Green Bay Packers Thread

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In Chicago until October 1st this year. I'm gonna do everything in my power to get a ticket to the week 4 game against the Bears in Soldier Field. That or I'll head north for the Jets game

My take on our draft...

1 (21). Haha Clinton-Dix: Over the moon about this pick, A+. Going into this draft there was literally almost nobody in the entire draft I wanted more, top 10 picks included (when you factor in need). Obviously I would have taken Mack or Clowney over him but they were not happening for a number of reasons and were not of need. I was certain he was not going to make it near us, but he just kept on slipping... watching the draft from the Rams second pick on was absolutely nerve-jangling, all the way down to the Saints trading in above us despite their quality Vaccaro/Byrd pairing there.

There was debate over Pryor, Ward and Clinton-Dixon and it all came down to need. Personally I rare Haha the highest overall, but the other two are stronger around the box. Thing is, this IS NOT what we needed. Burnett is decent in that SS role, what we needed was someone to take the Nick Collins role of covering the deep ball, and we needed it possibly worse than any team needed to fill any defensive position in the entire league. Say goodbye to being 100% definite that in third and long, we will give up the first down (and always over the middle)!

Also despite the criticism of our secondary, the corners are very good - Shields, Williams (he got a bit better again last year), Hyde, Hayward returning, and though not great House and Bush offer ok depth as the 5th and 6th choices (and Bush is a ST beast, not to be underestimated).

I am generally not a big fan of 40 times and here is why... a good few think he dropped due to timing at 4.58. Who cares? Ed Reed, in my opinion perhaps the best deep zone safety of all time had a 4.57.

A+

3 (85). Khyri Thornton: I am not so sure of this pick, and really wish the Texans had not traded up ahead of us for Nix here. Nix has some red flags that do worry, but I would love to know if we would have gone for Thornton over him or not. Apparently has the build to take over for Pickets or possibly even in the nose, but will need to add more mass before being ready (currently 6'2, 316lbs). His upside is quite big, but he also needs work and some people question if he had the drive to reach it. He is however said to be light on his feet with an absolute tonne of strength that he is good at translating to power right off the snap on his first push. That is something our line could use as Raj has played lazy in recent seasons and while Pickets has been great and still is useful consuming space, he a has lot that initial meant with age.

Unlike some others I don't think our defensive line is that bad at all, it is just very young and has been misused by Capers a good deal. We don't know what will happen with Ray which is why I would have liked someone like Nix and pickets is getting in. However Daniels came on strong last year, and 3-4 DL typically takes a long while to develop in... Datones quiet rookie season does not worry me in the slightest, and Worthy had injuries to deal with.

I would give this pick a C, though I figure it winds up a complete hit or complete miss either way.

4 (121). Carl Bradford: I like this pick a lot, but not as an OLD where he had so many sacks in college as he doesn't have the length. Expect him to play I'M and to finally give us the effective blitzed that we have been missing since Desmond Bishop. That has been a huge element our defense has been missing... remember, Bishop forced THAT fumble in the Superbowl.

He is a bit undersized, not too much though and it shouldn't be a huge worry as Clay has shown you can overcome that. Also like Clay he has a high, high motor and plays with huge energy on top of having a mean streak. Expect him to cause havoc inside on 3rd and long if the oppositions blockers don't give him enough attention and instead just look to cover the DEs/OLBs at and outside the tackles.

There is no guarantee is makes it, but I am grading this an A. Gives us more energy and meanness in our front 7 along with Thornton, could be of huge importance even as a rookie of 3rd down.

Brad Jones struggled badly this season but I still like him as a guy to rotate around the LB spots so that is another possible added benefit.

6 (176). Jared Abbrederis: I loved our late WE pickups and it's classic Ted Thompson taking advantage of BPAs in a deep, deep draft of receivers. In other years this guy could have gone as high as the third round. With Adams already taken, I think this is the end of Myles White who wasn't terrible but was definitively "just a guy" again without any standout attribute that I mentioned earlier about Boykin.

His ha d's need work but he at best will be our 4th guy so no big worries there and he has some serious talent to learn from as well as Rodgers throwing to him. He also has a concussion history, which is a legit worry... but the upside is undeniable.

Supposed to be a great character guy, potentially very dangerous in the slot (also helpful in case Cobb wants money we can't afford next year) and should make a big impact as a returner immediately, which in turn allows us to keep Cobb rested for the offense.

A+ absolutely love this pick.

Overall grade: A-

First, the negatives:
- We didn't get the TE we desperately need, but there was no point in taking Amaro or Ask in the first or Fiedorwicz in the second so no real complaints... Still, Rodgers was a poor reach in my opinion. We should have looked to get someone in the 6th or 7th like him or Skov because the drop off was huge after the top guys. We could have, and I hope we still do, supplement this with a 1yr cheap deal for a Kellen Winslow or Dustin Keller. Or in a perfect world, Finley if he recovers. But we do need something more than what we have, much as I like Quarley as a #2.

- We addressed the wrong OR position. Just my opinion and Linsley does seem like an OK guy who could fit our system but with proven and experienced guys at guard and (essentially) a rookie in Tretter who has never taken an NFL snap I would have preferred a rookie at guard and average, cheap journeyman at C (yes, even if that led to another Saturday situation, though preferably not someone as old). Not a major complaint, just a minor gripe. Maybe Barclay might be rotated at guard if Sherrod is fit and ready to back up at T?

- I would have liked a big body insurance type for Raj, like a mix or later on McCullers. Thornton strikes me as more of a Pickett than a Raj. Thornton and McCullers would have been a handy duo. Mind you, I completely forgot we signed Leroy Guion so it might not be too much of an issue.

Now, the positives:
- WE HAVE A DEEP ZONE SAFETY!!! Not only that but the best guy in the draft for it. He was my number 1 guy for us in the entire draft, none of the other safeties filled our need deep in the backfield at all in my opinion... And we got him. Happiest I have been about any pick of ours in years. Incredible, and after Bridgewater perhaps the best value-meets-need pick in the entire draft.

- Those three receivers. Our James Jones replacement (with better hands), and our Cobb and Nelson insurance all with great value, the latter two especially. Expect Adams and Jared to make some waves immediately, and I really hope we Janis gets the 5th/6th spot as he could be a quality player by his 2nd or 3rd year. If you had told me we would get 3 Was before the Draft, I would not have been too happy about it, but the value with the latter two completely chances my outlook. Elated.

- Bradford. He looks like he could be the next Des Bishop at ILB for us, something that a lot of people overlook us as missing badly since he left. He also gives us more attitude and motor to accompany CMIII in our LBs. Anyone who remembers Bishop will remember his aggression, and even though it caused him to over commit at times, it was hugely valuable and blogs been missed a lot. I only expect to see much of him on 3rd down and with big leads (eg. passing plays) as a rookie, but he should be a big help there.

- We addressed nearly all of our needs at least adequately outside of guard and TE. If we can get a Winslow/Keller on a cheap, short contract and maybe something similar at interior OL this will have been a fantastic off season.

Now let's pray Capers doesn't f*** it all up on us.