Pack given C grade for past 3 drafts

[mngolf19]

Re: Pack given C grade for past 3 drafts

Green Bay: C
Total picks made: 28
Picks on current roster: 22
Touchdowns: LB Clay Matthews, TE Jermichael Finley
Fumbles: DT Justin Harrell, S Aaron Rouse, QB Brian Brohm
Jury still out: CB Pat Lee

Analysis: The Packers' recent draft haul has been a mixed bag, as several of the team's top picks have failed to perform to expectations. Justin Harrell, Brian Brohm and Aaron Rouse are a few of the Packers' early-round disappointments, and their failures have resulted in the team lacking quality depth in key areas. Though the team hit it big with the additions of Clay Matthews and Jermichael Finley, the inconsistent contributions of their top picks (B.J. Raji, Brandon Jackson, James Jones and Jordy Nelson) weighs down their overall grade when evaluating the overall impact of their recent drafts. The Packers unquestionably have a very talented roster, but their most recent draftees have delivered more promise than production at this point.

I won't argue whether the Vikings' past few drafts look better, because right now they do. That could still change over the next couple years.

I do think Bucky focuses too much on the success or failure of early draft picks. For example, where's the love for a Brad Jones, Sitton or Lang? I'm also not sure what was inconsistent about B.J. Raji, James Jones and Jordy Nelson. They provide good depth behind quality players. By comparison, Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin didn't have to beat out the equivalent of Jennings, Driver and Pickett. Plus, they may need to be re-evaluated after a year of having TJack throwing passes to them.

His analysis feels more like a justification for his grade rather than the the grade being based upon an objective analysis. If you give the Lions past three drafts a C-, I'd have to give the Packers a B.

Agreed, take away Favre, insert Jump Pass and Percy and Rice would be busts.

Yeah, right. Or they may never experiece that. Judging based on that is shortsighted. Would Jennings be a bust without Favre or Rodgers throwing to him? Based on this analysis, yes.

Of course the Packers seemed to grow QBs. Favre, Rodgers, Hasselbeck, Brooks, Brunnell. All productive NFL Qbs. Over that same period I guess the Vikings can claim Culpepper as their own, maybe TJack.

It's weird about QB's with the Vikes and Pack. Pack have done so well with picking them and the Vikes either haven't or haven't tried depending on the current regime. They just keep plugging in whomever and when surrounded by talent it has gotten them many wins. Just not the big one.

[twoseven]

i wish we drafted o-lineman and punters like the vikings did.

[DonHutson]

If Jones and Nelson were putting up bigger numbers to qualify as "not kinda sucking" or whatever tag was applied, that would mean Driver hit the wall and Jennings flopped after signing a big contract. Would that be preferable?

I mean Rodgers only threw for 4,000+ two years in a row. How much more can you expect from the passing game? Bitching that the #3 and #4 WR's aren't more productive is basically bitching that Rodgers didn't throw for 5,000.

I'll grant you that Jones could be more consistent, but all in all both he and Nelson are pretty good players.

One could say that Ted should've drafted at other positions high if these two weren't going to start, but you need depth there.

I also think an offseason in Green Bay, a full training camp, and better luck with nagging injuries will do wonders for Raji. I expect a huge jump from him. When he was healthy you could see the amazing quickness the guy has. With a little technique work, the guy will be a beast.

[Brandon494]

Honestly I don't see much from Jones or Nelson. I would not want either to be the #2 WR when DD retires.

[TennesseePackerBacker]

Are you kidding me? Nelson is a model of consistancy. I doubt he has had many drops these last two years(I tried finding the stat but can't). James Jones has flashed a lot of ability as well. These guys just arent getting the touches because they're behind Greg and DD, and now Jermichael.

[Brandon494]

Are you kidding me? Nelson is a model of consistancy. I doubt he has had many drops these last two years(I tried finding the stat but can't). James Jones has flashed a lot of ability as well. These guys just arent getting the touches because they're behind Greg and DD, and now Jermichael.

No I'm not kidding, they are not that good.

Steve Breaston had to play behind Fitzgerald and Bolden and he still put up big numbers. I'm not saying they are horrible but I just don't think they are future starters in the NFL.

[TennesseePackerBacker]

Are you kidding me? Nelson is a model of consistancy. I doubt he has had many drops these last two years(I tried finding the stat but can't). James Jones has flashed a lot of ability as well. These guys just arent getting the touches because they're behind Greg and DD, and now Jermichael.

No I'm not kidding, they are not that good.

Steve Breaston had to play behind Fitzgerald and Bolden and he still put up big numbers. I'm not saying they are horrible but I just don't think they are future starters in the NFL.

They were also 28th in the league in rushing. I promise you Breaston had more passes thrown his way than Nelson/Jones combined. Not because of his talent, but because of the offensive system he was in.

[Brandon494]

Are you kidding me? Nelson is a model of consistancy. I doubt he has had many drops these last two years(I tried finding the stat but can't). James Jones has flashed a lot of ability as well. These guys just arent getting the touches because they're behind Greg and DD, and now Jermichael.

No I'm not kidding, they are not that good.

Steve Breaston had to play behind Fitzgerald and Bolden and he still put up big numbers. I'm not saying they are horrible but I just don't think they are future starters in the NFL.

They were also 28th in the league in rushing. I promise you Breaston had more passes thrown his way than Nelson/Jones combined. Not because of his talent, but because of the offensive system he was in.

So your saying we aren't a pass first team?

Nelson and Jones are not that good, has nothing to do with how many passes are thrown their way.

[Tony Oday]

Are you kidding me? Nelson is a model of consistancy. I doubt he has had many drops these last two years(I tried finding the stat but can't). James Jones has flashed a lot of ability as well. These guys just arent getting the touches because they're behind Greg and DD, and now Jermichael.

No I'm not kidding, they are not that good.

Steve Breaston had to play behind Fitzgerald and Bolden and he still put up big numbers. I'm not saying they are horrible but I just don't think they are future starters in the NFL.

They were also 28th in the league in rushing. I promise you Breaston had more passes thrown his way than Nelson/Jones combined. Not because of his talent, but because of the offensive system he was in.

So your saying we aren't a pass first team?

Nelson and Jones are not that good, has nothing to do with how many passes are thrown their way.

rec yards avg avg/g long TDs
Jordy Nelson GB WR 22 320 14.5 24.6 51 2
James Jones GB WR 32 440 13.8 27.5 74T 5
Jermichael Finley GB TE 55 676 12.3 52.0 62T 5
Steve Breaston ARI WR 55 712 12.9 47.5 45 3
Early Doucet ARI WR 17 214 12.6 23.8 29 1
Jerheme Urban ARI WR 18 186 10.3 18.6 40 0

Really not that big of a difference if you take the three and four WR since JJ and Nelson split time at 3. Also The Cards dont have a TE so i added Finley...looks like if JJ or Nelson could beat one of the other out they would have similar numbers to Breaston.

[The Leaper]

Honestly I don't see much from Jones or Nelson. I would not want either to be the #2 WR when DD retires.

Then you aren't looking too closely. Both are good enough to be #2 WRs...especially with Rodgers tossing the ball. They are every bit as talented as Robert Brooks or Antonio Freeman...who were made to look better than they were by Favre.

Nelson and Jones simply don't get much of a chance with Driver, Jennings and Finley being such huge threats on the field. We don't run too many 4 and 5 WR sets with an OL that is giving up 50 sacks a year.

[RashanGary]

If Rodgers throws for 4,400 yards next year. . .

1200 Jennings
1000 Finley
800 Driver
350 Various RB's

That leaves 1050 yard for everyone else.

Donald Lee and Havner or whoever else should get 300 plus

Now we're down to 750




Jones and Nelson just aren't going to get as many chances as some other players. Like Leaper said, I think either could be a #2 receiver, just not on this team. I think the Packers would be smart to get one more year out of Driver, then move on with the young guys. Driver will be 35 next year. He'll probably be good for at least another year, but do we really need to be starting a 36, 37, 38 yr old WR? At some point, I think I'd rather see Jones and Nelson in their prime than Driver at the end of his career.

[Scott Campbell]

Are you kidding me? Nelson is a model of consistancy. I doubt he has had many drops these last two years(I tried finding the stat but can't). James Jones has flashed a lot of ability as well. These guys just arent getting the touches because they're behind Greg and DD, and now Jermichael.

No I'm not kidding, they are not that good.

Steve Breaston had to play behind Fitzgerald and Bolden and he still put up big numbers. I'm not saying they are horrible but I just don't think they are future starters in the NFL.

First 3 years:

Driver 520 yards 3 TD's
Jones 1390 yards 8 TD's

First 2 years:

Driver 352 yards 2 TD's
Nelson 686 yards 4 TD's

[Scott Campbell]

First 3 years:

Miles Austin 354 yards 2 TD's
James Jones 1390 yards 8 TD's

First 2 years:

Miles Austin 76 yards 0 TD's
Jordy Nelson 686 yards 4 TD's

[Scott Campbell]

First 3 years:

Vincent Jackson 1135 yards 9 TD's
James Jones 1390 yards 8 TD's

First 2 years:

Vincent Jackson 512 yards 6 TD's
Jordy Nelson 686 yards 4 TD's

[Scott Campbell]

First 3 years:

Wes Welker 1121 yards 1 TD's
James Jones 1390 yards 8 TD's

First 2 years:

Wes Welker 434 yards 0 TD's
Jordy Nelson 686 yards 4 TD's