Morning Buzz: Packers make moves on first night of draft

Welcome to your Morning Buzz, rounding up news and views regarding the Green Bay Packers and the NFL from around the web and here at PackersNews.com. Grab a strong cup of coffee and get caught up on everything you need to know about the Packers after a wild first round of the 2018 NFL draft.

We’ll start with Pete Dougherty’s column looking at the many moves Brian Gutekunst made yesterday and what they mean going forward for the team.

From Pete:

It won’t be hard to judge the Green Bay Packers’ first round of the 2018 draft in a couple years.

New general manager Brian Gutekunst passed on the chance to draft linebacker Tremaine Edmunds or safety Derwin James at No. 14 overall to maneuver around the first round and ended up picking cornerback Jaire Alexander four slots later.

If Edmunds or James ends up being a difference maker, and Alexander doesn’t, this was a mistake. Even though the Packers came out with New Orleans’ 2019 first-rounder, they more than anything need a playmaker on defense. They can’t afford to have passed on a good player for future draft capital, especially at the cost of a third-rounder this year to move back up from 27 to 18.

But if Alexander outperforms Edmunds and James, then this will have been a good move that helps the team now and in next year’s draft.

Picking Alexander does address one of the Packers’ two greatest needs — the other was outside pass rusher. Receiver and offensive line don’t rank far behind that. But the Packers were desperate for another cover man with ability. Alexander figures to start immediately, either at outside cornerback or the slot.

Ryan Wood wrote on the newest member of the Packers:

Even Alexander was surprised:

It was a roller-coaster night for Packers fans following along with the draft:

Ryan and I broke down a wild night for the Packers:

Michael Cohen looked at who’s available on Day 2:

I chatted with readers via Facebook Live about the selection:

Elsewhere, Alexander is ready to come to Green Bay:

Pro Football Focus likes the pick:

Rob Demovsky writes on Gutekunst looking like a seasoned pro:

Here’s a quick look at Alexander’s game:

Alexander has some attitude:

His college coach was excited for him:

Alexander will wear Randall’s old number:

Some were impressed with Gutekunst’s first moves:

A quick look at the contract Alexander is expected to sign:

Alexander was clearly excited for his former teammate Lamar Jackson:

Tom Grossi breaks it down:

The Tundra Effect reviews the pick: