Cory's Corner: Does The Packers Draft Philosophy Change?
The Packers went aggressive by trading two first round picks and Kenny Clark for Micah Parsons. Now is not the time to get conservative.
The NFL Draft is 16 days away but in terms of the Packers, it’s 17. They are idle on opening night and since Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst went aggressive in the offseason, he needs to follow that mantra.
Green Bay has spent decades teaching the rest of the NFL a simple, stubborn lesson: don’t draft for need — draft for value. It’s a philosophy that outlasted coaches, quarterbacks and trends, from Brett Favre to Aaron Rodgers to now Jordan Love.
It’s also the reason they’re contenders again.
But this April presents a different kind of test. Not of patience — but of urgency.
Because for all the benefits of “best player available,” the Packers’ roster has real, identifiable holes. The kind you can circle in pen, not pencil. Behind Josh Jacobs, the running back room feels thin and unproven. The offensive line has pieces but plenty of questions if they can keep a $50 million jersey clean. The secondary, long a rotating experiment, still lacks a clear, reliable backbone.
And here’s the twist: Green Bay doesn’t even have the luxury of a typical draft reset. After the aggressive move to acquire Micah Parsons, the Packers enter the 2026 draft without a first-round pick. Their first selection won’t come until No. 52 overall — late enough that the cleanest, safest solutions at premium positions are usually gone.
That changes the math.
Gutekunst has built his reputation on resisting temptation. When fans scream for a receiver, he drafts defense. When the roster looks one piece away, he trades back. When a need is obvious, he trusts the board anyway.
It’s how Green Bay avoids panic — and occasionally finds stars.
But picking at No. 52, the “best player available” is often just another way of saying “best player left.” And that’s where philosophy can quietly drift into stubbornness.
The Packers currently hold picks No. 52, 84, 120, 160 and then No. 236 and 255 in the seventh round. Without a first-round anchor, their margin for error shrinks. They don’t have the luxury of missing early and fixing it later.
Which brings us to the real question: can Green Bay afford to ignore need this time?
If history is a guide, the first three rounds will still reflect their core beliefs. Offensive line is always a safe bet — premium athletes, positional flexibility, long-term payoff. Defensive back is another likely target, given the constant churn in the secondary. And edge or front-seven depth wouldn’t surprise anyone, especially with a defense that still feels more theoretical than dominant. Especially because the person that has played on the opposite side of Parsons has largely been invisible.
Running back, despite being a clear need, feels like the classic Packers blind spot — addressed later, if at all.
That’s the tension.
Because this isn’t a rebuilding team anymore. With Love established and the roster bolstered by a win-now move like Parsons, the Packers have crossed the line from patient contender to immediate threat. The timeline has changed, even if the philosophy hasn’t.
And that’s what makes this draft different.
For years, Green Bay could afford to be right eventually. Draft a player for what he might become, not what he is. Wait. Develop. Trust the system.
But contenders don’t always get “eventually.” Windows close. Depth gets exposed. Small weaknesses become January losses.
The Packers built this moment by ignoring need. That’s the irony — and the risk.
Because this might be the year they can’t afford to.
So the question to Gutekunst becomes, just how aggressive can you be?
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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
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Comments (45)
Savage57
April 07, 2026 at 07:28 am
Hopefully in 17 days we see a pivot from RAS and potential to an emphasis on tape and production.
The 'jars on the shelf' mantra has it's place.
This upcoming draft isn't one of them.
It'll be interesting to see if Gute can become Howie Roseman for just one weekend.
Cheezehead72
April 07, 2026 at 07:52 am
That's interesting that you mention Howie Roseman and you want Gute to draft like him but you do not want Gute to draft off of RAS. Howie drafts to the RAS. He likes drafting players to higher RAS scores.
The difference is Howie does a better job at filling holes through free agency than Gute so he does not have to fill them in the draft.
Oxymoron 3339
April 07, 2026 at 05:09 pm
I would rather have him become Brett Veach.
dobber
April 07, 2026 at 07:53 am
The measure of 2026 is likely to be the filling of holes through FA leading up to and just after the draft, and more than likely not the draft itself.
Can they find the right guys?
...oh, and staying healthy.
dblbogey
April 07, 2026 at 02:33 pm
Especially have the key guys stay healthy. Kraft and Micah were huge losses. Hope for a good draft, and that MLF improves where he needs to so this team learns to finish and doesn't come out flat 6 times a year.
Cheezehead72
April 07, 2026 at 08:03 am
Gute has backed the Packers into a corner. As much as I have always thought drafting for need should be the emphasis in the early rounds I have read a lot on how successful teams are built by a strict adherence to drafting BAP.
I cannot see the Packers not addressing the two biggest holes early in the draft and that is CB and DT. My prediction is that Gute is going to reach for players in those two positions instead of drafting BAP. The reason is the idea he has that he will do anything to win now.
I can foresee that three years from now we are going to look back and regret that Gute did not select certain players because they became superstars.
Please stick with the board and select the BAP and yes I will over look not selecting a QB and maybe safety in the 2nd and 3rd if they are the BAP.
dobber
April 07, 2026 at 09:03 am
"I have read a lot on how successful teams are built by a strict adherence to drafting BAP."
I have been reading the same kind of analysis. I think there are plenty of ways for teams to elevate their personnel, and drafting in and of itself is only one piece. That said, I think Gute looks for "opportunities" but largely drafts a year ahead to start addressing coming holes in the roster.
In the instance of this draft, it's very possible that the case can be made for the BAP being a CB or DT/DE/OLB at that stage in rounds 2 and 3. Could very easily be an OL or WR. The Packers are likely to be picking from a tier of similarly-rated/evaluated players at that stage. Making a position-specific choice isn't an issue there.
"Gute did not select certain players because they became superstars."
Unless there's a clear-cut slider that should've gone much earlier, you can say that about round 2 or 3 for just about every team in just about every draft. Litigating past drafts in that way is a waste of time.
Coldworld
April 07, 2026 at 09:20 am
There is no such thing as Best Player Available. There is best player available in context. However, perception of context is an extremely significant variable that is often the determinant of success or failure.
Ultimately, teams need contributors from early draft picks to establish a good enough overall base to enable the team to spend any spring/summer FA on a few remaining needs and depth. Those picks can be from prior years, but, in our case we know there are a number of areas where that seems unlikely. Those need to be addressed in the draft (perhaps with additional supplementing after).
The more upside the better, but early, they are going to need to be able to hold up and help this year. If we can find a preferred starter, that’s a jackpot, but they need to find 2 to 3 improvements to our rotation this year at least. Unless they do, they need to find an unrealistic number of overlooked hidden gems or have weaknesses that undermine our strengths.
This draft is critical this year for that reason. We simply have not developed enough internally to cover enough holes to rely on non draft solutions and now we are limited in cap and options as a result.
Guam
April 07, 2026 at 10:01 am
I understand the concept of BPA and have often chuckled about the idea. One look at the DIC (Draft Industrial Complex) expert draft boards and you quickly realize that player evaluations are all over the place. And then the real experts (team GMs) do the draft and some player evaluations are clearly very different from the DIC experts. There is rarely a true consensus on pre-draft BPA.
True BPA can only be determined about three years after the draft. Before the draft, BPA really is "beauty is in the eye of the beholder". Every team just hopes their GM has a pretty good eye for pre-draft beauty.
Because pre-draft BPA can be so variable, I have always hoped for a combination of BPA and Need in the drafting process. Identify those players you want and group them by levels of BPA. Then draft for need within the highest level of BPA available when your draft choice comes up. Just my two cents as a GM wannabe with absolutely no qualifying credentials.........
dobber
April 07, 2026 at 10:31 am
I think you hit on the key idea in that the draft boards of the GMs are the ones that really matter, and that we never get to see those. You've also never had a GM roll into a press conference and not say "we got our guy". All these "consensus" boards fail to take into account individual team schemes and player fit, which would impact how an individual team evaluates a player.
Guam
April 07, 2026 at 11:26 am
I would add culture fit is always a big issue for the Packers and they will never take a risk on a player with too many off field concerns. Scheme, culture and player fit certainly impact draft status.
I have also seen too many players where the DIC evaluation is wildly at variance with the team GMs just on BPA terms. Shedeur Sanders comes to mind as a player the DIC had pegged as a first round choice and he wasn't actually drafted until the fifth round. And quarterbacks usually get over-drafted! The DIC can often get it right too, but there is just so much variance about where a specific player will get drafted after about the top 10-15 players that BPA becomes something of an oxymoron. Team specific criteria seem to become a lot more important than consensus BPA the later you go in the draft.
dobber
April 07, 2026 at 12:57 pm
So maybe we propose to move away from "best player available" and call it "drafting regardless of position" (DROP)...or "opportunistic player evaluation" (OPE!)...or "selection of candidates outside roster needs" (SCORN).
GregC
April 07, 2026 at 02:26 pm
You have a way with acronyms. You should work for a big corporation or government agency.
Guam
April 07, 2026 at 02:38 pm
Cookie for Dobber!
Since'75
April 08, 2026 at 06:45 pm
" Best Player Available."
There is no such thing.
Maybe...best college player available?
Or....best potential player available?
How many BPA couldn't make a roster?
The draft process is a crap shoot as to who will succeed in the NFL, many, many people have said.
There are no guarantee's, a players college skill set transfers to the NFL, thousands have said that, and believe it, because it's proven every season.
So....isn't it impossible to know who the best player available is?
Oxymoron 3339
April 07, 2026 at 05:12 pm
BAP is BS, nobody strictly does it. Best Available at a position of need.
stockholder
April 07, 2026 at 08:08 am
Love the Buzz words-
But Gute's picks only worked
when he centered on building depth.
He trusted " immediate" positional needs,
on measurables, versatility, and size.
Players that have lacked the "wiring"
to handle the mental demands of the game.
He follows his board. But I say he doesn't
Trust it.
If he did; he would take the BPA over needs!
And this team would have more All-pros on it.
(Drafted; not bought through Free Agency. )
Yes- he's "sold on a player" when he drafts him.
But their achievements, were far from the better target.
GreenandBold
April 07, 2026 at 08:30 am
So in 2023 when Gute picked LVN with the 13th overall pick he was “ resisting temptation “ . Maybe the temptation was JSN ? Hows that working out ?
Coldworld
April 07, 2026 at 09:23 am
LVN seems more like a temptation that we should have resisted. An athlete whose potential we just needed to unlock …
dblbogey
April 07, 2026 at 02:37 pm
LVN was nicknamed Hercules at Iowa. Gute fell in love with his RAS over his production. You get 4 years on a rookie deal, you can't be getting guys who don't contribute until year 3 or 4.
TKWorldWide
April 07, 2026 at 11:28 am
But maybe JSN wouldn’t have the same production with GB as he has with Seattle.
And I’m not defending the choice of LVN; one of the poster boys for high RAS projects.
dobber
April 07, 2026 at 12:58 pm
How many articles have been posted around here in the past that say the Packers only draft "money" positions in the first round (trenches, QB, DB)..until they picked Golden, of course.
sugarbair
April 07, 2026 at 09:34 am
We need some blue chip players. Will there be any available at 52 or later. Maybe a few. Will they be at a position we need. That will definitely be yes. Our only blue chip is Parsons. So another blue chip anywhere on the roster would be a positive. But realistically we will be looking at a red chip player at best. That's OK. You can never have enough of them. I personally hope Gute takes a swing at position of need. We have to hope Parsons and Kraft both come back close to where they were at before their injury. We saw what we have behind them. Post draft FA Packers don't have a lot of cap space to work with. Would any of those FA be more than a temporary fix anyway. But it's draft season and we all get the enjoyment of mocking players we want to the Packers. See what happens in a couple of weeks and we can chat for a couple of months about that. GPG
golfpacker61
April 07, 2026 at 10:16 am
"But picking at No. 52, the “best player available” is often just another way of saying “best player left.” And that’s where philosophy can quietly drift into stubbornness."
"But contenders don’t always get “eventually.” Windows close. Depth gets exposed. Small weaknesses become January losses."
"The Packers built this moment by ignoring need. That’s the irony — and the risk."
"Because this might be the year they can’t afford to."
A pretty good article for a change Cory. Gutey has put us behind the 8 ball by ignoring CB for 5 years. Alexander became a liability, and no we will not re-sign him. Stokes was a bad pick that didn't pan out. Hobbs was a monumental failure. And GB keeps drafting CBs in the 7th round that have a 90% failure rate. We need 2 in the draft and maybe 2 new cheap faces in our CB room. Maybe Emmerson from the Browns and Ringo from the Eagles if they release him. Untapped, young talent at Vet minimum prices. I would rather have 3 first thru third round players who still have great potential in my CB room, than 3 seventh rounders or UFDAs.
With that said, If Gabe Jacas or Dani Dennis-Sutton is available @ #52, we should grab 1of them and have a new 4 year starter. What we have at Edge on the roster is unproven and not the immediate answer. That said I would still make a cheap run at A J Epenesa if he passes the physical. He had no medical issues in Buffalo and he would be as good or better than anyone not named Parsons.
The Mike Washington 30 visit scares me. I get that GB is thinking ahead to parting ways with Jacobs and/or Lloyd, but we have needs now and RB is down the list. The 2027 draft is where we can get a RB, another CB, upgrade OL, and also DL. In 2026 draft we need Edge, CB, NT, TE, & OL depth. With at least 10 picks, we can strengthen every need we have.
The Packers would be a better team in 2026 by not picking Washington, getting an Edge starter @ #52 or trade back, draft a potential starter from like 6-8 candidates at #84, trade back from #120 for more picks, select Capehart to be a solid run-stuffer with a later pick, draft a Wicks replacement, and take a late flier on Jaden Dugger-LB-Louisiana.
After the draft a couple more upgrade, reasonable players at NT, Edge, CB, & OL if possible.
stockholder
April 07, 2026 at 10:39 am
I'm going to solve your problem-
If you want a future all-pro, and dump Banks.
Chase Bisontis. Og Texas A/M
Is the guy that Gute should go after.
And I'm saying trade up for.
BPA regardless of Need!
You want a press corner. Not zone.
Get it later.
You want a NT - I prefer Harris-
Wiring second to none.
You want a edge. -
I'm saying go after Nadame Tucker.
You won't be disappointed
jannesbjornson
April 07, 2026 at 03:38 pm
Some are mocking him to Rd One. Rutledge from G Tech will get the job done. The DTs are going fast in Rds 1-2; if Orange is around at #84 you have to consider snagging him. Correct, a press corner always works best.
Tucker stood out in MAC play for Western Michigan
stockholder
April 07, 2026 at 06:02 pm
Yes they did . Not now.
And the guard from Oregon is in middle rd 2 now.
I say Jackson will go before orange.
I don't like orange. Comparison is Slaton..
I'm set on Z. Harris now.
Great Blue North scouting Loves him.
I will not be changing these 4 picks now.
84. Bryce Lance. Wr ND Draft Gem
120. Nadame Tucker. Edge.
160. Xzavian Harris. DT Miss
201. Dae Quan Wright. TE MIS
And I'd take offers on Musgrave.
.
golfpacker61
April 07, 2026 at 04:49 pm
If Gutey drafts Chase Bisontis @ #52, he should be fired on the spot. Anybody we draft there needs to be playing not sitting and watching.
That's why we should draft a real Edge @ #52 like Jacas or Dennis-Sutton, not someone like Tucker who runs a 4.73 40, slower than all the top Edge rushers. He is a 1 year wonder at a small school stockholder. Gutey won't draft 6.02 RAS.
Harris is fine, I like him too, but at #201. He will fall not because he doesn't have talent, but because he is a tool and a felon.
stockholder
April 08, 2026 at 06:47 am
Harris - Right now; he's 130s to 200.
I'm sure thats because he had surgery on a ankle.
But he just plays too good , to pass on late. (160)
And size is what Gute likes.
As long as sexual assault isn't in the past.
Being a felon won't stop any gm.
Which is why they brought in Procter DE.
But don't be surprised if tucker is taken.
He had a great senior bowl. !!!!!
And like I told you. There will be a run on edge
and Wrs before #52, Which should drop Bisontis.
GregC
April 07, 2026 at 11:03 am
Maybe I'm alone in not feeling a huge sense of urgency about this draft. It's important because the draft is always important, but I don't see it as a make-or-break thing for this season. Clearly they need a good CB or maybe two to beef up that position, and at least one of them needs to be a quality starter next year. It looks like several good CB prospects will be available in the second and third round, and maybe even the fourth round. And they really need a run-stopping DT as well. That looks trickier than CB, so we'll see what they can come up with.
Not sure why Cory thinks RB is a "classic Packers blind spot." For the past seven or eight years, they've had a good starting RB and at least one good backup. AJ Dillon was drafted in the second round even though they already had two good RBs on the roster, and they spent big money on Josh Jacobs in free agency.
Guam
April 07, 2026 at 11:29 am
Nice touch of sanity in Cory's world GregC. Thanks.
splitpea1
April 07, 2026 at 11:11 am
"It's how Green Bay avoids panic--and occasionally finds stars."
Which stars are you talking about that the Packers have found in the draft? Need I remind you that when the latest PFF's top 100 players came out, only one drafted Packer made the list: Love. Maybe PFF isn't always the gospel, but it's still a pretty telling factoid; and the lack of drafted stars is a major reason Gute has never gotten this team over the hump to the Super Bowl.
Turophile
April 07, 2026 at 03:23 pm
Hmm.
In the last three years, Tucker Kraft, Evan Williams, Javon Bullard, Edgerrin Cooper. All rising to star status.
Watson (played 4 years) is close. Injuries held him back and he took time, being from a small school programme. Tom is close (has also played 4 years).
Oxymoron 3339
April 07, 2026 at 05:15 pm
All of those players have a ways to go to be stars.
Turophile
April 07, 2026 at 05:59 pm
Depends on how good a player has to be to qualify. I'm sure my definition is not exactly the same as yours.
....and i did say rising to (I should have said towards) star status.
Since'75
April 08, 2026 at 07:20 pm
You have to first, be a star, to be qualified as a star.
The same as...you aren't a Championship team, before you even come close to being a Championship team.
Talk is cheap. See Mike Daniels.
When Gute needs a star, he trades two 1's and Kenny Clark, and gets one.
Turophile
April 09, 2026 at 07:33 am
@Since'75 "You have to first, be a star, to be qualified as a star."
Duh...master of the blindingly obvious.
Rising towards star status is still a real thing.
Being a CHAMPIONSHIP LEVEL TEAM is also a real thing, even before a championship is won.
Since'75
April 09, 2026 at 03:29 pm
Ok...why don't we compromise.
In 8 drafts, we have some potential NFL stars on the roster.
How's that?
Success.
********
Championship level team.....
Well, if being the 7th seed the last 3 years is being Championship level, then i digress.
If....Being 1-3 in the playoffs the last 3 seasons is being Championship level, then i digress.
After careful reconsideration, i'm now ready to admit....
It's time to win Championships.
Have a nice day.
Turophile
April 09, 2026 at 04:53 pm
We only really have (had) a viable championship-level team last year (ruined by injury among other things) and this year.....Beyond that who knows.
Going further back in time we have had numerous solid teams, good, but not good enough to challenge at the top level. Now, barring too many injuries to key players this season, we are good enough to be a credible challenge to the best teams out there.
If you are trying to say you wish we had drafted better and coached better the last few years, I think we all wish that, but (as Cher sang) "If I Could Turn Back Time"......
Since'75
April 10, 2026 at 04:05 pm
Interesting....
The 2010 SB Championship team saw 15 players go on IR.
Good thing that team didn't have to use injuries as an excuse.
*********
Funny thing is.....
Why do i always hear, that injuries aren't an excuse.
But then......i constantly hear, that injuries are an excuse.
**********
Injuries aren't the reason my Packer friend.
Last years Packer team didn't have the horses up front, on either side of the ball. to be a Championship team, period.
Thanks for playing though.
Turophile
April 10, 2026 at 05:40 pm
It isn't the numbers of injuries that helped kill 2025, its WHO was injured.
Injuries are never an excuse, they are a reason. That doesn't mean you give up, you always should be trying to overcome them.
Three things, injury wise, can kill a season. Too many injuries in total (some years you just get snakebit), a cluster of too many injuries within one position group, and finally injuries to too many difference-makers / key players.
You need at least some luck to be in reasonably good shape towards the end of the season.
Since'75
April 10, 2026 at 06:12 pm
Oh....all right, you win.
It's time to win Championships.
Look me up in Jan. of '27
Strat
April 08, 2026 at 01:05 pm
"It’s also the reason they’re contenders again." No they're not.
"When a need is obvious, he trusts the board anyway." Then someone needs to take that board from him and break it over his head.
"It’s how Green Bay avoids panic — and occasionally finds stars." They couldn't find stars with the James Webb Space Telescope.
Go ahead, let them keep their philosophy, keep spinning their wheels, keep hoping they can provide the pacifier of "we made the playoffs" and hope the fans continue to bite on it.
Might as well let the Jonas Brothers run the draft if they're hanging around there again, or just contract out to them so they can get their board ready.
Since'75
April 09, 2026 at 03:31 pm
"It’s how Green Bay avoids panic — and occasionally finds stars."
They couldn't find stars with the James Webb Space Telescope.
Clever 😲
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When Gute needs a star, he trades two 1's and Kenny Clark, and gets one.
Since'75
April 08, 2026 at 07:01 pm
"Gutekunst has built his reputation on resisting temptation. When fans scream for a receiver. He drafts defense"
******
Or...when you get to the NFCCG, He trades up for and drafts a QB that sits on the bench for years, not helping the current team on the field.
Translation: He gave up on that 2020 team and started building for the future,
It's clear and indisputable, as i said when it happened.
And yes....i'm still grinding about that.
*********
But have no fear!! The future is now.
Because i heard....."It's time to win Championships.
Gee....I wish it would have been time to win a Championship in the 2020 draft.
Or at least.....tried?
We were closer then, then we are now.
But who knows, maybe this is our season the Packers get past the (gulp) wildcard round?
In Gute We Trust!!