The Packers might draft a quarterback earlier than you think
The Green Bay Packers way indicates the team will draft quarterbacks early and often. Earlier this year, general manager Brian Gutekunst indicated this is a plan he's willing to execute. "Getting back to drafting multiple quarterbacks is something that I've wanted to do," Gutekunst said during a press conference to local reporters at the Combine. […]
The Green Bay Packers way indicates the team will draft quarterbacks early and often. Earlier this year, general manager Brian Gutekunst indicated this is a plan he's willing to execute.
"Getting back to drafting multiple quarterbacks is something that I've wanted to do," Gutekunst said during a press conference to local reporters at the Combine. "There's some guys with interesting skill sets that are going to get taken later that might have a pretty good chance to make it."
And he might get one earlier than we expect.
At the NFL Combine, the Packers reportedly had a formal interview with Oregon quarterback Bo Nix.
Even though Bo Nix hasn't been talked much among the top quarterbacks of the class, he is considered a borderline first-round talent.
According to Travis May, College Football Managing Editor at A to Z Sports, Nixon is the 34th best prospect of this class — and the fourth quarterback, behind Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Drake Maye, and ahead of Michael Penix Jr. and J.J. McCarthy.
"With over 60 college football starts and a vastly improved production profile at Oregon versus his time at Auburn, Bo Nix might be the fourth quarterback to sneak into round one this year," May wrote. "He offers quick decision-making, a low sack rate, and underrated mobility."
When could it happen?
In 2019, the Packers closely scouted quarterback Drew Lock. He fits the team's general model, with a strong arm and a big frame. However, the Packers didn't give him a first-round grade.
Brian Gutekunst took edge defender Rashan Gary and traded up to select safety Darnell Savage with their two first-round picks. The Packers had the 44th overall pick, in the second round, but Lock was taken by the Denver Broncos with the 42nd pick — Green Bay gladly took guard Elgton Jenkins.
Even though Lock hasn't panned out in the NFL, that case is an interesting example of what the Packers can theoretically do. Sure enough, an early- or mid-second rounder seems high to take a quarterback, considering that he wouldn't have a real shot at starting throghout his rookie contract, unless Jordan Love gets hurt at some point.
But considering the number of quarterbacks that indeed get injured during a season and how valuable backup passers have been over the last few years, it wouldn't be an absurd proposition. If the player has the opportunity to play some games and does well, his trade value could go up and justify the decision.
At worst, the Packers would presumably have a competent backup for four years, and then would allow him to leave in free agency to possibly receive a compensatory pick in the future.
Likeliest scenario
Even though the Packers have had contact with Bo Nix, this is probably just a normal scouting process. Teams like to study and evaluate as many players as possible, because opportunities might arise in the future, and this preparation work is helpful.
However, it doesn't mean that Green Bay taking a backup quarterback early is the likeliest outcome. Getting passers on day 3 is still a more suitable reality, and this scenario would make it easier for Gutekunst to trade a player away getting back a higher draft pick than the original one used to select the quarterback.
Five quarterback options for the Packers in the draft
Gutekunst said he wants to evaluate passers in this class
