Three big draft mistakes the Green Bay Packers have made in recent years that are hurting the current team.
The NFL Draft isn’t a science. Getting every pick right is impossible, and the same is true for the Green Bay Packers.
However, success in the draft over multiple years helps teams build competitive rosters. For contenders, it can be important to hit on potential difference-makers that can help the team reach the next level.
Packers GM Brian Gutekunst has made some excellent moves in his first five draft classes. He brought Jaire Alexander, Rashan Gary, and Elgton Jenkins to Green Bay, three superstars at their respective positions.
However, Gutekunst hasn’t got it all right. Here are three of his biggest mistakes that are hurting the 2022 team.
3. Drafting Josh Myers ahead of Creed Humphrey
This is less to do with Josh Myers’ potential and more about how good Creed Humphrey is.
In 2021, the Packers needed a new center following the departure of All-Pro Corey Linsley in free agency. In the second round, Gutekunst opted for Ohio State center Myers.
It was a surprise at the time as Oklahoma’s Humphrey remained on the board, and the Kansas City Chiefs gladly selected him one pick later.
Myers only started six games as a rookie due to injury, although he has played every game this season. He has become a solid starter in Green Bay’s offensive line. According to ESPN, Myers ranks fifth in pass block win rate among centers this season.
However, Humphrey is already one of the league’s top players at the position. He is fourth in pass block win rate and first in run block win rate among centers this season, per ESPN. Last year, he led the league in pass rush win rate and was fifth in run block win rate.
Humphrey made the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2021 and was second in Pro Football Focus’ center rankings this past offseason.
While Myers is a solid starting center for the Packers, they missed out on a star in Humphrey.
2. Drafting Jace Sternberger over Terry McLaurin
In the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft, the Packers tried to find their future starting tight end by selecting Jace Sternberger. One pick later, the Washington Commanders picked wide receiver Terry McLaurin.
It couldn’t have gone much worse for the Packers.
Sternberger played a total of 18 games for the Packers, making 12 catches for 114 yards and a touchdown, before being released early in his third season.
McLaurin, meanwhile, has quickly become one of the NFL’s top wide receivers, making 249 catches for 3,530 yards and 18 touchdowns in 53 career games.
McLaurin has hit 1,000 yards receiving in each of the past two seasons and is on pace for another in 2022.
He caught five passes for 73 yards and a touchdown in the Commanders’ win over the Packers last week, despite matching up with All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander regularly. McLaurin came up with a huge catch on third down late in the fourth quarter to effectively win the game.
A need for wide receiver help is nothing new in Green Bay.
Green Bay could’ve had McLaurin and Davante Adams together at wide receiver for three seasons, with McLaurin becoming WR1 this year. He could’ve been a star in Matt LaFleur’s offense, catching passes from four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers.
A missed opportunity.
1. Drafting Jordan Love over Tee Higgins
Jordan Love could still eventually become QB1 in Green Bay. Maybe he becomes the Packers’ next star quarterback. Until he is given an opportunity to become the full-time starter, we won’t know.
However, in 2020, the Packers were serious Super Bowl contenders. They had just reached the NFC Championship Game on the back of a 13-win season.
Get the offense some more help, we thought. A wide receiver to go next to Davante Adams?
The dream of drafting Justin Jefferson quickly ended after the Minnesota Vikings picked him, and other top prospects like Jerry Jeudy and CeeDee Lamb were already gone. However, in a deep wide receiver class, the Packers had the opportunity to take another talented player in Clemson’s Tee Higgins.
Instead, they shocked the world by trading up for a quarterback, while Higgins went 33rd overall to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Higgins has become a key target for Joe Burrow in a Bengals passing offense that ranks fifth in the NFL after Week 7.
Higgins made 67 catches for 908 yards and six touchdowns as a rookie, then followed it up with 74 receptions for 1,091 yards and six touchdowns last season. He’s on pace for another 1,000-yard year in 2022.
He played a vital role in the Bengals’ Super Bowl run last year. Higgins caught seven passes for 96 yards in the divisional round, six for 103 yards in the AFC title game, then made four receptions for 100 yards and two touchdowns in the Super Bowl.
The Packers’ offense could’ve reached another level with Davante Adams and Tee Higgins as the top two wide receivers. And now with Adams gone, the Packers would’ve had an excellent young receiver ready to step into a bigger role in his third season.