Brian Gutekunst's draft track record isn't perfect. No general manager gets every pick right. To Gutey's credit, when he realizes he has made a mistake, he is quick to move on. He puts the Green Bay Packers first, even if that means admitting an error.
The Packers made 13 draft picks this year. They will all have an opportunity to compete for a roster spot, but it's no guarantee the entire rookie class will be part of the 53-man roster at the end of the summer.
There will be competition for roster spots across the board, from draft picks to returning players to free-agent additions.
It will give Gutekunst more tough decisions to make. Let's take a look at four Gutekunst draft picks who might not make the Packers' roster in 2023.
Packers roster cuts: 4 Brian Gutekunst draft picks that might not make the team
4. K Anders Carlson
Fans of rival teams are delighted to welcome the Packers to the world of not having a Hall-of-Fame quarterback following Aaron Rodgers' departure. We shouldn't overlook the potential challenges of life after Mason Crosby, too.
Crosby has given Green Bay something few teams enjoy: Years of consistent play at kicker. Many teams have had more kickers play for them in a week than the Packers have had in a decade-and-a-half.
While Crosby remains unsigned, the Packers drafted Auburn kicker Anders Carlson in the sixth round.
He will get the first opportunity to replace Crosby, but it's anything but guaranteed he makes the roster. Carlson converted 70.6% of field goal attempts last season and a disappointing 66.7% in 2021. How will he handle the pressure of kicking in the NFL?
The Packers haven't ruled out bringing Crosby back, and that's notable. They drafted Carlson, but the rookie will need to win the job this summer.
3. QB Sean Clifford
The Packers needed a backup quarterback, leading to them drafting Penn State's Sean Clifford in the fifth round. But we shouldn't assume Clifford will be Jordan Love's backup come September. He needs to prove himself throughout training camp and the preseason.
Clifford in the fifth round felt like a massive reach for the Packers.
According to Pro Football Focus: "He's a good athlete for the position but struggled mightily outside of structure, ranking in the 3rd percentile at the position in PFF grade under pressure over the past two seasons."
He will initially face competition from Danny Etling, who has more experience in the NFL and knows the Packers' offense. There's also the possibility the Packers add another quarterback to the mix, with plenty of veterans still available in free agency.
Teddy Bridgewater, Carson Wentz, and Joe Flacco are free agents. They would all offer a ton of experience that could help Jordan Love, and they would all be capable of stepping into a starting role should Love miss any time.
Clifford was a draft pick, and the Packers liked him enough to select him in the fifth round, but that won't count for much if he struggles at training camp. He needs to prove himself in the coming months.
2. S Tariq Carpenter
Tariq Carpenter didn't do a whole lot wrong in his rookie season. Drafted in the seventh round a year ago, Carpenter saw his snap counts increase as the season went on.
According to Pro Football Reference, he played double-digit special teams snaps in four of the final five games of the regular season, having done so only twice in the previous nine games he played.
Carpenter was a valuable special teams contributor late in the season, and he even played a handful of defensive snaps.
However, there are only so many spots available at safety on the 53-man roster, and the Packers have added depth at the position this offseason.
Darnell Savage is a starter. This offseason, the Packers signed Jonathan Owens and Tarvarius Moore, and re-signed Rudy Ford and Dallin Leavitt. They also drafted Anthony Johnson Jr. in the seventh round, and he has the talent to make the roster.
Where does that leave Carpenter? He isn't the only safety who can play a significant number of special teams snaps, either. Moore, Ford, Leavitt, and Johnson can also contribute.
All Carpenter can do is focus on playing well over the summer, but the Packers' offseason moves at safety haven't helped his chances of making the roster.
1. G Sean Rhyan
The last thing the Packers want to do is move on from another third-round pick. Two of Brian Gutekunst's recent third-round selections -- Jace Sternberger and Amari Rodgers -- were released way before the end of their rookie contracts.
Sean Rhyan has work to do to make the roster this year.
At training camp last summer, Rhyan rarely got opportunities with the first-team offense. He was then inactive for all but one game during the regular season. In the game he was active, Rhyan played a single special teams snap.
Suspension ruled Rhyan out of the final six games of the regular season.
With the Packers' depth across the offensive line along with Rhyan's disappointing rookie year, he needs to play well at training camp. There's still time for him to improve, make the roster, and become a contributor on offense.
However, Rhyan needs to make a fast start over the summer. Brian Gutekunst has shown he is willing to move on from draft picks, even if they were taken as early as the third round.
Rhyan doesn't need to become a starter in 2023, but he needs to show he can contribute. Starting at OTAs and continuing into training camp and the preseason, Rhyan has to improve in year two.