Packers: Run on quarterbacks would benefit Green Bay in draft
The more quarterbacks selected before the Green Bay Packers in the 2018 NFL Draft, the better.
It’s unlikely the Packers will seriously consider selecting one of the draft‘s top passers this month. For general manager Brian Gutekunst, a run on quarterbacks would be great news.
While nothing is ever certain, and predicting the draft is almost impossible, there’s a good chance at least three quarterbacks will be taken before the Packers.
Despite trading for Tyrod Taylor, the Cleveland Browns need a quarterback. They own both the first and fourth selections, making it almost certain they select one of the top passers in the class. Should the Browns avoid the position and trade down, the team moving up would likely only do so for a quarterback.
The two New York teams should also be considered potential landing spots for quarterbacks at No. 2 and No. 3. The Jets traded up three spots from No. 6, which is a major giveaway.
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The Denver Broncos (No. 5), Miami Dolphins (No. 11) and Buffalo Bills (No. 12) could all be looking for a QB in the first round. Importantly, any of these three teams could attempt to trade up.
The Arizona Cardinals, who pick just after the Packers at No. 15, are candidates to trade up for a quarterback. Maybe the New England Patriots, who this week acquired a first-round pick for Brandin Cooks, have their eye on the successor to Tom Brady and will look to make a blockbuster trade.
Let’s hope all of the teams mentioned are interested in moving up. If four or five quarterbacks are gone (unlikely, but possible), the top defensive players will continue to slide closer to the Packers’ pick at No. 14.
As an example, let’s say the top three picks in the draft are all used on quarterbacks. That would leave 10 selections ahead of the Packers.
Saquon Barkley will be one of those. Bradley Chubb and Quenton Nelson too.
That leaves seven selections. And think of some of the names still available: Tremaine Edmunds, Denzel Ward, Derwin James, Roquan Smith and Minkah Fitzpatrick. All of a sudden the odds of one of these players falling to No. 14 increases. That’s before we mention Vita Vea, Marcus Davenport and Harold Landry.
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The Packers need immediate upgrades on defense. They have the opportunity to land a difference maker at No. 14. Teams in need of a quarterback could really help Gutekunst out here.
The more quarterbacks selected early, the better for the Packers.