Johnson is in a similar situation at Morrison. Both top 10 coming into the year, both injured, neither has tested. But Johnson was good enough at Michigan I’d feel comfortable without seeing him run. I’m not sure I feel great about all the soft tissue injuries, but, no prospect at 23 is going to be flawless.
Alexander looks great…and if he were 22, he’d likely be a 1st Rd pick, or in consideration. 25 years old…Clark was going into his 5th season at that age.
He can still have value(and Clark might be wearing down from all the snaps, though I hope that was just one year).
Simmons, I think San Fran takes him at 11(if they don’t go CB, but I think they go OL) and if not there, then I think he stays in state to play in the NFL as the Bengals desperately need OL help without hitting up the FA market.
But, in the unlikely scenario that he makes it past the Bengals, I’m not sure there are a lot of teams that need a LT in that following group…and I also don’t think the Packers feel great about Walker’s future. He’ll be a FA next year and nobody has mentioned signing him. Given the knee injuries, the microfracture…THAT is problem that shortens your career by a few years. I think he’s maxed out at as a solid, above average starter, but one who is prone to injuries and who just gets beat badly by the elite edges. Simmons would have even more appeal if the Packers hadn’t moved to more of a one-gap scheme and I think the most likely scenario is that Tom ends up at LT after an extension…likely one bigger than we’ve even talked about(I’m gonna guess 4 at ~28M AAV on top of the final year for ~5/115).
But I think this an under the radar need. I don’t think the Packers want to pay him the 15-20M he’ll get and I don’t know what the Packers think of Morgan. I was a fan last year, but I liked Fautanu, Guyton(though he was raw), Rosengarten(thought he was also raw). Also like Barton. I think it’s unlikely, but if the Packers think Morgan is best suited to play OG, and unless they like one of the big young Tackles they’ve got, Simmons falling to them might not be a bad thing. It would be WILDLY unpopular though.
Later on, Conerly Jr reminds me of Fautanu a bit. Shorter, long arms, good athlete. Williams from Texas is raw and then there are some guys who may be worth a flyer on later(one of Hafley’s former recruits, Trapillo and then Millum’s stock is down, but I thought he looked good.
Hopefully, Morgan makes strides but can’t beat out Walker this year and then next year they move Morgan from RG to RT and Tom over to the Left.
As for Thorton Jr…I’d take another look at this kid.
4.0 GPA
Class President
Team Captain
Helped raise his 4 siblings…
25.1 YPR in the SEC, over 21 for his career.
BUT more than that, he’s just a FREAK athlete.
6’5, 4.30 40, he broke 29 tackles last year. And yeah, he’s not a refined route runner, but he tilts the field.
I’d go back and check out the A22.
He's…VERY similar to Watson, but he tracks the ball better and he’s more of a hands catcher. I think he’ll be better in 50/50 situations.
Watson is great, he’s more sudden, he’s probably quicker, but I don’t buy this WRing core being in as much need as others do. I think Wicks has just had normal struggles and he can be a 1A, Reed has proven it. Doubs is an enigma to me. He’s clearly talented, but I don’t like the body language. Looks like he’s counting down his days in GB. Throw in Kraft, Musgrave….who looked great early as a rookie but he struggled with injury.
But I don’t think there’s been a guy with this frame and 4.30 speed and the physicality he has.
I mean…after all, Watson wasn’t very productive in College and we are MUCH better with him on the field. 6’4 and his speed. And…again, he’ll be a FA who MIGHT be back for…6-8 weeks next year.
I'd just take another look at the A22 and watch the releases he gets and how fluid he is. He's not Jeremiah Smith, but I think at worst he's a big play threat and the upside is...very high.