First Day Grade for the Packers

MadCityBucky · Post #1 » by **MadCityBucky** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 3:28 am

I would give a B

Like the Raji pick. The trade up and selection for Matthews was a surprise but that was an a lot to give up. Hopefully Matthews turns out to be a great player and the trade was worth the picks.

There were a lot of talented players available at 41.

Post #2 » by **ReasonablySober** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 3:34 am

It's unfair, but I can't give the Packers an A even though, on talent and need they probably kicked ass today. Had you told me that Brown and Barwin were off the books at #41, I'd give them an A. They were still there as it turned out. Matthews is going to have to be an impact player or that trade will haunt them.

Flames24Rulz · Post #3 » by **Flames24Rulz** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 3:52 am

Immediate draft grades are always a crapshoot.

But as of right now, it's the happiest I've been after a first day since I can remember. I was happy with the Hawk and Jennings pick a few years ago and I loved that we fell into Rodgers in 05, but overall, I had no problems with anything we did today. I know we gave up our two thirds, but I believe Thompson has something up his sleeve and we'll get back into the third round tomorrow.

Very impressed that Thompson actually traded up today. I'm a huge Matthews fan and I think he'll be a great fit at our other OLB spot. If we can trade up to get Michael Johnson tomorrow, it would probably be my favorite draft in a very long time.

LeopoldStotch · Post #4 » by **LeopoldStotch** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 4:36 am

I'm going with an 'A' for the first day picks. Raji was 2nd on my list of guys available at 9 behind only Jenkins and Raji fills a greater need, so I'm happy. As long as he's truly a "good guy" as Ted says, I could see him working out. Seems like a good value since the Browns would likely had taken him at 5 if they didn't trade back.

I like being aggressive in going up to get Matthews. It's obviously a lot to give up especially considering what was available at 41 (Brown, Barwin, Sintim, etc.), but Ted must like Matthews that much more. I'm excited to see what this guy can do and he's got a chance to start at OLB.

The day 2 grade will be much lower since we dealt both 3rds, but walking away with a big upgrade at NT and a strong prospect at OLB is a great success for day 1. If both these guys start, what we do in rounds 4-7 won't matter that much.

mnstinks · Post #5 » by **mnstinks** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 2:33 pm

DrugBust wrote:It's unfair, but I can't give the Packers an A even though, on talent and need they probably kicked ass today. Had you told me that Brown and Barwin were off the books at #41, I'd give them an A. They were still there as it turned out. Matthews is going to have to be an impact player or that trade will haunt them.

Hopefully people won't compare Matthews against everybody drafted after him...that just isn't fair, because it is likely that there will be a pro bowler or two picked after him. It would make sense to compare him to OLB's drafted after rd 1.

LUKE23 · Post #6 » by **LUKE23** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 4:20 pm

A. I know technically they overpaid for Matthews based on the value chart, but if he pans out to the level TT thinks, it won't matter. Matthews is clearly ahead of the OLB options that would have been there at 41 (including Brown).

Post #7 » by **MickeyDavis** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 4:30 pm

Matthews is definitely a gamble. One year starter, surrounded by talent that could mask his weaknesses. But he's a gamer and sometimes you have to take a gamble.

So far so good with this draft.