A quarterback's best friends: The more offensive weapons, the better

Surrounding a quarterback with offensive weapons is crucial to his success. 

Quarterbacks in the National Football League are only as good as the talent around them, except for a select few. It's important to note that surrounding a bad quarterback (such as New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson) with talent won't automatically elevate them to the level of a premier or even an average quarterback. Still, though, there are recent examples of young starting quarterbacks that have benefited greatly from the addition of offensive skill players, mainly wide receivers. 

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen struggled through his first two years in the league, one reason being his lack of weapons (Zay Jones led the team in receiving yards in 2018 and John Brown led the team in receiving yards in 2019), but he took a giant leap in 2020 after the Bills acquired wide receiver Stefon Diggs during the offseason, passing for 4,544 yards, 37 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Through his first two seasons, he passed for a combined 5,163 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions. His completion percentage also increased from 52.8% and 58.8% in 2018 and 2019, respectively, to 69.2% in 2020. (Allen also took a giant leap, thanks to then-offensive coordinator Brian Daboll.)

The Cincinnati Bengals drafted wide receiver Tee Higgins in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, the same draft they selected quarterback Joe Burrow first overall, and then drafted wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase with the fifth overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft. 

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa greatly benefitted from the additions of wide receivers Jaylen Waddle, who was drafted sixth overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, and Tyreek Hill, who was acquired via trade last offseason. The same sentiment applies to Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, as the Eagles drafted wide receiver DeVonta Smith with the tenth pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and acquired wide receiver A.J. Brown in a trade with the Tennessee Titans last offseason. 

We’ll see how Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields pans out, but the front office is clearly trying to give him as much help as possible, trading for wide receiver Chase Claypool during the 2022 season and for wide receiver D.J. Moore earlier this month. 

Albeit not a recent example, in the same year that Aaron Rodgers was poised to become the starting quarterback, the late Ted Thompson and the Packers drafted wide receiver Jordy Nelson in the second round and tight end Jermichael Finley in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. At that point, the wide receiver room already boasted Donald Driver, Greg Jennings (drafted in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft), and James Jones (drafted in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft). The team then drafted wide receiver Randall Cobb in the second round in 2011, the offseason after winning the Super Bowl. 

General manager Brian Gutekunst needs to take the same approach and surround quarterback Jordan Love (or Rodgers) with more talent. The word “more” is important in the preceding sentence because it is not like the cupboard is bare. Running back Aaron Jones is one of the most dynamic running backs in the league, both in the run game and the passing game. AJ Dillon had a disappointing third season, but he is still an offensive weapon. As to the wide receivers, Christian Watson had an outstanding rookie season; Romeo Doubs had an up-and-down rookie campaign, but he still finished third among rookie wide receivers in receptions, fourth in targets, fifth in touchdowns, and sixth in yards; and Samari Toure is unproven at this point. That is the end of the list of wide receivers on the team that could make a difference next year, which says a lot. Tight end Josiah Degura could be used more in the passing game in the upcoming season, if for no other reason than he is TE1 at this point, but he has largely been a block-first tight end through the first three years of his career. 

Green Bay will not be able to take the same approach that the Dolphins, Eagles, and Bills did by trading a premier wide receiver that is looking for his next big contract, given the Packers’ bleak cap situation. However, they can take the same approach as the Dolphins and Eagles by drafting a wide receiver in the first round – or the second round, given the team’s track record of drafting wide receivers in that round. They also have the option of drafting a catch-first tight end in the early rounds as well. 

It seems imperative that the Packers sign a veteran wide receiver, and head coach Matt LaFleur practically acknowledged as much while speaking with the media at the 2023 NFL Annual Meetings, but the options are not aplenty at this point in time. 

Altogether, will Gutekunst be aggressive in targeting offensive weapons for Love in the upcoming draft(s) while also bringing in a veteran pass catcher? I’m sure Jordan hopes so, if he is ultimately QB1 for Week 1, because it will be critical to his development, just like it was critical to the development of the aforementioned quarterbacks.

 

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Rex is a lifelong Packers fan but was sick of the cold, so he moved to the heart of Cowboys country. Follow him on Twitter (@Sheild92) and Instagram (@rex.sheild). 

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Comments (94)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
greengold's picture

March 31, 2023 at 12:18 pm

I wanted Tee Higgins badly in 2020, and/or Michael Pittman.

We all know what happened. Seemed quite unexpected, but, in the moment, I had to agree this was indeed a need at the time, and finding a true Franchise QB within reach like that, I felt the Packers made the right decision to spend an R4 to trade up and take Jordan Love.

Looking forward, to the now, I'd be all for Gutekunst taking Quentin Johnston or Jordan Addison, WRs who are definitely considered a "QB's Best Friend." I love Jaxon Smith-Njigba, but, that hamstring injury taking him out of his 2022 season has scared me off. I really don't like GB investing top picks on players with that kind of injury history.

One more phenomenal WR added now could work wonders for JL's development throughout this season, and our skill players would be a nightmare for opposing Ds to cover. Both Quentin & Jordan are game changers, completely different WRs, but both chain movers extraordinaire.

The positive impact of one of the marquee WRs at the top of this draft added to the Packers would be special, indeed.

We all know Murphy would be on board with that little sidebar...

WR remains a team need, namely, one with immense impact to change games in our favor. Both Johnston & Addison are first rate, and fit the bill.

Sure, TE, EDGE, DL, OL, S are need positions, but, there are R2-R4 players at each of those I think might make greater value picks. EDGE especially.

We've pounded the Defense high in recent Packers drafts. I think it's time we finish the job at WR with a nice big cherry on top for the Packers Offense.

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DoubleJ's picture

March 31, 2023 at 02:07 pm

I wouldn't touch Johnston, especially with an R1. His pro day had him running a 4.5 which for a guy who is supposed to be super fast isn't that fast. On top of that he had several drops during the workout.

Overall I do not like the idea of drafting WRs in R1. Usually the difference in quality between the R1 & R2/3 WRs isn't enough to justify the position over other premium positions. In reality unless someone like Gonzalez drops to 15 I would prefer to see trading back and getting more picks. The edge players don't have much of a difference between Edge3 & Edge10.

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greengold's picture

March 31, 2023 at 02:55 pm

I see he ran a 4.46, and for a guy who measured 6-3 215, that's an outstanding number.

Quentin had 8 drops last year. Davante Adams had 7 drops with the Raiders... and?

As a rookie in GB, Davante Adams has 38 rec on 66 Targets. What do you suppose happened there? Davante was a drop machine as a rookie. That next year, 2015, Davante dropped 10 passes. Fans were calling for him to be benched.

PFF gave Johnston a 97.1 receiving grade.

66 receptions for 1069 yds in 2022 with 18 of those receptions 25+ yds. 6 TD.

Effortless acceleration and uncanny fluidity for a receiver of that size. Able to make quick adjustments to the ball on the fly, with a huge catch radius. Fast feet off the line allows for quick acceleration in small spaces.

YAC: Johnston forced 45 missed tackles in 115 career receptions over 3 seasons at TCU. That's immense value after the catch. Johnston averages 7.7 yards YAC career, 8.9 YAC 2022.

Deebo Samuel only broke 40 tackles on 148 college career attempts... for your reference. Deebo is the best YAC WR in the NFL.

Get this:
Johnston ranked 24th in nation in yards per reception vs. man coverage with 15.5, and #3 in FBS with the highest yards after catch vs. man coverage with 10.3...!!!!

He's got a 6-10" wingspan and a 40.5" vertical 11' 2" broad jump.

Quentin Johnston is an explosive, fluid WR with elite speed/size who can run just about any route. Yeah, he needs work, but, they all do. This high it is all about projecting the pro player you will have at the selection.

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DoubleJ's picture

March 31, 2023 at 04:05 pm

"5) TCU QB-WR tandem offer mixed results. Wideout Quentin Johnston ran two 40-yard dashes at the Horned Frogs' pro day Thursday, clocking unofficial times of 4.49 and 4.51 seconds, per NFL Network's Jane Slater.

The 6-foot-3, 208-pound Johnston opted to skip the 40 at the NFL Scouting Combine, performing the high and broad jumps there, as well as receiver drills. Johnston's speed had been sold as one of his strengths, so it was important NFL scouts received some strong clarity on that number at the pro day.

However, it was not a perfect day for Johnston, a possible first-round pick and Jeremiah's No. 29 overall prospect. After a solid start catching the ball during QB Max Duggan's throwing session, Johnston had a few late stumbles.

Following the red-zone period, Duggan wrapped up his script with some vertical routes -- his specialty as a passer in college. Most of Duggan's throws were solid during this portion of the workout, although his receivers let him down.

Johnston dropped two deep passes, including what was supposed to be the final throw of the script, slapping a blocking pad out of frustration after the second one."
https://www.nfl.com/news/2023-nfl-draft-what-we-learned-from-florida-tcu...

Overall I would avoid a WR in R1 in almost any draft. The value isn't there. This is a draft where unless someone unexpected falls in the draft it is better to trade back and get more picks. The player you pick at 15 would be a late R1 at best in many drafts.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

April 01, 2023 at 08:58 am

Davante Adams has so-so hands. Even so, Adams had 7 drops on 100 receptions and 180 targets. Quenton Johnston had 7 drops on 60 receptions (not 66 if sports reference is to be believed). That's 6.5% for Adams and 10.44% for Johnson. [7 of 107 versus 7 of 67 chances). College stats don't include targets.

This is not a favorable comparison.

Young receivers sometimes overcome drops with experience, though some don't. Johnston is a WR I like, and seems worth a fairly high pick. The drops remain an issue.

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greengold's picture

April 01, 2023 at 09:16 am

I agree. My point was Devante Adams is a 3-Time First Team All-Pro, and he had 7 drops last year.

Nobody cares, because it’s DA.

Ask yourself how much you’d rather see Quentin Johnston on the Packers in 2023, or the Vikings?

I think that answer might change some minds.

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DoubleJ's picture

April 01, 2023 at 01:51 pm

The thing you have to remember is that when you draft a WR in R1 you are missing out on players with higher positional value. QB, OT, EDGE, and CB all have more positional value that WR. Not to mention in most drafts there is a steep dropoff in talent from the R1 > R2 at those positions. For WR the dropoff usually isn't very great. Personally I would rather see an EDGE or CB picked at 15 and then go TE/WR in R2. More times than not your team will be better off doing that than WR at 15 and then EDGE in R2. This draft is a bit odd as the EDGE talent is quite deep but the difference between WR1 and WR10 in this draft is almost nil.

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greengold's picture

April 03, 2023 at 01:14 pm

Those are good points, DoubleJ. I have no skin in that WR game, just preparing myself for the possibility Gutekunst will take a WR in R1, and wouldn't put it past Murphy to direct Gutekunst to do so. Just to give AR a dig. That would not surprise me.

I have other players I like better, myself. Other positions. Totally agree this is far from our Top 4 need areas.

Given we've learned so little about Stokes, I'm concerned he won't be back to start 2023, and all of a sudden, CB jumps out big time as a team need.

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Nate-1980's picture

March 31, 2023 at 05:13 pm

It’s because all you do is agree with whatever Gute does, it wasn’t a good decision to draft love, tee Higgins would’ve been a way better choice to actually win a Super Bowl.. Is Love a “ true franchise qb” ?? You don’t know that either ha, what a bunch of horseshite..

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cdoemel's picture

March 31, 2023 at 09:30 pm

So what’s wrong with agreeing with what BG does? Do you honestly think you, or anyone, knows more about what’s good for the GBP than a guy, with a large staff of experienced scouts, who’s been doing this for 25 years? If you think you do then I’m agreeing with Nags that fantasy football has made people crazy. You don’t know Tee Higgins would have gotten us a Super Bowl. And you don’t know JL won’t be a talented franchise QB. That’s why they play the games. Why don’t you make an argument instead of just accusing people of being mindless homers? Oh yeah, you don’t have an argument. You just don’t like JL. Hahaha. Just another AR12 fan posing as a GBP fan.

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Johnblood27's picture

April 01, 2023 at 06:48 am

Higgens was a second tier WR in that draft.

He was slotted as a mid to late 2nd rounder.

The draftniks were wrong on his actual value. It happens a lot. That doesn't mean that anyone "should" have known.

Your view from a fast forwarded future makes it sound like it was obvious that a Higgens selection was a slam dunk over the uber talented Love. Not so. The reason the GBP went up to get Love was due to the value of the player and the spot in the draft. It was a solid move even though Higgens and Pittman were still on the board. Love was the last player with a solid R1 grade at the time. Look at Loves Sophomore season. Incredible. Then his team disintegrated all around him before his junior season and he was still quite serviceable in spite of the elevated Int numbers.

Oh, BTW, QB was a perceived "need" after AR's less than spectacular 2018-19 seasons. Besides the regression statistically, the manner in which he threw McCarthy under the bus certainly led to the perception by the FO that he was not the leader that management wanted. His stats might have regressed slightly, but the ultra-talented and experienced AR knew just exactly how to undermine his HC with throw-aways, play changes, scrambles and such to hurt the perception of the coach's plan without hurting his precious 'stats'. I watched what he did and I was furious. Not because I loved McCarthy, I also wanted him gone, but I didn't want the team to suffer to make the change happen. AR didn't give a shit about the team suffering just so long as his stats didn't decline in the process. Legacy ya kno...

Truth. Not revisionist history with some hindsight 'I told ya so" blended in...

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KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

April 01, 2023 at 12:47 pm

Spot on GG!

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Fubared's picture

March 31, 2023 at 12:22 pm

We all know you need both, a good offense and defense. Scoring points is one thing, stopping points from being scored are another. Thats the long term problem of the Pack, McCarthy thought was if we have Rodgers putting points on the board big time, we dont need a great defense. If we run the ball we keep their offense off the field and they cant score while Rodgers is putting it in the endzone.

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cdoemel's picture

March 31, 2023 at 09:44 pm

We have assembled a pretty decent defense at this point. The problem is we don’t appear to have a DC who knows how to use the players he has. Any Joe Barry supporters here? Enlighten me please because after all I am just a mindless homer who’s supposed to blindly support anything the GBP do

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HawkPacker's picture

April 01, 2023 at 07:03 am

No, I can't enlighten you CD on why they retained Barry but it just makes no sense to me that our HC would keep him. It does not help us with feeling good about Lefleur with this blunder!

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TKWorldWide's picture

April 01, 2023 at 09:11 am

And don’t forget weefense. Gotta be at least respectable there.
Oh, and make sure your backup tight end carries out his assignment on an onside kick.

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RCPackerFan's picture

March 31, 2023 at 12:30 pm

We can just look at GB how they gave Rodgers the weapons when he was drafted. They had Donald Driver on the roster already. In 2005 when then drafted Rodgers, they took Terrance Murphy in the 2nd round. In 2006 they drafted Greg Jennings in the 2nd round. In 2007 they drafted James Jones in the 3rd round. In 2008 the first year for Rodgers to start they drafted Jordy Nelson in the 2nd round and Jermichael Finley in the 3rd round.

They set Rodgers up for success by surrounding him with a lot of weapons around him. They need to do something similar with Love. They need to provide him with as many pass catching options as possible.

They have a good OL for him. They have the running backs. They just need to get him more WR's and TE's.

They have a great start at WR with Watson and Doubs. They need to add a few more though. Can never have to many good WR's.

Don't be surprised if they use 2 of their first 3 picks on a TE and WR.

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Oppy's picture

March 31, 2023 at 12:50 pm

I am guessing - nothing more than a guess, of course - but I'm guessing the Packers will go with a safety before they go with a WR this draft.

MLF's offense isn't a 3 or 4 wide receiver type offense. It will be predicated on close formations with TEs and RBs more often than a 3rd or 4th WR on the field i think.

Besides, it's not just Doubs and Watson. Toure is out there, too. They will inevitably pick up another WR in this draft (probably 2), but I don't think they make it a top 2 or 3 priority. Who knows.

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RCPackerFan's picture

March 31, 2023 at 01:08 pm

They very well could. I have no clue how the board will fall.

The NFL is pretty much a standard 3 WR league. You have to have 3 WR's that can be on the field 80+% of the time. Right now they have 2. And they can't be on the field 100% of the time. While I like Toure, he has to improve a lot to be counted on full time.

Depending on what they get back for compensation, I could see them taking a WR and TE in the 2nd round. And it depends on who is available.

I think they will prioritize adding weapons around Love. This isn't Rodgers team anymore so they won't have him to elevate others. They need others to help elevate Love.

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Oppy's picture

March 31, 2023 at 01:55 pm

Rodgers didn't elevate others, that's the fallacy IMO.

Toure grows by getting reps and more importantly, targets.

I believe fans will learn a lot about how Rodgers limited growth as opposed to fostered it over the next two seasons.

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RCPackerFan's picture

March 31, 2023 at 04:37 pm

Do you trust Toure being our number 3 WR for the year? Do you feel good about going into the season with Watson, Doubs and Toure as our 1,2 and 3 WR's? I like Toure and think he could develop into something. But I'm not relying on him to be our next Donald Driver. We need to add more talent to help Love.
Our 4th and 5th options right now would be Bo Melton or Jeff Cotton.

Something else to keep in mind is that both Watson and Doubs had injuries in their rookie year and missed games. You can't rely on 2 guys the whole season.

They will likely add some sort of veteran. Perhaps in the trade. But I am expecting them to use another higher draft pick on a WR to keep building around Love.

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Coldworld's picture

March 31, 2023 at 06:51 pm

Throw Melton in there too. We should not forget that good WRs don’t all come from the first round. I expect us to take one or more, but I’m not sure any will be the first or even second pick. We have a lot of needs and there are a bunch of interesting but not sure thing WRs.

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Oppy's picture

April 01, 2023 at 11:52 am

I have zero problems with Toure being the #3 WR. I look forward to a team that develops and actually utilizes all the talent on the roster.

As I stated previously, I expect the Packers to add more WRs, and there should be open competition in camp for those positions. I'm just not sure teh Packers take a WR early, I think they have other needs they may try to fill early. Admittedly, I have not brushed up on this year's talent pool, so I suppose anything is possible. I wouldn't be against the Packers taking a WR early, I just don't believe it is a high priority.

As to building around Love- #1 area to build is OL. #2 is the ground game (I think we're pretty sound there.) #3 would be a good outlet target / security blanket for Love to rely on when coverage is tight, blitz is coming, or things just break down. I think Aaron Jones covers a number of those criteria already as he's a threat on the ground and also a great reciever, but a tall, physical possession type TE who can stay in to block, but spurt out and offer a large target when things break down goes a long way towards helping a young QB gain footing in the NFL. I would put acquiring another WR as the next priority in terms of helping build around Love at this point.

Build the OL, ground game, and outlet receiver relationship. We've got a decent mix of young WRs in the room right now. Can always stand to improve, but I don't think the WR room is weak right now- it's just unproven.

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dobber's picture

April 01, 2023 at 12:08 pm

"Do you trust Toure being our number 3 WR for the year? Do you feel good about going into the season with Watson, Doubs and Toure as our 1,2 and 3 WR's? "

I don't trust any of them...at least, not yet. Toure: 5 catches for 82 yd--4 for 45 outside his 37 yd TD--on 112 snaps. Melton's never been active on game day. Watson has been used in a way that's led to his taking a lot of hard hits and time on the shelf--Doubs spent time on the shelf, too--and they both need to work on their hands.

Good teams stockpile talent and allow the best to rise to the top. Competition breeds excellence. The competition for routes and targets doesn't need to come from a WR, either--pass catchers over position labels. Let's find someone(s) who challenges (and complements) those guys...the whole offense will be better for it.

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greengold's picture

March 31, 2023 at 01:26 pm

Who do you like that high, though, Ops?

I mean, Branch's lack of speed was covered up somewhat with the level of players he faced. That will become a problem in the NFL. He's not going to get any faster (4.58), in a league where everyone is faster. However, there's A LOT to like about him, and instincts on his level are hard to come by.

Personally, I like some of the Safeties in R2-R4 better. Jartavius Martin & JL Skinner are my crushes for the Packers. Sydney Brown is also very solid fit for GB. Ronnie Hickman. Quindell Johnson. In that order, and then not!!! LOL This group of 5 Safeties is pretty tight, IMO. Top to bottom.

We're going to need that deep ranger back there who can cover a bunch of land with stripes quickly, and handle the duties alone at times. I believe that's where this defense is going. Tarvarius Moore is that Elite run stop with size, speed along with great coverage skills to handle the middle.

All of the above can range, all of them have speed to a lesser degree, and all of them are ball hawks.

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DoubleJ's picture

March 31, 2023 at 02:10 pm

4.58 is Ha Ha Clinton Dix speed except Dix was taller and 20lbs heavier. Basically I read that Clinton Dix's 40 was one of the slowest for a safety in the last decade from when he was picked.

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greengold's picture

March 31, 2023 at 04:01 pm

I go to a lot of practices, and I never saw a player mail in their workouts, stretching etc worse than Ha Ha. No wonder he had all those hamstring injuries. Those never surprised me after seeing that on such a regular basis.

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dobber's picture

April 01, 2023 at 12:15 pm

Instincts and play speed over timed speed. Not saying that HHCD had it, but those things are more important in a FS than straight line speed in shorts. False steps and indecision are killers in deep coverage and support.

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Oppy's picture

April 01, 2023 at 12:24 pm

Yes, dobber, yes 100 times over.

A single false step off the snap of the ball is an easy 1/2 second to recover from, much less indecision and poor angles.

In a game where players are evaluated, clocked, and compared by the tenths and hundredths of a second, 5 tenths of a second (or even more!) due to misdiagnosis can be a killer.

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Oppy's picture

March 31, 2023 at 02:43 pm

"Who do you like that high, though, Ops?"

Well, you pose a great question, lol.

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greengold's picture

March 31, 2023 at 04:03 pm

Oh, no need to share.

I'm doing so out of character this year when I said I wouldn't... eh.

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HawkPacker's picture

April 01, 2023 at 07:07 am

The more I read about the draft and the packer's needs, I am wondering if they need to trade back and get more picks in the 2nd and even 3rd rounds.

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NickPerry's picture

April 01, 2023 at 08:51 am

NOT the 3rd please! LOL

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HawkPacker's picture

April 01, 2023 at 11:01 am

I understand NP but if we get enough 3rd rd picks, that will give us more chances to break the curse~;-))

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dobber's picture

April 01, 2023 at 12:28 pm

Frankly, the Packers should make a run at Ryan Neal, who the Seahawks just let go after acquiring Julian Love to play next to Jamal Adams, as a relatively inexpensive try at FS. Guy played really well in 2022, and seems to be emerging, but keep in mind that having one outstanding S can elevate the other (just like having one really shitty S can drag the other down).

That gives them Moore, Neal, Ford, and Savage at the front of their safety depth chart. Then I'd lean into CB in this draft and only take a S if someone traitsy falls at the top of their board at some point.

IN EDIT: was reminded that Neal was one of the highest rated FS with Adams on the shelf all season. You still need to ask the question why SEA would be letting him walk by rescinding his tender, but still: a centerfielder who has potential (and an NFL track record) and shouldn't blow the roof off the cap.

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mnbadger's picture

March 31, 2023 at 12:39 pm

Good offenses are built with talent, scheme and crisp execution.
2023/24 will have similar talent, the same scheme so hopefully we have better execution.
I truly believe this is the area that we'll see the biggest step forward next season.
Gutey, now go get us some more talent!
GPG!

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blondy45's picture

March 31, 2023 at 06:47 pm

Well stated Badger. I am listing below the name, age, & cap cost for 2023 for the players we have lost or quite possibly lose.

Lazard 28, 3.264 million Reed 31, 3.03 million Lowry 29, 2.07 million Tonyan 29, 2.65 million We could/should loose: Lewis 38, 4.0 million Crosby 38, 4.25 million
Cobb 32, 3.0 million Add Bakhtiari to the "trade" mix, even more cap room as well as an aging player. I personally would want to keep Bak. this year though.

The NFL is a young man's game. If the Jets give us reasonable comp for Rodgers, trade for Bak. plus gain multiple draft picks, we would be able get out of cap hell as well as become young but inexperienced. Our record may take a hit this year, but what a reset also considering we will obtain comp picks for our player FA loses next year.

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PackEyedOptimist's picture

March 31, 2023 at 01:19 pm

Here's a kind of crazy thing: Draftek listed a new Top 500 Board two days ago; these are the guys listed at the Packers draft choice numbers:
15 Quentin Johnston
45 ED/DL Keion White
78 OT Dawand Jones
116 WR Jayden Reed
149 ILB Ivan Pace
170 OG Andrew Voorhees
232 RB Kendre Miller
235 QB Max Duggan
242 S Anthony Johnson
256 LS Alex Ward

I gotta say, I would be pretty happy with that draft! In fact, Jonston and White are my two preferred picks at 15 and 45!

2 points
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greengold's picture

March 31, 2023 at 01:38 pm

Huh. Not bad. I like the top 3 and Duggan. I mean, I'd freak out with those selections alone. For draftek? WOW.

No need for an ILB. LS? eh. We do need another EDGE in that mix, and a DL and/or another OT would not suck.

Tossed this one together the other day, and I still like it quite a bit:

15. WR Quentin Johnston

45. EDGE Felix Anudike-Usomah

78. S JL Skinner

116. DT Moro Ojoma

149. OT Asim Richards

170. EDGE Antonio Moultrie

232 QB Stetson Bennett

235 TE Mason Fairchild

242 CB Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson

256 CB Darius Rush

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PackEyedOptimist's picture

March 31, 2023 at 01:58 pm

Obviously it's not who I would pick at every spot, but it's kind of crazy how good it would be for the Packers.
As far as Pace, the ILB, he could be a terrific in-the-box safety: 4.5 40, great tackler who's a very good blitzer, etc.
I also really liked the Quentin Johnston, Keion White, Dawand Jones, Max Duggan group, but I also liked VoorHees at 170!

2 points
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stockholder's picture

March 31, 2023 at 02:00 pm

Good- but -Usomah will be gone by 45.
Skinner is second rd.

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jannes bjornson's picture

March 31, 2023 at 03:33 pm

3/30/23, ver 1.0
#21 Joey Porter CB (doubt he falls here)
#38 Uzomah Edge
#45 Tillman WR
#54 T.Kraft TE
#78 Benton DT ( he will go higher)
#116 Trice CB/S
#170 C. Jones WR
#202 Duggan QB
#242 Averett TE ( Sled dog).

0 points
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DoubleJ's picture

March 31, 2023 at 02:59 pm

How about this. I got 42 for Rodgers and traded completely out of R1 in 2023 for extra picks on day 2 plus some 2024 picks.

34. TE Darnell Washington
42. WR Cedric Tillman
45. EDGE Will McDonald IV
58. DT Calijah Kancey
66. CB Julius Brents
78. WR A.T. Perry
88. OT Carter Warren
116. TE Sam LaPorta
149. EDGE Mike Morris
170. WR Matt Landers
176. TE Will Mallory
232. QB Tyson Bagent
235. OC Alex Forsyth
242. LB Bumper Pool (BEST NAME IN THE DRAFT!!!)
256. CB Chamarri Conner

Julius Brents could move to safety as only 4.53/40 but 6'3 so perfect to cover TEs across the field

1 points
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stockholder's picture

March 31, 2023 at 01:41 pm

No - Te ?
I could understand Johnston.
But taking a WR Locks you out on edge.
Keion White isn't Gary. He's a True DE.-
He's the wrong man for the packs 3-4-4.
And going heavy on offense?
Would sabotage this team for years.

0 points
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PackEyedOptimist's picture

March 31, 2023 at 02:00 pm

Neither Draftek nor I "chose" these players, it's just where they were listed on their Big Board; I found it interesting that it was an awfully good "accidental" draft for the Packers.

1 points
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stockholder's picture

March 31, 2023 at 02:07 pm

Draft Tek is the problem.
It's Ok=. but don't use them in
your final mock.
Their top 50 is always wrong.

0 points
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Johnblood27's picture

April 01, 2023 at 06:59 am

ummm...

EVERYBODYS top 50 is wrong!

Have you EVER seen any prediction that was dead on?

I haven't. Not one. Ever.

1 points
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Coldworld's picture

March 31, 2023 at 07:04 pm

Johnston has been dropping over injuries, speed, questions about his ability to win on the line. and overall production as well as some bad drops on his pro day. I’ve spent little time on him, but he’s sliding. Im not sure every team will agree, but it’s possible that he slides further too.

1 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

March 31, 2023 at 03:36 pm

He already placed Seven one picks on this defense and they couldn't hold water. An Edge and a CB are Needs. Go offense the rest of the way. Score Points.

1 points
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Coldworld's picture

March 31, 2023 at 07:44 pm

Barry big problem.

0 points
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PackerGnome2788's picture

March 31, 2023 at 07:48 pm

I believe we are getting number 41 or 42 from Jets. Drafting JXN or another Wr in the first would pissed Rodgers off haha

1 points
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stockholder's picture

March 31, 2023 at 01:24 pm

We almost made the Playoffs.
We couldn't stop the Lions with 5 min. left.
It was said, were only two players short?
Well Gary must have been 1 of them.
Because the Rush disappeared.
Was the other guy Walker?
He did get the boot.
So if these two guys were out.
What position were they referring too?

I doubt it was the OL.
Tonyan ,Big Dog, and Lazard aren't game changers.
So let's not get taken in on their replacements.
Is there a game changer at TE? Show me -
Wr- Yep - thats it. 1 there! Upgrade and replacement!

My other choice is edge.
A Gary and Walker replacement.
After all we did Lose Smith.
I say the game changer is edge.
The strength of this draft,
Give me Nolan Smith or Trenton Simpson.
Guys who can play everywhere.
And will if the starter goes out.

I know the solution was Bargain Free Agents.
But if this team gets the help it needs.
Both sides must share in the wealth of the draft.

-2 points
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Coldworld's picture

March 31, 2023 at 07:06 pm

By whom was it said that we needed two players? On that day, one might have been the QB, it’s true.

2 points
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HawkPacker's picture

April 01, 2023 at 07:14 am

We need to select BPA and hope that person turns out to be a stud at that position.

0 points
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KenEllis's picture

March 31, 2023 at 01:25 pm

Is the Pack finally going to move away from drafting defense at the top as it has every year since 2011 (the Jordan Love pick excepted)?

If so, why now?

-1 points
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stockholder's picture

March 31, 2023 at 01:56 pm

Ok- Lets take Offense #1.
You now just forced a trade.
To get a defensive starter.
The cost a 2 and 3.
But I'm going to take Bijon first.
Because he is the best Offensive player.
I can get Rice or a small WR @ 45.
Doubt the top 3 Tes will be there.
Whats your Mock?

-1 points
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DoubleJ's picture

March 31, 2023 at 02:12 pm

Bijon isn't even as good as JT was coming out of college. JT dropped to R2. It is never worthwhile to take an RB in R1. The guy could be the 2nd coming of Walter Payton or Barry Sanders and still is a wasted pick.

-1 points
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stockholder's picture

March 31, 2023 at 02:49 pm

So you don't want a generational Talent?
(Not my Evaluation, just the messenger)
Instead we take a Need.
And be predictable.
Got it.

0 points
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DoubleJ's picture

March 31, 2023 at 04:18 pm

Bijon isn't a generational talent first of all. As I said he wasn't at JT's level in college and JT was an R2 pick. When it comes to drafting in R1, you really want positional value. That means QB, OT, EDGE, and CB. Those are the positions where usually once you get out of R1 the quality drops quickly. WR is usually easy to fill on day 2 and RB can be easily filled on day 2, 3, or UDFA.

Now look at the Packers backfield. Bijon would be stuck as RB3 for at least a year. Not to mention the Packers already have a top 5 backfield so adding him wouldn't really improve it much. It just doesn't make any sense to draft him. Let a team offer the Packers some decent draft compensation to move up and take him and then laugh all the way home for the next 5 years.

0 points
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stormin's picture

March 31, 2023 at 01:30 pm

This Gutless GM is going to let the Jets make a fool of him !

-5 points
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Oppy's picture

March 31, 2023 at 01:59 pm

When you say "this gutless GM", are you talking about the GM who's telling a 4 time MVP, first ballot HoF'er to take a hike?

That's Gutless?

GTFOHWTS. lol

0 points
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Nate-1980's picture

March 31, 2023 at 05:47 pm

He meant brainless gm, in which he is..:)

-2 points
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Oppy's picture

March 31, 2023 at 08:45 pm

You and Gute should do side by side Wonderlics.

Let me know how that goes for you.

2 points
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HawkPacker's picture

April 01, 2023 at 07:17 am

And that is why the trade is taking so long. Gute knows how good Rodgers still is and he can see him lead the Jets to the Super bowl and he does not want us to look like idiots if we get nothing in return. I have seen where some here have stated, 'let's just move on, we don't need anything'. That to me is just BS. We need multiple picks/players and we need to hold fast in this trade until it makes sense!

0 points
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Lphill's picture

March 31, 2023 at 01:43 pm

FYI for new york/ new Jersey Jordan Love will be appearing for autograph's tomorrow at the GTS sports show at the new jersey convention and expo center Love will be there at 2.30 pm , Sterling Sharpe is there this weekend too not sure what day you can check the website .

-3 points
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Lphill's picture

March 31, 2023 at 02:42 pm

What loser here would down vote this , let me guess?

3 points
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golfpacker1's picture

March 31, 2023 at 03:11 pm

With WR being one of the strength positions, and the fact that we could pick a WR in the 3rd round virtually with the same talent. I say strong pass on WR in 1st. Edge and WR have a ton of good players in the first 5 rounds, so move those needs farther back, in that order. We also don't want to miss one of the Top 5 TEs because we really need to draft 2 and there are some difference makers this year. There are multiple players that block and catch, with catching being a strength in most of them.

Safety is a crapshoot with a small group that fit our needs. I do like Battle but will he be gone in 2nd round? I liked the Illinois Saftey but saw where he is 5'9. Too small unless your name is Bob Sanders. Antonio Johnson would work but also probably a 2nd rounder. We really need another 2nd round pick or two. Cmon JETs. Give us #42 & #43 this year. Plus next years 1st and players back.

There are several CB/S types but that would require a position switch which would take time. I like Julius Brents, Darius Rush, Mekhi Garner, and Rezjohn Wright in that role. All 6'2 and Rush & Wright run 4.3s. Maybe we just draft safety later with Ronnie Hickman, Jason Taylor, Daniel Scott, Kaevon Meriweather. It kills us not having the $$ for a good FA safety. Bargain basement only.

I also read Quenton Johnston had a disappointing pro day with drops. I really would be more inclined to pick a WR later and get the same body type as Johnston. But I want one that catches everything, like any of these. So many to choose from without any drop off. Hutchinson ,Higgins, Mingo, Ford-Wheaton, Palmer. Perry, Iosivas and my later favorite Matt Landers. We could get real talent at WR in 3rd, 4th, &5th rounds. I think I take best hands over blocking, Kinkaid and any of the above WR.

We need more picks in rounds 1 through 4 and trading back with #15 is the answer. 5 picks in first 3 rounds gets us one of everything and we can get a second TE, E, & Safety with 7 more picks. As well as OL, DL, & K.

-2 points
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blondy45's picture

March 31, 2023 at 04:09 pm

I am in total agreement with your last paragraph Golf. IMO if a player who is rated top 10 talent falls to 15, pick him. If not trade back to get more picks to plug our holes on both offense & defense. I would keep my fingers crossed & hope in the following order, Edge Myles Murphy, TE Michael Mayer, S Brian Branch, WR Quentin Johnson, or OT Broderick Jones are available for a pick in the 20-24 range. Get at least a #2 to trade back from #15. Get Jets 2 # 2s this year, and I will be very happy.

-3 points
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DoubleJ's picture

March 31, 2023 at 04:47 pm

IMO of those only Murphy is worth the #15 pick. Mayer in a slightly faster Richard Rodgers. Branch is too slow (same 40 as Clinton Dix) for CB or S. WRs aren't worth R1 picks IMO. Jones is an SEC OT and they have like an 85% bust rate from R1 from 2010-2019 (school is still out on 2020+ as you need 3 years). Not to mention these OTs would be R2 picks in most years but the OT class is bad this year.

-1 points
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Coldworld's picture

March 31, 2023 at 07:11 pm

I am in favor of trading back if we can if we don’t believe a player has dropped well below our rating of him. Both our needs list and this draft seem to suggest we will be out of the elite group and that we could get a third bite within the next tier.

0 points
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TKWorldWide's picture

March 31, 2023 at 03:20 pm

Yes, BUT all the shiny weapons in the world don’t add up to diddly without a good offensive line.

1 points
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greengold's picture

March 31, 2023 at 03:54 pm

True. Add a couple OTs, maybe an O G ??? LOL.

Nobody wants to buy what I'm selling, but, we'll see...

I think the Packers will be picking up some OL in 28 to 30 days.

0 points
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TKWorldWide's picture

April 01, 2023 at 07:22 am

I don’t ever want to go back to the Dickey-Lofton-Coffman-JJ days when they’d play the Bears and couldn’t get anything done because their offensive line was manhandled by that devastating defensive front.

0 points
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KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

April 01, 2023 at 12:56 pm

and just maybe Jordan Love is throwing on time & in rhythm and much quicker (aka Philly) than Rodgers who tended to hold onto the ball allowing more pass rush pressure. Only time will tell if that is true but believe Jordan will be getting rid of the ball faster helping to minimize pressure.

0 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

March 31, 2023 at 06:56 pm

They just need a RT.

-1 points
1
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golfpacker1's picture

March 31, 2023 at 03:31 pm

I think we have a decent O-line now. With contributions coming this year from Sean Rhyan & Rasheed Walker. They are almost like rookies again since we got little from them last year. The wild card would be as GreenGold says, if Bahktiari and other O-line guys might be in the trade. I'm not sure why we wouldn't be getting # 13 from the Jets if they were being traded too. If they are we should ask for Mecki Becton back. They have soured on him. He would help for sure. Even without them we have a good group.

1 points
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greengold's picture

March 31, 2023 at 03:52 pm

Becton is recovering from a career threatening broken kneecap.

0 points
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PatrickGB's picture

March 31, 2023 at 03:52 pm

A wide receiver who gets open and hold on to the catch, a TE who does some of the same yet can pick up pass rushers when necessary, a offensive lineman who is better than some of the guys we have, a defensive lineman who can push the pocket and move the QB off his read, an edge rusher who can get home with pressures and sacks. a safety who knows the scheme and can tackle are what I wish for!

0 points
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Johnblood27's picture

April 01, 2023 at 07:08 am

How about this...

A fat guy with bad fashion sense that gives toys to children
A rabbit that delivers chocolate in the spring
Some chick with wings that gives money for lost teeth
A huge hairy guy that is very anti-social
Disc shaped interstellar crafts that don't want to be seen
and...

An honest politician!

0 points
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StarrtoRodgers's picture

March 31, 2023 at 04:07 pm

Hoping for Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Darnell Washington and hopefully Cobb and Lewis and Crosby back for team morale and veteran leadership - if mgmt hasn't alienated them too much by their treatment of Adams, Valdez Scantling, Lazard, Rodgers, MVS, Tonyan, Barnes, Jarran Reed, and others .

After that edge rusher and run stopper - was a mistake to let Jarren Reed get away - saved the Miami game along with Mercedes. Clutch players along with reliable Cobb - only 2 drops in 50 targets, 2nd highest yards after the catch 5.4 yards per reception behind only Watson among the Packer receivers and led all Packer receivers in catch percentage with 68% On the team only Jones and Tonyan were better in catch percentage with 81.9% and 79.1% for players with more than 15 catches and Tonyan has for years had the surest hands only 2 drops his entire career on 176 targets.

Not a deep draft for safeties.

Might go for best player available for the rest of the draft.

-5 points
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Nate-1980's picture

March 31, 2023 at 05:08 pm

So hold on… Wait a sec… Qbs need good receivers ?? They can’t do it all themselves ?? Well then our gm must be a moron with what he’s been doing the last couple of season especially after Adams left.. He couldn’t surround an mvp with them, but he will for a rookie( after 3 years ha) to try and save his job, what a waste of YEARS OF CONTENTION !!! I can’t wait until he’s gone, then maybe we can win something..

-2 points
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Coldworld's picture

March 31, 2023 at 07:50 pm

Tomorrow it will be ‘Packers need to add bulk on D’, or something more catchy. If this thread tells us anything it’s that we have no consensus on who our first picks should be or at what positions. In fact no one really has much clue about who will likely be around at 15. We could trade back or go D very easily.

2 points
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BirdDogUni's picture

March 31, 2023 at 09:03 pm

Depends on what Gutey's strategy is, but I've looked at everyone likely to go in the 1st round and barring QBs I only see about 15 position players I would give a 1st round grade. (That's including Darnell Washington in the 15.)

The more I look, the more I see CB, OT, or Darnell Washington as who might be our target. If I'm Gutey, I might covet the Jet's two second round picks more than 13. Unless he knows he has a trade partner to trade back. Could be very unpredictable draft this year, IMO.

I think there will be a bunch of guys this year that were predicted to go in the 1st round that will go in the 2nd or even 3rd round, and guys not expected to go in the 1st who actually do.

0 points
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Coldworld's picture

April 01, 2023 at 08:30 am

I feel somewhat similarly. If that’s the approximate view of a number of GMs we are heading into a draft that could well be very unpredictable. It may be hard to trade back too, but it is an appealing option if the board doesn’t fall as we hope.

0 points
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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

April 01, 2023 at 09:55 am

15 is a low number but that is in line with what many have said about this draft being light at the top. I normally figure on there being 20 to 22 prospects with first round grades, and then 15 more with 1/2 grades. Something like that.

I often figure:
1 to 4th pick: Tier One
5 to 12: Tier Two
13 to 22: Tier Three. [End of first round grades.]
23 to 37: Tier Four. [First/Second grade]
38 to 53: Tier Five. [Solid 2nd round grade]
54 to 75: Tier Six

It varies by year. And positional value plays a factor: a prospect has to be a darn good center or guard to merit a first round grade. Same thing but to a lesser extent for strong safeties and inside linebackers.

0 points
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Nate-1980's picture

March 31, 2023 at 05:25 pm

And Rodgers “huge decline” where we “ needed a first round qb” , my god they’re horrible especially in a new offense..

2018: 4,442 yds 25 tds 2 ints qb rat 97.6
2019: 4,002 yds 26 tds 4 ints qb rat 95.4

My god the terror, I guess if he threw 5 more tds each year his “ decline” wouldn’t have been real, like it wasn’t..

-3 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

March 31, 2023 at 06:57 pm

A lot of these dudes need seeing eye dogs.

1 points
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StarrtoRodgers's picture

March 31, 2023 at 07:12 pm

Nate they are ridiculous aren't they.

I I think Golf Packer is either the GM's son or they are paying him.

-1 points
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golfpacker1's picture

March 31, 2023 at 07:01 pm

The decline was he was consistently missing passes that he had always completed before. Thats probably why he didn't have 40 and 41 TDs in those 2 years. Rodgers was arguably the most accurate passer in NFL history. Nobody questions that. But alot of people could see he was not as sharp as he had been in those 2 years. You could see it on his face during the games when he missed one he knew he should have completed. He was a great quarterback for us, but his head started getting in the way too and that was the beginning of the end. The I will let you know if I will play or retire two years in a row sealed it. The Packers have a multi billion dollar business to run and they couldn't count on him anymore. The team will have better chemistry and will be better than expected.

-1 points
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ShawnO's picture

March 31, 2023 at 07:41 pm

Two words....offensive lineman.

-1 points
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DoubleJ's picture

March 31, 2023 at 10:42 pm

Four word...not in round 1

0 points
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marpag1's picture

April 01, 2023 at 04:11 am

The Seahawks have rescinded their tender on safety Ryan Neal (meaning he's now UFA). Seems like he might be a low-cost option for the Packers to consider.

1 points
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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

April 01, 2023 at 10:10 am

An odd thing. PFF gave Neal a 85.6 grade for 2022 but that is a one year wonder as his grades were 57 and 59.6 in 2020 and 2021. Seattle used the lowest RFA tag on the former UDFA. Neal started 10 games and played 710 snaps.

After trading a ton of picks for SS Jamal Adams, Seattle is still trying to make that move work? They signed Julian Love in free agency for 2 years, $12M with $6M guaranteed. And they have FS Quandre Diggs at $13M AAV with '23 and '24 remaining on his deal.

Neal is listed on depth charts and other places as a strong safety. I don't follow Seattle much, but Neal could be an option. Seattle fans hate the move. Neal got some votes for All-Pro consideration and was the first team all pro guy for PFF. I wonder what his market actually is? Seattle couldn't match much of an offer sheet.

0 points
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marpag1's picture

April 01, 2023 at 11:00 am

Totally agree with everything you said. It's odd.

But maybe it's not a 'one year wonder' thing. Maybe it just took a while for the lights to go on - he was undrafted out of Southern Illinois - and then he needed on-field opportunity behind Adams and Diggs. Both of those 2 were pro bowlers in 2020, and Diggs was in 2021 (and it's hard to sit big money Adams for the undrafted guy).

But you're right that Seattle's FO must not think very highly of the guy, first because they signed Love, and second because of the lowball tender.

I guess I'm just saying, "From what little I know, he seems like a guy who might be worth a shot, if he comes at a decent price."

0 points
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