General manager Brian Gutekunst and the Packers may need to go mining for diamonds in the rough during this NFL Draft.
Given that Green Bay doesn’t have a first-round pick on Thursday night, Gutekunst and Green Bay will likely spend the weekend scouring for value at positions of need. One of the biggest holes the Packers must fill, is bolstering depth along the offensive line.
“I feel really good about our whole group and the competition that’s in that room,” Gutekunst told reporters during his pre-draft press conference. “We’re always going to try to add to the offensive line. There’s only so many big guys in the world that can play at a high level, but I feel good about it.”
The middle rounds could be a gold mine for Gutekunst and the Packers to bolster the offensive line.
NFL Draft: Gennings Dunker could be ideal Packers fit
One gritty and versatile offensive linemen who could be a perfect fit for the Packers is Iowa’s Gennings Dunker.
Dunker, 6-foot-5 and 315 pounds, is widely projected to be a late second-round pick or early third-round selection, and last season in Iowa City only allowed two sacks and one quarterback hit, despite playing against some of the premier pass rushers in the country.
Veteran NFL reporter Mike Tanier argues that despite his career playing tackle for the Hawkeyes, Dunker may be better suited to play along the interior, which could make him an even better fit for Green Bay.
“Dunker is considered by most experts to be a candidate to move inside to guard,” Tanier explains for The Too Deep Zone. “It makes sense in this case: Dunker can use his brawler’s mentality at guard without having to backpedal against outside rushers. He should turn into a capable starter at guard. And his Vercingetorix, King of Gauls aura will make him a fan favorite.”
Beyond his film, Dunker’s temperament may be exactly what the Packers’ offense needs to not just provide stability up front but help forge a gritty and tough mentality in Green Bay.