“I do think if the right particular player is out there and we think it’s the best thing for the Green Bay Packers, then we’ll be able to do it,” Gutekunst said. “We won’t be able to do a lot, and there’ll certainly be some restrictions, but if the right guy’s there, I think we’d be able to do what we need to do.”
Meanwhile, after largely sitting out free agency a year ago — the team’s two signings of note, linebacker Christian Kirksey and offensive tackle Rick Wagner, had been released by their prior teams and didn’t count in the compensatory pick equation — the Packers were awarded three compensatory selections in April 29-May 1 NFL Draft.
The league gave the Packers picks at the end of the fourth (No. 142 overall), fifth (No. 177 overall) and sixth rounds (No. 219 overall), giving them 10 total picks with their own picks in each of the seven rounds.
The Packers lost right tackle Byryan Bulaga, inside linebacker Blake Martinez, outside linebacker Kyler Fackrell and inside linebacker B.J. Goodson in free agency, while the only unrestricted free agent they signed, wide receiver Devin Funchess, opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns. Funchess took a $765,000 pay cut earlier this week to remain with the team. Only the Dallas Cowboys (four) received more compensatory picks.
“Every year is a good year to have as many draft picks as you can have,” said Gutekunst, who had expected three selections. “We’ll take as many as they want to give us. That’s for sure.”