If you had the Packers taking a quarterback, running back and fullback/tight end hybrid with their first three picks of the NFL Draft, raise your hand.
Now put your hand down because you’re lying.
General manager Brian Gutekunst’s selections of Utah State quarterback Jordan Love with the 26th pick, Boston College running back AJ Dillon with the 62nd pick and Cincinnati tight end Josiah Deguara with the 94th pick have left Packers fans confused and frustrated.
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Their team has yet to draft a wide receiver, inside linebacker, offensive tackle or defensive lineman, arguably their four most pressing positional needs.
While the premium players in each group are long gone, the Packers still have six remaining selections on Saturday – one in the fifth round, three in the sixth and two in the seventh. They traded their original fourth-round pick to the Dolphins to move up four spots for Love on Thursday night.
The Packers have found players like Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, Aaron Jones, Mason Crosby, James Starks, Scott Wells and Mark Tauscher in Rounds 5-7, so there’s hope one of their potential six selections blossoms into a stalwart. Gutekunst may be testing your patience, but don’t abandon ship just yet.
“Early tomorrow we’ll hit the phones and see what’s out there,” Gutekunst said late Friday night. “With those picks in the back, there might be something that intrigues us to go up. At the same time, I think we’d be pretty happy to sit there and pick, as well. We feel the board’s pretty strong right now, especially with where we sit with those picks.
“Again, you never know the opportunities that are going to present themselves as you go through the draft but, right now, I feel pretty good about it.”
Here are 12 players the Packers might target on Day 3, accompanied by scouting reports from The Athletic NFL’s Dane Brugler.
Wide receiver
This is what I wrote in my Day 2 draft preview: “What might be even more stunning than the Packers drafting Love is the Packers not taking a wide receiver on Day 2. They signed Devin Funchess in free agency to help Davante Adams and Allen Lazard, but they could still use a faster wideout or one who operates primarily out of the slot.”
Well, consider me stunned.
You have to think the Packers take a wideout on Saturday.
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Antonio Gandy-Golden, Liberty: Gandy-Golden lacks route polish and dynamic speed, but his rangy ball skills and natural balance allow him to win over the top or finish with defenders draped all over him. He projects as a potential starter on the outside in the NFL.
Donovan Peoples-Jones, Michigan: Peoples-Jones is a physically gifted athlete with the size, ball skills and long-striding speed required to be a playmaker, but he isn’t a natural separator in his routes and reliability is a major concern. He projects as a high risk, high reward target.
Quintez Cephus, Wisconsin: Cephus needs to better coordinate the athleticism within his routes, but his hardwood background is apparent with his body control and ball skills. He has impact potential if he adds polish.
Inside linebacker
If Christian Kirksey remains healthy – he’s played only nine games the last two seasons – he’ll be defensive coordinator Mike Pettine’s No. 1 inside linebacker. If the Packers aren’t confident Curtis Bolton, Ty Summers and/or Oren Burks can play alongside him, they’ll need to draft someone who can be the base defense No. 2 and even fill in at No. 1 if Kirksey gets hurt again.
Akeem Davis-Gaither, Appalachian State: Davis-Gaither needs to fine-tune his take-on skills and develop his cover instincts, but his twitched-up athleticism and confident play speed help mask his technical flaws. He could be a sub-package linebacker as a rookie who should shine on special teams.
Markus Bailey, Purdue: Bailey isn’t a twitchy athlete, but his eyes and instincts allow him to play fast, offering the instincts and competitive
makeup to be a long-term pro and borderline starter if (huge if) he stays healthy.
Troy Dye, Oregon: Dye looks like a modern-day linebacker with his length and athleticism, but he plays more like a safety with questions about his functional strength and scheme fit in the NFL. He projects as an immediate backup and special teamer.
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Offensive tackle
Gutekunst might have to draft someone to protect Rodgers’ strong side in the final years of his career who also serves as an insurance option if the 30-year-old Rick Wagner falters.
Prince Tega Wanogho, Auburn: Wanogho doesn’t currently play with consistent timing or cohesion (and his knee issue is a question mark), but he is a toolsy prospect with NFL starting potential due to his light-footed athleticism and reliable football character.
Ben Bartch, Saint John’s (Minn.): Bartch faces a considerable jump in competition and NFL rushers will throw things at him that Division III was unable to replicate, but his athletic feet, fundamentals and awareness are promising building blocks. He projects as a down-the-road starter.
Hakeem Adeniji, Kansas: Adeniji doesn’t have the power to overwhelm NFL-level defenders, but as long as his technique stays consistent, he has enough athleticism to get the job done, projecting as a swing tackle with the versatility to handle interior snaps.
Defensive line
The Packers finished tied for 23rd in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game last season (120.1). Everyone on the line besides Kenny Clark should be on the hot seat.
James Lynch, Baylor: Lynch doesn’t have ideal length, which might limit his ideal scheme fit, but he competes with balance and power to hold up inside with the dependable football character that will endear himself to coaches.
Leki Fotu, Utah: Fotu is still discovering how to be efficient with his unique skill set, but he displays the athletic traits, heavy hands and powerful lower half to be a productive NFL gap plugger.
Larrell Murchison, North Carolina State: Murchison doesn’t have the length or explosive traits that evaluators usually bet on, but he has obvious pass-rush potential due to his quickness, timing and relentless hustle.
(Photo of Quintez Cephus: Jesse Johnson / USA Today Sports)
