2018 Draft Recap/Grades

[Mags FTW]

Reviews are starting to come in:

Winners:

Brian Gutekunst
We know the Packers are going to be good on offense next year, right? (Spoiler: they are.) Now they're going to be good on defense too, thanks to getting Mike Pettine some weapons in the draft. Gutekunst, the Packers first-year GM, went defense-heavy early in the draft, picking up Louisville corner Jaire Alexander in the first round and Iowa corner Josh Jackson in the second round. Green Bay then added linebacker Oren Burks in the third round. The real power move by Gutekunst in all of this was him somehow managing to walk out of Thursday with an extra first-round pick next year despite moving down only three spots: he let the Saints come up, took their first next year, then moved back up at a cheaper cost when the Seahawks were looking to trade down. It was some David Blaine-level trickeration. Notre Dame wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown in the sixth round might have been one of the biggest steals in the whole draft. For a fanbase that got tired of the team not spending in free agency and standing pat in the draft and taking what came down the pipe, Packers fans should be thrilled at the way Gutekunst spent this offseason being active and this draft whipping up some serious defensive improvements.

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2018-nfl-draft-winners-losers-packers-giants-browns-score-big-while-rosen-is-a-win-for-cardinals/

[Mags FTW]

New Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst wasn’t shy in his first draft. He moved from the 14th to 18th pick while adding a first-round pick in the 2019 draft. Then at No. 18 he took Louisville cornerback Jaire Alexander, a player they probably would have picked 14th. The Packers doubled up on cornerbacks by taking Iowa’s Josh Jackson in the second round. It was a surprise in that Green Bay had some other needs, but you can’t fault the value.

In the third round, the Packers added a versatile and athletic linebacker in Oren Burks. He has to become more disciplined against the run, but his athleticism can’t be coached. Not many people expected Burks to go that high, though.

Green Bay brought in three wide receivers in J’Mon Moore in the fourth round, Marquez Valdes-Scantling in the fifth round and Equanimeous St. Brown in the sixth round. That’s a lot of draft capital on one position.

Grade: B-

https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2018/4/29/17295738/2018-nfl-draft-grades-day-3-winners-losers-results

[Mags FTW]

Green Bay Packers

New defensive coordinator Mike Pettine always had an aggressive, disruptive pass rush when he was coordinating the Jets’ defense from 2009-12, even though that team had very mediocre edge rushers. Pettine generated pressure through scheme by putting extra defensive backs on the field and having them roam around, creating a blurry look. At the snap, some would rush and others would rotate into coverage. It was hard for blockers to identify which would come, and the beauty was those defensive backs always arrived quicker than a defensive lineman or linebacker would.

Head coach Mike McCarthy favors this unique brand of defense, which was also employed—to a lesser extent—by Pettine’s predecessor, Dom Capers. For this approach to work, you need corners who can win on an island. In Green Bay, Pettine inherited only one decent corner: last year’s second-rounder Kevin King, who has played just nine NFL games. So, the team drafted of twitchy Jaire Alexander in the first round and lanky Josh Jackson in the second. The Packers now have youthful talent at all three starting corner spots.

It was wise of Green Bay to use its third-round pick on an athletic linebacker like Oren Burks. He can replace the departed Joe Thomas in dime packages (something Pettine, with his fondness for DB blitzes, employs often). Having addressed the defense thoroughly for Pettine’s scheme, first-year GM Brian Gutekunst used picks in the fourth, fifth and sixth rounds on wide receivers, hoping to bump into a quality No. 3 in the wake of Jordy Nelson’s release.


Grade: A

https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/04/28/nfl-draft-2018-team-grades-picks-analysis

[Mags FTW]

Day 1 grade: A
Day 2 grade: A
Day 3 grade: B+
Overall grade: A
The skinny: Even with talented safety Derwin James on the board, the Saints gave the Packers a deal too rich to give up. Getting a 2019 first-round pick was a steal. Alexander was the second-best corner in the draft on most team boards, despite being a shade over 5-foot-10. They did give up a third-round pick to move up but the net effect of the two trades is still a positive, and they met their biggest position need with a player who can be an above-average starter. The team continued to bolster its secondary with Jackson in the second round. The question is, should they have picked two corners right away, ignoring other needs? With aging free agent veteran Tramon Williams planned as a starter this year, it was probably a good move. Moving up for Burks cost them a fourth-rounder, but he adds athleticism, strength, versatility and intelligence. He'll be a good starter for them at a spot they desperately needed to upgrade. Green Bay went with Moore, Valdes-Scantling, and St. Brown at receiver to re-build that position. All of those guys could make a case for a roster spot. Madison could be a long-time starter at guard. Scott meets a big need for a team that's lacked an above-average punter for some time. The Packers' troubles with the kicking game forced them to pick a long snapper, and Bradley's a good one (though he has an injury history). Depth at offensive tackle and tight end must be addressed after the draft.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000930225/article/2018-nfl-draft-final-quicksnap-grades-for-all-32-teams

[Mags FTW]

Green Bay Packers: B+

Interesting maiden draft for GM Brian Gutekunst. A trade with the Saints netted a 2019 first rounder. The Pack's first two picks were understandably spent on corners Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson. Super-sized WR Equanimeous St. Brown (6-5, 214) is an intriguing project who went later than expected in Round 6. But did Gutekunst really need to draft a punter and a long snapper?

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2018/04/28/nfl-draft-grades-teams-2018-giants-patriots-cowboys-jets/562265002/

[wichmae]

Kiper gave us an A- too. Its insider so I wont post but some good tidbits from him.

[Frank Nova]

Green Bay Packers: B+

Interesting maiden draft for GM Brian Gutekunst. A trade with the Saints netted a 2019 first rounder. The Pack's first two picks were understandably spent on corners Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson. Super-sized WR Equanimeous St. Brown (6-5, 214) is an intriguing project who went later than expected in Round 6. But did Gutekunst really need to draft a punter and a long snapper?

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2018/04/28/nfl-draft-grades-teams-2018-giants-patriots-cowboys-jets/562265002/

This was pretty much my same feeling on the draft. Didnt see the need to draft a punter or a long snapper, but I do believe they are important positions so if we got the best punter and best long snapper then it's whatever I suppose. Saw a couple sites have Burks with a 3rd round grade, some ppl love him and some thought he was a big reach. I guess time will tell, I'm optimistic though, he has the look to be better than Joe Thomas and that's the reference I'll use with how Burks develops. Cole Madison was one of my favorite picks. We've nailed mid round OL picks and Cole looks and plays like a Josh Sitton or TJ Lang. Theres definitely no shortage in the WR group now (pun intended). We have 5 WRs over 6'2" and 3 over 6'4" and that's not including Jimmy. This whole draft we went after athletic freaks with rare size and measurables for their positions. Even Looney and Donnerson fit that mold.

I have a really good feeling about this years defense finally turning the corner and being a very active unit. I love the depth and competitive aspect we've added. We put a lot of pressure on fringe roster players to put up or shut up with heavy competition. Whoever emerges will be able to contribute.

Only gripe I have is if we took 3 WRs, I wanted us to take a chance on Quadree Henderson. I know he's a midget at only 5'8" but he's ultra fast and has blazing quickness and at 190lbs he's built enough to play. I watched him his entire Pitt career and I really hope he gets a chance, I think he could stick as a returner/gadget WR. We could've used his speed imo.

[RRyder823]

This draft gets a B- from me overall.

Alexander is a fine CB prospect and picking up a future first is great but I really do feel like the passed on adding a legit true playmaker in the defense in James. But they ended up with good value so it is what it is

Jackson was great value in the 2nd.

Burks is really a boom or bust guy. And really one I wouldn't expect to see the field much this coming season barring injury. He isnt going to pass Martinez and in all likelihood Ryan will still man the other ILB spot in the base simply due to his ability to play the run until Burks has a chance to improve in that area. I don't expect anything this year from him really but could pay big dividends in a year or two or he could get a guy you ask if hes still on the team

Moore plays faster then his 40. Looks like a less explosive Adams

As for the late round guys let's be honest. It's just throwing darts at the dart board. People were excited for Dupre last year and he never sniffed the roster. I'll give them till training camp before I'll make any kind of evaluation on them.

Outside of the Punter of course. Wasted pick no matter how you slice it really. Vogel was actually pretty good last year so even in a best case scenario it's only going to be a marginal ugrade at best. "Insert any Oline or Dline" prospect to draft and stash on the PS would've been a better choice.

I actually liked that they drafted a long snapper in the 7th. It's like drafting a kicker in FF. You wait till the very last round and get your guy without having to worry about waivers claims.

Summary:

I give this a draft a B- not because we didn't get some damn good players or value both now and in the future. We absolutely did. And I don't give it a B- because we passed on my man crush in James. Everybody evaluates differently. I give it a B- because there was shockingly little done to address the pass rush. Yes we needed CBs. But damn if we didn't need a guy to at least add to the rotation because as of right now our pass rush, and in turn any hope of having a successful defense regardless of our corners, is predicated on Perry and/or Mathews not getting hurt.

I just cant give a grade higher then a B- when a glaring weakness like that wasn't addressed once. Even in a draft that wasn't loaded with them.

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[HaroldinGMinor]

I give it a B- because there was shockingly little done to address the pass rush. Yes we needed CBs. But damn if we didn't need a guy to at least add to the rotation because as of right now our pass rush, and in turn any hope of having a successful defense regardless of our corners, is predicated on Perry and/or Mathews not getting hurt.

I just cant give a grade higher then a B- when a glaring weakness like that wasn't addressed once. Even in a draft that wasn't loaded with them.

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You don't draft for need when the people available to you aren't worth drafting.

[RRyder823]

I give it a B- because there was shockingly little done to address the pass rush. Yes we needed CBs. But damn if we didn't need a guy to at least add to the rotation because as of right now our pass rush, and in turn any hope of having a successful defense regardless of our corners, is predicated on Perry and/or Mathews not getting hurt.

I just cant give a grade higher then a B- when a glaring weakness like that wasn't addressed once. Even in a draft that wasn't loaded with them.

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You don't draft for need when the people available to you aren't worth drafting.

There were pass rushers available. They decided to go a different direction. Hence the B- grade

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[Balls2TheWalls]

There were pass rushers available. They decided to go a different direction. Hence the B- grade

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Do you have names? I'm interested in hearing the names of the players we should have drafted at EDGE. Not a judgement, just wondering who you felt was the guy we passed on that was value for the pick number that we took by comparison to the player we actually took.

[HaroldinGMinor]

So because they didn't draft Joe Blow edge rusher who filled a need but was average they get downgraded? Weird grading curve.

[RRyder823]

There were pass rushers available. They decided to go a different direction. Hence the B- grade

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Do you have names? I'm interested in hearing the names of the players we should have drafted at EDGE. Not a judgement, just wondering who you felt was the guy we passed on that was value for the pick number that we took by comparison to the player we actually took.

I've already discussed edge players in the draft thread. Pretty sure we all did. Also I won't harp about any of them individually as I do understand going in different direction. If you want an example instead of trading up for Burks standing pat a grabbing Sweat at the top of the 4th would of been a better call. He ended up going at the back end of round 4 so trading back, instead of up, could even be argued as the better option but that's probably too much hindsight for this discussion. Griffin would've also been an addition in the 5th

As I said though. I get this draft wasn't loaded with them. But there were mid round prospects available and I'm not pounding the table because they didn't draft a blue chip pass rusher. They decided to go a different direction. But in doing so failed to address a gaping need. Hence B- grade. It's not like that's a "bad" grade. Just not great

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[Balls2TheWalls]

I'm not crapping on the stance. I am actually interested. I don't believe you can second guess not trading up to get players. It takes two to tango and sometimes it doesn't line up. However, if you have guys that went between our picks, and you think they would have been better picks -- I'm open to hearing about it. I am fine with someone give us a B- grade. I believe very strongly in some things that Gute said about not being able to address every hole in the draft, and that trying to massage your board to address a need when the quality is not there is a mistake. That being said I am interested in the players that people think were going to step in and be pass rush difference makers this year.

I know there were guys that would have helped us with pass rush. I was a big fan Carter and Landry outside of the first round, but I am on board with Gute saying that Jackson was too good of a value to pass in the 2nd round. Landry got scooped before the pick anyways.

[RRyder823]

I'm not crapping on the stance. I am actually interested. I don't believe you can second guess not trading up to get players. It takes two to tango and sometimes it doesn't line up. However, if you have guys that went between our picks, and you think they would have been better picks -- I'm open to hearing about it. I am fine with someone give us a B- grade. I believe very strongly in some things that Gute said about not being able to address every hole in the draft, and that trying to massage your board to address a need when the quality is not there is a mistake. That being said I am interested in the players that people think were going to step in and be pass rush difference makers this year.

I know there were guys that would have helped us with pass rush. I was a big fan Carter and Landry outside of the first round, but I am on board with Gute saying that Jackson was too good of a value to pass in the 2nd round. Landry got scooped before the pick anyways.

Well like I said then two examples would be Sweat over Burks(could of actually not traded up here) and Griffen in place of Moore (I say Moore cause I'd prefer to keep Madison). Obo could of been a solid choice in the 5th also.

There were mid round guys available. They chose to go with guys like Burks and Moore. If you read my summary I'm not low on either of these guys at all. Only that I think they dropped the ball by not going different directions

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[Balls2TheWalls]

I'm not crapping on the stance. I am actually interested. I don't believe you can second guess not trading up to get players. It takes two to tango and sometimes it doesn't line up. However, if you have guys that went between our picks, and you think they would have been better picks -- I'm open to hearing about it. I am fine with someone give us a B- grade. I believe very strongly in some things that Gute said about not being able to address every hole in the draft, and that trying to massage your board to address a need when the quality is not there is a mistake. That being said I am interested in the players that people think were going to step in and be pass rush difference makers this year.

I know there were guys that would have helped us with pass rush. I was a big fan Carter and Landry outside of the first round, but I am on board with Gute saying that Jackson was too good of a value to pass in the 2nd round. Landry got scooped before the pick anyways.

Well like I said then two examples would be Sweat over Burks and Griffen in place of Moore (I say Moore cause I'd prefer to keep Madison). Obo could of been a solid choice in the 5th also.

There were mid round guys available. They chose to go with guys like Burks and Moore. If you read my summary I'm not low on either of these guys at all. Only that I think they dropped the ball by not going different directions

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Yeah. I just like to know names. I'm not high on Sweat because of his knee issue. I think that taking him a full round before he actually went is sketchy value. Shaquem Griffin is an okay choice. I think that not drafting Moore makes it much more likely to you have to address WR in free agency. I liked his film. I'm not sure he gets the same output from the effort play that he got in college.

[Reddeye]

Only gripe I have is if we took 3 WRs, I wanted us to take a chance on Quadree Henderson. I know he's a midget at only 5'8" but he's ultra fast and has blazing quickness and at 190lbs he's built enough to play. I watched him his entire Pitt career and I really hope he gets a chance, I think he could stick as a returner/gadget WR. We could've used his speed imo.

I had to look this guy up because I would like a quick slot guy also, but his weaknesses on NFL.com are pretty big.

Just a gadget player on offense at this time
High percentage of his touches came on jet sweeps and slip screens
Had just 17 catches this year
Hasn't run any semblance of a route tree at Pitt
Routes are rounded and lack crisp breaks
Appears to hear footsteps when routes take him into middle of the field
Needs to sink and open to quarterback quicker on hitch routes
Struggles to gather weight and elude defenders in open field because he's always in his highest gear
Has small hands and has fumbled five times over his career

[RRyder823]

I'm not crapping on the stance. I am actually interested. I don't believe you can second guess not trading up to get players. It takes two to tango and sometimes it doesn't line up. However, if you have guys that went between our picks, and you think they would have been better picks -- I'm open to hearing about it. I am fine with someone give us a B- grade. I believe very strongly in some things that Gute said about not being able to address every hole in the draft, and that trying to massage your board to address a need when the quality is not there is a mistake. That being said I am interested in the players that people think were going to step in and be pass rush difference makers this year.

I know there were guys that would have helped us with pass rush. I was a big fan Carter and Landry outside of the first round, but I am on board with Gute saying that Jackson was too good of a value to pass in the 2nd round. Landry got scooped before the pick anyways.

Well like I said then two examples would be Sweat over Burks and Griffen in place of Moore (I say Moore cause I'd prefer to keep Madison). Obo could of been a solid choice in the 5th also.

There were mid round guys available. They chose to go with guys like Burks and Moore. If you read my summary I'm not low on either of these guys at all. Only that I think they dropped the ball by not going different directions

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Yeah. I just like to know names. I'm not high on Sweat because of his knee issue. I think that taking him a full round before he actually went is sketchy value. Shaquem Griffin is an okay choice. I think that not drafting Moore makes it much more likely to you have to address WR in free agency. I liked his film. I'm not sure he gets the same output from the effort play that he got in college.

Fair enough. As I said it's not like "hate" their selections. Only that I think they should've went a different way. So they get a lower grade from me.

Do people really think B- is that bad of a draft grade?lol

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[Balls2TheWalls]

Fair enough. As I said it's not like "hate" their selections. Only that I think they should've went a different way. So they get a lower grade from me.

Do people really think B- is that bad of a draft grade?lol

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I certainly don't. I just think that a lot of people feel like there are players there that weren't there. You can't just want a position in a draft that doesn't exist for quality. I think that after Chubb, Landry, and Carter that you would be reaching for value that is probably no better than what we would get out of Biegel and Odom this upcoming season. Shaquem Griffin is an interesting thought. I don't think that his play works in the pros. I think he will just get bodied up on or run directly at to help nullify the value of his 4.38 speed. I also feel like the NFL really wanted him to end up in Seattle.

I'm a big fan of what we did this season. I think that Gutekunst did a really strong job proving that he has retained the best parts of Ted, but eschewed parts of Ted's plan that didn't seem to work. We were very average to poor on special teams for many years, and Gute decided to just go and get his guy. Not just at Punter, but also at Long Snapper. Ted would have never made those picks, but other teams that are very good year in and year out on special teams make those picks. He proved that he is willing to make unpopular moves like moving out of #14 even with Edmunds and James on the board. He also proved that he is willing to go back and get his guy by moving up to get Jaire and moving up to get Oren Burks.

That isn't even just to say he has done so in the draft. He got impact players in free agency while also making the unpopular move of getting rid of Jordy Nelson.

This draft is an A- for me. I love the first 2 rounds. I also, gladly, trade our 3rd for next years first rounder. The maneuvering in the first round was masterful. We needed a cornerback, and now we have depth at cornerback. A 5 deep of King/Tramon/Jaire/Jackson/House is pretty impressive given what we were looking at just a few short months ago.

I like Oren Burks. I think he is prototype for what we want to put next to Martinez without it costing us a first round draft pick in Edmunds or Smith. I think we make our money in the 4th round. I like J'Mon Moore a lot. His game speed is very impressive. You can see him eating up cushions and making plays with the ball in his hands. Madison looks like our prototypical guard pick in the 4th round. 5th round I actually liked the punter pick. This was supposed to be a special year for punters (4 got picked), and we got the best of the bunch. The kid has a cannon leg, is a kickoff specialist, and can hold.

The pick I didn't like was the USF receiver. His film just doesn't scream 4.37 burner to me. He gets tackled easily coming out of breaks even with room. You would think a guy with this kind of speed and size would just be easy pitch and catch touchdowns against lower end competition. His body and speed aren't the only thing that scream Jeff Janis. His route running screams Jeff Janis. Hopefully he can be an effective gunner? In the 6th we got St. Brown, and if you go back and watch his film when he had a competent QB, he pops off the screen. It is amazing to me that Notre Dame told Kizer he wouldn't start if he stayed another season, their QB play this past season was abysmal. We should be thanking Brian Kelly, because his terrible quarterbacking choice led to St. Brown falling from (probably) a 2nd round pick to the 6th round.

The 7th round is all noise to me. This is the round where you draft guys that you don't want to have to compete for in UDFA. I think that Looney is a camp body, but I think that Bradley insures us of having a long time long snapper. Donnerson is just the ultimate UDFA super athlete we didn't want to compete for.

[HaroldinGMinor]

I don't think B- is that bad a grade but I'm curious what it would have been had they taken an edge rusher in the 5th round.