The Green Bay Packers entered the 2021 NFL Draft with pick No. 29, and their 10 total selections were tied for the second-most in the league.
Fourth-year general manager Brian Gutekunst traded up or back in the first round of each of his first three drafts in charge.
In 2018, he traded down, from No. 14 to No. 27, then back up to No. 18 before selecting Louisville cornerback Jaire Alexander. In 2019, he stayed at No. 12 and drafted Michigan defensive lineman Rashan Gary before dealing up from No. 30 to No. 21 to take Maryland safety Darnell Savage Jr. Last year, he moved up from No. 30 to No. 26 and shocked everyone by drafting Utah State quarterback Jordan Love.
But he did not trade his original first-rounder this year, instead selecting speedy Georgia cornerback Eric Stokes at No. 29 (analysis below).
Oddly enough, that wasn’t the biggest story in Green Bay heading into the draft. Hours before it, reports came out that star quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who has three years left on his contract, doesn’t want to return to team. That could lead to additional maneuvering in the coming days or weeks.
The Packers GM unequivocally stated that he will not trade reigning NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers.
“We have a great organization, we’re very committed to him…”
📚: https://t.co/Mlp18FnyEY pic.twitter.com/G0iPRVVkxj
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) April 30, 2021
The Packers followed up their Stokes pick by selecting Ohio State center Josh Myers in the second round and Clemson receiver Amari Rodgers in the third round.
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Meet the Packers’ draft selections …
ROUND 1
No. 29: Eric Stokes, CB, Georgia
Matt Schneidman’s analysis: The Packers needed a cornerback at some point early in this draft to pair with Jaire Alexander in the long term. Stokes was one of the best cover corners in the country and ran a blazing 4.29-second 40-yard dash at Georgia’s pro day. Stokes, who had eight passes defensed and four picks in nine games last season, stands a shade over 6-foot-0 and can learn behind Kevin King, who recently re-signed with the Packers on a one-year deal.”
Seth Emerson on what the Packers are getting: As Stokes enters the NFL, the same questions remain: He has the speed and the character. But does he have everything else? For two-plus seasons as a starter for the Bulldogs, Stokes faced some of the best receivers in the SEC. Fast receivers, tall receivers, great route-runners. He went more than a year without giving up a touchdown, and when other teams did have success against Georgia’s pass defense — Alabama and Florida in 2020, LSU in 2019 — it tended to be on the other side of the field. Stokes wasn’t going to out-physical the bigger receivers, but he used his speed, intelligence and technique to be in the right place.
Dane Brugler’s analysis: The Packers brought back Kevin King on a cheap one-year deal, but no one thought that would stop Green Bay from drafting a player like Stokes. At 6-foot-0 and 194 pounds with 4.2 (40) speed, his freakish talent is undeniable and his ceiling as an NFL player now depends on his route recognition and awareness.
Sheil Kapadia’s grade: C. I’m so sorry, Packers fans. I can’t imagine that was a very fun draft day for you guys. Hours after the Aaron Rodgers situation turned into pure chaos, the Packers went cornerback in the first round. … Stokes was terrific in nine games last season but had some inconsistencies throughout his career. Brugler had Stokes as his 51st overall prospect, while Jeremiah had him 50th. The Packers obviously liked him more than that. Would Green Bay have been better off taking someone like wide receiver Elijah Moore here? Did it have offers to trade back? Ultimately, Stokes at this spot felt like a bit of a reach, but if the Packers are right in their evaluation, he definitely offers upside.
ROUND 2
No. 62: Josh Myers, C, Ohio State
Matt Schneidman’s analysis: Myers figures to compete for starting reps right away, whether it’s at center or right guard, alongside Jon Runyan Jr. and Lucas Patrick. After the Packers lost their first-team All-Pro center Corey Linsley to the Chargers via free agency, they could fill his spot with another Buckeyes center. Regardless of who they might be protecting this season, you can never have enough versatile interior offensive linemen. The Packers added another one with their first pick Friday night to a line that was in need of depth.
Bill Landis on what the Packers are getting: Myers has 21 starts under his belt — he missed one in 2020 due to a positive COVID-19 test — and played only 73 snaps as a redshirt freshman in 2018. That’s not a ton of football, all things considered, which means there’s an opportunity for him to continue developing and building on what was a solid body of work with the Buckeyes.
Dane Brugler’s analysis: It might not always look pretty with Myers, but he finds a way to stay connected as a blocker. He is physical at the point and works hard to stay in position. He also offers the position flexibility to play guard or center. A little surprising he was drafted ahead of Creed Humphrey and Quinn Meinerz, but he’s a solid player.
Sheil Kapadia’s grade: B. The Packers lost Linsley and now snag Myers (6-foot-5, 310 pounnds) as a potential replacement. Myers started 21 games at center. He could also get a look at guard in the NFL. Myers is someone who should compete for playing time right away. This is a fine use of resources by Green Bay.
ROUND 3
No. 85 (from Tennessee): Amari Rodgers, WR, Clemson
Matt Schneidman’s analysis: Rodgers is the first wide receiver picked by the Packers since the sixth round in 2018, when they selected Equanimeous St. Brown out of Notre Dame. Will he catch passes from a fellow “A. Rodgers” in 2021? Maybe, maybe not. But the Packers just significantly upgraded their wide receiver room, which now features arguably the game’s best wideout in Davante Adams, along with Marquez Valdez-Scantling, Allen Lazard, Rodgers and Devin Funchess. Packers fans, you happy now?
Grace Raynor on what the Packers are getting: The versatile Rodgers finished his college career with 181 catches for 2,144 yards and 15 touchdowns. During his four years at Clemson, though, coaches raved most about his work ethic.
Dane Brugler’s analysis: Rodgers isn’t the most dynamic athlete, but he has outstanding play strength and toughness, with dependable hands to work the middle of the field and make plays after the catch. There is some Deebo Samuel to his game, which should give the Packers’ offense a boost this season.
Sheil Kapadia’s grade: B. He was productive last year with 77 catches for 1,020 yards and seven touchdowns. Rodgers (5-foot-10, 212 pounds) doesn’t have elite speed (4.51), but he can break tackles and has some wiggle with the ball in his hands. He has potential to be a slot weapon right away for Green Bay. This is a nice fit between prospect and team.
The Packers filled immediate needs with two proven big-school players last night, two picks that seemed to go over well on here. On the additions of Ohio State C Josh Myers and Clemson WR Amari Rodgers at a time when Packer fans needed a reason to smile: https://t.co/qMIKJDrXSy
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) May 1, 2021
ROUND 4
No. 142 (compensatory): Royce Newman, T/G, Ole Miss
Matt Schneidman’s analysis: The Packers love offensive linemen who can play multiple spots, and they drafted another one here in Newman. Dane Brugler says Newman can likely play every position but left tackle in the NFL. Green Bay badly needed tackle depth given David Bakhtiari’s injury and the fact that Yosh Nijman is really their only swing tackle after the team cut Rick Wagner.
Dane Brugler’s analysis: : A two-year starter at Ole Miss, Newman lined up at right tackle in head coach Lane Kiffin’s up-tempo spread offense. With only 22 career starts in college, Newman is still developing the tricks of the trade, but he does a great job staying on time with his eyes, feet and body movements. He relies more on angles than power and is more of a get-in-the-way blocker than a mauler. Overall, Newman doesn’t have overwhelming physicality or play strength, but he is quick off the ball with efficient setup and execution to stay square with defenders.
ROUND 5
No. 173: Tedarrell Slaton, DT, Florida
Matt Schneidman’s analysis: Slaton, a 6-foot-4, 330-pounder, will provide depth on the defensive line. Slaton started for the Gators only in 2020 and didn’t tally many tackles for loss or sacks, but the Packers need more bodies on the D-line behind Kenny Clark, Kingsley Keke, Dean Lowry and Tyler Lancaster, and Slaton has intriguing potential.
Dane Brugler’s analysis: Slaton was the highest-ranked recruit in the Gators’ 2017 class (ahead of C.J. Henderson and Kadarius Toney), although his college career was a slow ascent as he adapted to the defensive line after playing primarily on offense in high school. … Overall, Slaton is a massive athlete with the raw power, promising technique and two-gap potential to be a promising project for an NFL defensive line coach.
No. 178 (compensatory): Shemar Jean-Charles, CB, Appalachian State
Matt Schneidman’s analysis: A team captain in college, Jean-Charles led the country in passes defensed last season (17) and was named a second-team All-American. Green Bay has picked two cornerbacks in the first five rounds, which adds some interesting competition for 2018 second-rounder Josh Jackson and 2019 sixth-rounder Ka’dar Hollman.
Dane Brugler’s analysis: Jean-Charles plays with confidence and route anticipation, which allows his instincts and preparation to kick in, leading him to plays. He will struggle to recover after a misstep and needs to eliminate the panic plays. Overall, Jean-Charles doesn’t have an elite size/speed/strength profile, but he is a “right place, right time” type of player and stays balanced in coverage to disrupt passing lanes.
ROUND 6
No. 214
No. 220 (compensatory)
ROUND 7
No. 256
(Photo of Stokes: Ed Zurga / Getty Images)
