Brian Gutekunst wasn’t willing to take a chance on whether

his guy would fall through the 20s." />Skip to main contentclockmenumore-arrownoyesHorizontal - WhiteAcme Packing Companya Green Bay Packers communityLog In or Sign UpLog InSign UpFanpostsFanshotsSectionsPackersOddsAboutMastheadCommunity GuidelinesStubHubMoreAll 322 blogs on Horizontal - WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections The APC PodcastPackers Film RoomFantasy Football Advice30 to draft safety Darnell SavageNew Aaron Jones Jersey ,65commentsBrian Gutekunst wasn’t willing to take a chance on whether his guy would fall through the 20s.CDTShareTweetShareSharePackers felt they had to move up from 30 to draft safety Darnell SavageChuck Cook-USA TODAY SportsDarnell Savage was not going to be available for the Green Bay Packers if they had stayed put at 30. That’s what general manager Brian Gutekunst and his personnel department believe, at least, and that is why they moved up nine picks in round one of the draft to select the Maryland safety with the 21st overall selection of the 2019 NFL Draft.Gutekunst pulled off a shrewd deal with Seattle Seahawks GM John Schneider, a former coworker from their days working under Ted Thompson. Green Bay only had to give up their two fourth-round draft picks, numbers 114 and 118 overall, to go up from 30 to 21. Interestingly, that 118th pick came to Green Bay last fall in exchange for the team’s last first-round safety — Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.Speaking after the draft’s first round on Thursday night, Gutekunst explained why they made the move for Savage. “We thought he was an absolute difference maker,” Gutekunst said, adding later that he was one of the top targets on the team’s board after selecting Rashan Gary with the 12th pick. Meanwhile Kenny Clark Color Rush Jersey , he seemingly did not see many other players at safety that he liked: “we didn’t feel like it was a really deep group there,” he said, putting into focus just how strongly the team valued Savage. Considering that the Packers made Savage the first defensive back selected in the draft, it’s clear that he was safety number one on their board.As for the trade up, Gutekunst said it was necessary to get his man. “We didn’t think we could sit at 30 and have him fall to us,” he said. Evidently a number of teams in the 20s seemingly expressed interest in Savage, or at least convinced the Packers that they were considering taking him. Immediately after the Packers made the pick, the Baltimore Ravens traded out of pick number 22, suggesting that they may have been interested in him. Additionally, the Indianapolis Colts traded back from 26 https://www.thepackersfanshop.com/Mason-Crosby-Jersey , and they may have been another possible landing spot. The traits that made Savage such a highly-prized commodity in Green Bay are numerous. From his elite speed — “he’s able to close the gap from center field or the hash” — to his big-play and turnover ability — “he’s been an impact player at Maryland for a number of years” — the potential for this young man is bright.Just don’t rely on the mock drafts when considering whether the trade was necessary. Joe Theismann, whose number hasn’t been retired in Washington, may or may not let rookie Dwayne Haskins wear it. (As if Theismann has any place to object.) Clay Matthews, whose number definitely hasn’t been retired in Green Bay, would apparently prefer that rookie Rashan Gary not don No. 52.“The body’s not even cold yet lol,” Matthews tweeted in response to a photoshopped image of Gary wearing Matthews’ 52.Actually, the body’s still warm. And the body chose to join another team. Sure, the Packers likely didn’t want Matthews, but that’s how it goes in the NFL and other professional sports. Unless a player’s number is retired (and only so many player numbers on any team can be retired before the team runs out of numbers), his number eventually will be re-issued.Sometimes Kyler Fackrell Jersey , it takes a few decades. Sometimes, it takes a few years. In Matthews’ case, it took a few weeks.While it’s possible Matthews was joking, it’s more likely that, at some level, he views the quick re-issuance of his number as a lack of respect. Maybe it is, based on the manner in which Matthews assesses what is and isn’t respectful.The Packers surely mean no disrespect. But plenty examples of disrespect happen unintentionally. And the Packers may have unintentionally given Matthews extra motivation to prove that he’s still the guy he was in Green Bay, now that he’s with the Rams.While wearing No. 52. The number once worn by the guy whose goal-line tackle delivered the only Super Bowl win in franchise history.