Packers 2019 Draft Upgraded to ‘Excellent’ by Pro Football Focus

Green Bay Packers’ drafting process has come under a lot of scrutiny of late. Mostly because of the Jordan Love pick by the Packers in 2020. The Love pick has sent off shockwaves through the Packers’ organization as well as the picks that followed Love. What gets lost in all of this madness is Packers’ General Manager Brian Gutekunst has done pretty well when it comes to drafting otherwise. For example, Pro Football Focus takes inventory of the draft year-by-year and now considers the 2019 Draft for the Packers’ excellent. The crazy thing there is a chance they could be even better with more development.
Round 1 (12): EDGE Rashan Gary, Michigan
Round 1 (21): S Darnell Savage, Maryland
Round 2 (44): IOL Elgton Jenkins, Mississippi State
Round 3 (75): TE Jace Sternberger, Texas A&M
Round 5 (150): DI Kingsley Keke, Texas A&M
Round 6 (185): CB Ka’dar Hollman, Toledo
Round 6 (194): RB Dexter Williams, Notre Dame
Round 7 (226): LB Ty Summers, TCUThen: Above Average
Now: Excellent
Green Bay has three starters with their first three picks. Rashan Gary isn’t a starter yet, but he is likely guaranteeing that Green Bay will not need to re-sign Za’Darius Smith or Preston Smith to an extension. Darnell Savage and Elgton Jenkins are both studs with big second years. Savage found himself last year and excited to see how Joe Berry uses him in the new system. Jenkins is an All-Pro already and can play multiple positions. Gutey knows offensive linemen. Even though he’s not at the same level as the first three guys, Green Bay has gotten a ton out of Ty Summers. It’s not always been good, but still, Summers is a useful ballplayer.
Now, can Green Bay get even more out of this draft? IT’s possible. Kingsley Keke showed some flashes before a concussion ended his season. Jace Sternberger also had concussion issues. Jace is a guy I don’t want to give up on, but I expect him to have Robert Tonyan’s year last season. Ka’Dar Hollman is a good special teamer. The only guy that looks like he is probably not a long-term Packers player is Dexter Williams.
If that’s the case, Green Bay did a pretty good job with this draft. It makes 2020 almost more puzzling. Did the pandemic screw with Gutekunst’s process and completely throw him off? It’s starting to look a little bit like that.
Charlie.