Inbox: It was just a different world

[Cheesehead]

Dennis from Rhinelander, WI


Bart Starr was a 17th-round selection. What was the actual number of the selection? Also, can you imagine having that many rounds to cover?


Starr was the 200th pick in 1956, when there were 30 draft rounds in a league of a dozen teams. Back then the first few rounds of the draft were in late November or early December, and then the rest was in January. I imagine "the rest" of the draft got very little attention. It was just a different world. As recently as the 1970s, when our own historian Cliff Christl was a Packers beat reporter, there were 17 rounds and more than 450 players chosen. I'll have to ask him how exactly the draft was covered then.


Scott from De Pere, WI


The Packers have 10 draft picks. Gute said he likes the flexibility that amount of picks affords him. How many players do you think they ultimately draft?


I'm going to guess nine, but it's totally a guess.


Tony from Appleton, WI


My brother is currently battling cancer and just started chemo. He is a diehard 49ers fan. My question is with the 49ers wanting more draft picks and the Packers wanting a high-end WR, do you think they make a trade for that No. 13 pick? He says no way.


I agree. The price to move up that far would be prohibitive. Sorry to hear about your brother. Best wishes to him and your family.


Jake from Athens, GA


Considering the offseason so far, Gutekunst appears to be planning on a big year next year, with multiple compensatory picks and several big free-agent signings/re-signings. How, if at all, do you think that will affect this year's draft? Will he be more likely to trade up knowing he'll have more "swings at the plate" next year? More likely to trade for future picks because next year's roster will be more volatile?


I don't think it'll really impact anything because the future, whether you're talking about pending free agents or where your draft picks will fall (because that depends on the upcoming season's results), is too unpredictable. Take each year for what it is and conduct the best draft you can.


Tom from Lodi, WI


Any idea what would happen if the person with the responsibility to submit the pick encounters a technical issue of some kind and cannot communicate? Does the clock stop if communication is interrupted?


The league has indicated there will be provisions to stop the clock for technical issues.


Brian from Arlington, VA


Honest question (not being a wise guy), I know about social distancing, stay home, etc. After reading the article on the draft practice with BG and referencing missing the energy in the room this year, why couldn't they gather four or five scouts, coaches in one room and four or five in the next room and still have that energy? Don't come if you don't feel well and take temps of everyone. Less than 10 in a place? Why not?


I think because different states are under different levels of stay-at-home orders – and with news changing on a daily basis with ground rules for the draft needing to be established in advance – the league just decided to keep team facilities closed and make it the same for everyone.


Tim from Appleton, WI


Hi Wes/Spoff, a question about drafting a wide receiver in the first round. Looking at the WR group and trying to make an educated guess as to who will be available for the Packers at pick 30, three names seem to pop up as possible choices – Brandon Aiyuk, Tee Higgins and Michael Pittman. I like all three but give a slight edge to Brandon Aiyuk because he has a different, more physical style than the other two and has value as a return specialist. Do you agree?


Of those three, I'd lean toward Aiyuk as well, but I still don't see picking a receiver at 30 as likely.


Matt from Waunakee, WI


I vaguely remember a semi-wise old man warning us about wide receiver fever.


I've been disinclined to steal his line (which I like), but I've said in different ways several times that even as glaring a need as the position appears to be for the Packers, the depth in the draft doesn't speak to choosing one really early in my opinion.


George from North Mankato, MN


When is the last time the Packers traded a roster player for a draft pick, or draft pick for roster player, on draft day?


Coincidentally enough, I think it was a wide receiver – Javon Walker being traded to the Broncos on draft day 2006 for a second-round pick.


Matt from Fort Worth, TX


With the draft being this deep at receiver are you surprised that those with eligibility remaining still declared, rather than waiting the extra year when the draft may not be as deep?


In a sport with this level of injury risk? Not at all.


Packer 1919 from Cedar Rapids, IA


Could you expand on the question about revenue and player compensation if games are played without ticket sales and fans in the stadiums for 2020? For example, if 20% of revenue is from this source and it is not available, wouldn't the players' union and owners negotiate a corresponding decrease in player compensation for the season?


They'd have to negotiate something before the first game were played, with contingencies for potential changes, etc. But I don't want to get into speculating about how the economics might work out in the near and long term because there's just too much unknown right now.