SI NFL DRAFT BIG BOARD...DRAFT IS COMING...YO RATS.....WHO DO YOU LIKE

[3irty1]

It was interesting that TT moved up and settled for Worthy (later articles pointed out they wanted the kid from Temple I believe).

Now the Packers are stuck with an injured shrinking lineman.

A few sumo wrestlers would be nice.

Reyes was very much a Ted type pick. Most athletically gifted 5-tech in the draft last year. Mike Neal type of player.

[pbmax]

Smart Football @smartfootball
.@igglesblog FWIW, the Ravens this year won a Super Bowl running 4-3 Over and 4-3 Under fronts out of 3-4 personnel. http://youtu.be/cswGi6dEi3o

Its players, matchups and being sound. Not the scheme. I have confidence Thompson will draft the players, although probably not in the order anyone anticipates. I think the coaches can make them sound*. Question is can they stay healthy.


*I have concerns about the D coaches, but its not a tire fire. We have seen each unit spring leaks at different times. The DBs communication issues seemed just to be going away and they lose Collins and Woodson aged poorly last year. The infusion of talent made it see far more sound this year. The D line was sound for 2009 and 2010, so I expect they will be so again with talent and health. Linebackers are more of a mess and hard to sift through.

[rbaloha1]

Smart Football @smartfootball
.@igglesblog FWIW, the Ravens this year won a Super Bowl running 4-3 Over and 4-3 Under fronts out of 3-4 personnel. http://youtu.be/cswGi6dEi3o

Its players, matchups and being sound. Not the scheme. I have confidence Thompson will draft the players, although probably not in the order anyone anticipates. I think the coaches can make them sound*. Question is can they stay healthy.


*I have concerns about the D coaches, but its not a tire fire. We have seen each unit spring leaks at different times. The DBs communication issues seemed just to be going away and they lose Collins and Woodson aged poorly last year. The infusion of talent made it see far more sound this year. The D line was sound for 2009 and 2010, so I expect they will be so again with talent and health. Linebackers are more of a mess and hard to sift through.

Its harder to be sound with midgets.

Good overall stuff though.

[run pMc]

who do I like?
I'll cop out: BPA

Draft is about 2 months away, and the mocks will change like crazy. On top of that, TT always picks somebody outta nowhere. I think TT will be actively moving around (trading picks).

Agree with rb that not drafting a DL midget would be helpful.

Would love to see more size & physical players on OL/DL, an athletic a**kicker to pair with Bishop at ILB, a rangy hitter at safety to pair with Burnett, and a WR to push Boykin/Ross for playing time (James Jones is a FA after 2013-14).
Am I asking for too much?

[smuggler]

I think we should do as last year: target pick slots where the BPA also fits a position of need and make trades to reach those slots/players. Actually, I think if we aren't trading back, I hope we don't trade the 1st rounder.

Casey Heyward worked out well for us, and hopefully a few others will improve next year.

As for ILBs, I prefer Arthur Brown from Kansas State to Jenkins or Minter. I think Minter looks like the slowest of the three, and Brown is the most aggressive. That's good, because in most mocks, Jenkins and Minter seem to go before Brown.

[Deputy Nutz]

This draft is going to be very hard to predict for the Packers. It's not that they have immediate holes they need to fill, but they have openings for a first round talent at almost very position. The have a hole at; rb, ol, wr, te, dl, lb, and s. fans can bitch but it is hard to argue if they take a player at either one of these positions, especially if they are the best player available.

Best running backs, are Ed Lacy, Geovanni Bernard, Monte Ball, and Stephan Taylor. Stephan Taylor is ranked in the top ten but all over the place, some rankings have him as high as three others have him as low as ten. For my rankings I rank these four as the top, and in that order. As with any running back if they show well at the combine they can jump over each other and move up the draft board. The interesting thing is that if you tier positions you can get one of these four guys late in the second round, or hoping and crossing your fingers late in the third round. The Running back position just doesn't hold its elite value as well as other offensive positions. Teams have been banking on later round running backs to make an impact than spending high picks at the position. Teams like the Patriots have made a living drafting late round running backs and getting production from them. The question I have is, is there a smaller gap in talent between late round and early round picks at the running back position? Or have teams built an offensive scheme that can utilize less talented players?

At offensive line the Packers have an unbalanced situation. They only have an elite player at right guard. The left tackle position is unsettled, and right tackle is a problem area because of Bulaga's health. EDS still hasn't proven he can be an adequate starter in this league, so the Packer could address their interior line with a player like Barrett Jones. Jones brings a ton of flexibility starting and excelling at every position on the offensive line. The Packers could grab him with their first round pick, or hope he falls deep into the second round, or move up and grab him. Most of all the Packers have some young talent on the roster, but right now it seems unskilled and shaky at best. The Packers most likely will address the offensive line in the mid rounds, but they could take a player early if they believe he can be elite at the next level.

The Packers are going to lose two of their receivers along with the possibility of cutting Finley to save cap money. Thompson could go with bigger tight ends that can improve the running game. Both Tyler Eifert, and Zachary Ertz could provide better blocking than Finley, but neither can be as effective as Finley when he is at the top of his game as a receiver. Finley was a special player, and still can be at his age, unless his knee injury has caused long lasting damage. His ethic and hands are also huge question marks. The packers love their packages, but they need one tight end that doesn't have to come off the field. At receiver tha Packer can wait till the second round and get the best receiver in the draft. It has always worked in the past. The Packers need to get a receiving threat to expose the middle off the field. Cobb is the only one that consistently works the middle. Jones and Nelson are strictly outside options and deep routes. If a guy like Quinton Patton from Louisiana Tech is there in the second round he could be an option. The Packer seem to shy away from bigger receivers in favor of receivers that demonstrate route running ability and the understanding of the game. Intelligence is a big plus for the Packers when drafting receivers.

I don't care what system you run on defense you can never have enough defensive linemen or defensive backs. The Packers have a very deep cornerback group, but need an impact safety that can play the run. Woodsons is old, and if he comes back it will be to hold over the position until younger players can develop. I don't see Charles Woodson playing in all 16 games of the regular season. Burnett is effective as a centerfielder but he misses too many tackles. Jennings is really small. McMillian is a fire plug, but his future is sketchy, he could be another Atari Bigby if he doesn't work the film room in the offseason and refine his technique. The Packers have guys on their roster that are ok, they are not "all world" but they can hold their own in 2013. There isn't a true strong safety in this class that is worth a first round pick at this point. The Packers could wait and take Robert Lester from Alabama in the 3rd-5th round area. The Packers don't play a true free/strong safety, they play two safeties a left and a right. First round options could be Vaccaro from Texas, and Reid from LSU. The Big Idea right now is to have bigger safeties to get 15 yard penalties for hitting receivers while they're in the air.

Again the Packers could go after some big nasty technique sloppy defensive tackle and wait three years to watch him mature or crap out of the league. My personal opinion is not to waste picks on fat defensive linemen. They are fat for a reason and they usually come into the NFL with shitty technique. The jury seems to be out on any slob that makes to the end of the first round. I personally would wait and take my chances later in the draft with guys that have intangibles but not the name. Packers need guys that can rush the passer. Athletes on the edges. There is no questioning Mathews abilities, but they need two or three more guys to threaten the passer and to create mismatches for Mathews. Kawaan Short demonstrated some ability at the Senior Bowl. Offensive linemen had some real issues with him. I either wish he was taller and could play end, or bigger to play nose. He is tweener for the 3-4. Maybe the Packers need to become more flexible with their defensive packages, I don't know but defenses should be built around the talent not trying to fit a square peg through a round hole.

The problem with Hawk is he has never performed like an elite talent. He has played like an overachieving third round pick. He had a nice run during the Super Bowl and the Packers rewarded him. He doesn't have a huge contract but it doesn't scream value. Hawk can be replaced no doubt, but how? How far up or down in the draft do the Packers have to go to get a viable playmaker at inside linebacker? Do the Packers swing for the fences for Teo and his girlfriends? His girlfriends make a lot noise to the press, but I heard they don't eat much. To me he is the only true inside linebacker that makes big plays. But in the National Championship game he was a step slow, couldn't read plays fast enough and then couldn't get off blocks. He looked like AJ Hawk with a tan. Fans are clamouring for a guy that can run, they had that in Barnett and the Packers got rid of him. Bottom line, very few linebackers can beat blocks and make a two yard tackle. Good defensive line play makes linebackers look like All-Pros. Ask Ray Lewis, he'll talk like a canary. I keep hearing the name Alec Ogletree. He is tweener not an inside linebacker and certainly not heavy enough to play the outside in a 3-4. Again he could be dynamic but he has to fit the system in Green Bay, the system refuses to fit the player.

The packer could go so many directions in the first couple of rounds it will fans with their jaws wide open. I say, stop listening to McGinn, he floats so much hot air it is pathetic. Sure every teams wants to be bigger and faster, but usually the teams that are win. San Fran is going to make some cap decisions, and Baltimore is going to be stuck in cap hell after signing Flacco. The Packers like all contenders need to get hot at the right time and without a doubt Baltimore is a well built franchise, but they got hot at the right time. San Fran was on a magic carpet ride. They should have never gotten out of Atlanta. The Packers currently have the pieces to win a Super Bowl and drafting the right players will only make this team stronger. But drafting a linebacker isn't going to put this team over the edge, they need to replenish some positions and add depth at others.

[woodbuck27]

WOW ! Impressive !

An outstanding effort Deputy. Accurate insight at every position of need with a suggested solution in the draft....plus plus.

Great post. I'm trying to look closer at the drafting prospects now and will use this post as a springboard to checking out talent in the deeper rounds ie rounds 3-5.

Thank You Deputy.

PACKERS !

[mraynrand]

This draft is going to be very hard to predict for the Packers......

Some times I wonder if you have a junk draw of this shit, because if you actually take the time to write this stuff you are one crazy asshole. I only say that because you are wasting this deep penetrating thought on us.

.....

[Deputy Nutz]

One student showed up for first hour. Showed a video on alternative energy sources.

We have a very active membership here. You nine posters deserve the best!

[mraynrand]

One student showed up for first hour. Showed a video on alternative energy sources.

We have a very active membership here. You nine posters deserve the best!

That's eight, if you include Cleft Crusty

[Joemailman]

Nutz pretty much echoes my feelings about Ogletree. A dynamic athlete, but at 6-3,234 is he a fit at ILB? He's built more like a big Safety, which is the position he used to play. It probably doesn't matter. He'll be one of the top performers at the Combine, and will probably get drafted earlier than he should, well before the Packers pick.

Some people like Minter, but I wonder if he's another Hawk. Solid but unexceptional.

[mraynrand]

Nutz pretty much echoes my feelings about Ogletree. A dynamic athlete, but at 6-3,234 is he a fit at ILB? He's built more like a big Safety, which is the position he used to play. It probably doesn't matter. He'll be one of the top performers at the Combine, and will probably get drafted earlier than he should, well before the Packers pick. .

sounds like a guy the Bears might take*









*If they were still a 'defense first' team

[Pugger]

I like Alec Ogletree. He has an all around game similar to Patrick Willis. He'd be a huge weapon for us inside, just increasing our speed and coverage ability in base defense. We would be able to play more base defense, the way SF does.

I do too but there is no way in hell he's around when we are picking.

[Pugger]

That draft seems stacked with talent on the OL
I'm still intrigued by getting a top notch Center
Let the rest fight it out and I think we'd have a solid line

The Stanford RB Taylor is legit RB talent also....but heck, I've been saying Monte Ball is the best RB in Wisconsin for two years now so GET ER DONE TT

I'd take Ball in the second round if he was still available.

[Pugger]

This draft is going to be very hard to predict for the Packers. It's not that they have immediate holes they need to fill, but they have openings for a first round talent at almost very position. The have a hole at; rb, ol, wr, te, dl, lb, and s. fans can bitch but it is hard to argue if they take a player at either one of these positions, especially if they are the best player available.

Best running backs, are Ed Lacy, Geovanni Bernard, Monte Ball, and Stephan Taylor. Stephan Taylor is ranked in the top ten but all over the place, some rankings have him as high as three others have him as low as ten. For my rankings I rank these four as the top, and in that order. As with any running back if they show well at the combine they can jump over each other and move up the draft board. The interesting thing is that if you tier positions you can get one of these four guys late in the second round, or hoping and crossing your fingers late in the third round. The Running back position just doesn't hold its elite value as well as other offensive positions. Teams have been banking on later round running backs to make an impact than spending high picks at the position. Teams like the Patriots have made a living drafting late round running backs and getting production from them. The question I have is, is there a smaller gap in talent between late round and early round picks at the running back position? Or have teams built an offensive scheme that can utilize less talented players?

At offensive line the Packers have an unbalanced situation. They only have an elite player at right guard. The left tackle position is unsettled, and right tackle is a problem area because of Bulaga's health. EDS still hasn't proven he can be an adequate starter in this league, so the Packer could address their interior line with a player like Barrett Jones. Jones brings a ton of flexibility starting and excelling at every position on the offensive line. The Packers could grab him with their first round pick, or hope he falls deep into the second round, or move up and grab him. Most of all the Packers have some young talent on the roster, but right now it seems unskilled and shaky at best. The Packers most likely will address the offensive line in the mid rounds, but they could take a player early if they believe he can be elite at the next level.

The Packers are going to lose two of their receivers along with the possibility of cutting Finley to save cap money. Thompson could go with bigger tight ends that can improve the running game. Both Tyler Eifert, and Zachary Ertz could provide better blocking than Finley, but neither can be as effective as Finley when he is at the top of his game as a receiver. Finley was a special player, and still can be at his age, unless his knee injury has caused long lasting damage. His ethic and hands are also huge question marks. The packers love their packages, but they need one tight end that doesn't have to come off the field. At receiver tha Packer can wait till the second round and get the best receiver in the draft. It has always worked in the past. The Packers need to get a receiving threat to expose the middle off the field. Cobb is the only one that consistently works the middle. Jones and Nelson are strictly outside options and deep routes. If a guy like Quinton Patton from Louisiana Tech is there in the second round he could be an option. The Packer seem to shy away from bigger receivers in favor of receivers that demonstrate route running ability and the understanding of the game. Intelligence is a big plus for the Packers when drafting receivers.

I don't care what system you run on defense you can never have enough defensive linemen or defensive backs. The Packers have a very deep cornerback group, but need an impact safety that can play the run. Woodsons is old, and if he comes back it will be to hold over the position until younger players can develop. I don't see Charles Woodson playing in all 16 games of the regular season. Burnett is effective as a centerfielder but he misses too many tackles. Jennings is really small. McMillian is a fire plug, but his future is sketchy, he could be another Atari Bigby if he doesn't work the film room in the offseason and refine his technique. The Packers have guys on their roster that are ok, they are not "all world" but they can hold their own in 2013. There isn't a true strong safety in this class that is worth a first round pick at this point. The Packers could wait and take Robert Lester from Alabama in the 3rd-5th round area. The Packers don't play a true free/strong safety, they play two safeties a left and a right. First round options could be Vaccaro from Texas, and Reid from LSU. The Big Idea right now is to have bigger safeties to get 15 yard penalties for hitting receivers while they're in the air.

Again the Packers could go after some big nasty technique sloppy defensive tackle and wait three years to watch him mature or crap out of the league. My personal opinion is not to waste picks on fat defensive linemen. They are fat for a reason and they usually come into the NFL with shitty technique. The jury seems to be out on any slob that makes to the end of the first round. I personally would wait and take my chances later in the draft with guys that have intangibles but not the name. Packers need guys that can rush the passer. Athletes on the edges. There is no questioning Mathews abilities, but they need two or three more guys to threaten the passer and to create mismatches for Mathews. Kawaan Short demonstrated some ability at the Senior Bowl. Offensive linemen had some real issues with him. I either wish he was taller and could play end, or bigger to play nose. He is tweener for the 3-4. Maybe the Packers need to become more flexible with their defensive packages, I don't know but defenses should be built around the talent not trying to fit a square peg through a round hole.

The problem with Hawk is he has never performed like an elite talent. He has played like an overachieving third round pick. He had a nice run during the Super Bowl and the Packers rewarded him. He doesn't have a huge contract but it doesn't scream value. Hawk can be replaced no doubt, but how? How far up or down in the draft do the Packers have to go to get a viable playmaker at inside linebacker? Do the Packers swing for the fences for Teo and his girlfriends? His girlfriends make a lot noise to the press, but I heard they don't eat much. To me he is the only true inside linebacker that makes big plays. But in the National Championship game he was a step slow, couldn't read plays fast enough and then couldn't get off blocks. He looked like AJ Hawk with a tan. Fans are clamouring for a guy that can run, they had that in Barnett and the Packers got rid of him. Bottom line, very few linebackers can beat blocks and make a two yard tackle. Good defensive line play makes linebackers look like All-Pros. Ask Ray Lewis, he'll talk like a canary. I keep hearing the name Alec Ogletree. He is tweener not an inside linebacker and certainly not heavy enough to play the outside in a 3-4. Again he could be dynamic but he has to fit the system in Green Bay, the system refuses to fit the player.

The packer could go so many directions in the first couple of rounds it will fans with their jaws wide open. I say, stop listening to McGinn, he floats so much hot air it is pathetic. Sure every teams wants to be bigger and faster, but usually the teams that are win. San Fran is going to make some cap decisions, and Baltimore is going to be stuck in cap hell after signing Flacco. The Packers like all contenders need to get hot at the right time and without a doubt Baltimore is a well built franchise, but they got hot at the right time. San Fran was on a magic carpet ride. They should have never gotten out of Atlanta. The Packers currently have the pieces to win a Super Bowl and drafting the right players will only make this team stronger. But drafting a linebacker isn't going to put this team over the edge, they need to replenish some positions and add depth at others.

Nice post. I agree, we are only a couple of players here and there away. And I give TT a lot of credit here. It isn't easy to consistently be in the hunt drafting near the end of each round year after year because of our continued success.