Packers: PFF highlights huge mistake by GM Brian Gutekunst

Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst has made some genius moves over the years. Unfortunately, there are several he almost certainly regrets.

Two years ago, the Packers made the decision not to re-sign center Corey Linsley, who was coming off a first-team All-Pro season. Linsley had started 99 regular-season games across seven seasons in Green Bay.

The Packers couldn't afford to keep everyone, so they moved on.

Center became one of the Packers' biggest offseason needs, and Gutekunst agreed, selecting Josh Myers in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Myers is a solid player and starter along the Packers' offensive line, but Gutekunst got it wrong.

Pro Football Focus rankings highlight Packers draft mistake

The Packers selected Myers with the 62nd overall pick. Another center, Creed Humphrey, went the very next pick to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Picking Myers over Humphrey was a huge mistake by Gutekunst, and one the Chiefs must be delighted worked out in their favor.

Gordon McGuinness of Pro Football Focus has ranked the top 32 centers ahead of the 2023 season. Humphrey is No. 1, Linsley No. 3 -- the player the Packers should've drafted, and the one they let walk in free agency. Myers is at No. 19.

McGuinness wrote: "A second-round pick in 2021 out of Ohio State, Myers improved in his second season in the league, seeing his PFF grade increase from 54.9 on 349 snaps as a rookie to 60.4 on 1,091 snaps in Year 2. It's fair to expect some improvement again this season, which could see him ranked much higher, but his floor is likely a top-20 starter at the position."

And that's absolutely right. Myers is a solid starter, but how much upside does he have? It's not even a guarantee he will start for the Packers this season.

Humphrey would've been the perfect replacement for Linsley. In his first two seasons, Humphrey has been to the Pro Bowl and named a second-team All-Pro. Now, he is at the top of PFF's center rankings.

He could've played for the Packers. Green Bay didn't just need a center, but it also drafted Myers one pick before Humphrey went to the Chiefs.

Gutekunst decided Myers was the right choice over Humphrey. Two years later, it has proven to be a huge mistake.

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