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Jaire Alexander of Louisville reacts with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #18 general by the Inexperienced Bay Packers through the first spherical of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas.
Brian Gutekunst has been no stranger to reducing offers and swapping positions through the NFL draft, having buying and selling out of his preliminary first-round choose in every of his two seasons because the Inexperienced Bay Packers common supervisor. And from the sounds of it, 2020 may make it three in a row.
Gutekunst spoke with members of the Packers media by way of convention name Monday afternoon and answered some preliminary questions earlier than the beginning of the 2020 NFL draft at 7 p.m. CT on Thursday, together with whether or not he plans to proceed his trade-around technique in his third draft as head honcho.
“I’d like to maneuver round,” Gutekunst mentioned, by way of The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman. “I believe it’s an excellent draft. I’d like to maneuver round and get to the areas of the draft which are sturdy.”
The Packers are at the moment in possession of 10 picks for the draft with three within the sixth spherical and two within the seventh spherical. Additionally they personal the No. 30 general choose within the first spherical after a profitable 2019 marketing campaign noticed them end 13-Three and make it so far as the NFC championship recreation.
“Whether or not we come out of it with 10 picks or roughly, we’ve obtained sufficient ammunition to maneuver round slightly bit and do what we gotta do,” Gutekunst mentioned.
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Gutekunst Retains Door Open for Drafting QB
Throughout Monday’s name, Gutekunst additionally talked about he has mentioned among the Packers’ personnel selections with quarterback Aaron Rodgers this offseason, which isn’t unusual given his longstanding historical past because the crew’s centerpiece. He didn’t specify which selections they mentioned, however he did say they didn’t speak concerning the crew drafting a quarterback.
The Packers don’t have a right away want for a brand new quarterback with Rodgers signed by way of the 2023 season and nonetheless taking part in at a excessive stage, however some have begun to surprise when the crew will search out a alternative for the 36-year-old passer. He’s now a yr older than Brett Favre was in 2005 when the Packers drafted Rodgers to be groomed as his successor.
However Gutekunst additionally mentioned he believes Rodgers can be very understanding if they chose a quarterback in 2020, which tracks with what Rodgers has mentioned when addressing the chance.
“Properly, look, I’m a realist,” Rodgers mentioned in early March. “I do know the place we’re at as a company and the place I’m at in my profession. I nonetheless really feel like I’ve a ton of years left taking part in at a excessive stage. I’ve all the time felt prefer it doesn’t matter who you herald, they’re not going to have the ability to beat me out anytime quickly. I really feel actually assured about my talents and my place.”
The Packers have held digital pre-draft conferences with a couple of of the larger names within the 2020 quarterback class, together with Utah State’s Jordan Love and Oklahoma’s Jalen Hurts — each of whom could possibly be off the board earlier than the top of the second spherical.
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