Packers GM Brian Gutekunst - Photo by Evan Siegle/Green Bay Packers
GREEN BAY, WI (WSAU) – The NFL Scouting Combine begins today, and Packers GM Brian Gutekunst says the team has five picks in the top 100, which gives the team a lot of flexibility.
In a one-on-one NFL Scouting Combine interview with Larry McCarren of Packers.com, Gutekunst provided some details about his thoughts on possible trades, saying, “(The team’s draft capital) also gives us a little bit of flexibility, whether it’s moving around within the draft or if there’s players out there, veteran players, that are available, that could be a possibility as well.”
The Packers own selections at No. 25 in the first round, Nos. 41 and 58 in the second round, and Nos. 88 and 91 in the third round. In addition, they should pick up three compensatory picks on Day 3, bringing the total number of picks to 11 in the 2024 draft.
The Packers have needs at cornerback, safety, and offensive tackle, but Gutekunst stated that the team is looking to add a bigger running back behind Aaron Jones, saying, “I do think we would always like to have one power, bigger back on the roster for short-yardage situations, playing in the weather, and closing out games.”
Titans All-Pro running back Derrick Henry and Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs will be available via free agency this offseason, and the Packers have restructured both Rashan Gary and Preston Smith, which could free up enough cap space to make an offer to one of those backs. The Packers also reportedly met with former Notre Dame running back Audric Estime at the Combine yesterday, who rushed for over 1,300 yards with the Fighting Irish last season, and his 94.0 PFF rushing grade was the best in the FBS last season. Other running back draft prospects Green Bay is expected to target include Florida State’s Trey Benson, Michigan’s Blake Corum, and Wisconsin’s Braelon Allen.
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