A new mock draft shows the Packers making a familiar move that will upset fans

admin | December 22, 2023 | Other Clubs | No Comments

In the first round of the NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers select a defensive back. If you’ve heard that before, get off the train.

Since 2018, Green Bay general manager Brian Gutekunst has thrown a lot of draft cash into his defense, notably the defensive backfield. That’s why the Packers’ defensive difficulties during the Joe Barry era have been so disheartening, and why so many people are asking for Barry’s firing with the Packers at 6-8 and coming off two big losses that might be blamed mainly on the team’s defense.

It’s a sore point in Green Bay, but Gutekunst is double down in the defensive backfield in the latest CBS Sports 2024 NFL Mock Draft.

Analyst Chris Trapasso believes the Packers will select Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry with the 11th pick.

“McKinstry is the exact cornerback the Packers probably need moving forward in their secondary,” Trapasso said in a statement.

While it’s difficult to fault the Packers for selecting probably the greatest cornerback in the draft, in the context of Gutekunst’s tenure, this choice would be vexing for fans.

If the Packers take McKinstry, as this mock implies, he will be the ninth defensive first-round pick in Gutekunst’s tenure and the fourth defensive back (cornerback Jaire Alexander in 2018, safety Darnell Savage in 2019, and cornerback Eric Stokes in 2021).

Alexander was mainly a hit for Gutekunst, but he’s been prone to injuries recently. Stokes, who showed potential as a rookie but hasn’t been able to stay healthy since, is in the same boat. And what about Savage? He’s shown promise, but he’s mostly been a letdown.

Of course, this mock does not account for the likely new defensive coordinator in place of Barry (whose contract expires this offseason), but Packers fans would be left scratching their heads at Gutekunst devoting yet another first-round pick to a defensive unit that has largely underperformed since Green Bay won the Super Bowl in 2010.

It may be argued that an offensive lineman to protect Jordan Love, or perhaps a running back, would be a better first-round pick given neither Aaron Jones nor A.J. Dillon are guaranteed to return next season.

If Gutekunst had to improve the secondary, how about some new blood at safety?

In any case, another first-round cornerback is not what this club requires right now.