Inbox: That was a nice bit of good fortune for the Packers

Dave from Comer, GA

And now come the inevitable "grades."

Absolutely none of which I will read.

Tom from Raleigh, NC

I saw the Rams were given a "F" for their first-round selection Thursday. Did the Packers receive similar grades for their first-round selections in 2005 and 2020?

I wouldn't know. See above.

Joe from Sherman, IL

Hey Spoff, it looks like you guys got done a little early Saturday. What did you do with all your extra time off? :-)

Got to bed at a normal time and got a normal night's sleep. Probably the first time in 20 years I could say that after a draft.

Steve from Andover, MN

So, Spoff, did you step away after pick 201 perhaps thinking things would stay quiet until the seventh round? Gutey does seem to enjoy "action" when you are out of position!

Luckily I took a short break for a snack earlier in the afternoon, between 153 and 201 when I was caught up on my duties. I was at my post when the surprise trade happened. Glad I was.

Tim from Fitchburg, WI

Happy post-draft to all. Seems as though Gutey again put his best player available facade up pre-draft, stating they would stick to that philosophy in GB war room. For the first time, this year, it seems Gutey bent a little with his philosophy and took the best player available at positions of most need, to fill holes on the roster. Did his approach surprise you at all this year? I really thought he would trade down to get more picks and get more bites at the apple. Weak draft dictate approach?

For the umpteenth time, needs are baked into the draft grades and building of the board. But I do think the weak overall draft influenced his approach with the trades up for specific players even though he lacked a lot of draft capital – including the effort to move back up into the bottom of the third round Friday night for Dani Dennis-Sutton, who wound up still there 20 picks into the fourth round. That was a nice bit of good fortune for the Packers.

Don from Boise, ID

Yeah! Love the Dennis-Sutton pick. Excellent value I think. Guess we shall see. What do you think of his trajectory?

I loved that pick, too. As I explained in our last “Three Things” video of the weekend, it felt important his production the last two years was consistent – double-digit TFLs, 8½ sacks each season – as he went from being the guy across from Abdul Carter in 2024 to "the guy" on that Nittany Lions defense in 2025. With Micah Parsons on the mend and Gary/Enagbare gone, we all know opportunity is knocking at that position in Green Bay.

James from Asheville, NC

Without commenting on the individual selections, does this not feel like a very "unGutekunst" draft? Trading up and having fewer picks? Selecting players for immediate need, rather than two years down the road? I'm not unhappy with the results, but it just seems strange.

It was different. No argument there. Minimal picks and no first-rounder. But next year will be different too – a boatload of picks and no first-rounder.

Jim from Mundelein, IL

I am wondering whether the draft not only is about the additions to the team but also about how the team feels about the ability of its current players to grow. We didn't draft a TE, WR, RB, off-ball LB or S. I realize we only made six picks. But maybe this also speaks to the team confidence in the current roster at those positions. Appreciate your thoughts.

Brian Gutekunst on Friday night: "I do like our team. I like our depth. I like our roster. I do think that we've got a tough team to make."

Greg from Perkasie, PA

I feel like most often, Gutey is extremely up front and honest during his media sessions. Is that typical for a GM, or do you think Gutey is a bit of an outlier in that regard?

He doesn't lie, even if he's not inclined to spell out every detail of the truth. Way back in 2020, he said before the draft that taking a QB high was on his radar, and we all thought it was a smokescreen, so we learned. This year, he was straightforward about adding numbers at corner, wanting a nose tackle, and preferring to use this year's picks to trade up rather than next year's. He just didn't clue us in on the kicker interest, but I don't think anybody asked.

Bob from Grand Rapids, MI

I'm so glad Jayden Reed's extension was completed! My question is whether the draft may have lent some urgency to Reed, perhaps to make sure the team would not consider a draft replacement? I'm probably way off base, but wanted to hear your thoughts.

I don't see it as draft-related at all. I thought it was smart for both sides – for Reed, to get what he could before the Packers spend what'll be required to keep Christian Watson and Tucker Kraft, while hedging against his health after last year and putting himself in position for his next contract while still shy of 30; for GB, to lock up a productive weapon who embodies your culture in every way at a price that could turn out to be a bargain based on the trends in the receiver market.

Dave from Gwinn, MI

Not trying to jinx any of our draft picks, but Brandon Cisse defending the run reminds me a bit of Charles Woodson. I wouldn't mind seeing him blitz from the slot a few times.

One step at a time. Let the kid eat a meal here first.

Margeaux from Tallahassee, FL

Nospoffdamus hit it out of the park with Prospect Primers for Day 2 at CB and DL with both Brandon Cisse and Chris McClellan at the top of both lists. Any idea on the next winning Florida lottery numbers?

Even a blind squirrel finds a nut on occasion, and gambling remains illegal at Bushwood.

Erick from Lake Oswego, OR

Well, how 'bout that? The kickers Prospect Primer is justified! I'll eat my portion of crow.

You and me both.

Dennis from Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Watching Trey Smack highlights, one thing occurred to me that I didn't hear anyone else talk about. It seems like he has a short and quick approach to the kick, making it harder for the opponent to block his kicks. Valid observation? Did he have any kicks blocked in college?

He had one blocked, back in 2023. What I noticed from the highlights is his high trajectory, especially on kicks from 50-plus. He doesn't have to drive it low and risk a block to get long distance.

Eric from Ankeny, IA

The fact that the Packers gave up two seventh-round picks to get Smack in the sixth round tells us Gutey and MLF were just as frustrated as the fans were with the crucial missed kicks in 2025. Were you surprised by the move?

Yes. Definitely didn't see it coming. But the Packers have missed out on 13 points due to five missed kicks in the three Jordan Love-era playoff losses. To say that sticks in the brass's craw is probably an understatement.

Bob from Covington, KY

Hi, guys. Well, that was interesting. Does trading up to take a kicker reflect more a lack of confidence in Brandon McManus or a lack of quality options in the last round? A million-dollar bonus and two draft picks seem to be a pretty large investment in "competition."

It is, for sure. It makes me wonder, had the Packers known they could get Smack at the right value spot in the draft, would their offseason decisions at the position have been different? But you can't guarantee you can get the guy you want where you want in the draft, especially with only eight picks going in.

Jeff from Indian Lake, NY

Does the selection of Smack signal the end of Lucas Havrisik's time in Green Bay? Or do you foresee a three-way competition at kicker, at least through OTAs?

Nobody gave an indication Saturday night there's any rush to narrow it down. We'll have to wait and see.

Scott from Hayward, WI

Kickers taken in the draft are fairly rare, right? I have a feeling that giving up two draft picks to move up to select Trey Smack is moving him to the front of the line, so to speak. If he's not the guy, they essentially burned three selections. Thoughts?

I don't think Gutey looked at it as burning anything. He said he didn't like the value of what he was going to get late in the seventh round, which I took to mean he was just looking at guys they'd targeted as UDFAs anyway, and he opened up another spot on the 90-man in the process.

Jim from Franklin, WI

You'll get zillions of opinions. My opinion is Domani Jackson in round 6 could be a steal. 6-1, 4.41 speed, playing against the best in practice and games at Bama. No. 2 ranked DB coming out of high school. Bet he was very disappointed to fall to round 6. These situations can really motivate a talented young man!

He’s been through a lot already, and in the media Zoom call with him, he struck me as both confident and level-headed. If he's willing to work, he'll get a legitimate chance to make an impact.

Steve from Marinette, WI

What are some of your favorite comments on draft picks? One of mine is … he can bend his knees.

Jon-Eric Sullivan had an all-timer last year after the Packers drafted Anthony Belton. "Big don't get small." I'll remember that one forever.

Terry from Elroy, WI

When I saw Brandon Cisse's reaction to being drafted, the word that came to mind was "humble." When do the Packers assign uniform numbers? I want a Cisse jersey.

The rookie minicamp is at the end of this week.

Doug from Neenah, WI

When the Packers traded up from 84 to 77 by giving up their fifth-round pick (160), didn't it sting for just a few minutes? But then two more DTs went at 81 (Albert Regis) and 82 (Domonique Orange) so it looks like Gutey got his guy ahead of other teams needing one. Well done.

Wes astutely noted that in the story he wrote about McClellan.

Julian from Gastonia, NC

With no running backs selected by GB in the draft do you think it is reasonable to conclude that the Packers feel MarShawn Lloyd will be playing this year?

If he can stay healthy, he'll be a big part of this team.

Janet from Colgate, WI

What were your biggest disappointments in the draft?

No tight end. Echoing Gutey, who admitted he wanted to add one, but stuff like that fails to work out during a draft all the time.

Mark from Austin, TX

Gents, I thought the first three picks were spot on as far as positions of need. However, I am shocked that the Packers did not select a single offensive tackle! World and Pounds seemed like good late-round targets. The roster gets very thin if either Jordan Morgan or Zach Tom goes down.

There must not have been a late-round tackle they thought was any better than Darian Kinnard or Travis Glover. That's my read anyway. Gutey was asked specifically about that position after the draft and expressed confidence they've got options.

Bob from Ashburn, GA

Gentlemen: I was surprised with needs at RB and QB, neither position was filled by the draft. Is this where UDFA might fill the gaps? Or do you think there will be other options to fill these slots?

While I was writing my draft recap Saturday night, the media reports were already flying about UDFAs the Packers were signing at all the positions that didn't get addressed in the draft.

Mike from Geneva, IL

Stepping away from the Packers for a minute, the draft is critical to a team's future success. The Jets had four of the top 50 picks. If the four players aren't serviceable in the next few years, how long will it take to recover from that failure? This seems like a monumental draft for that organization!

The Jets had four picks in the top 40 back in 2022 and have a 22-46 record since then to show for it. They've got three more first-round picks next year as well. It has to come together by the end of this decade or it never will.

Dave from Wheaton, IL

Well now, that was fun. Has anyone else noticed that the six players drafted were five from the SEC and one from the Big Ten? Big-time players, big-time games, hopefully big-time pros.

Fewer and fewer draft picks come from small schools in college football's new landscape. Most of the top players find their way to the power-conference programs eventually.

Chuck from Santa Ana, CA

I'm sure I'm not the only one, but can we just call our fourth-round pick "the dentist"?

Between that, plus the endless Smack and Jager jokes I've had to read, there aren't enough exits for this crowd.

Mike from Winchester, TN

Hi II, is "What Cisse You?" allowed now?

Serenity now.

Jonnie from Garden City, MI

Good morning! Did Spoff really just tempt the football gods by asking if the Tush Push officiating could get worse? Last I checked there hasn't been any resolution with the NFLRA...

My bad.

Terry from Green Bay, WI

Good morning II. It's the Monday after the draft. Is today the day all the experts who posted mock drafts, updated mock drafts, and most recent mock drafts report their accuracy scores?

Would anyone care?

Chuck from Whitewater, WI

Nice job, Pittsburgh, on the draft weekend, but if I never hear "Renegade" again, it'll be too soon.

And this jig is up. Happy Monday.

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