Green Bay Packers: Some 2018 draft picks could be on chopping block

The Green Bay Packers have a great problem as they enter training camp in 2021. In a season that is likely Super Bowl or bust, the Packers have a very good roster that is worthy of contending for a title once again this fall.

As the cuts wind down from 90 to 53 over the next few weeks, the Packers have a large number of decisions to make. Multiple positions have very good depth right now, including offensive line, which got a boost with the signing of Dennis Kelly, wide receiver, which saw Randall Cobb rejoin the fold, and tight end, where five players will all be trying to gain a foothold for snaps.

It’s going to be tough, as the Packers are likely to say goodbye to several good players if they don’t clear waivers for the practice squad. Some of those players are likely to be recent draft picks, especially from one draft in particular.

Some picks from the 2018 NFL Draft could be victim to cuts for the Green Bay Packers this year.

The 2018 NFL Draft was general manager Brian Gutekunst’s first draft as GM, and while it wasn’t his best draft, he and his team selected two impact players. Jaire Alexander has been fantastic since he stepped onto the field, and is now a consensus top five corner in the league. Marquez Valdes-Scantling has had his ups and downs, but he’s become a good deep threat for the Packers in his first three seasons.

Including special teams, both Hunter Bradley and J.K. Scott have been available in all 48 regular season games through their first three campaigns.

Four players from the class are already off the roster (J’Mon Moore, Cole Madison, James Looney, Kendall Donnerson), and the other three not mentioned yet are definitely on the bubble.

Let’s start with Josh Jackson, who was highly touted coming out of Iowa. His ball skills and instincts made him a day two selection. Jackson just hasn’t been able to put it all together with the Packers. He’s looked uncomfortable in man coverage in his time in Green Bay, and just maybe hasn’t been put in the position that suits him best.

While the corner position isn’t the strongest, there are two rookies, Eric Stokes and Shemar Jean-Charles, who will get a chance to compete for snaps early on. Combine that with Chandon Sullivan, (obviously) Alexander, and Kevin King, and there’s a chance that Jackson could get cut or moved. A move to safety has always been discussed, but a change of scenery just might be best at this point.

The linebacker position is another one that isn’t super strong, but Oren Burks is likely to find himself on the chopping block as well. Burks was a third round pick in 2018, and his strengths were highlighted in his athleticism and movement skills. He flashed at times in preseason as a rookie, but he hasn’t been able to get any momentum on the defense. Burks has some special teams value which could be a dealbreaker, but others at the position, especially Ty Summers, could make him expendable.

Last on the list is a receiver who could get los in the shuffle. Equanimeous St. Brown was a smooth athlete with good burst and smooth through-break transitions in college, but he hasn’t gained too much of a footing in the receiver room.

He caught 21 passes in 2018, including a couple of big catches down the stretch in a Monday Night win over the 49ers at Lambeau, but missing the 2019 season hurt the momentum he built. His 2020 season will likely, and unfortunately, be remembered by dropping a two point conversion in the NFC title game. With more depth in the room with Cobb and Devin Funchess, and Juwan Winfree gaining steam in camp, St. Brown could be the latest from the 2018 NFL Draft to move on for the Green Bay Packers.

The 2018 draft wasn’t Gutey’s best, and it might be time to let go with most everyone from that class. It’ll be interesting to see if any of these three can find a way to stick for another season with the Green Bay Packers.