CheezWizHed

How is Chris Carpenter going to explain this to his son? I admit that I have never been a fan of the unwritten rules, plunking batters intentionally, being upset over a HR celebration (i.e. don't give up a HR if you have an issue with it). The Peralta ejection was really odd. Did he intentionally do it? Probably, but there is plenty of question that I think you have to let it go.

Yeah, it really only means that they don't want to guarantee $12M for him next year. If he bounces back, they can offer an extension. Or maybe they already are working on one similar to Love did last year.

Beat me to it. 😉

I probably should've focused on 1-gap vs 2-gap instead of 3-4 vs 4-3. The typical lumbering NT (Gilbert Brown, Slaton) are less likely or less useful in a 1 gap scheme like we are going to. I thought about doing the "Lock", "Likely", and "Bubble", but my point was more to look at our NFL caliber depth instead of a roster prediction. Melton and Slaton are in the "Likely" to make it category rather than a true lock (95%+ chance) IMO. The Bubble players are probably playing as much against each other (i.e. how many DLs do you keep?) as they are against the other UDFA/1st year players at that position.

I wish Sophia would translate all of that Canadian... I didn't understand a word.

To be fair, there is a difference between predicting the Packers would draft Pratt and him being "my guy". I'm not a big fan of his or anything. I just put saw the stars aligning for us to draft him and still missed by 2 rounds. 😂 King is a very interesting pick IMO. Targeted as a 1st or 2nd rounder pre-season and he falls due to a bad year. Probably some nice upside on him for a late round pick which is what you want to see.

And one of his RAS comps... Grant DuBose

I know nothing about either honestly. Except that Bowden is 2-3" taller and 10-20lbs heavier. And that may make a big diff at the NFL level. 6'0" 220lb LS seems pretty small.

Yes, oddly small hands, but otherwise a classic high-RAS, Tackle moving to guard OL that we specialize in. And unless Tom, Morgan, or Walker moves inside, we really aren't that deep at IOL. I have him at #5 on the depth chart, ahead of Newsome.

Yeah, I forgot Williams was a high 4th round pick; I was thinking he was later. So many picks to keep track of! 😂 Historically, we tend to keep our draft picks or at least many of them. This is a year to probably keep more S and fewer CBs. Nixon - hmmm... Looks like I have to fire my copy editor!

I started thinking about our depth chart now after the draft: QB: Locks: Love Bubble: Clifford and Pratt - Will be interesting to see if there are one or both that make the team. RB: Locks: Jacobs, Lloyd, Bubble: Dillon, Wilson - Most likely both make it, but I could see where an UDFA comes and impresses. WR: Locks: Reed, Watson, Doubs, Wicks Bubble: Melton, Toure, DuBose, Heath - Melton has the leg up here. I'm interested in what DuBose will bring. I'm guessing Toure and Heath are cut in favor of others as they pretty much plateaued last year. TE: Locks: Musgrave, Kraft Bubble: Sims, Davis - again both probably make the team, but could use an upgrade at blocking TE if we can find it. IOL: Locks: Myers, Rhyan, Jenkins, Monk Bubble: Jennings, Newman - I'm sure there are OTs that will flex some inside too. Jennings was a priority UDFA with a guaranteed salary, so a good chance for him too. OT: Locks: Tom, Walker, Morgan Bubble: Dillard, Jones, Telfort, Tenuta, Glover - Dillard brings starter experience, but might also be tried at G. Jones, Telfort, and Tenuta have been UDFA/Waiver pickups being developed ala Nijman. This is a make-or-break year for them. DL: Locks: Clark, Brooks, Wooden, Wyatt Bubble: Slaton - just depends on how many they keep. The 4-3 doesn't have a traditional NT, so the fit isn't great either. DE: Locks: Gary, Van Ness, Smith, Enagbare Bubble: Cox - Cox is a bit light for DE. Better fit at OLB. Good opportunity for UDFAs here. LB: Locks: Walker, McDuffie, Cooper, Hopper Bubble: Wilson, Welch - Wilson is a decent floor for a starter, but expect Cooper to pass him. Both here could make the team but are mainly ST contributors. Opportunities for UDFAs here. Safety: Locks: McKinney, Johnson, Bullard, Williams Bubble: Oladapo - Normally, I'd say a 5th round pick is a lock, but at some point we run out of roster spots. With the CB depth looking like a bunch of UDFAs, I'd guess we keep 5 safeties. CB: Locks: Alexander, Stokes, Valentine, Nixon Bubble: Ballentine, King, Rochell - Balentine has the leg up, but depth is a bit concerning. Hoping someone steps up with the UDFA (or traditional FA spot). Maybe even waiver pickups at cut time. K: Bubble: Carlson, Joseph - I think Carlson has the "leg up" as Joseph (after years of development) is about the same as Carlson's rookie year. Carlson's upside is better, IMO P: Lock: Whelan - No competition yet (though there will be). But at this point, bringing someone of consequence is unlikely. LS: Bubble: Orzech, Bowden - Orzech is the experienced one, but didn't really lock himself in last year. Packers went after Bowden and gave him a signing bonus as an UDFA, so I assume they like him. May the best Badger win!

Clifford was actually pretty advanced last year and looked pretty good in pre-season. But yes, at age 26 I don't know if anyone is going to give up a pick for him. It will be interesting to see the competition in TC this year. Will the Packers keep 3 QBs or try to sneak one into the PS.

WRs seems pretty obvious. A lot of great WRs, but really only lacking a clear go to #1. But someone might develop to that. DL - we went from a 3-4 to 4-3 so many of the inside guys go from 3 positions down to two. So depth is pretty great. DE depth is ok. If Engebare recovers, depth there is fine. CB is a bit more interesting. Clearly, this means they are pretty comfortable with Stokes and Valentine. It sounded like they were going to go after a QB and Pratt seemed like a Packer QB. Strong arm, decent athletics (8.0+ RAS). Mentioned he was weak on accuracy (60% in college), but he 64-65% the last two years. Kind of reminded me of Love. I'm just surprised (happy?) that they got him int he 7th instead of the 5th.

I'm going to predict a Michael Pratt pick in the 5th if he lasts that long

Gs McCormick and Bortolini (maybe C) are still available. Either would be great fits in the 4th. If they go for someone like Foster instead (i.e. another tackle), that might be pretty telling on Tom's position next year. TJ Tampa (as previously noted) would be great. Hicks at safety seems to be good value, but I'd almost prefer a later safety that is highly athletic with limited experience (high ceiling, low floor type) to take a shot on. McKinney, Bullard, and Johnson (with Nixon too) is a pretty decent safety room. Sign Rudy Ford and that high-end late round pick puts us in pretty good position. LB room is pretty well set - McDuffie, Walker, Welch, Wilson, Cooper, and Hopper. Not a ton of experience in the room, but some upside and athleticism.

Bullard and Nixon share a very similar size and speed profile. Bullard has better agility numbers, but it makes me wonder how much those two might be swapping positions between nickel and safety. That would also make Nixon's salary a bit more logical.

So with all the day 3 picks... how many ST specialists (P, K, or LS) are taken?

I wonder if this is a Hafley defensive grab. Seems more (initially) to be a cover LB. First player that is quite a bit out of line with the online rankings.

Maybe TJ Tampa next?

Imagery I did NOT need. 😅 Really interesting "needs-based" draft while taking the BPA at the same time (i.e. no reaches). The holes are pretty much filled at this point, so the rest of the draft is pretty much wide open to whatever now...

As a little brother, I can both confirm and despise this answer...

I wouldn't be surprised at a move up in the 2nd... but I'm also thinking (unless there are other trades), it looks like Dejean has a decent chance to dropping to #41 also. Looks like there are a lot of WRs that are going to go ahead of #41 Technically this can't be true, right? 😉

The standard 4th-5th round G/T pick seems like a norm.

But can he pitch? But if he is... make sure you get him as much pink gear as possible

ok.. so do we move up to get Dejean yet?