Cheese Curds, 4/3: Addressing concerns about Packers drafting a QB or WR in round 1

While the Green Bay Packers prepare for the 2020 NFL Draft — which is now less than three weeks away — pundits and fans and media members are trying to figure out what they might do with the 30th overall selection.

Wide receiver is a common mock draft pick for the Packers, given the apparent need for an explosive offensive player. However, the team’s track record of waiting until at least round two to select a receiver is well-documented, and although this year’s class seems to have star power at the top, there’s plenty of depth there as well. In addition, recent first-round picks at that position have tended to be mediocre, though the last year with multiple Pro Bowl players in round one is the year that this class draws comparisons to on a regular basis.

Then there’s the quarterback dilemma. With Aaron Rodgers still under contract for a few more years and intending to play at a high level, does it make sense to grab a quarterback even if one that the team really likes falls to 30? The financials of the NFL and the dynamics of that position are not the same as they were when the team snagged Rodgers in 2005.

Ultimately, the Packers have tended to gravitate towards one of three positions in the first round in the last decade and a half: offensive tackles, players on the defensive front, or pass defenders in the secondary. Don’t be surprised if this year’s first-round pick lands at one of those positions — if the Packers actually use that 30th pick, that is. A trade back could be in the cards as well, and it might make plenty of sense for the Packers to slide back a few spots and pick up some extra ammunition late on day two of the draft.

Thankfully, there are just 20 days remaining until we find out what Brian Gutekunst does. In the meantime, the speculation continues.

Packers Give Back supporting 10 local organizations with first round of COVID-19 community relief funds | Packers.com
The Packers organization, through its charitable foundation, has established a $1.5 million fund for community organizations affected by coronavirus. The first disbursement of those funds went out on Thursday, with nearly $300,000 going to organizations around the Green Bay area.

Jordan Love's strengths are what NFL teams seek at evolving QB position | Packersnews.com
Love, the Utah State quarterback, had a dismal junior year in 2019 after a stellar 2018 season. His raw talent is intriguing, but he'll need to work on his consistency and decision-making before he will be a successful NFL quarterback. It seems unlikely that he will be available at 30, but it's hardly impossible.

5 reasons why the Packers shouldn’t take a QB high in 2020 draft | Packers Wire
Meanwhile, Zach Kruse lays out the case against taking a quarterback in round one. This writer agrees with this position from both a financial and competitive standpoint.

Drafting A Wide Receiver In Round One Could Be Risky Business For The Green Bay Packers | Forbes.com
The last five drafts have had a particularly low hit rate on first-round receivers. But that cutoff is convenient, as three of the five first rounders in 2014 look like excellent players and all five had at least one 1,000-yard season.

Chiefs WR Sammy Watkins' new deal includes $7M in incentives, no-trade clause | ESPN
One of those 2014 picks -- the first receiver off the board at #4 overall, in fact -- is staying put in Kansas City. Watkins signed a restructure of his contract that opens up about $5 million in cap space for a Chiefs team that had less than $200 of cap room before the move.

The five most memorable moments from the Packers’ 2019 season – The Athletic
#1 is absolutely the right pick in my mind. We'll see how the rest of this top five matches up with APC's best plays of 2019 in a few weeks.

Astrophysicist gets magnets stuck up nose while inventing coronavirus device | The Guardian
Smart people can do really dumb things sometimes. Here's a great example of that.