Packers projected 2021 draft priorities

[wthigoot]

Way-too-early mock draft for 2021. Mostly trying to guess positions and rounds. Packers have some trade-up fodder also since there are comp picks --

1-30 Packers -- Horn, Jaycee CB 6-1 205 South Carolina
2-62 Packers -- Tufele, Jay DT 6-3 315 Southern California
3-94 Packers -- Toney, Kadarius WR 6-0 193 Florida
4-134 Packers -- Jackson, Alaric OT 6-6 315 Iowa
4-140 C-Martinez -- Teague, Master RB 5-11 225 Ohio State
5-175 Packers -- Lloyd, Devin ILB 6-3 232 Utah
5-181 C-Bulaga -- Smith, Jordan DE 6-7 255 Alabama-Birmingham
6-215 Packers -- McBride, Trey TE 6-4 240 Colorado State
6-222 C-Fackrell -- Moon, Jeremiah OLB 6-5 250 Florida
7-244 Packers -- Smith-Marsette, Ihmir WR 6-1 186 Iowa

[smuggler]

It will be interesting to see if the NFL factors in guys that opted out of the season into comp picks. The formula relies heavily on AAV of the contract, but those new contracts don't actually begin until 2021 for players that opted out.

[gbgary]

DT and ILB...again. later a CB. more OL.

[smuggler]

I have something of a theory that the Packers are pumping up one Aaron's TDs to suppress another Aaron's TDs. Because the latter is an upcoming free agent.

[texaspackerbacker]

That would be smart, but I doubt it. Success in the NFL is mainly taking what is there - which is what they have done.

[Fritz]

I would hope this team would address the defensive line early, plus corner and offensive tackle.

[Deputy Nutz]

Can't believe I am posting in here before the end of the 2020 season.

I can assure you all of a few things.
- Packers will not select an ILB within the first 3 rounds of the draft. They don't seem to have or trust their front office evaluations of the position enough to make it a priority in any draft cycle
- Packers will not take a receiver in the first round and most likely not even in the second round
- Defensive linemen and offensive linemen would be my bet for the first round
- Defensive Back will also be a priority just don't know when but I could expect either an early selection or a slew of DBs drafted in later rounds.
- Packers seem to rely on combine numbers in relation to size metrics. Its a dangerous way to play your draft capital. So when evaluated possible players for the Packers, don't look too hard at
production, look at the workout numbers specifically. I still have no idea why they passed on DK Metcalf two years ago outside of his poor three cone, which receivers are going to refuse to run in
the combine because it doesn't seem to do them any good.

[texaspackerbacker]

If we didn't need a WR last year in a great year for them, we really don't need one this year - after the nice development of what we have. I'd also say we aren't bad in the O Line - something I haven't said much since maybe the Lombardi era. With Patrick and Runyon coming along, and apparently they have high hopes for Stepaniak, and maybe Lane Taylor back, and maybe even Nijman, we don't need much help there. Another thing I have flip-flopped on is not taking an ILB early. We've seen what several good ones around the league can do to really improve defenses. Especially if there is a chance Pettine is gone, getting an ILB becomes important - probably a higher priority with just about any other D Coordinator. D Line could use improvement too, but like that other thread title, it's not as bad as a lot of people think.

The Packers are famous - for better or worse, I'd say worse - drafting positions where there are people needing to be re-signed that might not be. With that in mind, plus the importance of the position, I think they take a Corner first. King is probably on the way out, and he's not really very good anyway IMO - or reliably healthy in anybody's opinion. I HOPE drafting a RB early is not a similar priority, as they simply damn well better not let Aaron Jones go.

Another factor is cap losses. Preston Smith would seem to be certainly gone, and Zadarius with his $20m cap hit and good not great performance just might be gone too. I'd like to see us cut him and use something less but close to the $20m to sign some better FA pass rusher.

I'm going with Corner first, ILB second, maybe OLB 3rd. I think we have extra picks in the 4th and 5th. ILB again, D Line, O Line, and RB there. Maybe we snag a small fast kick returner in the late rounds too.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Deez Nuts with an appearance.

[run pMc]

Deez Nuts with an appearance.

LOL I agree with Nutz. I think they draft a big ugly first, then look at CB or (should Jones leave) RB. WR and other positions will be R3 and later. I don't know that they eschew production in favor of combine numbers, but it is apparent Gute likes guys with high values. I think you can find both in many cases.

That they didn't take Metcalf considering his combine numbers (agility aside) is surprising. Height-weight-speed guys like him are uncommon. He didn't have much production and had injuries; I'm assuming those weighed into their consideration.

[texaspackerbacker]

Aaron Jones has fired his agent because the guy hadn't successfully negotiated a deal. My grandson told me - I don't know where he heard it - that Jones has said he wants to stay in Green Bay and didn't like that the agent wasn't getting it done.

[smuggler]

Unfortunately that is probably not true, tex.

[Joemailman]

I would imagine Jones is pretty unhappy that guys like Kamara, Cook, McCaffrey, Henry and Mixon have all gotten extensions and he hasn't. Hence firing his agent. Whether staying in Green Bay is still a major focus of his is hard to say. He may have already come to the conclusion that the Packers have no intention of meeting his asking price.

[wthigoot]

If we didn't need a WR last year in a great year for them, we really don't need one this year - after the nice development of what we have. I'd also say we aren't bad in the O Line - something I haven't said much since maybe the Lombardi era. With Patrick and Runyon coming along, and apparently they have high hopes for Stepaniak, and maybe Lane Taylor back, and maybe even Nijman, we don't need much help there. Another thing I have flip-flopped on is not taking an ILB early. We've seen what several good ones around the league can do to really improve defenses. Especially if there is a chance Pettine is gone, getting an ILB becomes important - probably a higher priority with just about any other D Coordinator. D Line could use improvement too, but like that other thread title, it's not as bad as a lot of people think.

The Packers are famous - for better or worse, I'd say worse - drafting positions where there are people needing to be re-signed that might not be. With that in mind, plus the importance of the position, I think they take a Corner first. King is probably on the way out, and he's not really very good anyway IMO - or reliably healthy in anybody's opinion. I HOPE drafting a RB early is not a similar priority, as they simply damn well better not let Aaron Jones go.

Another factor is cap losses. Preston Smith would seem to be certainly gone, and Zadarius with his $20m cap hit and good not great performance just might be gone too. I'd like to see us cut him and use something less but close to the $20m to sign some better FA pass rusher.

I'm going with Corner first, ILB second, maybe OLB 3rd. I think we have extra picks in the 4th and 5th. ILB again, D Line, O Line, and RB there. Maybe we snag a small fast kick returner in the late rounds too.

I think you are mostly on target with this analysis. King is talented but won't be able to overcome his injuries and so I look for a CB round 1 and Gute is not afraid to use extra picks to trade up (should have round 4, 5, and 6 comp picks so that frees up the Packers picks for trades).

Interior OL is looking good but I think an OT will be taken with a high or mid round pick. OT is just a little thin. Might be mitigated if Lane Taylor is back and can still move outside.

Think Preston is gone but Zadarius will stay. Probably going for a Keith McKenzie or KGB type steal in the later rounds for a pass rusher.

For WR, always want to take one early (probably round 2 or 3) and one late. Maybe more of a chain mover as MVS and Adams are there for the big play.

Would really like to get Rondale Moore as a returner and receiver, but the Packers just don't draft anyone that small even though he is super strong. He would be round 1 or 2 and can't see them investing that high of a pick.

[Guiness]

It will be interesting to see if the NFL factors in guys that opted out of the season into comp picks. The formula relies heavily on AAV of the contract, but those new contracts don't actually begin until 2021 for players that opted out.

That is a great question!!! For instance, does Funchess count as an addition to the Packers?

I think the Pack is way ahead regardless. They lost:
Bryan Bulaga
Blake Martinez
Tramon Williams
Geronimo Allison (opted out)
Kyler Fackrell
B. J. Goodson
Ibraheim Campbell (practice squad)
Danny Vitale (opted out)
Jason Spriggs

Vitale and Allison opted out, Campbell is on the practice squad. The rest are on rosters as far as I know

Signed:
Rick Wagner
Christian Kirksey
Devin Funchess (opted out)
John Lovett
Parry Nickerson (signed late)

6 gone, 3 signed, that should give them the max number of compensatory picks