Scouting mistakes are normal. Eventually, general managers and executives will take players from a certain position, and players taken later in the draft will end up being better. Other times, the same scouts will get better players later on. Eventually, the same GM takes multiple players at the same position and the second one is better — remember, the Green Bay Packers drafted Zach Tom one round after Sean Rhyan. That's just the nature of the process.
However, some mistakes are harder to justify. And since Brian Gutekunst took over as the Packers general manager in 2018, his biggest scouting mistake was probably taking Josh Myers over Creed Humphrey in the second round in 2021.
And that's not only because Humphrey ended up as the better player — and one of the best centers in football. It's because you don't need hindsight to understand that was a mistake.
Basically every draft analyst had Creed Humphrey ahead of Josh Myers in 2021. According to the consensus big board, for example, Humphrey was the 44th overall prospect and the best center of that class. Josh Myers, the second center, was just the 93rd overall prospect.
Now, Gutekunst might have the chance to rectify that mistake.
Mock draft
Dane Brugler, The Athletic's draft analyst and responsible for "The Beast" draft guide, published on Wednesday a full, seven-round mock draft.
Even with a list of available players that included cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry, offensive tackle Jordan Morgan, wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, Brugler mocked Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson to the Packers with the 25th overall pick.
"There are several ways the Packers can attack the offensive line in the draft," Brugler wrote. "One of those is to select Powers-Johnson, who can provide an upgrade at center and allow Green Bay to keep Zach Tom at tackle while moving Josh Myers to guard."
Pro comparison
A to Z Sports' film analyst James Foster put together an extensive list on his big board with solid pro comparisons for the prospects.
Curiously enough, he compared Jackson Powers-Johnson to Creed Humphrey in terms of style.
Strengths: Sturdy build, wide base, quality play strength; Only 1 pressure allowed in 2023; Was the best OL at the Senior Bowl working at center & both guard spots; Firm grip strength & nearly impenetrable anchor; Works to reset his hands if his initial punch is inaccurate; Excellent awareness in pass pro. Always looking to give his guards help; Nasty block finisher. Redirects pass rushers & renovates LBs as a puller; Controls down blocks from his initial punch & moves defenders across gaps; Knows the RBs aiming point & clears people out of the way; Young player with 2 years of starting experience.
Weaknesses: Didn't have many difficult, 1-on-1 pass blocking assignments; Looks for killshots at the 2nd level. Punches instead of latching on; Inconsistent sustaining reach blocks; Average range as a run blocker; Average fluidity & straight-line speed; Needs to improve snap accuracy (1 uncatchable vs USC/a few slightly right vs Oreg/Ariz St).
Outcome
The Packers would probably prefer to get a tackle in the draft, which would open the door to move Zach Tom to center. However, the board was not that strong in Brugler's mock.
Tackles Joe Alt, JC Latham, Taliese Fuaga, Olu Fashanu, Troy Fautanu, Amarius Mims, and Tyler Guyton had been taken, as well as Graham Barton. Defensive backs Terrion Arnold, Quinyon Mitchell, and Cooper DeJean were also off the board, which forced the Packers in the mock to go in an unusual direction.
Jackson Powers-Johnson is seen as a center-only prospect. With him on the roster, the Packers would certainly keep Zach Tom as the right tackle — and potentially draft a developmental tackle later on to compete with Rasheed Walker in the long term.
Josh Myers would probably move to guard, competing with Sean Rhyan for the starting right guard spot. That would give the Packers some interior depth, since Royce Newman is currently the only backup interior offensive lineman on the 90-man roster.
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