The draft board held strong for Brian Gutekunst and the Green Bay Packers during Day 2 of the NFL draft. How strong?
Gutekunst admitted three things to end Friday night: He was surprised Brandon Cisse was still available at No. 52 in the second round, he had Chris McClellin among the players he considered in the second round and immediately was on the phone exploring ways to trade up to get him, and he even tried (and failed) to trade back into the third round to end Day 2.
The last part is especially interesting. It's possible Gutekunst was offering his fourth-round pick (No. 120) and fifth-round pick (No. 153) to teams picking late in the third round. According to the Rich Hill draft value chart, No. 120 and No. 153 would equal 35 points. The final pick in the third round, No. 100, is worth 35 points. But the Packers found no takers.
Who could Gutekunst have been interested in moving up to get?
Among those picked late in the third round include Texas A&M offensive lineman Trey Zuhn III, Indiana running back Kaelon Black, Notre Dame tight Eli Rairdon and Arkansas cornerback Julian Neal, all Packers types.
Arkansas running back Mike Washington Jr, a pre-draft visitor who remains on the board, could have been one option. Other possibilities, based on needs, fits and players still available, include Texas cornerback Malik Muhammad, Penn State edge rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton, Duke offensive lineman Brian Parker, Indiana receiver Elijah Sarratt, South Carolina safety Jalon Kilgore, Kansas State center Sam Hecht, NDSU receiver Bryce Lance, Arizona safety Genesis Smith, Pitt linebacker Kyle Louis, Kentucky offensive lineman Jalen Farmer, Florida cornerback Devin Moore, Texas A&M cornerback Will Lee III, SE Louisiana defensive tackle Kaleb Proctor or Penn State running back Nicholas Singleton.
Barring a trade up to start Day 3, the Packers would have to wait for 19 players to be picked before coming on the clock in the fourth round. Gutekunst said he "wouldn't mind" moving around the board on Saturday. The Packers only have five more picks: No. 120, No. 153, No. 201, No. 236, No. 255.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers tried trading back into third round to end Day 2