Getty
Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Inexperienced Bay Packers reacts after a play towards the San Francisco 49ers throughout the NFC Championship recreation at Levi's Stadium on January 19, 2020 in Santa Clara, California.
Vast receiver was on the high of the wishlist for a lot of Inexperienced Bay Packers followers heading into the 2020 NFL draft, which was mentioned to be filled with proficient pass-catchers. Even quarterback Aaron Rodgers hoped to see extra weapons added to his arsenal after coming one recreation away from the Tremendous Bowl again in January.
However after three days and 9 picks, the Packers have been left with none of the 35 wideouts that have been drafted out of the 2020 class. They have been the one group within the NFC North to not draft a large receiver with the Minnesota Vikings taking one in every the primary and fifth rounds.
Because it seems, Packers common supervisor Brian Gutekunst didn’t suppose as extremely of the category from high to backside as some others across the league.
“I feel it was a bit bit the way in which every little thing fell early within the draft,” Gutekunst mentioned Saturday in a teleconference after the draft concluded. “Simply didn’t work out that we weren’t capable of choose from the blokes we had rated actually extremely. And as soon as we acquired to the center (and) in the direction of the top of the draft, I simply didn’t suppose there was an awesome alternative so as to add a participant who may make an impression on our roster this 12 months.”
Comply with the Heavy on Packers Fb web page for the newest breaking information, rumors and content material!
Gutekunst Content material With Present Packers WR
One of many causes the Packers abstained from the receiver-drafting frenzy was Gutekunst’s confidence within the group already in place for the subsequent season.
The Packers deliver again each extensive receiver from final 12 months’s roster apart from Geronimo Allison, who signed with the Detroit Lions after being allowed to stroll in free company. That makes 2019 standout Allen Lazard one of many main candidates to tackle an even bigger function subsequent season with free-agent signing Devin Funchess and third-year Marquez Valdes-Scantling anticipated to be his greatest competitors for the No. 2 receiving function behind star Davante Adams.
“You guys understand how onerous it's for younger gamers at that place to make impacts early on, actually with among the guys that we’ve had prior to now — that grew to become actually good gamers but it surely took them two or three years to get there,” Gutekunst mentioned. We type of have a couple of of these guys which can be coming into the second, third 12 months of their careers right here and expect lots out of them. With Allen Lazard type of rising, signing Devin Funchess, EQ (Equanimeous St. Brown) coming again, MVS (Marquez Valdes-Scantling), (Jake) Kumerow. We actually like Malik Taylor. We actually suppose we have now a whole lot of guys which can be going to be pushing for enjoying time and manufacturing.”
The Packers had the possibility to check each Valdes-Scantling and Kumerow in 2020, however they have been by no means given an actual have a look at how St. Brown may contribute as a pass-catcher. St. Brown, a sixth-round draft decide in 2018, impressed throughout final 12 months’s coaching camp, however a preseason ankle damage landed him on injured reserve for the complete 2019 season.
Gutekunst additionally talked about Taylor, who spent the 2019 season on the apply squad after lacking out on a roster spot on the finish of the coaching camp. Whereas he has but to make his NFL debut, a shout-out from the GM would possibly assist increase the 6-foot-3, 220-pound receiver’s confidence.
The Packers additionally signed CFL All-Star Reggie Begelton to the 2020 roster again within the winter, who Gutekunst mentioned “suits a whole lot of the issues we’re in search of” when requested about him Saturday.
“We be ok with the group,” Gutekunst mentioned. “We actually suppose there are some guys who've an opportunity to emerge.”
READ NEXT: Packers UDFA Tracker: Michigan State WR Headlines Signings
Post a Comment