Post by Danchat on May 20, 2018 12:38:27 GMT -6
It is time to analyze what exactly the Packers have accomplished this offseason and see how they have improved or possibly regressed. First, let's look at their depth chart:
Subtractions
WR Jordy Nelson
Nelson took a massive step back in 2017, clearly losing speed and could not click with Brett Hundley. He might rebound with the Raiders as he dealt with several injuries, but the Packers will miss the Nelson of old.
G Jahri Evans
Evans was a pretty average right guard, and the Packers still might bring him back. He's getting up there in age, though.
WR Jeff Janis
Janis was a good special teamer who has speed to burn but never put together the ability to play WR well.
TE Richard Rodgers
Rodgers is a backup at best, and he's off to the Eagles to be their 3rd string TE.
FS Morgan Burnett
This was a pretty big loss for the Packers. Burnett has been one of the league's better safties since he was drafted, and he signed an affordable (3 year $15M) deal with the Steelers. Burnett was also a capable nickel corner when injuries hit in 2017. The Packers will likely play Josh Jones at safety 100% of the time, but they need him to play much better than he did last year to approach Burnett's ability.
CB Damarious Randall
Randall had some rough patches (see Diggs, 2016, first game at US Bank Stadium) throughout his career, but he finally looked like a capable corner when he became a starter in 2017. However, the Packers traded him for DeShone Kizer, so he'll play safety for the Browns now. If the Packers' young CBs can't step up, they'll miss him.
Others
OLB Ahmad Brooks
DE Quinton Dial
Additions
QB DeShone Kizer
The Packers acquired Kizer after the Browns took him in the second round after just one season. Just one. Kizer's season was awful, but Hue Jackson's offense was ill-equipped for him. He should be able to beat Hundley for the backup job.
TE Jimmy Graham
The Packers handed Graham a 3 year $30M contract to fill in the TE position after Martellus Bennett was cut in an odd situation. Graham was a redzone weapon that Russell Wilson used well, but after a patellar tendon tear back in 2015, Graham's agility is minimal and he isn't the same player he used to be. At age 32, Graham probably doesn't have better days ahead of him.
DE Muhammad Wilkerson
Wilkerson was one of the NFL's best interior defensive linemen from 2012-2015, but after receiving a massive deal from the Jets (the team that drafted him), he got overweight and lazy and his past two seasons have been disappoiting. The Packers were wise to get him on a one year deal, so he should be motivated to play better.
CB Tramon Williams
Williams had a sudden rebound season in Arizona where he was a lockdown #2 CB alongside Patrick Peterson. Williams might have to take on #1 receivers, which at age 35, he's probably not suited to do. The Packers will need their young CBs to step up and support Williams.
Draft Additions
Pick 1-18: CB Jaire Alexander
The Packers selected Alexander as the 2nd CB of the draft, after trading down with the Saints and moving up from pick #27. He had a solid career at Louisville and tore up the combine by putting up some great numbers. He's the best CB prospect they've had in a while, definitely better than [originally safeties] Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins. He should have a starting job Week 1.
Pick 2-45: CB Joshua Jackson
Arg... Jackson was my second favorite CB to Denzel Ward, and the Packers were able to acquire him all the way down here. Jackson was totally dominant in his one season at Iowa, with 8 interceptions and over a dozen knockdowns. However, his combine was subpar and many teams believed that he is too slow to be a first round prospect. He has the potential to be a shutdown CB, but he might need to spend a season on the bench to learn.
Pick 3-88: ILB Oren Burks
Burks wasn't on my radar, but from what I've read, he profiles as a coverage LB who will only play on certain packages. Blake Martinez and Jake Ryan should be locked into their starting roles as ILBs, so Burks will be a backup. I don't see him as an NFL starter at any point in his career.
Pick 4-113: WR J'mon Moore
Moore was not on my radar at receiver, as I liked a whole bunch of receivers more than J'mon. Moore dropped 24 passes in college (13.9% drop rate) and ran a bad 40 at the combine (4.60 seconds). He has the size (6' 3", 205 lbs) and packed the stat sheet at Missouri, but I think his ceiling is as a 3rd receiver.
Pick 5-138: G/T Cole Madison
Madison was a dominating tackle at Washington State, though playing in the NFL will be a totally different experience for him. He doesn't project as a starter due to athleticism concerns, but if he can figure things out after spending a couple seasons on the bench, he might just become a starting guard. He was worthy of a 5th round pick.
Pick 5-172: P J.K. Scott
What? Why would you spend a 5th round pick on a punter? Yuck, what a waste of draft capital. Scott was maybe worth a 7th round pick, but taking him in the 5th was laughable.
Pick 5-174: WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Um, who? I can see why he was worth a draft pick as he ran a 4.37 40 yard dash at 6' 4" 206 lbs. The problem is that he didn't start much in college and he suffers from drops and poor route running. He's just an athlete and probably a solid replacement for Jeff Janis as a special teamer. He's a longshot to ever become a impactful WR.
Pick 6-207: WR Equanimeous St. Brown
The Packers selected their third receiver who's tall for the position (6' 5"), but he's coming off of a disappointing year at Notre Dame. He has much higher potential than Moore or Valdes-Scantling, with better hands and solid speed, but clearly NFL teams did not consider him as a legitimate WR prospect. I thought he'd be a 3rd or 4th round pick.
Pick 7-232: DE James Looney
Looney is a borderline D-lineman who will be a reserve as a 3-4 DE. Probably not NFL caliber.
Pick 7-239: LS Hunter Bradley
Why would you ever spend a pick on a long snapper? You can find a competent snapper in free agency! There is no need to spend draft capital on one.
Pick 7-248: OLB Kendall Donnerson
Donnerson has the size and speed to be an OLB, but his play in college was bad. He's a UDFA talent who will be lucky to be a weekly inactive.
~- Overall Thoughts -~
The Packers have spent an incredible amount of draft capitals on DBs the past few years (Randall, Rollins, King, Jones, Alexander, Jackson) in the first two rounds, so clearly the Packers front office understands their weaknesses. I think their CB corps has the potential to no longer be a weakness this season, but I don't think they've adequately replaced Morgan Burnett. Meanwhile, their front seven looks rock solid.
On offense, things look alright, but the position players around Rodgers don't frighten me like they used to. Adams is a very good WR, Cobb regressed after a subpar 2017, and their third receiver spot is up for grabs. I don't know if their running game will be any good, but they'd be wise to give Aaron Jones more touches. They also don't seem to have a great plan at right guard (similar to the Vikings), as Justin McCray was a major liability, but maybe he'll develop into a better player...?
If Rodgers stays healthy, the Packers will be a threat to take the division from the Vikings. I do believe the Vikings have a better roster overall, but the Packers aren't far behind. They'll be needing their young DBs to step up and their disappointing offensive players to improve from a lost 2017 season.
Any thoughts?Vikecycle?
Subtractions
WR Jordy Nelson
Nelson took a massive step back in 2017, clearly losing speed and could not click with Brett Hundley. He might rebound with the Raiders as he dealt with several injuries, but the Packers will miss the Nelson of old.
G Jahri Evans
Evans was a pretty average right guard, and the Packers still might bring him back. He's getting up there in age, though.
WR Jeff Janis
Janis was a good special teamer who has speed to burn but never put together the ability to play WR well.
TE Richard Rodgers
Rodgers is a backup at best, and he's off to the Eagles to be their 3rd string TE.
FS Morgan Burnett
This was a pretty big loss for the Packers. Burnett has been one of the league's better safties since he was drafted, and he signed an affordable (3 year $15M) deal with the Steelers. Burnett was also a capable nickel corner when injuries hit in 2017. The Packers will likely play Josh Jones at safety 100% of the time, but they need him to play much better than he did last year to approach Burnett's ability.
CB Damarious Randall
Randall had some rough patches (see Diggs, 2016, first game at US Bank Stadium) throughout his career, but he finally looked like a capable corner when he became a starter in 2017. However, the Packers traded him for DeShone Kizer, so he'll play safety for the Browns now. If the Packers' young CBs can't step up, they'll miss him.
Others
OLB Ahmad Brooks
DE Quinton Dial
Additions
QB DeShone Kizer
The Packers acquired Kizer after the Browns took him in the second round after just one season. Just one. Kizer's season was awful, but Hue Jackson's offense was ill-equipped for him. He should be able to beat Hundley for the backup job.
TE Jimmy Graham
The Packers handed Graham a 3 year $30M contract to fill in the TE position after Martellus Bennett was cut in an odd situation. Graham was a redzone weapon that Russell Wilson used well, but after a patellar tendon tear back in 2015, Graham's agility is minimal and he isn't the same player he used to be. At age 32, Graham probably doesn't have better days ahead of him.
DE Muhammad Wilkerson
Wilkerson was one of the NFL's best interior defensive linemen from 2012-2015, but after receiving a massive deal from the Jets (the team that drafted him), he got overweight and lazy and his past two seasons have been disappoiting. The Packers were wise to get him on a one year deal, so he should be motivated to play better.
CB Tramon Williams
Williams had a sudden rebound season in Arizona where he was a lockdown #2 CB alongside Patrick Peterson. Williams might have to take on #1 receivers, which at age 35, he's probably not suited to do. The Packers will need their young CBs to step up and support Williams.
Draft Additions
Pick 1-18: CB Jaire Alexander
The Packers selected Alexander as the 2nd CB of the draft, after trading down with the Saints and moving up from pick #27. He had a solid career at Louisville and tore up the combine by putting up some great numbers. He's the best CB prospect they've had in a while, definitely better than [originally safeties] Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins. He should have a starting job Week 1.
Pick 2-45: CB Joshua Jackson
Arg... Jackson was my second favorite CB to Denzel Ward, and the Packers were able to acquire him all the way down here. Jackson was totally dominant in his one season at Iowa, with 8 interceptions and over a dozen knockdowns. However, his combine was subpar and many teams believed that he is too slow to be a first round prospect. He has the potential to be a shutdown CB, but he might need to spend a season on the bench to learn.
Pick 3-88: ILB Oren Burks
Burks wasn't on my radar, but from what I've read, he profiles as a coverage LB who will only play on certain packages. Blake Martinez and Jake Ryan should be locked into their starting roles as ILBs, so Burks will be a backup. I don't see him as an NFL starter at any point in his career.
Pick 4-113: WR J'mon Moore
Moore was not on my radar at receiver, as I liked a whole bunch of receivers more than J'mon. Moore dropped 24 passes in college (13.9% drop rate) and ran a bad 40 at the combine (4.60 seconds). He has the size (6' 3", 205 lbs) and packed the stat sheet at Missouri, but I think his ceiling is as a 3rd receiver.
Pick 5-138: G/T Cole Madison
Madison was a dominating tackle at Washington State, though playing in the NFL will be a totally different experience for him. He doesn't project as a starter due to athleticism concerns, but if he can figure things out after spending a couple seasons on the bench, he might just become a starting guard. He was worthy of a 5th round pick.
Pick 5-172: P J.K. Scott
What? Why would you spend a 5th round pick on a punter? Yuck, what a waste of draft capital. Scott was maybe worth a 7th round pick, but taking him in the 5th was laughable.
Pick 5-174: WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Um, who? I can see why he was worth a draft pick as he ran a 4.37 40 yard dash at 6' 4" 206 lbs. The problem is that he didn't start much in college and he suffers from drops and poor route running. He's just an athlete and probably a solid replacement for Jeff Janis as a special teamer. He's a longshot to ever become a impactful WR.
Pick 6-207: WR Equanimeous St. Brown
The Packers selected their third receiver who's tall for the position (6' 5"), but he's coming off of a disappointing year at Notre Dame. He has much higher potential than Moore or Valdes-Scantling, with better hands and solid speed, but clearly NFL teams did not consider him as a legitimate WR prospect. I thought he'd be a 3rd or 4th round pick.
Pick 7-232: DE James Looney
Looney is a borderline D-lineman who will be a reserve as a 3-4 DE. Probably not NFL caliber.
Pick 7-239: LS Hunter Bradley
Why would you ever spend a pick on a long snapper? You can find a competent snapper in free agency! There is no need to spend draft capital on one.
Pick 7-248: OLB Kendall Donnerson
Donnerson has the size and speed to be an OLB, but his play in college was bad. He's a UDFA talent who will be lucky to be a weekly inactive.
~- Overall Thoughts -~
The Packers have spent an incredible amount of draft capitals on DBs the past few years (Randall, Rollins, King, Jones, Alexander, Jackson) in the first two rounds, so clearly the Packers front office understands their weaknesses. I think their CB corps has the potential to no longer be a weakness this season, but I don't think they've adequately replaced Morgan Burnett. Meanwhile, their front seven looks rock solid.
On offense, things look alright, but the position players around Rodgers don't frighten me like they used to. Adams is a very good WR, Cobb regressed after a subpar 2017, and their third receiver spot is up for grabs. I don't know if their running game will be any good, but they'd be wise to give Aaron Jones more touches. They also don't seem to have a great plan at right guard (similar to the Vikings), as Justin McCray was a major liability, but maybe he'll develop into a better player...?
If Rodgers stays healthy, the Packers will be a threat to take the division from the Vikings. I do believe the Vikings have a better roster overall, but the Packers aren't far behind. They'll be needing their young DBs to step up and their disappointing offensive players to improve from a lost 2017 season.
Any thoughts?
.
... and neither is this Chris guy.