The Green Bay Packers have made 49 picks in the first three rounds of the NFL draft since 2005, the first year under Ted Thompson. While the sample size in the draft under third-year general manager Brian Gutekunst is small, extending the look back to Thompson, a mentor and former boss of Gutekunst’s, helps add clarity to the picture.
More specifically, the exercise helps sort out which positions the Packers prioritize early in the draft, and which they don’t.
Here’s a ranking of the positions drafted in the first three rounds by the Packers since 2005:
Defensive line (8)
2009: B.J. Raji (1.9)
2007: Justin Harrell (1.16)
2013: Datone Jones (1.26)
2016: Kenny Clark (1.27)
2012: Jerel Worthy (2.51)
2010: Mike Neal (2.56)
2014: Khyri Thornton (3.85)
2017: Montravius Adams (3.93)
Wide receiver (7)
2008: Jordy Nelson (2.36)
2006: Greg Jennings (2.52)
2014: Davante Adams (2.53)
2005: Terence Murphy (2.58)
2011: Randall Cobb (2.64)
2007: James Jones (3.78)
2015: Ty Montgomery (3.94)
Cornerback (7)
2018: Jaire Alexander (1.18)
2015: Damarious Randall (1.30)
2017: Kevin King (2.33)
2018: Josh Jackson (2.45)
2008: Pat Lee (2.60)
2015: Quinten Rollins (2.62)
2012: Casey Hayward (2.62)
Safety (6)
2019: Darnell Savage (1.21)
2014: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (1.21)
2005: Nick Collins (2.51)
2017: Josh Jones (2.61)
2010: Morgan Burnett (3.71)
2007: Aaron Rouse (3.89)
Edge rusher (4)
2019: Rashan Gary (1.12)
2009: Clay Matthews (1.26)
2012: Nick Perry (1.28)
2016: Kyler Fackrell (3.88)
Offensive tackle (4)
2010: Bryan Bulaga (1.23)
2011: Derek Sherrod (1.32)
2006: Daryn Colledge (2.47)
2016: Jason Spriggs (2.48)
Tight end (3)
2019: Jace Sternberger (3.75)
2008: Jermichael Finley (3.91)
2014: Richard Rodgers (3.98)
Running back (3)
2013: Eddie Lacy (2.61)
2007: Brandon Jackson (2.63)
2010: Alex Green (3.96)
Inside linebacker (3)
2005: A.J. Hawk (1.5)
2006: Abdul Hodge (3.67)
2018: Oren Burks (3.88)
Interior offensive line (2)
2019: Elgton Jenkins (2.44)
2006: Jason Spitz (3.75)
Quarterback (2)
2005: Aaron Rodgers (1.24)
2007: Brian Brohm (2.56)
The priorities look clear, especially when the position groups are looked at more generally. The Packers have drafted 13 defensive backs, 12 defensive linemen or edge rushers and 10 pass catchers in the first three rounds since 2005. Clearly, the Packers prefer to draft players who can cover, play along the defensive front or catch the football in the passing game during the early rounds.
What positions don’t the Packers prioritize early? Well, quarterback, but that scarcity is mostly due to having two Hall of Famers at the position over the last 25 years. The other positions of note: inside linebacker, running back and interior offensive line (although it’s worth considering that Gutekunst has drafted an inside linebacker and an interior offensive lineman in the first three rounds in just two years in charge).
Also notable: The Packers haven’t drafted a tight end in the first two rounds under Thompson or Gutekunst. Sternberger, at No. 75 overall in the third round, is the highest pick at the position since 2000, when the Packers took Bubba Franks in the first round.
Up front on offense, the Packers have done a terrific job drafting offensive linemen in the middle rounds, especially on the interior but also at tackle, reducing the need for high picks along the line. The team has spent just six picks in the first three rounds on offensive linemen since 2005.
Only four early picks have been used at edge rusher, but the Packers hit a homerun with Matthews and have had success (to varying degrees) in free agency and transitioning linemen to the edge.
Overall, 15 years of draft history indicates the Packers care the least about inside linebacker, running back, tight end and the interior of the offensive line during the first three rounds, but care greatly about defensive backs, line of scrimmage players on defense and wide receivers.
