Jeffrey Phelps / Associated Press
Often in the evening of the draft there is a feeling that the Green Bay Packers are trolling not only quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but all of us.
This was again the case in the first round of the 2022 draft on Thursday night, when the Green Bay regime, led by general manager Brian Gutekunst and head coach Matt Lafleur, again failed to address the Rodgers support team.
This marked the 20th consecutive draft in which the Packers decided not to choose a successor, tight end or ring in round 1. And in the last 11 first rounds, the only offensive player they chose was inexplicably another quarterback.
Most of us thought, or at least hoped, that this was Rodgers’ supreme troll work. April 23, 2020: Gutekunst swaps round 1 with Tee Higgins, Michael Pittman Jr. and Chase Claypool on board … and chooses former Utah caller Jordan Love 26th overall.
Brian Gutekunst continues to broadcast WRs.Michael Conroy / Associated Press
But it was much more disgusting because it happened about six weeks after the team swapped the first All-Pro Davante Adams team to the Las Vegas Raiders, came about six weeks after the team made Rogers the highest paid player in NFL history on average. value and came when the Packers had two choices in the first round with former Georgia pass-keeper George Pickens on board.
“He has size, ball skills and enough athleticism to be an X receiver that basically drives a vertical tree on the route, which will also allow him to use his body strength and grip range,” writes B / R NFL Scout Nate Tice for Pickens. “Its size will turn into a red zone and blocking it will be an advantage right away.”
Pickens, of course, could drop out of Green Bay in the lower half of the second round, in which case the organization may be lucky. But this is far from a given and the risk was not worth taking with two selections from the first round in their back pocket.
Instead, Green Bay used both selections of Georgia’s previous seven defenders at Quay Walker (22nd overall) and Devonne Wyatt (28th overall). They weren’t hungry for an out-of-ball midfielder (who may have been an overdraft) or a 24-year-old defender.
Now Rodgers may miss Adams even more. Mat Lutke / Associated Press
Nothing more than these shots against these guys, but this is a team that already has Rashan Gary, Preston Smith, De’Vondre Campbell and Kenny Clark in front of D, but is ready to rely on Sammy Watkins and Alan Lazard as perhaps the first two width receivers.
Six receivers got off the board before the Packers were first on the clock on Thursday night, but they had the draft capital to make the move. Instead, six contestants improved to a key position, while the Arizona Cardinals and Philadelphia Eagles made deals for proven veterans, Marquis Brown and AJ Brown, respectively.
All this while the Packers sat on the sidelines. It’s just stupid.
And yes, it’s a deep thrust for receivers. This was the case in 2021, when they finally chose Clemson from Amari Rodgers in Round 3, but the reality is that the 10th or 11th or infinitely tenth receiver taken in any draft is unlikely to become a major goal and it’s clear that Rodgers needs to put this team at the top for the first time in a dozen seasons.
After all, even with Adams, Rodgers and Packers, they have won just two playoff games since 2017. If the process of thinking is that they are not distinguished by a stellar receiver and therefore need to focus elsewhere, this would be contrary to the whole league change in favor of elite players in this position. And in terms of being geniuses against the grain, the Packers have not won the benefit of any doubt.
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When Packers do not compile WR https://t.co/1jfOxXo2Wc
Maybe the front office had discussed this with Rodgers in advance. With a new contract, he may avoid making a scene on social media, in the locker room or on the Pat McAfee Show. In fact, this is already true. So far anyway. But that doesn’t change the fact that the Packers are currently in a worse position on the offensive than before Adams became a star four years ago.
The offensive was rated higher than the defense last year and with a significant difference. But that doesn’t mean all-in defense will fix the ship. Building a winner has never been so easy, and we all know that a great attack with a well-maintained outstanding quarterback usually prevails as a well-balanced contender or even defender.
Do packers know that? Will they ever realize it? Or just troll?
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