Green Bay Packers: Breaking Down Each 2015 Draft Pick
By Kenn Korb
Nov 8, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Brett Hundley (17) participates in pre game warmups against the Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Round 5: Brett Hundley (QB)
I actually love this pick.
Oct 18, 2014; Berkeley, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Brett Hundley (17) throws the ball against the California Golden Bears in the third quarter at Memorial Stadium. The Bruins won 36-34. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Yes, it is a luxury (again). Yes, Green Bay had to trade up to get him (losing their 7th rounder in the process).
But this finally gives Mike McCarthy a highly-touted prospect at QB to mold.
Besides having B.J. Coleman a few years ago, the Packers have not drafted a QB in a long time. The last one before Coleman? Brian Brohm and Matt Flynn in 2008.
That time we saw the highly touted guy not turn out well (Brohm was an undoubtable bust), but this is different. Brohm was a second rounder, while Hundley is from the fifth round — less risk for sure.
That draft did happen to give the Packers a long-time backup with Flynn however, something Hundley could be looked at to be if he develops well.
He has plenty of great measurables and physical ability to work with, which McCarthy sounds excited to build upon.
Scott Tolzien may already be on the roster as a guy McCarthy has been molding, but Hundley has a much higher ceiling.
Keep it straight: if Hundley ever has to play for the Packers, we are probably in trouble. The step down from Aaron Rodgers to anyone else is an abyss that would swallow up the offense’s power. But give him time learning under McCarthy, working with all the firepower Green Bay has to work with, and that abyss could turn into a steep hill instead.
Plus, the better he becomes the higher the potential return could be if he is ever traded.
That could be the real plan here.
If Green Bay does take this guy with raw abilities and forge him into an intriguing trade option for other teams in an ever-QB-needy league, I’m not mad at all. Those kind of players have the potential to bring back some good draft capital.
To me, anything above his original draft status — even if it is a few years down the line — would be a win.
If no trade? Well I can live with having a specially-molded prospect sitting behind Aaron Rodgers for three or four years.