2024 Draft Discussion

[Papa John]

The little I have read about DeJean reminds me of Jabril Peppers' pre-draft scouting report. I was never a Jabril Peppers fan and he has had an underwhelming NFL career when accounting for his draft position.

Now somebody tell me why this guy is not Jabril Peppers.

[Pckfn23]

This is in response to comments made in this and other threads.

Most here seem convinced Bahktiari is gone next year. I'm not sold.

I don't know the details of his latest procedure but it sounded like his doctors, and Bahk himself, were pretty confident they had resolved the issue. If he shows he is indeed past his issue(s) this off-season and back to form (and is willing to do a simple restructure to his contract), then it's entirely possible he is back in at LT.

His cap hit is $8.5M MORE than the next highest tackle. it would be pretty crazy to keep him at that number and I don't think extension should be on the table.

[wallyuwl]

This is in response to comments made in this and other threads.

Most here seem convinced Bahktiari is gone next year. I'm not sold.

I don't know the details of his latest procedure but it sounded like his doctors, and Bahk himself, were pretty confident they had resolved the issue. If he shows he is indeed past his issue(s) this off-season and back to form (and is willing to do a simple restructure to his contract), then it's entirely possible he is back in at LT.

His cap hit is $8.5M MORE than the next highest tackle. it would be pretty crazy to keep him at that number and I don't think extension should be on the table.

This. Plus, how many times have we heard the latest surgery or cleanup resolved the issue? At least two other times, and those are just what I can remember.

[lupedafiasco]

The little I have read about DeJean reminds me of Jabril Peppers' pre-draft scouting report. I was never a Jabril Peppers fan and he has had an underwhelming NFL career when accounting for his draft position.

Now somebody tell me why this guy is not Jabril Peppers.

This is actually a great comparison.

[Labrev]

I mean if Bakhtiari is willing to flush his current contract down the toilet and give us a sweetheart deal, then I'm all for it.

[lupedafiasco]

I mean if Bakhtiari is willing to flush his current contract down the toilet and give us a sweetheart deal, then I'm all for it.

He’s a guy who always talks about his money and maximizing his earnings. I highly doubt it.

[NCF]

The little I have read about DeJean reminds me of Jabril Peppers' pre-draft scouting report. I was never a Jabril Peppers fan and he has had an underwhelming NFL career when accounting for his draft position.

Now somebody tell me why this guy is not Jabril Peppers.

This is actually a great comparison.

Great guy to have. Super valuable if you play them right. Very tough to get 1st round value out of that skill set.

[lupedafiasco]

The little I have read about DeJean reminds me of Jabril Peppers' pre-draft scouting report. I was never a Jabril Peppers fan and he has had an underwhelming NFL career when accounting for his draft position.

Now somebody tell me why this guy is not Jabril Peppers.

This is actually a great comparison.

Great guy to have. Super valuable if you play them right. Very tough to get 1st round value out of that skill set.

Agreed it’s tough to make it work. It’s a guy you can stick at nickel but doesn’t cover as well as a nickel. Or a guy you can play as a LB but doesn’t tackle or stack up the run as well as a LB. Or a S but he doesn’t quite do the previous two things well enough to fit there either.

[APB]

This is in response to comments made in this and other threads.

Most here seem convinced Bahktiari is gone next year. I'm not sold.

I don't know the details of his latest procedure but it sounded like his doctors, and Bahk himself, were pretty confident they had resolved the issue. If he shows he is indeed past his issue(s) this off-season and back to form (and is willing to do a simple restructure to his contract), then it's entirely possible he is back in at LT.

His cap hit is $8.5M MORE than the next highest tackle. it would be pretty crazy to keep him at that number and I don't think extension should be on the table.

And yet the Packers are still in a manageable spot, cap wise.

I also wouldn’t rule out a 1-2 year extension, assuming his knee checks out. He’s only 32 years old which is still prime for OT.

[Labrev]

We also must not forget that Bakh's attitude is stinky and it makes him a cancer to the team.

[APB]

We also must not forget that Bakh's attitude is stinky and it makes him a cancer to the team.

Ah yes. I had forgotten he's a cancer and detriment to locker room cohesion.

[musclestang]

I don't think Bakh has been anything but a top notch player and teammate his entire career. I think some like to interpret his honest comments a certain way, but I didn't seem to find them to be anything other than a pretty straight forward and honest assessment of the reality this team found itself in.

and even with a knee that was less than 100% he still looked like one of the best OT's in the league with almost no practice. it's a crap situation for the player and the team and it's nobody's fault. If the man can play, i'm happy to have him. I'm not sure he can or we can risk it or should risk it I should say. and I don't think he has any trade value left. Reality is, he's probably just a cut. I don't like it, i bet the team doesn't like it, and I don't think Bakh likes it either.

[lupedafiasco]

You can dump the 23rd highest paid non QB in the league right now. Bak was a great player but we are about to come up on his 3rd season off an injury with no guarantee he can stay on the field. Every one of these surgeries hes had "The doctors finally figured it out." At this point you just need to move on. You have a competent OT duo in Walker and Tom and this is a strong OT class and Bak just cant be trusted.

I loved what Nagler had to say recently. He said Gutenbumst needs to be ruthless this offseason. That means not bringing back underachievers (mistakes made in the past resigning King/Lewis) like all of these safeties and Dillon. That means moving on from bad contracts (mistakes made in the past like pushing money on Dean Lowry/Billy Turder) and getting rid of Campbell and Bak.

Clean up the cap once and for all. Be extremely competitive next year with another large rookie class but come out incredibly strong in 2025 with a healthy cap and keep our developed assets.

[TheSkeptic]

I don't think Bakh has been anything but a top notch player and teammate his entire career. I think some like to interpret his honest comments a certain way, but I didn't seem to find them to be anything other than a pretty straight forward and honest assessment of the reality this team found itself in.

and even with a knee that was less than 100% he still looked like one of the best OT's in the league with almost no practice. it's a crap situation for the player and the team and it's nobody's fault. If the man can play, i'm happy to have him. I'm not sure he can or we can risk it or should risk it I should say. and I don't think he has any trade value left. Reality is, he's probably just a cut. I don't like it, i bet the team doesn't like it, and I don't think Bakh likes it either.

We just don't know if Bakh can still play a full season. But we should know in a few weeks based upon whether the Packers cut him or not.

I also agree with you that honesty is a rare and valuable thing. I do not believe in censoring Bakh or Alexander or Rasul or anyone else.

[YoHoChecko]

[YoHoChecko]

Powers-Johnson is my biggest early draft crush for like 40ish

[quote]Biggest takeaway of Tuesday's early practice
The offensive line prospects in this class are really, really good. Oregon State offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga had a dominant performance in the first practice. In fact, it was as good of a first practice as I can recall seeing at the Senior Bowl. Fuaga easily handled the speed and edge-rushing ability of UCLA’s Laiatu Latu and consistently displayed power in one-on-one drills.

He wasn’t alone, though. Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson was a bully in the run game, using his 334 pounds to flatten defenders both at the line of scrimmage and in space. Kansas’ Dominick Puni and Florida’s Kingsley Eguakun also impressed, and the biggest takeaway from the first two hours of Senior Bowl practice is that the National roster's offensive line is stacked with talent. -- Miller

Top riser of Tuesday's early practice

I have Michigan receiver Roman Wilson as my top riser of the morning. He was simply unguardable during the first day of practice. His success during the one-on-one session carried over into the 11-on-11 team portion, and he looked great racing past the defense to catch a deep route from Notre Dame quarterback Sam Hartman. Wilson served a limited role in Michigan's run-heavy offense, but he was able to show what’s he’s capable of as a route runner on Tuesday, and showed strong hands as well. Wilson -- who caught 12 touchdown passes this season -- is already a major stock-up candidate; I had him projected for Round 4, but he could enter Day 2 conversations. -- Reid

[NCF]

[lupedafiasco]

Powers-Johnson is my biggest early draft crush for like 40ish

Biggest takeaway of Tuesday's early practice
The offensive line prospects in this class are really, really good. Oregon State offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga had a dominant performance in the first practice. In fact, it was as good of a first practice as I can recall seeing at the Senior Bowl. Fuaga easily handled the speed and edge-rushing ability of UCLA’s Laiatu Latu and consistently displayed power in one-on-one drills.

He wasn’t alone, though. Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson was a bully in the run game, using his 334 pounds to flatten defenders both at the line of scrimmage and in space. Kansas’ Dominick Puni and Florida’s Kingsley Eguakun also impressed, and the biggest takeaway from the first two hours of Senior Bowl practice is that the National roster's offensive line is stacked with talent. -- Miller

Top riser of Tuesday's early practice

I have Michigan receiver Roman Wilson as my top riser of the morning. He was simply unguardable during the first day of practice. His success during the one-on-one session carried over into the 11-on-11 team portion, and he looked great racing past the defense to catch a deep route from Notre Dame quarterback Sam Hartman. Wilson served a limited role in Michigan's run-heavy offense, but he was able to show what’s he’s capable of as a route runner on Tuesday, and showed strong hands as well. Wilson -- who caught 12 touchdown passes this season -- is already a major stock-up candidate; I had him projected for Round 4, but he could enter Day 2 conversations. -- Reid

I want him badly. I’m hoping we can find a partner to trade down with out of the first and go Nubin and Powers-Johnson.

[go pak go]

Powers-Johnson is my biggest early draft crush for like 40ish

Biggest takeaway of Tuesday's early practice
The offensive line prospects in this class are really, really good. Oregon State offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga had a dominant performance in the first practice. In fact, it was as good of a first practice as I can recall seeing at the Senior Bowl. Fuaga easily handled the speed and edge-rushing ability of UCLA’s Laiatu Latu and consistently displayed power in one-on-one drills.

He wasn’t alone, though. Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson was a bully in the run game, using his 334 pounds to flatten defenders both at the line of scrimmage and in space. Kansas’ Dominick Puni and Florida’s Kingsley Eguakun also impressed, and the biggest takeaway from the first two hours of Senior Bowl practice is that the National roster's offensive line is stacked with talent. -- Miller

Top riser of Tuesday's early practice

I have Michigan receiver Roman Wilson as my top riser of the morning. He was simply unguardable during the first day of practice. His success during the one-on-one session carried over into the 11-on-11 team portion, and he looked great racing past the defense to catch a deep route from Notre Dame quarterback Sam Hartman. Wilson served a limited role in Michigan's run-heavy offense, but he was able to show what’s he’s capable of as a route runner on Tuesday, and showed strong hands as well. Wilson -- who caught 12 touchdown passes this season -- is already a major stock-up candidate; I had him projected for Round 4, but he could enter Day 2 conversations. -- Reid

Roman Wilson was a guy I was eying if he indeed was a Day 3 guy. Thought his value was fantastic when I was doing mock drafts. I am not going to spend a day 2 pick on him though.

As for Powers Johnson, he is an intruiging Day 2 guy for me as is Michigan's Center (Day 3 guy)

[wallyuwl]

Is that really a big deal? Like, are these walkthroughs? Because that is not out of this world fast for CB and WR in shorts.