2024 NFL Draft - Packers Focused

[GAME05]

Maybe there's some room in the mid-rounds for a DT who has fallen some because he's great against the run but bad as a pass-rusher. We don't have any big need for an added all-downs star DT, but a two-down run-stopping specialist would be the ideal depth piece maybe without having to spend a 2nd rounder to get him.

[BrewerFan]

7 hours ago, GAME05 said:

Maybe there's some room in the mid-rounds for a DT who has fallen some because he's great against the run but bad as a pass-rusher. We don't have any big need for an added all-downs star DT, but a two-down run-stopping specialist would be the ideal depth piece maybe without having to spend a 2nd rounder to get him.

We're in that tough spot that if we wait to draft one, there's a good chance they won't be good enough to make the team.

It's like WRer...but more important. 

 

And to reiterate, Sweat is not just a 2-down run-stopping specialist. He can get after the QB. You have a DT collapsing the pockets, your edges are going to benefit from this more than anyone. 

But again, I don't think we'll target DL. I think the Packers will approach this like they always do. They'll have their draft board and if they've got a DL at or atop their board, I think they'll take one. I think Sweat is a unique player. Not Vita Vea, but an impact player. And that's also why players like that VERY rarely fall in the draft. They're usually overdrafted like QBs. 

 

[GAME05]

Crossing my fingers we'll get to see Braelon Allen in a Packers uniform. Gute has said he really likes having a big back behind Jones for the bad weather, so with Dillon as a FA, Allen would sure fit the bill.

[yourout]

48 minutes ago, GAME05 said:

Crossing my fingers we'll get to see Braelon Allen in a Packers uniform. Gute has said he really likes having a big back behind Jones for the bad weather, so with Dillon as a FA, Allen would sure fit the bill.

If he's around in the third then maybe but I certainly wouldn't go any higher than that.

[BrewerFan]

2 hours ago, yourout said:

If he's around in the third then maybe but I certainly wouldn't go any higher than that.

Yeah...I guess. I just don't see him being a great fit in the Packers' outsize zone scheme.

I know, the Badgers run a similar scheme, but they also run a lot of isolation. Also, I want backs with a little more quickness, ideally HR speed, but as we've seen with Jones, you don't need that. 

Also, I feel like Emanuel Wilson is really a very very good option as a more physical back. At 230, he's got the speed and vision you want.

Ideally, you'd sign a guy like Antonio Gibson, a player I think will be grossly undervalued in this market. He's an elite receiver (he WAS a WR in College before moving to RB). 

He started with ~1800 yards rushing plus 78 receptions and ~600 yards receiving. 

6'2 220, 4.39 40 and he's probably going to be available for ~2/10 if that?

If we did that, you'd have Jones/Wilson/Gibson and then you can let the draft play out. If Bucky Irvin is on the board in the 4th Rd, move up a few spots, or Blake Watson.

It's a position that you could very easily address with minimal resources and allow the board to come to you at RB rather than going after any particular RB. 

 

I loved watching Allen in College, but...he seems like an AJ Dillon-type back without the receiving ability...and that arguably became his biggest strength. 

Now if the Packers are still interested in Jonathon Taylor, then I'd be all for a bigger, physical former Badgers joining the Packers! But I wouldn't give up anything above the Bills' 3rd. There are too many good backs available both in the draft and in FA...though with Indy paying his SB, he'd have a very reasonable contract the next 2 years. 

[GAME05]

With a RB's short lifespan it feels like right now is one season too early to start thinking about replacing Jones with another Jones-type back. So with Gute saying he likes the power compliment to Jones it seems the higher priority is either re-signing Dillon or finding a Dillon-type replacement. That also dismisses the idea of Wilson getting a bigger role in the offense, but I'm fine with that. Granted, for someone like Jonathan Taylor you can certainly toss everything else out the window.

[Matt Breen]

On 2/23/2024 at 11:24 PM, LouisEly said:

One of the things I have wondered about is Cooper DeJean's recovery from the leg injury he suffered late in the season - if he isn't fully recovered, how will that affect his performance on standardized tests and subsequently where he goes in the draft?

Looks like he isn't recovered yet and won't test at the combine.  Obviously there is still Iowa's pro day (can't find the date) and individual workouts, but this helps increase the chance that he's still there at #25.

Today, DeJean said he still isn't fully recovered from his injury in November - which was a fractured fibula. He said he will NOT participate in the combine or Iowa's pro day (March 18), but said he will have workout for clubs closer to the draft. He - understandably - wants to be at full strength. 

He added that he is running at full speed as of last week.

[CheezWizHed]

Is the DT "run stuffer" really useful in a modern 4-3? I'm assuming we switch from 2 gap to 1 gap... that typically requires "smaller" (i.e. 300lb range), faster DTs than the big space eater types (320+lb range).  Clark is fine in that mold.  I think this fits Wyatt as a run-stopper better than our previous D.  Brooks also seems better suited size wise to handle the run in this D.  And still have Slaton. If you draft another DT, it almost has to be a high pick that is going to be a pass rush demon.  Then assume a trade later from depth because we can't keep 6 players at DT.  5 might be too many. 

I do see some chatter about Walker moving to WLB which is interesting.  McDuffie might be too light for the MLB position though he does take on blocks better than Walker. Might we draft an MLB and have Walker/McD at the OLB positions?

12 hours ago, BrewerFan said:

I loved watching Allen in College, but...he seems like an AJ Dillon-type back without the receiving ability...and that arguably became his biggest strength. 

Yeah, I never saw BA as a great RB fit in the NFL.  He is a beast to take down when moving, but he doesn't seem to make any lateral cuts to a hole.  If the hole forms in the general direction he is running, he can bust it for big yards.  But if no hole, he rarely creates much.  That with being injury prone doesn't bode well for him, IMO.  Down around the 4th-5th rounds, sure.  I wouldn't take him in the top 100.

Repeating the Jones-Williams draft (4th and 5th round RBs) would be fine with me. Draft and develop

[Matt Breen]

Good article on Cooper DeJean in The Athletic. Here's the link - but know it's subscription (sorry). 

https://theathletic.com/5308986/2024/02/29/cooper-dejean-combine-iowa-nfl-draft/

The more I read about him the more I like. Super athletic. Had offer to play QB at South Dakota State. 

There's some belief he's best played at safety, but as one person in the article says - don't worry about that. Just get him on the field and let his versatility and athleticism carve out a spot. 

Obviously, the broken fibula is a concern. But it might also mean he'll fall a bit - and be there are #25 for us. 

[LouisEly]

23 hours ago, CheezWizHed said:

I do see some chatter about Walker moving to WLB which is interesting.

This is mostly speculation from the media.  I haven't heard any chatter from any coaches saying that.

I also think that WLB is kind of like OG which is kind of like relief pitcher - most LB's are better WLBs than MLB/SAM, just like most OL are better OG than OT just like most pitchers are better relievers than starters.  And with as much motion and shifting as modern offenses employ, I don't know that there really is a difference between a WLB and a SAM.

I'd rather have Walker on the TE - he's big enough and athletic enough to cover TEs, but as I mentioned, with as much motion and shifting as there is it's not going to be easy for any LB to consistently line up over the TE or be a SAM/WILL.

[Matt Breen]

CB Kool-Aid McKinstry - a good chance to go in the 1st round of the draft - was found to have a Jones fracture in his right foot. It was only discovered at the combine. He plans on working out at his pro day - and then having surgery. 

Not sure how this will affect his draft position. The Jones fracture is not necessarily serious for a non-athlete - but surgery is usually required for an athlete such as McKinstry. 

I read that recovery is generally 8 weeks - but it can take longer. And there's likely a 'getting up to speed' time involved.

[BrewerFan]

On 2/29/2024 at 1:43 PM, CheezWizHed said:

Is the DT "run stuffer" really useful in a modern 4-3? I'm assuming we switch from 2 gap to 1 gap... that typically requires "smaller" (i.e. 300lb range), faster DTs than the big space eater types (320+lb range).  Clark is fine in that mold.  I think this fits Wyatt as a run-stopper better than our previous D.  Brooks also seems better suited size wise to handle the run in this D.  And still have Slaton. If you draft another DT, it almost has to be a high pick that is going to be a pass rush demon.  Then assume a trade later from depth because we can't keep 6 players at DT.  5 might be too many. 

I think so. If you have a guy who demands double teams, then you're making the game that much easier for the rest of the front 7. Again, not that Sweat is Vita Vea, but...take him for example. He makes it SO difficult to run on TB. They also have a great LBer in David and then White is an overrated LBer, but he's so fast, he can be effective vs teams that try to run outside.

I also really don't think Sweat is just a run stuffer. He's not Slaton as a pass rusher. And Clark is more than fine in that role. Slaton is also fine in that role. They're both pending FAs and we've also relied far-far too much on Clark in the past. 

It's just too important of a position to wait until it's a pressing need. Then you're kinda SOL. Philly had a great DL, they still drafted Jordan Davis and then drafted Jevon Carter. 

I also don't think 6 is too many to keep at DT. Especially not with guys like Wooden in particular who can play Edge. Wyatt would be another guy who can play there.

 

And to reiterate, I don't think this is a "need," or that they'll take a DT, but I do think it's a position they should always consider.

I also agree it'll help Wyatt and Brooks against the run. Wooden is already pretty solid vs the run, but obviously 1 gap is going to make things easier for him.

On 2/29/2024 at 1:43 PM, CheezWizHed said:

I do see some chatter about Walker moving to WLB which is interesting.  McDuffie might be too light for the MLB position though he does take on blocks better than Walker. Might we draft an MLB and have Walker/McD at the OLB positions?

I think this makes a lot of sense actually. It frees Walker up in the base to blitz more, maybe play in space a little more than the SLB. Plus, with so many teams now running that outside zone scheme and the Shanahan offense, he's there to clean up and fill in those cutback lanes. McDuffie is more physical.

As for who we'll draft at LBer...I know about Cooper, the seemingly #1 overall off-ball in this class and then Peyton Wilson. I think Wilson is really good, really tough and an incredible athlete. He reminds me of Campbell in Detroit. Those are the only guys I've really watched, Wilson because of his Wrestling background, I've long been a fan. ~6'5, 235, 4.43 40?

I thought he had pretty questionable medicals though. 

I'm not nearly as concerned with getting a guy who fits the prototype of a 43 MLBer as I am just getting another athlete similar to Walker as...again, we'll be in nickel more. More physical as you still have to stop the run to get into your sub package, but there are a lot of guys it seems fit that role.

Trevin Knight from Kentucky is a big thumper who can run(240-something).
Ty'Ron Hooper from Missouri. I read one scout say he could be a Bolton type LBer...but that he'd get washed away in a 2-gap scheme. I honestly don't get that entirely as you'll still have to take on blockers, but I guess he was saying if you can just get him downhill, he'll do well. 

Colson from Michigan, Eichenberg from OSU(we got to see a little of him). Grey from UNC you've heard about for a couple years. He seems like a versatile LBer. Trotter from Clemson? Can't see him as a MLber, more WLB, but he's a helluva athlete.

Then Jaylan Ford...I did get to see some of him watching just a little Sweat and Murphy. He looks like the real deal as well. 

I'd say Cooper from 25-41(maybe move up from ~41 to 33 or so?).
Wilson #58
Ford, maybe you move up to the start of day 3?

 

Hackett from Miss St. He could very easily be a guy they take in Rd 5 with a Supp pick. Not to be their other starter, but to be depth and then a STs player.

On 2/29/2024 at 1:43 PM, CheezWizHed said:

Yeah, I never saw BA as a great RB fit in the NFL.  He is a beast to take down when moving, but he doesn't seem to make any lateral cuts to a hole.  If the hole forms in the general direction he is running, he can bust it for big yards.  But if no hole, he rarely creates much.  That with being injury prone doesn't bode well for him, IMO.  Down around the 4th-5th rounds, sure.  I wouldn't take him in the top 100.

Repeating the Jones-Williams draft (4th and 5th round RBs) would be fine with me. Draft and develop

Yup. I totally agree. I'd generally be against spending in Free Agency on a RB, but I think Antonio Gibson is a really under the radar type guy who runs hard and you can lineup at WRer. 

 

The problem is...Gutekunst seems to have a different opinion. He seems to like that big battering back. I also may be unfair to BA. He does run hard and I like him. I don't want to see it, but a team like the Lions? He'd thrive there. More downhill, Iso blocking schemes. Too much of the Packers run game is East and West, Counters. With the landmarks that are part of the ZBS, you run to a spot, then look for a hole(effectively). I like quicker backs with great patience and vision. 

We'll see. Maybe Gutey puts Emanuel Wilson in that group of power backs? 

[BrewerFan]

5 hours ago, LouisEly said:

This is mostly speculation from the media.  I haven't heard any chatter from any coaches saying that.

I also think that WLB is kind of like OG which is kind of like relief pitcher - most LB's are better WLBs than MLB/SAM, just like most OL are better OG than OT just like most pitchers are better relievers than starters.  And with as much motion and shifting as modern offenses employ, I don't know that there really is a difference between a WLB and a SAM.

I'd rather have Walker on the TE - he's big enough and athletic enough to cover TEs, but as I mentioned, with as much motion and shifting as there is it's not going to be easy for any LB to consistently line up over the TE or be a SAM/WILL.

I like the analogies

But I also see why people like Walker as a WLB. There's more freedom there and you can use your athletic ability a little more without having to sift through the wash. More running, reacting, less reading the play.

But that assumes you have drafted another big, athletic LBer who can play SLBer. There may only be a couple in this draft class.

Jaden Hicks is still a guy I think makes the transition to WLBer. Could be a demon on STs, they could also play a big nickel with him, Walker and another LBer on the field. That tweener(Jaylon Carlies is apparently another, as is James Williams, a really interesting player in this draft). 

Fewer LBers and more just versatile players...which again, Hafley talked about wanting a "positionless defense."  Presumably so you don't have a lot of pre-snap movement and you can matchup with the motion without your own pre-snap movement.

[BrewerFan]

On 2/29/2024 at 11:48 AM, GAME05 said:

With a RB's short lifespan it feels like right now is one season too early to start thinking about replacing Jones with another Jones-type back. So with Gute saying he likes the power compliment to Jones it seems the higher priority is either re-signing Dillon or finding a Dillon-type replacement. That also dismisses the idea of Wilson getting a bigger role in the offense, but I'm fine with that. Granted, for someone like Jonathan Taylor you can certainly toss everything else out the window.

Maybe. Or maybe Wilson is that guy? He's a big back at 230. 

 

6 hours ago, reillymcshane said:

There's some belief he's best played at safety, but as one person in the article says - don't worry about that. Just get him on the field and let his versatility and athleticism carve out a spot. 

Obviously, the broken fibula is a concern. But it might also mean he'll fall a bit - and be there are #25 for us. 

I saw someone with a pretty large account declare definitively he's "now a boundary CB."

A few posts later he'd said he had watch much of his tape. 

If you're going to write articles or present yoursrelf as some type of Twitter Mel Kiper Jr, then watch the tape. Otherwise admit you're like the rest of us and save for a few guys, you don't watch these prospects enough to be making these absolute statements. 

DeJean seems like he can cover, play the run AND Cover. Just because he's physical enough to play the run and hit like a LBer doesn't take away from what he did outside. Wish he could have participated in the combine, but you still have a whole lot of tape to go off of and you KNOW the guy can play. 

[Joseph Zarr]

Well, Sinnott jumped a 40" vert and I was gleeful. I was not anticipating this (The best TE RAS ever recorded):

(For the record, Platte doesn't see this lasting when more information comes out. He sees him likely placing 3rd overall all time. Oh gee.)

For my own sake:

Want want want. Just love this man's game.

[BrewerFan]

2 hours ago, Joseph Zarr said:

Well, Sinnott jumped a 40" vert and I was gleeful. I was not anticipating this (The best TE RAS ever recorded):

(For the record, Platte doesn't see this lasting when more information comes out. He sees him likely placing 3rd overall all time. Oh gee.)

For my own sake:

Want want want. Just love this man's game.

Man, I've heard a lot of KSU fans talking about him, but I did not think he was this type of athlete.

My two TE crushes have been Jahiem Bell who is more of an H-Back, but he's played RB, WR, FB...everything...and just LOOK at how he tracks the deep ball at ~1:00 in. He looks like DK Metcalf! 

My other was Jared Wiley out of TCU. Nearly 6'7, 260, but a mean, physical blocker who can also get down the seem. 

But Sinnott was portrayed as a receiver only, a sure handed, smart player, but not this ELITE athlete!

I think I still lean toward a Theo Warren or Wiley as I have a little trouble seeing them using a pick on a luxury, an athletic TE who can block...but I'm sticking with Bell. I could see him going at 126 or the Packers moving up for him. FINALLY filling that Deguara role with an absolute animal. 

[BrewerFan]

Oh, and by the way, @reillymcshaneasked a hypothetical question taking our 1st 3 picks and using the old chart to see what their trade-up value was.

The top 3 picks got us up to #7. I said I'd take Alt there.
I THINK #25 and #58 got us up to #15...and I said there wasn't a player there I thought was worth it for us to move up for. If you move up, it should be a player you love AND is a big need(see Jaire). 

Well...Holy Toledo! Quinyon Mitchell has changed my mind...a bit.  He's ~6 200LB, he's physical, and a good tackler. The scouting reports say he's more of a zone CB, but 4.33 says otherwise. He didn't do the agility testing and the Packers do emphasize that over just pure speed, but his splits were outstanding, he's long, and he's explosive(38 vertical).

 

In this mock, I DID have to part with a future 2nd and a 4th(but I got back a 5 and a couple 7s). Obviously an unrealistic trading guide, but...it's draft season, I'm bored, I don't care. These are the players are I want. DeJean went ONE spot ahead of Guyton. That...would have been interesting. 
Then my other two favorites, Jahiem Bell and Amegadjie, the uber-talented LT(who can play Guard) from Yale.

But I'd be very happy with this. 

(Not in the picture...picks 245 and 250 which were; Renardo Green and Nathaniel Watson. Watson is a really nice backup MLBer, good size, speed. Don't know much else. Watch FSU, so Renardo Green being available past rd 4 is stupid. He's a top ~100 player...but he IS also an ideal fit for GB. He's long, he plays sticky coverage, is a slot, and he's tough).

I got a few of my main draft crushes. Guyton. 
Cooper obviously.
Blake Fischer is a better run blocking version of Rasheed Walker. He was the starting LT at ND and a 5-star recruit. Then this TE moved to OT, beat him out and he started at RT the last two years(Alt was the TE who beat him out). But he has Day1 upside...just not sure what's up with him. Inconsistent.

Bullard is not ideal, but I think we sign a marquee FA safety.
Fiske is just a stud and too good to pass up. He had an outstanding combine. I know @CheezWizHedthinks it's too many, but I'd start with a DL of Gary, LVN, Smith, Wooden, Clark, Wyatt, Brooks, Slaton and Fiske and just let Hafley play with multiple fronts. 

Carlies is a WLB. I think he's 6'2 230. He's a Tariq Carpenter type(much more physical, but a STer and a flier). 
Blake Watson is a very Aaron Jones-esque type back. Doubt he has the leg strength or runs as physically, but he's versatile.
Spann-Ford is just a 3rd blocking TE who I think is really underrated as a pass catcher.

BUT, you get a starting CB in Mitchell, a easy starting MLBer in Cooper. Guyton competes at both OT spots. Keep the heat on Walker and if Guyton is as good as people say, he'll either beat Walker out, or they'll have to move Tom to C/G to keep the best 5. Fischer, he'd compete at RG and RT right away.
 

[homer]

Guerendo ran a 4.33. Dang.

[LouisEly]

3 hours ago, homer said:

Guerendo ran a 4.33. Dang.

And to think that he was RB3 at UW and RB2 at Louisville.   I get that part of that was injuries earlier in his career, but he played in every game in 2022.  Speaks to my level of frustration with Rudolph/Engram as OC who couldn't figure out how to get Guerendo touches - especially as the jet on jet sweeps. 

Back in 2016 I mocked Aaron Jones to the Packers (one of my prouder hits) because of two things - his ypc (7.7 in 2016, career 6.3) but more because every  year he had a longest run >70 yards (and 3 of 4 years >80 yards).  Guerendo has a long of 82, 89, and 73.  He doesn't have the wiggle that Aaron Jones does (nobody does, he's one of the shiftiest RBs in history) and doesn't have that immediate burst that Jones does, but if he gets a lane he can and will house you.

I remember a couple of months ago the talk that it wasn't a good RB class, hardly any were ranked by the draftniks in the top 100, none in the top 60, blah, blah, blah, and I said (either here or on another forum) that there was a lot more RB talent in this class than the ranking websites recognized.  And look at what those guys ran today - three sub 4.4, eight sub 4.5, most of those guys weighed in at 210+, and no Brooks - who is considered by most to be the best RB in the class.   Nobody had Guerendo in their top 200 back then.  Nobody had Jalen Wright on their board.  Few even had Brooks on their board because he was 3rd string in 2022 behind Robinson and Johnson.

There's RB talent here.  Maybe the position isn't that valuable, but there are plenty of guys who I would be very happy if they were taken by the Packers in the 3rd or 4th (Wright, Brooks, Benson, Lloyd, Tracy, Guerendo).  And I like Jaylen Wright a LOT - I wouldn't mind at all if the Pack take him in the 2nd.

[Joseph Zarr]

Yeah I've seen several people opine Wright actually reminds them of Aaron Jones. Really cool to hear your thoughts here as back-up and possible Jones replacement back(s) seem to be clear needs - especially considering AJ Dillon appears to be on his way to another organization.

[Joseph Zarr]

My Nickel CB agenda remains ablaze with continued supportive data to aid my campaign 🤭:

 

[LouisEly]

16 minutes ago, Joseph Zarr said:

Yeah I've seen several people opine Wright actually reminds them of Aaron Jones. Really cool to hear your thoughts here as back-up and possible Jones replacement back(s) seem to be clear needs - especially considering AJ Dillon appears to be on his way to another organization.

They guy who actually reminds me the most of Jones is Tyrone Tracy.  His abilities were muted in their pass-oriented (and generally awful) offense, but his loose hips and ability to change directions are perhaps the best in the class.  Wright is more linear with the sudden ability to jump cut and change directions, but he also has the speed (4.38) and YPC (7.4 this past year - in the SEC - and 6.2 for his career) that says that he can make people miss... and then leave them in the dust.

[Joseph Zarr]

49 minutes ago, LouisEly said:

They guy who actually reminds me the most of Jones is Tyrone Tracy.  His abilities were muted in their pass-oriented (and generally awful) offense, but his loose hips and ability to change directions are perhaps the best in the class.  Wright is more linear with the sudden ability to jump cut and change directions, but he also has the speed (4.38) and YPC (7.4 this past year - in the SEC - and 6.2 for his career) that says that he can make people miss... and then leave them in the dust.

So great to get these little nuggets. I literally no nothing about these running backs. I didn't even know who Tyrone Tracy was😅!

[Joseph Zarr]

Holy hyeck this receiver class showed out today. My word. The athleticism on display is absolutely absurd. Given our draft capital, I'd be completely unsurprised if Gutey took some high end value that falls somewhere in the first four rounds. He loves that patented 'competition'. 'Iron sharpens iron'. Throw another unicorn into that Heath/Melton/Dubose fire to solidify that first 5 group. Yowza.

[LouisEly]

Found this little nugget in another article:

"“I think this league’s a 4-2-5 league,” said Brian Gutekunst at his season-ending press conference, “and I think, I’m certainly, as Jeff comes in, and we’re very excited about that, the conversations about kind of how we’re going to want to play."

https://packerswire.usatoday.com/2024/03/02/michigans-mike-sainristil-can-fill-obvious-slot-cb-need-if-packers-are-willing-to-go-off-script/

While I expect them to draft a LB or two (One early if they decide to move on from Campbell), I think this lends more credence to the notion that they will be drafting a number of DBs.  I expect at least three safeties, with at least one of them demonstrating the ability to play in the slot, plus a CB or two.