The Green Bay Packers had their hearts broken by the Philadelphia Eagles. Just one pick before the Packers were set to hit the clock, Philadelphia traded up to land Iowa's Cooper DeJean.
The Packers then immediately traded down, which potentially says everything we needed to know.
To make it even worse, the Packers passed on Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry, who the Saints moved up to get.
Philadelphia has selected cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and DeJean, two perfect Packers prospects. It's the draft Green Bay fans dreamed of. But the Eagles were willing to make the deal, and the Packers either weren't interested or couldn't trade up.
The good news? Green Bay got good value back in a trade.
Everything to know about Packers trade with Saints in Round 2 of NFL Draft 2024
After missing out on DeJean, general manager Brian Gutekunst sent the No. 41 pick to New Orleans, acquiring two Day 3 picks in return. Here are the full details:
It's good and smart business by Green Bay.
In Guetkunst we trust, right? Well, we should. As heartbreaking as it was to lose out on DeJean and McKinstry, this is a very similar trade to one Green Bay made last year. In 2023, the Packers quickly traded down twice at a similar stage in the second round, acquiring a fifth and sixth. They would use those picks to select Dontayvion Wicks and Karl Brooks.
That worked pretty well for Green Bay. Hopefully, the same will happen again here.
Gutekunst said he wanted to get up to 12-13 picks. The Packers entered the draft with 11, but they have now added two more. This roster needs depth across the board, and they have the opportunity to strengthen in areas of need with 12 more selections to come, beginning at No. 45.