USAT: Packers Wire audio clip

USAT: Packers Wire

Mar 9, 2022

- - - The Green Bay Packers will likely lose Za’Darius Smith at some point in the next week, a result of the team’s salary cap crunch, but it’s also abundantly clear how much general manager Brian Gutekunst values the edge rusher position on his roster. - So, when the cards fell right in our NFL Wire Network mock draft of the first round, the decision was obvious: the Packers needed to move up to take an edge rusher that plays a little like Smith. - Controlling the Packers and representing Packers Wire, we moved up from No. 28 overall to No. 24 to take Purdue edge rusher George Karlaftis. - The cost to go up four spots was swapping the team’s third-round pick for the Dallas Cowboys’ fourth-round pick, or going from No. 92 overall to No. 128. - The payoff, in an ideal scenario, would be getting a difference-making edge rusher to team with Rashan Gary and Preston Smith. And, in time, Karlaftis could provide the versatile rusher capable of replacing Za’Darius Smith’s production while also providing a long-term sidekick for Gary. - Brennen Rupp of Packers Wire has long pointed to Karlaftis as a potential trade-up candidate. - “George Karlaftis is a powerful edge rusher with a nonstop motor. He was No. 7 on Bruce Feldman’s Freaks list. The Purdue edge rusher will turn 21 in April and could be a player that Brian Gutekunst targets in a possible trade up in the first round.” - Trading up for Karlaftis became the primary goal for us after receiver Drake London, another top target, went off the board at No. 23 overall. - Karlaftis is the No. 9 overall player at Pro Football Focus, so getting him at No. 24 felt like a steal. Not everyone values Karlaftis so highly, but it was worth the gamble here. - Two things to consider: the Packers like to trade up to get players in the first round, and edge rusher is a premium position. If Karlaftis drops, he could be a player the Packers go get on the first night of the 2022 NFL draft. - - Packers trading up for George Karlaftis, good move, or bad move? - — The Packers Wire (@ThePackersWire) March 9, 2022 - - - - List - - Green Bay Packers mock draft 4.0: Post-combine edition - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Email - - - - - Sign up - - - - - - - - Like this article? - Sign up for the Packers Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning - - - - An error has occured - - - Please re-enter your email address. - - - - - - Thanks for signing up! - - - You'll now receive the top Packers Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.

F i l t e r   &   S o r t 
Mar 18, 2022
Feb 18, 2022