The Green Bay Packers have had a number of questionable first round picks over the past five years. As another pivotal draft approaches for the Green and Gold, here as an evaluation of Brian Gutekunst last five draft picks as the Packers’ General Manager:
Devonte Wyatt, DL Georgia (C-)
With the 28th pick in the 2022 draft the Packers chose to further strengthen the defensive line with 2021 college national champion Devonte Wyatt.
Wyatt struggled to make too much of an instant impact in the 2022 season due to limited playing opportunities early on but really came on strong towards the end of the season when he recorded his first sack against the Lions in week 18.
Quay Walker, Linebacker Georgia (C+)
Many were surprised when the Packers used their first selection in the 2022 draft on a linebacker however Quay Walker definitely showed he was worthy of that selection.
Walker was a real bright spot in this most recent Packers rookie class however his grade here is spoiled slightly due his lapse in judgment in week 18 against the Lions as those are the kind of moments that you just simply can’t allow to happen in such key moments in the season.
Eric Stokes, Cornerback (B)
While his 2022 season was cut short due to injury Eric Stokes’ 2021 season was impressive enough to earn him a B.
Stokes played phenomenal football in his rookie year breaking up 14 passes and intercepting 1 which really helped the team during Jaire Alexanders absence through injury.
Jordan Love, Quarterback (F)
There really is no way of drawing it up the Packers front office experiment with Jordan Love just hasn’t worked how they saw it.
With Aaron Rodgers future up in the air for the third consecutive year we just may never see Jordan Love be the starting quarterback for the Packers.
When Jordan Love has played he’s looked solid enough but for a first round quarterback to be benched for three straight seasons I can’t grade it any higher than an F.
Darnell Savage, Safety (C)
Savage has been as up and down a player as you’ll see drafted in the first round.
Savage’s first few seasons with the team he played at an exceptional level helping the team to double digit wins in each of them however that form didn’t hold up in 2022.
The 2022 season was a tough one for the Packers and Darnell Savage particularly suffered to the point where he was benched for Rudy Ford however he responded that brilliantly at the back end of the year when he was brought back into the fold so there’s still hope for his development going forward.
Rashan Gary, Defensive End (A)
Rashan Gary is an absolute home run pick for the Packers as he’s developed himself into one of the most dominant edge rushers in the league.
After Za’Darius Smith’s injury Gary had big shoes to fill and he stepped up and delivered emphatically to the point the Packers let Smith go which speaks volumes as to how good Rashan Gary has played.
Gary has recorded 22.5 sacks in his first few seasons while seeing limited snaps and injury issues so who know what that number could potentially jump to in the coming years.
