Packers excited to get back to work in…

Gutekunst also praised the job Jeff Forster, the president and director of the National Invitational Camp, has done guiding the combine through its recent transitions and pandemic obstacles.

The one silver lining to all of it is the adjustments NFL scouts were forced to make, including the use of Zoom as a tool in player evaluation. While in-person interviews are still preferred as a means of communication with players, Gutekunst noted how comfortable prospects appeared in virtual settings.

As the pre-draft process continues, the virtual world likely will still play a role in the formal interviews that teams are allowed to conduct.

“The college generations that are coming up, they’re so used to that forum being able to talk online and through that, I think we hadn’t used a ton of that in the past,” Gutekunst said. “But we’ll use it a ton regardless of how the combine is now to get to know these guys.”

Based on initial evaluations, Gutekunst sees a deep 2022 draft class, particularly on the offensive line, at the skill positions and edge rusher. One likely reason for that is the number of upperclassmen who opted to stay in school rather than declare for the draft last year during the height of the pandemic.

A total of 324 prospects were invited to the combine, with some testing and workouts taking place at Lucas Oil Stadium.

On-field drills begin with quarterbacks, tight ends and receivers on Thursday; running backs, offensive linemen and special teams on Friday; defensive linemen and linebackers Saturday; and defensive backs wrapping up the event Sunday.

“I love seeing the players in-person compete at the combine,” Gutekunst said. “It’s very important for us to see not only the results that they get but to see how they compete there. It’s a big part of what we do.”

Both Gutekunst and Head Coach Matt LaFleur will address the media in Indianapolis. Stay tuned to packers.com for full coverage of this year’s event.