Brian Gutekunst has a track record of trading up in the first round since the Green Bay Packers promoted him to general manager in 2018.
In 2018, Green Bay moved up from No. 27 to No. 18 to select Jaire Alexander, sending a third-round pick (No. 76) and a sixth-round pick (No. 186) to the Seattle Seahawks while receiving a seventh-rounder (No. 248) in return.
A year later, the Packers drafted Darnell Savage with the 21st-overall pick following a trade with Seattle. Green Bay sent its No. 30 pick and two fourth-rounders (No. 114 and 118) to move up and select Savage.
In 2020, the Packers acquired pick 26 from the Miami Dolphins for picks 30 and 136 and took Jordan Love.
Trading up in the first round usually comes with significant risk. However, Gutekunst’s decisions have mostly paid off in the long term. Alexander became a two-time second-team All-Pro and a two-time Pro Bowler. Love took over as Green Bay’s franchise quarterback in 2023 and led the Packers to back-to-back playoff appearances. Unfortunately, the Savage pick didn’t pan out, but few general managers hit on first-round picks for three years straight.
Considering Gutekunst’s strong track record when trading up in the first round, I decided to do a mock draft where the Packers move up to select one of the best cornerbacks in the draft:
Will Johnson
Johnson started 32 games in college but played in only six in 2024 due to turf toe. His athleticism makes him an excellent cover corner in zone and man coverage, and his physicality, combined with his size, allows him to be a strong tackler. I was surprised he was available at pick 15 and didn’t hesitate to move up for him. However, I don’t believe he will be available at pick 15 on draft day.
I used Green Bay’s move for Alexander as a blueprint. Trading up into the top 15 made the deal a bit more expensive. The Packers gave up their first, a third, and a sixth to Seattle. However, I had to part with a fifth instead of a sixth to move up. I also tried to get a sixth in return instead of a seventh, but Atlanta declined.
Jayden Higgins
Higgins has strong ball-tracking skills and excels in contested catches. The Packers were a top-five team in drops last year, and they need to add more talent to the receiver room. Higgins provides versatility and could be a go-to guy on 50/50 throws. However, he needs to improve as a run blocker, an area Matt LaFleur highly values in his receivers. Still, Higgins has the traits to succeed at the next level.
Pro Football Focus has him projected as a second-round pick, but I believe Green Bay could take him in the third or, at the latest, the fourth. However, I shipped my third-round pick to the Falcons and didn’t want to take the chance of Higgins not being available at pick 123.
Antwaun Powell-Ryland
Ryland is a versatile defender who uses his hands effectively to shed blocks. He’s a productive pass rusher with great speed to turn the corner and generate pressure from different angles.
Green Bay’s defense finished 2024 as the 26th unit in pass-rush win rate, and they need all the help they can get. I expect the Packers to be active in the free-agency market to upgrade their pass rush. Ryland could be a developmental piece, potentially rotating with Lukas Van Ness.
Will Green Bay trade up this year?
I’m leaning towards no. The Packers don’t have as much draft capital as they did in the past two drafts, and they have needs at wide receiver, interior offensive line, defensive line, and linebacker. Gutekunst will probably stay put or trade down. The value is too similar between picks 20 and 60, and it makes sense for him to acquire extra capital in case he wants to move up for someone on Day 2.