The Packers Wire’s staff predicts what the Green Bay Packers will do during Thursday night’s first round of the 2020 NFL draft:
Kruse: Packers take Aiyuk
I think a few different factors will converge and lead the Packers to take Arizona State receiver Brandon Aiyuk at No. 30 overall. First, there’s a good chance Justin Jefferson and Denzel Mims will be off the board. Second, I’m not confident one of the top offensive tackles is going to be there at No. 30. Third, I don’t think the Packers are willing to wait to get one of the top receivers in this class, regardless of how deep it might look. Fourth, the Packers have a major need for a playmaking receiver. Fifth, the Packers haven’t truly valued inside linebacker in a long time. Finally, the Packers have deep connections to Aiyuk, who is also a terrific fit in the offense, given his vertical speed and ability after the catch. And he’s an elite athlete. Aiyuk checks all the boxes.
Wepfer: Packers trade out of first round
I’m sticking to my guns: I think the Packers are trading back from No. 30 overall. I think Brian Gutekunst invokes Ted Thompson, moves from No. 30 to No. 34 in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts, and nets an additional fourth-round pick. In 2008, the Packers moved from No. 30 to No. 37 to select receiver Jordy Nelson and also collected pick No. 102, which became Wake Forest defensive end Jeremy Thompson. I expect Gutekunst to use the extra pick to move around the board on Day 2.
Kipp: Packers take Mims
I believe the Packers’ plans will be predicated on how the receivers fall early in this draft. If we see one of the big names start to fall into the late teens, I wouldn’t be shocked to see Green Bay trade with the Jaguars’ at pick No. 20 to get ahead of the Eagles (No. 21) and Vikings (No. 22), both of which have a need for a receiver. GM Brian Gutekunst stated earlier this week the team won’t be afraid to be aggressive in moving around the board. Another scenario could involve trading picks with the Seahawks (No. 27) to get ahead of the Ravens (No. 28) in order to select a linebacker. The Packers have swapped first-rounders with Seattle each of the last two years. My official prediction? Green Bay drafts Baylor receiver Denzel Mims somewhere in the first round.
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