Inbox: Every pick matters, no matter the round

Joe from Liberty Township, OH

At its basic level, an NFL GM's job is asset management – player talent/position, player contracts, draft capital, free agent acquisitions. Brian Gutekunst did a masterful job with Dontayvion Wicks. In the 2023 draft, he traded down from pick 45 to 48, then 48 to 50 where he took Jayden Reed. With the picks he acquired in those trades he took Wicks No. 159 (fifth round) and Karl Brooks at 179 (sixth). Now after three cheap contract years, Gutey trades Wicks for pick 153 and a sixth next year. Assets well-managed.

The Packers have a knack for turning picks into more picks whether it's through trades or the compensatory formula. Drafting well is like home cooking – if you're good at it, it's cost-effective and usually tastes better than carryout (e.g. unrestricted free agency). I've talked extensively in this column about the Packers' history in the second round, but the fifth round has been kind to Green Bay, too (Wicks, Corey Linsley, Aaron Jones, T.J. Slaton, Kingsley Enagbare and Marquez Valdes-Scantling). It goes to show every pick matters, no matter the round.

Steve from Ellison Bay, WI

Wes, my favorite Wicks highlight is Aaron Jones lifting him up against the Rams, how about you?

That was a great moment. I feel like Wicks was at the peak of his powers in that win over Detroit on Thanksgiving. Even before the game-sealing catch, Wicks already had two touchdown catches against the Lions. To this day, I don't know how he got his feet down on the one in the corner of the end zone. Legendary.

Steven from Balsam Lake, WI

On Monday, Wes mentioned six deep at WR last season, and it got me reminiscing on when Rodgers and Co. could run the five-wide formation on those early 2010s teams. I'd love to see what Jordan Love could do with the same five-wide formation. Christian Watson, Matthew Golden, Jayden Reed, Tucker Kraft, and take your pick on the fifth. Come on MLF, draw it up!

I like it. LaFleur could put together some interesting two tight end sets if you throw Luke Musgrave in there with the four aforementioned. Or building a two-RB package with Watson, Golden, Kraft, Josh Jacobs and Chris Brooks. Doubs and Wicks are good football players who will be missed, but the possibilities remain endless on offense.

Jeffery from Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

After the Wicks trade, could you please run down the current draft picks for 2026 and 2027? I know we cannot put the compensation picks in the bank yet, but what is your current projection for those in each of these drafts?

The Packers now have eight picks for this year and are projected to have 11 picks in 2027, including four compensatory selections.

Caleb from Knoxville, TN

Can you tell us a little about the Packers Tailgate Tour, for those of us who live out of state and can't attend one?

It's a cool deal with fundraising events each day and surprise stops at local schools, hospitals, businesses, retirement homes, and community centers. Each night ends with a tentpole event to raise money and awareness for charitable cases throughout the region. Our social media coordinator Matthew Donley will have full coverage of the tour.

Jim from Hudsonville, MI

Somewhat in response to a Monday question: It was noted that offensive skill players can rotate out of the game at will. What about the poor guys up front? Their counterparts on the defensive line rotate like a carousel, yet the O-lineman ("ideally") have to tough it out. Seems to me they work just as hard on each and every down as everyone else.

That's the burden facing offensive linemen. It's also why you'll occasionally hear O-linemen talk about how much they enjoy running the football because they're the ones delivering the impact rather than absorbing the blow in pass pro.

Jameson from Longmont, CO

Six-foot-1 and 223 pounds running a 4.33 at RB? I don't care what round; he's my top guy right now. If Gutey were able to magically trade down a few spots and get Mike Washington Jr. third round and get another crack? It'd be an incredible coup. He has my blessing! Love all what all of you do, despite Spoff and Hod receiving the "headlines." It's a team game. Kudos to your entire team!

Washington is one of several insane athletes in this year's draft class. Drafting a running back on Day 2 might be a bit bold given how many needs the Packers have, but Washington's makeup gives ya something to think about. I'd love it if he were still there in the fourth round, but there appears to be a big gap forming between Washington and the RBs No. 4-7. We'll just have to see where his stock settles.

Al from Green Bay, WI

Yesterday Wes alluded to the "free agent board." I'm not sure if I ever heard that term before. What can you tell us about that board to make us all just a tad bit smarter?

Like their draft board, the Packers keep a rolodex of available free agents in case a roster spot comes open during OTAs or training camp. Sometimes you'll see Green Bay bring in a player for a visit in-season and weeks later he signs to the practice squad.

Mike from Tama, IA

Not really sure if you are in the know, but I was wondering what the status of the injured players from last year, including Tucker Kraft, are. Is everything coming along well or what? Just one of those things that we can worry about this offseason.

We had a good chat with Gutekunst and Matt LaFleur about Kraft last month. The Packers tight end was in Arizona early this offseason but spent a majority of it in Green Bay. You must take these things one day at a time, but it sounds like everything is going according to plan with Kraft's rehab. It was great to see Kraft running again on the video he recently posted on social media.

Linwood from Travelers Rest, SC

Hi Mike or Wes, last year the second-round draft picks took their time signing contracts holding out for whatever. Do you expect that to happen again this year or was 2025 an anomaly? GPG

I assume that will happen again with second-round picks trying to get as much guaranteed money as possible in their contracts, which is pretty much the only negotiable with rookie contracts in today's NFL.

Jeff from Omaha, NE

If the reason for going to a K-ball was to eliminate the advantage from rubbin' and scrubbin', and now teams can basically resume rubbin' and scrubbin', what's the point of the K-ball again? Am I missing something here?

But the rules weren't made to eliminate rubbin' and scrubbin'. They were enacted in 1999 to create oversight of the process and level the playing field level for all NFL teams.

John from Stevens Point, WI

It looks like the Packers are back in the building draft capital mode. With salaries continuing to escalate (is there an end in sight?) and with older players a roll of the dice health-wise, this isn't necessarily a bad thing, right? My concern: With the advent of private equity buying into teams and deferred contracts, are we heading into an error similar to MLB where the gap between the top five teams and the others is so great as to make competing extremely difficult for small-market teams?

Well, the rising cap reflects the NFL's revenue shared among the owners through TV broadcast rights and gate at events. Just like there is a limit teams can spend on players, there also is a floor to which they must adhere over a three-year span (90%). That keeps the playing field level for clubs, whereas MLB teams such as the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees can leverage their own TV contracts to spend directly on player acquisition.

Russ from Henrico, VA

I fully expect a meteor to hit the receiver room now that Wes has declared there is "sufficient depth." Would you please warn the training staff?

Sufficient depth with the draft still ahead is what I meant. Look no further than the 2025 season for evidence of how quickly injuries can deplete a position group.

Matt from Nashville, TN

With all the speculation around the draft coming up and the significance of not having a first-round pick … who would you choose at pick 52 if you had to pick now?

I don't think he'll be there at 52, but my choice would be to trade up for San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson.

Ray from Phoenix, AZ

We need depth at so many positions. What positions do you see Gute doubling up on in this draft?

Defensive back and offensive line. We talk a lot about the need at perimeter cornerback, but the Packers also lost most of their depth at nickel behind Javon Bullard this offseason.

John from Spring Hill, TN

To the point about offensive players getting tired, I immediately thought of DJ Moore in at least one of the Bears games this past year. The dude looked completely out of gas at multiple points during the game but then made the game-winning catch.

There's a reason receivers go directly to the sideline after running go routes.

Tom from Waukesha, WI

Wes, first let me say it was a pleasure to meet you last year briefly before the Bengals game at the Miller Lite End Zone Bar. You probably don't remember but I do. Wondering what your take on all the teeth gnashing is about NFL fans complaining about all the streaming platforms and the cost of seeing all the games you want. I'm sort of on the fence because of the salary cap that comes from TV deals but also not interested in buying all those streaming platforms to watch the NFL. What say you?

I hear their frustrations, but that's just the digital world we live in now. On most weekends, I have to login into Paramount Plus to watch UFC on Saturday nights and then pivot to Apple TV Sunday morning for Formula One. I don't watch anything else on either platform but still pay the subscription for those specific broadcasts. If you're in the Milwaukee and Green Bay markets, you'll always have access to Packers football. If you're a fan outside those regions, you just have to get a bit more creative.

Sean from Springfield, OR

So, the K-ball was implemented to keep teams from doctoring the ball, but now we can prep it? Sounds like we're going in circles.

It's like the "legal tampering period."

Tallon from Castle Rock, CO

With the Bucks' season ending early we can now look back on the Wisconsin 2025-26 pro sports season. It was a tough one. Brewers got swept, our Packers blew a lead against the rivals, and the Bucks just couldn't do anything right. For the Bucks, it feels similar to the '22 Pack. It is different because the Bucks were never great before Giannis came, even if we never win another chip, watching Giannis on the Bucks for four more years would be worth it. What say you?

Giannis has given so much to the Bucks and Wisconsin sports fans. I want to see him play in Milwaukee forever, but he's earned the right to do whatever he wants in Year 14.

Jeffrey from Eveleth, MN

Well Weston, you whopped me on the Masters prediction. I had Jon Rahm, you had Scheffler. Not even close. However, at least Rahm had Sergio carry his golf bag a bit after Sergio beat the second tee box and water cooler like they owed him money. I can't understand how Sergio could act like that, especially at that venue. It was kind of funny, though.

I loved every second of it. Congrats to Scotty on one heck of a comeback, but Rory was on another level for three of the four days.

Doug from Neenah, WI

Good morning, Mike. Your commentary about The Inbox's advertising revenue made me think of the 1979 classic Steve Martin movie "The Jerk." Navin Johnson's quote was, "Ah...it's a profit deal. That takes the pressure off." But for you and Wes, is the pressure ever really off?

Hopefully, we're giving away something more valuable than Chicklets and erasers.

Dan from UK

Since I'm not going to Jeff from New Richmond's party and you guys don't appear to be going either, can you ask Jeff to send me a slice of pizza please because my favorite is pepperoni and green peppers. Thanks.

I could use some pizza right about now.

HAVE A QUESTION?