2024 NFL Draft - Packers Focused

[Joseph Zarr]

This guy loves his craft. 

 

[Joseph Zarr]

The difference here is, as well, Worthy is already a pretty fantastic wideout. Unreal.

[BrewerFan]

6 hours 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.

You watch any Ray Davis from UK? That kid reminds me a lot of Jones. Shorter, great vision, quickness. Doesn't have great high end speed, but enough(4.52). And he's a good pass catcher.

Re'Mahn Davis, Ray Davis...

Blake Watson isn't an every-down back, but I like him as well.

I think it's a good RB class, but people generally seem to deem it a good or bad class based on the top-end talent.

This class, the top backs are...Brooks, injured. And then? Shipley? He's not an every-down back. Bucky Irvin is up there, but he's also not a complete back, but could be a great supplemental player in our offense. Seems like a late 2, early 3 though. Rd 4-5 might be an area where you can find a lot of talent. 

 

[BrewerFan]

28 minutes ago, Joseph Zarr said:

The difference here is, as well, Worthy is already a pretty fantastic wideout. Unreal.

I think this will push him up the board between 25 and 41(if not earlier).

Watson changes the game and opens up the offense so much when he's on the field, IF Worthy did happen to fall into the 2nd, down to the 50s it'd be an interesting decision. Add to an already-loaded position group to protect against Watson's injuries, or go after a bigger need.

58 minutes ago, LouisEly said:

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.

That's why I think that's the position they'll aggressively pursue in free agency. 

Xavier McKinney would be a...perfect fit. He's young, 24-years-old. He'd be able to grow and develop with this group, and he is coming off an All-Pro caliber season. 

He really fits the type of safety Hafley was describing in his presser. He can play CF, cover a ton of ground, he's a really good tackler coming up, can play in the box. He's not going to amaze people, but I think he could have an Adrian Amos-type impact(while being better in coverage). 

Dugger or Kurl are also really interesting options for that Big Nickel 3 safety formation. 

I just don't see enough safety talent to try and go get 3 guys in this draft and then hope they contribute this year. That could also mean Savage is back. I think they'll draft 3-4 DBs, 2-3 OL, a LBer or 2(likely one "LBer" will be a big safety).

The only thing remarkable about this safety class is it seems to have more big, physical, in the box type safeties and fewer really good athletes who can play single high. So that's why McKinney would be a perfect signing for them. 

Spotrac projects his market value to be at 5/53M 
It projects Winfield's to be at ~5/90

 I love Winfield...and Budda who I thought would be a FA(Still could be traded, likely for a 4th-5th if so) but this just sounds too similar to what Hafley was asking for and again, 24, he can grow with this team over the next 3-4 years;

I think we'll hear a report about them agreeing to terms on the 13th. Again, Jordan Fuller, Whitehead may be backup plans.

Devin White could be a guy on a one year "prove it" deal...but I don't think that'd be as impactful of a signing at this point.

[BrewerFan]

On 2/27/2024 at 2:59 PM, GAME05 said:

Am I crazy in thinking that two 1sts and two 2nds doesn't sound like the worst deal in the world to get Harrison?

I really like the Quinyon Mitchell idea. He's gone from early 2nd to mid-1st in most mocks and I'd bet his combine will make him look even better. I otherwise like Fuaga as I understand he could play both G and T so that would add a ton of depth and flexibility we usually need.

No, I don't think it's crazy. If you were absolutely certain this guy would be Randy Moss, but even better as a "possession" WR, then...it'd probably be an appropriate value.

I'm also with you on Fuaga. He's a mauler and many think his pass-blocking is underrated. Just physically dominating, but needs to refine his technique(most OTs coming out do, Wright last year was one of the few who was really-really refined). 

I'm stubborn though. If I was going to go all Madden and trade all that draft capital(and then not have a 1st when the draft is hosted at GB...which MIGHT actually be a tiny factor) it'd still be for Joe Alt. 

 

[BrewerFan]

On 2/27/2024 at 5:16 PM, LouisEly said:

Back in October I would have said Alt.  And I generally agree that he'll be a great player in the league for a long time (barring injury).  I would package those picks for him... if it was a position of need.

But it's not.  Debate the accuracy of PFF grades (I think they're much more accurate for the NFL than college), but PFF had Walker as the 7th best overall grade - LT or RT - from week 9 through 18.  Only six tackles graded better than him.  That's what we hope Alt would become.

I can't give up both 2nds when the only safeties on the roster are a Anthony Johnson, Zayne Anderson, and Bennie Sapp.  Unless they sign two starting quality safeties in free agency, I can't wait until late in the 3rd to draft one much less two.

I'd package a 3rd to move up a few spots to get Q. Mitchell or DeJean (if the medicals check out), maybe Kool-Aid if he runs well, but that's it.

It's still Alt for me. I watched Walker, so while PFF is a decent source, he had so much help that it took Aaron Jones out of the passing game too often(though it worked in Dallas).

Of course, the only position you give up 2 1sts PLUS your 2nds for would be a QB. But in this exercise, Joe Alt is still my favorite player in this class...that I think the Packers actually need. If I'm proven wrong and the issues that plagued Walker at PSU don't crop back up and he continues to ascend, then you could move Tom to Center and three most important positions on the OL would be set.

I've also said I believe MLF and Rodgers, now Love, really help the OL out. They get the ball out so quickly and their PA game is so good, the other teams edges are seldom just pinning their ears back. So that, the double teams, I just don't put a lot of stock in that ranking. 

He(and the OL as a whole) really improved from Oct...and they're just not giving up that draft capital anyway.

I don't think he was ever you HOPED Alt could become though. I think if you put in there straight off the draft, he'd be an immediate and significant upgrade...and that's not even addressing the run which is a weakness with Walker. You hope Alt is going to be an All-Pro. Walker was graded as an above-average OT for half the season...with help and a lot of quick throws(though again, he clearly did improve).

On to more realistic moves though, A 3rd to move up to ~20 though could be interesting. DeJean may end up being there at 25 if he doesn't workout though...and he's that physical ball-hawk we need. Mitchell impressed at his Sr Bowl appearance. 

One more OL. Tyler Guyton, according to scouts/draft experts, has the highest upside of any OT in this draft AFTER Alt. 

On 5/1/2023 at 6:32 PM, MrTPlush said:

I’m not a massive fan of Brooks. A tweener guy between outside/inside DL sounds like a dude ready to get owned by NFL OLs. Probably why he was a 6th round pick.

For a 6th rounder though, he is pretty intriguing. Maybe he can carve out a niche role 

It's a year later and Brooks surpassed all expectations, but he's another guy who might really benefit from playing more 1-gap.

I don't recall the source, but it talked about how Brooks was a much more effective pass rusher and run defender when he played outside. I think that Niche role you talked about could grow. Line him up more as a 6 tech in some odd fronts and he may not be a true edge, but there could be more production yet to come.

Meanwhile Wooden, the guy who looks like an edge, he performed better playing inside. Both had really nice rookie seasons(especially for going in rds 6 and 4 respectively) but hopefully with a DC who's more willing to play to his personell's strengths, there's more to their game yet.

[LouisEly]

9 hours ago, BrewerFan said:

This class, the top backs are...Brooks, injured. And then? Shipley? He's not an every-down back. Bucky Irvin is up there, but he's also not a complete back, but could be a great supplemental player in our offense. Seems like a late 2, early 3 though. Rd 4-5 might be an area where you can find a lot of talent. 

Not sure who has them as the top backs, but NFL.com (which I have found to be most accurate as they have the most access to NFL scouts and player personnel execs) has the top backs as:

1) Brooks (6.38, #33 overall)
2) Jaylen Wright (6.28, #54 overall, one spot behind Edgerrin Cooper)
3) Benson (6.19, #89)
4) Lloyd (6.18, #95)
5) Tracy (6.18, #96)
6) Estime (6.17, #97)
7) Irving (6.17, #98)
8) Shipley (6.16, #109)
9) Corum (6.15, #111)
10) Guerendo (6.15, #113)

If that's around how things play out, they probably won't be available for the Packers in the 4th.

I think part of what is contributing to some rankings of RBs on some sites is that many of these players (Brooks, Wright, Lloyd, Tracy, Guerendo, and to a lesser extent Benson and Estime) weren't on the radar pre-season because they weren't starters the year before or weren't 1,000 yard rushers the year before.

[yourout]

41 minutes ago, LouisEly said:

Not sure who has them as the top backs, but NFL.com (which I have found to be most accurate as they have the most access to NFL scouts and player personnel execs) has the top backs as:

1) Brooks (6.38, #33 overall)
2) Jaylen Wright (6.28, #54 overall, one spot behind Edgerrin Cooper)
3) Benson (6.19, #89)
4) Lloyd (6.18, #95)
5) Tracy (6.18, #96)
6) Estime (6.17, #97)
7) Irving (6.17, #98)
8) Shipley (6.16, #109)
9) Corum (6.15, #111)
10) Guerendo (6.15, #113)

If that's around how things play out, they probably won't be available for the Packers in the 4th.

I think part of what is contributing to some rankings of RBs on some sites is that many of these players (Brooks, Wright, Lloyd, Tracy, Guerendo, and to a lesser extent Benson and Estime) weren't on the radar pre-season because they weren't starters the year before or weren't 1,000 yard rushers the year before.

Even with the injury history Guerendo would be an interesting late round pick.

Relatively low carry count for college and good speed.

[Joseph Zarr]

On 2/23/2024 at 10:00 AM, Joseph Zarr said:

Scheduled Packers Visits: (As of Friday 2/22)

• Cam Johnson, WR - Northwestern
• Justin Blazed, DL - UW Platteville
• Rayshad Williams, DB - Texas Tech (@ Hula Bowl via Ryan Fowler)
• Akeem Dent, DB - FSU
• Winston Reid, LB - Weber State
• AJ Woods, DB - Pitt
• T'vondre Sweat, DL - Texas
• Spencer Rattler, QB - South Carolina
• Joe Milton, QB - Tennessee
• Max Melton, DB - Rutgers 
• James Cahoon, QB - Bridgewater State
• Myles Murphy, DL - UNC
• John Rhys Plumlee, QB - UCF
• Patrick Paul, OT - Houston
• Doug Nester, OL - West Virginia
• Curtis Jacobs, LB - Penn State
• Steele Chambers, LB - Ohio State
• MJ Devonshire, DB - Pittsburgh
• Aidan Robbins, RB - BYU
• Donovan Jennings, OL - FLorida  (@ Shrine Bowl via Justin Melo)
• Edgerrin Cooper, LB Texas A & M

---

(2.29) Combine and more...

• Javon Bullard, S - Georgia...had an official visit with the Packers at the Combine (via MJ Hurley)
• Deiyantei Powell-Woods, OL -  Central Michigan (via Ryan Fowler)
• Evan Williams, S - Oregon (via MJ Hurley)
• Kamren Kinchens, S/DB - Miami (via MJ Hurley)
• Michael Pratt, QB - Tulane (via MJ Hurley)

Update 3/3 (Combine):

(More listed in tweet. They are allowed 30 official visits at the Combine. 12 are listed past (rest after first tweet) as well as some informals)

[Joseph Zarr]

Daniel Jeremiah has 12 WR's in his top 50. He's had 11 before (twice). This is a historically good receiver class. That combine performance across the board was no joke.

[homer]

41 minutes ago, Joseph Zarr said:

Update 3/3 (Combine):

(More listed in tweet. They are allowed 30 official visits at the Combine. 12 are listed past (rest after first tweet) as well as some informals)

haven't the Packers had some pretty high picks that they never interviewed? 

[BrewerFan]

6 hours ago, LouisEly said:

Not sure who has them as the top backs, but NFL.com (which I have found to be most accurate as they have the most access to NFL scouts and player personnel execs) has the top backs as:

1) Brooks (6.38, #33 overall)
2) Jaylen Wright (6.28, #54 overall, one spot behind Edgerrin Cooper)
3) Benson (6.19, #89)
4) Lloyd (6.18, #95)
5) Tracy (6.18, #96)
6) Estime (6.17, #97)
7) Irving (6.17, #98)
8) Shipley (6.16, #109)
9) Corum (6.15, #111)
10) Guerendo (6.15, #113)

If that's around how things play out, they probably won't be available for the Packers in the 4th.

I think part of what is contributing to some rankings of RBs on some sites is that many of these players (Brooks, Wright, Lloyd, Tracy, Guerendo, and to a lesser extent Benson and Estime) weren't on the radar pre-season because they weren't starters the year before or weren't 1,000 yard rushers the year before.

I was talking about BEFORE the combine. There's no world I take anyone seriously who had Guerendo top 10 before(and I'm still not sure I'd take them seriously after). 

And nobody had Jaylen Wright near 54 before this past weekend. He was ~115 with a 4th-grade grade on most sites. 

I also forgot about Benson. Even Estime is ~100th on most rankings. So the point is the top of the class was always perceived to be weak which, IMO, then makes people say the RB class is weak.

 

[homer]

I think Bortolini helped himself out today. 

 

 

[BrewerFan]

1 hour ago, homer said:

haven't the Packers had some pretty high picks that they never interviewed? 

I thought it was kinda a running joke. If the Packers interviewed them, they weren't going to take them. Then I think '22 they interviewed Wyatt, Watson, guys like Pickens and...I don't recall exactly who else, but it was more top 60 talent and then players they drafted than they previously had. 

Now they might just be trying to keep you guessing! 

 

2 hours ago, Joseph Zarr said:

Daniel Jeremiah has 12 WR's in his top 50. He's had 11 before (twice). This is a historically good receiver class. That combine performance across the board was no joke.

Quote

Packers Formal Visits Combine: (12/30) QB Michael Pratt (Tulane) RB Braelon Allen (Wisconsin) RB Jonathon Brooks (Texas) WR Adonai Mitchell (Texas) WR Xavier Worthy (Texas) OL Taliese Fuaga (Oregon State) OL Graham Barton (Duke) OL Kingsley Suamatia (BYU)

Well...Hafley said he'd coach up whoever was out there. I'd love to see the Packers take Fuaga, then trade back up and take Worthy in the first round...if for no other reason than I wouldn't have to hear what the Packers WON'T do. Though taking a WR when they really don't need one would be about the most Packers pick yet. 

Suamatia does seem like a "Packers pick." Extremely athletic, versatile. He and Morgan are pretty similar in that regard. Suamatia was in some of the "way too early" mocks in the top 5-10. 

Draft crushes and predicting the Packers are both mostly fools errands, but if they were to get a defensive player in Rd1(Cooper, DeJean...trade up maybe for Mitchell)...there are 3-4 guys who are obvious Packers-type picks in Rd2. Barton, Morgan...again, Suamatia.

 

We're also all looking at this through a pre-free agency lens. 

[BrewerFan]

21 minutes ago, homer said:

I think Bortolini helped himself out today. 

 

 

Anyone watch the Badgers close enough to have a strong opinion on him?

An athlete like is what we need at Center, but I don't know how good he really is. I thought he looked pretty good at times last year, but I probably watched him specifically for 10 snaps. See a nice hole, rewind, and see the blocking. 

[RedStickBrew]

29 minutes ago, BrewerFan said:

Anyone watch the Badgers close enough to have a strong opinion on him?

An athlete like is what we need at Center, but I don't know how good he really is. I thought he looked pretty good at times last year, but I probably watched him specifically for 10 snaps. See a nice hole, rewind, and see the blocking. 

I’d say he profiles more as a guard. He played C at UW this year out of necessity. Main issue was the slow tempo on his shotgun snaps. But he potentially could play there with more work on that craft in the NFL.

[homer]

10 minutes ago, RedStickBrew said:

I’d say he profiles more as a guard. He played C at UW this year out of necessity. Main issue was the slow tempo on his shotgun snaps. But he potentially could play there with more work on that craft in the NFL.

Yeah he was really bad at shotgun snaps. The ball just floated back there. But like you said...was out of necessity. He is probably a guard at next level. 

[LouisEly]

On 3/3/2024 at 4:41 PM, BrewerFan said:

I was talking about BEFORE the combine.

Those were the rankings before the combine on NFL.com.

Guerendo had been rising the weeks before the combine.  PFF had him at #150.

[BrewerFan]

1 hour ago, LouisEly said:

Those were the rankings before the combine on NFL.com.

Guerendo had been rising the weeks before the combine.  PFF had him at #150.

If Guerendo is a top-10 back, then this is a bad RB class...especially over a guy like Ray Davis who you didn't have listed.

I DO see that Benson is just a few spots ahead of him at 134, so I wouldn't put much stock in that. That's also the site that didn't have a draftable grade on Dillon.  

And Wright was 54th going into the combine on PFF?

[JosephC]

If you have an offensive line that can consistently open holes 10 yards wide, where the running back doesn't have to find a hole, then Guerendo is your man.  Too bad the guy has zero vision and subpar balance for a running back.  He is a straight-line runner with great speed, and that is it.  Only got to play at Wisconsin when guys in front of him got hurt, went to Louisville, and again got most of his playing time because the guy in front of him got dinged up.

If Bartolini could actually snap, I don't think a 3rd/4th rounder for him would be out of the question.  But his snapping really didn't seem to improve, I don't know if it can be fixed.  He wasn't a very good guard.  I don't think I could pick him before the 6th.

[LouisEly]

17 hours ago, BrewerFan said:

If Guerendo is a top-10 back, then this is a bad RB class...especially over a guy like Ray Davis who you didn't have listed.

I DO see that Benson is just a few spots ahead of him at 134, so I wouldn't put much stock in that. That's also the site that didn't have a draftable grade on Dillon.  

And Wright was 54th going into the combine on PFF?

Those were NFL.com RB rankings, not PFF.   Guerendo at #113 on NFL.com, #150 on PFF, pre-combine.  Benson is #89 on NFL.com pre-combine.

Ray Davis is eight spots below Guerendo at 6.14, #121 overall, on NFL.com.  I only listed the top 10 on NFL.com.

NFL.com has 12 RBs in the top 121, so about the first 3.5 rounds, so there's quality depth in this year's class.

[BrewerFan]

On 3/5/2024 at 12:26 PM, LouisEly said:

Those were NFL.com RB rankings, not PFF.   Guerendo at #113 on NFL.com, #150 on PFF, pre-combine.  Benson is #89 on NFL.com pre-combine.

Ray Davis is eight spots below Guerendo at 6.14, #121 overall, on NFL.com.  I only listed the top 10 on NFL.com.

NFL.com has 12 RBs in the top 121, so about the first 3.5 rounds, so there's quality depth in this year's class.

Right...I was making a point about Guerendo as a prospect. 

I think there's decent depth there as well. 

[Joseph Zarr]

Just adding this here to stay current as NFL comp picks were announced today (3/8):

(The following was copy and pasted via Acme Packing's page HERE)

Green Bay Packers 2024 draft picks

• #25 (original 1st)
• #41 (Jets’ 2nd — Aaron Rodgers trade)
• #58 (original 2nd)
• #88 (original 3rd)
• #91 (Bills’ 3rd — Rasul Douglas trade)
• #125 (original 4th)
• #168 (compensatory 5th — Allen Lazard)
• #201 (original 6th)
• #219 (compensatory 6th — Jarran Reed)
• #245 (original 7th)
• #255 (compensatory 7th — Dean Lowry)

 

[BrewerFan]

On 3/8/2024 at 6:01 PM, Joseph Zarr said:

Just adding this here to stay current as NFL comp picks were announced today (3/8):

(The following was copy and pasted via Acme Packing's page HERE)

Green Bay Packers 2024 draft picks

• #25 (original 1st)
• #41 (Jets’ 2nd — Aaron Rodgers trade)
• #58 (original 2nd)
• #88 (original 3rd)
• #91 (Bills’ 3rd — Rasul Douglas trade)
• #125 (original 4th)
• #168 (compensatory 5th — Allen Lazard)
• #201 (original 6th)
• #219 (compensatory 6th — Jarran Reed)
• #245 (original 7th)
• #255 (compensatory 7th — Dean Lowry)

 

Move down from ~134 to 168 by a very small amount(not sure what it was, but they qualified for a 4th, but the total AAV ranked 33rd and had to rank inside the top 32(I guess, I'm trying to paraphrase). 

Eh, if Free Agency goes as we hope it will and as it appears as though it'll go with the Packers being aggressive, by the time the draft comes, we should have fewer "needs."

 

[Matt Breen]

In the latest mock from The Athletic, the writer had the Packers trading up to #15 slot - Indianapolis - and taking Cooper DeJean. 

DeJean to the Packers is a popular option in many mocks, but not this high. But his argument is that there are too many teams who pick in the 16-20 area - specifically Seattle, Jacksonville and Philadelphia - who will be looking heavily at defensive backs - and DeJean won't get past those.

The cost to move up 10 slots was our own #1 pick (25) and our #5 pick (168) and a #2 pick in 2025. The Packers also get a 2024 #4 (116) pick from Indy.

https://theathletic.com/5323254/2024/03/11/nfl-mock-draft-2024-free-agency/

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