"Fix Your Special Teams"-mock draft.

[Labrev]

As the title implies, this mock will emphasize ST help, but also address other needs as appropriate.


Round 1a: Chris Olave - WR, tOSU



I try to avoid "fan favorite" picks, but Olave truly is what the doctor ordered for us: polished route-runner/technician with great hands -- and oh, by the way, can stretch the field. I can't think of a better target for Rodgers.

Provided he's there, and someone projected to go higher falls for no good reason, Olave is TJ Watt/Bryan Bulaga-caliber obvious, just a no brainer.


Round 1b: Kenyon Green - T/G, TX A&M



Can an OL pick be sexy? Green has the size/strength to dominate the run, and the feet/mobility to pass-pro well.

It's imperative we solidify OL with Rodgers losing his legs and we transition to more handoffs. LG, RG, and RT are question-marks. Hopefully, Bakh makes a full recovery at LT so Jenkins can slide back to any one of those spots. Green can man one of the other two, and the last starting spot will come down to Runyan or Newman.


Round 2: Jalen Pitre - DB, Baylor



Let the ST improvement commence!

A do-it-all guy who has taken snaps at both S spots and LB, can play that "star" role in our defense, that third safety spot, even LB on pass downs -- an upgrade over Henry Black *and* Oren Burks with the ability to be a standout special-teamer, and potentially a future starting S depending on Amos and Savage's future.


Round 2: Logan Hall - DL/EDGE, Houston



Hall's skill-set will shine with a move outside full-time. His strengths are length, bend, and explosiveness, and while he lacks the anchor to take on IOL double-teams, his size (288 at 6'5) should hold up fine against OTs and TEs. For us, Hall is a rotational EDGE and Rush-DT ala Z.

And yes, Hall even has 'Teams value! He has taken a lot of snaps on the FG unit.


Round 3: Mykael Wright - DB & KR/PR, Oregon.



Wright has been highly productive returning punts and kicks. As a DB, he has great quickness and is a willing run defender despite lack of size. His only knocks are size and he did not test well. He may be slot-only or have to move to S.

We can use a returner, and DB depth with Sullivan gone and Savage hitting FA soon. If all this pick nets us is a KR/PR who can give good CB or S snaps, it will be worth it.


Round 4: Kyren Williams - RB, 'Dame.



Williams has pro-ready blocking skills and is a former receiver who motions into the Slot often, basically a prototype 3DRB and good stand-in for Kylin Hill as the latter rehabs. Guys who can block well also tend to be useful on Special Teams!


Round 4: Romeo Doubs - WR, Nevada



6'2/200 and a true burner downfield. We gamble our 4th-round comp pick on a guy who can be an MVS replacement, and see if that straight-line speed gives us good Gunner play on STs.


Round 5: Dare Rosenthal - OT, Kentucky



We take a little break from our ST-rebuild to get our obligatory mid-round OL. Rosenthal is 6'7/320 with *elite* athleticism, but was a transfer player who needs A LOT of coaching. High-upside developmental pick.

We can afford to be patient for at least a year (maybe up to 3 or 4). If Stenavich can't get it out of him, it can't be done.


Round 6: Noah Burks - EDGE, Wisconsin



Burks has extensive Special Teams experience, namely on punt coverage and FG units. As an EDGE, he is a smart player who will do his job against the run. Not an explosive athlete, but not a limited one either, has decent flexibility and high-effort/motor -- there's a spot for guys like this on the roster and in the EDGE rotation.


Round 7: Allie Green IV - CB, (Tulsa -->)Mizzou



In rounds 6-7, you draft Priority UDFA -- guys who will not seek you out because you're strong at their position, but have tools that your team likes and wants to work with. Green has nice size (6'3/200) and athleticism but is a bit inconsistent and may be a boundary-only CB due to a lack of hip fluidity.

Have him fight for a roster spot as a gunner, and see if coaching makes him playable at CB in a few years when Douglas's contract is up.


Post-draft FA signings: WRs Julio Jones, Will Fuller.

Projected 53 --

QB: Rodgers, Love, Benkert
RB: Jones, Dillon, *Williams
X: **Jones, *Olave
Flex: Lazard, Cobb, Rodgers
Z: **Fuller, Taylor, *Doubs
TE: Lewis, Deguara, Dafney
LT: Bakhtiari, Nijman, Rosenthal
LG: Runyan, Van Lanen
C: Myers, Hanson
RG: Newman
RT: Green, Nijman

EDGE: Gary, Smith, Hall, Garvin, Burks
DT: Lowry, Reed (Rush DT: Hall)
NT: Clark, Lancaster, Slaton
ILB: Campbell, Barnes, Summers (Dime ILB: Pitre)
CB: Jaire, Stokes, Wright
CB: Douglas, King, Nixon... + the better of Green (rookie) or Jean-Charles
FS: Savage, Pitre
SS: Amos, Scott

... oh yeah, I'm lovin' that D roster.

K: Crosby
P: O'Donnel
KR/PR candidates: Thomas, Wright, Williams, Rodgers
LS: TBA


PUP: Hill, t'Onion, Jenkins

[NCF]

Pretty beautiful. I will say if we are able to sign Julio and Fuller post-Draft, just about anything will be beautiful, but I particularly like a lot of these guys. Doubs is a favorite of mine.

[go pak go]

Very beautiful draft!!!

[TheSkeptic]

I fail to understand what is wrong with
Bakh, Runyan, Myers, Newman, Jenkins with Nijman as the swing tackle.

You have not 1 but 2 Olineman in your draft that are going to be bench warmers on O. As for ST, how many Olinemen play on the kickoff or Kick return or punt teams???

The problem on ST is the lack of a kickoff returner and a punt returner and a cold weather kickoff and a cold weather punter. Ideally you draft a return specialist in the 5th or 6th or 7th round and you draft a punter who can kick off also in the 6th or 7th rounds. If you can't, then go the UDFA route. And tell the long snapper to put on 10 pounds or he is history.

[YoHoChecko]

I fail to understand what is wrong with
Bakh, Runyan, Myers, Newman, Jenkins with Nijman as the swing tackle.

You have not 1 but 2 Olineman in your draft that are going to be bench warmers on O. As for ST, how many Olinemen play on the kickoff or Kick return or punt teams???

I think the problem is that Jenkins is injured and if anyone else gets injured we have some mighty questionable players filling in. Cole Van Lanen? Who plays OT if Nijmen or Bakh gets hurt before Jenkins gets healthy? There's no OL depth right now. Addressing it is a good idea--especially later in the draft--even for a group of players otherwise focusing on STs.

I think this is a really nice job of getting ST-friendly players that also fill depth concerns throughout the roster.

And the problems with STs were more than just returns and whatnot. Remember the blocked field goals and the blocked punt that ended our season basically? The shoddy blocking on kick coverage that blew out Hill's knee? The long returns once opponents broke contain? A lot is coaching, but re-stocking the cupboard with players that have teams experience and mentaility is a solid way to organize a mock draft given our recent history.

[Drj820]

I think the problem is that Jenkins is injured and if anyone else gets injured we have some mighty questionable players filling in. Cole Van Lanen? Who plays OT if Nijmen or Bakh gets hurt before Jenkins gets healthy? There's no OL depth right now. Addressing it is a good idea--especially later in the draft--even for a group of players otherwise focusing on STs.

this is why it was pretty mystifying we canned locker room favorite Billy Turner. He was not too expensive to have around in my opinion.

[YoHoChecko]

I think the problem is that Jenkins is injured and if anyone else gets injured we have some mighty questionable players filling in. Cole Van Lanen? Who plays OT if Nijmen or Bakh gets hurt before Jenkins gets healthy? There's no OL depth right now. Addressing it is a good idea--especially later in the draft--even for a group of players otherwise focusing on STs.

this is why it was pretty mystifying we canned locker room favorite Billy Turner. He was not too expensive to have around in my opinion.

I agree 100%.

I was bigtime team "it doesn't make sense to start a solid starting OT to save $3.5M in cap space--especially in light of the fact that Mason Crosby's contract is in tact and Dean Lowry (who admittedly played well last year at a thin position, as well) is still getting paid and on the team. I really really don't get the decision to cut Turner. I didn't feel like we needed to draft an OL higher than the 5th, and then just versatile OG depth. But now I'm like "shoot; I guess I gotta fit in a RT/G backup that could play as a rookie in a pinch"

[go pak go]

I fail to understand what is wrong with
Bakh, Runyan, Myers, Newman, Jenkins with Nijman as the swing tackle.

You have not 1 but 2 Olineman in your draft that are going to be bench warmers on O. As for ST, how many Olinemen play on the kickoff or Kick return or punt teams???

The problem on ST is the lack of a kickoff returner and a punt returner and a cold weather kickoff and a cold weather punter. Ideally you draft a return specialist in the 5th or 6th or 7th round and you draft a punter who can kick off also in the 6th or 7th rounds. If you can't, then go the UDFA route. And tell the long snapper to put on 10 pounds or he is history.

How did we go from "we need to draft a Tackle early and often" last year in your mind to "we don't need no Olinemen" this year when we literally have less Olinemen outside of center than we did last year?

Getting a Swing Guard/Tackle isn't sexy, but I can absolutely see the merit.

[go pak go]

I think the problem is that Jenkins is injured and if anyone else gets injured we have some mighty questionable players filling in. Cole Van Lanen? Who plays OT if Nijmen or Bakh gets hurt before Jenkins gets healthy? There's no OL depth right now. Addressing it is a good idea--especially later in the draft--even for a group of players otherwise focusing on STs.

this is why it was pretty mystifying we canned locker room favorite Billy Turner. He was not too expensive to have around in my opinion.

This is the stuff that makes my blood boil.

Like can't there be conversations with Rodgers saying, "tell you what...make my contract to give me $145 million in the first three years so we can keep Billy"

Blows my mind this stuff doesn't happen.

[Drj820]

I think the problem is that Jenkins is injured and if anyone else gets injured we have some mighty questionable players filling in. Cole Van Lanen? Who plays OT if Nijmen or Bakh gets hurt before Jenkins gets healthy? There's no OL depth right now. Addressing it is a good idea--especially later in the draft--even for a group of players otherwise focusing on STs.

this is why it was pretty mystifying we canned locker room favorite Billy Turner. He was not too expensive to have around in my opinion.

This is the stuff that makes my blood boil.

Like can't there be conversations with Rodgers saying, "tell you what...make my contract to give me $145 million in the first three years so we can keep Billy"

Blows my mind this stuff doesn't happen.

I dont think cutting Billy has much to do with Rodgers contract. We have the money right now to have kept him, and there are other guys to restructure or cut before I would ever look to cut Billy.

But yes, Rodgers could have also prevented it.

[go pak go]

I think the problem is that Jenkins is injured and if anyone else gets injured we have some mighty questionable players filling in. Cole Van Lanen? Who plays OT if Nijmen or Bakh gets hurt before Jenkins gets healthy? There's no OL depth right now. Addressing it is a good idea--especially later in the draft--even for a group of players otherwise focusing on STs.

this is why it was pretty mystifying we canned locker room favorite Billy Turner. He was not too expensive to have around in my opinion.

I agree 100%.

I was bigtime team "it doesn't make sense to start a solid starting OT to save $3.5M in cap space--especially in light of the fact that Mason Crosby's contract is in tact and Dean Lowry (who admittedly played well last year at a thin position, as well) is still getting paid and on the team. I really really don't get the decision to cut Turner. I didn't feel like we needed to draft an OL higher than the 5th, and then just versatile OG depth. But now I'm like "shoot; I guess I gotta fit in a RT/G backup that could play as a rookie in a pinch"

I can understand the disdain for Crosby and being at his money.

I don't understand the hate for Lowry. He was by far our 2nd best Dlineman last year and played really well. If we cut him loose we would have a really shallow group there. Dline is my obsession every year. Don't be taking away any modest depth at that position.

[Drj820]

this is why it was pretty mystifying we canned locker room favorite Billy Turner. He was not too expensive to have around in my opinion.

I agree 100%.

I was bigtime team "it doesn't make sense to start a solid starting OT to save $3.5M in cap space--especially in light of the fact that Mason Crosby's contract is in tact and Dean Lowry (who admittedly played well last year at a thin position, as well) is still getting paid and on the team. I really really don't get the decision to cut Turner. I didn't feel like we needed to draft an OL higher than the 5th, and then just versatile OG depth. But now I'm like "shoot; I guess I gotta fit in a RT/G backup that could play as a rookie in a pinch"

I can understand the disdain for Crosby and being at his money.

I don't understand the hate for Lowry. He was by far our 2nd best Dlineman last year and played really well. If we cut him loose we would have a really shallow group there. Dline is my obsession every year. Don't be taking away any modest depth at that position.

Old man M Lewis cap hit is 4.5m in 2022. I would add him to list of players I would have demanded a contract adjustment from before I canned Billy T

[Crazylegs Starks]

The Packers said Turner failed his last physical. Maybe the team had concerns about his future?

[APB]

The Packers said Turner failed his last physical. Maybe the team had concerns about his future?

He apparently passed Denver's physical. If GB cut him based upon a physical ailment, it obviously wasn't a long term issue.

[Yoop]

The Packers said Turner failed his last physical. Maybe the team had concerns about his future?

Turner after the injury to Jenkins was our highest graded lineman last season.

didn't he just sign with a team?????? if so he must have passed a physical for them, he was cheap enough that if we wanted him we could have worked something out to keep him, obviously they feel Njiman with another off season is up to the task.

I love Kenyon Green, big mauler, will take a Guard spot for the next 10 years, maybe move to a tackle spot eventually, but he will improve our run blocking day 1.

taking another later might be over kill, we have 3 tackle prospects now, Green will make 4.

this is a solid draft, fixing up ST's, offense, and defense.

[paco]

I know everyone is questioning getting rid of Turner. He was good and wouldn't cost a ton. But the decision was made and that's that. Swing tackles are easy enough to find. We keep doing it successfully. We'll probably sign another vet after the draft.

We can argue targeting any OL position in the 1st until the cows come home. We had some back and forth on Green in my mock thread as well as I did the same thing. Odds are, you draft a 1st round OL, he's starting. That means that he's either our starting RT, LG, or RG. That pushes Nijman to the bench/swing tackle, or Newman/Runyan.

Don't think about it in terms of who is hurt now. Gutey sure isn't drafting a 1st round OL to fill a hole for a few weeks or even 1 season.

In any case, I can see an argument for it. Can never have enough quality OL. But I also agree, we are pretty well set with what we have and can find the depth we need later in the draft or in FA.

[Crazylegs Starks]

The Packers said Turner failed his last physical. Maybe the team had concerns about his future?

He apparently passed Denver's physical. If GB cut him based upon a physical ailment, it obviously wasn't a long term issue.

You're most likely correct, but in theory, Turner could have some issue that the Packers don't like and meanwhile the Broncos don't care about it. See Favre's hip circa 1992.

[wallyuwl]

Missing a long snapper that weighs more than 180.

[Yoop]

Missing a long snapper that weighs more than 180.

ohhhh man we'll never find one those guys in the draft, we better spend a couple picks and trade for one

[Yoop]

I know everyone is questioning getting rid of Turner. He was good and wouldn't cost a ton. But the decision was made and that's that. Swing tackles are easy enough to find. We keep doing it successfully. We'll probably sign another vet after the draft.

We can argue targeting any OL position in the 1st until the cows come home. We had some back and forth on Green in my mock thread as well as I did the same thing. Odds are, you draft a 1st round OL, he's starting. That means that he's either our starting RT, LG, or RG. That pushes Nijman to the bench/swing tackle, or Newman/Runyan.

Don't think about it in terms of who is hurt now. Gutey sure isn't drafting a 1st round OL to fill a hole for a few weeks or even 1 season.

In any case, I can see an argument for it. Can never have enough quality OL. But I also agree, we are pretty well set with what we have and can find the depth we need later in the draft or in FA.

I was just thinking how nice it would be to have a couple bull dozier guards like we had with Sitton and Lang, to open some bigger gaps for Dillon and Jones, we really sucked at run blocking last year, true our line even with the injury's ranked middle of the league, but our pass pro got us that grade, run blocking I'd bet we ranked mid 20's, but I'am to tired now to look that up