Packers quarterback is turning heads at OTAs, and it's not Jordan Love

Jordan Love is a rising star and about to get paid. We already know that.

But the real interest at quarterback this summer surrounds the backup job. The Green Bay Packers were impressed with Sean Clifford in his rookie year but added competition by drafting Michael Pratt in the seventh round this offseason.

Many draft analysts predicted Pratt would hear his name called early on Day 3, making it even more surprising when the Packers selected him with their penultimate pick.

Green Bay found draft steals in the later rounds last year with Karl Brooks, Dontayvion Wicks, and Carrington Valentine. Brian Gutekunst may have done it again.

Packers rookie Michael Pratt is already turning heads at OTAs

It's way too early to draw any conclusions with the Packers' backup quarterback competition, but Pratt has made a strong impression so far. He reportedly led an impressive two-minute drill during Wednesday's practice session, ruined only by a dropped pass and sack.

"Michael Pratt can whip it. I have no idea if he can play QB at this level, but the kid can sling," writes Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.

Wood makes an important point. We're a long way from knowing whether Pratt can find success against real NFL defenses—training camp and the preseason will give us a clearer picture. But there's good reason to be confident.

According to Bill Huber of Sports Illustrated, Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy believed Pratt could be a third-round pick, calling it a "shocker" that he fell as far as he did. Meanwhile, PFF's draft guide noted that Pratt is a "potential starter" in the future.

Pratt's play on the practice field this spring backs that up. He has been impressive.

The work is far from over, and Clifford will have something to say about who backs up Love this season, but the Packers have to be delighted with the first impression made by their seventh-round pick. Green Bay has a history of drafting and developing quality backup quarterbacks, eventually trading some of them. Gutekunst has drafted two quarterbacks since last April, both of whom have impressed with limited opportunities.

Pratt is a player to watch throughout the summer.

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