Exactly what did it cost the Packers? Another Justin Harrell, Derek Sharrod, Nick Perry, Datone Jones, Ha Ha Clinton Dix, Damarious Randall, Kevin King, Darnell Savage, Eric Stokes, Devonte Wyatt? Or would they have ended up with an above average player like Clay Matthews, Brian Bulaga or Kenny Clark?
Those insisting that Love was a wasted pick are making the assumption that Love ends up doing nothing and the player selected at #26 is a big difference maker. I have news for you, picking that late in round 1 hasn't been all that kind to the Packers (see players above) or other teams for that matter, especially when it comes to QB's. When you have a 36 year old QB, that has shown signs of being in decline and a prospect like Jordan Love falls to you, grabbing him isn't a bad thing. The average age that an NFL quarterback retires is 30 with a standard deviation of 3.
If you don't draft Jordan Love, who do you draft for your future QB and when? I know, Aaron is still playing, despite saying that he was 90% sure he was retiring, before his darkness retreat.
2021 QB's taken in draft:
Trevor Lawrence (1st, Jaguars), Zach Wilson (2nd, Jets) and Trey Lance (3rd, 49ers), Justin Fields (11th, Bears), Mac Jones (15th, Patriots), Kyle Trask (64th, Buccaneers), Kellen Mond (66th, Vikings) and Davis Mills (67th, Texans).
2022 QB's taken in draft:
Kenny Pickett (20th, Steelers), Desmond Ridder (74th, Falcons), Malik Willis (86th, Titans), Matt Corral (94th, Panthers), Bailey Zappe (137th, Patriots), Sam Howell (144th, Commanders), Chris Oladokun, (241st, Steelers), Skylar Thompson (247th, Dolphins), Brock Purdy (262nd, 49'ers).
2023 QB's taken in draft:
Bryce Young (1st, Panthers), C.J. Stroud (2nd, Texans), Anthony Richardson (4th, Colts), Will Levis (33rd, Titans), Hendon Hooker (68th, Lions), Jake Haener (127th, Saints), Stetson Bennett (128th, Rams), Aidan O'Connell (135th, Raiders), Clayton Tune (139th, Cardinals), Dorian Thompson-Robinson ( 140th, Browns), Sean Clifford (149th, Packers), Jaren Hall (164th, Vikings), Tanner McKee (188th, Eagles), Max Duggan (239th, Chargers).