The Green Bay Packers have had an extraordinary run of being able to find quality talent and long-term players in the NFL Draft. Of course, not every pick is successful in Green Bay (see, Amari Rodgers), but Packers’ general manager Brian Gutekunst has hit on more picks than he has missed. Some draft classes are better than others, but it is the general consensus that his last three drafts have been spectacular.
That being said, draft picks, especially those in the first round, are typically highly scrutinized by the fanbase. For years, Packers fans begged for the front office to draft a wide receiver in the first round, and for years the Packers took a defensive player or, as was the case in 2020, a quarterback.
That particular pick, Jordan Love, was heavily criticized for more than three years. There are some who believe (incorrectly), that had the Packers just drafted Tee Higgins in that spot, Green Bay could have won a Super Bowl, as if Higgins would have stopped defensive meltdowns in the postseason or have saved David Bakhtiari from tearing his ACL during a non-contact drill in practice.
Now that Love has established himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL and the future of the Packers franchise, people are looking at the pick a lot differently, as PFF’s latest ranking suggests.
Pro Football Focus, or PFF, recently posted an article of the best players drafted with every draft position in the first round of the past 10 NFL Drafts. In other words, the best player to be pick first overall, the best player to be picked second overall, etc.
Despite many fans being upset about the Packers’ decisions in the first round during this time, three of their first round picks found themselves on PFF’s list.
Cornerback Jaire Alexander- 18th Overall Pick in 2018
Jaire Alexander may have had a down year in 2023, but now he is healthy and has a new defensive coordinator that has reignited the fire that made him one of the best cornerbacks in the game. Since being drafted in 2018, he also has made two Pro Bowls and been named Second Team All-Pro twice.
PFF said of his being the best 18th overall pick:
“Alexander may not have as many career interceptions as Marcus Peters, but his coverage highs have been just as good and his coverage lows have been much higher, with 73.0 being his lowest single-season coverage grade — and that was his rookie season. When healthy, Alexander is a true CB1 who can play on the outside or in the slot.”
If new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley and his staff are telling the truth about how aggressive their defense will be, those interception numbers could come for Alexander soon.
Quarterback Jordan Love- 26th Overall Pick in 2020
As mentioned, the criticism of the Jordan Love pick lasted for over three years, well into his first season as the Packers’ starting quarterback. However, after putting together the best first season starting of any quarterback in franchise history, people are changing their tunes:
“It has taken a few years, but even the one season we saw of Love makes him the choice for this list. From Week 8 on in 2023, Love was PFF’s second-highest-graded passer. His 26 big-time throws in that span were also the second most.
“Calvin Ridley and Montez Sweat are solid options, but Love’s current peak trumps each of their longer periods of success.”
While many were skeptical about how good he would be, more and more are buying into the hype that Love’s second half run created.
Defensive Tackle Kenny Clark: 27th Overall Pick in 2016
Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
If there is any player that might benefit the most from the new defensive coaching staff, it is Kenny Clark. For his entire career, he has been forced to play in a system that is not necessarily conducive to his style of play. Even so, he has made three Pro Bowls so far in his career.
PFF wrote of him:
“Tre’Davious White had a fantastic rookie season but was never really able to replicate it. Byron Jones has also put together good seasons, but nothing at the elite level.
“As for Clark, he earned back-to-back elite single-season grades in 2017 and 2018, and though he hasn’t hit that elite mark since, he has been a steady presence along the Packers’ defensive line. He gets the nod for his ceiling and longevity.”
