Official 2019 Draft Thread

[Fritz]

Assuming White is gone, I found a lower round guy I really like - David Long, LB WV. Smallish, but very active, very instinctive.

Montez Sweat is rising for me... not sure where his stock is right now. After a strong SR Bowl though, he's rising.

Brian Burns.. if we miss out on Polite early. . Maybe Burns in the 2nd??

How can he be small and Long?

I'm so confused.

I think Marquez Sweat is one of those guys who's going to shoot up the draft boards because of his athleticism. someone will grab him really earlier than any early mock will show, I believe.

I don't know much about any of these guys. I don't know who Christian Polite is, though you all have been talking about him. I only know that if they draft Brian Burns, they'd better nickname him "Mister."

Doh!

[Cheesehead Craig]

He'd make an exquisite guard.

Now is the time on offense when we run block.

[call_me_ishmael]

I wonder how Sweat compares to the dude we all wanted last year who is a beast for the Saints now.

[run pMc]

I wonder how Sweat compares to the dude we all wanted last year who is a beast for the Saints now.

Davenport is heavier I think.
Some might hope for a little more production (22 tackles, 6 TFL, 12 QB hits, 4.5 sacks, 0 Ints, 1 FF, 2 PD in 13 games) out of a top 15 pick...but it was his rookie year. Would that be underperforming your expectations if Sweat was picked at #12 and did that?

[Bretsky]

Wasn't Davenport playing all banged up too ?

[Fritz]

Wasn't Davenport playing all banged up too ?

Possibly, but if the Packers had drafted him, people would be pissed off that they'd OBVIOUSLY drafted someone who was injury-prone.

[texaspackerbacker]

The little I've seen of Sweat, he looked better than Allen, the guy who is speculated to be the top pick or close to it. And I would think there is a strong chance he would be there at #12. Devin White would be my first choice because ILB is more of a need, but assuming he is gone, Sweat would look real good in Green and Gold.

[Cheesehead Craig]

Possibly, but if the Packers had drafted him, people would be pissed off that they'd OBVIOUSLY drafted someone who was injury-prone.

Yep. Hawk put up better numbers than he did, and Hawk was derided as a JAG from the get-go.

[pbmax]

Oh I agree that the NFL is in overall decline, but they still bring in mountains of cash. I think it's still got about a decade of being the top sports dog in 'Murica.

A heads up on the first mention I have seen about new TV contracts and the future of revenue for the NFL deals.

https://twitter.com/AaronNagler/status/1090318352281714689

Aaron Nagler @AaronNagler
Good god.

Bloomberg: https://t.co/h5pn4zt94e

[pbmax]

From the Bloomberg article:

For years, pro football has inspired that kind of passion in millions of fans. The NFL generated about $15 billion this past season, making it the king of U.S. sports. And the league is about to lean even harder on its fans, aiming to boost its annual revenue to $25 billion by 2027. That may test the limits of a sport grappling with shifting TV habits and controversies surrounding brain injuries and the national anthem.

But tailwinds could help the NFL and Commissioner Roger Goodell achieve their growth targets. The spread of legalized sports betting across the U.S. promises to lock in fans and keep them riveted to games. Tech companies like Amazon.com Inc. and Facebook Inc., meanwhile, have emerged as bidders for big-dollar broadcast packages.

“Roger’s aspirational target of $25 billion is starting to look pretty good,” said Marc Ganis, a sports consultant who advises the NFL and a number of its owners on business strategies.

I think the Packers are going to be OK with Rodgers contract

[pbmax]

Same article: baseball just landed a 36% increase in its fees.

[run pMc]

A heads up on the first mention I have seen about new TV contracts and the future of revenue for the NFL deals.

https://twitter.com/AaronNagler/status/1090318352281714689

Aaron Nagler @AaronNagler
Good god.

Bloomberg: https://t.co/h5pn4zt94e

Well, this will probably be at least one thread of its own...first thoughts are what the NFLPA will want, how long the strike will be, what this will cost the fans, and how will salary caps and pay structures change...

[run pMc]

Back to the draft - I'm thinking about WRs today.

I'd like to see them sign G-Mo, let Cobb walk, sign a younger/healthier vet WR, and draft a late round flier. Between a FA WR and a Day 3 pick/UDFA diamond maybe they can play them in the slot.

The Alvin Whitted hire (new WR coach) got me looking at his latest CSU product, Preston Williams. Turns out the kid is a 6-4" transfer from UTenn and was extremely productive. https://nfcbeast.com/2018/12/23/2019...duced-in-2018/ (there are Youtube videos out there; looks raw w/ upside.)

I still like that Adam Humphries guy from TB as a Cobb replacement, and I guess GB met with Penny Hart at the whatever bowl.
The DD tweet about Cole Beasley is a no - that dude can play but he's 30 and has taken a beating. Maybe he'd be cheap and an upgrade from Cobb but I'm skeptical and would prefer a vet with less wear on the tires.

I think J'Mon, Kumerow, and Trevor Davis are definitely on the bubble.

[pbmax]

Combine News:

Tom Pelissero @TomPelissero
Mississippi State DT Jeffery Simmons – a potential top-10 pick – and Colorado State WR Preston Williams have been informed they won’t be invited to the scouting combine because they don't meet the criteria under the NFL's policy about past issues involving violence, sources say.

Tom Pelissero @TomPelissero
Simmons was arrested in 2016 after a physical altercation with a woman. Williams was arrested in 2017 for an altercation involving a woman. They are the only two known to be barred under this year, sources say, but invitations have been rescinded in past after background checks.


Dear Commissioner PR, this kind of message, which is just a form of PR stunt, doesn't help. It doesn't deter. It only incentivizes hiding crimes.

[Joemailman]

Combine News:

Tom Pelissero @TomPelissero
Mississippi State DT Jeffery Simmons – a potential top-10 pick – and Colorado State WR Preston Williams have been informed they won’t be invited to the scouting combine because they don't meet the criteria under the NFL's policy about past issues involving violence, sources say.

Tom Pelissero @TomPelissero
Simmons was arrested in 2016 after a physical altercation with a woman. Williams was arrested in 2017 for an altercation involving a woman. They are the only two known to be barred under this year, sources say, but invitations have been rescinded in past after background checks.


Dear Commissioner PR, this kind of message, which is just a form of PR stunt, doesn't help. It doesn't deter. It only incentivizes hiding crimes.

Preston Williams was coached this past year by Packers new WR coach Alvis Whitted. I imagine Packers draft team has already asked Whitted about his thoughts on Williams.