Expect the unexpected at this stage of the offseason. Well, unless we're talking about the Green Bay Packers.
When it comes to draft prospects, the Packers are hilariously predictable. But it's not a bad thing. Brian Gutekunst follows in the footsteps of Ted Thompson and Ron Wolf when evaluating talent, and "The Packer Way" works.
Gutekunst prioritizes athleticism and elite traits and is willing to overlook college production.
The Packers also value premium positions, which explains why Gutekunst has used six of his nine first-round choices at quarterback, cornerback, and edge-rusher. He could do the same this offseason.
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Rashan Gary only made 10.5 sacks across three seasons at Michigan, but the Packers valued his athleticism, pass-rush traits, and All-Pro upside. Lukas Van Ness? The same story. He never started a game for Iowa and made 6.5 sacks as a sophomore, but the Packers believed he could develop into a star.
Whether you agree or disagree with the Packers' approach, this is how they operate. And it makes it easier to identify their potential targets.
Packers' meeting with possible first-rounder Shemar Stewart confirms what every fan thought
Packers fans identified Texas A&M edge-rusher Shemar Stewart as a classic Gutekunst target early in the offseason. The Packers confirmed it by hosting Stewart at Lambeau Field for a Top 30 visit. He posted a picture on his Instagram account.
It couldn't be less surprising.
Stewart checks every box for the Packers. He turned heads at the NFL Combine, leaving doubt about whether he will fall to Green Bay's selection at No. 23. Stewart earned a perfect 10.00 Relative Athletic Score after running a 4.59-second 40-yard dash while posting a 40-inch vertical jump and a 10-feet-11-inch broad jump.
The concern? Stewart made 1.5 sacks in all three seasons at Texas A&M. The talent is there, but he has yet to turn that into consistent production. Again, the Packers won't mind that. They're more interested in what a player can become in their system.
Stewart eased those concerns with a star performance at the Senior Bowl, proving he could win consistently against the best offensive linemen in this year's rookie class. Many draft analysts believe it's when, not if Stewart reaches his potential in the NFL.
"While the boom-or-bust label might be in play, it feels like a matter of time before it all starts to click at a high level," writes Lance Zierlein of NFL.com.
Interest is one thing. Stewart falling to the Packers' pick is another.
It's hard to imagine Gutekunst going in any other direction if the Texas A&M product is still available when the Packers hit the clock. Green Bay has failed to upgrade its pass rush in free agency, and Stewart has All-Pro potential at a premium position while also addressing the team's biggest need.
He could hear his name called in the top 15. At what point would Gutekunst consider trading up in front of the Green Bay crowd?
Their interest in Stewart is obvious, but do the Packers have any shot at drafting him?