3rd Annual Packer Rats Draft Game.

[Joemailman]

Did this last year, bringing it back...

The Premise:

Pick 10 players YOU think the Packers will draft this year and what round you think they'll go in. Whoever racks up the most points, wins.

Scoring:

Points will be awarded according to the round the player was taken in, since predictions are proportionally more difficult in the higher rounds. One additional point will be added if the round prediction is correct. For Example:

If you predict the Packers will take Dustin Keller in the 1st round, and that happens, you get 2 points, 1 point for picking a 1st round pick, and 1 point for getting the right round.

If you predict the Packers will take Keller in the 2nd round, but the Packers take him in the 3rd round, you will get 3 points for getting a 3rd round pick, but will not get the extra 1 point for getting the round right.

[Joemailman]

1. Brandon Flowers CB
1. Aqib Talib CB
2. Dustin Keller TE
2. Jeremy Geathers DE
3. Jeremy Zuttah G
4. Jerome Simpson WR
4. Tavares Gooden ILB
5. DeMario Pressley DT
6. Cody Wallace C
7. Danny Woodhead RB

[packrulz]

1. Sam Baker, OT, USC. Rarely does a quality LT drop to the 30th pick in the draft, if he's still there, TT has to consider drafting him. Scouts think he'd be good in ZBS.
2A. Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana. This guy does what the Packers want CB's to do, play man coverage. He also is a skilled punt returner and special teams guy.
2B. John Carlson, TE, Notre Dame. He might slip due to slow combine.
3. Jason Jones, DE, Eastern Michigan. Has prototype size/speed, can play other positions on the defensive line.
4A. Josh Johnson, QB, San Diego. Has good size and can scramble. 4B. Darnell Terrell, CB, MO. He's a project, he only started 2 years, but has the size & speed you look for. Might be able to challenge at safety too.
5. Andrew Crummey, OG, Maryland. Broke his leg so he'll slip, but a solid prospect.
7. Danny Woodhead, RB, Chadron St. All time college rushing leader wasn't even invited to the combine. Started all 4 years and ran the ball even though everyone knew he was going to run it. He comes from a small school but some team will draft him. Even if TT doesn't I'll be watching where he goes and how he does.


I also predict TT will try to bring in undrafted Tim Bugg, the best long snapper in the draft.

[DonHutson]

My 10 with extra expert commentary (my actual Packer mock is the following list minus Brown and Atchison):

1.) Antoine Cason (CB) Arizona

Seems like a safe (though not terribly glamorous) pick if we stay at #30. Short term: competes for nickel and dime jobs. Long term: Should be a steady, solid pro (dare I say, the Al Harris of his generation?).

2.) Duane Brown (OT) Virginia Tech

Very athletic former TE. Seems like an ideal fit for the zone system, but I'm afraid he'll likely be gone by #56. If he's there they should jump all over him. Short term: backup LT. Long term: heir apparent at LT.

2.) Reggie Smith (DB) Oklahoma

Sure fire first rounder who's been passed up in stopwatch silly season by lesser players. I have a feeling this guy will be a very good pro. Short term: should compete for playing time at S right away. Long term: starting S (dare I say, the LeRoy Butler of his generation?)

2.) John Carlson (TE) Notre Dame

We have our deep threat receiving TE. Give me a guy who can block and get open to move the chains. Carlson fits the bill. Short term: lots playing time on run downs and two TE sets. Long term: more of the same (dare I say, the Mark Chmura of his generation? Minus the proclivity for boozed up hot tub prom night teeny bopping, that is.)

3.) Brian Johnston (DE) Gardner Webb

Give JH the credit for unearthing this guy. I'm on board. Short term: #4 DE bounces Mike Montgomery off roster. Long term: replaces KGB as pass rush specialist (dare I say, the Bryce Paup of his generation?)

4.) Josh Johnson (QB) San Diego

Short term: #3 QB if we add a vet. Long term: #2 with a chance for more (dare I say, the Mark Brunell of his generation?)

4.) Dexter Jackson (WR/KR) Appalachian State

Gutsy, super quick, super productive small school guy. Deluxe return man who's tough enough to play at WR. Short term: PR and KR. Long term: PR, KR, #4 or 5 WR (dare I say, the Desmond Howard of his generation?)

5.) Jerome Felton (FB) Furman

Smart, tough FB who can kick some ass and do a little damage with the ball in his hands. Short term: should challenge for the starting FB job. Long term: should win the starting FB job (dare I say, the William Henderson of his generation?)

7.) Corey Clark (OT) Texas A&M

Under the radar, decent athlete. Short term: should compete with Moll for last OT job. Long term: hopefully he sticks for awhile.

7.) Andrew Atchison (TE) William & Mary

I think we address TE earlier, but if not this small school guy has some size and speed.

[DonHutson]

1. Sam Baker, OT, USC. Rarely does a quality LT drop to the 30th pick in the draft, if he's still there, TT has to consider drafting him. Scouts think he'd be good in ZBS.
2A. Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana. This guy does what the Packers want CB's to do, play man coverage. He also is a skilled punt returner and special teams guy.
2B. John Carlson, TE, Notre Dame. He might slip due to slow combine.
3. Jason Jones, DE, Eastern Michigan. Has prototype size/speed, can play other positions on the defensive line.
4A. Josh Johnson, QB, San Diego. Has good size and can scramble. 4B. Darnell Terrell, CB, MO. He's a project, he only started 2 years, but has the size & speed you look for. Might be able to challenge at safety too.
5. Andrew Crummey, OG, Maryland. Broke his leg so he'll slip, but a solid prospect.
7. Danny Woodhead, RB, Chadron St. All time college rushing leader wasn't even invited to the combine. Started all 4 years and ran the ball even though everyone knew he was going to run it. He comes from a small school but some team will draft him. Even if TT doesn't I'll be watching where he goes and how he does.


I also predict TT will try to bring in undrafted Tim Bugg, the best long snapper in the draft.

We're thinking the same way on many of those. I like Porter, Carlson, Jones, and Johnson as well. My only problem is Baker. Everything I read says he's far less athletic than teams thought he would be, and most of them question his toughness. Some teams think he'll have to play G. I don't know, that's a lot of red flags for me. Reminds me of John Michels.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Everything I've read makes it sound like Cason would be a bad fit for our scheme--which is too bad because I like him.

[woodbuck27]

My 10 with extra expert commentary (my actual Packer mock is the following list minus Brown and Atchison):

1.) Antoine Cason (CB) Arizona

Seems like a safe (though not terribly glamorous) pick if we stay at #30. Short term: competes for nickel and dime jobs. Long term: Should be a steady, solid pro (dare I say, the Al Harris of his generation?).

2.) Duane Brown (OT) Virginia Tech

Very athletic former TE. Seems like an ideal fit for the zone system, but I'm afraid he'll likely be gone by #56. If he's there they should jump all over him. Short term: backup LT. Long term: heir apparent at LT.

2.) Reggie Smith (DB) Oklahoma

Sure fire first rounder who's been passed up in stopwatch silly season by lesser players. I have a feeling this guy will be a very good pro. Short term: should compete for playing time at S right away. Long term: starting S (dare I say, the LeRoy Butler of his generation?)

2.) John Carlson (TE) Notre Dame

We have our deep threat receiving TE. Give me a guy who can block and get open to move the chains. Carlson fits the bill. Short term: lots playing time on run downs and two TE sets. Long term: more of the same (dare I say, the Mark Chmura of his generation? Minus the proclivity for boozed up hot tub prom night teeny bopping, that is.)

3.) Brian Johnston (DE) Gardner Webb

Give JH the credit for unearthing this guy. I'm on board. Short term: #4 DE bounces Mike Montgomery off roster. Long term: replaces KGB as pass rush specialist (dare I say, the Bryce Paup of his generation?)

4.) Josh Johnson (QB) San Diego

Short term: #3 QB if we add a vet. Long term: #2 with a chance for more (dare I say, the Mark Brunell of his generation?)

4.) Dexter Jackson (WR/KR) Appalachian State

Gutsy, super quick, super productive small school guy. Deluxe return man who's tough enough to play at WR. Short term: PR and KR. Long term: PR, KR, #4 or 5 WR (dare I say, the Desmond Howard of his generation?)

5.) Jerome Felton (FB) Furman

Smart, tough FB who can kick some ass and do a little damage with the ball in his hands. Short term: should challenge for the starting FB job. Long term: should win the starting FB job (dare I say, the William Henderson of his generation?)

7.) Corey Clark (OT) Texas A&M

Under the radar, decent athlete. Short term: should compete with Moll for last OT job. Long term: hopefully he sticks for awhile.

7.) Andrew Atchison (TE) William & Mary

I think we address TE earlier, but if not this small school guy has some size and speed.

I like this prediction.

[woodbuck27]

Here's my shot in the almost dark.
GO TT GO!!

First Round
1a. Dan Connor, ILB/OLB, Penn State
Second Round
2a. Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma
2b. Matt Forte, RB, Tulane
2c. Fred Davis, TE, USC
Third Round
3a. John Greco, OT, Toledo
Fourth Round
4a. John David Booty, QB, USC
4b. Chris Harrington, DE, Texas A&M
Fifth Round
5a. Marcus Griffin, FS, Texas
sixth Round
6a.Kenneth Moore, WR, Wake Forest
Seventh Round
7a. Al Phillips, CB, Wagner

[packrulz]

1. Sam Baker, OT, USC. Rarely does a quality LT drop to the 30th pick in the draft, if he's still there, TT has to consider drafting him. Scouts think he'd be good in ZBS.
2A. Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana. This guy does what the Packers want CB's to do, play man coverage. He also is a skilled punt returner and special teams guy.
2B. John Carlson, TE, Notre Dame. He might slip due to slow combine.
3. Jason Jones, DE, Eastern Michigan. Has prototype size/speed, can play other positions on the defensive line.
4A. Josh Johnson, QB, San Diego. Has good size and can scramble. 4B. Darnell Terrell, CB, MO. He's a project, he only started 2 years, but has the size & speed you look for. Might be able to challenge at safety too.
5. Andrew Crummey, OG, Maryland. Broke his leg so he'll slip, but a solid prospect.
7. Danny Woodhead, RB, Chadron St. All time college rushing leader wasn't even invited to the combine. Started all 4 years and ran the ball even though everyone knew he was going to run it. He comes from a small school but some team will draft him. Even if TT doesn't I'll be watching where he goes and how he does.


I also predict TT will try to bring in undrafted Tim Bugg, the best long snapper in the draft.

We're thinking the same way on many of those. I like Porter, Carlson, Jones, and Johnson as well. My only problem is Baker. Everything I read says he's far less athletic than teams thought he would be, and most of them question his toughness. Some teams think he'll have to play G. I don't know, that's a lot of red flags for me. Reminds me of John Michels.

Don, I try not to get too caught up in combine stats, every year scouts make that mistake, and guys who had a fantastic combine get drafted high, sign for big money, and suck in the NFL. Like TT says, you want to draft football players, not workout warriors.
"Baker (6-4½, 308) was a four-year starter at left tackle at USC, which has been a premier program over that time, and might be slightly undervalued if scouts haven't done their homework.

"He's a pro-type guy, studies film, does it right, works at it," said Pat Ruel, USC's offensive line coach and the Packers' offensive line assistant from 2001 to 2002. "He fought through a bunch of injuries (last) year. Some (scout) asked me, 'He didn't play as good this year as he did the year before,' and I said, 'He was out there trying to play.' This guy was banged up now, he tore cartilage in his ribs, then he basically tried to come back. I tried to get him to ease off a little bit, but he was trying to get back so fast because he knew we were really hurting, we needed him out there. He's one of those guys you want. He's going to fight to get his (expletive) back (on the field). He thinks it's an obligation to be out there. There's so many things about the guy I like. He's got a professional makeup, and that's as important as anything."

Baker's short arms (32 inches) are a major concern, but he's a good technician and is the kind of smaller, more agile lineman who fits the zone-blocking run game. Clifton, at about 320 pounds, never has been a good run blocker in the NFL and lacks some of the flexibility and mobility to excel at the cut blocks that are a staple of the zone-run scheme deployed by the Packers, Denver and Houston, among other teams.

"You put (Baker) on a team like Denver, he could be a nice player for them," said the scouting director for an AFC team. "Even though he's not a great athlete, he has good feet, he's a good technician, he can get down and make the cut blocks and the reach blocks. That's what those zone-blocking teams are looking for. So I think he can play left tackle."

[woodbuck27]

Dbl post. Sorry.

[DonHutson]

This is a work in progress.

First Round


30. Green Bay Packers ( 720 )

Am I going to need my secret decoder ring, or should I just let you keep working?

[DonHutson]

Don, I try not to get too caught up in combine stats, every year scouts make that mistake, and guys who had a fantastic combine get drafted high, sign for big money, and suck in the NFL. Like TT says, you want to draft football players, not workout warriors.

I totally agree with that. Reggie Smith and John Carlson are a couple of guys I like that fit that profile.

I guess I've just read too many write-ups on Baker that question whether he's too soft and whether he really likes football that much. Not characteristics I would look for, especially on the OL.

However, thanks for posting the quotes from his OL coach. Those are enlightening as well. If he's merely been hampered by a string of injuries then maybe he could be a solid pick. If we take him, I hope that's the case.

[woodbuck27]

Here's that new Draft Trading Chart for all you NFL Guru's:

http://www.profootballtalk.com/2008/04/15/new-draft-trade-chart/

1st Rd 2nd Rd 3rd Rd 4th Rd 5th Rd 6th Rd 7th Rd
1 2,000 33 570 65 265 97 112 129 43 161 27 193 14.2
2 1,900 34 560 66 260 98 108 130 42 162 26.6 194 13.8
3 1,825 35 550 67 255 99 104 131 41 163 26.2 195 13.4
4 1,750 36 540 68 250 100 100 132 40 164 25.8 196 13
5 1,675 37 530 69 245 101 96 133 39.5 165 25.4 197 12.6
6 1,635 38 520 70 240 102 92 134 39 166 25 198 12.2
7 1,570 39 510 71 235 103 88 135 38.5 167 24.6 199 11.8
8 1,505 40 500 72 230 104 86 136 38 168 24.2 200 11.4
9 1,440 41 490 73 225 105 84 137 37.5 169 23.8 201 11
10 1,375 42 480 74 220 106 82 138 37 170 23.4 202 10.6
11 1,320 43 470 75 215 107 80 139 36.5 171 23 203 10.2
12 1,275 44 460 76 210 108 78 140 36 172 22.6 204 9.8
13 1,230 45 450 77 205 109 76 141 35.5 173 22.2 205 9.4
14 1,185 46 440 78 200 110 74 142 35 174 21.8 206 9
15 1,140 47 430 79 195 111 72 143 34.5 175 21.4 207 8.6
16 1,110 48 420 80 190 112 70 144 34 176 21 208 8.2
17 1,070 49 410 81 185 113 68 145 33.5 177 20.6 209 7.8
18 1,040 50 400 82 180 114 66 146 33 178 20.2 210 7.4
19 1,010 51 390 83 175 115 64 147 32.6 179 19.8 211 7
20 980 52 380 84 170 116 62 148 32.2 180 19.4 212 6.6
21 945 53 370 85 165 117 60 149 31.8 181 19 213 6.2
22 920 54 360 86 160 118 58 150 31.4 182 18.6 214 5.8
23 895 55 350 87 155 119 56 151 31 183 18.2 215 5.4
24 870 56 340 88 150 120 54 152 30.6 184 17.8 216 5
25 845 57 330 89 145 121 52 153 30.2 185 17.4 217 4.6
26 820 58 320 90 140 122 50 154 29.8 186 17 218 4.2
27 795 59 310 91 136 123 49 155 29.4 187 16.6 219 3.8
28 770 60 300 92 132 124 48 156 29 188 16.2 220 3.4
29 745 61 292 93 128 125 47 157 28.6 189 15.8 221 3
30 720 62 284 94 124 126 46 158 28.2 190 15.4 222 2.6
31 695 63 276 95 120 127 45 159 27.8 191 15 223 2.3
32 670 64 270 96 116 128 44 160 27.4 192 14.6 224 2

[cheesner]

2. Charles Godfrey CB
2. Erin Henderson LB
2. Sam Baker OT
2. Reggie Smith S
2. Lawrence Jackson DE
3. Jason Jones DE
4. Patrick Lee CB
4. Jermichal Finley TE
4. Oneil Cousins OT
5. Craig Stevens TE

[Bossman641]

1. Antoine Cason CB
2. Charles Godfrey CB
3. Oniel Cousins OT
3. Lawrence Jackson DE
3. Andre Woodson QB
4. Kellen Davis TE
4. Earl Bennett WR
5. Brian Johnston DE
6. Marcus Smith WR
7. Jerome Messam RB