Official 2018 Draft Thread

I think they have too much invested with Dix, Jones and obviously like Brice.  Another legit CB or Olineman would be nice as far TC cut downs. 

Reid is a lot like Dix, Jones and even Burnett for sure. I think his brother is better in man coverage.

I don’t think we should bring in Reid because I think Josh Jones has the same ceiling, maybe even higher than Reid. It’s a downgrade in the short term going with Jones, but Safety’s (like QBs) need playing time to hone their craft. The long term gains of sticking with Jones is worth the gamble vs. bringing in Reid and benching one or the other. It doesn’t make sense to not bring in players for any reason other than skill vs. money though. If his demands are outrageous compared to how he will fit on your depth chart then you don’t pursue. Off/on field politics or personality are not a reason to not pursue, even psychos like TO have been worth the investment (even if it’s just a year). Reid is a waste of dollars with our current roster, but if we didn’t have Josh Jones then Reid would probably be worth it. 

They are going to give Jones a legit try before they cut bait on him. We may take some lumps, but I trust he will excel under Pettine much more quickly than under Compers.

The secondary will likely be ridiculously young by midseason, if not sooner, which is why generating pass rush will be paramount. I wonder if Dix will get the headset.

Brainwashed Boris posted:

Rodney article - not accurate

The Packers haven’t traded up in the first round since 2002 when then-GM Mike Sherman went from No. 28 to No. 20 to get wide receiver Javon Walker. 

Ummm....I guess everyone forgets about 2009

Maybe I'm reading it incorrectly

Consider the source.

On another note, here's an excellent article on Marcus Davenport:

'What's Wrong with NFL Draft Prospect Marcus Davenport?' Is the Wrong Question

So, who is GB drafting at 14 if they don't move up or trade away that pick for a later one, or two?  Will it be BPA or a need?  Some sources are saying OT McGlinchy may now go top ten which could push other talented players down to the Packers. It's going to be an interesting Draft.

I could see them maybe trading down a few spots, but not too far, just to add a 2nd or early 3rd round pick...

Trading up will be costly...would have to be the right player, and it's anyone's guess who that might be...a lot of names being tossed around right now...James, Fitzpatrick, Ward, etc.

Any really good player like Fitzpatrick that is currently making the rounds as a possibility at 14 is likely teams in the top 10 blowing smoke to encourage QB needy teams to trade up...”we’re SO sold on some QB that we’re willing to pass on a blue chip player like Fitz!” If it seems too good to be true it probably is. The trend in the league seems to have been investing in blue chip defensive players, so I can’t imagine there will be a true blue chip player at 14. Best players available at 14 will likely be Payne, Josh Jackson, Ridley, and Landry. Of that group I think Jackson is probably the choice based on need, Landry is the next most likely choice. I’m not sold that they want to gamble with Davenports upside or where LVE fits. We’ve had too many iffy scheme fits or “upside” players, Gute seems to be spending this offseason trying to differentiate himself from TT. Those 4 BPAs I mentioned are all experienced, polished players who are closer to their ceiling than Davenport or LVE, but will contribute right away.

If I had to choose between those 4 , I think I would go with Jackson. I'm not sold on Landry, yet. If those are the choices there, and another team wants to trade up, I might consider it, if it's not too far of a drop in the 1st.

Grave Digger posted:

Any really good player like Fitzpatrick that is currently making the rounds as a possibility at 14 is likely teams in the top 10 blowing smoke to encourage QB needy teams to trade up...”we’re SO If it seems too good to be true it probably is. The trend in the league seems to have been investing in blue chip defensive players, so I can’t imagine there will be a true blue chip player at 14. Best players available at 14 will likely be Payne, Josh Jackson, Ridley, and Landry. Of that group I think Jackson is probably the choice based on need, Landry is the next most likely choice. I’m not sold that they want to gamble with Davenports upside or where LVE fits. We’ve had too many iffy scheme fits or “upside” players, Gute seems to be spending this offseason trying to differentiate himself from TT. Those 4 BPAs I mentioned are all experienced, polished players who are closer to their ceiling than Davenport or LVE, but will contribute right away.

We may still get lucky...after all, the Bears do pick ahead of us...  

Packmeister posted:

On another note, here's an excellent article on Marcus Davenport:

'What's Wrong with NFL Draft Prospect Marcus Davenport?' Is the Wrong Question

 

Nice read - thanks.  He is intriguing.

Kind of unusual for an article as focused as it is on his character to say nothing about his family life.

Grave Digger posted:

...”we’re SO sold on some QB that we’re willing to pass on a blue chip player like Fitz!” If it seems too good to be true it probably is. The 

I think it was Bill Polian that said "Teams evaluations don't change much from January."

I think that was definitely true with TT.

Trust the board. A team in front of us will screw it up. We'll get a good football player.

The Green Bay Packers will likely draft a cornerback with a couple of their 12 draft picks. The will likely draft a cornerback in the first three rounds and it would not be surprising if they take another one in the mid to late rounds. The Packers have been pegged to draft Josh Jackson of Iowa or Mike Hughes of UCF in the first or second round, but when it comes to the later rounds, that can be tricky. But the Packers may have found the right late-round cornerback prospect as Dane Cruikshank has a scheduled visit with the Packers this week according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network.

Cruikshank transferred to Arizona after spending two years at Citrus College, a junior college in California. During his time there, Cruikshank was an all-state pick his sophomore year and was considered one of the best prospects in the country. He then moved on to Arizona in 2016 and had a productive season, recording 60 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions and seven passes defended in 12 starts. Cruikshank took his game to another level in 2017, registering 74 tackles, 4.5 sacks for loss, one sack, three interceptions and five passes defended.

Lance Zierlein of NFL.com believes Cruikshank will be drafted in the fourth or fifth round. Here's what he had to say about the former Wildcat.

Height, weight, speed prospect who has a chance to be drafted off his measurables and Combine testing alone. Cruikshank does have talent and is a hungry hitter, but he may lack the consistency in coverage to hold up as a full-time safety or cornerback. His ability to run and hit could make him a Day 3 target for a team looking to turn him into a backup defensive back and special teams ace.

Because of his ability to play cornerback and safety, Cruikshank is an interesting prospect for the Packers. New defensive coordinator Mike Pettine wants guys who can play multiple positions and Cruikshank would provide depth all over the secondary. So Cruikshank might be listed as a cornerback, but he very well could make the Packers roster as a safety, especially with the team losing Morgan Burnett to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

4th or 5th rounder?

USC center Nico Falah can move! Excellent puller (seems USC always has good pulling OCs) - loose hips, can climb to 2nd level and get movement...

Visited with #Packers pic.twitter.com/Wtnues1MWh

— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) April 11, 2018

Safety/Special teams ace Natrell Jamerson of Wisconsin is in Green Bay today for an official 30 visit with the Packers...here's our scouting report on Jamerson https://t.co/0q7ToFONXW pic.twitter.com/CCTKQTxncG

— Tony Pauline (@TonyPauline) April 11, 2018

This guy could well be better at gunner than Janis! And he can play defense too from the looks of his tape. What say the Badger fans ?? 

Packdog posted:

USC center Nico Falah can move! Excellent puller (seems USC always has good pulling OCs) - loose hips, can climb to 2nd level and get movement...

Visited with #Packers pic.twitter.com/Wtnues1MWh

— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) April 11, 2018

Going to have to get a lot stronger to move NFL DTs....21 reps on Bench is not going to get it done. 

NFL "strength and conditioning" has been known to do wonders for that sort of thing.

Doesn't the Packers' strength and conditioning just get players injured? 

FLPACKER posted:

Packdog posted:

USC center Nico Falah can move! Excellent puller (seems USC always has good pulling OCs) - loose hips, can climb to 2nd level and get movement...

Visited with #Packers pic.twitter.com/Wtnues1MWh

— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) April 11, 2018

Going to have to get a lot stronger to move NFL DTs....21 reps on Bench is not going to get it done. 

Not a concern with Centers.

Alex Mack - Top Rated coming out and one of the NFL's  best : 20 reps on Bench

Travis Fredrick - Top rated Center 2017 : 21 reps on Bench press

Max Unger : 22 reps

Frequently combo-blocking and more important to be adept moving to second level. Not worried about 21 reps. 

Yessir. Look at JC Tretter.  Not strong but great feet and tremendous at the second level. Aside from the occasional bull rush (which a good center can slow with technique) you want a smart guy who can handle line calls and who can move laterally for combo-blocking and vertically for downfield stuff.

Strength still is important though. I will never forget Jeff Saturday getting rag dolled in his brief stint as GB's starter. It didn't help that he was already deliberately dropping weight in order to help him in his soon-to-be TV analyst career.

Pouncey put up 24 on the bench. Worked out ok. 

Can you play football? Do you want to play football?

I’m more impressed with his 5.13 40 time at 6’4” 304. That’s some scoot for a slob. 

I was thinking more about him playing guard, since that is more of an immediate need for us, where strength would be more imperative. 21 on bench is low for guards. 

Packmeister posted:

On another note, here's an excellent article on Marcus Davenport:

'What's Wrong with NFL Draft Prospect Marcus Davenport?' Is the Wrong Question

 

I like this kid.  All the physical tools.  This in particular.

Davenport's former coaches never question his desire. Quite the opposite.

"What people could never figure out about Marcus was the intrinsic motivation that he has," Hernandez says.

I wouldn't think twice if he's there at 14.  This kid has his head on straight to go with all those tools.  I don't mean the "aw shucks good kid" routine, this guy is a thinker.  If all he needs for motivation is to tell himself to do it, he'll be a beast. 

I really like him, genuine, I think he will do whatever it takes to get better:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6kfrD_x72o 

Natrell Jamerson had a decent senior year.  He’s a good athlete and made a lot of plays.  Only concern I would have is he had some injury issues during his career at UW.  

Packdog posted:

Safety/Special teams ace Natrell Jamerson of Wisconsin is in Green Bay today for an official 30 visit with the Packers...here's our scouting report on Jamerson https://t.co/0q7ToFONXW pic.twitter.com/CCTKQTxncG

— Tony Pauline (@TonyPauline) April 11, 2018

This guy could well be better at gunner than Janis! And he can play defense too from the looks of his tape. What say the Badger fans ?? 

This Badger fan says draft Jack Chicy with our 1st pick in the 4th round. 

FLPACKER posted:

I really like him, genuine, I think he will do whatever it takes to get better:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6kfrD_x72o 

On 4/7 you said :

FLPACKER posted:

"I think Davenport may be a reach"

Which is it ? 

ammo posted:

Packdog posted:

Safety/Special teams ace Natrell Jamerson of Wisconsin is in Green Bay today for an official 30 visit with the Packers...here's our scouting report on Jamerson https://t.co/0q7ToFONXW pic.twitter.com/CCTKQTxncG

— Tony Pauline (@TonyPauline) April 11, 2018

This guy could well be better at gunner than Janis! And he can play defense too from the looks of his tape. What say the Badger fans ?? 

This Badger fan says draft Jack Chicy with our 1st pick in the 4th round. 

Jamerson and Jacobs are two late guys that intrigue me. Both are athletically gifted but need some more coaching. 

Vandy ILB Oren Burks is also intriguing, he's played some safety but has moved down as he's grown. 

Packdog posted:

FLPACKER posted:

I really like him, genuine, I think he will do whatever it takes to get better:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6kfrD_x72o 

On 4/7 you said :

FLPACKER posted:

"I think Davenport may be a reach"

Which is it ? 

Still torn. Yes I really like him, but not sure I like him enough to pick him at 14. And as always, doesn't matter how we see him, we really have no idea where he is on the Packer's board. 

If the Packers stand pat at 14th, history has shown there's some pretty decent players chosen at the same position:

2017 Derek Barnett DE Eagles (5 sacks as a rookie last season)

2016 Karl Joseph S Raiders

2015 Davante Parker WR Dolphins

2014 Kyle Fuller CB Bears 

The first 7 or 8 years of Revis at #14.....yes please!!

I am a UTSA alum, and I am a personal friend of Ron Davenport (the dad), having known him for 15+ years (we still work together, so I have some inside info about visits, etc.)  Marcus is a great kid, tons of potential, and I hope he becomes a Packer.

I would also like to mention that UTSA has played against many top level teams, and C-USA is stronger than most people realize.

Marcus has visited many teams, but not Green Bay.  However, the Packers did pull him aside and talk to him at the Senior Bowl. 

Brian Price (now a Cowboy) is also from UTSA, so I am sure the Packers know all about Marcus.  It will be an interesting draft.

Well.... interesting post. Thanks for that.

Almost every mock I've seen has the Pack taking Davenport.

He’s a great kid. I just can’t get past the fact he’s probably not the best player on the board at 14. Somehow I think Fitz or Ward makes it to 14. If not then maybe GB trades back for Davenport. 

I still like Josh Jackson at 14. He looks like a guy that’s going to be a better pro than scouted.

But I’m coming around on Landry at 14 as well. He’s got pure edge rush on him. He doesn’t look like he’s remotely interested in setting an edge (not a good thing) Looks like a guy that lives to be in the backfield. He’s a 3-4 OLB even though 4-3 teams are looking at him.

If you are drafting an edge guy that’s going to do everything well Davenport is a great pick. If you want a guy that makes his living getting to the QB then it’s Landry. 

I'm still on the Jackson wagon.  We need play makers and this kid has it.   

Heard Miller & Erwin interview Landry on NFL Radio. Erwin cited a stat of Landry being in the backfield an incredible number of times during his college career. He reminds me of CMIII. 

I read a post yesterday that said now that the Packers have resigned House, they can look at BPA, no matter what the position at 14. I did a Fanspeak draft using BPA, as I saw it, and some of the best players available at 14 were Derrius Guice RB, LSU,  Mike McGlinchy, OT, Notre Dame, Marcus Davenport, Edge, UTSA, Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama and Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State. Josh Jackson was also available there.