Packers Draft Pick History: Seven picks at #194 with little to show for it

The Green Bay Packers hold ten draft picks in the 2019 NFL Draft, and for a team that has a storied, 100-year history, they have predictably made selections in the past at every one of these draft slots. Over the next few days leading up to this year’s draft, Acme Packing Company will examine the Packers’ history at each current slot for 2019, as well as run down the names of recent picks around the league at the position.

The Packers’ second draft pick in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft comes courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks. General manager Brian Gutekunst obtained the 194th overall pick in the draft last August, when he traded backup quarterback Brett Hundley to Seattle. If the Packers make their pick there, that will be the eighth time they have selected in that spot in team history. However, of the team’s seven picks, only one ever played in an NFL game.

There’s not much in NFL history, either. The top player picked there in the NFL Draft by Approximate Value is receiver Leonard Thompson, the Lions’ pick in 1975. However, the Denver Broncos made linebacker Dave Edwards the 194th pick of the 1962 AFL Draft, and he went on to a great career. However, it was in the NFL, not the AFL, as he became a starter for the Dallas Cowboys for over a decade.

Meanwhile, the most notable recent pick at 194 is Spencer Ware, who has built a nice career as a backup running back for a handful of NFL teams, most recently the Kansas City Chiefs.

Here are the names in the Packers’ history and over the past eight years in the NFL.

Packers’ History at #194

1939: Willard Hofer, B

1940: Vince Eichler, B

1942: Henry Woronicz, E

1949: Larry Cooney, B

1961: Nelson Toburen, LB

1969: Doug Gosnell, C

1974: Monte Doris, LB

Toburen is the only player in this list to play in the NFL, suiting up for 24 games with one start over the 1961 and 62 seasons. He was part of NFL Championships in both of those campaigns, however.

Recent History at #194

• 2018: Russell Gage, WR, LSU (Falcons)
• 2017: Vincent Taylor, DT, Oklahoma State (Dolphins)
• 2016: Cory James, LB, Colorado State (Raiders)
• 2015: Nick O’Leary, TE, Florida State (Bills)
• 2014: Keith Wenning, QB, Ball State (Ravens)
• 2013: Spencer Ware, RB, LSU (Seahawks)
• 2012: Marvin McNutt, WR, Iowa (Eagles)
• 2011: Markell Carter, LB, Central Arkansas (Patriots)