Greatest Need in the 2009 NFL Draft for Packers

[SnakeLH2006]

NT is a situational player. Needing a backup NT is akin to needing a backup nickel back. Granted it is an important situational player, but it is still situational.

We have guys that can play OT. While we could use some depth for sure, I'm not shaking in my boots over the prospects of the kids starting. IMO they are better than the starters anyway, who were only starting because of their paychecks and the couple game hiccup that a line shuffle would cause.

Poppinga and Chillar are absolutely pitiful options at elephant OLB. We don't have a starter on the roster.

I definitely agree with that statement.

As far as NT, do you really think Pickett is the long term answer. I understand if you think we'd be drafting a backup, but Pickett is old (30) and a FA to be in the last year of his contract. I'm not sold that he is the man-mountain a true 3-4 needs at NT. He's good, but really regressed last year in 2008 vs. 2007 and 2006. He got slowed a bit by injuries and at his size/age he may be slowing....Regardless he's a FA to be and I'd like a big guy to take over the middle as Snake feels his best is behind him not only because of those facts, but because, he may not be the force we need to command 2 blockers and collapse a pocket NOW. Esp. with FA coming, I'd like to draft his replacement now at #9 with Raji or at least in the 2nd. Either way...Snake would be extremely happy with a OT or NT at #9 and vice versa in the second.

P. Williams will be going on 37 this season. G. Jackson is 36. A lot of the big A gap tackles don't get good until their early 30's and they last a fairly long time. 30 isn't that old at all for a power tackle. 32-33, then its time to start looking for a replacement as a point of need, instead of a luxury upgrade (which Raji would be). Raji wouldn't do a whole lot to help the team for 2-3 years different than Pickett, it isn't until 4-5 years after the draft that the pick would actually have value.

Keep in mind, next year is a great DT draft. They all went back to school.

I thought about that (ages of top NT's when I posted that last comment) but age is not the main factor with Pickett. I don't feel he can be a top NT as those guys are mountains. Pickett is not. He can't move 2 OL at will at 23 much less 30. I'm saying he's not equipped to be a top NT in a 3-4. They were because of their size. We need to upgrade regardless and it be a good year to get that guy in the draft because Pickett has been slowing (injuries/age) and we have him to baby a new guy for a year.

[Fritz]

Good back and forth here. Makes me start to lose a little of my love for BJ - and that's saying something...

Still, I'd be happy to get BJ in the first round, though you couldn't really trade down past Denver and still expect the guy to be there.

[Bretsky]

Unless somebody falls, to me trading down makes the most sense.

[Waldo]

Unless somebody falls, to me trading down makes the most sense.

Unless somebody falls, there is no point in trading up to our pick.

Orakpo falls, Was is a strong trade up possibility.

Monroe or Oher fall (possibly Andre too depending on the next few weeks), Philly or Det have strong trade up potential.

Raji falls, the Broncos could be lookin' to deal.

Stafford/Sanchez fall, the Jets, Bucs, and Detroit all could be suitors (I doubt we'd trade a QB pick in-division, but we'd probably do it for an OT).

Detroit holds the best pick in the draft (#33), I'm sure TT would love to get his hands on it.

[3irty1]

Unless somebody falls, to me trading down makes the most sense.

Unless somebody falls, there is no point in trading up to our pick.

Orakpo falls, Was is a strong trade up possibility.

Monroe or Oher fall (possibly Andre too depending on the next few weeks), Philly or Det have strong trade up potential.

Raji falls, the Broncos could be lookin' to deal.

Stafford/Sanchez fall, the Jets, Bucs, and Detroit all could be suitors (I doubt we'd trade a QB pick in-division, but we'd probably do it for an OT).

Detroit holds the best pick in the draft (#33), I'm sure TT would love to get his hands on it.

Orakpo, Monroe, and Raji are all guys we could use ourselves.

I doubt we'll trade down unless someone is looking to trade up for a QB. Its a shame half of the teams who need QBs are in our division.

[KYPack]

Unless somebody falls, to me trading down makes the most sense.

Unless somebody falls, there is no point in trading up to our pick.

Orakpo falls, Was is a strong trade up possibility.

Monroe or Oher fall (possibly Andre too depending on the next few weeks), Philly or Det have strong trade up potential.

Raji falls, the Broncos could be lookin' to deal.

Stafford/Sanchez fall, the Jets, Bucs, and Detroit all could be suitors (I doubt we'd trade a QB pick in-division, but we'd probably do it for an OT).

Detroit holds the best pick in the draft (#33), I'm sure TT would love to get his hands on it.

See, I'm all screwed up. I was thinking that our pick would have the most potential ever for teams to trade up. But if Raji falls, don't we draft him?

The 33 pick is the best in the draft? That is in line with what I've been reading. This draft has a great top 50, but a lousy top 10. That figures, when we have the 9!

[red]

pft is saying that Houshmandzadeh is on his way to seattle

if they sign him, then they won't take crabtree at #4

which might not be good for us

[Waldo]

Unless somebody falls, to me trading down makes the most sense.

Unless somebody falls, there is no point in trading up to our pick.

Orakpo falls, Was is a strong trade up possibility.

Monroe or Oher fall (possibly Andre too depending on the next few weeks), Philly or Det have strong trade up potential.

Raji falls, the Broncos could be lookin' to deal.

Stafford/Sanchez fall, the Jets, Bucs, and Detroit all could be suitors (I doubt we'd trade a QB pick in-division, but we'd probably do it for an OT).

Detroit holds the best pick in the draft (#33), I'm sure TT would love to get his hands on it.

Orakpo, Monroe, and Raji are all guys we could use ourselves.

I doubt we'll trade down unless someone is looking to trade up for a QB. Its a shame half of the teams who need QBs are in our division.

At the combine Orakpo showed that he's probably best suited in a 4-3. He looked really stiff in the linebacker drills. Maybin looked a lot better. Maybin is the best 3-4 OLB in the draft, Orakpo is the best 4-3 DE. At 3-4 OLB, Cushing and Brown are also probably better options than Orakpo (though Brown probably isn't going to be a great rusher at the NFL level).

I head Kirwan talking about Brown, that his best position is 4-3 SLB, where he'd be a beast. Not explosive enough to be a 4-3 RuDE or good 3-4 OLB, but a very fluid athlete and great in space; stout at the POA and a good rusher compared to average LB. Perfect for a team that uses a 2 down mike (a la Hodge/Bishop), where the SLB and WLB are the 3 down backers. Too bad his draft status won't let him play it, first round guys don't play 4-3 SLB.

[3irty1]

Unless somebody falls, to me trading down makes the most sense.

Unless somebody falls, there is no point in trading up to our pick.

Orakpo falls, Was is a strong trade up possibility.

Monroe or Oher fall (possibly Andre too depending on the next few weeks), Philly or Det have strong trade up potential.

Raji falls, the Broncos could be lookin' to deal.

Stafford/Sanchez fall, the Jets, Bucs, and Detroit all could be suitors (I doubt we'd trade a QB pick in-division, but we'd probably do it for an OT).

Detroit holds the best pick in the draft (#33), I'm sure TT would love to get his hands on it.

Orakpo, Monroe, and Raji are all guys we could use ourselves.

I doubt we'll trade down unless someone is looking to trade up for a QB. Its a shame half of the teams who need QBs are in our division.

At the combine Orakpo showed that he's probably best suited in a 4-3. He looked really stiff in the linebacker drills. Maybin looked a lot better. Maybin is the best 3-4 OLB in the draft, Orakpo is the best 4-3 DE. At 3-4 OLB, Cushing and Brown are also probably better options than Orakpo (though Brown probably isn't going to be a great rusher at the NFL level).

I head Kirwan talking about Brown, that his best position is 4-3 SLB, where he'd be a beast. Not explosive enough to be a 4-3 RuDE or good 3-4 OLB, but a very fluid athlete and great in space; stout at the POA and a good rusher compared to average LB. Perfect for a team that uses a 2 down mike (a la Hodge/Bishop), where the SLB and WLB are the 3 down backers. Too bad his draft status won't let him play it, first round guys don't play 4-3 SLB.

Well if they were high on Maybin is he really such a reach that they would try to trade down rather than just get the guy they like?

[Guiness]

Unless somebody falls, to me trading down makes the most sense.

Question is Bretsky, who's 'someone'?

To trade down, have to find someone that wants it - there will be potential suitors regardless of who's left, but how interested will any of them really be in moving up.

If Detroit decides on an OT as opposed to a QB (which I think they should, they'll be drafting top 5 next year anyways) I'd be interested to see what happens. KC might grab one, but who else? Seattle? I don't think so, Hasselbeck is still good, and he's got some years left, so they don't go for one that high. We could forseeably be looking at the #9 pick with both top QB's on the board, if someone doesn't trade up before then.

[Guiness]

I'm not worried about Pickett's (or other NT's) age. It's not like an RB where losing a step changes his whole game. For the most part, you tend to be stronger at 32 then at 22, and as long as the knees hold out, you should be fine. And Grady has shown us that even if the knees don't hold out, you'll be at least ok.

[Fritz]

I'm so confused now....is Raji worth a #9 pick? If both QB's are on the board, will anyone want to trade with the Pack, knowing that San Fran will likely take one?

Who's Maybin? Is that same guy Waldo said in another thread is the best OLB prospect in the draft?

I wonder if the NFL guys ever get this overwhelmed, and just say, "ah, f_ck it, just pick some guy. I'm tired."

[Waldo]

I'm so confused now....is Raji worth a #9 pick? If both QB's are on the board, will anyone want to trade with the Pack, knowing that San Fran will likely take one?

Who's Maybin? Is that same guy Waldo said in another thread is the best OLB prospect in the draft?

I wonder if the NFL guys ever get this overwhelmed, and just say, "ah, f_ck it, just pick some guy. I'm tired."

http://www.fftoolbox.com/nfl_draft/profile_display.cfm?Prospect_ID=1721

Basically a Demarcus Ware clone without as good of long speed. His shuttle/40 differential suggests he's really quick in short area speed and good at changing direction, his vertical leap suggests a very explosive first step. He has ape-like 35 1/4" arms, the longest of the highly rated DE's/OLB's (for keeping OT's away) (even longer than M. Johnson, the 6'7" kid from Ga Tech). Not a guy that is gonna run down a back 20 yards downfield though. He looked good in the LB drills, not as good as Brown, but close, but Brown lacks his long arms and first step. Very productive but young college player.

[Fritz]

Isd he the guy you said in another thread you wanted more than any other LB? Or is that that Barwin guy? Are they both LB's? Same side?

[Bretsky]

Unless somebody falls, to me trading down makes the most sense.

Question is Bretsky, who's 'someone'?

To trade down, have to find someone that wants it - there will be potential suitors regardless of who's left, but how interested will any of them really be in moving up.

If Detroit decides on an OT as opposed to a QB (which I think they should, they'll be drafting top 5 next year anyways) I'd be interested to see what happens. KC might grab one, but who else? Seattle? I don't think so, Hasselbeck is still good, and he's got some years left, so they don't go for one that high. We could forseeably be looking at the #9 pick with both top QB's on the board, if someone doesn't trade up before then.

To me Curry, Monroe and Crabtree are guys that jump out at me as being great values at #9; pretty sure they will all be gone.