Green Bay Packers’ general manager, Brian Gutekunst, is diligently preparing for the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft. His agenda includes attending the Missouri Tigers Pro Day on Friday. With the Packers slated to pick 25th overall in the draft, Gutekunst is eyeing potential prospects, particularly focusing on the cornerback position.
One of the primary targets for Gutekunst at the Tigers Pro Day is cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr., who is projected to be selected in the late first round or early second round. This suggests Gutekunst’s keen interest in bolstering the cornerback position for the Packers.
While Jaire Alexander remains the top cornerback on the Packers’ roster, his absence during several games last season due to injury exposed a vulnerability in the team’s defensive backfield. Hence, Gutekunst recognizes the urgency of addressing this need through the draft to fortify the defense.
Brian Gutekunst, the General Manager of the Green Bay Packers, attending the Missouri Tigers Pro Day is indeed a noteworthy development.
The attendance of Gutekunst at the Tigers Pro Day last Friday marks an intriguing development, especially with the NFL Draft looming just over a month away, indicating a heightened seriousness among teams regarding their draft preferences. The primary motivation behind Brian Gutekunst’s presence appears to be Ennis Rakestraw Jr., who likely prompted his visit.
Rakestraw Jr. demonstrates the potential to become a shutdown corner, a quality particularly attractive to teams. His contributions were notable during Missouri Tigers’ commendable performance in the SEC last season. Standing at 6 feet tall and weighing 188 lbs, his physical attributes complement his skills on the field. Despite his lack of interceptions, Rakestraw Jr.’s low targeting rate suggests his effectiveness in coverage throughout his college career.
Assessment from nfldraftbuzz.com highlights Rakestraw Jr.’s strengths, emphasizing his instinctual play, adept man coverage abilities, and agility. However, concerns arise regarding his slower-than-expected combine performance, particularly in speed and agility tests, as well as potential limitations due to his lighter build and underdeveloped zone coverage skills.
Considering the Packers’ needs in the 2024 NFL Draft, selecting Rakestraw Jr. would align with their objectives. His promising potential as a cornerback fits into Gutekunst’s strategy of acquiring and nurturing talent through the draft. Given Gutekunst’s focused attention at the Missouri Tigers Pro Day, it appears highly likely that Rakestraw Jr. is the primary target of interest for the Packers.
