Questions that Define the Draft (2025)

[OldSchool101]

Unless I'm mistaken, I think he's primarily become a linebacker and special teamer.

Sometimes I like to read some of the perspective of the fans of said player. I almost trust their collective eye test more than the pundits. From what I read he’s had 2 primary concerns. One he has lots of minor injuries that don’t necessarily keep him out of seasons or games, but more so limit so maybe some question to his toughness.

The second is his speed is his biggest asset. When he’s asked to chase a player down in open field (including a QB) he’s successful. When he’s asked to play a Box Defender and he’s caught up in Blocks he loses his most precious trait, speed.
Oddly, imo, he’d probably be a better Safety than Box LB. At Safety he can use his 4.4 speed and exceptional agility to cover ground, jump and his great size to lay a serious hit. He’s also good at Blitz. Where he can just B-line to the ball and be disruptive using his athleticism.

I bet he’d be really good on Teams, like a Turbo Oren Burks, who was often the top 2 leading tackler on ST

 

[Dantés]

These are the questions which, if we knew the answers, would allow us to predict this coming draft much more successfully.

1) Do the Packers see a legitimate future for Jordan Morgan at tackle or are they just humoring him by allowing him to compete there? Furthermore on the OL, which player(s) are they planning to retain?

2) Which receiver(s), if any, do the Packers see as long-term contributors and which are they ready to move on from or upgrade?

3) What sort of defensive line are they looking to build for Hafley? Do they have any interest in a 2 gapping skillset or is it all about length and upfield penetration?

4) To what degree is the team attributing the lack of edge rush to personnel vs. coaching and how will their lean impact their draft emphasis?

5) How urgently do the Packers feel the need to upgrade from the current players at corner?

The answers to these questions will dictate a ton of draft decisions, from when certain positions are drafted, to what type of players are taken at each position.

So how do you answer them?

Here's where I'm landing on all this as we head into draft week.

1) I think the Packers see Morgan at tackle and will hold on drafting OL until at least round 3, more likely day 3. I think they're going to be looking for someone with OT/G versatility who could compete at RG in 2026.

2) I think the Packers will be doubling up, targeting someone sure-handed early and adding some vertical speed later.

3) I think they will be doubling up here and targeting multiple skillsets.

4) I think they will wait on DE until day 3 unless a value drops into their laps that's too good to pass up.

5) I think they want to find a player with man cover skills to compete with and beat out Valentine.

My wild speculation is that internally, the team ranks their needs like this:

1) Cornerback
2) Wide Receiver
3) Defensive Tackle
4) Offensive Line
5) Defensive End
6) Quarterback

 

[Dantés]

***6) How comfortable is GB with Malik and do they foresee making him a permanent backup in GB?

This question IMO could play a factor in any draft pick from as early as the fourth clear through the end of the draft as well.

Here's my pipedream scenario at QB:

Packers trade Malik Willis to the Jalen Milroe team for a 4th round pick.

Titans trade Will Levis to the Packer for a 6th round pick.

 

[tynimiller]

Here's my pipedream scenario at QB:

Packers trade Malik Willis to the Jalen Milroe team for a 4th round pick.

Titans trade Will Levis to the Packer for a 6th round pick.

I’d for sure take Levis 100% If or when the Titans draft a QB - I’d absolutely be calling them

 

[Dantés]

I’d for sure take Levis 100% If or when the Titans draft a QB - I’d absolutely be calling them

I’d like to start a tradition of buying low on failed Titans’ QB’s, rehabbing their value, and then trading them high.

 

[DoURant]

I think they want to find a player with man cover skills to compete with and beat out Valentine.

I think you spelled Nixon wrong. Nixon is turning 28 years old in June, Valentine is 23, turns 24 in Sept.and has youth on his side. Also, CV really seemed to turn the corner, and started figuring it out at the end of last season. The question is will King and Hadden, and you can even throw in Bullard playing more slot corner, (all 3 rookies last year) make a 2nd yr jump. If they can add one stud CB to those guys,... plus Hobbs, who is only 25, also (Turns 26 in June), I like the possible future of that group.

 

[Heyjoe4]

1) Do the Packers see a legitimate future for Jordan Morgan at tackle or are they just humoring him by allowing him to compete there? Furthermore on the OL, which player(s) are they planning to retain?

Not to repeat a lot of what you said, I strongly feel GB believes Morgan can 100% be either the LT of the future or the RG of the future and will let the draft come to them and perhaps the spring TC decide for Morgan where he goes. If say Gute and company in second or third write the name of a Top 30 pick Anthony Belton who is everything they like typically but just a tick taller and is for sure a tackle propsect and not a guard candidate to many...say they would draft Belton, they might let Morgan take RG and allow Rhyan to be the backup Center and RG and give Belton a chance to battle for LT; and look to 2026.

2) Which receiver(s), if any, do the Packers see as long-term contributors and which are they ready to move on from or upgrade?

We really are loaded with excellent depth type guys even backend with Heath and Melton, but have not had anyone separate as the WR1 or a guy that can be that X receiver IMO...and with Watson and Doubs both on last year, zero clue how Watson comes out of this, OR if Doubs' situation health (both mental and concussion wise) or mood wise sadly.

Now is the time to move in truth on a guy that is would be (with serious confidence - like IMO Higgins or Royals) or a guy with the chance (Horton, Harris, Felton...) types. I still think immense belief is there in our current room, but also the knowledge and realization that if they don't prove it in 2025, we cannot have no reload started.

3) What sort of defensive line are they looking to build for Hafley? Do they have any interest in a 2 gapping skillset or is it all about length and upfield penetration?

I have nothing to add that you didn't say already @Dantés and our thoughts are similar.

4) To what degree is the team attributing the lack of edge rush to personnel vs. coaching and how will their lean impact their draft emphasis?

I personally think Gute and Co. to a point was blowing smoke saying they have full faith in what we have, this position group I still believe is going to be seriously reloaded...either through a first or second round rusher OR I still think we'd pick up the phone from Bengals on Trey....

5) How urgently do the Packers feel the need to upgrade from the current players at corner?

If Jaire is here we don't have to really pick anyone....we have Jaire if healthy who is a CLEAR high level corner...Valentine entering third year and has grown each year....King and Hadden both looking to grow in their sophomore seasons....plus Hobbs and Nixon could make noise....I wouldn't be shocked if it weren't till Day 3 or if just UDFAs are added honestly.



***6) How comfortable is GB with Malik and do they foresee making him a permanent backup in GB?

This question IMO could play a factor in any draft pick from as early as the fourth clear through the end of the draft as well.

Good job by Dantes with these questions - and the answers provided. I'm just going to focus on #4. I agree with Ty that Gluten had his fingers crossed behind his back when he said he was happy with the DL and Edge guys on the roster.

While I think he's going after a WR in round 1, I expect he'll draft an iDL who can get upfield quickly, and maybe another to replace Slaton as a big body, NT-type who can stop the run. If he gets another pick somehow, then he'll take an Edge guy.

McMillan is the WR the Packers need, but that would require a trade up and Gluten won't do that. If Higgins is around in round two Glute will likely take him. But does he need to move up to do that? I don't think so.

 

[Dantés]

I think you spelled Nixon wrong. Nixon is turning 28 years old in June, Valentine is 23, turns 24 in Sept.and has youth on his side. Also, CV really seemed to turn the corner, and started figuring it out at the end of last season. The question is will King and Hadden, and you can even throw in Bullard playing more slot corner, (all 3 rookies last year) make a 2nd yr jump. If they can add one stud CB to those guys,... plus Hobbs, who is only 25, also (Turns 26 in June), I like the possible future of that group.

Hey I would love to see a rookie and Valentine beat out Nixon. But I doubt it will happen. They seem to really like him.

 

[DoURant]

These are the questions which, if we knew the answers, would allow us to predict this coming draft much more successfully.

1) Do the Packers see a legitimate future for Jordan Morgan at tackle or are they just humoring him by allowing him to compete there? Furthermore on the OL, which player(s) are they planning to retain?

2) Which receiver(s), if any, do the Packers see as long-term contributors and which are they ready to move on from or upgrade?

3) What sort of defensive line are they looking to build for Hafley? Do they have any interest in a 2 gapping skillset or is it all about length and upfield penetration?

4) To what degree is the team attributing the lack of edge rush to personnel vs. coaching and how will their lean impact their draft emphasis?

5) How urgently do the Packers feel the need to upgrade from the current players at corner?

The answers to these questions will dictate a ton of draft decisions, from when certain positions are drafted, to what type of players are taken at each position.

So how do you answer them?

1. I think they drafted Morgan to be the starting LT of the future. He was behind the 8 ball in training camp last yr, and his best shot at playing time turned into G quickly. I see Walker leaving in FA, and Rhyan and Tom staying, then Jenkins leaving in 2027.

2. I see Doubs, Melton and Heath all gone after this season. Watson gets a short extension, what he offers in both stretching the field, and blocking is valuable. I see a high and a mid to late pick, both guys with low drop rates.

3. I think Hafley wants a stout Run Defense. The league seems to be having the pendulum swing more towards the running game direction, especially with the QB's being more mobile in today's game. Need to control the Edges, and get more penetration from the interior guys.

4. See #3, plus I think they do need 1 pass rush specialist on the team. Gary was always a better run defender than pass rusher, even in college. Enagbare needs to be upgraded, I love what Cox did at the end of the year, and LVN needs a big jump this year, and hopefully Covington can bring out the potential they saw when he was drafted.

5. I answered that in my previous post, #31 in this thread.

 

[OldSchool101]

1. I think they drafted Morgan to be the starting LT of the future. He was behind the 8 ball in training camp last yr, and his best shot at playing time turned into G quickly. I see Walker leaving in FA, and Rhyan and Tom staying, then Jenkins leaving in 2027.

2. I see Doubs, Melton and Heath all gone after this season. Watson gets a short extension, what he offers in both stretching the field, and blocking is valuable. I see a high and a mid to late pick, both guys with low drop rates.

3. I think Hafley wants a stout Run Defense. The league seems to be having the pendulum swing more towards the running game direction, especially with the QB's being more mobile in today's game. Need to control the Edges, and get more penetration from the interior guys.

4. See #3, plus I think they do need 1 pass rush specialist on the team. Gary was always a better run defender than pass rusher, even in college. Enagbare needs to be upgraded, I love what Cox did at the end of the year, and LVN needs a big jump this year, and hopefully Covington can bring out the potential they saw when he was drafted.

5. I answered that in my previous post, #31 in this thread.

Good stuff.
Another way we can help improve Pass Rush is to upgrade the Secondary and force QB’s to go through their progressions. It seemed like our secondary was below average without Jaire and it allowed us to get picked apart against the better Passing QB’s.

Now I’m not suggesting to avoid a Pass Rusher. I do think we should either go CB or DE by RD2 at the latest if we want to take our Passing D to the next level. At CB there should be someone added through the draft that can push him for the starting spot opposite JA. Also if either JA or Valentine are out for any reason we don’t need a marked dropoff. We need someone who might even surprise us

 

[DoURant]

Draft prediction: If Tet McMillan makes it past Dallas at #12, I think he could be in play for the Packers at #23.

 

[Schultz]

Personally, I do not like McMillan. Beside a team trading up Denver IMO may be the only roadblock to GB getting the 2nd WR off the board (not counting Hunter). Hopefully Hampton is available, and Den takes him. Round 2 IMO they will fly off the board. #33 CLV, depends on what they do at #2. #35 TN highly likely. #37 LV 50/50. #38 N.E. very likely. #42 Jets 50/50. #44 DAL if not at 12. #50 SEA 60/40 #51 DEN if not at 20. IMO.