With the 2020 NFL Draft set to begin on Thursday night, the Green Bay Packers are going to be an intriguing team to keep an eye on. Brian Gutekunst has been aggressive in each of the last two drafts and that likely won't change this year. If something comes up, the Packers won't be scared to make a move.
Looking at the needs that the Packers have, there are only a few things that they absolutely have to find in the draft. Those positions of need are wide receiver, inside linebacker, offensive lineman, and possibly a defensive tackle. Thankfully, this is a deep draft class and Green Bay should have no trouble finding players who can make an immediate impact.
Aaron Rodgers and company are without question only a piece or two away from competing for another Super Bowl appearance. They went 13-3 in the regular season last year and made it all the way to the NFC Championship Game. Unfortunately, the Packers ended up falling to the San Francisco 49ers in the championship game by a final score of 37-20.
If the Packers can bring in three or four impact players in the 2020 NFL Draft, they are going to take a big step forward. Green Bay may even look to flip a pick for a current player on the trade block, potentially someone like Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end O.J. Howard.
All of that being said, let's take a look at three last-minute predictions for the Packers in the draft this year.
3. Green Bay Waits Until The Second Round For A Receiver
First up, the Packers have been hyped up as a team that desperately needs to take a wide receiver in the first round. However, that isn't going to be the way that Gutekunst and company look at the situation.
Green Bay did go out in free agency and signed wide receiver Devin Funchess. The Packers feel very strongly that Funchess will be a major impact player for their offense. In the second round, they will be targeting a guy like Penn State's K.J. Hamler if he is available.
While the pressure may be on the Packers to bring in a receiver like Tee Higgins or Denzel Mims with the No. 30 overall pick, they won't end up going that route. Instead, Green Bay will focus on another area of need in the first round.
2. The Packers Will Not Take A Quarterback Early
Let's just put this question to rest. While Rodgers isn't getting any younger and the Packers do need to plan for life after him in the near future, this offseason isn't the year for that. Green Bay will not be taking a quarterback early in the draft.
Rumors have been swirling that the Packers have interest in both Jordan Love and Jalen Hurts. Both of those quarterbacks will be gone by the time the second round ends, barring a slide from Hurts. While they have done their due diligence on quarterbacks, Green Bay won't rush bringing in a replacement for Rodgers just yet.
1. Green Bay Will Make A Trade In The First Round
Finally, the Packers are going to make another trade in the first round this year. In each of the last two drafts, Gutekunst has made a trade to get a player he wanted. Two years ago, he traded down with the New Orleans Saints and still ended up with star cornerback Jaire Alexander. Last year, he traded up in the first round to get safety Darnell Savage.
This year, the Packers are going to look heavily at trading up in the draft. Moving up for a wideout like Henry Ruggs III would make too much sense if they can get it done for the right price. In addition to trading up, the Packers could easily move back from No. 30 into the early stages of the second round where a receiver could be available along with acquiring another asset.
Green Bay is going to be a fun team to watch this year. Gutekunst has a very aggressive draft strategy and that will show in the first round.
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