Packers reportedly 'stole' two targets from NFC rival in NFL Draft

Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst is often questioned for his decision-making in the NFL Draft, mostly when it comes to "reaching" for prospects.

Safety Evan Williams is a perfect example. Initial reactions to the Packers trading up for Williams in the fourth round suggested Gutekunst had overdrafted him. However, Senior Bowl director Jim Nagy noted that several teams were "quietly hoping" Williams "would fall to them in Round 4."

Gutekunst was right to move up.

And a recent report suggests Gutekunst couldn't have valued running back MarShawn Lloyd or quarterback Michael Pratt any more perfectly. He drafted them at exactly the right moment, stealing them from an NFC rival.

Packers reportedly drafted MarShawn Lloyd and Michael Pratt right before Bucs planned to

According to Scott Reynolds of Pewter Report, the Packers selected a Tampa Bay Buccaneers target one pick before them twice during the NFL Draft.

Reynolds reports that Tampa Bay "really liked" running back MarShawn Lloyd and wanted to draft him in Round 3. Unfortunately for the Bucs, Lloyd went to Green Bay one pick before they hit the clock. And it reportedly happened again in Round 7.

"The Packers also stole a prospect right in front of the Bucs in the seventh round," reports Reynolds. "Tampa Bay was contemplating drafting Tulane quarterback Michael Pratt in the seventh round."

Again, Green Bay took Pratt one pick before Tampa Bay had the chance.

To quote the famous Jeremy Clarkson meme: "Oh no! Anyway..."

It feels good. We're still not over Scotty Miller's touchdown catch before halftime or Baker Mayfield's perfect passer rating at Lambeau Field, so it's about time the Packers got some revenge. It will feel even sweeter when Lloyd is running all over the Bucs' defense the next time these two teams meet.

Then, once the game is out of sight, Pratt will enter and throw a couple of touchdown passes for good measure.

NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah called Lloyd the best running back in the draft, while Pratt has starting potential in the league someday. The hope is Green Bay can develop him and eventually trade him for a better draft pick. In the meantime, Pratt can provide quality cover behind Jordan Love.

Lloyd and Pratt can become two excellent picks for the Packers. Thankfully, they were ahead of the Bucs in Rounds 3 and 7.

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