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The Green Bay Packers broke with time-honored norms in the first week of free agency, emerging as one of the league's most active teams.
And with the NFL draft fast approaching, one analyst expects general manager Bryan Gutekunst and company to remain aggressive in overhauling a roster that quickly grew stale last season.
Bleacher Report's Matt Miller named Green Bay, which currently owns the No. 12 overall pick, as one of seven teams that are a “threat” to move up in the first round, citing the team's need for help at inside linebacker.
“Like the Saints last year, the Packers could try to package picks and move up. Unlike New Orleans, they'd be seeking an elite playmaker at linebacker after they secured edge-rushers Za'Darius Smith and Preston Smith in free agency.
“That doesn't seem like a typical Packers move, but neither did signing multiple frontline starters in free agency.
“With needs at linebacker, cornerback and safety—plus a shortening Super Bowl window with 35-year-old Aaron Rodgers at quarterback—general manager Brian Gutekunst might get aggressive this draft season and try to land Devin Bush (Michigan) or the top linebacker in the draft, LSU's Devin White.”
The Packers already made significant moves on the edge of the front seven, signing former Baltimore Ravens rusher Za'Darius Smith and former Washington Redskins rusher Preston Smith to big-money contracts in the opening days of free agency.
They also made a splash in the secondary, stealing rock solid safety Adrian Amos away from the division-rival Chicago Bears.
Devin Bush and Devin White are both considered likely top-20 selections, with the latter often mocked in the top 10 – just before Green Bay is scheduled to pick.