The new defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers, Jeff Hafley, will implement a different defensive plan than the one used by the outgoing staff. The secondary is one area where the club has the greatest needs, and the Packers have added extra draft capital in the first four rounds. That seems like a formula for the 2024 NFL Draft to place a lot of emphasis on defense.
But hold on, I just made an argument! Despite having a strong finish to the season, Green Bay’s offensive still needs improvement. Brian Gutekunst can still refine the offense, despite packing on receiving threats in the last two drafts. The Packers can continue to invest in their offense and use the best players available to them as they develop Hafley’s new defense.
Taking the greatest player available and drafting for necessity have never been more balanced than under Gutekunst’s tenure. Notably, the madman selected quarterback Jordan Love in 2020 instead of a linebacker or receiver, demonstrating his willingness to zig when others would have preferred him to zag.
Some of Green Bay’s most pressing needs heading into the 2023 draft were wide receiver, tight end, and safety. Gutekunst didn’t reach just to reach; instead, he delved into tight end and receiver. He selected Lukas Van Ness above Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who was thought to be the best receiver in the draft, and then piled up on receiving threats in subsequent rounds. In the seventh round, he made his lone investment in safety. In what was thought to be a poor safety class, Gutekunst was unwilling to reach out for what was needed.
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