Maybe it was in Slocum's playbook that found its way to said curb.
Ted has picked wide receiver high when there wasn't a need before. He also seems to have a particularly good eye for wide receivers. I'm guessing if he thought Crabtree was going to be special, he would have picked him.
Ted saw Crabtrees 40 time and said "pass."
Thompson said Raji and Crabtree had the same grade on the Packers' board. That's probably a matter of semantics, but people with knowledge of the Packers' thinking said Crabtree stood far and away as their pre-eminent player.
Earlier in the month, a Journal Sentinel poll of 21 scouts showed Crabtree a close runner-up to linebacker Aaron Curry as the best player in a weak draft.
"That doesn't necessarily decide the outcome," said Thompson, referring to the Crabtree-Raji comparison that will be followed for years. "We felt he was the best pick for us."
I don't think Best Player Availabe always means the most talented player available. Saying BPA is only half the sentence, the other half is ...for the Green Bay Packers. I think talent is the biggest part, but character, fit for the team and need are rolled into it also. The best player available for GB was not Michael Crabtree, it was BJ Raji. I think GB probably picked up that Crabtree was a little immature and there was not any kind of need for a WR so all things being equal they went for a player who fit what they were looking for and needed. If talent was the only deciding factor then drafts would look a lot different and I think teams that have picked based only talent (Jacksonville with Justin Blackmon) have had those picks blow up in their faces more often than not.
Originally Posted by Hungry5:
Thompson said Raji and Crabtree had the same grade on the Packers' board. That's probably a matter of semantics, but people with knowledge of the Packers' thinking said Crabtree stood far and away as their pre-eminent player.
Earlier in the month, a Journal Sentinel poll of 21 scouts showed Crabtree a close runner-up to linebacker Aaron Curry as the best player in a weak draft.
"That doesn't necessarily decide the outcome," said Thompson, referring to the Crabtree-Raji comparison that will be followed for years. "We felt he was the best pick for us."
Yep. Thompson sure isn't going to say, "we took a player we had graded lower." He's not going to say that.
Jennings, Nelson, Jones, Driver...Ted wasn't going to take another wide receiver. When there are situations like that "team need" will jump "best player available" every time.
"We felt he was the best pick for us." They didn't have a 3-4 nose guard and were fully stocked at wide receiver. "Best pick for us" doesn't always equal "best player available."
The team's first six picks in the 2012 draft:
1st round = LB
2nd round = DL
2nd round = CB
4th round = DL
4th round = S
5th round = LB
The previous season the team finished dead last in the league in yards allowed. And in the following draft the "best player available" just happened to play defense six times in a row to start off the draft.
Ted's drafts have been pretty consistently need driven over the last six years. Let's say something unexpected happens like Jaelen Strong, Breshad Perriman and Phillip Dorsett all end up jumping DeVante Parker on draft day and push him down to #30. Ted looks at his board and Parker is the only player left in the Packer's top remaining tier. How many people out there think that Ted would take Parker under those circumstances with Nelson, Cobb and Adams already on the roster with multiple years remaining on their deals?
Best Player Available is a very subjective concept. Who YOU consider the BPA is not the same as who Thompson considers the BPA. Only time can tell who is right, if we are looking back on Crabtree vs Raji, I would still take Raji. Crabtree is talented, but he's still immature and he hasn't lived up to his hype (that's not all his fault though). So your board or your consensus board or McShay's board may all say one player is a BPA, but that doesn't mean that is true for all 32 teams.
We were fine without Crabtree in 2010. Wonder what might have happened if we were without Raji instead.
Originally Posted by ammo:
You got a link to those papers?
She lives in Canada. You wouldn't know her.
Packer Joe, you're completely ignoring one of the most important areas of scouting: the intangible side. Things like personality, work ethic, love of the game, etc. are a big area for the Packers. Not every player wants to live in Green Bay and I think TT is cognizant of that, picking players that he thinks would love the small town feel where everything is about football.
Crabtree might have been the most physically talented player that year but he would NEVER have fit into this WR corp. Guys like Jordy, Driver, Jennings, Jones and Cobb were unselfish, team oriented guy who never brought they're issues to the media (well, not until they left the Packers). Crabtree is just not that kind of guy. And I don't he would have liked Green Bay. He would have caused way too many head aches.
There is more to drafting a player than just talent and need. Sometimes it's just not a fit, and I think TT knew that with Crabtree. Even thought Raji hasn't worked out that well (outside of 2010), I think Crabtree would have been a huge disaster in Green Bay, like Finley time 10.
Another case that backs up the idea of personality being more important to TT than other teams was when TT drafted Jordy over Desean Jackson. Maybe TT's board really had Jordy as the better player, but I think it was the case where TT knew a guy like Desean never would have fit into this team and a town like Green Bay, so we went with the lesser talent knowing he was a perfect fit otherwise.
Originally Posted by Grave Digger:
I don't think Best Player Availabe always means the most talented player available. Saying BPA is only half the sentence, the other half is ...for the Green Bay Packers. I think talent is the biggest part, but character, fit for the team and need are rolled into it also. The best player available for GB was not Michael Crabtree, it was BJ Raji. I think GB probably picked up that Crabtree was a little immature and there was not any kind of need for a WR so all things being equal they went for a player who fit what they were looking for and needed. If talent was the only deciding factor then drafts would look a lot different and I think teams that have picked based only talent (Jacksonville with Justin Blackmon) have had those picks blow up in their faces more often than not.
The word "player" already includes character. If it didn't the phrase would be best athlete available. Let's not try to wordsmith our way out of the fact that TT doesn't always go BPA. It's a ratio between BP and need with BP probably carrying more weight than need.
You can add value of the position and projection of need in the immediate future as well.
Point being, BPA is subjective. Of course there will be picks for need, that's ****ing inescapable.
Does anyone really think Ted takes a player he considers the 2nd or 3rd best player available. Your BPA isn't the same as his, he picks who he thinks is the best player available.
Originally Posted by Grave Digger:
Does anyone really think
Just stop the silliness.
Nobody knows jack diddly squat about what Ted will or won't do
Even Ted doesn't know - he keeps it a secret from himself till draft day.
Nobody knows jack diddly squat about what Ted will or won't do
Joe does. Packer or Arrigo... take your pick.
Thompson said Raji and Crabtree had the same grade on the Packers' board. That's probably a matter of semantics, but people with knowledge of the Packers' thinking said Crabtree stood far and away as their pre-eminent player.
Thompson said... but you focus on what people think? See Satori's post.
"We felt he was the best pick for us." They didn't have a 3-4 nose guard and were fully stocked at wide receiver. "Best pick for us" doesn't always equal "best player available."
Best player available is never one player. You said it yourself, Thompson has tiers, and he had them graded the same. Thompson has also said you can never have enough big guys, especially those who can move.
Ted's drafts have been pretty consistently need driven over the last six years. Let's say something unexpected happens like Jaelen Strong, Breshad Perriman and Phillip Dorsett all end up jumping DeVante Parker on draft day and push him down to #30. Ted looks at his board and Parker is the only player left in the Packer's top remaining tier. How many people out there think that Ted would take Parker under those circumstances with Nelson, Cobb and Adams already on the roster with multiple years remaining on their deals?
Facts don't really support your first sentence. As for the rest of this paragraph, in that scenario Thompson either takes Parker or gets about 4 picks for the spot to draft him.
I see Ted taking Tracoon this year, based purely on his 40 time
Originally Posted by El-Ka-Bong:
I see Ted taking Tracoon this year
Tracoon will jump the board, mark it down
Originally Posted by Grave Digger:
Does anyone really think Ted takes a player he considers the 2nd or 3rd best player available. Your BPA isn't the same as his, he picks who he thinks is the best player available.
Yes. If BPA in the 1rst round is a QB, Ted's not taking him.
You're saying Ted would never draft a QB with his first pick when he already has a pro bowl QB in the fold?
I read BrainDed's comment to mean that Ted's not taking a QB in the first round this year.
Originally Posted by BrainDed:
Yes. If BPA in the 1rst round is a QB, Ted's not taking him.
That QB might be the best player available in YOUR opinion, might not be in Ted's opinion. I think when he's been faced with "take a player we don't need even though he's the BPA on my board" he has traded down.
Crabtree was the top tier. He was the top guy on the entire board. Thompson thought he was the best player in the draft. But they had wide receivers, so Ted passed on the player they had graded as the best in the draft and took a player who filled a need.
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/44237962.html
------------------------------------------------------
Sources around the National Football League said last week that the Green Bay Packers were prepared to select Matthews with the No. 9 pick if nose tackle B.J. Raji was off the board.
At No. 9, Thompson admitted that he paused to collect his thoughts. Not only was Raji there, but somewhat expectedly so was wide receiver Michael Crabtree. Thompson needed a few moments to take it all in.
Because Crabtree carried the highest grade of any player on the Packers' entire draft board, the assumption was that Thompson would stay true to the team's rankings and take him. But Thompson came to the conclusion well before the Packers went on the clock that they were well-stocked at wide receiver and adding Crabtree might create a mess in which no wideout was happy with his number of targeted passes.
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Don Banks projecting we take UCLA ILB Eric Kendricks.
Would love the pick...his older brother Mychal has been a very solid guy since day 1, and I think Eric is even better.
I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree. I have strong doubts that anyone in the media truly knows what the Packer's draft board has. Everything in TT's history as GM of the Packers tells me he would NEVER give the media insight into his draft board. My guess is that the Crabtree being the highest player on the draft board was rumor, leaks, conjecture and speculation and JS reported that. Or maybe Crabtree was the highest player on his board but he realized that you can't have 5 WR's on a team that consider themselves a #1 or #2. You need 4's and 5's that play special teams. So yeah, in that respect TT doesn't completely ignore need and draft 100% based only on pure player evaluation. Is that so bad? Do you really want a GM that would draft a QB in the first round when you have the best QB in the world in his prime?
CAPackFan95's annual Mock Draft (1st round only). LET'S DO THIS!
| Pick | Team | Player | Notes |
| 1 | Tampa Bay | Groot | Groot's ability to form plants and clog up the middle of the line is too much to pass up. |
| 2 | Tennessee | Inanimate Carbon Rod | In Rod Tennessee trusts |
| 3 | Jacksonville | Tim Tebow | Shalid Khan finally figures out that the city needs a rallying point. |
| 4 | Oakland | Usain Bolt | Al Davis is dead. But LOVES straight line speed. |
| 5 | Washington | Jameis Winston | Best spot for Winston, a well run and drama free organization |
| 6 | New York Jets | Jesus Christ himself | Jets fans go apoplectic anyway. And, yes I know it's in Chicago this year |
| 7 | Chicago | Marcus Mariota | HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA |
| 8 | Atlanta | Manual Ortega | Who? Arthur Blank found him cheap in a Home Depot parking lot |
| 9 | New York Giants | Todd Gurley | Giants need another RB that will be injured incessantly |
| 10 | St. Louis | Roger Sterling | Jeff Fisher loved his stache in the season opener of Mad Men |
| 11 | Minnesota | Tyler Varga | A FB that was projected by most in the 7th round. |
| 12 | Cleveland | Dr. Jeffrey Bryant | Johnny Manziel's life coach was a must get here. |
| 13 | New Orleans | Maxx Williams | Something something Jimmy Graham |
| 14 | Miami | LeBron James | Please come back. Please |
| 15 | San Francisco | Anthony Robbins | They need someone to help make Tomsula not appear like a child molester |
| 16 | Houston | Matt Schaub | Pick 6's are exciting! |
| 17 | San Diego | Jedediah Duggar | Jeremiah? James? Who knows? One of those damned Duggar kids to keep Rivers and his 42 kids happy |
| 18 | Kansas City | Jamaal Charles ACL | Can never have enough of these |
| 19 | Cleveland | Charles Joly | The world's best bartender will have his work cut out for him taking care of Manziel |
| 20 | Philadelphia | Melvin Gordan | ALL YOUR RB ARE BELONG TO CHIP KELLY |
| 21 | Cincinnati | Albert Burneko | Deadspin writer that called Cincinnati Chili "diarrhea on a plate". Fans will pelt him with oyster crackers all year. |
| 22 | Pittsburgh | Stefan Djordjevic | If this local talent from Ampipe high can get his attitude in order, he'll be sure to have All The Right Moves |
| 23 | Detroit | Amari Cooper | Matt Millen allowed back to make the pick. WHAT A 40 time! |
| 24 | Arizona | N/A | Does anyone really care at this point? |
| 25 | Carolina | Rae Carruth | Too soon? |
| 26 | Baltimore | Little Jimmy Poindexter | Ravens fill weak spot at Video Tape runner |
| 27 | Dallas | Johnny Manziel | A drunk and belligerent Jerry Jones tackles his son going up with pick and replaces it with this. |
| 28 | Denver | Austin Collie | PEYTON GETS WHAT PEYTON WANTS |
| 29 | Indianapolis | Beard Oil | If your QB is gonna look like Mose Shrute, and least get that beard until control |
| 30 | Green Bay | Leonard Williams | Who? |
| 31 | New Orleans | Does it really matter | No. No it doesn't |
| 32 | New England | Chris Borland | Sure he retired but everyone still praises Belichick for the bold call. "THAT'S WHY HE'S THE BEST" screams a shirtless and sweaty Chris Berman |
Did I instantly go to the Packers selection even though it appeared this might not be entirely serious? Of course I did.
Leonard Williams at 30 is acceptable.
Nothing like draft season!
That would be another example of Uncle Ted drafting for need and not BPA. This guy would be the BPA on my board if the draft fell that way:
Attachments
Images (1)
Originally Posted by ChilliJon:
even though it appeared this might not be entirely serious?
HOW DARE YOU?
Crabtree was the top tier. He was the top guy on the entire board.
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According to McGinn.
Notice how none of the quotes McGinn used from Thompson in that article support the idea that Crabtree was #1? In fact they support the idea that Crabtree was in the same tier as Raji, and Thompson wanted Raji and Matthews. If Crabtree were #1 on the Packers board, and only Thompson really knows for sure, no way TT doesn't take him.
Originally Posted by CAPackFan95:
Originally Posted by ChilliJon:
even though it appeared this might not be entirely serious?
HOW DARE YOU?
You need to publish your mock consensus board in order for us to take you seriously. I know this because I am a nationally accredited and certified Internet Mock Draft Expert consultant. You should buy my Ebook.
Originally Posted by CAPackFan95:
Originally Posted by ChilliJon:
even though it appeared this might not be entirely serious?
HOW DARE YOU?
Originally Posted by Fedya:
I read BrainDed's comment to mean that Ted's not taking a QB in the first round this year.
So did I.
And like I said, is the assumption Ted would pass on a QB because he has a pro bowl QB already in the fold?
I think the assumption is that if you draft a QB in the first round, you're drafting the replacement for your current starter. Rodgers is presumably not retiring soone enough that the Packers can invest in another first round QB right now.
Originally Posted by Grave Digger:
Originally Posted by BrainDed:
Yes. If BPA in the 1rst round is a QB, Ted's not taking him.
That QB might be the best player available in YOUR opinion, might not be in Ted's opinion. I think when he's been faced with "take a player we don't need even though he's the BPA on my board" he has traded down.
So he doesn't take BPA then? What if there isn't good value in the trade? Spot should command a high 3rd, but nobody is offering? What if BPA fills a need but the Vikings are offering their next 3 first rounders?
It's ludicrous to say he only drafts BPA. It's a complicated equation.
what if it say, took 4 years for that QB to become a starter, would it still be a mistake for Ted to take a QB in the first round with a pro bowl QB already on the roster?
Originally Posted by El-Ka-Bong:
Originally Posted by Fedya:
I read BrainDed's comment to mean that Ted's not taking a QB in the first round this year.
So did I.
And like I said, is the assumption Ted would pass on a QB because he has a pro bowl QB already in the fold?
Yes.. Pro Bowl and still in his prime. Two years or more from now, the need would be different and he might consider taking a lap faller at QB again.
There isn't a QB in this draft worth taking in the first round. That includes Mariota & Jameis "Crabby" Winston
Agree with Boris.
But, for sh!ts and giggles...
invest in another first round QB right now.
What is the investment though?
The 30th pick in 2014 got this contract:
| Year | Base Salary(Guaranteed) | Cap |
| Number | ||
| 2014 | $420,000 $420,000 | $1,293,187 |
| 2015 | $743,297 $743,297 | $1,616,484 |
| 2016 | $1,066,594 $1,066,594 | $1,939,781 |
| 2017 | $690,000 | $2,263,077 |
If there is a 1st round talent QB why wouldn't you take him? The investment is not great.
Christ, it's less than Sean Richardson!
Aaron Rodgers II isn't falling into Uncle Ted's lap in 2015. Maybe 2016 or 2017
Originally Posted by Boris:
Aaron Rodgers II isn't falling into Uncle Ted's lap in 2015.
How about QB Kevin Rodgers ?
http://hsusports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=1457
I don't think a worthwhile QB ends up where Ted picks, but to say Ted "wouldn't" pick a QB doesn't align with Ted's past behavior
If a QB was there who was worthy of the pick, I would expect some other team to offer a trade. Seems to me QB would be the one position you could almost expect that to happen.
BPA is great, but if a guy is rated #33 in the top 100, and he fits a team need, why wouldn't you take him at 30? Trading down and adding picks, and still getting all the players you've targeted is great, too, but you have to have other teams willing to make trades.
BPA is great, but if a guy is rated #33 in the top 100, and he fits a team need, why wouldn't you take him at 30? Trading down and adding picks, and still getting all the players you've targeted is great, too, but you have to have other teams willing to make trades.
Originally Posted by Packmeister:
BPA is great, but if a guy is rated #33 in the top 100, and he fits a team need, why wouldn't you take him at 30?
Because perhaps a player rated #15 is also there. Understand?
For instance, an ILB TT has rated #33 overall is there at 30. Also a WR rated #15 is there. Let's also add a DB rated #21 is there.
He might take the WR. He could take the DB. However....
TT most likely trades down a spot or 2 & still gets the "Packer People" he covets.
That's how you work the draft....That's how the master works the draft. I've watched him since 2005. He's brilliant.
Originally Posted by El-Ka-Bong:
I don't think a worthwhile QB ends up where Ted picks, but to say Ted "wouldn't" pick a QB doesn't align with Ted's past behavior
3 Teds in one sentence.
Originally Posted by BrainDed:
Originally Posted by Grave Digger:
Originally Posted by BrainDed:
Yes. If BPA in the 1rst round is a QB, Ted's not taking him.
That QB might be the best player available in YOUR opinion, might not be in Ted's opinion. I think when he's been faced with "take a player we don't need even though he's the BPA on my board" he has traded down.
So he doesn't take BPA then? What if there isn't good value in the trade? Spot should command a high 3rd, but nobody is offering? What if BPA fills a need but the Vikings are offering their next 3 first rounders?
It's ludicrous to say he only drafts BPA. It's a complicated equation.
I think if you modify BPA to BPA for overall long term team development you're closer to the mark.
Again saying BPA is half the sentence...Best Player Available for the Green Bay Packers is much more accurate. I never said he drafts BPA only, I said need plays a part in it, but this idea he drafts *only* for need or that need is the deciding factor is silly. He takes the best player available for the GBP. People think he drafts for need at times because he takes a player that wasn't the BPA in their opinion, everyone's board is different. There is no ONE BPA.
I think trades can be factored in as the BPA also. If a team offers multiple picks (say Brainded's Draft Day 3 1st round picks scenario) then yeah that value is greater than any player slotted at that pick's value. A 2nd, a 3rd, and next years 1st probably have more value than this years 1st, no matter the need or the player.
I think trades can be factored in as the BPA also. If a team offers multiple picks (say Brainded's Draft Day 3 1st round picks scenario) then yeah that value is greater than any player slotted at that pick's value. A 2nd, a 3rd, and next years 1st probably have more value than this years 1st, no matter the need or the player.
Originally Posted by Henry:
I think if you modify BPA to BPA for overall long term team development you're closer to the mark.
Especially when you consider GB being a D&D committed team.
I can see Ted playing D&D
Per Rick Spielman, all Viking personnel in the draft room this year will be sporting new patches.
Originally Posted by Boris:
TT was interviewed for this story and said nothing.
He actually talked a lot. They only printed what was useful or actually had any information in it.
Did some reading this morning and have revised the lists of the players I'm expecting to the off the board at #30 and the next tier of players.
-Added WR-Breshad Perrriman as likely to be gone by #30.
-Removed DL-Eddie Goldman and DB-Jalen Collins from the likely to be gone by #30 and added them to the next tier of players.
-Added CB-Byron Jones to the next tier of players.
So of today I'd name the following 26 players as likely to be off the board when the Packers pick at #30.
QB-Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariota
RB-Todd Gurley, Melvin Gordon
WR-Amari Cooper, Kevin White, DeVante Parker, Jaelen Strong, Breshad Perriman
OL-Brandon Scherff, Andrus Peat, D.J. Humphries, La'el Collins, Ereck Flowers
DL-Leonard Williams, Arik Armstead, Danny Shelton, Malcom Brown
LB-Dante Fowler Jr., Shane Ray, Vic Beasley, Randy Gregory, Bud Dupree
CB-Trae Waynes, Kevin Johnson
S-Landon Collins
I currently see the next tier as looking something like this:
TE-Maxx Williams, Clive Walford
OL-T.J. Clemmings, Cameron Erving
DL-Eddie Goldman, Jordan Phillips, Carl Davis, Owamagbe Odighizuwa, Preston Smith, Mario Edwards Jr.
LB-Eli Harold, Benardrick McKinney, Eric Kendricks, Stephone Anthony
CB-Jalen Collins, Ronald Darby, Marcus Peters, P.J. Williams, Byron Jones
I'm not sold on Jalen Collins, but he's definitely the type that could get Ted to pass on taking an inside linebacker in round one. He only had 10 starts in his college career, but he is top-end stuff when looking at a size/speed combo cornerback.
one of those running backs will be a second round pick
PackerJoe sitting at the bar staring at pint of stout spinning a cocktail napkin turns to Mel Jr. and says,"I dunno. I just think you're undervaluing Harold is all"
Mel Jr."Can't figure it out. Do you want to be like me? Or do you want to be me?"
I don't see Shaq Thompson in your top 45. He is sort of a "wildcard", who many question what position he will play, but most have him in the first or second tier
pretty sure PJ is not a stout man
Stout Is like happy hour. Outstanding and divisive.
http://www.nationalfootballpos...f-draft-preparation/
Good article from Greg Gabriel at NFP- talks about the post- combine prep for teams and how the coaches get involved in drafting decisions
Here's my new FanSpeak draft, dream from heaven:
30: R1P30
ILB DENZEL PERRYMAN
MIAMI (FL)
62: R2P30
CB ALEX CARTER
STANFORD
94: R3P30
RB JEREMY LANGFORD MICHIGAN ST.
129: R4P30
CB ERIC ROWE UTAH
166: R5P30
QB SEAN MANNION OREGON ST.
206: R6P30
OLB KYLE EMANUEL NORTH DAKOTA ST.
210: R6P34
DT BOBBY RICHARDSON
INDIANA
213: R6P37
TE JEAN SIFRIN MASSACHUSETTS
247: R7P30
S ERICK DARGAN OREGON
Round 1, Pick 30 - Eric Kendricks/ILB/UCLA
There probably will be one ILB picked ahead of #30. Ted would be content with Kendricks, Clemson inside backer Stephone Anthony or Mississippi State inside backer Benardrick McKinney at this spot. Only a CB dropper will get Ted off ILB. If Kendricks is off the board at #30, then plug in Clemson ILB-Stephone Anthony.
Round 2, Pick 62 - Eric Rowe/CB/Utah
The last time I did one of these Rowe was projected to Green Bay at the end of round four. Rowe's stock has soared since then and he appears to be a solid top 75 player now. When looking at this pick I narrowed the field to Clive Walford/TE/Miami, Fl, D'Juon Smith/CB/Florida Atlantic, Alex Carter/CB/Stanford, Eric Rowe/CB/Utah, Devin Funchess/TE/Michigan and Ty Sambrailo/OT/Colorado State. D'Juon Smith was removed due to lack of height and my gut feeling tells me Ted would prefer Walford over Funchess (Walford is a more natural pass-catcher). Carter vs. Rowe are near even, and when in doubt Ted takes athletes on defense. Rowe's combine performance gives him the edge over Carter. So it came down to Walford vs. Rowe vs. Sambrailo and I went Rowe because (1) the soonest Sambrailo would probably help the team would be in 2016 (2) the Packers just used a third round pick on Richard Rodgers last year and Ted probably still sees him as a plus tight end for the future.
*TRADE*
Disappointed that all of his favored offensive line targets have come off the board prior to 3-94, Ted looks to get out of this spot. Houston is willing to trade up to take a quarterback, but are only willing to do it if Ted will give them a major bargain. Ted agrees and only picks up a 5th round pick for a large 22-slot move down the draft board.
Round 4, Pick 116 (from Houston) - Jordan Hicks/ILB/Texas
Quite frankly, Ted isn't really thrilled by the players avaiable here and considers drafting MyCole Pruitt with this pick. Instead he decides to take a project linebacker. Hicks looks to be a solid prospect for a 4-3 defense but is a pretty big question mark for a 3-4 (he played weakside linebacker throughout his college career). Size shouldn't be an issue (he's actually a bit bigger than Eric Kendricks), but if he'll play to his size is a different story. Hicks is best known as a true student of the game and a plus-plus tackler. Last year he totaled 147 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 2 interceptions and 2 pass breakups. At the combine he measured in at 6-1 3/8, 236 pounds, ran the 40 in 4.68 seconds, posted a 38 inch vertical, benched 225 pounds a total of 20 times and did the 3-cone in 6.78 seconds.
Round 4, Pick 129 - MyCole Pruitt/TE/Southern Illinois
In the last mock I projected him to Green Bay at the end of round five but his stock is rising. Packer fans probably won't be thrilled with him because of his height (only 6-2 1/4), but he's got long arms and a plus vertical for a tight end so I think he can still be a solid red zone target for the Packers. Quite frankly, I think he offers way more pass-catching upside than the other tight ends that will be available from this point on in the draft.
Round 5, Pick 152 (from Houston) - Tyeler Davison/DT/Fresno State
Last time I projected him to Green Bay at the end of round three, probably 2 to 2.5 rounds higher than where the experts projected him. Nothing happened that would make me think Ted would have cooled on him, but rather Ted won't feel any urgency with the NG position now that both Raji and Guion are under contract. So Ted grabs another ILB and TE first, and is delighted to grab a really under-rated nose guard with this pick.
Round 5, pick 166 - Mitch Morse/OT/Missouri
Typical Ted Thompson offensive lineman pick : tough, rugged, short-armed overachiever. Played left tackle, right tackle and center during his stay at Missouri. Combine numbers = 6-5 3/8, 305 pounds, 32 1/4 inch arms, 5.14 40 yard dash, 31 inch vertical, 36 reps at 225, 7.60 3-cone drill.
Round 6, Pick 206 - Mark Weisman/FB/Iowa
The last time Ted took a fullback it was a pure blocking fullback and it ended up being a wasted pick. Kuhn does a little bit of blocking, a little bit of running and a little bit of catching (until last year) so I'm expecting Ted to take a more versatile player to groom into a fullback. Weisman probably needs no introduction to the people of Wisconsin. He started his Iowa career at fullback and moved to running back when Iowa ran out of players at the position. Weisman did so well that Iowa was never able to get him out of that role. Weisman was not invited to the combine, but had an excellent pro day workout where he measured in a 6-0, 242 pounds, ran the 40 yard dash in 4.61 seconds, had a 36 inch vertical leap and did the 3-cone in 6.88 seconds.
Round 6, Pick 210 (compensatory selection) - John Crockett/RB/North Dakota State
Projected him to the Packers in the seventh round in the last mock draft. Good size and athletic ability and proved that he can catch the ball during his final season at North Dakota State.
Round 6, pick 213 (compensatory selection) -Dean Marlowe/S/James Madison
Projected him to the Packers in round seven the last mock draft. Solid size/speed candidate who was a three year starter at James Madison.
Round 7, Pick 247 - Darius Allen/OLB/Colorado State-Pueblo
Allen is from the same school at Mike Pennel. He's listed at 6-3, 239 pounds on the school's website. Played DE in college but fits best as a 3-4 OLB in the pros. Completely one-dimensional speed rusher at this point in time. Posted 132 tackles, 31 sacks and 46.5 tackles for loss during his final 2 college seasons.
I was going to say "disagree" , but then I saw the 40 times
You want Ted to draft another white fullback?quote:Round 6, Pick 206 - Mark Weisman/FB/Iowa
I just did a FanSpeak going pure BPA, so don't mind my hot pants:
30: R1P30
WR DORIAL GREEN-BECKHAM
MISSOURI
62: R2P30
ILB DENZEL PERRYMAN
MIAMI (FLA.)
94: R3P30
RB JAY AJAYI
BOISE STATE
129: R4P30
WR DEZMIN LEWIS CENTRAL ARKANSAS
166: R5P30
WR VINCE MAYLE
WASHINGTON STATE
206: R6P30
CB CODY RIGGS
NOTRE DAME
210: R6P34
CB JUSTIN COLEMAN
TENNESSEE
213: R6P37
OT BOBBY HART
FLORIDA STATE
247: R7P30
DT LOUIS TRINCA-PASAT
IOWA
Originally Posted by Rusty:
I just did a FanSpeak going pure BPA, so don't mind my hot pants:
94: R3P30
RB JAY AJAYI
BOISE STATE
Not enough time has passed for me to be comfortable with a player with that many A's and J's in their name.
Maybe 2020 but not yet.
Fanspeak is fun. Takes about 15 minutes to create a mock draft that'll be as wrong as those that people spend days or weeks creating.
And it gave him 3 WR's through RD5. Makes total sense.
Originally Posted by PackerJoe:
*TRADE*
Disappointed that all of his favored offensive line targets have come off the board prior to 3-94, Ted looks to get out of this spot. Houston is willing to trade up to take a quarterback, but are only willing to do it if Ted will give them a major bargain. Ted agrees and only picks up a 5th round pick for a large 22-slot move down the draft board.
Disagree
He'll either pick a player in his highest rated tier or trade for equal value, not get less.
Some people think Ted gave more value in the Clay Matthews trade. I've contended that was an under the table correction I.E. a show of good faith with Belichick & the Pats for the complete raping during the Chad Jackson / Greg Jennings trade.
These front office people have to deal with each other yearly. Keeping a good working relationship with the other 31 30 teams (Maybe not the Vikings) is a solid way to develop trade scenarios & execute them come draft day.
Speaking of Greg Jennings. He's visiting Jacksonville today. His sister is going to love Bortles.
Back to the draft. I have a feeling right about now Tampa's sphincter is starting to tighten up a bit over Jameis on the heels of Johnny Betty Ford Clinic.
It would suck to need a QB and having to choose between Jameis and Mariota at #1 with Leonard Williams, Fowler Jr, Cooper, White and co. all sitting there. There is a crap load of talent on the board but Tampa is forced to pick a QB that might not even be a top 10 talent simply becasue they don't have one.
Personally, I think Dante Fowler Jr is the best player in this draft. Reminds me of Derrick Thomas.
I'm thinking more and more the Saints will make a move on a QB this year, maybe going to get Mariota if he slides a bit, or grabbing one of the second-tier guys. What BB and TT have done is not wait until they're desperate for a QB to go get one but rather make the move a couple of years earlier on a quality prospect and give him a bit of time to develop.
That's a lesson the Saints could (should) be taking to heart as not to go from feast to famine when Brees leaves, either next year (not a huge hit to part ways) or the year after (contract expires). Brees' contract/cap is too big to move on from this year and he's the guy for at least 2015.
Originally Posted by Boris:*TRADE*
the complete raping during the Chad Jackson / Greg Jennings trade.
Still might be be my favorite TT draft move, with getting Matthews the second. So much gold in both.
You people© need to stop with the logical comments.
I agree with you Chili, taking Fowler would truly be their best option. They're going to suck anyway even if they draft a QB, so why not try and build up that defense.
If Phil Rivers is truly available then there's no reason why Tampa or any team in the top 3 shouldn't trade for him. Trade that 1st overall pick for Rivers, their 1st, and another pick and they will be much improved. Use that 1st rounder from San Diego to take the best defensive player available and boom they are competitive again in the NFC South race. That's assuming Rivers actually is available of course.
If Phil Rivers is truly available then there's no reason why Tampa or any team in the top 3 shouldn't trade for him. Trade that 1st overall pick for Rivers, their 1st, and another pick and they will be much improved. Use that 1st rounder from San Diego to take the best defensive player available and boom they are competitive again in the NFC South race. That's assuming Rivers actually is available of course.
Originally Posted by ChilliJon:
Originally Posted by Rusty:
I just did a FanSpeak going pure BPA, so don't mind my hot pants:
94: R3P30
RB JAY AJAYI
BOISE STATE
Not enough time has passed for me to be comfortable with a player with that many A's and J's in their name.
Maybe 2020 but not yet.
Seek therapy. Preferably from a professional.
Originally Posted by Hungry5:
Fanspeak is fun. Takes about 15 minutes to create a mock draft that'll be as wrong as those that people spend days or weeks creating.
What are you talking about? Nelson's getting older, Cobb will regress now that he has the big money, and Abbradumdum is no sure thing.
If I could, I would have traded down every single pick until I had no picks left for this season. 2016 is gonna be a gold mine!!!
Not that it's any of your damn business Rusty but I'm already seeing someone to deal with A's and J's. It's not helping.
I think they're going to draft a RB at some point, probably late and I'm very interested to see what kind of RB they take. I guess it depends on how they view Rajion Neal, he showed some promise in the preseason and in camp, but I don't see them putting their eggs in the basket of a 2nd year UDFA...they seem to like to double down on positions of need. I wonder if they are going to look for a Darren Sproles-type who is more of a hybrid RB/WR that can be moved around like Cobb? Or will they look for a big bruiser so Lacy doesn't have to take on so many short yardage runs? Like I said I'm very interested to see how the #3 RB shakes out.
#3 RBs are a dime a dozen.
That having been said, it will be interesting to see in training camp which one is the odd one out.
That having been said, it will be interesting to see in training camp which one is the odd one out.
Originally Posted by Grave Digger:
Like I said I'm very interested to see how the #3 RB shakes out.
Starks is gone after 2015, so they need to look for a solid contributor. Johnathan Franklin would have been that guy if it weren't for the ****ing **** vikings who injured him
I don't think they'll look for a sproles-type or even a traditional 3rd down back anymore. MM wants to go fast and he doesn't want to substitute. In 2014, Starks came in for an entire series, not just for a specific down. The next RB will have to be capable of playing all 3 downs - which means no dumdums like Adrian dumber-than-rocks Peterson.
Edgar Bennett is the OC now, maybe we get a real tough mudder.
Kuhn/Starks buys GB a year to develop the guy, but he's going to have to be a multifaceted RB and this draft has quite a few of them
I could see a guy like Karlos Williams, David Johnson, John Crockett or Zach Zenner being the pick. All are bigger guys and kind of one-cut -and-go runners who are seen as fairly aggressive as pass blockers in college, and three are smaller school guys that TT seems to like to get.
Nolan Nawrocki
33. Eric Kendricks/UCLA
43. Benardrick McKinney/Mississippi State
60. Stephone Anthony/Clemson
76. Jake Ryan/Michigan
81. Paul Dawson/Texas Christian
http://www.amazon.com/Draft-20...rocki/dp/1629370762/
Ourlads:
52. Stephone Anthony/Clemson
72. Eric Kendricks/UCLA
87. Denzel Perryman/Miami, Fl
94. Benardrick McKinney/Mississippi State
112. Jake Ryan/Michigan
https://secure.ourlads.com/sec...print/subscribe.aspx
This is pretty amazing.
Not the rankings.
The fact someone is actually selling a draft preview guide on Amazon for $14.00. Who in the ever loving **** would actually pay for this??? Theres a review but that looks like Nolan posted that himself. Or Rick Spielman.
If I find evidence someone actually PAID REAL MONEY for a draft guide it will completely rattle my hope for mankind.
I think Kendricks is a really good LB, but something about him just screams not a 34 ILB. I actually think he would thrive in a Lance Briggs type role with a Tampa 2 D. I'm not convinced he's necessarily what GB needs if we want to get more physical and tackle better at the ILB position. If I had to rank the 34 ILBs that fit what I think GB needs at ILB and where we would need to take them to get them:
1. Stephone Anthony/Clemson/Round 1
2. Denzel Perryman/Miami/Round 1
3. Paul Dawson/TCU/Round 2
4. Ben Heeney/Kansas/Round 3
5. Taiwan Jones/Michigan St./Round 4
Like I said those are who I believe are the best fits. That doesn't mean I think Kendricks or McKinney are bad players, both deserve to go late r1/early r2. I won't be disappointed if either were picked, Kendricks is a Butkus Award winner with a great attitude and McKinney has rare size and athleticism for the position, if GB picked them it tells me they think they can coach them up to be the players we need. It's a good draft for ILBs, several good football players in there, I'm confident we will find someone who will be a good player for us.
1. Stephone Anthony/Clemson/Round 1
2. Denzel Perryman/Miami/Round 1
3. Paul Dawson/TCU/Round 2
4. Ben Heeney/Kansas/Round 3
5. Taiwan Jones/Michigan St./Round 4
Like I said those are who I believe are the best fits. That doesn't mean I think Kendricks or McKinney are bad players, both deserve to go late r1/early r2. I won't be disappointed if either were picked, Kendricks is a Butkus Award winner with a great attitude and McKinney has rare size and athleticism for the position, if GB picked them it tells me they think they can coach them up to be the players we need. It's a good draft for ILBs, several good football players in there, I'm confident we will find someone who will be a good player for us.
I never purchased a draft guide but I have read a few for free. I hope that's acceptable. 
Originally Posted by Grave Digger:
I think Kendricks is a really good LB, but something about him just screams not a 34 ILB. I actually think he would thrive in a Lance Briggs type role with a Tampa 2 D. I'm not convinced he's necessarily what GB needs if we want to get more physical and tackle better at the ILB position. If I had to rank the 34 ILBs that fit what I think GB needs at ILB and where we would need to take them to get them:
1. Stephone Anthony/Clemson/Round 1
2. Denzel Perryman/Miami/Round 1
3. Paul Dawson/TCU/Round 2
4. Ben Heeney/Kansas/Round 3
5. Taiwan Jones/Michigan St./Round 4
Like I said those are who I believe are the best fits. That doesn't mean I think Kendricks or McKinney are bad players, both deserve to go late r1/early r2. I won't be disappointed if either were picked, Kendricks is a Butkus Award winner with a great attitude and McKinney has rare size and athleticism for the position, if GB picked them it tells me they think they can coach them up to be the players we need. It's a good draft for ILBs, several good football players in there, I'm confident we will find someone who will be a good player for us.
1. Stephone Anthony/Clemson/Round 1
2. Denzel Perryman/Miami/Round 1
3. Paul Dawson/TCU/Round 2
4. Ben Heeney/Kansas/Round 3
5. Taiwan Jones/Michigan St./Round 4
Like I said those are who I believe are the best fits. That doesn't mean I think Kendricks or McKinney are bad players, both deserve to go late r1/early r2. I won't be disappointed if either were picked, Kendricks is a Butkus Award winner with a great attitude and McKinney has rare size and athleticism for the position, if GB picked them it tells me they think they can coach them up to be the players we need. It's a good draft for ILBs, several good football players in there, I'm confident we will find someone who will be a good player for us.
What is your opinion on 2 other guys: 1) Shaq Thompson. Most are projecting him as a safety. Big play potential, could you see Capers using him as an ILBer / Safety hybrid kind of like Steelers did with Troy P.? 2) Jake Ryan. His measurables are about in the middle of the pack, but seems like he knows how to play football.
From Packer Report article on "Rating the Top ILBers'
Now, we put it all together. Which inside linebackers have the best combination of testing numbers and on-field production in this year’s class?
| Player | Performance | Measurables | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eric Kendricks | 30 | 42 | 72 |
| Jordan Hicks | 39 | 33 | 72 |
| Stephone Anthony | 53 | 26 | 79 |
| Paul Dawson | 14 | 75 | 89 |
| Ben Heeney | 46 | 45 | 91 |
| Jake Ryan | 39 | 55 | 94 |
| Bryce Hager | 42 | 54 | 96 |
| Mike Hull | 46 | 59 | 105 |
| Denzel Perryman | 48 | 60 | 108 |
| Benardrick McKinney | 61 | 53 | 114 |
| Kwon Alexander | 76 | 45 | 121 |
| Edmond Robinson | 75 | 48 | 123 |
| Ramik Wilson | 65 | 66 | 131 |
| Taiwan Jones | 63 | 70 | 133 |
| Hayes Pullard | 75 | 76 | 151 |
It’s no surprise that UCLA’s Kendricks, Clemson’s Anthony and TCU’s Dawson fared well. They’re among the top prospects at the position. However, Texas’ Hicks winds up tied with Kendricks for the top spot. Hicks isn’t at the top of draft boards, however, because he missed most of 2012 with a hip injury and most of 2013 with a torn Achilles.
McKinney and Alexander show up down the list, even though they are expected to be among the top inside linebackers selected. Why? They didn’t pile up a lot of total tackles or solo tackles. What isn’t reflected in our charts but is key in scouts’ minds is the percentage of a linebacker’s tackles that are solo. Scouts want that to be above 50 percent — preferably more than 60 percent — because they want their linebackers delivering the initial blow and not just jumping on piles.
What’s impressive is how Dawson placed fourth in the overall rankings after finishing one point out of the cellar athletically. He’s going to pose quite the dilemma for teams needing an inside linebacker. Can he match his eye-popping production — he finished first in four of seven categories and not worse than fourth — despite limited athleticism?
Shaq is an amazing athlete, but I don't think he's fast enough to play Safety or strong enough to play ILB. I think he's more in the mold of Clay Matthews, except not polished as a pass rusher...maybe closer to Bruce Irvin. He's a hybrid ILB/OLB whose best fit is probably as a WLB in a 43 or maaybe as an OLB in 34 (with some significant coaching). Like CM3 he's going to be able to play all over the field for teams, dropping back as ILB at times, rushing from the outside at times, putting his hand down at times. Like Bruce Irvin his roles will all have to be situational though. He just doesn't fit anywhere as a full time player.
Ryan reminds me actually of Hunter Hillenmeyer (maybe a little shorter). Looks like a SLB or a MLB in a 43. I see him as a late round player, but I've seen some places call him a mid-round prospect.
Ryan reminds me actually of Hunter Hillenmeyer (maybe a little shorter). Looks like a SLB or a MLB in a 43. I see him as a late round player, but I've seen some places call him a mid-round prospect.
Originally Posted by ChilliJon:
This is pretty amazing.
Not the rankings.
The fact someone is actually selling a draft preview guide on Amazon for $14.00. Who in the ever loving **** would actually pay for this??? Theres a review but that looks like Nolan posted that himself. Or Rick Spielman.
If I find evidence someone actually PAID REAL MONEY for a draft guide it will completely rattle my hope for mankind.
How about buying Popular Mechanics for the cool, mini submarine plans?
Saints had Randy Gregory in for a visit. Randy talked about his visit on Twitter:
Idk what the big deal about new Orleans is. Seems pretty boring to me lol wrong time of year maybe??”
Randy Gregory is a moron.
Originally Posted by Grave Digger:
Shaq is an amazing athlete Like Bruce Irvin his roles will all have to be situational though. He just doesn't fit anywhere as a full time player.
Think outside the box of traditional roles. Most football is situational these days. Capers uses multiple packages and moves people around as needed. What exactly is a full time player these days ? So much evolution and specialization in the game today
Shaq is a movable chess piece and we saw what happened when Woodson moved around and again when Matthews moved around. No clue if the Packers like him or would use him, but I think you are being unnecessarily shackled by convention.
Never forget the Evolution Revolution....