The first round of the 2022 NFL Draft came and went, with the Green Bay Packers failing to address their need at wide receiver, instead selecting linebacker Quay Walker and defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt. The failure to select a receiver- or trade up for one- in a draft laden with them was a controversial strategy, especially considering the Packers lost star wideout Davante Adams and speedy deep threat Marquez Valdes-Scantling this offseason. Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst was asked if there were trade opportunities for the team at wide receiver in the first round and explained his strategy, as reported by Pro Football Talk.

“I think having weapons for him to go to is important,” Gutekunst said, via Bill Huber of SI.com. “We play in September, and we’ve got nine picks the next couple days and a whole summer before we get to that first game. So, I think certainly by the time we get to that first game, we’re going to add some one way or another to that room. Hopefully, it’ll fall right for us the next two days but, if it doesn’t, I don’t think we can reach and make bad decisions just because they’ve got a WR by their name.”

This is an interesting answer, as other teams in the draft, with less draft capital than Gutekunst and the Packers, saw fit to trade up for receivers.

Yes, the Packers are armed with a bevy of picks over the NFL Draft's remaining days, though it's certainly a curious strategy to bank on one of the later round talents than seizing the opportunity to trade up for a more polished first round talent, such as Chris Olave, Jameson Williams or Treylon Burks.

Gutekunst and the Packers are still likely to add to the wide receiver room, as the general manager noted. However, it sure seems like they left an opportunity on the table in the first round.