Ranking the drafts of Packers' current regime under Brian Gutekunst

Brian Gutekunst is preparing for his seventh draft as Green Bay Packers general manager. He has brought a new style to The Packer Way. While many of Ron Wolf's draft philosophies remain, the Packers have shown more willingness to use free agency under Gutekunst than previously.

Gutekunst's six draft classes have produced some noticeable patterns. Athleticism matters. While the Packers may not use Relative Athletic Scores in their draft process, it's clear their own system shares similarities, as over 80 percent of Gutekunst's picks in the opening four rounds had elite RAS scores.

The Packers have landed several star players during Gutekunst's tenure, including Jordan Love, Jaire Alexander, Rashan Gary, and Zach Tom. But how does each draft class stack up against the others?

Here are the Packers' past six draft classes ranked from worst to best.

Every Packers draft class under Brian Gutekunst ranked from worst to best

6. 2021

Best picks: Josh Myers, T.J. Slaton, Isaiah McDuffie

The 2021 class may go down as Gutekunst's most disappointing. Things could change, but time is quickly running out.

Eric Stokes showed potential in year one but has barely played due to injury over the past two seasons. Josh Myers has provided solid but inconsistent play as the Packers' starting center. T.J. Slaton and Isaiah McDuffie were solid Day 3 additions, and McDuffie could land a starting job this season.

Amari Rodgers, Shemar Jean-Charles, Cole Van Lanen, and Kylin Hill are already gone, and Royce Newman could be next. How many players from this class will the Packers re-sign next year?

5. 2018

Best pick: Jaire Alexander

The 2018 draft class produced fewer key contributors than the 2021 group, but the big difference is Jaire Alexander. He saves Gutekunst's first draft class. Alexander quickly became one of the league's best cornerbacks, earning two Pro Bowl and two second-team All-Pro selections in his first six seasons.

However, the other 10 selections in this class failed to land a second contract in Green Bay. Marquez Valdes-Scantling made big plays in the postseason and has since become a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Kansas City Chiefs.

4. 2020

Best picks: Jordan Love, AJ Dillon, Jon Runyan Jr.

Take out Jordan Love, and the 2020 class isn't much better.

AJ Dillon is a solid contributor on offense, but did he live up to the high expectations of a second-round pick? The new deal the Packers gave him suggests the answer is no. Josiah Deguara never landed a full-time role on offense, and the Packers moved on at the end of his rookie deal. Besides Jon Runyan, Green Bay failed to land many key contributors after Round 1.

However, none of that matters because of Gutekunst's decision in the first round. He traded up to No. 26 to select Love, a genius move. Love waited patiently for three seasons before showing the world why he can become the Packers' next star quarterback.

3. 2019

Best picks: Rashan Gary, Darnell Savage, Elgton Jenkins

It's hard to have too many complaints about this draft. The Packers hit a home run in the opening three rounds with Rashan Gary, Darnell Savage, and Elgton Jenkins.

Gary has become a star pass rusher, making 15 sacks and 34 QB hits in his past 26 games. Savage struggled in his final two seasons, but he still started 69 games across five years. Jenkins is one of the best interior offensive linemen in the NFL, making two Pro Bowls, and he can play all five positions.

Green Bay didn't get much out of the rest of the class, but hitting on the top three picks is a win.

2. 2022

Best picks: Quay Walker, Devonte Wyatt, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Zach Tom, Rasheed Walker

It's too early to make any final assessments about the 2022 class, but there are reasons to be encouraged. Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt still have plenty to prove, but they are featured players on defense.

Christian Watson has star potential. He just needs to stay healthy. When available, Watson is a game-changer, putting up 1,033 yards and 12 touchdowns in 23 career games. Romeo Doubs is coming off a 674-yard, eight-touchdown season and had a dominant playoff debut with six catches for 151 yards and a touchdown against Dallas.

Gutekunst also found his starting tackles on Day 3 of this class. Zach Tom can play all five positions but reached a Pro Bowl level at right tackle in 2023. Rasheed Walker struggled early on but was outstanding in the second half of the season, proving he can be the Packers' long-term starter.

This is already a good draft class. It has the potential to become a great one.

1. 2023

Best picks: Luke Musgrave, Jayden Reed, Tucker Kraft, Dontayvion Wicks, Karl Brooks, Carrington Valentine

We're only one year in, but the Packers' 2023 class could become an all-timer.

Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft both showed star potential in year one, giving Green Bay an exciting tight end duo. The same is true at wide receiver with Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks, who combined for 103 receptions, 1,374 yards, and 12 touchdowns.

Gutekunst hit home run after home run on Day 3. Along with Wicks, the Packers landed Karl Brooks in the sixth round. He made four sacks and has already become a key contributor on defense. Seventh-rounder Carrington Valentine made 12 starts at cornerback and gave the Packers the confidence to trade Rasul Douglas.

The best part? We haven't even mentioned first-round pick Lukas Van Ness, who made encouraging progress late last season.

This group needs to keep improving, but the first year showed this can become a special draft class that launches a new era for the Packers.

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