The Green Bay Packers' draft plans won't necessarily align with the fans' wishes.
The latest rumors suggest that the Packers agree with fans on the need for wide receiver help — but they may have another plan to support their franchise quarterback first. Last season's playoff exit, paired with looming contract questions, highlights the need for an insurance policy.
The Packers need to find Love another bodyguard.
Rumors that the Packers plan to target an offensive lineman early have bubbled under the surface without much attention. Fans' attention has understandably shifted to wide receiver, the need for pass-rush help, and potential Jaire Alexander replacements, but offensive tackle is an underrated need.
It sounds like Brian Gutekunst agrees.
NFL insider adds fuel to rumors of Packers fans' nightmare (but Jordan Love's dream)
Many Packers fans won't like to hear it a year after the team selected Jordan Morgan in the first round, but Gutekunst could land an offensive lineman again.
According to Albert Breer of The MMQB, not only could the Packers target a lineman, but other teams may trade ahead of them to stop them.
"With the possibility that (Will) Campbell, (Armand) Membou and (Kelvin) Banks are all gone inside the top 10, the next group of linemen could get moved up the board a bit," writes Breer. "And the Texans have two teams in front of them, the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings, that could take an offensive lineman."
The Packers and Vikings go back to back, and both may target offensive linemen? Interesting.
Perhaps Gutekunst would consider a future starting tackle like Ohio State's Josh Simmons, or maybe a do-it-all player like North Dakota State's Grey Zable, who could play across the line and eventually replace Sean Rhyan at right guard.
While it likely wouldn't go down well in front of a hometown crowd expecting a receiver, pass-rusher, or cornerback, selecting a tackle makes sense. Rasheed Walker and Zach Tom have expiring contracts next spring. Tom will almost certainly land a mega-deal, but it could push Walker out the door.
Walker is already under pressure following Matt LaFleur's comments that he will have to fend off second-year Morgan for the starting job. Perhaps Morgan, a first-rounder last April, is the Packers' future left tackle. But it's hardly guaranteed, as the Arizona product played primarily guard in his rookie season, which many predicted after the Packers drafted him.
Starting right guard Rhyan will also be a free agent in 2026. Morgan could take that spot.
Gutekunst always has one eye on the future. He feels confident that the current Packers roster could compete if they had to play a game today, while also noting that first-round picks don't have to contribute right away. That's exactly what I'd say if I planned to draft a backup tackle in the first round.
Love is the face of the franchise. Yes, the Packers need to improve his receiving corps, but they must also ensure he has enough quality bodyguards, both now and in the future. Green Bay's playoff loss showed what happens when injuries hit the offensive line.
The Packers need to protect their star quarterback. After all, they're not the Chicago Bears, who built a Madden-ready wide receiver corps but failed to give their first-overall pick a competent offensive line.
Don't be surprised if the Packers look for an offensive lineman early. A short-term backup with star potential as a future starter? That works.
It might not win over the fan base, but Gutekunst knows what the Bears don't: the trenches win in January.
