Packers Huddle

Mel Kiper Jr. - Tee Higgins

If the Packers want to get over the hump in the final stage of Aaron Rodgers’ career, they’re going to have to give him better targets outside of Davante Adams. Adding Devin Funchess isn’t going to cut it. At 6-foot-3, Higgins is a big target who gobbled up touchdowns in college (his 27 tied for most in school history with Sammy Watkins and DeAndre Hopkins). He could take some of Jimmy Graham’s red zone targets.

Daniel Jeremiah - Jordan Love

It’s tough to find the right spot for Love. He could go in the top 10 or fall to this neighborhood of the draft. The Packers would be a great fit for him to sit, learn and develop.

Peter King - Michael Pittman

Professional receiver. Most have him in the second round. But the Packers don’t pick again till 62, and they see a solid but unspectacular disciplined route-runner and competitive 50-50-ball player.

Peter Schrager - Jordyn Brooks

Lightning-fast linebacker who fought through a shoulder injury to run at the combine for scouts (posting a 4.54 40). Blake Martinez is no longer in Green Bay, so here’s his replacement. This class’ immense WR depth allows the Packers to address that need later on.

Dan Kadar - Brandon Aiyuk

There could be options like Denzel Mims of Baylor and Tee Higgins of Clemson available for the Packers, but they already have big receivers like them (Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Equanimeous St. Brown). Aiyuk would give them a receiver who can vary his routes, work the underneath game, and get deep.

Ryan Wilson - Denzel Mims

Mims had a strong season for Baylor, balled out at the Senior Bowl, and then set the combine on fire with his performance there. He’s still raw but he’s the type of playmaker that could quickly grow into an Aaron Rodgers-led offense.

Vinnie Iyer - Josh Jones

The Packers lost right tackle Bryan Bulaga in free agency and Rick Wagner is a shaky replacement, while David Bakhtiari will be a 29-year-old free agent in 2021. Jones has terrific athleticism for his size (6-5, 319 pounds) and can support with his toughness and relentless blocking. He is a bit raw, however, as his handwork and footwork both could use refinement to maximize his natural skills.

Chad Reuter - Jaylon Johnson

Once again, the Packers trade up to grab a starter in the secondary, just as they did last year to secure safety Darnell Savage. The team’s cornerback group could use more depth, so Johnson — and his ability in press coverage — would be a welcome addition to this unit.

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Steve Palazzolo - AJ Epenesa

While Epenesa doesn’t have the bend and explosiveness of elite edge rushers, he’s similar to the Detroit Lions’ Trey Flowers in that he wins with power, length and excellent hand usage. He can handle duties on the inside as well, bringing a versatile piece to Green Bay’s defensive front. Epenesa finished with a strong 87.8 pass-rush grade last season after a 90.4 mark in 2018.

Jones is best case scenario and Mims, I could dig it.

Outside of that, Jordan Love might be the best value I see, so I would hope to God they would be able to trade down.

Please let Kadar be right!

Steve Palazzolo needs more coffee, ate to many meat balls, or simply guzzle'd the whole bottle of cooking sherry, we need another edge rusher like we need to groom a QB for 4 years, one thing for sure all these prognosticators have much better sources then I to get there gongy from

like I always say, your really taking a gamble drafting DT, OL, and edge rushers at the end of round 1, between say slot 25 to slot 35 it's a grave yard full of busts imo, buyer beware.

My thoughts on who we take with our first pick:

Wide Receiver:
Tee Higgins
Brandon Aiyuk
Jalen Reagor
Laviska Shenault
Denzel Mims

Offensive Tackle:
Andrew Thomas
Josh Jones
Austin Jackson

Inside Linebacker:
Kenneth Murray
Patrick Queen

I would say our pick comes out of those 10 guys.

Yoop wrote: ↑

21 Apr 2020 09:39

Steve Palazzolo needs more coffee, ate to many meat balls, or simply guzzle'd the whole bottle of cooking sherry, we need another edge rusher like we need to groom a QB for 4 years, one thing for sure all these prognosticators have much better sources then I to get there gongy from

like I always say, your really taking a gamble drafting DT, OL, and edge rushers at the end of round 1, between say slot 25 to slot 35 it's a grave yard full of busts imo, buyer beware.

We got Clay Matthews and Kenny Clark in that area.

I still like what Gary can bring to the team, getting starter level snaps, he just needs to be good at football, discussion for another, drifting away from that topic, but I am pretty much 100% with you this year. No edge or QB in the first. I would add RB to that as well and TE with literally no first round quality TE's. But WR, OL, DL, LB, CB, Safety, you could all justify.

BF004 wrote: ↑

21 Apr 2020 09:43

I would add RB to that as well and TE with literally no first round quality TE's.

What if we get back to Claypool as a "TE"? I think he's going to be good if a team is creative with him. I don't think it will be the Packers and I personally think 30 is too high, but it wouldn't surprise me if he sneaks into the bottom of Round 1.

Fun exercise. Here are all the OL, DL, and Edge rushers drafted 25-35 since 1982:
http://pfref.com/tiny/4jND4

Not sure I could classify this area of the draft as having a higher bust potential for those positions than anywhere else in the draft.

NCF wrote: ↑

21 Apr 2020 09:48

BF004 wrote: ↑

21 Apr 2020 09:43

I would add RB to that as well and TE with literally no first round quality TE's.

What if we get back to Claypool as a "TE"? I think he's going to be good if a team is creative with him. I don't think it will be the Packers and I personally think 30 is too high, but it wouldn't surprise me if he sneaks into the bottom of Round 1.

Yeah, even if he is a TE, shouldn't be going round 1. Guy is a better athlete than football player, not that he is bad, but just an incredible athlete.

NCF wrote: ↑

21 Apr 2020 09:48

BF004 wrote: ↑

21 Apr 2020 09:43

I would add RB to that as well and TE with literally no first round quality TE's.

What if we get back to Claypool as a "TE"? I think he's going to be good if a team is creative with him. I don't think it will be the Packers and I personally think 30 is too high, but it wouldn't surprise me if he sneaks into the bottom of Round 1.

Why not take Mims instead? I just don't think Claypool is ever going to be used inline, so why not get a better receiver instead? I like, him, but why classify him as a TE? Is he ever going to be used as a TE or just a big receiver?

1234567890 - My 4 year old's contribution to the subject, ha!

Pckfn23 wrote: ↑

21 Apr 2020 09:55

Why not take Mims instead?

I would, absolutely. He might not be there, though, so then moving on down the list. My main point is that I could see some team liking him more than I expect we will.

BF004 wrote: ↑

21 Apr 2020 09:43

Yoop wrote: ↑

21 Apr 2020 09:39

Steve Palazzolo needs more coffee, ate to many meat balls, or simply guzzle'd the whole bottle of cooking sherry, we need another edge rusher like we need to groom a QB for 4 years, one thing for sure all these prognosticators have much better sources then I to get there gongy from

like I always say, your really taking a gamble drafting DT, OL, and edge rushers at the end of round 1, between say slot 25 to slot 35 it's a grave yard full of busts imo, buyer beware.

We got Clay Matthews and Kenny Clark in that area.

I still like what Gary can bring to the team, getting starter level snaps, he just needs to be good at football, discussion for another, drifting away from that topic, but I am pretty much 100% with you this year. No edge or QB in the first. I would add RB to that as well and TE with literally no first round quality TE's. But WR, OL, DL, LB, CB, Safety, you could all justify.

your referencing 2 of the best picks we've ever had in that 10 slot range, most have been bust, a bust is a player that doesn't come even close to playing up to the slot he was taken in, Gary was a stupid pick, a brain fart by our GM.

Brandon: your just being disengenious now, your showing the best players taken in that slot range for the last 40 years, why not show the other 300 player s that did nothing but fill a roster spot.

Yoop wrote: ↑

21 Apr 2020 10:15

BF004 wrote: ↑

21 Apr 2020 09:43

Yoop wrote: ↑

21 Apr 2020 09:39

Steve Palazzolo needs more coffee, ate to many meat balls, or simply guzzle'd the whole bottle of cooking sherry, we need another edge rusher like we need to groom a QB for 4 years, one thing for sure all these prognosticators have much better sources then I to get there gongy from

like I always say, your really taking a gamble drafting DT, OL, and edge rushers at the end of round 1, between say slot 25 to slot 35 it's a grave yard full of busts imo, buyer beware.

We got Clay Matthews and Kenny Clark in that area.

I still like what Gary can bring to the team, getting starter level snaps, he just needs to be good at football, discussion for another, drifting away from that topic, but I am pretty much 100% with you this year. No edge or QB in the first. I would add RB to that as well and TE with literally no first round quality TE's. But WR, OL, DL, LB, CB, Safety, you could all justify.

your referencing 2 of the best picks we've ever had in that 10 slot range, most have been bust, a bust is a player that doesn't come even close to playing up to the slot he was taken in, Gary was a stupid pick, a brain fart by our GM.

Brandon: your just being disengenious now, your showing the best players taken in that slot range for the last 40 years, why not show the other 300 player s that did nothing but fill a roster spot.

Yoop, I am showing every DE, DL, NT, OT, OG, and OC that was drafted from picks 25-35 from 1982 to 2019... That is not being disingenuous. Those are facts man. Why would there be 444 picks from those slots in that time period? There are only 418 TOTAL picks... Simple math man.

Here is with all LBs and OLBs included (this will included 2nd level linebackers as well, so some sifting is required):
http://pfref.com/tiny/ErfYC

It's simply not the truth that that range has a disproportionate amount of busts at those positions.

Green Bay has had 9 picks in that range at those positions you listed:
Clay Matthews
Ross Verba
Kenny Clark
Esera Tuaolo
Nick Perry
Datone Jones
Shawn Patterson
John MIchels
Derek Sherrod

There is just no factual evidence that suggests teams should specifically stay away from OL, DL, and edge rushers from picks 25-35.

As the draft comes upon us, I have a feeling that we will not go WR in round one. I hope I'm wrong, but I'm getting a hunch.

I'd love to take Higgs or Mims. I wouldn't mind Claypool either, though we already have his "type" on the roster.

If we don't get WR, I'd definitely be happy with either ILB or OL.

Pckfn23 wrote: ↑

21 Apr 2020 10:24

Yoop wrote: ↑

21 Apr 2020 10:15

BF004 wrote: ↑

21 Apr 2020 09:43

We got Clay Matthews and Kenny Clark in that area.

I still like what Gary can bring to the team, getting starter level snaps, he just needs to be good at football, discussion for another, drifting away from that topic, but I am pretty much 100% with you this year. No edge or QB in the first. I would add RB to that as well and TE with literally no first round quality TE's. But WR, OL, DL, LB, CB, Safety, you could all justify.

your referencing 2 of the best picks we've ever had in that 10 slot range, most have been bust, a bust is a player that doesn't come even close to playing up to the slot he was taken in, Gary was a stupid pick, a brain fart by our GM.

Brandon: your just being disengenious now, your showing the best players taken in that slot range for the last 40 years, why not show the other 300 player s that did nothing but fill a roster spot.

Yoop, I am showing every DE, DL, NT, OT, OG, and OC that was drafted from picks 25-35 from 1982 to 2019... That is not being disingenuous. Those are facts man. Why would there be 444 picks from those slots in that time period? There are only 418 TOTAL picks... Simple math man.

Here is with all LBs and OLBs included (this will included 2nd level linebackers as well, so some sifting is required):
http://pfref.com/tiny/ErfYC

It's simply not the truth that that range has a disproportionate amount of busts at those positions.

Green Bay has had 9 picks in that range at those positions you listed:
Clay Matthews
Ross Verba
Kenny Clark
Esera Tuaolo
Nick Perry
Datone Jones
Shawn Patterson
John MIchels
Derek Sherrod

There is just no factual evidence that suggests teams should specifically stay away from OL, DL, and edge rushers from picks 25-35.

of those 9 only 3 played to the slot they where taken, and your yearly list of 40 years seems incomplete, look, I'am going off of my memory of it, I'am not stat freak, just look at all the terrible picks we've had with just DL alone at the end of round 1 and round 2.

If I've learned anything, facts can be subjective, twisted, to support whatever someone wants to prove, just look at that list of 9 names and try and tell me I'am wrong, make a case for anyone not named Mathews, Verba, Clark, the rest ehhhhh Michaels, Tuaolo, maybe.

Yoop wrote: ↑

21 Apr 2020 10:46

Pckfn23 wrote: ↑

21 Apr 2020 10:24

Yoop wrote: ↑

21 Apr 2020 10:15

your referencing 2 of the best picks we've ever had in that 10 slot range, most have been bust, a bust is a player that doesn't come even close to playing up to the slot he was taken in, Gary was a stupid pick, a brain fart by our GM.

Brandon: your just being disengenious now, your showing the best players taken in that slot range for the last 40 years, why not show the other 300 player s that did nothing but fill a roster spot.

Yoop, I am showing every DE, DL, NT, OT, OG, and OC that was drafted from picks 25-35 from 1982 to 2019... That is not being disingenuous. Those are facts man. Why would there be 444 picks from those slots in that time period? There are only 418 TOTAL picks... Simple math man.

Here is with all LBs and OLBs included (this will included 2nd level linebackers as well, so some sifting is required):
http://pfref.com/tiny/ErfYC

It's simply not the truth that that range has a disproportionate amount of busts at those positions.

Green Bay has had 9 picks in that range at those positions you listed:
Clay Matthews
Ross Verba
Kenny Clark
Esera Tuaolo
Nick Perry
Datone Jones
Shawn Patterson
John MIchels
Derek Sherrod

There is just no factual evidence that suggests teams should specifically stay away from OL, DL, and edge rushers from picks 25-35.

of those 9 only 3 played to the slot they where taken, and your yearly list of 40 years seems incomplete, look, I'am going off of my memory of it, I'am not stat freak, just look at all the terrible picks we've had with just DL alone at the end of round 1 and round 2.

If I've learned anything, facts can be subjective, twisted, to support whatever someone wants to prove, just look at that list of 9 names and try and tell me I'am wrong, make a case for anyone not named Mathews, Verba, Clark, the rest ehhhhh Michaels, Tuaolo, maybe.

Just going by the Packers only, 33% does not suggest this random range having an inordinate number of busts at those positions. It's a small sample size.

However, what was originally stated:

like I always say, your really taking a gamble drafting DT, OL, and edge rushers at the end of round 1, between say slot 25 to slot 35 it's a grave yard full of busts imo, buyer beware.

What was originally said was not factual. Now what was said is being changed. It would make no sense to avoid those positions in those slots simply because the Packers have been below average in drafting there in the past and outside of the current front office personnel. That's just illogical. You were trying to state that that is a bad spot to draft those positions, when in reality it is no better or worse than any other spot, considering draft round.

The list I brought is not incomplete. What players are being omitted, if you claim it is incomplete?

There is just no evidence that suggests a team should not pick an EDGE, DL, or OL from picks 25-35 because it has an over-abundance of busts. There may be other reasons to stay away from those positions in THIS draft, but the prior stated reason is not one of them.

If we stay at 30, the best value with the least depth in the class will likely be at OT.

I know that picking at 30, this is common, but boy, those guys on that list above look an awful lot like second rounders, to me.

Also, I want nothing to do with Claypool in the first or at TE. We have several similar body types--bigger WRs for the slot, and receiver-first TEs. The type of TE we need to replace is the Marcedes Lewis who can block and/or the versatile H-back/FB jack-of-all-trades type. I see no deficit of big bodies for a mostly slot/inside role

GM's that hit on 1/3 of top 35 draft slot picks, are probably looking for a new job every 5 years if the other 6 rounds are just as bad, that would seem like a very low average to me.

Yoop wrote: ↑

21 Apr 2020 12:02

GM's that hit on 1/3 of top 35 draft slot picks, are probably looking for a new job every 5 years if the other 6 rounds are just as bad, that would seem like a very low average to me.

Look, I'm fine with your overall idea, Yoop, but would acknowledge that sometimes a guy drops (CMIII, Clark) that makes breaking that rule OK. Just like with non-top 15 QBs - usually they fail hard, but then there's AR, Flacco and Lamar Jackson...

If no such talent drops, yeah, by all means pick a player at another position.

salmar80 wrote: ↑

21 Apr 2020 12:24

Yoop wrote: ↑

21 Apr 2020 12:02

GM's that hit on 1/3 of top 35 draft slot picks, are probably looking for a new job every 5 years if the other 6 rounds are just as bad, that would seem like a very low average to me.

Look, I'm fine with your overall idea, Yoop, but would acknowledge that sometimes a guy drops (CMIII, Clark) that makes breaking that rule OK. Just like with non-top 15 QBs - usually they fail hard, but then there's AR, Flacco and Lamar Jackson...

If no such talent drops, yeah, by all means pick a player at another position.

well sure guys drop, I don't mean to dismiss that, I think GM's pick position over BPA more often then they let on, specially if they don't like to over pay for these key and tough to get positions, ER, CB, DT, if ya need one and your sitting in that 25 to 35 slot range, you take the one ya like best and roll, what choice is there, it's the price you pay for being good, and having a vacancy at a critical position.