Best Options for the Packers at 14.

[Teamcheez1]

I would prefer we move down instead of move up. We have too many holes to fill.

[pbmax]

Me too. And I immediately misliked both mocks.

We could find out that the prognosis on Bulaga isn't good.

[pbmax]

https://www.packersnews.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/dougherty/2018/04/25/dougherty-versatile-minkah-fitzpatrick-could-fall-packers-no-14/550517002/

Dougherty figures Chubb and Ward are not getting close to the Packers. Figures its Fitz, James or Edmunds if they move up a couple of spots (assuming he gets by the 49ers).

His scout source likes Edmunds better but says he has no coaching or technique on pass rush. Would be project on outside for that.

Fitz can play three spots but doesn't have a natural home, James is strictly strong safety type. James better version of Jones.

[Smidgeon]

We could find out that the prognosis on Bulaga isn't good.

True. But I think McCray or Murphy would function over there if Spriggs(TM) never takes the next step.

[pbmax]

True. But I think McCray or Murphy would function over there if Spriggs(TM) never takes the next step.

I really hope so. Not every hole gets filled on draft day.

[pbmax]

Guy writes for Bleacher Report and CheeseheadTV. He did the historical size/speed breakdowns I posted elsewhere for the Packer's "types".

Justis Mosqueda @JuMosq
They don't have a type at safety. Safeties usually aren't athletes anyway. Some level of "beggars can't be choosers" at the position with a few (like Derwin) who bubble up.

This guy did the measurables thing for McKenzie and the Raiders. Unlike JM, he thinks James doesn't qualify
Nick Hjeltness @NickHjeltness
Derwin failed 3-cone and SS. Surprisingly.

Brian Corriveau @BrianCarriveau
Off topic, but I wanted to gauge people's opinion on Derwin James' relatively poor 3-cone and shuttle times for a supposedly elite athlete. Didn't even do them at Combine and turned in subpar times at pro day. How much of a concern to you?

Playoff rcon14@rcon14
Replying to @BrianCarriveau
it's pretty concerning to me, honestly. It doesn't throw him off the board, but I don't think you can discard it, especially if you want him to play in the slot as well

Bryan Aschenbrenner @Brynecologist
Are there any good examples of great players performing poorly in that regard?

Playoff rcon14 @rcon14
fwiw, in the mockdraftable database, there's almost no safeties with a worse than 7.3 3C at all. Closest ones of note are Landon Collins (7.38) and HHCD (7.16). Kind of unprecedented to see such a porous time, it'd be 5th worst in the dataset there since 1999


Worth reading entire thread on other Packer misfits here: https://twitter.com/rcon14/status/982297292337131521

[pbmax]

Packers visited with James and Hughes among others:

Playoff rcon14 @rcon14
Derwin James ran a 7.34 3-cone at his pro day. This is either a) a very elaborate smokescreen or b) GB may be stretching their thresholds for DBs a bit (also brought in Mike Hughes, who is short)

Greg Gabriel @greggabe
Speed is the same, Derwin jumps higher. Fitz did a 6.55 3-cone on Wednesday, James isn’t as quick as that

Fuse Vue @lifesyourcup
NFLDS has Derwin James' 3-cone at 7.34 and shuttle at 4.34. Again, my measurements were really close.


Question is: if 3 cone (measuring hip performance) and short shuttle (ankle) put him in Josh Jones territory, do you want two of those guys in your defense?

[hoosier]

https://www.packersnews.com/story/sp...-14/550517002/

Dougherty figures Chubb and Ward are not getting close to the Packers. Figures its Fitz, James or Edmunds if they move up a couple of spots (assuming he gets by the 49ers).

His scout source likes Edmunds better but says he has no coaching or technique on pass rush. Would be project on outside for that.

Fitz can play three spots but doesn't have a natural home, James is strictly strong safety type. James better version of Jones.

In that light I don't know if any of them are worth moving up for. If one of them drops to 14, great; otherwise, take one of the edge rushers (if you think it's good value) or try to trade down to high teens or low 20s and pick up an extra 2nd rounder.

[mraynrand]

Packers visited with James and Hughes among others:

Playoff rcon14 @rcon14
Derwin James ran a 7.34 3-cone at his pro day. This is either a) a very elaborate smokescreen or b) GB may be stretching their thresholds for DBs a bit (also brought in Mike Hughes, who is short)

this is what I've been wondering for a while - are we sure we know what their standards are this year?

[pbmax]

this is what I've been wondering for a while - are we sure we know what their standards are this year?

No we are not. He talked to all the free agents. Maybe he is expanding the scope of the draft search too. He was hired by Wolf, taught by McCloughan and worked under Ted. So I doubt he strays too far though.

But I've said before that I think McCarthy at times seems to think analytics is simply a list of successful features for a win, ranked. He has expressed his appreciation for the run game before in those terms and executed that vision on the field.

A hard limit on height is similar. If I recall, Wolf developed those back with the Raiders and Jets. If you are truly scoring prospects, height under 5' 10.5" might be a slight negative, but if you are 5' 9.5", it should be easily overcome with other good-great physical traits.

So there is always hope. A hard limit might make it easy to predict picks, but its nuts that a quarter inch would prevent you from selecting the superior player.

[Deputy Nutz]

With James' vertical and 40 time I am not that concerned about fast twitch reaction time. It could just be drills he doesn't perform great at. AJ Hawk had a great 3 cone and shuttle....

He has great field vision and instincts. His speed translates to the football field, and he takes great angles to the football. If he falls to 14 he should be a no brainer for the Packers.

[Deputy Nutz]

I liked Murphy coming out of college and thought it was a great pick in the 5th round for the Packers, up until he was injured he has shown more than Spriggs. I think the Packers hope that Murphy's injury is healed and he is ready to go at right tackle. The Packers are going to invest early in the offensive line. The issue with the Packers is that they have too many needs to fill in this draft, and that's not for depth.

Really offensive line is their biggest need. They need better players off the edge and in the secondary, but they have empty spots on the right side of the offensive line.

[pbmax]

With James' vertical and 40 time I am not that concerned about fast twitch reaction time. It could just be drills he doesn't perform great at. AJ Hawk had a great 3 cone and shuttle....

He has great field vision and instincts. His speed translates to the football field, and he takes great angles to the football. If he falls to 14 he should be a no brainer for the Packers.

Does he duplicate what you get out of Jones?

[pbmax]

Aaron Nagler @AaronNagler
Per @BobMcGinn, the Packers recently approached Bulaga about a pay cut. He declined.

[Deputy Nutz]

He could, but I think he might be better in coverage than Jones, while Jones might be a better deep safety. Jones hopefully figures it out, but this defense needs quality football players, you can't pass on James if he is there and Fitzpatrick and Ward are both off the board.