The 2018 NFL draft was very different for the Green Bay Packers organization. For the first time since 2005, it wasn’t Ted Thompson running the Packers draft. Instead, it was the newly promoted Brian Gutekunst in charge of the draft. Gutekunst has been with the Packers since 1998, but it was his first as the person in charge of the Packers roster. With the Packers now eliminated from making this year’s playoffs, we thought it would be a good time to see how Gutekunst’s first class did in their first season as a Packer. A review of the 2018 Green Bay Packers rookies.
A Review of the 2018 Green Bay Packers Rookies
The Packers made 10 selections in last year’s draft. Gutekunst selected two cornerbacks, two linebackers, three wide receivers, one offensive lineman, and two players who specialized on special teams. Except for one, these Packers rookies saw some type of playing time this season. While Gutekunst’s draft first class wasn’t awful, it was far from a home run. Still, these rookies will need some time to reach their potential and it appears quite a few of them have a lot of promise.
Jaire Alexander, Cornerback, 18th Overall
After trading down, and then trading back up, Gutekunst selected Alexander in the first round. The Packers spent their top pick the season before on the cornerback position (Kevin King) but Gutekunst and his staff felt Alexander was too good to pass up.
Not only was Alexander the Packers first pick, but he was also their most productive. He started out as the Packers nickel back but eventually moved into a starting role as the season progressed. In fact, he would eventually become the Packers top cover man. By Week 14, Alexander was in charge of covering Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones.
Alexander has the confidence as well as the athletic ability to be a long time starter at corner for the Packers. Although he only stands 5’10”, his athletic ability more than makes up for the lack of height. His cover skills were obvious, but he wasn’t afraid to stick his nose into a tackle when necessary.
The selection of Alexander looks like a good one for Gutekunst and the Packers. However, Alexander will have some comparisons throughout his career. When Gutekunst traded down from their original draft position, he passed on the chance to draft safety Derwin James. The Los Angeles Chargers selected James and he has been a standout for them. It appears that he is on his way to being the defensive rookie of the year. James doesn’t play the same position as Alexander (safety, cornerback). But with the Packers now needing help at safety, many Packers fans won’t forget passing on James.
Josh Jackson, Cornerback, 45th Overall
When Jackson slipped to the second round, Gutekunst decided to double up on the cornerback position in this draft. The ball hawk from the University of Iowa was deemed too good to pass up.
Those ball-hawking skills that made him a standout at Iowa, haven’t appeared this season for the Packers. Like most young defensive backs, he has had a hard time adjusting to the NFL game. Still, it is early in his career. The playing time that he has received will only help him in the long term.
One question that Jackson will face next season is if he will be left at cornerback. Jackson doesn’t possess blazing speed. That is why he slipped to the second round. So there is a chance the Packers might move him to safety in 2019.
Oren Burks, Linebacker, 88th Overall
We were pretty excited about the selection of Burks. Not only does he play a position that the Packers needed help at, inside linebacker, but he possesses all of the athletic ability needed to thrive in the NFL.
Unfortunately, Burks didn’t contribute like most were hoping. Burks was off to a solid preseason until he suffered a shoulder injury. Burks eventually got healthy, but he was overtaken on the depth chart by Antonio Morrison.
Many thought Burks would be one of the Packers rookies who would contribute immediately on defense. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. Burks saw most of his time on special teams.
J’Mon Moore, Wide Receiver, 133rd Overall
Moore was the first of three wide receivers to be selected by Gutekunst and the Packers in last year’s draft. He has also been the least productive of the three.
So far this season, Moore only has one reception. He has played in nine games, with most of his playing time coming on special teams. It appears that veteran wide receiver Randall Cobb won’t return next season. If that happens, Moore will have a chance to increase his playing time. But he is going to need to show that he has matured and gain quarterback Aaron Rodgers confidence.
Cole Madison, Offensive Tackle, 138th Overall
Madison was the only offensive lineman the Packers selected in last year’s draft. He is also the only draft pick that never showed up as well.
The reason that Madison never showed up has been a mystery. No matter the case, it has to be disappointing for Gutekunst. Putting it mildly, the Packers offensive line struggled this season. Madison would have provided depth for the Packers.
It would be shocking if Madison ever plays a down for the Packers.
JK Scott, Punter, 172nd Overall
Many Packers fans were surprised by the selection of Scott, a punter, in the fifth round. Scott was the top punter in last year’s draft and was a weapon while at the University of Alabama.
Scott has done a solid some would say average job this season for the Packers. Although the Packers special teams under Ron Zook have been horrible, you can’t blame Scott. As of today, he has a 45.3 yards average, 39.8 yards net average.
We don’t think it would be a reach to say that Scott will be a solid punter for seasons to come. But many have to wonder if Gutekunst not only reached on Scott but if selecting a punter was necessary. The offensive line struggled all season long, selecting one at this position might have been the right call.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Wide Receiver, 174th Overall
It appears that Gutekunst found a solid player when the Packers selected Valdes-Scantling with the 174th overall pick. This season, he has caught 30 passes for 463 yards and two touchdowns. Although the numbers aren’t earth-shattering, they are pretty solid for a rookie wide receiver selected in the fifth round.
Valdes-Scantling cooled off in the second part of this season, but his rookie campaign gives him something to build on for next season. From all of the Packers rookies, he has been the biggest and most pleasant surprise.
Equanimeous St. Brown, Wide Receiver, 207th Overall
Both Valdes-Scantling and St. Brown produced more than the higher draft choice Moore did. St. Brown was another pleasant surprise from the Packers rookies. Again, like Valdes-Scantling, the numbers aren’t eye-popping, 16 receptions for 234 yards, but they are solid for a sixth-round draft choice.
This was a good start for St. Brown and he will build off of that. Gutekunst should be commended for selecting both Valdes-Scantling and St. Brown where he did.
James Looney, Defensive Lineman, 232nd Overall
When Mike Daniels went down for the season in November, the Packers elevated Looney from the team’s practice squad. Looney didn’t make the 53-man roster out of training camp and was signed to the practice squad.
As of ye,t he hasn’t been active on game day. He faces a tough time making next year’s roster with Daniels, Kenny Clark, Dean Lowry, Tyler Lancaster, and Montravius Adams in front of him.
Hunter Bradley, Long Snapper, 239th Overall
Just like with the selection of Scott in the fifth round, many were scratching their heads with the selection of Bradley.
The Packers were in need of a young long snapper, but selecting one in the draft might have been a waste. To Bradley’s credit, he has played in every game and there haven’t been any snap issues.
Still, selecting a long snapper in the draft, one that wasn’t even the top long snapper going into the draft, seems very curious. Bradley also has a track record of knee injuries.
Kendall Donnerson, Outside Linebacker, 248th Overall
Not much was expected out of Donnerson this season. Coming from a small college (Southeast Missouri State) and being a seventh-round pick, the odds were against him.
He was drafted mostly due to his intangibles. He was cut during the last cut down in training camp. He was re-signed to the team’s practice squad once he was cut. He was on the practice squad until early December but was then signed to the 53 man roster. He has yet to be active for a game.
