Packers: Re-grading the 2020 draft class three years on
The Green Bay Packers‘ 2020 draft class is the most memorable to date under general manager Brian Gutekunst.
After reaching the NFC Championship Game only three months earlier, many expected the Packers to address areas of need like wide receiver, defensive tackle, and inside linebacker.
Instead, Gutekunst drafted Jordan Love, AJ Dillon, and Josiah Deguara with the top three picks.
Understandably, many fans were frustrated. Love would be the backup quarterback, Dillon would begin his career as the number three running back, while Deguara would also start as a backup.
So, was Gutekunst right all along, or were the early criticisms of this draft class correct?
Green Bay Packers’ 2020 draft class
- Round 1 (26): Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
- Round 2 (62): AJ Dillon, RB, Boston College
- Round 3 (94): Josiah Deguara, TE, Cincinnati
- Round 5 (175): Kamal Martin, LB, Minnesota
- Round 6 (192): Jon Runyan Jr., OL, Michigan
- Round 6 (208): Jake Hanson, C, Oregon
- Round 6 (209): Simon Stepaniak, OL, Indiana
- Round 7 (236): Vernon Scott, S, TCU
- Round 7 (242): Jonathan Garvin, EDGE, Miami (FL)
Final grade: C
In my immediate draft grades in 2020, I wrote that it was a “head-scratching draft class” by the Packers. They desperately needed a wide receiver but drafted none.
This draft will forever be remembered for the Jordan Love pick.
Three years on, we still don’t know whether it was a good decision. Aaron Rodgers has since won two NFL MVP awards and remained QB1. Only when Love gets his opportunity will we know.
If Love becomes a star quarterback in Green Bay, this draft will be an A+ automatically.
But if Love isn’t the long-term answer, this draft class will deserve an F.
Gutekunst took a risk in 2020. He didn’t draft a player like Tee Higgins, who could’ve helped a talented Packers team compete. Higgins has finished with over 1,000 yards the past two seasons, helping the Cincinnati Bengals reach the Super Bowl and AFC Championship Game.
If Love becomes the Packers’ next great quarterback, it will have been worth it.
The 2020 draft class was for the future.
Love was the future at QB. Dillon was a replacement for Jamaal Williams. But then Rodgers won his third MVP and the Packers’ plan to build for the future seemingly went out the window.
A “head-scratching draft class” was correct. But if Love becomes a great starting quarterback, Gutekunst will have made the right decision.