Packers 2017 Draft - Will The Draft Take The Packers to Super Bowl 52?

Super Bowl LII?  How will this draft help the drive to Super Bowl 52?

Here they are:

First, the positions totals -
3-Running Back's,
2-Wide Receiver's,
1-Defensive Tackle,
1-Safety,
1-Cornerback,
1-Guard,
1-Linebacker

No first round picks

Pick 2a - Kevin King, Cornerback, Washington  6'3"  200
  Speed & size!  Ran a 4.43 40 at the combine!  Could we not stop an opponents receiver like
Larry Fitzgerald, Dez Bryant, or Julio Jones from going crazy on us???  I think that is the plan!
Here is just one scouting report:

In pass coverage, King thrives as a bump-and-run cornerback. He is big to be a press-man corner who manipulates the route that receivers can run after his jam. King could use a little more strength for jamming pro receivers, but he has god-given height and length to handle big receivers. King has above-average athletic ability to run with receivers downfield and uses his length to help him recover. With his leaping ability and long frame, King is able to extend to break up passes and close gaps to prevent completions. King has nice ball skills to slap pass away for a big cornerback and also will make some difficult catches. However, he does have some issues with dropping potential interceptions.
Read more at http://walterfootball.com/scoutingreport

So, mixed reviews, not a sure bet, but who is??

Pick 2b - Josh Jones, Safety, NC State  6'1  220
  Speed and size (see a pattern here!)  4.41 in the 40!  A BIG hitter!  Packers need that out of our secondary!  A defensive back that can first TACKLE!  And second, leave a MARK after the tackle!!!
Oh!  Look what I found on Josh Jones high school track career!

And, a scouting report to make Dom Capers happy:

A tackling machine, Jones has played strong safety at NC State, and is an intriguing prospect that might be able to be positioned at different places in the secondary and near the line of scrimmage.

Pick 3-Montravious Adams, Defensive Tackle, Auburn 6'4" 304
  Speed and size (on the defensive line!)  Ran a 4.87 for a "FAT" guy!
And, I found some high school video!!!
Adams High School Football Highlights

Pick 4a - Vince Biegel, Linebacker, Wisconsin  6'3"  246
  A Wisconsin boy!  Played opposite the other Linebacker Watt, a name that got a little more
attention!  Father was a linebacker at BYU and his name is "Rocky"! I like this kid already, and if he is hurt, the "old man" can step in!
  Was elected Captain of this years team and was the "emotional" leader!  Packers NEED some emotion on defense!
How about a great "Biegel" highlight video! Vince Biegel Highlights!

Pick 4b - Jamaal Williams, Running Back, BYU,   6'  212
  Suspended for a year at BYU for sex!  Yes, for sex, at BYU they can do that!  Had a girl in his room over night! (Probably cramming for finals!!!)  Good size and not bad speed! 4.59 in the 40.  And this is what sold me -  also competed in sprints, hurdles, long jump and high jump on the track team
A track guy! Jamaal Williams Documentary

Pick 5a - DeAngelo Yancey, Wide Receiver, Purdue  6'2"  201

Some Yancey highlights - Highlights - Yancey

Pick 5b - Aaron Jones, Running Back, Tex-El Paso  5'9"  208

Aaron Jones Highlights

Pick 6 - Kofi Amichia, Guard, S. Florida  6'4" - 297

And the Packers Pick - Kofi Highlights

Pick 7a - Devante Mays, Running Back, Utah St.  5'11" - 230

Devante Mays Highlights

Pick 7b - Malachi Dupre, Wide Receiver, LSU 6'2" - 196

Video of Dupre - Malachi Dupre Highlights

Draft Analysis - A Look Back at #2 Picks

In the previous blog post, we started to break down the previous Packer drafts.  We already looked at the #1 Picks!  Now.......

The Packer #2 Draft Picks

2016 - Jason Spriggs, OT - Indiana
2015 - Quinten Rollins, CB - Miami, OH
2014 - Davonte Adams, WR - Fresno St.
2013 - Eddie Lacy, RB - Alabama
2012 - Jerel Worthy, DE - Michigan St.   & Casey Hayward, CB - Vanderbilt

Wow!  Not good!  First Worthy was a BUST.  And Casey Hayward is gone(AND, we missed him!)
Jason Sprigss needs more time(AND, may start this year!  Will Rollins had a difficult year & Adams at wide receiver has ben VERY erratic!!

So, my grade for Round Two - D+

The Round One grade is B-

Time To Focus On The NFL Draft

I have taken another "Blog Break", but now it is time to focus on the draft!  First a few comments!

1 - We will take the best player available!

Considering Aaron is NOT getting any younger, this to me is just plain STUPID!  Example#1, we have 3 pretty good tight ends right now - WHY even think about a tight end!  The Packers NEED a
pass rusher!  We NEED to draft a possible pass rusher!

2 - Speed - I like speed!  No matter what position - SPEED helps cover mistakes!

3 - NO IDIOTS!  I do not like projects!  Let the Cowboys have them!

4 - How about a playmaker on defense?  Matthews is older, Peppers is gone, and Reggie White is playing on the "All Heaven Team!"  Find a playmaker!

Before we analyze the new draft potential, lets review previous drafts:

Packers 2016 Draft

First the #1 Picks:

2016 - Kenny Clark, DT - UCLA

2015 - Damarious Randall, CB - Ariz St.

2014 - Ha Ha Clinton-Dixx, S - Alabama

2013 - Datone Jones, DE - UCLA

2012 - Nick Perry, LB - S. Cal

OK, What do you think?  All players have contributed over the past few years.  Packers just made a 

huge commitment to Perry.  He has finally stayed healthy & will have a chance to become a difference maker!  Next year will tell!  Datone Jones - Bye Bye.  Clinton-Dixx is becoming a playmaker!  Randall at CB had a tough year, but was not healthy, so we will give him another shot!  And Kenny Clark played a lot as a rookie!

So, overall, not bad!  BUT, Perry & Clinton-Dixx need to become All-Pro's!  Clark, take that year 2 jump & Randall, stay healthy & bounce back!

Next blog entry we will look at the #2 picks!

Packers Updates - As of March 24, 2017

As of today, Monday, March 13, the free agency pace has slowed!  So far:

Here is what we have so far:

Packer Free Agents signed:
Nick Perry
Don Barclay
Packers Signed:
Christine Michael

Packers Free Agents Lost:
Micah Hyde
JC Tretter
Julius Peppers
TJ Lang
New Packers Lost:
Jared Cook
Datone Jones
Eddie Lacy


Other Teams Free Agents Signed:
Martellus Bennett
Lance Kendricks
New Players from other teams:
Devon House
Ricky Jean Francios


Packers still out there:
Brett Goode

What does the 2017 Packer Team look like in March?

Offense:
Offensive Line - last year we lost Sitton, Lance Taylor came in a played well.  This year
we lost Lang.  My gut says Spriggs or Murphy we be just fine!  And Bahktiari & Bulaga
can now take over the leadership roles.  So, I see a slight drop off to start, but the young
guns finishing strong - I hope!
Running Backs - Oh Baby!  First, I'm glad to see Eddie go!  Liked him, thought he
had a BIG chance to make a difference, BUT I'm still pissed he was not dedicated to
the team!  Montgomery, a year better, a Stanford grad, and another great young man!
Re-signing Christine Michael is a no brainer.  Need some depth & really think he has
speed & enthusiasm, BUT at time runs out of control & may be a fumble waiting to
happen!  NEED to draft a running back in rounds 3 or 4!
Wide Receivers: Still looking good here - Jordy, Randall, and Davonte.  Love the
undrafted rookie from last year - Geronimo Allison, I see a diamond in the rough!
Tight Ends, loved Cook last year, BUT like Bennett & Kendricks this year - looks like
Richard Rodgers is 3rd string!  I think Aaron will be drooling over the possibilities!

Defense - STILL VERY WORRIED!!!
Defensive line - Like the addition of Jean Francios, but he is mostly a run stopper!
Stupid Guion is suspended the first for games! - Drugs!  I think they may cut him, and use the $3 million on someone else!  With Lowry & Fackrell a year older, that is good!  Daniels still the
leader, that is good.  Other players are average - would like to see a DT drafted rounds
3-4.
Linebackers - Outside, reigning Perry great - Matthews a year older & probably will
still be moving around, which I like!  Inside, young guns Ryan & Martinez a year older!
I like them, but need to see improvement!  Not much depth hear, draft - rounds 1-3!
Safeties - lost all around Hyde, but style have two of the best in the league with Burnett
and Clinton-Dixx.  Hope some of the young players can provide the depth!
Corner Backs - OH BABY!! Still need HELP!!!!  Losing Shields was a BIG hit!
Young players Randall & Rollins seemed overwhelmed!  Was it just a sophomore slump
and losing Shields?  Time will tell, but I would try to draft a BIG TIME CORNER!

Special Teams - remained unchanged.  Probably a new long snapper & still not
thrilled with out punter!

Amount of $$$$ left under the cap?  Around - $20,000,000.

So, my advice - KEEP LOOKING TEDDY!

Packer Free Agency Momentum Has Slowed

As of today, Monday, March 13, the free agency pace has slowed!  So far:

Here is what we have so far:

Packer Free Agents signed:
Nick Perry
Don Barclay


Packers Free Agents Lost:
Micah Hyde
JC Tretter
Julius Peppers
TJ Lang


Other Teams Free Agents Signed:
Martellus Bennett
Lance Kendricks

Packers still out there:
Jared Cook
Datone Jones
Eddie Lacy
Christine Michael
Brett Goode

Amount of $$$$ left under the cap?  Around - $23,000,000.

So, my suggestion to Ted T - go after a D lineman and corner!  PLEASE!
And Ted, if you are looking at my Packer Blog right now give a call to..............

DT - Dontari Poe - Kansas City
CB - Brandon Carr, Dallas

Let The Free Agent Craziness Begin!

The Packers started free agency like they alway do, slowwwwwwwwww......................

Here is what we have so far:

Packer Free Agents signed:
Nick Perry
Don Barclay


Packers Free Agents Lost:
Micah Hyde
JC Tretter
Julius Peppers

Other Teams Free Agents Signed:
Martellus Bennett

So, pass rush, OLB depth, and someone the has been through the battles, Nick Perry fits
the Packer needs!  The contract is around 5 yrs at $59 million.  Good news also, the cap hit for
this year, 2017, around $6 million.  That is good!  Pass rush wise, we NEED him (AND MORE).
Perry seems to be a BIG piece of the puzzle.

Don Barclay, 1 year at 1.3 million comes cheap, with experience. (Nice when $1.3 million is cheap!)
He has experience, knows the system, but has proven he is NOT a starter.

Signing Martellus Bennett was a surprise.  We all thought Jared Cook would come back, but negotiating salaries is NEVER easy!  Contract is around 3 years at $21 million.  Not bad.  He is
even a bigger target and seems to be ready to make a difference!

Losses, Micah Hyde hurts!  Not because he is a difference maker, but he is a great "utility
knife"  Punt returns, safety, slot corner, regular corner, Hyde will be missed!

Julius Peppers?  We SHOULD have won a Super Bowl with him! He goes back to where
he started, the Panthers!  He was a class act, made big plays, and MOST important, he showed the younger players what a professional football player should be!

JC Tretter, is a better version of Don Barclay.  He simply would have cost TOO much to keep!

So, who is left?

Jared Cook?  With Bennett - bye - bye!

TJ Lang?  Still have a GOOD shot!

Datone Jones?  Only for the right price.

Eddie Lacy?  A "HEAVY" (sorry) laced contract with incentives on playing weight!  Preferably,
a one year contract!

Christine Michael? With all the good college running backs in th draft - bye - bye!

And Brett Goode, our long snapper?  Low on the NEED list.

So, look at other teams for:
Cornerback
Defensive Line
Inside Linebacker

Let The Free Agent Signing Begin!!!

Here we go Packer Fans!  Hold on to your seat!  WHO, I said WHO will the Packers Sign?

First, our OWN are Agents again as of March 6, 2017:

Julius Peppers
TJ Lang
Nick Perry
Jared Cook
Datone Jones
Brett Goode
Eddie Lacy
Christine Michael
Don Barclay
JC Tretter
Micah Hyde

And, the approximate salary cap money we have to spend?
$40,000,000

Some of the variables?

Many teams have a LOT of money to spend!
Packers are 13th - Browns are #1 with $105,000,000!
The AVERAGE team has $35,000,000

That means, free agents will be difficult to keep!

How would you rank our free agents & what would you spend per year for each?  My ranking:

1 - Jared Cook - $ per year - 5-6 million
2 - Nick Perry - $ per year - 5-6 million
3 - TJ Lang - $ per year - 5-6 million
4 - Micah Hyde - $ per year - 2 million
5 - Julius Peppers - $ per year 3 million(Just one year)
6 - JC Tretter - $ per year - 3-4 million
7 - Datone Jones - $ per year - 2-3 million
8 - Eddie Lacy - $ per year 2 million

I would let Don Barclay, Christine Michael, & Brett Goode walk.


Add up the high & low numbers?  $27-32 million.

What do you think???

Next, other team free agents?