Official 2016 NFL Draft Thread

That wouldn't do away with pro days though, if anything fans/draftniks will become more reliant on them. The fast tracks at places like Ohio State will help a lot for those guys. In the end I think the teams that draft well are putting more stock in to interviews and game tape than just flashy combine numbers, so I think things will stay the same. 

No way they'll get rid of the combine as it's the only thing they have to broadcast on their ****ty network during a three-month window.  Any changes will no doubt occur to try and make it more entertaining for a TV viewer.  40 yard dash, not so exciting.  Having these guys run through an America Ninja Warrior obstacle course...that would be the ticket.

My suggestion, ditch the Wonderlic and instead have all SEC players quizzed live by an 8th grader.

the combine has been trending towards more of a "showcase" as opposed to a real test for measurables over the past few years. 

i still don't agree about the 40, vertical and bench being unimportant though. IMO, the 20 shuttle, 60 shuttle, and 10-yard split are a better indicator of speed but the 40 is still an important indicator as well. The vertical is a great indicator of explosive power, including power out of the stance. The bench is probably the least useful, other than providing an indicator of raw upper body strength. 

Grave Digger posted:

 I see the Giants and Bears at 10 and 11 that need a stud ILB as well as Oakland, Detroit, and Atlanta at 14, 16, and 17 that desperately need ILB help.

I see those teams having bigger needs at other positions too so maybe...

With regards to Trevathan, there is always the risk in signing a FA from a great D in that unless you really study the individual player on every snap (1265 has done that, we haven't), you don't know if he is good because the guys around him are better or if he is really good and makes the guys around him better.  IOW, how good would he be on our D?

They should be in full pads when doing the running drills.

Trevathan would be better than what we have now. Better ILB play could elevate this D from good to great. Even two Desmond Bishop caliber players could be the difference. 

Sure those teams have other needs, but value starts to come in to play when your talking about the late teens and 20's. If he's there and that is A need, that's hard to pass on that value.

You mentioned teams picking 10,11, 14, 16, 17.  I guess I don't see Ragland being great value at #10-15.  But I could see ATL needing him at 17 although they have other positions of need as well.

Sure Trevathan would be better than what we have now.  It just sounds like a lot of people are rating him higher than may warrant because of how good that D was.  I'm not saying he isn't, just that with any great unit it's harder to tell how good the "average" (i.e. those not named Miller or Wolfe or Talib) players are on it.

Yeah , those teams also need pass rushers, who are a far higher premium. The Bears could also grab a QB. It will be interesting. 

But the Bears already have Cutler!  

Hersh and Fedya, back to back.

PackerJoe posted:

No way they'll get rid of the combine as it's the only thing they have to broadcast on their ****ty network during a three-month window.  Any changes will no doubt occur to try and make it more entertaining for a TV viewer.  40 yard dash, not so exciting.  Having these guys run through an America Ninja Warrior obstacle course...that would be the ticket.

My suggestion, ditch the Wonderlic and instead have all SEC players quizzed live by an 8th grader.

I think the 8th grader might get frustrated having to interview a $EC player.  I say give the job to a 3rd grader and give the $EC a box of crayons.

Bill & Rookie were laughing on the radio this morning about there being Combine gear for sale on NFLFU.  money money money... players?  oh yeah, they're here too.
http://www.nflshop.com/

The Heckler posted:

PackerJoe posted:

My suggestion, ditch the Wonderlic and instead have all SEC players quizzed live by an 8th grader.

I think the 8th grader might get frustrated having to interview a $EC player.  I say give the job to a 3rd grader and give the $EC a box of crayons.

Just make sure that crayons aren't on the banned substance list. That could be trouble. 

I really think Ragland will drop further than most predict.  

I know it is popular to say it, but I would love a trade back 5 to 10 spots.  

What makes you think Ragland will drop? Actually this is one of the few years I haven't been in favor of trading back. There's some solid DLine talent that could be had at 27 and probably some underrated pass rushers.

His 40 time is to low

What's his vertical?

Agree GD.  Obviously way too early but I've gathered this is a very deep draft at DL and as usual, we're pretty thin there.  If you want a TE, ILB or OLB then yeah, trading back is the way to go (throw in WR and OL too).  But in reality, this DL group has Mike Daniels and a bunch of "guys".  

Interesting analysis on Packers offseason to-do list from PFF

I'd be shocked if Hayward came back.  He can't play on the outside and we drafted 2 guys high last year that look like big time players down the road.  You already paid Shields and can't forget about Gunter.  You can never have too many good DBs but you also can't overpay.  

I like the idea of keeping Perry and letting Neal walk, I just don't see it happening.  I just don't think Perry likes being a 3-4 OLB.  Not much to support that take but I just never got the feeling he bought into the position change.  Only way he comes back is if no 4-3 team wants him.  Neal isn't that good but he'll come cheap, is a decent lockerroom guy and knows the defense.  You need guys like that.  And I think they're wrong about Peppers being cut.  

And I like the free agent signings.  With ILB and TE being pretty bare in the draft (and the Packers draft slot not conducive to those positions), TT just has to get them in free agency.  IMO, neglecting those two positions again (or drafting them at pick 100+) would seriously limit this team's Super Bowl chances.  

EDIT: Oops, probably should have put this in the offseason thread, not draft thread....

Peppers won't get cut.

 

Agree that Peppers won't go anywhere. Too many sick calls for Perry unless he just gets little in FA. And considering how pass rushers are a premium, I could see someone overpaying him. I think Neal stays. Hayward is gone. Too much cheaper DB talent already on this roster. Casey will get overpaid as well.

YATittle posted:

Peppers won't get cut.

 

He finally took my advice and fired that mohel?

If only we could have the draft without there being so many rookies.

Thanks, Yogi.

CUPackFan posted:

Interesting analysis on Packers offseason to-do list from PFF

I'd be shocked if Hayward came back.  He can't play on the outside and we drafted 2 guys high last year that look like big time players down the road.  You already paid Shields and can't forget about Gunter.  You can never have too many good DBs but you also can't overpay.  

I like the idea of keeping Perry and letting Neal walk, I just don't see it happening.  I just don't think Perry likes being a 3-4 OLB.  Not much to support that take but I just never got the feeling he bought into the position change.  Only way he comes back is if no 4-3 team wants him.  Neal isn't that good but he'll come cheap, is a decent lockerroom guy and knows the defense.  You need guys like that.  And I think they're wrong about Peppers being cut.  

And I like the free agent signings.  With ILB and TE being pretty bare in the draft (and the Packers draft slot not conducive to those positions), TT just has to get them in free agency.  IMO, neglecting those two positions again (or drafting them at pick 100+) would seriously limit this team's Super Bowl chances.  

EDIT: Oops, probably should have put this in the offseason thread, not draft thread....

Over the last few months there seems to be more and more skepticism over some of the evaluations done by Pro Football Focus.  I've read some very negative comments about some of their ratings.  Personally, I'm not a subscriber so I really can't say one way or the other.  Heyward is one of those that is interesting, because Pro Football Focus praises him but frankly most of the writers that cover the Packers just don't seem that impressed.  I think McGinn gave Heyward one of the lowest grades of the Packer DBs and pointed out that Heyward led the team in missed tackles and was responsible for quite a few big plays against.  Heyward seems like a nice guy to have around for depth...I wouldn't mind seeing him remain in a Packer uniform...but he's not the best cornerback on the team and the money he gets should not be just below what Sam Shields gets.  When Pro Football Weekly starts printing stuff like that, I'm understanding more and more why some people are calling their rating/grading system into question.

Do the ratings take into account who the DBs are covering? If Hayward is never covering the opponents top 2 receivers, then I can see where his score would be higher.

Please Pro Football Focus  is under rating Hayward, he is a bargain at 12 million a year.

Ok that last bit was for the rest of the NFL.

I never have come  across Pro Football Focus, but from what I have been reading here they have him way over rated.  Hayward is a nice guy but from what DB will be getting in free agency I can not see him returning to the pack.

 

3 Drunk Irish Guys.  Sounds like a bad CBS comedy with a horrible laugh track for old people.

Hayward would be nice to keep at the right price because he has ballhawk skills inside and wouldn't be completely horrible in a pinch outside.  I think his injury year didn't help him much but it's simply another Davon House situation.  He's good enough for someone to pay him.

As far as the Neal/Perry comment, if Perry wasn't hurt all the time I'd agree.  Neal has done some nice things in spot duty and while I'd definitely give Perry the nod they are rather mirror images of each other.  Honestly, both Neal and Perry are situational guys at this point, very nice situational guys considering their size and athleticism but you just aren't going to pony up fat cash for the type of production.  

I agree Perry will have 4-3 teams looking at him but he really does have an extensive injury history.  I think other teams would have a hard time giving him starting money and think he's going to take the bulk of the snaps.  That alone should probably keep his pricing to where the Packers could retain him if Uncle Tranny Ted chooses as such.

Neal used to be hurt all the time too.

I think Neal sticks around, Perry walks.  Just speculating 

If you're just going to speculate, please go to the "Should we have gone for 2" thread and weigh in. We need to get to Bart Starr's number....

They also have Elliott (under contract for another year) and then 2016 RFA Mulumba, so the numbers are likely not working in favor for Neal and Perry.

And maybe neither, if Thompson likes the OLB depth in this class. 

Ted is particularly "on" this morning at the presser. 

Asked about OT rules, should both teams be guaranteed a chance with the ball on offense? Says there are others who are better suited to address this... "There are studies I'm not privy to."   He's the best.

May favorite moment was when they called Gronkowski's brother over the loudspeaker to the podium and Ted just goes "GRONK!" in a real low caveman like voice.

And then another part the PA comes on and cuts him off and he goes "well that's just rude."

My latest mock from Fanspeak:

FLPACKER posted:

I see Ervin as smaller, more elusive , & more explosive than Starks. 

Supposedly fast track but Ervin just made some money. He unofficially ran a 4.4, as did Daniel Lasco, Kenyon Drake a 4.36, Elliott and Derrick Henry 4.45. Wow, Keith Marshall supposedly booked a 4.31. 

Edit: Official times are coming in slower. 

Derrick Henry just made himself some money.  I saw him mostly in the 2nd/3rd range but with those numbers at his size, late first early second wouldn't surprise me.  

Saw a comparison of Henry's combine to Von Miller's: almost identical in every aspect.  Draft Henry and turn him into an OLB?  

Apparently Henry's Shuttle was terrible, though.