The most interesting discussion entering this year's draft is whether Gutekunst would use his first-round pick — No. 30 overall — on a quarterback of the future. He said in February he wouldn't hesitate to take the plunge if the right quarterback was available, not unlike what the Packers did in 2005 when Hall of Famer Brett Favre was 36 and Rodgers unexpectedly slipped to them at the 24th pick in the first round. The gutsy decision to take Rodgers instead of giving Favre more help has led to 28 consecutive seasons of championship-level quarterbacking for the Packers.
Should one of the top four quarterbacks in this year's draft slide to the 30th pick or if the Packers have a first-round grade on one of the second-tier guys, Gutekunst will have to ask himself one question during Thursday's first round: Can he afford to spend that much draft capital on a quarterback of the future when he has pressing needs at several other positions and a still-elite quarterback on a team that finished one victory short of the Super Bowl?