight of that.
I think back to all the fans who hated Favre, or who hated Rodgers.
Put on your big boy pants and appreciate the 30 years of elite football they provided.
Other teams fans would kill to have had that.
PhantomII
April 21, 2026 at 09:58 pm
Draft and Develop does not mean it takes 4 years to make the starting roster and finally make a 2nd contract or re-draft rinse repeat. Developing a player is they start by year 2-beginning year 3, or it is just a waste unless said player becomes a pro bowl player in year 4...We have no drafted pro bowl players on this team by GB.....Damn...that is awful.
bjb2012sime
April 21, 2026 at 11:52 pm
Yet Gutey and MLF both received extensions. I guess I could live with Gutey but The Flower has reached his ceiling.
PhantomII
April 22, 2026 at 05:25 am
Ceiling with a pretty stacked team and FBHOF QB...
TKWorldWide
April 22, 2026 at 03:29 pm
If Gute can get offensive linemen with pick 52, it’ll be the heist of the decade. The old “two for one” cannot be beaten.