Earlier this week, we looked at Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst's history of first-round picks. For the most part, he's been strong in the first round of the draft, regularly trading up to get the player he likes. How about in the second round? Overall, it seems he's pretty good here, too. 2018:
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2018: Josh Jackson – D
Josh Jackson was regularly mocked to the Packers in the first round, so when he fell to them on Day 2, it had the potential to be one of the picks of the draft. As it turned out, not so much.
Jackson started 10 games as a rookie but struggled. He allowed a passer rating of 106.1 in his coverage, per Pro Football Reference. Jackson allowed a passer rating of 143.7 in 2019 and 113.0 in 2020.
He would start just five games in his final two seasons before being traded to the New York Giants last summer.
2019: Elgton Jenkins – A+
Perhaps Gutekunst’s greatest ever draft pick, and also the best selection of the entire 2019 NFL Draft. Jenkins has been dominant at all five offensive line positions.
Jenkins has 38 starts to his name in Green Bay. Most of them came at guard, where he was a Pro Bowler in 2020. But he has also covered at center and both tackle positions. Jenkins was the Packers’ starting left tackle covering for David Bakhtiari last year.
It’s rare to find a player who can be top-five at his position across the entire offensive line. That’s what Jenkins provides for the Packers.
2020: AJ Dillon – B+
This pick received a ton of criticism as the Packers already had Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams. We haven’t heard those same complaints of late, though.
With Williams gone in 2021, Dillion took on a bigger role and led the Packers in rushing with 803 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 4.3 yards per attempt. Add in his 313 receiving yards and two touchdowns, and Dillon had over 1,000 yards with seven total touchdowns.
He now forms one of the NFL’s best running back duos next to Jones.
2021: Josh Myers – C
It’s too hard to give Josh Myers a grade after an injury-hit rookie season, but the good news is that he played well when healthy. Myers started all six games he played in the regular season and then returned in time for the playoffs.
Myers needs to stay healthy, but the Packers have to be confident they have found their long-term starter at center.
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