Packers GM anticipates draft day trades and player runs as teams scramble for talent. Will Green Bay stay put or strike a deal?
The Green Bay Packers didn't have much to do on Thursday night than to watch what former assistant general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan was pulling off with the Miami Dolphins in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Packers sent their first-round picks in 2026 and 2027 to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for star pass-rusher Micah Parsons.
It's a move Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst would do again. During his news conference, he argued that Parsons was better than any player on the draft board Thursday night.
Friday night promises to be busier for Gutekunst, who recently signed a contract extension with Green Bay in January. The Packers are set to select at No. 52 and No. 80.
During his news conference on Thursday night, Gutekunst suggested there could be early movement at the beginning of the second round. He thinks Green Bay could trade for a certain player, but thinks the Packers can stay at No. 52.
"I think obviously... all the players that we have stacked where we're excited about,” he said. "But kind of the top of the second round is always a little bit chaotic. Everybody has a whole night to sleep on things, and people get panicky.
"And then there's all kinds of trades at times at the top of the second round, there always has been... it'll be interesting how the first 10 to 15 picks happen tomorrow, and see if anybody gets close enough that we feel we may want to go up, but we feel pretty confident that we can stick where we're at and take a good player."
Gutekunst doesn't anticipate trading a 2027 pick to move up on Day 2, noting that he feels like those picks will be essential for Green Bay.
After trading for Parsons, the Packers have less draft capital to play with in 2026 and 2027. That means Green Bay must hit on as many picks as possible in the later rounds.
The Packers need help at offensive line and cornerback. Gutekunst suggested he wasn't concerned by any offensive tackles taken on Thursday night, as he anticipated those players would fly off the board on Day 1.
The players Green Bay has targeted for Day 2 are still available. Now, the Packers hope one of them will be available at No. 52.