Tom Oates: Packers opt to pass on pass-rushing needs
BRANSON MO NEWS: GREEN BAY — One pick at a time, the Green Bay Packers checked off their needs during the three-day NFL draft.Two first-round caliber cornerbacks for their beaten-down defense. An inside linebacker who might actually be able to cover tight ends and running backs. Three big, fast wide receivers to stretch the field in Jordy Nelson’s absence. Another college tackle who will slide over to guard in the NFL. They even took a punter and, believe it or not, a long-snapper.When the proceedings were over, general manager Brian Gutekunst’s first draft class was notable for how many bases it covered. And one very big one that it didn’t.Indeed, there wasn’t a single edge rusher on the list who will provide immediate help for a defense that needs all the pass rush it can get.
Cornerbacks Jaire Alexander of Louisville and Josh Jackson of Iowa seem destined for major roles early and Oren Burks of Vanderbilt looks like a potential nickel linebacker as a rookie. But there were no major additions for a tepid pass rush that was a significant part of the problem for a pass defense that collapsed the past two seasons.Gutekunst didn’t draft an edge rusher until the Packers’ 11th and final pick in the draft, late in the seventh round. By then, the best he could do was Southeast Missouri State outside linebacker Kendall Donnerson, an athletic freak from a small school who needs considerable development before he sees the field.All in all, Gutekunst did a rock-solid job in his first draft. For one thing, the lead chair wasn’t too big for him as he traded up and down, stayed true to his draft board and even came up with an extra first-round pick in 2019. For another thing, …
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