Brian Gutekunst vs. Ted Thompson: The First Three Draft Strategies

Brian Willis Gutekunst has now conducted three drafts as GM of the Green Bay Packers. In his first two years as GM, Gutekunst, much like Thompson, has seen a long tenured coach fired, and hired a new coach with minimal previous head coaching experience.

As a scout and executive trained in the Ted Thompson system, he has already stepped out of Thompson’s shadow with a heavy investment last year in top tier free agents Za’Darius and Preston Smith. While Thompson has been criticized for his lack of interest in free agency, he had long term success in the draft. Gutekunst has so far followed his own path in free agency, but what about his draft strategy?

Three drafts is not enough time for true…