Official 2020 Draft Thread

When it comes to the "doesn't make any difference where they were drafted" argument I go back to this: There are more First Round draft choices (using today's 32 teams) in the Hall of Fame than all the other rounds + undrafted free agents combined. Of the 130 First Round selections 75 were "top 10" selections!

On the flip side MC......Sharpe and Lofton never played in a Super Bowl.  I just checked the top 25 WR of all time in yards and only 6 of them won rings - Rice, Wayne, Harrison, Holt, Bruce, and Bolden.  And only one played with a QB who is not in the HOF - Bolden was catching passes from Joe Flacco in 2013 but even that is weird, as I'd never consider Bolden a top 25 all-time WR.  

A great WR just does not lead to wins.  A bunch of good WRs combined with a great QB does.  I would never, ever draft a WR in the top 15.  Only WR in the last 20 years who I would have drafted that high was Larry Fitzgerald and that's because his intangibles and leadership dwarf any WR in recent memory.  He's also the only WR I've seen carry his team to playoff wins (playoffs in 2008 were unreal - 30 catches for 546 yards and 7 TDs in 4 games).  

All that said, #30 is actually a good spot to pick a WR if you think he's a sure fire starter.  I'd rather see a more valuable position if the right player falls but our history of picking the late 20's and early 30's is spotty.  I'd rather a sure fire starter at WR than reaching for a lesser player at a more valuable position like OT.  

CU, Lofton played in three super bowls with the Bills. I thought I remember him on his knees praying the Giants field goal was going to be missed back in the day. 

Oops, should have done more research.  Did not realize he was with the Bills those years.  Either way, I think my conclusion still makes sense - you just don't need stars at WR to win.  And in the top 15 of the draft, you're looking for future stars.  

Early choices at WR rarely work. With so many good looking WRs in this draft you have to wait IMO. I think teams are going to pass on WRs early and then when the flood gates hit in round 2 there will be a rush of them chosen.

Wouldn't surprise me if 0 WRs are picked in the 1st 15 choices, maybe the first 20.

If the Niners keep pick 13 & don't trade down, I really think they're selecting a WR.

Ian Rappaport has GB trading up with Seattle to take Notre Dame TE Cole Kmet. I would be disappointed with that pick honestly. I'm sure Kmet will be a good pro and by all accounts he plays hard and has a high football IQ in addition to having good size and RAS, but to me he's a safe pick in the mold of Kyle Rudolph (saw that comparison on Twitter). Would I take Kyle Rudolph in R1 (or trade up for him) seeing how his career played out? No. He's a safe, reliable target with a low ceiling, high floor. He was never Gronk or Kelce, but he put quality work out there for a long time in the pass and run game. Guys like Kittle and Kelce were huge pieces of their teams SB runs, same with Gronk...Rudolph has never been that and never will. So why would I take a player like that in R1? I'd rather gamble on an non-traditional, exciting high ceiling prospect Claypool if we want a TE. 

So Bubba Franks 2.0?

I can see the run on WR's happening later too but there will definitely be at least one picked in the top 20 because there is always a team that falls in love with the top guy.  And there are several teams with more than one RD1 pick so that doubles the odds.  If not SF then MIN definitely needs another WR.

I don’t think they’re Bubba Franks. Kmet and Rudolph move pretty well, they just not movers like Kelce or Kittle. Those guys were not 1st rounders, so your guy better be a guaranteed Kittle to take him R1. 

Grave Digger posted:

Ian Rappaport has GB trading up with Seattle to take Notre Dame TE Cole Kmet. I would be disappointed with that pick honestly. 

That is in the the 3rd round, right ?? 

First round TEs just don't have a great track record in the NFL.  It was discussed constantly on Denver sports radio after they took Noah Fant last year, that you just don't need to draft a TE in the first.  

Dang, just looked it up and it's worse than I thought.  Greg Olsen in 2007 is probably the only pro bowler.  The first round TE list since 2008: Keller, Pettigrew, Gresham, Eifert, Ebron, Howard, Engram, Njoku, Hurst, Fant and Hockenson.  

NFL teams are really working the media this year. Seems like a TON of disagreement from major draft commentators on prospects, I'm guessing based on what they're hearing from their NFL contacts. I keep seeing a recurring comment from a variety of media guys that says the media is WAAAAY off this year on their mock drafts and prospects who will go in R1. This is going to be a wild year. I think we need to take everything we think about some guys and just forget it...if GB jumps up 5 spots in R1 and takes a guy like TCU CB Jeff Gladney or stands pat and takes Wyoming LB Logan Wilson it's probably because the internet draft group think was completely out of wack on their evals.

There are a few things I know though that might point to a GB pick: Gute loves to jump around, their team needs are obvious, they haven't signed a CB yet despite the need meaning they're waiting to see what they will get, they haven't signed a DL yet despite the need, and they've done a ton of research on OT's it seems. I think, in terms of R1, those are the 3 positions they will be focused on and move to grab someone they want. R2 is where the WR comes IMO, that's a classic Ted/Wolf move.

Interesting read from our pal Mike Wadney...yeah, he's a tool but he is often correct in his assessments (and will not be shy about letting you know when he is)

https://packersnotes.com/2020/...her-will-be-a-steal/

Michigan WR Donovan Peoples-Jones destined for the Green Bay Packers

“As a rookie I think he immediately upgrades the punt return game,” Westendorf said. “I didn’t talk about that earlier, but that’s something that Peoples-Jones was very good at in college. It really gives you a glimpse into what he could be with the ball in his hands as well. With all due respect to Tyler Ervin, he was a scrap heap pickup who is easily upgradeable. As a receiver it might take some time but he did do some nice things at Michigan on some of those forced touch type plays. Jet Sweeps, Bubble screens etc. He could grow into a more nuanced route runner as the season progresses, but I think his impact as a year one player would be a smaller one than what I think some fans are hoping for. Long-term, he’s a boom or bust player. He has all the tools and the athleticism to become a wide receiver one.”

He certainly would seem to be a boom/bust prospect. I could see it easily going south if his work ethic and football IQ aren't up to Rodgers standards. On the flip side we could get a monster steal in R3 if he improves the nuance in his game.

Chongo posted:

Interesting read from our pal Mike Wadney...yeah, he's a tool but he is often correct in his assessments (and will not be shy about letting you know when he is)

I followed him on the twit last season and yeah, he's a lot more negative than positive but also pretty accurate with the negative.  I keep wanting to tell him to quit pissing and moaning about every move and try to balance his takes but he usually ends up having a point.  Not that he doesn't miss sometimes but everybody does.  I'll keep reading his takes with much of my own chagrin.

bvan posted:

https://www.google.com/search?...=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Maybe PackerHawk can fill us in.

Physical freak of nature that made a lot of impact plays the last two years. Draft "experts" have him dropping because of his bad combine showing but that's why they are draft experts and not NFL employees. I don't think he'll be there at 30. 

Boom or bust player won't fly with Rodgers, first mistake he makes, Rodgers will be forcing the ball to someone else or taking a sack.

Rodgers can GFH and play within the system.  It's a team sport. 

If we're on the same wave length he's a D end...

I think Tackles will go higher than people are mocking. 

Im also just and idiot fan

Grave Digger posted:

Michigan WR Donovan Peoples-Jones destined for the Green Bay Packers

“As a rookie I think he immediately upgrades the punt return game,” Westendorf said. “I didn’t talk about that earlier, but that’s something that Peoples-Jones was very good at in college. It really gives you a glimpse into what he could be with the ball in his hands as well. With all due respect to Tyler Ervin, he was a scrap heap pickup who is easily upgradeable. As a receiver it might take some time but he did do some nice things at Michigan on some of those forced touch type plays. Jet Sweeps, Bubble screens etc. He could grow into a more nuanced route runner as the season progresses, but I think his impact as a year one player would be a smaller one than what I think some fans are hoping for. Long-term, he’s a boom or bust player. He has all the tools and the athleticism to become a wide receiver one.”

He certainly would seem to be a boom/bust prospect. I could see it easily going south if his work ethic and football IQ aren't up to Rodgers standards. On the flip side we could get a monster steal in R3 if he improves the nuance in his game.

PFF rates him in the 5th round. CHTV has him as their #11, behind Hamler, which places him anywhere from 2-4. As their primary draft pick at WR, I would be disappointed. IMO, he should have stayed for his senior year, where he could have been a top pick in next years' draft.

He has talent, but with guys like ESB and MVS already on the roster, he may be redundant.

The more I look at this draft the more I don't want a WR in R1.  

I think if they wait until R3 and drafted any of the kind of boom/bust player at WR like DPJ or Hamler or Gandy then it likely means they’re going to 1) pursue a veteran and/or 2) have already drafted a move TE to be a key piece. 

My latest version on Fanspeak.  I've geeked out and completed dozens of mocks - this is likely my favorite one I've done.

30: R1P30 LB PATRICK QUEEN LSU

62: R2P30 DL AJ EPENESA IOWA

94: R3P30 WR DEVIN DUVERNAY TEXAS

136: R4P30 C TYLER BIADASZ WISCONSIN

175: R5P29 OT JACK DRISCOLL AUBURN

192: R6P13 CB LAMAR JACKSON NEBRASKA

208: R6P29 LB DAVION TAYLOR COLORADO

209: R6P30 TE CHARLIE TAUMOEPEAU PORTLAND STATE

236: R7P22 S JOSH METELLUS MICHIGAN

242: R7P28 G YASIR DURANT MISSOURI

Now that the Bucs have signed Gronk,  I have a friend who insists the Packers need to trade for O J Howard.  He thinks they could get him for a 4th rounder.  Anybody else thinks that makes sense? 

I like OJ Howard for a 4th

Koopla Krash posted:

My latest version on Fanspeak.  I've geeked out and completed dozens of mocks - this is likely my favorite one I've done.

30: R1P30 LB PATRICK QUEEN LSU

62: R2P30 DL AJ EPENESA IOWA

94: R3P30 WR DEVIN DUVERNAY TEXAS

136: R4P30 C TYLER BIADASZ WISCONSIN

175: R5P29 OT JACK DRISCOLL AUBURN

192: R6P13 CB LAMAR JACKSON NEBRASKA

208: R6P29 LB DAVION TAYLOR COLORADO

209: R6P30 TE CHARLIE TAUMOEPEAU PORTLAND STATE

236: R7P22 S JOSH METELLUS MICHIGAN

242: R7P28 G YASIR DURANT MISSOURI

That's a pretty good draft.

El-Ka-Bong posted:

I think Tackles will go higher than people are mocking. 

Im also just and idiot fan

Only casually paying attention but it seems like the mocks I see scrolling on espn lately have more big guys going top 20 than I've seen before.   Almost all OL and DL.

Koopla Krash posted:

My latest version on Fanspeak.  I've geeked out and completed dozens of mocks - this is likely my favorite one I've done.

30: R1P30 LB PATRICK QUEEN LSU

62: R2P30 DL AJ EPENESA IOWA

94: R3P30 WR DEVIN DUVERNAY TEXAS

136: R4P30 C TYLER BIADASZ WISCONSIN

175: R5P29 OT JACK DRISCOLL AUBURN

192: R6P13 CB LAMAR JACKSON NEBRASKA

208: R6P29 LB DAVION TAYLOR COLORADO

209: R6P30 TE CHARLIE TAUMOEPEAU PORTLAND STATE

236: R7P22 S JOSH METELLUS MICHIGAN

242: R7P28 G YASIR DURANT MISSOURI

That’s a REALLY good draft. 

Just a bit of forewarning for the people that take this shit WAY too seriously...

At some point over the next 3 days the Packers will takes someone you have never heard of, and didn't make any "draft experts" list.

Resist the temptation to be all ass-mad about it.

as long as we don't draft Rashan Gary

Good article on the offensive tackles...

https://thedraftnetwork.com/ar...ilson-nfl-draft-2020

Did Fanspeak for the first time.  Could I call this one in and we can skip all the rest?

@Boris posted:

If the Niners keep pick 13 & don't trade down, I really think they're selecting a WR.

I think their taking a DL/DB or OT at that spot. Staley is going to be 36 years old when the season starts.

https://www.startribune.com/nf...un-begins/569848402/

30. PACKERS

TEE HIGGINS, WR, CLEMSON

Is the guy who tied Sammy Watkins and DeAndre Hopkins for most touchdown catches in school history (27) fast enough to take the next step?

------------------

I'd be thrilled

@Boris posted:

https://www.startribune.com/nf...un-begins/569848402/

30. PACKERS

TEE HIGGINS, WR, CLEMSON

Is the guy who tied Sammy Watkins and DeAndre Hopkins for most touchdown catches in school history (27) fast enough to take the next step?

------------------

I'd be thrilled

I wouldn't. I think he's more MVS than anything else. Too weak. Playing with TD Jesus has helped him.

@AtTheMurph posted:

30: OT EZRA CLEVELAND BOISE STATE

 

62: LB PATRICK QUEEN LSU

 

94: TE COLE KMET NOTRE DAME

 

136:C CESAR RUIZ MICHIGAN

 

175: WR DENZEL MIMS  BAYLOR

 

192: DL DAVON HAMILTON OHIO STATE

 

208: WR TYLER VAUGHNS USC

 

209: WR RICO BUSSEY JR. NORTH TEXAS

 

236: LB LOGAN WILSON WYOMING

 

242: WR JAMES PROCHE SMU

Is this meant to be serious?

Last time through, I got Isiah Simmons in the 5th round

(Note I did not)