Thanks to the 2023 trades of Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets and Rasul Douglas to the Buffalo Bills, Packers General Manager turned three picks in the first three rounds of the 89th NFL Draft into 5 selections.
After doubling up on talent in the second and third rounds Friday night, Gutekunst met reporters and called it a very important night for the organization.
With two choices late in the round three, Gutekunst took running back MarShawn Lloyd of USC at pick 88 and three selections later, nabbed a second linebacker to this year’s class in Ty’Ron Hopper out of Missouri.
MarShawn Lloyd, RB, USC
Lloyd was the number one back behind the number one overall pick in Caleb Williams on Head Coach Lincoln Riley’s spread offense. He rand for 820 yards last season but on just 116 carries, a 7.1 average and one out of every five of his totes went for 10 more yards. He’s also experienced in the passing game with over 30 career receptions. A small-ish 5-8, but 220 pounds with elusiveness and pull away speed. The Willmington, Delaware native began his career at South Carolina University. He also wore number 0 in college, a number that has never been worn in Packer franchise history.
At pick 91, the Packers grabbed another off-ball, speedy linebacker. Hopper is 6-2 but a slight 221 pounds who makes up for it with tenacious and decisive tackling. He was leading the Tigers in tackles last season before an injury cut his year short with two games remaining. He still earned 2nd team All-Sec honors. A native of Shelby, North Carolina, Hopper attended high school in Florida and spent his first three years in college football with the Florida Gators.
Ty’Ron Hopper, LB, Missouri
Athletic players, all at positions of need, including first round pick, offensive tackle Jordan Morgan.
At the end of another long evening, Gutekunst said it began a bit twitchy about possibly using that extra draft capital to move around but he decided to let the chips, or the names, fall by the boards.
With his second round trade down with New Orleans, Gutekunst has another bounty coming on Saturday. He’ll have his own 4th round choice with now two picks in the 5th, three in the sixth and two more in the 7th and final round.
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