GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said his veteran additions on defense during free agency gave him more flexibility with his draft picks, but it didn’t necessarily mean he would shy away from a defensive player in the first round if someone he liked was there.
In the end, he liked two.
Despite having hired an offensive-oriented head coach in Matt LaFleur and knowing two-time NFL MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers is nearing the end of his illustrious career, the Packers opted instead to bolster its already-reinforced defense by picking rush specialist Rashan Gary from Michigan and speedy safety Darnell Savage from Maryland.
The Packers chose Gary with the 12th overall pick Thursday night and traded up nine spots to take Savage at No. 21.
Since Rodgers become quarterback, the Packers have now spent their first picks on defense in eight straight drafts.
“I do have an offensive head coach sitting to my left the entire day in the room,” Gutekunst said. “(LaFleur) was great, really supportive. (He) understood exactly what we were doing. “Football is the ultimate team game, and we’ve got to build this roster to be as strong as we can at every area. We’re going to try to take the best players available that we can (going forward). If there’s more defensive players that fall our way, we certainly have room for them.”
Savage could fill a keen need at safety. He ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the scouting combine and had been moving up draft boards since. He had seven interceptions over the last two years for the Terrapins. Last season, he was a second-team All-Big Ten pick after picking off four passes, breaking up two more and finishing with 52 tackles.
“We thought he was an absolute difference-maker,” Gutekunst said. “We didn’t think he’d be there at 30.”
The 6-foot-5, 281-pound Gary was a second-team preseason All-American, but a shoulder injury limited him to nine games as a junior and he finished with 44 tackles — including seven for losses — and 3½ sacks last season. He was an All-Big Ten player as a sophomore when he had 66 tackles, including 12 for losses and six sacks.
He began focusing on his future after his injury-stunted season ended with a loss to Ohio State. He declared for the draft, skipping the Wolverines’ bowl game and his senior season.
Gary took the unusual move of forming his own sports agency while still with the Wolverines, proudly serving as founder and CEO. He explained in January that it fulfilled a vision he had as a high school star. Gary, who is from Plainfield, New Jersey, signed with Michigan as the top-rated high school player in the country.
He wept with joy at a bowling alley in Ann Arbor, Michigan, as he and those at his draft party learned he was headed to Green Bay. He is expected start out at outside linebacker in Green Bay and move around in defensive coordinator Mike Pettine’s scheme.
“My shoulder is 110 percent,” Gary said. “I can’t wait to strap on the pads and get ready.”
The 12th overall pick was the Packers’ highest in 10 years since they made defensive tackle B.J. Raji the ninth selection. Green Bay had the 30th overall pick, too, but dealt it to Seattle to move up to get Savage and also sent the Seahawks a pair of fourth-round picks (Nos. 114 and 118)
Speaking at the combine in February, Savage was asked if there were any NFL players he patterned his game after. His response? Chicago Bears safety Eddie Jackson, Amos’ running-mate last season in Chicago.
“I kind of feel like he does a lot and I do a lot,” Savage said of Jackson. “We both bring speed, aggressiveness, instincts, make plays on the ball. I really enjoy watching him. I really study his game.”
During free agency, Gutekunst signed four potential starters in outside linebackers Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith, safety Adrian Amos and offensive lineman Billy Turner. The defense began to show some promise last season under new coordinator Mike Pettine but still ranked 22nd in points and 18th in yards allowed.
Gary and Savage should help a team that also watched longtime rush specialist Clay Matthews leave in free agency.
The Packers may shift their attention to offense for the final two days of the draft.
Rodgers is 35 entering his 15th season and the Packers have missed the playoffs two straight years, putting more pressure on the star QB and LaFleur to deliver. During last year’s forgettable 6-9-1 season, Green Bay was 15th in the league in points, 12th in yards and a woeful 23rd in third-down conversions. Rodgers was banged-up all year, finishing with 25 touchdown passes, a career low for a season in which he played at least 15 games.
The Packers also lost experienced slot receiver Randall Cobb and many believe the team needs a top tight end even though Jimmy Graham and Marcedes Lewis are back.
