clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Packers Draft Rumors: Is Green Bay eyeing QB DeShone Kizer at 33?

There is no smoking on these premises, Mr. Thompson.

NFL: Combine Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Is he bluffing or is he serious?

With the Green Bay Packers holding the first pick in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft (33rd overall) after trading back last night, Packers general manager Ted Thompson made it clear last night that the team is open to trading back even further in the second round.

Now, according to a report from NFL Network's Ian Rapaport, Green Bay may also stay put and make a rather stunning pick to start the draft's second day.

According to Rapaport, the Packers are getting trade calls but could also stay put and make a selection. One possible choice? Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer. Rapaport’s tweet was questioned by CBS Sports’ Will Brinson to clarify if he meant the Packers could actually take Kizer and Rapaport confirmed that was the case.

Now that you've picked yourself up off the floor, this news could have multiple meanings.

First, Green Bay could really be wanting to trade the pick and leaking that they could take a quarterback could force a quarterback needy team to move up and sweeten their trade offer.

If that's the case, advantage Ted.

Second, this could mean a trade is coming for current backup quarterback Brett Hundley. The former UCLA standout had injury issues last preseason but has shown flashes in the limited playing time he has had since being drafted by the Packers in the fifth round of the 2015 draft.

This would leave Aaron Rodgers without a viable backup, and Kizer could fit the role even though that's awfully high for a second string player.

The third possibility is that the Packers will indeed pick a player at 33 and that Kizer is simply the top player left on the board. That being said, he would be by no means a value pick, and with Rodgers having likely at least five years left in him, this would be far too early to select his heir apparent.

All things considered, this leak is most likely a smoke screen. It's a pick that makes absolutely zero sense for the Packers right now. The problem is the next team with a quarterback need would be the Buffalo Bills at 44, the 12th pick in the second round. The Jacksonville Jaguars could move up two spots, but the team seems to still have faith in Blake Bortles so a quarterback this early might not make much sense for them.

Green Bay could certainly end up trading back and acquire an additional third or fourth round pick. While it's not flashy and also absolute torture for fans, it makes sense given the way the board has fallen. It's unlikely the Packers fall any further back than the 45th pick, so fans should not worry.

Ted has a plan. The last time the Packers traded out of the first round was in 2008 to take one Jordy Nelson, and at last check that pick played out pretty well.