official 2014 nfl draft thread

[smuggler]

There are uses for guys like that. Telvin Smith is a safety/coverage LB tweener who could prosper in the NFL if he is used correctly. Are there any high profile tweeners in the draft that we might target?

[pbmax]

At CBS, Rang, Brugler and Brinson have one of the top two safeties dropping to Packers. Brugler's is the oldest mock (4/21). Each has Prior falling.

Prisco has both gone (Dix-DC, Prior-AC), Kirwan as well. (Dix-Vikes, Prior-Rams)

Brugler and Brinson have the Packers skipping Prior and taking Ward at 21. Rang takes Prior. Prisco takes Shazier and Kirwan has Mosley for the Packers.

Its the earliest Ward appears. Shazier goes to the Cards at 20 in one mock, 24-Bengals in two and drops out of first in the last. Prior goes as early as 13 and also falls out of the first round. Mosley goes from 14 to 29 (all first rounders)

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/mock-draft

[pbmax]

Tweener as I understand it is not about playing time, experience or versatility. Its about fit of a body to a position in the pros.

Perry hasn't exhibited Tweener problems at OLB except for a couple of coverage incidents. He is the strong side backer on a defense that needed one to set an edge. They can live with less than ideal coverage if he can hold the fort. His main problem has been lack of pass rush and health. His right side mini-explosion of sacks from the right side was intriguing, but not enough to stop the Packers from signing his replacement.

Are his pass rush problems because he is a Tweener? Maybe, but we have no evidence of it (say a stint with his hand in the dirt) and the evidence of his time on the right side argues it isn't.

[pbmax]

Jason Wilde @jasonjwilde 2h
Nice shirt, @haha_cd6. #Packers RT @EricHertel: don't know if you saw this but HaHa posted this on his Instagram pic.twitter.com/I080fZVjJg

[pbmax]

Vandermause on Packer Draft needs:

http://www.packersnews.com/article/20140426/PKR07/304260342/Mike-Vandermause-column-Safety-linebacker-top-Packers-draft-needs

I find it odd he doesn't know who he wants to replace at ILB.

[woodbuck27]

1. He doesn't run good routes yet. He'll take time to develop for useful gain in the NFL On top of this he runs a 4.61 40 yard dash and he's not strong with 13 rep's - bench.

See talk about a conversion to TE. Looking at film. Will he be a decent blocker? I see him as a project and our 1st Rd. pick needs to produce in 2014.

You don't have the run the best routes when you have a catching radius of a NBA center.

2. He catches the ball with his body.

No he doesn't, he actually has strong hands. He is similar to T.O. with drop passes though

3. He blows pass's and is especially weak on low throws (see his height)

I don't even know what you mean by he blows pass's but why would you throw the ball low to him when he can out jump any corner?

4. He needs to get stronger. Bench = 13 reps.

Sammy Watkins put up 16 and Mike Evans put up 12 reps...those are the top 2 WRs in the draft btw while your boy Beckham put up 7.

5. Will he be a WR/TE tweener !? Ted Thompson won't consider a tweener in Rd.

I've never claimed that Ted Thompson is infallible to error. See Nick Perry and "where does he belong now on our roster? Also.... see almost our entire DL. Does that excite you in terms of our current roster? A lot would have to jell this season for that DL to turn up effectively. I see a load of pieces and not much to describe as a whole.

From "a Scouting Report" on Nick Perry:

** " Played right defensive end in Monte Kiffin’s four-man front Tampa-2 defense where he is expected to be one of the four defenders up front to pressure the quarterback. "

** " May be[ best suited for a 4-3 scheme. "

Nick Perry isn't a tweener as much as he's best suited at DE in a 4-3 'D'.

Somehow Ted Thompson fell in love with him. By all means ...Ted Thompson may pick your guy.

[Joemailman]

Benjamin's 40, vertical and broad jump were all in the bottom fourth among wide receivers at the Combine. Add in that he drops passes and doesn't run great routes, and I'm not impressed. His height/weight seems to be his only outstanding quality. Pass.

[RashanGary]

Benjamin's 40, vertical and broad jump were all in the bottom fourth among wide receivers at the Combine. Add in that he drops passes and doesn't run great routes, and I'm not impressed. His height/weight seems to be his only outstanding quality. Pass.

i agree. He looked like a lumbering oaf against college talent. I wouldnt be surprised if he goes in the 6th or 7th round or undrafted as a WR. Looked really bad to me, unless hes a te, then maybe but hes so small. maybe 3rd or 4th round as a TE.

[Brandon494]

Agree to disagree I guess...I will almost guarantee he won't make it out of the 1st round though.

[Bretsky]

Agree to disagree I guess...I will almost guarantee he won't make it out of the 1st round though.

I think he falls well into the 2's. We'll see.

[Joemailman]

I see Benjamin as a boom-or-bust pick. Given TT's track record of drafting WR's, he need not gamble on such a player. If someone else wants to draft Benjamin early, let them. We'll just have to be satisfied with the type of WR's TT drafts who may not be physical freaks, but who are really good football players. If the goal is to get a guy who would be an endzone target, I'd rather go for one of the big TE's available in Rounds 2-3.

[Brandon494]

It would make no sense for us to take a WR in the 1st round of the draft, especially with how deep the WR class is this year. I just stated that IF we did take a WR I would prefer Benjamin over the other guys listed because of his size.

Jimmy Graham, Demaryuis Thomas, Dez Bryant, Vernon Davis, Calvin Johnson, Brandon Marshall, Julius Thomas, Eric Decker, A.J. Green. Those were the top TD leaders last season, the shortest guy being Dez at 6'2. Jordy Nelson is 6-3 but hes not really a go up and get it type of receiver. We currently don't have that type of player on our team especially with Finley gone. Benjamin would make the most sense because he creates mismatches and hes a huge red zone threat. Yes hes raw but in the right system (ours) and with the right QB (Rodgers), this kid could turn into a stud. With all that being said we better draft a LB or S with our first pick.

[woodbuck27]

Vandermause on Packer Draft needs:

http://www.packersnews.com/article/20140426/PKR07/304260342/Mike-Vandermause-column-Safety-linebacker-top-Packers-draft-needs

I find it odd he doesn't know who he wants to replace at ILB.

1. Safety

Thompson inexplicably failed to draft a safety last year. He can’t afford to make the same mistake again, even if the Packers are thinking of moving cornerback Micah Hyde to safety. It’s time to reload at the Packers’ weakest position that was manned last season by M.D. Jennings and Jerron McMillian, who flopped badly.

YES !

2. Linebacker

Specifically, the Packers need a rough, tough, mean, agile, lumber-laying inside linebacker to replace either Brad Jones or A.J. Hawk.

Replace both of them.

3. Tight end

It would be shocking if Jermichael Finley returns after suffering a serious neck injury. He must be cleared by doctors and negotiate a new contract, two major stumbling blocks.

Somewhere in the first four Rds. get a TE.

4. Wide receiver

The more weapons Aaron Rodgers has the better, and the Packers go only three-deep at this position after losing James Jones to free agency. If Jordy Nelson or Randall Cobb gets hurt, it wouldn’t be pretty.

TT will go WR early.

5. Offensive line

Maybe the Packers have their center of the future on the roster. Maybe the unproven JC Tretter will stop the revolving door from spinning at the position. But no one is sure about that and it wouldn’t hurt to bring in more competition. As for the rest of the line, there is sufficient depth with Don Barclay and possibly Derek Sherrod serving as backups behind a solid starting group.


Ted Thompson should address thje "C" position for insurance.

6. Defensive line

B.J. Raji is playing on a one-year contract, and Johnny Jolly (neck injury) and Ryan Pickett (age) might not be brought back. Remember the old saying: big men are hard to find.

TT should go DL early and make that a priority over the OL.

7. Cornerback

This is a well-stocked position at the moment, but Tramon Williams isn’t getting any younger and there’s a chance Hyde will land at safety.

You can't have enough solid CB's and especially in the NFL of today.

[smuggler]

Vandermause on Packer Draft needs:

http://www.packersnews.com/article/20140426/PKR07/304260342/Mike-Vandermause-column-Safety-linebacker-top-Packers-draft-needs

I find it odd he doesn't know who he wants to replace at ILB.

I think it's pretty clear you need to replace one before you can replace the other.

[pbmax]

I think it's pretty clear you need to replace one before you can replace the other.

Its also the most likely. But each has different strengths and replacing either had different effects, especially when you consider the talent of the guy replacing him. The jobs are not the same. Not telling us which, or who, should fill the role is sidestepping the issue of what's wrong with the ILBs.

He tells us Finley is a large unknown and his backups are not fully proven. Quarless is somewhat limited in comparison. Gives a clear picture of the need and what might help.