Packers: Ranking top 10 moves of Brian Gutekunst’s tenure

2. The 2019 free agency class

Spending big in free agency is a risk and, for the most part, teams fail when they take this approach often. Gutekunst made four big free-agent moves in 2019, and hit on all of them.

Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith fixed the Packers’ pass rush. Za’Darius made 26 sacks in his first two seasons and was a Pro Bowler in each. Preston has 25 sacks in three years and has started 45 of 48 games in that time.

Adrian Amos is one of the best safeties in the NFL. He hasn’t missed a game for the Packers and rarely makes mistakes. Amos has six interceptions and 25 pass defenses since 2019.

Billy Turner has started all 43 games he’s played and should be the Packers’ starting right tackle for years to come. He has the versatility to play across the line but has been outstanding at right tackle.

Gutekunst made four big swings in 2019 free agency. He hit a home run with each.

1. First round of 2018 draft

Drafting Jaire Alexander — now an All-Pro cornerback and one of the best in the league — in the first round of Gutekunst’s first draft class is deserving of top spot by itself.

But Gutekunst didn’t just draft Alexander, but he also landed a future first-round pick in the process. The Packers were originally sitting at 14th overall but traded down to 27th, before moving back up to 18th. Gutekunst got the player he wanted in Alexander, while the initial trade-down landed the Packers the New Orleans Saints’ 2019 first-round pick.

Just phenomenal work from Gutekunst.

Alexander has become one of the best cornerbacks in football. In his first four seasons, he has made 44 pass defenses and five interceptions. He made the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2019 and was a Pro Bowler and second-team All-Pro in 2020.