Draft discussion thread

Post #1 » by **emperorjones** » Thu Dec 8, 2011 9:49 pm

Well, it's once again too early to look forward to April. That said, looking forward to the draft in April, what are your priorities? What do you want in the draft vs Free agency?

Last year at this time I wanted this:

Right now, I'd go OLT , LG and get a big WR in Free Agency....

So in the draft I'd look to get:

1. A shut down corner. Preferably an elite athlete, so I'd be looking 1st round to grab the best one.
2. A LB.
3. A big WR. Someone massive, in the 6'5" 220lbs range.
4. A Center. I'm sure Olin Kreutz is on his last year or 2. I'm thinking 3rd/4th round here.
5. Another CB or a FS. Thinking we can start Major Wright next year and Harris moves to backup SS.

So out of 9 positions I was looking for we got 1. Chris Conte as FS in the 3rd round although I guess we did get our C in Spencer in FA. So for this year? Pretty similar.

In FA I'd get a #1 WR and a DE to bookend Peppers. A backup swing tackle and Maybe another QB depending on how Hanie goes. That's it. In the draft, I'm thinking:

1. LB
2. Big WR
3. CB
4. LB (extra 3rd round pick)
5. Safety

Based on my track record, we will get none of these :lol:

Chewie · Post #2 » by **Chewie** » Fri Dec 9, 2011 12:58 am

Well you know I live for the draft but I am not in pre-draft form just yet so I won't be able to name names or anything. I've always been a BPA guy but if we're going to break down NEEDS....

1) WR - doesn't HAVE to be a huge guy but he does have to have that "my ball" mentality that Knox, Hester, and Roy Williams lack. Heck, Steve Smith is all of 5'9" but he can go get it. That being said, height does have its advantages.
2) WR - again? Yes. Cutler needs weapons and none of our current WRs are starter material (though we pay Bennett as if he is a starter). Besides, we'll probably screw up the 1st WR pick anyway. Consider this insurance and a luxury made possible by the additional 3rd round pick via the Kreutz trade. It would be reminiscent of the Eagles 1990 draft when Buddy Ryan took WRs with 3 of their first 4 picks.
3) LB. Who knows what power play Briggs will pull and Urlacher will be another year older. Zero depth at this position.
4) DE. The search for the 3rd down pass rush specialist continues.
5) CB. Can't get enough.
6) OL.
7) QB. Hanie can hit the bricks and we can get a vet as our #2 and this pick would be the Enderle competition. I like the Packers old philosophy of drafting a QB every year and hope to get lucky.

Of course any moves in FA would change the above draft needs but that's what I'm rolling with now.

The Explorer · Post #3 » by **The Explorer** » Fri Dec 9, 2011 5:37 pm

Agree with WR in first 2 rounds. As the defense gets older, the offense must pick up the slack and become a real NFL offense. If Martz stays and they get some big wideouts, that would help his scheme and Cutler tremendously. In the3rd round give me a DE. Who knows if Idonije will resign, he is FA after the season. So they may need to address both the 2nd and 3rd DE spots. Fill in linebacker depth via free agency.

Cliff Levingston · Post #4 » by **Cliff Levingston** » Fri Dec 9, 2011 6:39 pm

WR in round 1, Tackle in round 2. Everyone here should know that management isn't going to take a second WR assuming they screw up the first pick. Besides, while Knox isn't perfect, given a #1 WR opposite him with Bennett in the slot, he just needs to be the deep threat that he is.

Let's get a tackle that can step in and replace Webb right away or next year. Chris Williams has the LG spot locked down, Carimi at RT. Garza/Spencer at C and Louis /Ed Williams at G will have to do. Cliff Levingston definitely wouldn't mind seeing some later round shots on more interior linemen though.

Then we obviously need some more linebackers, cornerbacks and a competent DE opposite Peppers.

Chewie · Post #5 » by **Chewie** » Fri Dec 9, 2011 7:08 pm

Cliff Levingston wrote:Everyone here should know that management isn't going to take a second WR assuming they screw up the first pick. Besides, while Knox isn't perfect, given a #1 WR opposite him with Bennett in the slot, he just needs to be the deep threat that he is.

Saying we'd take a WR in Rd2 as an insurance policy of screwing up the first pick was a joke but I thought that was obvious. That's not my prediction - I definitely don't think we'd take 2 WRs with the first two picks - but it IS what I want.

I'd prefer we go with a proven vet at OT in free agency. Those are cheap right? :wink:

Actually, rolling with Gaither - who shouldn't break the bank - would be just fine with me as suggested in another thread.

WEFFPIM · Post #6 » by **WEFFPIM** » Fri Dec 9, 2011 11:43 pm

Justin Blackmon *clap, clap, clap clap clap*

Chewie · Post #7 » by **Chewie** » Fri Dec 9, 2011 11:47 pm

I wish. I've seen three mock drafts and all have him going top 3.

Midway Bully · Post #8 » by **Midway Bully** » Sat Dec 10, 2011 5:13 am

As for LB depth, look out for Jabara Williams, the kid we picked up from STL. Kid is has really high upside, extremely athletic, and is a great tackler. He is still a bit undersized and still has some issues to clear up in coverage, but nothing that isn't unteachable. He could be Briggs' replacement at WLB

Midway Bully · Post #9 » by **Midway Bully** » Sat Dec 10, 2011 5:14 am

WEFFPIM wrote:Justin Blackmon *clap, clap, clap clap clap*

No chance at this point. Plenty of other WRs available though. Also, there are some big names in this WR FA class.

heir_jordan22 · Post #10 » by **heir_jordan22** » Mon Dec 12, 2011 7:46 am

In the first round I like tackles Martin and Rieff, receivers Floyd and Jeffrey, but I'd prefer one of the two receivers.

In the second round I'd go with Dwight Jones or Levy Adcock (depending on who we get in the first round).

I'd go with Brewster or another center who could compete for a starting spot with our first pick in the third round.

After that I'd target DE, LB and CB. If we only get one receiver in the earlier rounds then I'd like McNutt too.

Post #11 » by **emperorjones** » Tue Dec 13, 2011 11:27 pm

[quote="Cliff Levingston"]
Let's get a tackle that can step in and replace Webb right away or next year. /quote]

Crazy, but I think Webb has done a pretty good job for his first year at LT in the NFL. Had a rough start but settled down. Still I wouldn't mind bringing in at stud veteran LT and having Webb be our backup swing tackle

Post #12 » by **emperorjones** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 3:37 am

I'd put this in as a poll, but I'd be afraid that only 6 of us would vote.

I'm thinking we get 14th pick.

Post #13 » by **Nolan** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 4:33 am

I'm gonna go with the 13th pick.

Chewie · Post #14 » by **Chewie** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 4:39 am

Yeah, #14 sounds right with a 7-9 final record.

The Explorer · Post #15 » by **The Explorer** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 2:29 pm

From potentially challenging the defending champion packers in the playoffs, to getting the 15th pick in the draft...what a sad sad turn of events.

mattbulls · Post #16 » by **mattbulls** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 5:33 pm

BIGGIEsmalls 23 · Post #17 » by **BIGGIEsmalls 23** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 6:07 pm

We end up closing out with a win against the Vikings & fall to 15th.

Post #18 » by **emperorjones** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 7:55 pm

Even at 15th, this could wind up being a great draft for a team that should have finished 11-5 or maybe even 12-4 and be selecting 25th or so. especially in rounds 2, 3 & 4. having the panthers 3rd round pick will be a great add for depth.

If we pick around 15, I'd like to see us get an impact DE in the 1st round (I just don't like going WR in the 1st), Big WR in the 2nd round. CB & OT in the 3rd.

I think we can wait until next year to take an LB in the 1st round.

Chewie · Post #19 » by **Chewie** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 11:36 pm

emperorjones wrote:I just don't like going WR in the 1st

Jay would like to have a word with you.

I don't know how we can continue to ignore the position. Knox may well recover but he's facing 4 months of rehab. He can't fight for the ball like I want him to, anyway. I like Bennett but he's not anyone's #1 receiver. Roy Williams was a mistake. Sanzenbacher should be the last receiver off the bench. Hester should be returning kicks.

We need to spend that #1 pick here and then go to the well again either with another high pick or FA.

Post #20 » by **emperorjones** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 12:19 am

Jay wouldn't mind if I put major money into the WR position to get a proven NFL threat rather than hoping a rookie can get separation. There are a number of quality big proven WR in FA that I'm sure this team will go after and that will want to play with Jay. A true number 1 and immediate contributor is what we need. The failure rate with first round WRs is to great. 2nd or 3rd round. Let Marinelli get a hold of another DE to make that line truly dominant. That lessons the need to upgrade at CB.

2 WR free agents and one in the draft.