2018 draft pick.

[HardRightEdge]

Also, Don't forget to add the future of Bulaga is in question and Jahri Evans will most likely retire. Gotta keep Rodgers upright. Yes, they need another weapon on offense. If Adams were to get hurt the offense might stall. Were thin at TE again all of the sudden. Throw in the problems on defense and there is a lot of work to be done. Not sure Thompson is capable of filling all these holes and using the necessary methods to get it done.

They’ll roll with Spriggs if they need to just as they’ll roll with King and they’ve stuck with Randall.

These guys got better as the year moved along. I’d say they’ll stick with the investments and the trend.

I don’t think you lose much with McCray over Evans.

That still leaves a question at backup OT if Bulaga is done. Maybe as high as 3rd. round. But as it stands we do not know Bulaga’s status. He may not come back as the 2016 version and may be on borrowed time, but could be adequate for another year if it comes to that.

 

[HardRightEdge]

It's a trigger I would pull without hesitation. Rodgers is likely facing retirement within 5 years and with his recent collarbone injury, odds are he will never be the same. Not to mention he will become a salary cap liability with his next extension. This might be Favre 2.0 minus the retirement flip-flopping (all assuming a stud QB falls to us). From here on out, a good available QB cannot be passed on in the draft.

Watch for a guy named Tom Brady in the 6th. round.

The Packers will definitely not be dropping a high pick at QB. Unlike Favre, Rodgers has yet to do a weepy press conference where he contemplated retirement.

 

[7thFloorRA]

I want Rodgers to play 10 more years but he breaks in half on hits brett used to brush off. I think its reasonable to think he is done in 4-5 yrs. You never know how a draft might go. Someone could be dumb and take Jackson and then offensive lineman will go and then the giant wr's might go and before you know it Darnold is sitting there.

 

[adambr2]

I still think we need to look for an impact pass rusher at #14, if available. They are in dire need of an improved pass rush which will in turn improve the secondary. I can't see them doing much if anything at corner and safety unless Burnett leaves. They will count on a bounceback from HHCD and rely heavily on their existing young guys like Randall while hoping for good healthy seasons and hopefully breakouts from King and Rollins.

They really don't have much choice. They can't keep pouring all their early picks into the secondary every year with little to show for it. So focus on the pass rush. A House return or other FA corner is possible but I wouldn't expect much on draft day.

After Round 1, it may be a rare offense-heavy draft. If they move on from one or both of Nelson and Cobb, a receiver in the 2nd looks highly possible. They need depth on the O line especially if Evans retires. I don't think it's a foregone conclusion that they'll move on from Bulaga. It's only about a $5M savings if he's cut, and he'll be worth much more than that if he stays healthy. I would guess they'll monitor his health closely in the off-season and defer a decision til closer to training camp when they get a better feel for his prognosis.

TE is a need once again. Neither Kendricks nor Rodgers is much.

Guard, tackle, receiver and tight end are all strong possibilities in rounds 2-5 in some order. I doubt they worry about RB -- I expect them to be content with a Williams/Jones duo in 2018 as they have too many other needs to look to upgrade at RB.

 

[adambr2]

I'll also add that JuJu Smith-Schuster would have looked like an excellent pick for us in the 2nd last year instead of Josh Jones. I had to look up who we took in the 2nd round because I couldn't even think of it off the top of my head, not a good sign.

Not to knock Jones too much because he does have talent, but scheme seems to be a highly recurring problem in the secondary. It's kind of mind-blowing how many defensive backs they've taken in recent years as, at least initially, corner/safety hybrids. Hyde, Hayward, Randall, Rollins, and Jones all fall under this category to at least some degree.

They draft defensive backs in the name of flexibility, yet they seem to have no clue how to best utilize them. For all the supposed talent that has been added to the secondary in recent years, Joe Whitt and Darren Perry better be shown the same door as Capers tomorrow.

I am cautiously hopeful that an improved pass rush and new scheme will lead to an improved secondary in 2018.

 

[Jed12]

We need a pass rusher!!! I like the Clemson guy Wilkins

 

[gonzozab]

I think in the first round we should go pass rusher, then go pass rusher in the second round, and finally in the third round go pass rusher.

 

[NelsonsLongCatch]

Randall had a bad year last year, and followed it up with an above average 3rd year. If he plays as well in a different scheme as Hayward and Hyde did. He should be in the probowl next year...

Randall was bad for a third of the season. He was literally thrown off the field in the Bears game. There was talk of cutting him.

http://www.espn.com/blog/green-bay-...arious-randall-after-kicking-him-off-sideline

 

[GleefulGary]

Randall was bad for a third of the season. He was literally thrown off the field in the Bears game. There was talk of cutting him.

http://www.espn.com/blog/green-bay-...arious-randall-after-kicking-him-off-sideline

Yes, and then after that, he was very good. HE WAS GOOD FOR THE MAJORITY OF THE SEASON!

After the Bears game, he played well, doing better each following game. Some call that improvement.

Also, that was the 4th game. By far his worst, after that, all pretty dang good. Now we play 16 games. 4 games. 16 games. Randall was bad for 1/4 of the season, not 1/3.

 

[GleefulGary]

If you don't think Randall had a good year, I just don't know what games you're watching.

 

[NelsonsLongCatch]

Replacement level? I think we have a different definition of the term.

Not sure how many franchise cornerstones you expect to find st the end of the first, but I wouldn't expect to find any. Keep your expectations in check.

Keep my expectations in check? Not sure how many franchise cornerstones are at the end of the first round? I think you're expectations are a little too low. From 2010-2013 (since that gives players a reasonable amount of time to become good players), here are just a few players draft #23 overall or later in the 1st round:

• Dez Bryant; Devin McCourty
• Cameron Jordan; Mark Ingram; Muhammad Wilkerson; Cam Heyward
• Dont'a Hightower; Whitney Mercilus; Harrison Smith; Doug Martin
• Sharriff Floyd; Xavier Rhodes; DeAndre Hopkins; Alex Ogletree

 

[NelsonsLongCatch]

Yes, and then after that, he was very good. HE WAS GOOD FOR THE MAJORITY OF THE SEASON!

After the Bears game, he played well, doing better each following game. Some call that improvement.

Also, that was the 4th game. By far his worst, after that, all pretty dang good. Now we play 16 games. 4 games. 16 games. Randall was bad for 1/4 of the season, not 1/3.

If you find one more bad game in the other 12 games, that would be 5/16 or approximately 1/3!

 

[NelsonsLongCatch]

He was up and down in the first 4 games and then very good for the next 12, that sounds more like a development cycle to me than anything else.

'

Year 4 is going to say a lot about Randall. I hope the guy puts it all together. I'm interested to see how a new coach/scheme will affect him. I'm curious if the Packers will even pick up his 5th year option.

 

[gonzozab]

Replacement level? I think we have a different definition of the term.

Not sure how many franchise cornerstones you expect to find st the end of the first, but I wouldn't expect to find any. Keep your expectations in check.

The thing is, if you are going to thumb your nose at free agency and limit yourself to just the draft and undrafted free agents like Teddy does, you are expected to find those franchise cornerstones no matter where you draft, and with a much smaller margin for error than other GMs. If those expectations are too high, then maybe you should change your philosophy on how to build a competitive team.

 

[Croquet]

What's really going to help us in the draft is that about half the picks(6) ahead of us need a quarterback with the Browns, Giants, Broncos, Jets, Dolphins, and Bengals. I foresee us being able to choose possibly the most highly touted of a position in this draft because I think there will be 4 quarterbacks chosen before the packers pick.

My dream is that a QB drops to 14 and some crazy QB needing team throws the house at us to pick him. It happens almost every year. Maybe it is our turn. We need more than one game changer and with 12 plus picks we should have the ammo to target some early.

We have a lot of "just a guy" types. We need game changers and Leaders. NOW.

 

[GleefulGary]

Keep my expectations in check? Not sure how many franchise cornerstones are at the end of the first round? I think you're expectations are a little too low. From 2010-2013 (since that gives players a reasonable amount of time to become good players), here are just a few players draft #23 overall or later in the 1st round:

• Dez Bryant; Devin McCourty
• Cameron Jordan; Mark Ingram; Muhammad Wilkerson; Cam Heyward
• Dont'a Hightower; Whitney Mercilus; Harrison Smith; Doug Martin
• Sharriff Floyd; Xavier Rhodes; DeAndre Hopkins; Alex Ogletree

I think we probably have a difference of opinion on a franchise cornerstone.

Ingram? He ain't it. Neither is Martin. They've had good years, had bad years. Might as well put Bulaga up then.

If Ogletree is a cornerstone, then Nick Perry is as well. Sharif Floyd is probably done, and people rip on TT for the Raji pick for that reason (which I think is dumb) but if you want to consistently apply your logic, then we should. If Hightower is a cornerstone, then Perry certainly is as well.

Again, my arguement is that it was stated that "TT could not do worse". I am not arguing that he did the very best he possibly could have. I am arguing that overall, he did above average in those years in the first round. Not excellent, not bad. Shockingly, there is a middle ground that so conveniently gets left out of these Internet arguments.

 

[shockerx]

I know most everyone thinks a pass rusher in the first, im beginning to think it could be the guy that prevents the pass rusher from destroying AR, and another season along with it. Im beginning to think its going to be the smart boring pick. Offensive tackle...there going to be 2-3 of them sitting around the 13th pick. its a must to protect AR at all cost...think Dallas oline. PS I would like the fun pick too.

 

[GleefulGary]

The thing is, if you are going to thumb your nose at free agency and limit yourself to just the draft and undrafted free agents like Teddy does, you are expected to find those franchise cornerstones no matter where you draft, and with a much smaller margin for error than other GMs. If those expectations are too high, then maybe you should change your philosophy on how to build a competitive team.

I agree. We should use free agency more efficiently. As we have learned this year, it's easy to strike out in free agency too. It's easy to sit back and say we should've done this/this/this with 20/20 hindsight. Not so easy at the time of event.

 

[brandon2348]

I agree. We should use free agency more efficiently. As we have learned this year, it's easy to strike out in free agency too. It's easy to sit back and say we should've done this/this/this with 20/20 hindsight. Not so easy at the time of event.

Learned "This Year"? It should of been learned years ago. The state of the current roster is a cummalative effect of Thompson not appropriating certain measures. I'm completely convinced that if we were all on the Titanic you would be the one trying to convince everyone the ship was not sinking.

Good Grief, I understand trying to stay positive and all but this "blind love" for Thompson takes the cake.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I'm not going to get all excited about a #14 pick being a game changer for 2018. If the Packers want to have a successful 2018 I see the following to have to happen:

1. Fire Dom Capers and find a solid replacement. Probably have to stick with the 3-4, unless TT gets busy in Free Agency.
2. Get busy in Free Agency. Going to have to find a #1 TE a pass rusher and another CB.
3. Stop thinking every draft choice is going to step right in and make a difference in their rookie year.
4. Sit Clay, Cobb and Jordy down and have a serious conversation about restructuring their contracts
5. Whoever is the new DC, teach Dix and a few others how to tackle as well as how to strip a ball.

That's my short list for a successful 2018

 

[brandon2348]

I'm not going to get all excited about a #14 pick being a game changer for 2018. If the Packers want to have a successful 2018 I see the following to have to happen:

1. Fire Dom Capers and find a solid replacement. Probably have to stick with the 3-4, unless TT gets busy in Free Agency.
2. Get busy in Free Agency. Going to have to find a #1 TE a pass rusher and another CB.
3. Stop thinking every draft choice is going to step right in and make a difference in their rookie year.
4. Sit Clay, Cobb and Jordy down and have a serious conversation about restructuring their contracts
5. Whoever is the new DC, teach Dix and a few others how to tackle as well as how to strip a ball.

That's my short list for a successful 2018

These are all great talking points and goals. Unfortunately most won't be achieved unless Thompson is relieved and a new way of thinking is installed.

 

[GreenBaySlacker]

They’ll roll with Spriggs if they need to just as they’ll roll with King and they’ve stuck with Randall.

These guys got better as the year moved along. I’d say they’ll stick with the investments and the trend.

I don’t think you lose much with McCray over Evans.

That still leaves a question at backup OT if Bulaga is done. Maybe as high as 3rd. round. But as it stands we do not know Bulaga’s status. He may not come back as the 2016 version and may be on borrowed time, but could be adequate for another year if it comes to that.

What happened with spriggs knee last week vs the vikes? Havnt heard. Assumed acl.

 

[ThePerfectBeard]

My unrealistic hope is that we get a great OLB prospect in the first(Key, Ferrell, Hubbard), grab a top tight end or corner in the second, and make a splash in free agency at wide receiver. I know we just signed Adams, but if Cobb or Nelson don't take pay cuts, I'd love to see us sign Bryant or Landry to replace them.

This year is pretty weak at wide receiver according to many and I wouldn't want to waste a high pick on an unproven wide receiver when we have such a need for pass rush.

Also this draft is pretty deep at QB and I'd love to see us take a chance on someone like Riley Ferguson.

 

[shockerx]

Spriggs dislocated his knee cap...zero surgery needed, and will be ready for OTA. lucky. I just dont think he the answer at RT.

 

[GleefulGary]

Learned "This Year"? It should of been learned years ago. The state of the current roster is a cummalative effect of Thompson not appropriating certain measures. I'm completely convinced that if we were all on the Titanic you would be the one trying to convince everyone the ship was not sinking.

Good Grief, I understand trying to stay positive and all but this "blind love" for Thompson takes the cake.

What blind love?

I call out bad decisions, I call out good decisions. Fackrell is awful. Our TE situation sucks. Our secondary needs help. We need a nickel or three down LB. We need another good WR. Jordy is overrated. Cobb is a slot WR that's losing his quickness. Our defensive coaching is awful, and our offensive coaching is antiquated. We desperately need another good pass rusher.

With that said, we have a lot of good pieces too. Our OL is very good and we developed a lot of good backups this year. Rodgers is elite. Clark and Daniels provide an excellent interior rush. Perry and CM3 are good when healthy. We have good RB's. Adams is a top tier WR. We do have some good secondary pieces. Martinez is a very good ILB, and Jake Ryan isn't bad either. We actually have good DL depth.

If that statement makes me full of "blind love" then I'm a free loving hippy baby.