Packers GM Brian Gutekunst is in attendance on the Ohio State professional day. Who might he be in attendance to see?
The NFL world is descending on Columbus for a giant cease within the professional day circuit forward of the 2023 NFL Draft in April. The Ohio State Buckeyes are set to host their professional day Wednesday, and 30 of 32 groups are set to be in attendance, together with 10 normal managers and 7 head coaches.
A kind of GMs is reportedly the Inexperienced Bay Packers’ Brian Gutekunst. Gutekunst was simply in Ames for the Iowa State professional day on Tuesday, and now could be set to get a close-up have a look at the following Buckeyes to enter the NFL.
So who might Gutekunst have his eyes on? The most well-liked reply will most likely be broad receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Smith-Njigba posted ludicrous agility instances on the mix. His 3.93-second quick shuttle ranks within the 99th percentile all-time on the receiver place, and his 6.57 three-cone time ranks within the 98th percentile.
He simply posted unofficial instances of 4.53 and 4.50 within the 40, that are completely acceptable numbers for a participant who doesn’t win with field-tilting pace. The packing containers are checked, however will he be the choice at 15?
Whereas a first-round receiver may be very thrilling, Gutekunst might be there to take a look at the trenches.
Paris Johnson Jr. is a consensus prime deal with within the 2023 NFL Draft, and was not too long ago the Packers’ choice in Daniel Jeremiah’s latest mock draft.
Johnson steadily improved together with his hand placement and approach as a go protector in the course of the 2022 season, and already possessed the preliminary quicks, uncommon motion abilities, and ending capability to be a dominant run blocker. He would possibly find yourself being out of vary for the Packers, however there aren’t any ensures. Johnson might safe long-term stability at deal with in Inexperienced Bay.
Let’s additionally not neglect about edge defender/edge rusher, a place that feels somewhat extra unsure than it did earlier than Rashan Gary’s damage. Assuming he comes again, Preston Smith probably gained’t be round for the lengthy haul both.
Kingsley (J.J.) Enagbare won’t be greater than a 3rd man within the rotation, and whereas that’s nonetheless vital, getting the long-term starter someday quickly is probably going a precedence for the Packers.
Zach Harrison (6054, 274) is an even bigger, longer (36.25 inch arms!!!!) edge rusher that matches the mould of the Packers. He hasn’t posted testing numbers simply but, however they’re anticipated to be very spectacular. His athleticism and untapped potential might be what Gutekunst and firm are on the lookout for on day two.
There’s no assure on this both, but when the Packers are uncertain about Josh Myers, they may return to the middle properly for a 3rd time within the final decade in Luke Wypler. Wypler’s significantly sturdy in go safety, and has the athleticism to be coveted as a zone heart.
Will the Packers choose any of those prospects? Perhaps not, nevertheless it’s clear that Gutekunst believes that Ohio State is an important cease within the pre-draft course of to have a look at future stars from a robust NFL pipeline.