I read where Kiper indicated the Packers did a solid job with their entire draft. I hope he's right. I just don't see it.
The top pick a WR. I saw enough of Golden at the University of Houston, and Texas-Austin to know that he's not someone I see with strong potential to be a star in the league. My info is based on personal observations, and that of friends who are close enough to both programs that they see his weaknesses and have a pretty good idea how it's going to play out in the NFL. According to my sources, Golden doesn't have the physical strength to go head on when it comes to challenged catches.
Here's the CBS breakdown on our picks.
Green Bay Packers
| Round | Pick | Player | Grade |
|---|
| 1 | 23 | Matthew Golden, WR, Texas | A |
| 2 | 54 | Anthony Belton, IOL, NC State | C+ |
| 3 | 87 | Savion Williams, WR, TCU | B- |
| 4 | 124 | Barryn Sorrell, EDGE, Texas | B- |
| 5 | 159 | Collin Oliver, LB, Oklahoma State | B- |
| 6 | 198 | Warren Brinson, DL, Georgia | B+ |
| 7 | 237 | Micah Robinson, CB, Tulane | C+ |
| 7 | 250 | John Williams, OT, Cincinnati | A- |
The Packers have the most crowded receiver room in the NFL given the additions of Golden and Williams, who couldn't be more different stylistically. Belton was picked too early because of his technical deficiencies, but I do like the landing spot given Green Bay's long history of developing blockers picked outside of Round 1.
Sorrell and Oliver are solid, yet I have doubts about their long-term potential, and Brinson at No. 198 is my favorite selection of all of these Packers picks. He's long, athletic, powerful and plays with a non-stop motor.
I agree on Belton. He might develop into a solid offensive lineman. I emphasize "might." He is a plodder when it comes to footwork. He's never going to make it with the Bolshoi Ballet. He's a huge guy at 6-6 and close to 350# no matter what they say. But that paunch he has should end up disappearing when he hits camp. I see him trimmed out to about 315# to 320#. In time, he might be a decent offensive tackle. I think that's the intent. A guy with a future after being molded into what they want. I won't call this a bad pick. It could end up a good one. Let's see how it plays out.
Savion Williams is kind of a poor man's Corderelle Patterson. Note the statement, "poor man's" statement. We're going to hear about his versatility but to be honest, I don't think he's going to supplant Wicks. He's going to be a kind of "gadget man" that doesn't work. But that's just my opinion. I think the Packers have misjudged the talent they already have in the room, blaming them for any shortcomings that Love still has in his passing game. He tends to play favorites in his throws, looking past guys that are open. That needs to change.
Sorrell, Edge, out of Texas-Austin. Okay. Why this high? I kept hearing about him having a great motor, and a solid pass rusher. Great outside moves. But the guy I saw on the field had a rough time containing the edge because he got sucked in too often, and didn't seem to be able to read the offense as well as he should to handle containment. If we thought Gary took a long time learning the defense wait until you see how Sorrell handles it. He could be lost for a while out there. Also, who believes he could beat out Van Ness or Gary for a job? Not me! Thanks! He's going to be a "depth piece" if we're lucky.
Collin Oliver - Is he an undersized edge rusher or a linebacker? He did a 4.56 - 40. Where do you play him? I think he ends up being a linebacker but buried somewhat in the 4-3 defense. He won't be utilized at all when they go to the 4-2-5. So, not impressed with the pick to be honest. We'll have to see if he's more than a depth piece.
After this, the picks we made are kind of "ho-hum." Nothing stands out and probably never will.
Whereas I believe that over the years Gute has done a good job drafting, and signing free agents, I can only hope he's got a few low priced but sold free agents on a string out there that he can bring in to fill some seriously weak spots on defense, starting with the DL and CB.
Anyhow, that's my opinion on this draft. Not in the slightest bit impressed.
