Official 2018 Draft Thread

Ooh, another project.  That's what the Packers need.

When is the last time an ILB was drafted top 10?  I think Smith makes it to 14 and I don't think GB takes him.  My only out is SF if they are so intent on that position, otherwise they won't take him either.  Some were convinced Foster would go top 10 last year and he went 31.

I think Foster getting kicked out off the combine for getting in a nurses grill during a routine medical examination was why he went 31. 

I think the idea of having a heat seeking missile like Smith on defense might be the most exciting thing since the option of a Janis! jet sweep.  

It was only exciting because of the anticipation. 

*hates you for the Carly Simon song in my head now

Better?

forgiven

If either Smith, James, Fitzpatrick or Edmunds were there at 14 I'd be doing cartwheels if I were Gutekunst. Any of the four would be great. A three-safety, "base" nickel would probably be tough as nails.  

Talk about anticipation ...........

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_9RWUV8MvA

I think it is extremely likely there will be quite a few top 10 defensive talents available to the Packers at #14.  With by my count 4-5 teams wanting a QB and with Penn St RB more than likely going in the top 10 that pushes more defensive players down to the Packers. 

Fedya posted:

Herschel posted:

Why can't we (x4) ever get the fun Nigerians?

We got Goalline instead.

Who is no kind of Nigerian, fun or otherwise.

Took a stroll down memory lane.  Four ILB or MLB, (if you include Hawk who was actually drafted as an OLB)  were taken top 10 since 2001.  I think just one more in Jon Vilma if you include down to 14th.  Just not a premium position unless you are convinced a prospect is a transcendent talent.  You have to think he is Keuchly or Urlacher to take him above 10.  Is Roquan Smith that good?

Also noticed: No QB's taken in RD1 in 2013. None.

Edit: the other thought that crossed my mind is Pettine has had strong ILB's in his previous D's.  They've played a key role.  Curious if his latest incarnation will try to do the same.

The Heckler posted:

I think it is extremely likely there will be quite a few top 10 defensive talents available to the Packers at #14.  With by my count 4-5 teams wanting a QB and with Penn St RB more than likely going in the top 10 that pushes more defensive players down to the Packers. 

Even if five QBs somehow go, along with Barkley and Nelson, the top six defenders would be gone, likely Chubb, Fitzpatrick, Ward, James, Edmunds and Smith. Then they drop a tier, IMO. If four QBs add probably Davenport. Three? Probably Vander Esch, Vea, Payne, Hurst, Evans or Landry. Only Darnold and Rosen......

Here's hoping not only the QBs go, but a team or two loves Ridley and/or Guice.

IMO, based on the 7 minutes of heavy scouting I have completed, there are 13 "sure things" in this draft. The Packers will miss out on all of them, more than likely.

Herschel posted:

The Heckler posted:

I think it is extremely likely there will be quite a few top 10 defensive talents available to the Packers at #14.  With by my count 4-5 teams wanting a QB and with Penn St RB more than likely going in the top 10 that pushes more defensive players down to the Packers. 

Even if five QBs somehow go, along with Barkley and Nelson, the top six defenders would be gone, likely Chubb, Fitzpatrick, Ward, James, Edmunds and Smith. Then they drop a tier, IMO. If four QBs add probably Davenport. Three? Probably Vander Esch, Vea, Payne, Hurst, Evans or Landry. Only Darnold and Rosen......

Here's hoping not only the QBs go, but a team or two loves Ridley and/or Guice. 

Got it all figured out?

Wellllll.....you didn't factor in a STUPID GM coming to the draft did you?

Someone will "think they're smerter" than everyone else & draft a player that isn't "expected" from your list. It's when THAT happens, you can get excited.

Rodgers wasn't supposed to be available at #24

Clinton-Dix was supposed to go about 6 picks sooner to the Bears

Bulaga was supposed to go sooner in the draft.

Just wait & see.....someone will "screw up" your list - and a player will drop. 

What Boris said.

I still think Cleveland screws all the mocks and takes Barkley #1.  

Round 1

1. Cleveland Browns: Sam Darnold, QB, USC
2. Denver Broncos (from New York Giants): Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
3. New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts): Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
4. Cleveland Browns (from Houston Texans): Bradley Chubb, DE, NCSU
5. New York Giants (from Denver Broncos): Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn St.
6. Indianapolis Colts (from New York Jets): Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Derwin James, S, Florida St
8. Chicago Bears: Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame
9. Buffalo Bills (from San Francisco 49ers): Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
10. Oakland Raiders: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio St.
11. Miami Dolphins: Vita Vea, DL, Washington
12. San Francisco 49ers (from Buffalo Bills via Cincinnati Bengals): Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia
13. Washington Redskins: Da'Ron Payne, DL, Alabama
14. Green Bay Packers: Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama

Round 2

45. Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado

Round 3

76. Anthony Miller, WR, Memphis

Round 4

101. (from Cleveland Browns): Nick Gates, OL, Nebraska
102. (Compensatory): Hercules Mata'afa, OLB, Washington

Round 5

138. (from Cleveland Browns): Kyle Lauletta , QB, Richmond
139. (Compensatory): Troy Fumagalli, TE, Wisconsin
140. (Compensatory): Wyatt Teller, OL, Virginia Tech

Round 6

186. Shaquem Griffin: OLB, Central Florida
187. (Compensatory): Darrel Williams, RB, LSU

Round 7

232. Khalil Mckenzie: DL, Tennessee
233. (from Buffalo Bills): Leon Jacobs, LB, Wisconsin

If one of Ward, Edmunds, Smith, Minkah or James drops to us it will be like:

Even if it's Josh Jackson, Davenport, etc... gotta "trust the process". 

YATittle posted:

What Boris said.

Yep!  there is always a wild card or two in the first part of the draft.  A good example was the Raiders a while back that fell in love with the speed of the WR from Maryland (Heyward-Bey?) and everyone said what the heck where they thinking?

Grave Digger posted:

Round 1

1. Cleveland Browns: Sam Darnold, QB, USC
2. Denver Broncos (from New York Giants): Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
3. New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts): Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
4. Cleveland Browns (from Houston Texans): Bradley Chubb, DE, NCSU
5. New York Giants (from Denver Broncos): Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn St.
6. Indianapolis Colts (from New York Jets): Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Derwin James, S, Florida St
8. Chicago Bears: Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame
9. Buffalo Bills (from San Francisco 49ers): Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
10. Oakland Raiders: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio St.
11. Miami Dolphins: Vita Vea, DL, Washington
12. San Francisco 49ers (from Buffalo Bills via Cincinnati Bengals): Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia
13. Washington Redskins: Da'Ron Payne, DL, Alabama
14. Green Bay Packers: Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama

Round 2

1. Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado

Round 3

1. Anthony Miller, WR, Memphis

Round 4

1. (from Cleveland Browns): Nick Gates, OL, Nebraska
2. (Compensatory): Hercules Mata'afa, OLB, Washington

Round 5

1. (from Cleveland Browns): Kyle Lauletta , QB, Richmond
2. (Compensatory): Troy Fumagalli, TE, Wisconsin
3. (Compensatory): Wyatt Teller, OL, Virginia Tech

Round 6

1. Shaquem Griffin: OLB, Central Florida
2. (Compensatory): Darrel Williams, RB, LSU

Round 7

1. Khalil Mckenzie: DL, Tennessee
2. (from Buffalo Bills): Leon Jacobs, LB, Wisconsin

My one.....compliant(?) is I think Gutekunst comes out of the draft with a minimum of two corners. I suppose they could sign Breeland also but really think two is the minimum he comes away from draft weekend with, plus a priority UDFA or two. 

Brainwashed Boris posted:

Wellllll.....you didn't factor in a STUPID GM coming to the draft did you?

 

I thought the Vikings draft AFTER the Packers.  

For what it's worth... I've run over a dozen drafts on a simulator.  Denzel Ward is almost always there at 14.  He'd be tough to pass up.

I think a guy like Fitzpatrick they would see as a S/NB who can cover the slot like a rich man’s Micah Hyde. So they come away with (at CB) King, Fitz, Oliver, Tramon, House, Hawkins, and Rollins covering the CB depth. It’s not ideal to rebuild the position with very young and very old, but other than signing Breeland, as you say, there aren’t many options. I see King and Oliver as guys that will be able to cover 1on1 on the boundary and be lock down CBs when they have some seasoning.

Very true, that depth just makes me cringe though. Any injury to the "big three" of a game or more looks like potential trouble. 

Dr._Bob posted:

Brainwashed Boris posted:

Wellllll.....you didn't factor in a STUPID GM coming to the draft did you?

 

I thought the Vikings draft AFTER the Packers.  

Stupid GM's like to trade up - in front of the Packers.

They're so smert!

Pakrz posted:

For what it's worth... I've run over a dozen drafts on a simulator.  Denzel Ward is almost always there at 14.  He'd be tough to pass up.

Ward, Fitz, James. One of them should be there. Impossible to pass up. 

I'd be lying if I said I ever saw him play, but have heard the LB Vander Esch reminds some of Brian Urlacher.  If he's really that good, I'd have no problems with the Pack taking him even at 14.  That said, I think a pure edge pass rusher is more likely.

There is no way CLE passes on Barkley to take Chubb.  

ammo posted:

I still think Cleveland screws all the mocks and takes Barkley #1.  

There are mocks that propose they do exactly that and then take whatever top 3 QB is left at 4.  All depends on whether they see any of those top 3 as their guy or if they see them as all fairly equal. 

Looking past the first round & #14 overall....

Anyone like this guy in round 3?

Armani Watts

I got him in the second. Too early?

Interesting find.  But how many good <5'10 CB's are there in the NFL?  Sounds like a good slot guy.

More here: Watts Clutch . Intriguing.

Seems like there are a lot of RD2-3 CB's out there that have a lot to like about them but haven't received a lot of attention so far.  More and more bubbles up about them as we get closer to the draft because all the top prospects have already been covered ad nauseum.

He makes a lot of plays when the games on the line.

Packers covet CB Denzel Ward

People familiar with the situation believe the Green Bay Packers are likely to select either Minkah Fitzpatrick or Josh Jackson with their first-round selection. And while the team needs a pass rusher, they are desperate for help in the secondary.

The point was made that Fitzpatrick and Jackson both fit the cornerback/safety hybrid mold which the team prefers. I’m told Denzel Ward of Ohio State is the player the Packers truly covet, but short of trading up, the team won’t have a shot at drafting him.

YATittle posted:

I got him in the second. Too early?

 

Maybe not - I'm always trying to find value in the draft - Don't know if he would slip into middle of round 3 where Pack drafts but I was thinking late 2nd (trade down) might happen. Pickup an extra 3rd or 4th.

All depends on where Gutey has his tiers/value set - same thing TT did when he traded down & got Jordy

Pauline has him at #96 to the Bills

Herschel posted:

Grave Digger posted:

Round 1

1. Cleveland Browns: Sam Darnold, QB, USC
2. Denver Broncos (from New York Giants): Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
3. New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts): Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
4. Cleveland Browns (from Houston Texans): Bradley Chubb, DE, NCSU
5. New York Giants (from Denver Broncos): Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn St.
6. Indianapolis Colts (from New York Jets): Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Derwin James, S, Florida St
8. Chicago Bears: Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame
9. Buffalo Bills (from San Francisco 49ers): Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
10. Oakland Raiders: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio St.
11. Miami Dolphins: Vita Vea, DL, Washington
12. San Francisco 49ers (from Buffalo Bills via Cincinnati Bengals): Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia
13. Washington Redskins: Da'Ron Payne, DL, Alabama
14. Green Bay Packers: Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama

Round 2

1. Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado

Round 3

1. Anthony Miller, WR, Memphis

Round 4

1. (from Cleveland Browns): Nick Gates, OL, Nebraska
2. (Compensatory): Hercules Mata'afa, OLB, Washington

Round 5

1. (from Cleveland Browns): Kyle Lauletta , QB, Richmond
2. (Compensatory): Troy Fumagalli, TE, Wisconsin
3. (Compensatory): Wyatt Teller, OL, Virginia Tech

Round 6

1. Shaquem Griffin: OLB, Central Florida
2. (Compensatory): Darrel Williams, RB, LSU

Round 7

1. Khalil Mckenzie: DL, Tennessee
2. (from Buffalo Bills): Leon Jacobs, LB, Wisconsin

My one.....compliant(?) is I think Gutekunst comes out of the draft with a minimum of two corners. I suppose they could sign Breeland also but really think two is the minimum he comes away from draft weekend with, plus a priority UDFA or two. 

That's a good draft...I think you could take a DB where you have a QB selected...with the Cleveland trade, and other backups, a QB is no longer a necessity in this draft....also a little light on edge rushers....Mata'afa may pan out, but he's not top-tier, i.e. rds 1-3.

The thing I keep running in to with mocks is even with all the picks I keep running in to positions I wasn't able to fill as I'd like, especially with higher levels of early playability. 

Grave Digger posted:

Packers covet CB Denzel Ward

People familiar with the situation believe the Green Bay Packers are likely to select either Minkah Fitzpatrick or Josh Jackson with their first-round selection. And while the team needs a pass rusher, they are desperate for help in the secondary.

The point was made that Fitzpatrick and Jackson both fit the cornerback/safety hybrid mold which the team prefers. I’m told Denzel Ward of Ohio State is the player the Packers truly covet, but short of trading up, the team won’t have a shot at drafting him.

I've seen many mocks where Denzel Ward is available at 14.