This Year's Draft

[pbmax]

Bradford may have had certain numbers, but there was concern about whether his lack of length would hurt him at OLB. It did, as OT's simply engulfed him.

OK. But mostly, he was bad at football. He seemed to me to be a protection of physical traits, even if he was length deficient.

[bobblehead]

Was looking at the last TT drafts and lamenting the 2015 stinker. I was thinking, man, its not just the draft, but the depth on the roster of usable pieces that really hurt us. So I took a glance at the 2016 draft. Gimme a what if that isn't outside the realm of possibility.

Clark was/is a stud, great pick. Now what if.....Fackrell wasn't a fluke last year. I mean, you can't completely luck into 10 sacks. What if....Spriggs adds enough muscle to carry 315 and suddenly looks like he can play RT in this league. Certainly a possiblity. What if in a contract year an already good Martinez steps it up to great...he added 15 pounds of muscle this offseason without gaining weight. What if Lowrey continues to be a solid rotational guy.

Suddenly that draft doesn't look so bad.

2017? More what ifs than 2016, but a year behind. King stays healthy. Jones gets to focus on being an ILB. Adams elevates to a solid rotational guy. Williams and Jones...well, keep being Williams and Jones. Again, not all bad.

I think TT digressed and was clearly slipping. I think he likely leaned more on his scouts in 16/17 which made them better than 15. I am more convinced than ever that MM misusing guys had a lot to do with the teams decline.

[RashanGary]

Some people have a feel for blocking and others don’t. Spriggs don’t.

[texaspackerbacker]

Tex, I am not sure about your first line in the starting paragraph in this thread. I don't get paid to review these players and I don't have the time to sit and watch film on everyone of them. I do it for fun and to divert my attention. It's about the only time of the year that I can get on here and contribute. I am too busy actually coaching football in the fall to even watch entire football games much less post about them on here. Your negative swipes at people that try their best to contribute to this place are unneeded and disrespectful.

Nutz, I DEFINITELY did not mean you. I appreciate your detailed analysis both before and after the draft as much as anybody in here.

My comments were aimed at two groups: 1. the assholic media - which is just about as bad in sports as anything else, and which was particularly stupid leading up to the draft regarding Packer needs, and 2. a few whiny posters who are afraid to ever see anything optimistically and who perpetually leap to negative conclusions. It seems like gradually after the draft, that bunch has been drowned out by the more rational types in here.

I agreed with just about everything you had to say in your post-draft thread. If it had come out a few hours earlier, I probably wouldn't have started this one - just commented in yours.

One true bit of negativity is that ever since Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews, our drafts have been blah/unlucky in terms of players developing into legitimate stars - Davante Adams being the lone exception I can think of. Going after Gary in the first and Savage in the second seems like an attempt to gamble on players who could easily flop, but who also could turn into the all pros we have been lacking. And we couldn't take those gambles if we hadn't already filled most of the holes in free agency.

Hell yeah, September, maybe even January is the time to judge this draft.

[MadScientist]

Nutz, I DEFINITELY did not mean you. I appreciate your detailed analysis both before and after the draft as much as anybody in here.

My comments were aimed at two groups: 1. the assholic media - which is just about as bad in sports as anything else, and which was particularly stupid leading up to the draft regarding Packer needs, and 2. a few whiny posters who are afraid to ever see anything optimistically and who perpetually leap to negative conclusions. It seems like gradually after the draft, that bunch has been drowned out by the more rational types in here.

Not sure the media was all that far off as far as the positions that were taken. Most of them mentioned edge, S, TE, OL as needs and the Packers picked those in their first 4 picks. Now giving the loud, continuous, whining from a certain poster about a supposed need at WR, I could understand if you might have thought an actual credible source said that somewhere.

It's easy to pick apart a pick if it isn't the guy/position you wanted. In this case it it's fair to be concerned about his shoulder, given the tendency of shoulders to not heal well. It's also reasonable to be concerned with his lack of production. Some of it was scheming, but some just looked like he was controlled without too much difficulty. I think even the most vocal critic of Gary will happily eat crow if he turns out to be a beast.

One true bit of negativity is that ever since Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews, our drafts have been blah/unlucky in terms of players developing into legitimate stars - Davante Adams being the lone exception I can think of. Going after Gary in the first and Savage in the second seems like an attempt to gamble on players who could easily flop, but who also could turn into the all pros we have been lacking. And we couldn't take those gambles if we hadn't already filled most of the holes in free agency.

Hell yeah, September, maybe even January is the time to judge this draft.

I would add Bakh as a damn fine player. (Only all pro selection since Clay).

Realistically September on January will give hints but full judgement comes in 3 years. Adams is considered a great player now, but for two years he was the Fresno Fraud.

[red]

..Fackrell wasn't a fluke last year. I mean, you can't completely luck into 10 sacks.

i agree that you don't just luck into 10 sacks

i honestly have no clue what to think about him, do we have a stud in the making, or was it really just a huge fluke year?

the sacks did come in clumps, but so did most of clays over his career.

he did have more sacks then both our 2 new highly paid free agents had. its nice that he had the big year with one year left on his contract, so we had one more year to make up our minds

he is going to be one of the more intriguing stories for this upcoming season

[pbmax]

i agree that you don't just luck into 10 sacks

i honestly have no clue what to think about him, do we have a stud in the making, or was it really just a huge fluke year?

the sacks did come in clumps, but so did most of clays over his career.

he did have more sacks then both our 2 new highly paid free agents had. its nice that he had the big year with one year left on his contract, so we had one more year to make up our minds

he is going to be one of the more intriguing stories for this upcoming season

Well being lucky and poor opponents will get you 5 or 6 of those sacks. But that is true of a lot of on year double digit guys.

He still needs a better move and a plan.

[wist43]

For the record I like Rastak more than Tex. LOL

Yeah, but Tex's wife is hot

So he's got that goin for him

[Joemailman]

https://theathletic.com/949929/2019/...-draft-wrapup/

Green Bay Packers
2019 Draft Class: DE Rashan Gary (Michigan), S Darnell Savage Jr. (Maryland), C Elgton Jenkins (Mississippi State), TE Jace Sternberger (Texas A&M), DT Kingsley Keke (Texas A&M), CB Ka’dar Hollman (Toledo), RB Dexter Williams (Notre Dame), ILB Ty Summers (TCU)

Best Pick: S Darnell Savage Jr., Maryland

This is not an endorsement of the trade GM Brian Gutekunst made to get Savage, but in terms of the player himself, there’s no question Savage should be a significant contributor on defense. He’s the closest thing the Packers have had to Nick Collins in terms of athletic ability and range. Defensive coordinator Mike Pettine finally found his free safety.

Most Questionable: EDGE Rashan Gary, Michigan

If the Packers can unlock Gary’s athletic gifts on a regular basis, this pick will make Gutekunst look like a genius. If Gary performs the way he did in college, with a limited pass-rush plan and intermittent production, Gutekunst will need to explain why he made such a risky choice with the team’s highest pick since 2009.

Sleeper Pick: RB Dexter Williams, Notre Dame

There’s no question Williams has talent. He averaged better than 6 yards per carry during his career at Notre Dame and held scholarship offers from some of the best programs in the country. But there were off-field incidents (an arrest) and a four-game suspension during his senior season that raised concerns about his maturity and professionalism. If he stays on the straight and narrow, Williams is a perfect fit in Matt LaFleur’s offense.

—Michael Cohen

Packers’ Draft in a GIF: Needy, not greedy

[mraynrand]

Yeah, but Tex's wife is hot

So he's got that goin for him

Hey, I hear there's a party Friday at Pete's house - his parents are in Europe. I hear Pete's brother is buying some beer. You gonna play quarters?

[Deputy Nutz]

Nutz, I DEFINITELY did not mean you. I appreciate your detailed analysis both before and after the draft as much as anybody in here.

My comments were aimed at two groups: 1. the assholic media - which is just about as bad in sports as anything else, and which was particularly stupid leading up to the draft regarding Packer needs, and 2. a few whiny posters who are afraid to ever see anything optimistically and who perpetually leap to negative conclusions. It seems like gradually after the draft, that bunch has been drowned out by the more rational types in here.

I agreed with just about everything you had to say in your post-draft thread. If it had come out a few hours earlier, I probably wouldn't have started this one - just commented in yours.

One true bit of negativity is that ever since Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews, our drafts have been blah/unlucky in terms of players developing into legitimate stars - Davante Adams being the lone exception I can think of. Going after Gary in the first and Savage in the second seems like an attempt to gamble on players who could easily flop, but who also could turn into the all pros we have been lacking. And we couldn't take those gambles if we hadn't already filled most of the holes in free agency.

Hell yeah, September, maybe even January is the time to judge this draft.

Well Thanks Tex. Cobb was a pretty darn good player there for a while, I am not sure exactly what happened with his career. I am guessing his body is just beat to shit. I like the young, tall, and fast receivers that were drafted last year. I am excited to see if they can start breaking out. Alexander seems to have that swagger at corner, and not overly cocky either. To be a great organization you can't miss on your first and second round picks, and you have to hit on one or two late round guys a draft. I simply don't know how New England continues to do it. I suppose it is easier when you have the same system in place year in and year out and you can draft for specific types. They also know when to trade a guy and when to make moves.

[HarveyWallbangers]

This guy loved the Packers draft. I didn't realize that, despite his "poor production," Gary was a two-time first team All-Big 10. That says a lot about the respect he had. Packers start at about 40:50. This guy was big on Gary and mocked Gary to the Packers. He thinks even more highly of Savage. He was big on Eddie Jackson of the Bears coming out, and he fills Savage will be similar (future Pro Bowl safety). Thinks both guys are phenomenal scheme fit. He also liked Jenkins, Sternberger, Keke, and Williams. A lot of draftniks really like this guy, Kollman.

[bobblehead]

Some people have a feel for blocking and others don’t. Spriggs don’t.

Go watch the way he walled off defenders in college and come back and tell me you still feel that way.

[Fritz]

This year's draft seemed okay to me, outside of Gary.

As always, though, none of us know until a few years have passed. Hell, I'm still hoping for a miracle from Jason Spriggs, though that's becoming about as realistic as a date with Drew Barrymore.

[pbmax]

So its OK to acknowledge that drafting has been sub par since Matthews (2009) and its OK to judge draft picks early.

But its not OK to reach a conclusion that they stink?