Another first-round defensive back? It makes a lot of sense for the Packers

Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst.

Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst has not been shy about stocking up his secondary via the NFL Draft.

Sometimes it has worked out. See: Alexander, Jaire and potentially Carrington Valentine.

Other times it hasn’t, and unfortunately, those examples are plenty: Josh Jackson, Darnell Savage and (for now) Eric Stokes are all examples in this category.

In all, Gutekunst has selected 10 defensive backs since 2018, and three of them have been first-rounders (Alexander, Savage and Stokes). Just because he’s missed on a few doesn’t mean that he should abandon the philosophy entirely in the 2024 NFL Draft. In fact, the Packers would be smart to take one of the better defensive backs on the board.

It all depends on how it falls, but there could be an intriguing cornerback or two at No. 25 when the Packers select. Some believe that Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell could be the stickiest corner in the draft and even better than Terrion Arnold or Kool-Aid McKinstry from Alabama. Mitchell is being projected as a mid-to-late first-rounder, so he would be a tremendous pickup for Green Bay at 25. He notched 18 passes defended an interception last season for Toledo.

The Packers could also pick the top safety off the board, who many think is Kamren Kitchens from Miami (FL). Kitchens notched six interceptions last season for the Hurricanes and would be an immediate upgrade for the Packers at a massive position of need. Having a safety who can actually catch the ball when it’s thrown to him would be a big improvement.

Those are just two players to mention, but whether it’s cornerback or safety, Gutekunst must think long and hard about improving what was definitely a weakness of the defense last season.

Right now, it’s Alexander and a bunch of question marks, and even he’s an injury concern.

Gutekunst can answer some of those questions in Round 1.

Want more articles like this? Follow Yardbarker on MSN to see more of our exclusive NFL content.

More must-reads:

Trending slideshow: The best NFL teams that never made it to a Super Bowl (Provided by Yardbarker)