Official 2017 NFL Draft Thread

Reported that he also did very well in interviews  & is a good route runner

OJ Howard. 6'6". 251lbs. 4.51 40. Those numbers make no sense. 

Ho-lee-balls the TEs in this class. Kid from Miami looks good. There's even a 6'4" whitey out of Iowa than ran a 4.52 40. Is this the year Ted finally lands the dominant white TE? 

Only two TEs over 6'5" have ever put up 20 plus on bench press, 30 plus vertical, sub 4.55 40, 10' plus broad jump. OJ Howard and Jared Cook. 

CB is still deeper but this draft has some really good TEs. 

Howard looks like he could be the next great TE, a month ago it looked like he could be there at 29, very doubtful now

As good as Howard is going to be. He's probably long gone at 29. And even if he isn't. There will be a crap load of defensive players with equal grades just sitting there. Ted should get an impact starter on D whether he goes CB or edge rusher. 

This is not a good year to need OL in the draft. All the more reason to try and get something done with TJ. 

Trubisky and Watson both ran fast 40s and looked good in passing drills. Excellent. Would love to see as many offensive guys as possible slide into the top 28. 

There looks to be about 8 TEs in this class that would instantly become the most athletic at the position for GB if drafted.

That would be wrong.

IL_Pack_Fan posted:

There looks to be about 8 TEs in this class that would instantly become the most athletic at the position for GB if drafted.

There are not 8 TEs more athletic than Cook

Chris Godwin from Penn State is tearing it up in Indy.

Another second rounder I'd love to see someone reach for ahead of 29. 

If McCaffery is there...(and that's probably a BIG if).....would TT take him?  or...would TT move up (just a few picks, nothing major)....would he do that to take McCaffery?

I think TT takes a TE early.

You never know, but my guess would be no. Ted likes to catch underrated guys who haven't hit their ceiling yet in round 1. Kenny Clark is the perfect example, he has tremendous physical skills but hadn't fully developed yet because he was only like 20 when they drafted him. I'm not saying McCaffrey has hit his ceiling, but he was used so much in college that I think what you see is what you're getting. Aside from that we already have a versatile scatback type in Monty and Cobb, if they look at a RB I would think it would be more of a bigger downhill runner like Lacy or Starks. 

BrainDed posted:

Good. Leave those CB's and pass rushers on the board.    I'm fine with Lacy, Monty, UDFA and Rip holding done the backfield.   

Yeah, I can't figure this out.  I can see drafting one RB 3rd or 4th round but it's not a bad backfield at this point.  

TT really needs a win on defense.  I think he finally did with Kenny Clark.  If he can add one more difference maker it would go a long ways to patching up the D.

Ted can only draft OLB and Saftey in the first round with any skill.  

Ted will trade his first pick this year.  

My guess is last year was a couple of things.

1. Upcoming free agent o-linemen.

2. TT and scouts didn't see a good year for o-linemen coming up.

I think you're right Bonger. We're obviously a month+ away and things change, but the values at 29 don't appear to be there right now. Ted wants to get his money's worth above all else. 

Ted does not like to use draft picks on sub 5-11 DBs.  Ted has drafted 13 defensive backs in the last 11 drafts and only 1 of those 13 measured in at under 5-11.  That happened to be Randall who missed the mark by only 1/8th of an inch and so far has not lived up to his draft status.

In the late first round area, the cornerback that probably has the best natural cover skills is LSU's TreDavious White.  Most websites had listed him at 5-11 and LSU's website listed him at 6-0 this year but he had been listed at 5-11 last year.  I didn't think he'd make 5-11 at the combine but he measured in at 5-11 on the nose and now figures to be very much in the mix for the Packer's first round pick.

The following are cornerbacks grading in the first five rounds that did not make the 5-11 mark.  I'd be surprised if Thompson drafted any of these players.

Desmond King/Iowa = 5-10

Adoree' Jackson/Southern California = 5-10

Jourdan Lewis/Michigan = 5-10

Damontae Kazee/San Diego State = 5-10

William Likely/Maryland = 5-6 5/8 (will be drafted as return specialist)

Very surprising that there were 22 cornerbacks worth a pick in the first five rounds and 17 of them are 5-11+.  Very deep pool for Thompson to pick from.

If Thompson trades down it won't be because value isn't there, it will be because there is so much top-flight talent there that he figures he can get similar quality at a later pick.

For example, if Thompson wants to go cornerback first it wouldn't be surprising if he has as many as 8 cornerbacks graded as first round picks provided 7 of them work out as expected and Tankersley runs better than expected (sub 4.55).  The 8 would be Lattimore/Ohio State, Tabor/Florida, Jones/Washington, Humphrey/Alabama, White/LSU, Conley/Ohio State, Wilson/Florida, Tankersley/Clemson.

All the word out of the combine is that Watt does figure to be a late first round pick.  Charles Harris, listed at 235 pounds, weighed in at 253 and just ran the 40 in pretty respectable times in the low 4.8's.  Thompson may exclude Carl Lawson based on his height (6-1 3/4), but he was an early round two candidate and was just credited with running one of his 40's at 4.68 at 261 pounds.  Obviously Takkarist McKinley figures heavily in this area, although Thompson may exclude him medically.  All that being said, we'll have to wait until all these players run the short shuttle and 3-cone because Thompson seems to value those numbers more than any other when it comes to evaluating defensive front seven players.  But as I type this, it appears that there are least 4 outside linebacker candidates that look like really solid picks at #29.

I am really liking the way this draft shapes up for Green Bay.  Only real problem area is if Lang and Tretter both leave, getting a quality guard (or tackle projected to play guard) outside of the first 45 picks looks to be a problem.  Also a later round inside linebacker could be hard to find but that's a secondary concern.  But CB, OLB, RB, TE...looks like pretty good quality to me.

The only thing certain about the draft is that almost all of you will love the pick at 29.

FLPACKER posted:

IL_Pack_Fan posted:

There looks to be about 8 TEs in this class that would instantly become the most athletic at the position for GB if drafted.

There are not 8 TEs more athletic than Cook

Ok, fine. His aggregated combine results would have made him the 7th most athletic TE in this class by SPARQ. That of course assumes A) he re-signs and B) he hasn't lost a step in 8 years.

https://www.playerprofiler.com/nfl/jared-cook/

https://3sigmaathlete.com/rankings/te/

(Sorry, can't embed links on phone.)

Underwear Olympics far from the be all end all, but I'd love to see another athlete paired with Cook and ready to hold down the spot in the future. 

Haason Reddick is having himself a day. 4.52 40. 11'1" broad jump. Not sure if it's enough to move him into round 1 but he's not hurting himself. Question is where do you play him? He's too light for the edge. ILB along the lines of Ryan Shazier? Was hoping he might last to the end of round 2. Not happening now. 

Dominant @_TJWatt

6'5" 252 lbs.
37" Vertical
10'8" Broad Jump
4.69 Official 40-yd Dash

— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) March 5, 2017

11" hands also. Wow!

Those are quality numbers for him. He needed to show he was more than just an effort player and JJ's brother, that seems like he definitely has separated himself. Can't find his 10 yd split, Id be very curious to see that number. That's a better measure of a pass rusher than the whole 40.

Jordan Willis/DE/Kansas State (would play OLB in Green Bay) probably raised his stock more than any other player today.  Was thought of as a try-hard guy with a good motor but he posted some pretty incredible workout numbers.

6-3 3/4

255 pounds

4.53 in the 40 (best time among DLmen, only player in LB group that did better was Jabrill Peppers and he will be a safety)

averaged 1.56 in the 10-yard time

39 inch vertical

10'5" board jump

4.28 short shuttle (3rd best among DLmen)

6.85 3-cone (best among DLmen, waiting on LB times)

33 tackles for loss and 21 sacks over the last two seasons.

A third rounder heading in, now looking like a possible first rounder.

JFC, we now have about 38 guys going in the 1st round.  Where did all the comp picks come from? 

I think TT goes pass rusher in the first round.  Those guys killed it as a group today, so no doubt at least 1 first round rated guy will be there at 29.  Even if Perry comes back, CMIII may never be the guy we saw 3+ years ago and after those two, cupboard is bare.  

I also wouldn't mind Ross, McCaffrey or Cook at 29 either, since any of those would add game breaking speed to the offense (which is lacking right now).  Sounding like McCaffrey goes earlier but with Cook's disappointing combine, maybe he drops.  Ross could go earlier too, he was late first/early second before he ran a 4.22, so probably goes in the teens now.  

OL is very weak this year so really hope either Lang or Tretter comes back.  Not sure Barclay, Spriggs or Murphy are ready to start at guard.  

No thanks on Cook. Off-field issues aside, he has feet for hands. I'd suspect they won't take a back who can't catch a cold.

I see this year as a good year to trade down. A lot of good players will drop to end of first and beginning of the second round. If Ted is so inclined he can get both BPA and needs addressed in the 2nd to 5th rounds.

Due to the lower perceived value pure guards  (not converted tackles) can be found 4th and 5th rounds. Lindsay was a pure center and he worked out well enough for center.

Patrick (no relation) is reported to have good potential as guard and is already on the PS.

ChilliJon posted:

OJ Howard. 6'6". 251lbs. 4.51 40. Those numbers make no sense. 

Unless your names are Usain and Bolt.  But seriously, a long strider who can get his stride rate fast enough to pull a 4.5 is very rare.

CUPackFan posted:

 

 Cook's disappointing combine, maybe he drops.  

While not "great", I don't think he was disappointing. Had one of the highest bench numbers & ran a 4.49

DH13 posted:

ChilliJon posted:

OJ Howard. 6'6". 251lbs. 4.51 40. Those numbers make no sense. 

Unless your names are Usain and Bolt.  But seriously, a long strider who can get his stride rate fast enough to pull a 4.5 is very rare.

What were his 10 yard splits?

Bowser, Watt, Willis and Anzalone all had great 3-cone runs and solid 40s as expected  but Vince Biegel probably helped himself yesterday posting numbers similar to that group in different tests. 

Cook's issue isn't HIS character, it's apparently the character of his crew. He needs to get that under control and learn to separate himself from those that are damaging his reputation. If they're sold on his character though I wouldn't hesitate to take him, he's a feature back who could contribute day 1. 

Yeah Jordan Willis is a guy I wouldn't be surprised to see us take in round 1. Film is there and just like Watt the question was about how he stacked up athletically. Really solid numbers. 

Goalline posted:

DH13 posted:

ChilliJon posted:

OJ Howard. 6'6". 251lbs. 4.51 40. Those numbers make no sense. 

Unless your names are Usain and Bolt.  But seriously, a long strider who can get his stride rate fast enough to pull a 4.5 is very rare.

What were his 10 yard splits?

 Don't think he lasts until the Packers pick, but he's going to be a major TE weapon for someone. 

There is just a great big old bunch of speed and depth and talent in this draft at LB and DB. It's genuine silliness how much athletic talent there is at those two positions.

I don't agree with the early love crush on Willis given his combine numbers. It happens every year. The game tape screams 3rd round. A cone drill convinces everyone to move up a few rounds. Given how much filthy nasty speedy playmakers are going to be sitting at 29 he damned well better not be the guy. If he's there in round three? Have at it. A crazy combine showing should push a guy slightly up your board. Never a few rounds. 

That LB and DB happen to be two areas that GB needs to become better and faster at is such a wonderful thing. Ted may not pick THE perfect guy in round 1 and 2 but he should be able to add talent, depth, and speed. 

Ouch, Teez Tabor and Marquez White ran brutal 4.63 and 4.68 40s, respectively. Obviously this is in shorts and not backpedaling but those are not good times. 

Jordan Willis against a good O-Line - Stanford

Looks pretty ordinary here.

CBs look good.  My fellow CU Buffs Chidobi Awuzie and Ahkello Witherspoon ran well this morning.  4.43 at 6' 202 lbs for Awuzie and 4.45 for Witherspoon at 6' 3" 198 lbs.  Both have their issues but definitely check the size/speed box that TT likes.  

ChilliJon posted:

There is just a great big old bunch of speed and depth and talent in this draft at LB and DB. It's genuine silliness how much athletic talent there is at those two positions.

That LB and DB happen to be two areas that GB needs to become better and faster at is such a wonderful thing. Ted may not pick THE perfect guy in round 1 and 2 but he should be able to add talent, depth, and speed. 

I'm of the belief that the best GM's/personnel guys are always looking 2-3 years out and draft / sign FAs accordingly. Having this class line up with GBs needs may not be that serendipitous.

I generally agree with that but for the fact that I doubt he was looking 2-3 years out 2-3 years ago and planned on taking multiple high round DB's 2 years in a row.  But he may not be.  If 1265 has full faith in R&R we may not see another DB taken high this year.  Plenty of other spots for the first 3 rounds to shore up with talent.  They probably need a solid FA vet at DB than another rook.

Somewhere on the web, my old buddy, the icon, is telling anyone who will listen (hopefully, there aren't too many)that this guy is a future Packer.

Packdog posted:

Jordan Willis against a good O-Line - Stanford

Looks pretty ordinary here.

I actually think he looks pretty impressive here, aggressive and assignment sure. He's going back and forth between rushing from a wide 9 and a defending the run from 4/5 tech End spot. He gets the better of that RT 4 times by my count, the one time Stanford did NOT throw a quick pass he forced a fumble. He keeps his outside contain pretty consistently against off=tackle runs and keeps his eyes on the pitch man against the option forcing the early pitch. 

DH13 posted:

I generally agree with that but for the fact that I doubt he was looking 2-3 years out 2-3 years ago and planned on taking multiple high round DB's 2 years in a row.  But he may not be.  If 1265 has full faith in R&R we may not see another DB taken high this year.  Plenty of other spots for the first 3 rounds to shore up with talent.  They probably need a solid FA vet at DB than another rook.

Agreed, and I was referring more to the LB position. No way Thompson would know the 2016 would be the last of Shield's career.

Scratch the serendipity reference, I forgot about Thompson's huge lap. So easy a BudLight on Ice drinking android can do it.

Hungry5 posted:

ChilliJon posted:

There is just a great big old bunch of speed and depth and talent in this draft at LB and DB. It's genuine silliness how much athletic talent there is at those two positions.

That LB and DB happen to be two areas that GB needs to become better and faster at is such a wonderful thing. Ted may not pick THE perfect guy in round 1 and 2 but he should be able to add talent, depth, and speed. 

I'm of the belief that the best GM's/personnel guys are always looking 2-3 years out and draft / sign FAs accordingly. Having this class line up with GBs needs may not be that serendipitous.

You have got to be ****ting me...

If that was the case, you're suggesting that TT knew 2 to 3 years ago when he let CB's walk and drafted our current crop that there would be good replacements for his failures in this draft.    

Riiiiiiight.  Sounds like a winning strategy. 

I don't know about 2-3 years out, but Ted is definitely always thinking about the next year when he drafts/signs FAs. He's looking at his where the salaries are going, whose contracts are up, etc. On more than 1 occasion he's drafted WRs when we're mostly stocked at the position. He drafted Fackrell last year when we were 4 deep with pass rushers, why? Peppers and Perry are FAs, Clay is over 30 with a big salary, etc. He's not alone in that, Belichick dumped Chandler Jones and Jaime Collins when, realistically, those players would have made major contributions to this team the same year. The best GMs are playing for the now and the next year and down the road, that's why Ted doesn't go hog wild in FA, gotta protect the team long term.

Herschel posted:

Ouch, Teez Tabor and Marquez White ran brutal 4.63 and 4.68 40s, respectively. Obviously this is in shorts and not backpedaling but those are not good times. 

In some drafts Tabor would probably still have a chance to be a late first round pick but with the strength at CB this year he's very much a long-shot to be a round one pick now.  He'll have to rebound big-time at Florida's Pro Day to work himself back into round one.  Could end up being a steal because the guy can play.  Quincy Wilson wasn't great in the 40 but his short shuttle time was very good.  He could still be in the running for round one but doesn't appear to be in that top tier of cornerbacks.  Tankersley was the opposite, way better than expected in the 40 but his short shuttle was only average.  Probably a borderline first rounder.  I expected slightly better numbers from Sidney Jones.  Nothing bad when looking across the board but nothing that would really sell me on the idea that he should be a top 20 pick.  He's probably still in round one.  Was disappointing that Lattimore and Humphrey did not do the agility drills but the 40 time, vertical leap and broad jump put these guy solidly in the top 20.  All of Conley's numbers were excellent and he could have very well jumped from #7 to #3 on the cornerback board.  Tre'Davious White, a bit disappointing like Sidney Jones, White's probably in round two.

As far as the lower tiered guys heading in, both Colorado CB's and Washington Kevin King's had pretty impressive days.  King's numbers were better than Sidney Jones and not too many people expected that.  UCLA's Fabian Moreau was pretty great across the board.  If there was a player who could make that huge jump up the board it was him.  He was thought of as a first rounder two years ago and messed up his foot which knocked him way down.  Looks like he is all the way back from that, I sure don't see him making it out of the top 50 now and he's back to first round consideration like he was a couple years ago.

Right now I'd guess Lattimore, Humphrey and Conley will be off the board at #29.  One or two more could come off the board before #29 but the next best list that Ted could be looking at would be Sidney Jones, Cordrea Tankersley, Quincy Wilson, Tre'Davious White and Fabian Moreau.  Considering Jones and Moreau are in Sam Seale territory, smart money would be on one of those two.