The Green Bay Packers entered the draft with 11 total picks. While that seemed a lot, general manager Brian Gutekunst said on Monday that draft capital is never enough. He was willing to make moves to add even more selections, and that's exactly what he did on Friday.
By moving down from 41 to 45 in the second round with the New Orleans Saints, the Packers added two extra day 3 picks — a fifth (168) and a sixth (190).
"You never have enough ammunition to build your room," Gutekunst had said. "So there's significant competition in every room. I think that's really important. I'd love to end up with 13, 14, or more. I would never shy away from that."
Interesting situation
The Packers' 90-man roster is at 77 players. Kenneth Odumegwu doesn't count against the limit because he's signed through the International Pathway Program, but linebacker De'Vondre Campbell was designated as a post-June 1st release, so he will occupy a roster spot until then.
That's an extreme situation, where the Packers are expected to finish the draft with 85 players. That means, unless they release some players, they will be able to sign only five undrafted free agents. At the moment, for example, they have three kickers: Anders Carlson, Greg Joseph, and Jack Podlesny.
A lot of picks
The Packers are slated to have eight draft picks on Saturday. Check out:
4th round
- Pick 126 (original)
5th round
- Pick 168 (compensatory via New Orleans Saints)
- Pick 169 (compensatory for losing Allen Lazard)
6th round
- Pick 190 (via New Orleans Saints)
- Pick 202 (original)
- Pick 219 (compensatory for losing Jarran Reed)
7th round
- Pick 245 (original)
- Pick 255 (compensatory for losing Dean Lowry)
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