Watcha Think of Packers' Draft?

[Fritz]

I think, for me at least, it was weird. I get the idea of it - that this signals who's getting extended or fifth years picked up (Quay, Wyatt) and who'd not (Rasheed Walker, Prolly Doubs, maybe not Watson).

But as someone with little knowledge who relies on you all for information (thanks again Nutzy), some of the picks seemed weird to me. There were guys available you all were tooting the horns for, but the Packers picked a couple guys I'd never heard of. But that's just my ignorance.

The other part is that I think for a few of us, the draft for the Pack was upside down. What I mean is that I think a lot of us believed the Packers would go defense in round one, maybe in two also, then a WR, then back to D, then another receiver later in the draft. So we thought defense first, then offense later. And it was the exact opposite.

So I don't know what to think. The Golden Shower sounds promising for the team, but then again he might piss all over that idea. And I don't know much about any of them, but the way they went offense first and often was weird for me, the casual fan.

What do you all think?

[run pMc]

Hard to say until a few years pass, but I think Gute stuck to his board (however wacky GB's board may be).
If I had to do the stupid hot take insta-grade, I'd give it about a B.

Golden is a good pick, top 15 talent at #23.

Belton had 18 top 30 visits, so he had a lot of interest and wasn't lasting into R3. He's a big nasty mauler who could play T but I think he moves inside to G. With Banks he makes the OL a lot bigger. His feet aren't terrible, and you can teach a lot of the rest. GB needed an 7th guy on OL, trust has to be iffy for Glover/Telfort after the playoffs.

Savion is a weird pick IMO, but he can be a fun player on gadget plays which are a staple in MLFs offense, so he has a role.

Sorrell is also a good pick, he doesn't have elite traits but is a good athlete and the Texas coaches/players loved him. His pass rush productivity wasn't bad, dude is strong as hell, he's just a little undersized for GB being a shade under 6'4" 260. As your #3 or 4 EDGE you could do worse.

Oliver is another weird pick. I've only seen a little bit of him, and if they think he can be a DPR and stack LB (as I understand it, lined up stacked behind a D-lineman in a 3-3-5) he could be a fun wrinkle for Hafley. I'll say this, dude looks explosive as hell. Actually reminded me a little of Edgerrin Cooper with his speed and motor. Another guy with very good pass rush metrics, he's small though. If he was 2 inches taller and 20 pounds heavier he'd have been a Day 2 pick. He could either be a sawn-off KPB, or just a faster Carl Bradford, which worries me.

Brinson seems ok. The value and need just didn't line up for Gute with how fast DTs went. I haven't watched Brinson but I guess he has better pass rush than Slaton did coming out, but that's not saying a ton. He had 6 sacks. They needed a backup NT and I think he can do that. Another high character guy it sounds like.

Robinson - same thing. Haven't seen him except for about 30 seconds of meaningless highlights. Looks like he's fast with a thin frame and a lot of attitude. I assume he's going to fight for time on ST and as a #4CB. Needs a lot of coaching, but he has some traits to work with. Was a bad CB class if you wanted guys with clean medicals, and while Trey Amos would have been fun in R2 I see the reason they took Belton.

Williams will play guard. I think he's another guy they will use to push the depth on the roster. Seems like he has some good athletic traits that don't always show up on film, and a few bad habits that GB coaching can hopefully fix. It's a R7 pick, basically a lottery ticket. He's bigger than GB has historically gone at 322 pounds, continuing the trend.

If all these guys turn into busts that don't get 2nd contracts or end up slumming around the league then we can complain, but we don't have that hindsight yet.

So overall I'm fine with it right now. They needed help with pass rush, and a backup NT. They needed depth at CB and OL. They had some questions in the WR room, especially re: size and speed with Watson/Doubs injuries.
They basically addressed all these things with picks, whether they pan out remains to be seen.

[bobblehead]

I have to judge it from an offseason perspective. I love how big and physical this offense is going to be this season. I'll be drafting Jacobs in every fantasy draft I can. I am serious when I say I think they will be making a farce out of the Savion Shove, Sneaky Cheese or whatever you want to call it. 2 Guards will both be 325 plus. Jenkins is big by center standards. Our D was gassed by the end of the Eagles game and I think MiLF and company want to do that to EVERYONE this year.

[Deputy Nutz]

This draft was really a one off for the Packers, there were no trades. They kept all of their picks and drafted 8 guys. They obviously went in a lot earlier on the offensive line. If Belton pans out, I think they can move on from Rhyan and Walker and not have to over pay for average offensive linemen. Again that is also determined by Morgan's ability to rebound from a miserable rookie year.

I like the Golden pick, you don't need oversized wide receiver in this league anymore with how illegal contact, defensive holding, and pass interference is called in the NFL. Outside of Reed this Packers wide receiver room isn't great with Watson being sidelined with injury.

Williams pick wasn't a reach, but he isn't polished and I think it's pick on potential and future production. If they getting anything from him in 2025 I consider it a bonus.

The Packers passed on defensive linemen and edge rushers in the first three rounds, I think any defensive lineman that was available with the 23rd pick was going to be a reach. I thought there was edge help available there, and corner help available but the Packers don't see those two positions as needs.

Sorrell seemed to be really undervalued heading into this draft, I love his motor and his pass rush mentality. He is skilled, uses his hands and feet well. I think he might be a steal in the 4th round. For a guy that plays around 260 the Longhorns played him over the tackle quite a bit, he can play defensive end with his hand in the ground or in a two point stance. I think he offers a lot of flexibility as he is also stout against the run. His athleticism can be seen on film.

Oliver is an interesting pick up in the 5th round especially if the Packers are going to play him as an off the ball linebacker. He played the "Leo" position in Oklahoma State's defense where they basically put there best athlete on the field and give him a bunch of options, he can rush the passer, drop into coverage or chase the ball. If the Packers want an immediate impact out of him look for him to be a special teams demon.

Brinson is an interesting pick, most had him as a 7th or a free agent, mostly because he was a rotational player for the last several years at Georgia. I think Brinson and Stackhouse lost a lot of snaps the last 4 years to 1st round defensive tackles.

Tulane plays a crazy scheme on defense that puts a lot of pressure on the Corners. Robinson has a lot of experience at the college level playing 4 years at Furman and one at Tulane. There isn't much I can say about Robinson besides he ran a quality forty time

Williams a typical late round offensive lineman pick for the Packers. They like to draft left tackles or right tackles and then move them along the offensive line to see what the best fit is and if they offer flexibility along the offensive line.

[sharpe1027]

The focus is on the top of the draft, but I'm excited for the possibility of improving pass rush from some combination of Sorrell, Oliver, and Brinson.

Probably wishful thinking.

[texaspackerbacker]

I hadn't followed many individuals before the draft, but from what I've read about these guys after, I like the draft overall.

I'm glad we got a WR, especially a speed guy instead of a D Lineman in the first. I'd compare Golden if he pans out (no pun intended) to C.D. Lamb.

Belton, if you have to pick a yokozuma, he seems like a good choice - a road grader, which the Packers seem to be shifting to, is what I prefer. I never like Rashard Walker. I'm thinking Belton ends up there, LT.

#3: again, skill position over big- I like it, and I think LaFleur will find some creative ways to use him. Somebody said he might be an upgrade from Reed, though. Nope, I don't see that.

Sorrell at #4: I didn't think Edge was as much a position of need as a lot of people did. This guy seems to have a shot at being good and was drafted about where we shoulda drafted an Edge.

Oliver at #5: if we get lucky, he kinda sounds like Edgerin James. if not, it's just a 5th.

Brinson at #6 (and throw in Stackhouse as sort of a tag team: With Slayton gone and some mediocrity otherwise, I wouldn't be surprised if both these guys make the team. We're really loading up on Georgia D Linemen - these two plus Wyatt.

Robinson in the 7th: He just might be the next Carrington Valentine (a good thing) hahahaha. Hopefully he's at least an upgrade from Balentine. I don't know what quality FA Corners are available, but I wouldn't be surprised if Gutekunst already has one lined up - the reason for not drafting one higher.

John Williams late 7th: now this is where you draft your yokozuma hahahaha. It seems like he is another road grader who has a decent chance to make the team.

[Anti-Polar Bear]

Belton pick left a bad taste in my mouth. But since a corner wasn’t picked with the pick, I am hopeful of J-Alex in the Green and Mustard Yellow next season.

Trading or releasing a shutdown corner defines stupidity.

[Anti-Polar Bear]

I hadn't followed many individuals before the draft, but from what I've read about these guys after, I like the draft overall.

I'm glad we got a WR, especially a speed guy instead of a D Lineman in the first. I'd compare Golden if he pans out (no pun intended) to C.D. Lamb.

Belton, if you have to pick a yokozuma, he seems like a good choice - a road grader, which the Packers seem to be shifting to, is what I prefer. I never like Rashard Walker. I'm thinking Belton ends up there, LT.

#3: again, skill position over big- I like it, and I think LaFleur will find some creative ways to use him. Somebody said he might be an upgrade from Reed, though. Nope, I don't see that.

Sorrell at #4: I didn't think Edge was as much a position of need as a lot of people did. This guy seems to have a shot at being good and was drafted about where we shoulda drafted an Edge.

Oliver at #5: if we get lucky, he kinda sounds like Edgerin James. if not, it's just a 5th.

Brinson at #6 (and throw in Stackhouse as sort of a tag team: With Slayton gone and some mediocrity otherwise, I wouldn't be surprised if both these guys make the team. We're really loading up on Georgia D Linemen - these two plus Wyatt.

Robinson in the 7th: He just might be the next Carrington Valentine (a good thing) hahahaha. Hopefully he's at least an upgrade from Balentine. I don't know what quality FA Corners are available, but I wouldn't be surprised if Gutekunst already has one lined up - the reason for not drafting one higher.

John Williams late 7th: now this is where you draft your yokozuma hahahaha. It seems like he is another road grader who has a decent chance to make the team.

Good post.

[CaptainKickass]

What do you all think?

The only judgements I'm qualified to make about the Packers draft and any UDFA's is how to make fun of them should they turn out to be stinkified turds. Duds. Failures.

I sincerely hope every player the Pack signs turns out to be great but I spent several hundred seconds preparing for a few names to form my version of a true "mock-draft" should they suck at football:

Fallin' Allover (Colin Oliver)
Matthew Moldin'
Anthony Meltin'
Tyron "Pickled" Herring
Micha "Mrs" Robinson
Savvy-Non Williams
"Barren" Sorrell
Nazir Snackhouse

...and of course the most obvious...

JaMon Dumbass-Johnson



*takes bow*

Thank you very little. It was ungratefully depreciated!

[run pMc]

The focus is on the top of the draft, but I'm excited for the possibility of improving pass rush from some combination of Sorrell, Oliver, and Brinson.

Probably wishful thinking.

They seem to be banking on Covington being a much better DL coach than Rebrovich. The pass rush regressed after moving him from Edge rusher coach under Barry to DL coach under Hafley.

[texaspackerbacker]

Belton pick left a bad taste in my mouth. But since a corner wasn’t picked with the pick, I am hopeful of J-Alex in the Green and Mustard Yellow next season.

Trading or releasing a shutdown corner defines stupidity.

Somehow I figured you'd like my post APB hahahaha.

I just read an article about Jaire maybe staying with the Packers. If he miraculously got back to where he used to be, that might be nice, but cutting him and saving the $17 million ought to enable us to grab a high quality FA Corner, which might be better even than a refurbished Jaire. Is he still a shutdown Corner? Or just a very rich potential burger flipper? There is a third possibility: restructure him for a lot less money. If his agent tells him there wouldn't be much demand for him if he was cut and became a FA, he might just go for it.

[run pMc]

The story I hear is that so far the team hasn't approached Jaire's camp about a restructure because they said he wouldn't take it anyway. Seems weird to not even try, but Jaire is also a weird dude. It could get awkward if he shows up for minicamps etc.

Gute's post-draft presser response was that he was still on the roster, not that they were trying to work things out or close to a deal or even talking, which makes me think they have moved on. (Signing Hobbs is a pretty good sign of that as well, along with Nixon saying he wanted to be CB1)

Jaire isn't going to get $17M on the open market now, not after the draft and first week FA money has been spent. They're waiting for something to happen. Meanwhile, they don't have to pay him anything other than a workout bonus until week 1 of the season.
Gute is banking on some team getting desperate and calling to make a deal.

[Deputy Nutz]

Report yesterday out of ESPN that the Packers and Alexander are in discussions. Jaire knows he isn't going to get 17 million on the open market, so the Packers want to knock his base salary down and offer incentives that would bring his total salary back up to 17 million. I think it is a win/win for the two sides. Alexander can play and have a great season and make his original salary, but if he gets injured or continues to be a dickhead he gets the negotiated base.

[Spaulding]

Surprised they don't consider cutting Jaire and with that 17mil savings, sign Stephen Gilmore for probably 10mil less. Gilmore went for 7mil last year with the VIkes and wasn't bad. Obviously no longer has the ceiling of Jaire but also much more reliable to be on the field.

[SudsMcBucky]

Belton pick left a bad taste in my mouth. But since a corner wasn’t picked with the pick, I am hopeful of J-Alex in the Green and Mustard Yellow next season.

Trading or releasing a shutdown corner defines stupidity.

I'm beginning to think this is the way Gutey's now leaning.

[bobblehead]

Report yesterday out of ESPN that the Packers and Alexander are in discussions. Jaire knows he isn't going to get 17 million on the open market, so the Packers want to knock his base salary down and offer incentives that would bring his total salary back up to 17 million. I think it is a win/win for the two sides. Alexander can play and have a great season and make his original salary, but if he gets injured or continues to be a dickhead he gets the negotiated base.

Jaire is done in GB. He won't take the cut necessary for them to take a chance that he can not be an ass and actually play 15 games or more. This is all talk to make other teams think we might just keep him if they don't give us something. They will string this out all offseason. I'm imagining him being more or less locked out of camp because they won't risk injury. Excuse will be they are still fielding trade talks so they don't want to risk injury, blah blah. He will be released at the end of camp if no one ponies up a 7th. Gutes will do this as a thumb in the eye to a guy who thumbed the organization in the eye over and over. With no camp and no prep his value on the open market will be at an absolute minimum and he will end up signing somewhere for $7 million on a prove it deal.

[Jaire]

I just listened to Mike Wahle on Belton. I was already happy with the pick. They are trying to get bigger, and nastier. Solid pick.

More importantly, I think, they are trying to find new leadership in the rooms. Golden for the WR's. Belton brings a bit of TJ Lang to the OL room. I wouldn't be surprised at all if Sorrell becomes the leader of the ends by year one. I was glad to see Gute acknowledged a need to rethink "leadership".

Sorrell was a steal imo. Most years, he goes round two. I didn't realize his athletic scores (for a DE) were so good. Most intriguing pick to me. Oliver is for playing with the lead: hopefully, we'll see more of that this year.

All in all, one of the most interesting drafts. I see what they're trying to do, and entirely agree: been asking for upgrade at OL for a long time, and also thinking we need different "leaders" in the locker room. Hope it works out. Value was good imo, and the picks too. Also, gotta realize that some of these are about cap. And Matt got himself a nice toy, round 3.

[run pMc]

They drafted a ton of players last year who were team captains, and that trend seems to have continued this year too.
Belton needs some coaching, but you have to love his size and attitude. I think they want him at G but will give him some snaps at T. He tested at 336 but played heavier; can't imagine many DL are going to enjoy a guy that big shoving and leaning on them all game, with Josh Jacobs running behind him.

Thinking about that opening drive vs. Seattle last year, I think MLF would love to have a lot of drives like that.

All that said, I'm not sure Belton sees a lot of snaps this year, unless they have injuries, a big lead, or try the rotating linemen gig again.

Sorrell looks like a good pick, and for a R4 guy a very good athlete.

I find drafts interesting because it often tells you a lot of what the GM/scouts think about their own players. Walker and Rhyan are probably goners in FA, Enagbare too. Aaron Mosby's roster spot is in big trouble.

[Teamcheez1]

I am interested to see how Collin Oliver performs. Every article talks about his explosiveness, but also says he is undersized at 6’1” and 240 lbs. Micah Parsons is listed at 6’3” and 245 lbs.

[smuggler]

Anthony Belton has been called Escalade. I think that's pretty sick.

[Deputy Nutz]

If you don't think of Oliver as a defensive end and more of an off the ball linebacker his size makes sense. I can't see him making it in the league with the expectation of lining up in a 5 technique and setting some kind of edge 40 times a game, If he materializes I think opposing offenses will have to identify where he is and then guess where he will be inserting or if he is spying the QB or dropping into coverage. He was drafted for his flexibility.

[run pMc]

I think Oliver is going to play ST snaps, and then a few 3rd and long snaps, or when up by 2+ scores with 5 minutes left. He's very undersized, but he's also a rocket who can bend around the edge. His pass production was basically on par with Abdul Carter's.
He has short arms and is not a tall man by DE standards, so he's going to be limited. You could have hm play some off ball LB snaps and rush him, sure. If he figures out how to drop into shallow zones that would give him some more value. I would guess he plays around 15 snaps in any given game (including ST).

He's basically a DPR. I've heard him compared to Nate Herbig. Either way, Hafley appeared to be creative and flexible with adapting the scheme to his players, I think Oliver gives him another way to tinker with his D. GB usually doesn't go for bendy speed rushers, so this is a nice change of pace from the 270 pound bull rushers that don't have any pass rush moves.

[Fritz]

It does look like Halfley did get a couple "toys" even though they didn't go for defense early in the draft.

Weird article in Acme today about how the Packers draft class is ranked according to some crazy analytic:

https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/green-bay-packers-draft/2025/5/1/24421820/2025-nfl-draft-packers-draft-class-ranked-as-one-of-the-best

[Patler]

During the draft, seeing only initial comments about players, I didn't like the Packers' draft very much. As I learn more about the players and think more about how they will fit in and be used, I am liking it more and more.

[Spaulding]

During the draft, seeing only initial comments about players, I didn't like the Packers' draft very much. As I learn more about the players and think more about how they will fit in and be used, I am liking it more and more.

I didn't like the draft either Patler which means it's going to be historically good one for Gute as I'm not giving it the kiss of death endorsement. However I do like the Hardman and Simmons signings and so they are likely going to underwhelm unfortunately. :)

[Bretsky]

During the draft, seeing only initial comments about players, I didn't like the Packers' draft very much. As I learn more about the players and think more about how they will fit in and be used, I am liking it more and more.


So what you are saying is once they started pouring the homer kool aide you drank the whole gallon ? :)))

[Bretsky]

I am pretty luck warm on the draft.

Like the round one pick although I wasn't jumping for joy because I wanted the OSU stud

Really wanted a CB in round two; instead we drafted a guy who need to develop and pretty much means Wallace and Ryan are gone next year. So we added depth

And I think I'd have preferred an EDGE over around round 3 WR so I'm not as sold on as others.

Loved the round 4 pick.

The rest were fine.

I'd grade this bad boy a C plus/B minus overall

[run pMc]

There's been some kool aid with the R3 pick for sure, the rest I'm mostly ok with. The board didn't fall good for GB - a lot of the DLs were gone, and the CBs were hurt. Apparently even Trey Amos (who was available in R2) had a medical concern with his back, so I get it.
There were a lot of players who got overdrafted and it will be interesting to see how that looks in 2-3 years, I don't get the feeling this was an all-timer draft and GB took Mandarich or anything. They had needs at DL (DT/EDGE), CB, WR, and OL depth, and they tried to address each of them.
If Jaire's gone they're still thin at CB, they're probably fine at the rest. Hafley and Co. did ok with Stokes for at CB for a chunk of the year, if they actually improve the pass rush they will probably be ok with his replacement APRH.

[bobblehead]

I loved the round 3 pick for one simple reason....its usually that pick Gutes goes with in the 1st. Savion is an absolute size freak. His upside is tremendous, but unlikely. I'm ok with that in the 3rd round (late no less). Lets put it this way. I slammed Gutes for the Amari Rogers pick. Smallish guy with limited upside. Why for ffs? Williams is a beast who probably will never utilize all that potential, however I think the floor is much higher than for other guys we have taken there. He is physically similar to Watson who we traded up for. A touch slower, but a world difference in strength and size (weight). I don't know, but getting him in the 3rd instead of Gutes trading up in the 2nd seems like a better value than we have found in recent history.

[run pMc]

Fair argument bobble. I think Savion is raw and there is upside if they can develop him. The hands worry me, and he's not a plug-and-play X receiver. I think he's a bigger Reed, but I agree he could probably run some 9 routes and be a nightmare for 5-9 180 lb CBs to cover. I think the drops could be corrected - seem like concentration drops -- and he's actually good in contested catches.

I like the pick better than Amari Rodgers 100%, I thought he was too short and not explosive enough... and then there was the lost confidence (punt return fumbles etc.)

Also agree as you get farther into the draft, you end up looking at players with bigger holes in their game, so you gotta take swings.
Golden isn't a finished project, but at least he got a few elite traits and good hands. He's not a 9.99 RAS athlete who doesn't know how to play. Gute likes to take athletes and hope coaches can turn them into football players, sometimes you need to take a football player.

[Bretsky]

I loved the round 3 pick for one simple reason....its usually that pick Gutes goes with in the 1st. Savion is an absolute size freak. His upside is tremendous, but unlikely. I'm ok with that in the 3rd round (late no less). Lets put it this way. I slammed Gutes for the Amari Rogers pick. Smallish guy with limited upside. Why for ffs? Williams is a beast who probably will never utilize all that potential, however I think the floor is much higher than for other guys we have taken there. He is physically similar to Watson who we traded up for. A touch slower, but a world difference in strength and size (weight). I don't know, but getting him in the 3rd instead of Gutes trading up in the 2nd seems like a better value than we have found in recent history.


Hated the Amari pick as well. Was it Amon St Brown the one we passed ? just imagine..........

[bobblehead]

Hated the Amari pick as well. Was it Amon St Brown the one we passed ? just imagine..........

I wanted Kenny Gainwell. He was similar to Amari but designated as a RB. He had elite pass catching skills for a RB and could have filled that "gadget" role way better than Amari. Instead he went a round later to the Eagles. Gainwell is still in the league and productive. Amon was also a 4th round pick, but more of a true WR. I watched his pro day and thought he was going to be good, but I went with the Gainwell comparison because of the way they intended to use that pick. 32 GMs should all be embarrassed that Amon lasted until the 4th.

[Bretsky]

I wanted Kenny Gainwell. He was similar to Amari but designated as a RB. He had elite pass catching skills for a RB and could have filled that "gadget" role way better than Amari. Instead he went a round later to the Eagles. Gainwell is still in the league and productive. Amon was also a 4th round pick, but more of a true WR. I watched his pro day and thought he was going to be good, but I went with the Gainwell comparison because of the way they intended to use that pick. 32 GMs should all be embarrassed that Amon lasted until the 4th.


Pretty sure we'd both take St Brown now (most pundits had him rated quite higher than Rodgers) but Gainwell would have given us a skill set we still have not found

[bobblehead]

Pretty sure we'd both take St Brown now (most pundits had him rated quite higher than Rodgers) but Gainwell would have given us a skill set we still have not found

I'd take St. Brown over any "skill set" player on our roster except Love.

[Fritz]

I'd take St. Brown over any "skill set" player on our roster except Love.

The Packers drafted St. Brown. Just the wrong one in the wrong year.

[run pMc]

Hated the Amari pick as well. Was it Amon St Brown the one we passed ? just imagine..........

Yep, St. Brown went in R4, actually. I would have expected (and wanted) them to take a flier on some guy picked shortly after Amari, a guy named Nico Collins. Would've been fine with him or St. Brown, who I liked but thought he was slot-only and small for a GB WR, but that argument doesn't seem to apply anymore after Reed and Golden.

I suspect having EQ on the team might have been a reason not to take Amon, but you never know. Their parents are interesting characters for sure and who knows what the locker-room/off-field stuff would have been like with them both in the WR room.

[texaspackerbacker]

I can just imagine what the negativists and detractors in here woulda said at the time if the Packers had drafted another St. Brown hahahaha.