THE draft thread (2013 version)

[Pugger]

One thing I did like about Minter was he didn't seem to run himself out of plays like Walden is prone to do.

[Deputy Nutz]

Again I think the Packers could use a play maker at almost every position on their roster. It is hard to debate which position is the weakest, because I could argue a better safety improves the pass rush, and helps the linebackers in run support. what I find interesting is that Hawk has his best season in 3 years and now he is replaceable. I agree that the Packers can find someone cheaper to do Hawks job, but consistency does bring value. I think this team gets the most out of drafting a bigger run stuffing defensive linemen than I do with reaching in the first round and taking an inside linebacker that will have just as many problem beating blockers because the defensive line isn't doing their job.

[rbaloha1]

Releasing:

Hawk, Woodson, Finley and Jennings frees up $30 million plus in cap room. It is time to do it.

TT needs to find new free agents like Pickett and Woodson. Unsure about the draft at this point but a player I like at tight end to replace Finley is Stanford's Toilolo -- 6'8", good blocker and can get vertical. Unsure of grade but this dude is worth drafting.

[RashanGary]

I've barely looked at this draft, but of the few guys I've watched, Ogletree has been a superstar playmaking player with superstar playmaking athleticism and superstar playmaking tackling. I think he will be a difference maker in the NFL.

We need a sideline to sideline demon who can breakdown in space and tackle the best of the best. Ogletree is that guy.

I'd love it if we drafted him, but I am iwth Nutz, a star is a star is a star. If TT has a star player to draft, I'll be more than happy. I'm hoping for a defensive player (s or ILB if possible.) I just think we need a star tackler on our team and more speed.

[rbaloha1]

I've barely looked at this draft, but of the few guys I've watched, Ogletree has been a superstar playmaking player with superstar playmaking athleticism and superstar playmaking tackling. I think he will be a difference maker in the NFL.

We need a sideline to sideline demon who can breakdown in space and tackle the best of the best. Ogletree is that guy.

I'd love it if we drafted him, but I am iwth Nutz, a star is a star is a star. If TT has a star player to draft, I'll be more than happy. I'm hoping for a defensive player (s or ILB if possible.) I just think we need a star tackler on our team and more speed.

Also need size. The team to beat is the niners not the lions.

[RashanGary]

We need tackling. If it's front 7, another Clay Matthews would do just fine. Ogletree is a killer though. I think he's one of the few who can tackle AP, Kaepernick and Gore all alone. The problem is, the fast guys erase angles against our slow inside players and break tackles. Nobody erases angles against Ogletree and nobody breaks tackles against him either. Speed and impact tackling. One superstar inside, and I think our defense changes.

[packrulz]

TT is at the Senior Bowl so he can get an up close look at the seniors: http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packe...187831891.html
I could see drafting Te'o or Ogletree. I like the Safeties: FS-Eric Reid, 6-2, 212, LSU, Kenny Vaccaro, 6-1, 218, Texas, & Matt Elam, S, Florida. TT also needs to remember Pickett's getting old, drafting a DT would be wise: Bennie Logan, DT, LSU, Johnathan Jenkins, NT, Georgia, & Kawann Short, DT, Purdue.

[call_me_ishmael]

I would like to see the focus entirely on the front 7 and OL. I would personally like to see some bigger ILBs, even if they have to sacrifice some coverage and speed to get there.

I would not mind 2 new ILBs, 1 S, 1 OLB, 2 DL, 2 OL and a QB. I would prefer that all front 7 guys come from the SEC as I just think they have more experience playing against better competition. Jesse Williams from Alabama would be a solid, solid pick-up.

Even though most people are saying this is a bad draft, my guess is it ends up being a pretty darn good one with all of the underclassmen coming out.

I would also like to see Ted do what he did last year and move up a few times to try and hit another home run. If they land another rookie in the front 7 that is as talented and seasoned as the rookie corner, that would be great!

[Pugger]

Wouldn't we take a big salary cap hit if we cut Hawk? And who would want him and that contract in a trade? For these reasons I don't believe Hawk is going anywhere any time soon.

[Smeefers]

Wouldn't we take a big salary cap hit if we cut Hawk? And who would want him and that contract in a trade? For these reasons I don't believe Hawk is going anywhere any time soon.

Even though I think we are going to be keeping Hawk, you never loose money when you cut a player. You may loose some this year, but you loose none for 2014 & 2015. And after we drop him, I'm sure he'd get a comparable deal somewhere else. He's not grossly overpaid. He's paid like an above average veteran player with lots of gas left in the tank.

[red]

TT is at the Senior Bowl so he can get an up close look at the seniors: http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packe...187831891.html
I could see drafting Te'o or Ogletree. I like the Safeties: FS-Eric Reid, 6-2, 212, LSU, Kenny Vaccaro, 6-1, 218, Texas, & Matt Elam, S, Florida. TT also needs to remember Pickett's getting old, drafting a DT would be wise: Bennie Logan, DT, LSU, Johnathan Jenkins, NT, Georgia, & Kawann Short, DT, Purdue.

i've watched a couple games of matt elam, and i would have to say no to him

first off, he's short. listed at 5'10 so he might be even shorter then that.

he is physical, but he just kind of throws his whole body at the ball carrier trying to knock him out on every play. i didn't see any tackling technique, he either knocked the guy down, or the fella just bounced off him and kept going. plus he leads with his head on almost every single play. guys gonna get flagged a lot and probably knock himself out of a few games

he does flash some things that make you drool, but very up and down. that plus his shortness make him a pass for me.

[red]

Kenny Vaccaro seems to run himself right out of about 75% of plays. my overall impression of him is, no

eric reid is a big physical guy. big hits, nice wrap up, he does seems to be a step slow though reacting to things. but of the 3 he looks the best to me. however this isn't the guy thats gonna be running down broken plays from the other sideline like nick collins could do. so if you need that, this isn't your guy

really, the top safety and ILB prospects don't impress me enough to use a first round pick on any of them. i think at this pint i would rather go the less sexy route and go with one of the center /guard guys, or another OT with that pick

[Deputy Nutz]

Jonathan Cypien from Florida International is getting some love at the Senior Bowl.

Apparently he is an aggressive safety, goes all out and like to hit people. 3 year starter at FIU total of 45 career starts. 6 feet 209 pounds. Right now he is a mid-round pick, but he is just the type of under the radar type that Thompson loves.

[packrulz]

Kenny Vaccaro seems to run himself right out of about 75% of plays. my overall impression of him is, no

eric reid is a big physical guy. big hits, nice wrap up, he does seems to be a step slow though reacting to things. but of the 3 he looks the best to me. however this isn't the guy thats gonna be running down broken plays from the other sideline like nick collins could do. so if you need that, this isn't your guy

really, the top safety and ILB prospects don't impress me enough to use a first round pick on any of them. i think at this pint i would rather go the less sexy route and go with one of the center /guard guys, or another OT with that pick

Yea, let's face it, EDS only beat out Saturday for the starting center job because Saturday was getting his ass kicked. EDS is a quality back up, but not a starter. I believe if we had a bad ass mauler center our run game would improve a lot. I know TT doesn't draft players from the Wisconsin Badgers but if he did I would be happy with Kevin Frederick, G/C, Wisconsin.

[Deputy Nutz]

I don't think Fredrick is coming out this year. I think he is a junior.

It sounded like Ricky Wagner had a tough Monday at the Senior Bowl. Okafor from Texas lit him up in some team drills and scrimmage. Okafor is had a heck of a first day. He was hammering offensive linemen in one on one drills.