Packers 2022 NFL Draft Discussion

[Joseph Zarr]

A Random 'Not discussed at all, really' under the radar prospect...

Unheralded FCS CB/S Zyon McCollum:

Pros:

• Interesting as a Day 3 pick or priority UDFA (tho, I don't think he'll make it to UDFA)
• Has size, 4.3 speed, long arms (over 31" long), and a very good nose for the ball (54 total PBU's and 13 career INT's)
• Invited to both East/West Shrine game and Senior Bowl - obviously, the scouting community has taken notice.
• Thrived as a Press Man cover CB at the FCS Level...will it translate? See below.

Cons:

• Has some stiffness in his movement even tho he is clearly athletic by his testing numbers - ie, may not play to his testing numbers
• Struggled early at the Senior Bowl tho he did see improvements by the 3rd day of Practice in 1v1's and was noted for his work there.
• Can play out of control at times - will need more discipline at the NFL level.
• May really be a zone CB or strictly a S depending on how his body develops or what a given scouting department sees
• Not a lot of tape (Sam Houston State is definitively not a CB hot-bed - no CB's drafted since Rickey Royal in 1989!)

Here's a slightly humorous compilation tape of Zyon (NSFW. There is some casual profanity in this highlight and commentary. If that doesn't offend you, this guy's perspective and delivery is hilarious):

 

[Joseph Zarr]

https://www.profootballrumors.com/2022/04/kyle-hamilton-in-danger-of-falling-in-the-draft

 

Quote

As noted by ESPN’s Jordan Reid and Matt Miller, the defensive back faces a number of factors currently hurting his stock. The first – and the one which was always going to be a concern, regardless of his pre-draft testing – is his position. The very fact that he is a safety (albeit one who is lauded for his versatility) has led many to believe his overall position in the draft order would undersell his skillset.

Yes, young Grasshopper. Continue to fall...to 22. Yes. Yes, this is the way. 

[Matt Breen]

42 minutes ago, Julio Muchacho said:

https://www.profootballrumors.com/2022/04/kyle-hamilton-in-danger-of-falling-in-the-draft

 

Yes, young Grasshopper. Continue to fall...to 22. Yes. Yes, this is the way. 

Hamilton is the exact kind of guy that you don't expect to be there - but if he is - is huge value. 

I think there are so many options for us at #22 and #28 - I'm pretty happy just letting the best players come to us (although I wouldn't take a QB or RB). We have to address WR at some point. And probably DL, but if the a top 10 player like Hamilton drops - he still fills an area of need (although maybe not as desperately as WR). 

Gonna be a fun draft.

[OldHeidelberg]

I may be in the minority but I think OL is a big priority and if things fall our way would like to se 2 drafted in first 4 picks along with a DL. There is obviously some others to blame for the playoff losses the last 3 years but we got dominated in the trenches all 3 games. Bak is a question mark, Jenkins too, I like the progress the young OL guys made last year but I think it's time to beef up the talent on the lines for Rodgers last years.  Throw in a WR and address other needs down further in the draft.

[wallus]

My ranking of positional need:

1. WR

2. Safety

3. DL/Edge

4. TE

5. OL

6. Cornerback

7. Linebacker

8. RB

9. QB

[brewcrewdue80]

Looking at a draft trade value offering 22 and 28 would acquire Washington's #11 with a little workaround for something else back in the 4th or 5th round grading or a player.  That would be the Make a trade to get ahead of division rival and take somebody they may have considered.  Though I don't see Minnesota with a need for WR from PFF mock.  They do list SD and NO as teams who need a WR at 17 and 18.  Running a quick mock first WR is drafted at 10.  If these type of events play out you are staring at the possibility where GB moves up to select the #1 or #2 graded WR in the draft with having the draft capitol to do so.  Garrett Wilson was that #10 pick. Drake London and Jameson Williams at 12 and 18 with being questionable due to injury would not make sense for GB.  Olave and Burks at 20 and 21.

So how much do we love Garrett Wilson over Olave or Burks?  Seems Wilson was thought as around 8-12 a long time while London rose post Williams injury as well as Burks.  Williams can not be realistically drafted in the teens.  ACL tear will keep him out a long while before even returning to action as a Rookie.

Aside from WRs  What need who may be a top 12 on draft board would you expect GB to trade up to acquire should they drop around there or that you would want to see them trade up and draft if falls in the 10-15 selection.

[NBBrewFan]

3 hours ago, OldHeidelberg said:

I may be in the minority but I think OL is a big priority and if things fall our way would like to se 2 drafted in first 4 picks along with a DL. There is obviously some others to blame for the playoff losses the last 3 years but we got dominated in the trenches all 3 games. Bak is a question mark, Jenkins too, I like the progress the young OL guys made last year but I think it's time to beef up the talent on the lines for Rodgers last years.  Throw in a WR and address other needs down further in the draft.

While I agree with you in part, I disagree that they need 2 drafted in the first 4 picks.  There may be an impact OT available at #22 or #28, but the quality drops off enough for Tackles that picking a second with #53 or #59 is wasting significant value.  From most draft boards I have seen there are some very good options still available in the 100-140 range so either a second selection at #92 or waiting to #132 would still net a decent OT.  I don't see impact/good players at WR past the 90's (those in the 90+ range are developmental and might not yield decent production for 2-3 years, if at all). There's a small chance an impact DL would be available at #53+, but there are developmental players for later rounds. Edge has some decent players past 80, but the best are likely not available at #92 (so you would need to allocate 1 of the first 4 picks there).  We need probably 2 safeties (1 top 80ish and 1 developmental/later/5th round+) and the better ones will be most likely gone by #92.  I think Jelani Woods (Julio's BFF Man Crush) would be an excellent addition at #92, but he's gone in every mock or simulation I see by #132 with little TE pickings at that spot.  Ideally I would like to see 2 WR, 2 from EDGE/DL/S/OL and 1 TE in the first 5 picks.  In most scenarios I have simulated/mocked the best option for the Packers is to Trade down from #22 or #28 into the early/mid second and pick up another 2/3 depending on chipping in other picks. 

My ideal strategy right now would be to hold until #22 and see what's available.  If their top BPA is available they should grab him then trade down from #28 for an early/mid 2nd (35-45 range) another late 2 or early 3 then use the three 2's to pick WR/DL/EDGE/S/OL (depending on what was picked at #22) then use the 2 3rd round (or late 2/#92) to address needs based on EDGE/S/OL/TE if not picked up earlier. If the board doesn't fall out for a good #22 based on needs/rankings then drop down from #22 and use the #28 for BPA.  Dropping from #22 will likely yield better 2nd round/additional picks anyways. 

[Joseph Zarr]

File this under: Priority UDFA (or, hey, we have 3 7th's let's take a flyer)

Sheeeesh there is some kind of athleticism in the WR draft pool. 

An 11'3" Broad Jump is absurd. Just absurd.

[Joseph Zarr]

Oliver Hodgkinson just completed and shared his most recent 4 Rd Mock draft over on Pro Football Network. Of all the Packers-themed takeaways from the Analysts who watch tape and make scouting reports and then produce Mocks (which definitely is not all analysts by a country mile), this is probably my favorite draft. A Lot to like in here. This is a version whereby the Packers don't move and stay put - which, given Gutey's history is probably not the case but it would be extremely hard to judge this draft in a negative light.

Mock in full here: https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2022-nfl-mock-draft-hodgkinson-april/2/

Packers results extracted for you:

Quote

(22) Chris Olave - WR OSU

(28) Devin Lloyd - ILB Utah

(53) Devonte Wyatt - DL Georgie

(59) Andrew Waletzko - OT North Dakota

(92) Jelani Woods - TE UVA

(132) Alontae Taylor - CB Tennessee

(140) Josh Paschal - DL Kentucky

I can easily say: I like the projections for every one of these players. If you've never seen Devin Lloyd play, that would be an insanely good 'Value' pick and would give the Packers quite possibly a very solid shot at possessing the most athletic and most disruptive ILB crew in the NFL. He's that good. And, that would be a hilarious about face but with a D-Coordinator as a former ILB coach it would not be that surprising.

[LouisEly]

On 4/1/2022 at 5:25 PM, Julio Muchacho said:

A Random 'Not discussed at all, really' under the radar prospect...

Unheralded FCS CB/S Zyon McCollum:

 

No, he's not unheralded or under the radar at all - there's a good chance he will not be on the board on Day 3.  NFL.com has a grade of 6.14 on him; for reference, their grade on Christian Watson (who you think is not likely to be there when the Packers pick late in the 2nd), is 6.27.  No way he makes it past the 4th round.

You've been gushing over Watson, but McCollum's numbers are better than Watson's across the board except for broad jump - 4.33 40, 39.5" vertical, and a ridiculous 6.48 3-cone and 3.94 short-shuttle, both best of any player at any position at the combine.

I don't think he makes it past the Packers 3rd round pick, much less their 4th round picks (spoiler alert)...

[homer]

FWIW, Grinding the Mocks has Zyon McCollum as pick 130

[Joseph Zarr]

Great to hear on McCollum. BUT, as always: we'll see where he ends up. Clearly, teams like what they see on tape and love his numbers because he really didn't have all that a great a week in Mobile but he did get better as the week wore on so perhaps it was an adjustment period.

[Joseph Zarr]

6 hours ago, LouisEly said:

No, he's not unheralded or under the radar at all - there's a good chance he will not be on the board on Day 3.  NFL.com has a grade of 6.14 on him; for reference, their grade on Christian Watson (who you think is not likely to be there when the Packers pick late in the 2nd), is 6.27.  No way he makes it past the 4th round.

You've been gushing over Watson, but McCollum's numbers are better than Watson's across the board except for broad jump - 4.33 40, 39.5" vertical, and a ridiculous 6.48 3-cone and 3.94 short-shuttle, both best of any player at any position at the combine.

I don't think he makes it past the Packers 3rd round pick, much less their 4th round picks (spoiler alert)...

I've been gushing over Watson because he is essentially the perfect WR for a LaFleur offense and said offense needs speed and weapons. I don't compare CB numbers to WR numbers but, yes, those 3 cone and short shuttle numbers are utterly absurd. That is one hella athletic young man. Glad to see he is getting notoriety because Sam Houston State does not get a lot of publicity or exposure.

[Joseph Zarr]

Does anyone here actually watch or follow the Gophers Men's Football team? I do not. I learned about Mafe during Senior Bowl week and followed him from a distance at the Combine. Apparently, another teammate is also receiving draft buzz:

 

Would be curious to see if anyone here follows the Gophers and has anything to report about either player.

[Joseph Zarr]

Whoa, I just saw this:

That's a wild trade!

[madbad2000]

31 minutes ago, Julio Muchacho said:

Whoa, I just saw this:

That's a wild trade!

It's interesting, but not too crazy.  I was reading some articles about how Philly was looking to move one of their 1st round picks to 2023.  And to get a 2024 2nd rounder as well as a 2023 first is pretty good. 

I have also seen that the NYG could be interested in moving of their firsts forward as well.  That could really get interesting by shaking up the top of the draft a bit if a team wants to go up for a QB (5) before Carolina at 6 or 7 to get a WR before Atlanta possibly at 8. 

[patrickgpe]

what makes the trade pretty bad for the saints is that the 2023 Saints 1st rounder should be pretty high. Also my all reports this isn't that strong of a draft. Eagles could get a top 5 pick easy. 

[Matt Breen]

Saints reportedly are interested in WR and OT. The extra pick certainly gives them the ammunition to get someone - such as Olave - and fill the OL need. They have lots of other needs as well - but those two are big areas of weakness. They supposedly like Olave a lot.

[brewcrewdue80]

So Packers FB posted a prospect primer on Treylon Burks.  It was eye-catching. So go find some more video to watch.  This young man right here you want on your team. You just see it. He's the Smartest guy on the field.  Arkansas used him on so many different types of plays or routes, and Burks just owned them all.  Typically you watch a highlight film and it's got too many similar type of plays.  It felt like each highlight was for a different skill you want to see  #1? Multiple different versions showing it. Slot? He showed going through the middle of field wasn't going to hold him back.  Getting the ball to run a sweep or screen and he was going to get you yards and possibly break it big.  I mention smartest on field, 1 sorta messed up goal line play he flashed open knew was about to be and had that signal to throw him the ball. It was high and behind yet still made that tough catch.  Zone defense, QB rolling out he couldn't have presented an easier target for the QB. He recognized the zone broke off what appeared to be an out to sidelines and sat between the sideline defender and who was trailing in the middle.

Maybe he had a bad combine. But that game tape shows me he would be an instant fit for Rodgers and Lafleur. The plays you see MLF call were covered successfully by Burks in highlights. You had Adams-MVS-Lazard while being able to run jet sweep.  Dare I say DK Metcalf type?  Watson hype was knocked down not 1 but 2 pegs.

[Joseph Zarr]

13 hours ago, reillymcshane said:

Saints reportedly are interested in WR and OT. The extra pick certainly gives them the ammunition to get someone - such as Olave - and fill the OL need. They have lots of other needs as well - but those two are big areas of weakness. They supposedly like Olave a lot.

I am prepared for this heartbreak. However, if there is a year to lose out on your top wideout this is One of those years. There is a lot of depth and a lot of ways the Packers could go to restock the WR Room.

Related to this depth: Drake London's Pro Day has been re-scheduled for April 15th. That's a pretty big one. If London tests well, he will most likely move up Boards. There are questions from analysts I have listened to re: the quantity of contested catches. Is he a contested catch artist, like Mike Evans and Tee Higgins? Or is he a, for example N'Keal Harry or Hakeem Butler? He is already capable of pretty handily beating the high level Press at the NCAA Level. Teams will want to see those explosive numbers to see if they can project him to the NFL level.

[Joseph Zarr]

9 hours ago, brewcrewdue80 said:

So Packers FB posted a prospect primer on Treylon Burks.  It was eye-catching. So go find some more video to watch.  This young man right here you want on your team. You just see it. He's the Smartest guy on the field.  Arkansas used him on so many different types of plays or routes, and Burks just owned them all.  Typically you watch a highlight film and it's got too many similar type of plays.  It felt like each highlight was for a different skill you want to see  #1? Multiple different versions showing it. Slot? He showed going through the middle of field wasn't going to hold him back.  Getting the ball to run a sweep or screen and he was going to get you yards and possibly break it big.  I mention smartest on field, 1 sorta messed up goal line play he flashed open knew was about to be and had that signal to throw him the ball. It was high and behind yet still made that tough catch.  Zone defense, QB rolling out he couldn't have presented an easier target for the QB. He recognized the zone broke off what appeared to be an out to sidelines and sat between the sideline defender and who was trailing in the middle.

Maybe he had a bad combine. But that game tape shows me he would be an instant fit for Rodgers and Lafleur. The plays you see MLF call were covered successfully by Burks in highlights. You had Adams-MVS-Lazard while being able to run jet sweep.  Dare I say DK Metcalf type?  Watson hype was knocked down not 1 but 2 pegs.

I am obviously not a Draft 'expert' but I can offer some tid bits as to why he may be falling:

* With the addendum, as we know, all it takes is one team to fall in love with a guy to defy the general consensus so you may be spot in with what you see. *

Here is a distillation of Tony Pauline's latest offerings in his Pod with Trey Wingo he does weekly leading up to the draft (Keep in mind, Burks is still a top 5 WR on the cumulative PFN Draft Analyst Top 300 Big Board):

(Full article here: https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-draft-rumors-will-tyler-linderbaum-and-treylon-burks-fall-out-of-round-1/)

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Calling those “highlight plays,” Pauline expands on why Burks could potentially fall down draft boards. “When you watch his game, he’s very rough around the edges. Poor route runner, very undisciplined with his routes. Not very fast. Goes to the Combine and can’t break a 4.5, and doesn’t look sharp running routes. He’s a very unpolished receiver.

“And the fact is, we’ve seen it time and time again. These bigger-bodied receivers who went up for the contested throws every Saturday tend to fall in the draft. Because you have to be able to separate at the next level, separate through your route running and separate through your speed. Burks, right now, doesn’t have any of that.”

 

[brewcrewdue80]

And I get that sentiment 100pct.  I don't think he can reach elite #1 WR status due to that. But I would absolutely believe he's somebody that comes in and helps from day 1. Line him up at #2 or slot and let the intelligence and winning aspect of him get that part of the game done for you. He's bigger sized in weight and could see a speed increase by slimming down and working on finding that extra half step or full.  I think with Rodgers and seeing his game film, Burks stands a good chance to gain trust and be targeted. There's just that possession and winner look I see the team and Rodgers needs.  We still gotta find the #1 type but at #2 I think we'd be set there by selecting Burks big time.

[NBBrewFan]

I thought the MLF offense relied on schemes to get separation (multiple routes from a single formation).  If that's the case then you don't need elite WR#1s you need talented, but not special WR.  I keep going back to their record without Adams (7-0 IIRC) and see that you don't need that.  You might need a MVS speedster to open up the field, but you don't need a #1 WR#1.  We've also seen that if QB#1 only targets WR#1 then defenses can double/triple team the WR#1 to shut down the offense. 

[LouisEly]

5 hours ago, NBBrewFan said:

I thought the MLF offense relied on schemes to get separation (multiple routes from a single formation).  If that's the case then you don't need elite WR#1s you need talented, but not special WR.  I keep going back to their record without Adams (7-0 IIRC) and see that you don't need that.  You might need a MVS speedster to open up the field, but you don't need a #1 WR#1.  We've also seen that if QB#1 only targets WR#1 then defenses can double/triple team the WR#1 to shut down the offense. 

This is exactly it.  They need one guy to open up the field, but Lazard has caught a lot of balls in this offense for a reason and it isn't because of his speed.

[Matt Breen]

The Athletic is saying that it's 'widely believed' that the Saints are interested in a QB in the 1st round. The more QBs that go ahead of us - the better as guys we need drop to us (unless we want a QB in the 1st round ? ). 

The Saints have a lot of needs, but WR and OT is two of their biggest (along with QB). 

Link (subscription required): 

https://theathletic.com/3232215/2022/04/06/howe-notebook-inside-the-davante-adams-trade-baker-mayfields-status-saints-maneuvering/