Twenty-three years have come and gone, and the Green Bay Packers haven't selected a wide receiver in the first round of the NFL Draft.
We've all heard about it.
Here's the deal: it's a myth. The Packers don't have a problem drafting a wide receiver in the first round. In fact, they have actively tried to do just that during the Brian Gutekunst era.
Gutekunst reportedly attempted to trade up for Justin Jefferson in 2020 before the Minnesota Vikings turned that dream into a nightmare. He also targeted Brandon Aiyuk before the San Francisco 49ers leapfrogged the Packers. It worked out, with the Packers landing Jordan Love.
Fast forward two years, and Gutekunst tried it again. The Athletic's Chad Graff reported that Green Bay attempted to move back into the first round to select Christian Watson. Gutekunst ultimately struck a deal to leap to No. 34 overall, only two picks outside of the first round.
The Packers have zero issues with selecting a receiver in the first round. Correlation does not imply causation. Now, they may finally put the myth to bed once and for all.
Packers are perfectly positioned to finally draft a wide receiver in the first round
Wide receiver is likely on the Packers' draft-day shopping list again. Watson will miss time with a torn ACL, and he joins Romeo Doubs on the list of upcoming free agents in 2026. Green Bay has done extensive work on the top wide receiver prospects, a clear hint that Gutekunst is preparing for the future.
The Packers have hosted Ohio State's Emeka Egbuka, Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan, and Texas' Matthew Golden, all of whom could go in the first round.
Their list of pre-draft visits also includes Colorado State's Tory Horton and Maryland's Tai Felton, two names to watch on Day 2.
The draft board will dictate how likely the Packers are to take a first-round receiver. If Egbuka, McMillan, and Golden are gone before No. 23 overall, Gutekunst won't reach for another player at the position. But what if one of them falls into the Packers' lap or, more interestingly, reaches a realistic trade-up range?
It's far from guaranteed that Green Bay will draft a first-round wide receiver, but it's a realistic possibility. The team's lack of first-round swings is often viewed as an outdated organizational philosophy, proof that they are stuck in their ways. In reality, it's all down to the circumstances in each draft.
The Packers won't shy away from drafting a first-round receiver if it aligns with their board. They may get the perfect opportunity to squash the myth once and for all next Thursday night.