Building a football team is a bit like herding cats – but in the middle of a hailstorm, while wearing roller skates. That is to say, there are a lot of parts, they are constantly in motion, and you’re never in full control, no matter how hard you try. 

For the most part, NFL teams are built through free agency and the draft, and for a team like the Packers, who traditionally embrace the “draft and develop” model – drafts are critical. 

However, this past draft was highly unusual for the Packers. They entered the draft with 8 picks, but came away with only 6 players (one of them, a kicker). Twice, the team traded up in the draft, packaging two picks for one. It was, by a margin of two players, the fewest selections of Brian Gutekunst’s tenure as Packers GM. 

The very focused draft would seem to suggest that the Packers are confident with their current roster of players. In his post-draft comments, Gutekunst reinforced that sentiment, saying, “I do like our team. I like our depth. I like our roster. I do think that we have a tough team to make.”

It remains to be seen whether Gutekunst’s evaluation is accurate. Some in the media have expressed rather grave concerns about the Packers cornerbacks, as well as a perceived lack of depth on the Packers’ offensive line. And certainly, the legal issues surrounding running back Josh Jacobs could create another big problem in Green Bay. 

Still, whatever personnel issues the Packers do or do not have, the 2027 draft is roughly 9 months away and, man oh man, that is great news for the Packers – and for so many reasons.

First, according to many experts, the 2027 draft is expected to be “generational” – both in terms of superstar talent at the top and quality depth throughout. 

Second, a lot of the most coveted talent lies at the quarterback and wide receiver positions (Bleacher Report suggested that as many as seven quarterbacks could go in the first round). The Packers are obviously well settled at quarterback and having just drafted a first round talent in Matthew Golden, and having locked up Christian Watson and Jayden Reed this offseason, the Packers are good to go at wide receiver. This is all to say, every pick spent on a QB or WR will push the draft board in the Packers favor. 

Third, Gutekunst has clearly been planning for this moment. Like a football version of Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Konnichiwa, Shogun fans), the Packers GM has unfolded a series of shrewd moves. He fleeced a 4th round pick from Jerry Jones for the about-to-be-released Rashan Gary. He got a 6th round pick from the Eagles in the Dontayvion Wicks swap, and in the biggest win of all, he turned a 2025 7th round pick into two years of valuable service from Malik Willis, who will now likely net the Packers a 3rd round compensatory pick. The Packers are also due compensatory picks for the departed Romeo Doubs, Quay Walker, Kingsley Enagbare, and/or Rasheed Walker. In all, Gutekunst has the Packers absolutely stacked with a projected 11 picks. 

With so much draft capital, the Packers have the option to address every need under the Green Bay sun, or, if they so desire – they can package picks and move up for more premier talent, the same way they just did in the 2026 draft.

The Packers have done well to build a quality roster, and three straight playoff seasons amid a baton pass at quarterback is something not many teams could pull off. Still, there’s a sense the Packers are close, but maybe not all the way there. Can the offensive line finally gel? Who among the pack of young and unproven pass rushers will step up? Can special teams finally be a force for good? And can this team finally stay healthy?

Certainly, we’ll know more about the Packers specific roster needs as this season unfolds. But whatever happens, the Packers will be sitting pretty when the draft descends on Washington, DC next April. Hopefully, they will be picking last.