speaking of LBs, here's Cedric Gray ILB6
STRENGTHS: Solidly built for the position with proportionate arm length … above-average speed to run down ball carriers to the sideline … keys quickly and is always around the ball … able to scrape laterally and get downhill, flashing short-area burst into gaps … outstanding tackle production … strong tackler when he properly breaks down and uses his power to finish … terrific awareness and reaction quickness in zone coverage … responsible for 11 forced tur novers (six forced fumbles, five interceptions) over the last three seasons … was a multiyear team captain in high school (three ye ars) and college (two years) … passionate competitor (UNC defensive coordinator and LB coach Tommy Thigpen: “Ced is an alpha male who loves football. Crazy aggressive with a huge foot ball IQ.”) … experienced on special teams (587 career snaps) … durable — his 2023 bowl opt-out was the first missed game of his career.
WEAKNESSES: Mediocre play strength and needs to develop his bulk … struggles to shed once he locks horns with blockers … shaky engagement timing and more likely to use his shoulder than his hands to take on blockers … can be fooled when his sightlines are muddied and doesn’t have the recovery speed to easily make up ground after a misstep … his senior tape had more missed tackles than his junior tape, mostly on the move … can be outpaced o n wheels and seam routes when asked to match routes in man coverage.
SUMMARY: A three-year starter at North Carolina, Gray lined up at Will linebacker in assistant head coach for defense Gene Chizik’s 4 -2-5 base scheme. Known more for his offense in high school, he established himself as one of the most productive defensive players in college football with 100-plus tackles in each of the last three seasons. With his lateral agility and pursuit skills, Gray has terrific playing range to the perimeter and acceleration downh ill. He was a tackling machine at UNC (only Power 5 player to average double-digit tackles per game in both 2022 and 2023), but he lacks functional take -on strength and too often finds himself stuck and swallowed. Overall, Gray might not be exceptional in any one area, but he is equal parts athletic and aggressive and is always in the vicinity of the football. He projects as a rotational NFL linebacker and special teamer who will compete for starting reps as a rookie
ILB3 Trevin Wallace from Dane Brugler
STRENGTHS: Good-looking athlete with solid mass … quick to unlock his hips and reach top speed quickly, helping him make stops at either side line … twitch in his strides helps him make up lost ground in a hurry … smooth body movements, with the foot quickness to slip through gaps or stay ahead of blocks … physical run filler to step down and bang with linemen 100 pounds heavier than him … chase skills translate as a blitzer (third on the team in pressures in 2023) … has the athleticism to stay on the field in subpackages … range extends to coverage, where he can carry tight ends down the seam … should help on special teams from Day 1 (logged 412 special-teams snaps in three seasons at Kentucky) … named a team captain in 2023.
WEAKNESSES: Too reactive and needs to play with better anticipation … attacks before diagnosing and gets caught freelancing … doesn’t consistently play through blockers with his eyes … his take-on punch lacks urgency for explosive sheds … frequently overaggressive with his tackling angles, making it easy for cutback runners to give him the slip … when he was targeted in coverage, the pass catcher almost always came down with the ball … struggles to find the football and challenge throws at the catch point (only one career pass breakup) … missed one game in each of his three seasons at Kentucky because of minor injuries.
SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Kentucky, Wallace played Will linebacker in defensive coordinator Brad White’s 4 -2-5 base scheme. The top-ranked recruit in the Wildcats’ 2021 class, he made steady strides each of the last three seasons and ranked top 10 in the SEC with 6.7 tackles per game in 2023. A balanced athlete in space, Wallace has the speed to pursue plays all over the field and is one of the best linebackers in this class at mirroring backs to the sideline when plays flow wide.
Though not super instinctive versus the run or pass, he follows basic keys to the spot and has the athletic range to stay on the field on third down. Overall, Wallace has an attractive collection of traits for today’s NFL, however, the parts are better than the whole at this point and pro coaching will need to get him across the finish line. With more seasoning, he has the talent to compete for starting reps.
GRADE: 3rd Round - No. 86 overall
@mrtundra posted:Ron Wolf used to say that a team should always draft a QB. I wonder if the Packers take a pass, on either Penix or Nix, if they are available? Nobody does Draft and Develop better than the Packers.
I don't think they will draft a QB that early, unless the value is overwhelming. I would hope someone would want to trade some picks to move up....there's other guys later on we can develop. I like Milton or Travis, or even Wisconsin's QB, Tanner Mordecai. We can probably get him in the 7th, or even as a UDFA.
I think Penix is going to be a project. He's a bit like Josh Allen, but not as good. Penix is too inconsistent, which was also an Allen trait. He was also hurt a bit with his style of play, and he really did not show well in that bowl game. Penix has a fairly high floor, but I think the ceiling isn't as high as it is on some other guys.
Being left-handed also makes him not a fit for every team.
Time for Gutey to pay back the offense. JUst go all offense in the 1st 4 rounds. For years they go defense, defense, defense and it never worked because of poor coaching. Built an offense so powerful, no defense will be able to stop them. Draft the WR from LSU, (not Nabors) get two or 3 offensive linemen, get a couple of running backs and score 60 pts a game. Who cares what the defense does.
@Chongo posted:Being left-handed also makes him not a fit for every team.
Exactly! There would be a huge in-game adjustment for receivers. In an open air stadium like Lambeau where the winds are fickle for kickers, those same winds would be tough for receivers adjusting from righty QB to lefty. Same is true in baseball ... lefties are simply different.
Or you could just draft a couple of left-handed receivers too.
I stand by my belief in him. Prettiest ball since Warren Moon. He's gonna light it up by year 3 somewhere.
@Chongo posted:Being left-handed also makes him not a fit for every team.
Bet he has no problem wiping his ass left-handed.
@PackLandVA posted:Bet he has no problem wiping his ass left-handed.
5. Do not use your left hand too often
Using your left hand for certain activities in Saudi Arabia is considered impolite. This is because the left hand is believed to be unclean as it is primarily used for toileting. As a result, it's best to avoid using your left hand for activities such as eating, shaking hands, or giving and receiving objects.
To make sure that you don't offend anyone in one way or another, it's important to be mindful of this unwritten cultural norm during your trip to Saudi Arabia. Consider bringing a handkerchief or tissue to show more respect when eating or exchanging objects.
Also where you have to squat over a hole in the floor to go #2.
I just check in here for international etiquette tips.
Timesfour. The international traveler's guide.
Only one O-lineman, and in the 6th round?
That's called the JETS approach. Overwhelm the opponent with big names at skilled positions.
McHonkey = Ricky (the dragon) Pearsall
Would they really take Trotter before round 5 or 6? I liked him in college, but he seems to struggle to carry 220# and doesn’t appear to meet any agility benchmarks, though he’s straight-line fast.
Love and the current WR room are in sync. No improvements needed. Just time to watch and cheer.
@Iowacheese posted:I sense a pattern with the favorites you have.
A) My people are from Wisconsin
B) Since the "departure" of a poster who shall not be named, there is a pro-whiteness void that needs filling.
@WesHod: #Packers GM Brian Gutekunst will hold his pre-draft news conference next Monday at 10 a.m. CT in the Lambeau Field Media Auditorium.
I'll save you the watch...
"We're open to all scenarios. We believe in our board. We will let the board come to us. If we can get a player that makes a difference, and we can move up, we will. I am not opposed to moving down and adding more picks."
There's a number of folks talking about how well two of the safety prospects have been in interviews, Javon Bullard and Dadrian (Rabbit) Taylor-Demerson. Rabbit was already on my favorites list and Bullard has been around it too, but they're both around Savage size (5'10" and change, just under 200#). Neither are afraid to tackle, though, and both can cover some receivers in isolation.
Everything you see/hear about Taylor-Demerson seems to talk about his field leadership, communication and football intelligence. However, he did turn 23 in January. With so many older prospects this year, how flexible will Gutekunst have to be on age?
That being said, I can also entertain an argument that a bit older and more experienced prospect might be a good thing at certain positions (green dot linebacker/safety, for example). Gutekunst has said they want their safeties to be interchangeable, still.
Jaden Hicks, for example, is younger, bigger and fits the pure box safety mold, but there are serious questions about if he can hold up in man coverage. Cole Bishop is more of a "happy medium", but his coverage skills aren't in the same level as Rabbit or Bullard.
Our X4 draft expert Chongoe says if he aint white he aint right for the GBP
To be fair, with a draft class of Van Ness, Musgrave, Kraft, Clifford and Carlson you'd have guessed Gutey's predraft meals were at Cracker Barrell.
Nominate him to Antonio Brown for Cracker of the Day award.
Every Crackers dream #CTESPN https://t.co/nsK9BmR9WA
— AB (@AB84) April 16, 2024
@Iowacheese posted:Our X4 draft expert Chongoe says if he aint white he aint right for the GBP
I need to watch more CNNe
@Chongo posted:Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Duh-vante disagree!
Sorry I wasn't more clear.
Drafting WRs in rounds 2- 4 is spectacularly awesome and the definitely the way to go. But the Packers already did that.
So Watson, Reed, Doubs, Wicks, Melton, Musgrave, Kraft, Heath and others are all available to say hello back to Jordy and the crew. GB also has Grant DuBose as a developmental guy.
The Packers have 2 rooms full of pass catchers and the one thing they all need is more reps. Can't imagine why GB would take reps away from these ascending players for a new guy who doesn't know the offense yet.
I'll also note the MLF-Packers play more 12, 13, 21 personnel than in years' past - - and that means only 2 WRs on the field for about 30 % of the snaps.
That's why I struggle with spending a top pick on WR for the 2024 Packers.
A 5 -7th , no problem. 
Next year ? Probably a different story
A fun story....
Back when the great TT was "our" GM. He always had a player that he moved down the board a bit. To kind of "stash" him from everyone.
2008 draft....Gutey (a scout at that time) and the other scouts always had a fun game they would play to guess which guy Ted had "stashed" on the board!
In 2008....Gutey guessed Jordy Nelson.....and he's really proud that he nailed it.
@Chongo posted:I need to watch more CNNe
Just Moot the TV and read it.