As the NFL Draft approaches, more information leaks out. Individuals can decide whether or not to invest in each story or rumor.
However, the Packers’ need for a wide receiver is undeniable. Tetairoa McMillan of Arizona is the consensus best true wide receiver. Would Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst make a trade to get the best wide receiver available?
Prior to last week, the idea of Green Bay collaborating to get McMillan was barely discussed. The Packers’ first-round pick is at No. 23, and some mock drafts have McMillan going in the top ten.
Green Bay does not mind changing its draft position, but it has rarely moved up in the first round.
That premise shifted slightly following Jordan Reid’s report last week.
Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan did a private workout for scouts on Monday afternoon, taking part in the 40-yard dash and running routes, according to Reid. The three evaluators I spoke with were quite positive of his performance. McMillan’s times went from 4.52-4.56, which is consistent with what speed scouts predicted. According to accounts, Brian Gutekunst of the Green Bay Packers was the only NFL general manager in attendance.
The last part regarding Gutekunst aroused some eyebrows.
Some have speculated on the usually reliable outlet X that Gutekunst and the Packers may be putting up a front and bluffing about their interest in McMillan.
Ask yourself this: Would a general manager travel out for a private workout with a recruit merely to trick rival front offices? What function would that serve? How does that benefit Green Bay in any way?
It doesn’t, therefore it’s a bad idea.
Gutekunst’s attendance at the private exercise shows that the Packers are interested in McMillan.
Would Green Bay consider trading up for McMillan?
That is another ordeal.
Green Bay has navigated past rounds with Gutekunst at the helm, and he has made no secret of his preferred choice stacking strategy.
As recently as 2020, the Packers made a first-round trade up.
Gutekunst and company startled many by trading choices 30 and 136 to move up to 26 and draft quarterback Jordan Love.
The previous year, Gutekunst negotiated a trade in which the Seattle Seahawks received picks 30, 114, and 118 in exchange for pick 21 and safety Darnell Savage.
So, despite all of the hoopla about the Packers returning to stockpile selections, Gutekunst has traded up twice, both times in the first round.
If McMillan falls outside the top 10, Gutekunst may be eager to trade up and acquire the Arizona product. He jumped nine spots to get Savage in 2019. Moving up 13 spots to get into the top ten could be too much for Green Bay. Anything after that? All bets are off.
The second component is the ongoing joke that Green Bay has not selected a wide receiver in the first round since 2002.
Gutekunst reiterated at the NFL Combine that it is not an organizational philosophy.
It’s funny, but it’s not a philosophical topic we’ve discussed during my tenure in Green Bay, which spans several years, Gutekunst said. It’s never something like, ‘Hey, we don’t want to take wide receivers in the first round,’ or there have been times when we believed it was going to happen but it didn’t.
I don’t blame folks who have the, “I’ll believe it when I see it” attitude on this one.
Gutekunst, however, has not shied away from the issue. He’s been forthright in his responses.
So, how does this all realistically work out?
Expecting Green Bay to jump from No. 23 to inside the top ten to land McMillan is a reach. The Packers are unlikely to consider it simply because of the draft compensation.
Some sites have lowered McMillan’s status as a result of a 40-yard sprint timing ranging from 4.52 to 4.56 seconds. Over the years, the Packers have demonstrated that they place a variety of values on draft prospects.
Nonetheless, Green Bay has never relied solely on the 40-yard sprint time.
Davante Adams ran a 4.56 40-yard sprint in 2014, which worked out very nicely for Green Bay.
Romeo Doubs ran 4.50 in his pro day in 2022.
Dontayvion Wicks ran a 4.62 at the combine in 2023.
McMillan’s times may cause others to seek elsewhere, but not Green Bay. The Packers are likely looking for a 6’4″, 220-pound receiver.
His size would fit well in head coach Matt LaFleur’s scheme, and his ability to go up and make a contested grab just adds to that.
If you expect Green Bay to select McMillan in the top ten of the draft, you will most likely be disappointed.
If McMillan does not make the top ten, the real show will begin. After that, it’s not shocking to see Gutekunst wheel and deal his way to success.
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