Official 2017 NFL draft thread

[pbmax]

I don't think he reaches either. But if he can fit a need with someone his board values at a spot, he takes them. Was HaHa the next highest rated player on the board?

No idea, but he had a first round grade and was available at a position of sore need.

[Deputy Nutz]

Clinton Dix was a mid first rounder. I certainly wouldn't say Thompson reached

[pbmax]

Clinton Dix was a mid first rounder. I certainly wouldn't say Thompson reached

Precisely. Which frames Thompson's approach this way:

He preferes BPA, but is not above drafting for need if value exists for that pick/round.

The second part of that, call it the Nelson/Cobb collolary, is that if multiple players with similar grades exist that fit a need at a given spot, he will look to trade down.

[Deputy Nutz]

Thompson always seems to address a need in the first round.

[Cheesehead Craig]

Thompson always seems to address a need in the first round.

Amazing how biggest need and BPA seem to intersect so often in the 1st round isn't it?

[pbmax]

Amazing how biggest need and BPA seem to intersect so often in the 1st round isn't it?

Stunning. Except for pass rush and QB.

[vince]

Precisely. Which frames Thompson's approach this way:

He preferes BPA, but is not above drafting for need if value exists for that pick/round.

The second part of that, call it the Nelson/Cobb collolary, is that if multiple players with similar grades exist that fit a need at a given spot, he will look to trade down.

That's what I see too. This argument's been going on forever and the answer is both, not either/or.

Ted's all about maximizing value - which marries quality (tiered across positions) with need (positional value for GB). Sometimes that suggests a trade-up (impending drop in value ratio), which is obviously costly when it misses - and other times it means getting more swings when he can maintain value and increase his chances of hitting.

The reason Ted says it's all about BPA (which is true depending on your definition of "best") is it alows him to avoid answering questions about where the team is currently weak, which opens up a can of worms about current players and Ted rightfully doesn't want to go there.

And sometimes Ted is covering for possible needs that might not appear for a year or two down the line.

[Pugger]

Amazing how biggest need and BPA seem to intersect so often in the 1st round isn't it?

With our continued success we are drafting near the end of the 1st round so most of the players we take are marginally 2nd rounders. Usually by the time we pick most of the real game changers are long gone.

[pbmax]

Had Ted ever said its all about BPA? I think that was the writers trying to explain not always drafting for what the public views as need. It started almost immediately.

Q: Why not get Brett some help rather than draft a future QB?

A: Ted believes in BPA

[vince]

Yeah I've heard Ted say that he/they believe that a BPA strategy is the best route and that drafting for need leads to reaching for players who might not pan out like teams hope. I'd have to go back to his post-draft press conferences but he says that. It's convenient for him to say because it avoids him fielding questions about team weakness and/or player concerns. Ted has complete confidence in all his guys when he's at the podium - as he should.

[texaspackerbacker]

It's pretty hard to say one player really stands out at any given time as BPA. Arguably the last time that happened, we got Aaron Rodgers. Most of the time, you have several or a lot of players all about on the same level, and you grab the one from among those who suits your needs the best.

Obviously, this year our biggest area of need is Corner. I think that need would best be addressed in free agency. If that doesn't occur, the next best thing is Round 1 of the draft. If it does occur, we really don't have a clear top need, so BPA becomes more meaningful.

[Pugger]

Is this a good year for corners in this draft?

[RashanGary]

Is this a good year for corners in this draft?

I'm hearing its deep at

Corner
Running back
Safety
Pass rushers (several in the top 2 or 3 rounds)

[RashanGary]

Knowing ted and how he values size in the early rounds, I imagine we're gonna take a pass rusher (most rare piece) then a corner and RB cuz they're needs and the draft is strong there.

[Deputy Nutz]

Packers needs are pretty apparent and it is defending the pass. There are two ways of dealing with this when looking at the draft. You can draft pass rush in the form of edge rushers because the Packers struggle to get any interior pass rush from their line on a regular basis. The second way of attacking the weak pass defense is up grading your outside corner play. Personally, I think Thompson will look to draft an edge rusher and add depth later in the draft at corner back. I think Thompson still has higher hopes for Rollins and Randall. I don't think Thompson has the balls to go a different direction with the first round pick. He wouldn't spend a top selection on an offensive guard, he might get tricky and take a receiver if one of the top three drop to the Packers. Same with the top two tight ends in the draft.

The Combine will tell more about the available players. When you are looking at players that play on the outside or on the edge speed and explosiveness are the main ingredients towards the pecking order.