Packers Roster Assessment, 2025 Off-Season

[tynimiller]

Another thing we have not considered. When Bullard was drafted one of his positives was his ability to play at both Nickel or on the Perimeter. Also Kalen King really slid in the draft. I know he was a late Day3 pick, but the prior draft he had Top 50 consideration. I’d be curious to see what he can do in Year2 given the chance. He was a 3rd Team All Big 10 CB in 2022 and 2nd Team Conference Corner in 2023. In 2022, King ranked #3 in the entire FBS in Pass Breakups(18). Across his 2021-22-23 seasons Kingbhad 3 INT, 25 PD and 6 TFL.
To give us an idea of that success rate, Eric Stokes across 2022,2023, 2024. 0 Passes Defensed. 1 TFL,
O INT!

Kalen King by pundits was considered Top50 going into his final college season.....HE WAS AUTROCIOUS that year. Most NFL teams were not high on him...

 

[Heyjoe4]

I think you have the wrong guy in Bullard - he in zero way was considered a perimeter corner. I didn't offhand think he played any outside, but I stand corrected....he BARELY did.

His two seasons as a starter:
2022 - 510 slot snaps, 18 wide, he had more defensive line alignment snaps (20) than wide.
2023 - 144 slot, 363 free safety, 7 wide, 80 box...

He is NOT a perimeter corner.

Yeah if I remember correctly, Bullard was picked as a slot corner who had also played safety. Maybe I'm wrong, but I never heard him pitched as an outside CB.

 

[DoURant]

I'm hoping between King and Kamal Hadden, at least one, and hopefully both of them steps up in year 2.

Kamal Hadden in his last yr at Tennessee 2023. 3 INT'S, 9 PBU'S in 7 games, before a season ending Shoulder injury. He played almost all his college snaps outside.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I'm hoping between King and Kamal Hadden, at least one, and hopefully both of them steps up in year 2.

Kamal Hadden in his last yr at Tennessee 2023. 3 INT'S, 9 PBU'S in 7 games, before a season ending Shoulder injury. He played almost all his college snaps outside.

Interesting and thanks. Yeah once guys are given a chance with more snaps, some surprisingly good things can happen. I'll keep an eye on both of these guys.

 

[OldSchool101]

Kalen King by pundits was considered Top50 going into his final college season.....HE WAS AUTROCIOUS that year. Most NFL teams were not high on him...

I’ll just say it’s pretty obvious most teams weren’t high on King. He was drafted late 7th Round! so thats kind of not an overly prophetic rebuttal to my post.

Btw anything is poor compared to 22 Pass breakups and 3 INT in a Sophomore season. Thats top 50 attention type play. While he did get burned in several games against top completion (Ohio State etc) it wasn’t his on the field that made him slide from a consensus 5th rounder. It was actually his physical makeup and finishing touch with a lackluster 40 time that drew ? marks. He scored lower at Combine and followed it up with a poor showing at his Pro Day. He was a consensus #165 overall rated player, but had ? Marks on his durability against bigger, taller Receivers, play strength and below average recovery/long speed. THAT was the reason he slid.

I still don’t agree with you calling him atrocious. He garnered 2nd team All Big 10 accolades in 2023. I don’t think college coaches would label him as “Atrocious” and I trust multiple coaches collective judgement.


Lastly, no one says we shouldn’t look to better our team (if that’s coming to contest that angle) CB is still one of our Top 5 needs. The point is we can’t forget about our incumbent players in the shadows and how they can be used. Oladapo at Safety and King at CB are just 2 examples of players who are likely Mid Day3 talent in year 2.

 

[tynimiller]

I’ll just say it’s pretty obvious most teams weren’t high on King. He was drafted late 7th Round! so thats kind of not an overly prophetic rebuttal to my post.

Btw anything is poor compared to 22 Pass breakups and 3 INT in a Sophomore season. Thats top 50 attention type play. While he did get burned in several games against top completion (Ohio State etc) it wasn’t his on the field that made him slide from a consensus 5th rounder. It was actually his physical makeup and finishing touch with a lackluster 40 time that drew ? marks. He scored lower at Combine and followed it up with a poor showing at his Pro Day. He was a consensus #165 overall rated player, but had ? Marks on his durability against bigger, taller Receivers, play strength and below average recovery/long speed. THAT was the reason he slid.

I still don’t agree with you calling him atrocious. He garnered 2nd team All Big 10 accolades in 2023. I don’t think college coaches would label him as “Atrocious” and I trust multiple coaches collective judgement.


Lastly, no one says we shouldn’t look to better our team (if that’s coming to contest that angle) CB is still one of our Top 5 needs. The point is we can’t forget about our incumbent players in the shadows and how they can be used. Oladapo at Safety and King at CB are just 2 examples of players who are likely Mid Day3 talent in year 2.

I said his final season was autrocious - not him. Shoot I had a fourth or fifth round grade on him. Not everything speaks is a rebuttal, was just adding his final season was so bad many teams took him off their boards entirely.

 

[OldSchool101]

I said his final season was autrocious - not him. Shoot I had a fourth or fifth round grade on him. Not everything speaks is a rebuttal, was just adding his final season was so bad many teams took him off their boards entirely.

?? Maybe it came across that way because you said “HE WAS ATROCIOUS” in response to me saying we should get a better look at him this season. Which to me sounds like you don’t agree. But maybe that was you agreeing or claiming he was a top 150 selection on your board. I didn’t read it that way at all my apologies If I took that as a negative.

 

[tynimiller]

?? Maybe it came across that way because you said “HE WAS ATROCIOUS” in response to me saying we should get a better look at him this season. Which to me sounds like you don’t agree. But maybe that was you agreeing or claiming he was a top 150 selection on your board. I didn’t read it that way at all my apologies If I took that as a negative.

I can see that, he was autrocious that final year in college - I honestly dumped it and focused on the year prior film study - that version of King is a serviceable piece in the NFL, if he can do that he'll get a chance IMO.

 

[McKnowledge]

You and Magooch have made great observations on the state of the CB group - it's shaky. I argue that starters Valentine, Hobbs, and Nixon are a little above average. Bullard needs to take a big sophomore jump. Beyond that, I think FA is a dead end and Gluten will add another two corners in the draft.

I've said I'd like to see him take Texas WR Matthew Golden at WR. That's a luxury pick and he doesn't have a lot of luxury.

I think at this point CB and DE have to be the priorities for the draft.

WR, especially at deep threat, can be addressed later in the draft or in free agency as training camp begins.

Gute more than likely will trade up or down, possibly both to garner either a blue chipper or more picks.

 

[gopkrs]

I think at this point CB and DE have to be the priorities for the draft.

WR, especially at deep threat, can be addressed later in the draft or in free agency as training camp begins.

Gute more than likely will trade up or down, possibly both to garner either a blue chipper or more picks.

I'm thinking there is going to be a good player at 23. And it could be a number of positions. I think I'd rather take a player that definitely won't be there later than trade down. Unless there are a few players like that and he trades down only a couple of spots. But that seems hardly worth it.

 

[tynimiller]

I'm thinking there is going to be a good player at 23. And it could be a number of positions. I think I'd rather take a player that definitely won't be there later than trade down. Unless there are a few players like that and he trades down only a couple of spots. But that seems hardly worth it.

I don’t personally see a WR there unless we follow my board and see Higgins as first round worthy. There is a limited amount IMO worth that at WR this year.

CB is odd….if medicals don’t come out for Benjamin Morrison I worry one of the best will be off the table, Jahdae and Will are the clear tops…but is Gute big enough on Amos, Az or Shavon to do the Stokes approach as many of you said and grab one a dozen picks before many feel they’re worth?

DL/Edge is loaded. There will be a good one or multiple worth the pick IMO

 

[McKnowledge]

I'm thinking there is going to be a good player at 23. And it could be a number of positions. I think I'd rather take a player that definitely won't be there later than trade down. Unless there are a few players like that and he trades down only a couple of spots. But that seems hardly worth it.

I'm sure there will be a good player at 23.

There's many variables and I'm only offering what I would like to happen.

I think JA isn't going anywhere, and him coming back will more than likely happen.

I want to see the Packers bring back Rasul Douglas as CB2.

This will rejuvenate the locker room and solidify the CB room.

JA reclaims his spot as an elite corner and everyone else on the roster slots accordingly.

Douglas as CB2, with Hobbs at Nickel, Nixon at CB4/Hybrid LB on passing downs.

During the draft, Gute needs to go after pass rushers.

I would like Green Bay to target James Pierce Jr. (Tennessee).

He would be a great fit for the defense at EDGE, he has great size, he is twitchy, he is athletic, and he is disruptive.

Packers' defense needs disrupters at every level of the defense.

He is a defensive playmaker, and currently there are none on the Packers' D-Line.

Along with Cooper, Walker, and McKinney on the backend, this group would create havoc.

 

[gopkrs]

would like Green Bay to target James Pierce Jr. (Tennessee).

I see a number of mocks where we take him. An equal number have him go earlier. A few later but not many

 

[tynimiller]

There are only two reasons, well three, not to consider Pearce if he is there at our pick:

#1 - character. Teams need to do their due diligence on whether there is or isn't issues here. Very conflicting reports...but if the bad are true, you don't want it at all....if it blown out of proportion, you need to weigh if worth it and if it isn't pure rubbish you draft him no question.

#2 - You worry about his run defense at the NFL level. He isn't a big dude, but also not tiny either and in truth his frame likely could add 5-10 without much impact.

#3 - You have a prospect you have better or see more value in.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I think at this point CB and DE have to be the priorities for the draft.

WR, especially at deep threat, can be addressed later in the draft or in free agency as training camp begins.

Gute more than likely will trade up or down, possibly both to garner either a blue chipper or more picks.

I agree with you. CB and Edge/DL are the areas that need improving/shoring up. And they can probably find a relatively obscure WR who ran a solid 40. Speed almost always has to be honored. That would take some of the sting from Watson's absence.

WR has gotten a lot of attention because of Watsons injury and Jacobs' comments. There just wasn't anything in FA worth chasing. There are some good corners that should be available at #23, and Edge/DL is solid in this draft.

 

[tynimiller]

I agree with you. CB and Edge/DL are the areas that need improving/shoring up. And they can probably find a relatively obscure WR who ran a solid 40. Speed almost always has to be honored. That would take some of the sting from Watson's absence.

WR has gotten a lot of attention because of Watsons injury and Jacobs' comments. There just wasn't anything in FA worth chasing. There are some good corners that should be available at #23, and Edge/DL is solid in this draft.

A Day2/Day3 bordeline guy to keep eye on his Tai Felton from Maryland he is 6'1' but touch lighter than we normally do at 183lbs. He ran a 4.37 and of the speedy guys outside the likely Day2 range he is the most put together. His last two years at Maryland he put up 1,847 yards, 15 TDs on 144 receptions. He has the route abilities to do more than just streak, BUT has that burner mentality and ability if needed. I'd personally be fine with taking him in the third, but personally have a fourth round grade.

Day 3 likely WRs with speed a dynamic trait of theirs OR the deep ball....stretching defenses isn't all about speed often. Now these are guys that also fit generally Packer types:

Chimeri **** from Florida (by way of Wisconsin) 6'1' 196lbs and ran a 4.34. Production hasn't been special but also hasn't been bad, especially for a Wisconsin guy up until 2024. Has put up on average 452 yards on average in five years, best two years was last year 789 and 2022 at 689. His yards per reception career in college is over 16 and this past year was 18.6. He is raw on the route tree side of things, but that speed and his growth would cause any team to quickly regret not respecting him. (5th onward seems the consensus likely)

Dont'e Thornton Jr Tennessee - This dude hasn't seen a ton of use, two years in Oregon with only 26 receptions and then 13 in first year at TN...but this last season he hit 661 yards on just 26 receptions which was college best rate at 25.4 yards per reception INSANE. I believe more raw and unpolished than ****, but many would say there is more ceiling there for him. He measured in at 6'5' 205lbs (I personally could see a team stabbing him in the fourth) Ran a 4.30

 

[Schultz]

Thornton was my 6th round steal, but now both you and Dante's have mentioned him. I still couldn't take him earlier than the 5th round. I have another guy I am starting to like even later than Thornton.

 

[gopkrs]

I'm not very confident in taking a late flier on a receiver and him actually doing anything. Would prefer, in that case, to go after a not overly expensive free agent but one we know can at least play.

 

[tynimiller]

I'm not very confident in taking a late flier on a receiver and him actually doing anything. Would prefer, in that case, to go after a not overly expensive free agent but one we know can at least play.

The heap of FA wide receivers do not include a proven deep threat now that MVS is gone. Just doesn’t.

 

[Magooch]

Chimeri **** from Florida (by way of Wisconsin) 6'1' 196lbs and ran a 4.34. Production hasn't been special but also hasn't been bad, especially for a Wisconsin guy up until 2024. Has put up on average 452 yards on average in five years, best two years was last year 789 and 2022 at 689. His yards per reception career in college is over 16 and this past year was 18.6. He is raw on the route tree side of things, but that speed and his growth would cause any team to quickly regret not respecting him. (5th onward seems the consensus likely)

I'd be happy to see us take a flier on D!ke. I didn't follow him much at Wisconsin but I'm a Gators fan and really liked him for us. I think he's a guy who plays more "field fast" than "combine fast" if that makes sense - you often see guys who test really well at the combine but it doesn't show on the field. He is a guy who had a very good 40 time and you see it on the field too. He does a good job of maintaining that speed thru cuts/breaks rather than just being strictly straight-line speed. He lined up all over the place for Florida - slot, outside, even coming out of the backfield here and there...and I feel LaFleur does like that kind of "swiss army knife" player. And from what I saw he had a really good understanding of zone defenses and knowing how to adjust to find the right spaces/windows. On top of all that he was a very reliable special teams player, if I recall correctly he led the conference in average punt returns.

But of course we are also talking about a guy who seems to be a consensus 5th-rd+ grade so I can't pretend it's all roses or a can't miss prospect obviously. I think he has average hands, somewhat undersized/slight, and doesn't always do well against press/man. He doesn't have elite explosion or "early" speed and is limited after the catch (he's fast, but doesn't really have much by way of "moves" to make defenders miss), and is not a super sharp/precise/explosive route runner. Still though I guess my gut says he's got the athleticism to where his "floor" would be a really good ST player and "field stretcher" option at WR. His general profile/skillset seems to be a good fit for us, esp. when looking at situations using a lot of pre snap motion to scheme open and free releases, he really fed off of those situations for Florida. TBH, in some ways he kinda reminds me of a slightly-more-athletic but slightly-less-polished Jayden Reed lol

 

[gopkrs]

The heap of FA wide receivers do not include a proven deep threat now that MVS is gone. Just doesn’t.

Yes, I know that. It's just that I just have a feeling that we have a hole on the left side that at least needs to be filled by someone reliable. I hope I'm wrong. I like Heath and I like our TEs. And the back. Just feel like we need one more. An early draft pick would be OK to me. Otherwise the Charger.