Packers land star defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt in first round of draft

Defense wins championships. For the Green Bay Packers, it’s another star defensive player from Georgia.

After selecting his teammate Quay Walker at No. 22 overall, the Packers have picked defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt at No. 28.

Green Bay’s defense could be scary in 2022.

Wyatt is one of the best defensive tackles in the class, and he now joins a Packers defensive line featuring Pro Bowler Kenny Clark, free-agent addition Jarran Reed, and Dean Lowry.

By the time Green Bay hit the clock for the first time at No. 22 overall, most of the top wide receivers were off the board. GM Brian Gutekunst didn’t reach for a receiver late in the first and instead decided to strengthen the defense.

There will be plenty of opportunities to get some wide receiver help on Day 2, and it wouldn’t be surprising if the team traded up in the second round. Maybe another Georgia player, wide receiver George Pickens, could be a Day 2 target.

In Wyatt, the Packers are getting an instant starter for Joe Barry’s defense.

Gutekunst has got Kenny Clark some big-time help this offseason, first by signing Jarran Reed, and now by drafting Devonte Wyatt.

Interestingly, Green Bay didn’t trade up in the first round, something Gutekunst loves to do.

It now means that the Packers’ past three first-round picks have all been defensive players from Georgia: cornerback Eric Stokes, inside linebacker Quay Walker, and defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt.

The Packers had a strong defense in 2021, and they were dominant in the playoff defeat to the San Francisco 49ers. Tonight, they’ve added even more talent on this side of the ball. Not a bad thing.

When it comes to wide receivers, don’t panic. There’s still plenty of talent left on the board including George Pickens, Christian Watson, Alec Pierce, and Jalen Tolbert. The Packers can get their wide receivers on Day 2.