tynimiller
Cheesehead
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As I've said, I'm only doing one a month...right now in the off season there is no need to wait as no further testing or knowledge of prospects will happen till March. Senior Bowl as always helped shed some light and as I've said more often then not the Senior Bowl confirms prospect thoughts doesn't change them...BUT that said I did put a few guys on measurable flag lists as they came in much shorter in areas than I expected.
For this mock let's layout a hypothetical scenario of FAs and such...for this mock I say that for some main notables GB resigns McManus, goes and gets Khalil Mack, we do a Brandon Stephens CB signing on a guy that in 2023 looked like big contract in his future and this past year had issues especially down the stretch. Oddly Gute doesn't bring in any WR in FA and appears comfortable heading into the draft with Doubs, Reed, Wicks, Heath, Melton. Jaire and GB agree to a small restructure of contract viewed as a means to give Jaire one more shot at a big payday somewhere if he plays well and stays healthy but GB saves a little more.
With that the draft starts...
1.23 - I'm becoming vastly more and more confident the better move for Gute and Co. is a likely trade back - I am not a massive fan of the top tier of this draft but believe that second tier is VERY strong and deep in positions like DL, Edge, CB and WR....all positions that could assist the GB roster. That said, there are a few guys that I'm quite bullish on that IF they make it to pick 23 I don't believe there is a trade package I'd listen to unless it includes two top 100 picks this year and a top 64 pick next year....those players include CB Benjamin Morrison, iDL Walter Nolen, EDGE Mike Green, TE Tyler Warren and WR Emeka Egbuka. Now I don't personally believe any of those 5 ought to make it to us, BUT if they do I cannot hesitate on one. In this mock all but 1 of those guys have been drafted. The one left is the name we turn in, and that is iDL Walter Nolen.
Nolen is a little atypical type for GB, he isn't one to shy away from talking and he has a bit of a nasty streak in him but not dirty. He of late in a Senior Bowl interview when asked "how would you describe your skill in your own words...self scout yourself? His reply, "I'm the next Aaron Donald". That sets about as high of a bar as one could...but if you watch this dude it honestly becomes a possibility perhaps because his unique combination of size, strength, length and quickness are all there...then he illustrates a bend that interior guys rarely do and the world of blitz stunts and creativity from attacking from the inside likely would have Hafley salivating. Pairing him with Kenny and Wyatt, not too mention pressure creator Brooks (plus Mack now outside) this pick would likely make Gute and Co. very excited for what might com in 2025.
Nolen measurables are 6'3' 1/4", 293lbs, 9 1/4 hands, 33 5/8" arms...his frame likely by year two will hold that 305-315lb range I'd guess. I suspect he comes in for a big guy with a high RAS score too (for those that use that metric as a gauge or predictor).
2.55 I'll be honest this pick wasn't easy...a few of the second tier CBs I really like snuck off the board in the top half of second (Shavon Revel and Darien Porter)...also so Umanmielen and Ezeiruaku as edges get picked. Eyes shifted to two of my favorite WRs that were available until Higgins somehow fell and was picked by the Broncos at 52. Gute does something GB has consistently done with just immense success and that is decide to draft another 2nd round WR for the third time in four drafts. The WR is a guy with quite the story, a massive track athlete in highschool but couldn't get recruited much of anywhere went and played a season at Georgia Military College...he then transferred to Utah State and that sophomore year he barely saw a snap...then in 2023, after working his butt off in the off season and fighting in preseason he became an immediate overnight sensation and one of the deadliest WRs in college. He amassed 71 catches for 1,080 yards and 15 touchdowns. 2024 started just the same for Royals as he was amassing 119.1 yards per game (30+ yards more than 2023) and maintaining pace for around 12 TDs and likely over 1400 yards....but injury struck him and stole the second half of the year from him. He is fully healed and participated in the Reese's Senior Bowl practices and showcased why he is so tough. That receiver as everyone by now likely knows is Jalen Royals - 5'11' 3/8" and 210lbs.
His route running is explosive and quick...that mixed with his ability to stem manipulate a DB in coverage makes him one of the best at separation creation. Dude is FAST too...both short range and long, he is for sure going to run sub 4.4 - it's a foregone conclusion that he will do this to many, it's just a matter of how low of a number is it. The ONLY thing that he struggles with is a very good press man CB who is strong....Royals is strong at attacking the ball in flight and is built for YAC productions but his technique and ability to fight off a jam is the only thing he needs to improve. Royals is much higher on my WR rankings than many so the fact he's there at 55 and some of the before mentioned guys weren't makes a Royals draft pick just make too much sense. He immediately adds a guy that somewhat can do a lot of what Watson provided till his return, immediately applies pressure on guys like Wicks, Melton and Heath as well.
3.87 - Watching the board as the third progressed it was opening up nicely for a CB higher than 87 on my board to be there and I chose to sit...there was also some edges and OTs that I also were keen on that after about 70 I knew might come to me. Few of those guys are edge Josiah Stewart (size is his flag), Chris Paul LB, Mbow OL, Anthony Belton OT....when the Packers go on the clock it was time to take a swing at a CB of the future on a guy that I personally already have shared about. This cat is everything...and plays so much bigger than the one flag he has....his weight. He routinely has played at or under a hair of 175lbs. His camp has been working on getting him up closer to 180 by combine without losing any explosion...and the goal appears to have him at playing 185 or so. He's listed at 6'1' but I expect he measures just over 6 foot (common to overlist). He absolutely was a no fly zone in all match ups at the East-West Shrine bowl invited practices and game...he put up a 80.9 PFF overall grade for 2024 (77.4 in 2023 and 70.3 in 2022). He has excelled in man and zone coverage calls, so I fully expect he'd adapt to Hafley's system quickly and he is a guy that when he gets his hands on the ball can and does create turnovers with 4 INTs this year and last (3 the year before that).
Lambeau get ready to shout a long call of "Cobeeeeeeeeeeeee" when he makes a big play because Cobee Bryant out of Kansas is coming.
4.123 - Okay so according to my board this guy shouldn't be here...I have him in my top 100 and he really did some good things at the Senior Bowl, plus consensus board has him at 115...so all in all at this point not unrealistic (as you guys know I fully ignore unrealistic guys falling IMO) but I'm ecstatic he's here and double up on CBs in this draft before we leave the fourth. Quincy Riley of Louisville is a guy I showcased as a potential top shelf guy at the beginning of the year that I really liked and thought would explode after coming off an incredible 2023 with a 85.9 PFF grade, 3 picks and a passer rating when targeted of sub 40. 2024 the team struggled and with it Riley also came down...still converted 2 INTs but rating when targeted jumped to 73.5 (still respectable) and had a 62.4 overall grade. The crazy thing is as sticky as he was in 2023 his man coverage grade was nearly sub 50 in 2024....which is why the senior bowl and 1v1 reps against top tier WRs had my eye. Quincy had some amazing reps at the Senior Bowl and earned the team voted National Team's top cornerback for the week. He's a 5'10' 192lb guy that reminds me a lot of Jaire, not the same level of prospect but awesome.
Honestly, while I would never bet on getting two starters for sure, I would be willing to bet one of Bryant or Riley provide us with CB help out the gate and grows into a starting outside CB for us. Who knows, maybe a kid from Louisville replaces Jaire from Louisville eventually...
5.160 - The pick that I didn't want to do happens....I share what is often GB's approach to OL, draft athletic OTs and move them inside...however, as much as I love Monk (he didn't prove anything year 1) and also feel that Jenkins might be the future at Center...there is a guy available that has three years of starting experience that includes over 700 snaps at RT, 300 snaps at RG, 750 snaps at LT and 800 at C....talk about a swing capable guy. Jonah Monheim from USC is a dude that has proven to be a jack of all trades, but arguably master of none. However, in 2024 USC moved him to center and at 6'4' but with sub 31 inch arms I think its for sure inside where he lives, however his athleticism and ability to be a LT in 2023 graded over 75 and a RT in 2022 graded over 81 show that as a center you might just have one of the quickest and best pass pro types...his progression will primarily to me need to be his leg strength and drive off the ball for when a nose is over him. However, in the run game where he's gotta get to the next level to cover of a LB, he may very well be one of the best equipped guys in the draft given his athleticism. He's that interior chess piece that you really like having in house, and wouldn't shock me if drafted he enters week 1 as our center.
6.199 - Gute has mentioned he is likely to keep drafting QBs...and honestly with Malik Willis potentially being a target of some trade calls it isn't a bad thing. I had three guys circled that I feel could be interesting development type guys behind Love that have some mobility as well...Riley Leonard (likely goes before I want to pick a QB), Kurtis Rourke who is a GUTSY gunslinger (dude played on a torn ACL all 2024) and Tyler Shough from Louisville. It's Tyler Shough's name who I call because the others are gone (Rourke just barely before)....Shough doesn't have the years of stats that Rourke does, but Shough showed out in 2024 with 3,195 yards on a 62.7% cmp / 23 TDs and only 6 INTs. He's a mobile QB having over 600 yards total in his college career as well. To me he is arguably the only QB that the Senior Bowl really showcased he needed to be elevated some in the process...not saying he is one of the best, but he was off some draftable boards entirely as a UDFA type but I believe between Senior Bowl, his 2024 and likely interview process going very well from what I hear I firmly believe he is a flyer type QB a team should draft. I love his size at 6'4' and 224 (nearly 10 inch hands) too.
7.251 - This is a spot I really wanted to go after a OT project...but there is a small school guy names Aaron Smith from South Carolina State that I couldn't ignore that I have a 6th round grade on and truly believe he could be one of the bigger rises in the process to many (if he sneaks into the fifth I'm not going to be shocked)....but he is that type that could go fifth or go undrafted. He is healing from a quad strain suffered at the end of the season but he still attended the East West Shrine activities and numerous teams noted or mentioned the impression he left them in interviews. Smith is 6 foot / 226lbs / 32+ inch arms and has the athleticism to get around the field. He rarely misses tackles and had a 73.2 coverage grade. Hungry is likely the best word I can use to describe Smith...he for sure will come in fighting for a role on STs and hopefully growing into a depth piece at off ball LB.
Summary:
1.23 - iDL Walter Nolen
2.55 - WR Jalen Royals
3.87 - CB Cobee Bryant
4.123 - CB Quincy Riley
5.160 - iOL Jonah Monheim
6.199 - QB Tyler Shough
7.251 - LB Aaron Smith
Strengths of the draft - Grab a blue chip iDL to add to the mix that should instantly upgrade our interior front...also takes multiple swings at cornerback on two guys with a lot of high level experience and who have seen success....also adding a swiss army knife guy along our offensive line when we might be facing a shuffling of pieces is a bonus that I know the coaching staff would embrace.
Weaknesses - No edges grabbed...yes in this scenario Mack is here...but LVN hasn't shown he is a future piece...Enagbare late started losing snaps to Cox and Gary wasn't always the destructive piece we all expect, not selecting an edge could be argued as a negative. With both OTs entering contract years, this draft did nothing to help Gute offset that potentially, especially an issue if Morgan isn't a tackle of the future.
What you got for thoughts...strengths, weaknesses in your opinion.
For this mock let's layout a hypothetical scenario of FAs and such...for this mock I say that for some main notables GB resigns McManus, goes and gets Khalil Mack, we do a Brandon Stephens CB signing on a guy that in 2023 looked like big contract in his future and this past year had issues especially down the stretch. Oddly Gute doesn't bring in any WR in FA and appears comfortable heading into the draft with Doubs, Reed, Wicks, Heath, Melton. Jaire and GB agree to a small restructure of contract viewed as a means to give Jaire one more shot at a big payday somewhere if he plays well and stays healthy but GB saves a little more.
With that the draft starts...
1.23 - I'm becoming vastly more and more confident the better move for Gute and Co. is a likely trade back - I am not a massive fan of the top tier of this draft but believe that second tier is VERY strong and deep in positions like DL, Edge, CB and WR....all positions that could assist the GB roster. That said, there are a few guys that I'm quite bullish on that IF they make it to pick 23 I don't believe there is a trade package I'd listen to unless it includes two top 100 picks this year and a top 64 pick next year....those players include CB Benjamin Morrison, iDL Walter Nolen, EDGE Mike Green, TE Tyler Warren and WR Emeka Egbuka. Now I don't personally believe any of those 5 ought to make it to us, BUT if they do I cannot hesitate on one. In this mock all but 1 of those guys have been drafted. The one left is the name we turn in, and that is iDL Walter Nolen.
Nolen is a little atypical type for GB, he isn't one to shy away from talking and he has a bit of a nasty streak in him but not dirty. He of late in a Senior Bowl interview when asked "how would you describe your skill in your own words...self scout yourself? His reply, "I'm the next Aaron Donald". That sets about as high of a bar as one could...but if you watch this dude it honestly becomes a possibility perhaps because his unique combination of size, strength, length and quickness are all there...then he illustrates a bend that interior guys rarely do and the world of blitz stunts and creativity from attacking from the inside likely would have Hafley salivating. Pairing him with Kenny and Wyatt, not too mention pressure creator Brooks (plus Mack now outside) this pick would likely make Gute and Co. very excited for what might com in 2025.
Nolen measurables are 6'3' 1/4", 293lbs, 9 1/4 hands, 33 5/8" arms...his frame likely by year two will hold that 305-315lb range I'd guess. I suspect he comes in for a big guy with a high RAS score too (for those that use that metric as a gauge or predictor).
2.55 I'll be honest this pick wasn't easy...a few of the second tier CBs I really like snuck off the board in the top half of second (Shavon Revel and Darien Porter)...also so Umanmielen and Ezeiruaku as edges get picked. Eyes shifted to two of my favorite WRs that were available until Higgins somehow fell and was picked by the Broncos at 52. Gute does something GB has consistently done with just immense success and that is decide to draft another 2nd round WR for the third time in four drafts. The WR is a guy with quite the story, a massive track athlete in highschool but couldn't get recruited much of anywhere went and played a season at Georgia Military College...he then transferred to Utah State and that sophomore year he barely saw a snap...then in 2023, after working his butt off in the off season and fighting in preseason he became an immediate overnight sensation and one of the deadliest WRs in college. He amassed 71 catches for 1,080 yards and 15 touchdowns. 2024 started just the same for Royals as he was amassing 119.1 yards per game (30+ yards more than 2023) and maintaining pace for around 12 TDs and likely over 1400 yards....but injury struck him and stole the second half of the year from him. He is fully healed and participated in the Reese's Senior Bowl practices and showcased why he is so tough. That receiver as everyone by now likely knows is Jalen Royals - 5'11' 3/8" and 210lbs.
His route running is explosive and quick...that mixed with his ability to stem manipulate a DB in coverage makes him one of the best at separation creation. Dude is FAST too...both short range and long, he is for sure going to run sub 4.4 - it's a foregone conclusion that he will do this to many, it's just a matter of how low of a number is it. The ONLY thing that he struggles with is a very good press man CB who is strong....Royals is strong at attacking the ball in flight and is built for YAC productions but his technique and ability to fight off a jam is the only thing he needs to improve. Royals is much higher on my WR rankings than many so the fact he's there at 55 and some of the before mentioned guys weren't makes a Royals draft pick just make too much sense. He immediately adds a guy that somewhat can do a lot of what Watson provided till his return, immediately applies pressure on guys like Wicks, Melton and Heath as well.
3.87 - Watching the board as the third progressed it was opening up nicely for a CB higher than 87 on my board to be there and I chose to sit...there was also some edges and OTs that I also were keen on that after about 70 I knew might come to me. Few of those guys are edge Josiah Stewart (size is his flag), Chris Paul LB, Mbow OL, Anthony Belton OT....when the Packers go on the clock it was time to take a swing at a CB of the future on a guy that I personally already have shared about. This cat is everything...and plays so much bigger than the one flag he has....his weight. He routinely has played at or under a hair of 175lbs. His camp has been working on getting him up closer to 180 by combine without losing any explosion...and the goal appears to have him at playing 185 or so. He's listed at 6'1' but I expect he measures just over 6 foot (common to overlist). He absolutely was a no fly zone in all match ups at the East-West Shrine bowl invited practices and game...he put up a 80.9 PFF overall grade for 2024 (77.4 in 2023 and 70.3 in 2022). He has excelled in man and zone coverage calls, so I fully expect he'd adapt to Hafley's system quickly and he is a guy that when he gets his hands on the ball can and does create turnovers with 4 INTs this year and last (3 the year before that).
Lambeau get ready to shout a long call of "Cobeeeeeeeeeeeee" when he makes a big play because Cobee Bryant out of Kansas is coming.
4.123 - Okay so according to my board this guy shouldn't be here...I have him in my top 100 and he really did some good things at the Senior Bowl, plus consensus board has him at 115...so all in all at this point not unrealistic (as you guys know I fully ignore unrealistic guys falling IMO) but I'm ecstatic he's here and double up on CBs in this draft before we leave the fourth. Quincy Riley of Louisville is a guy I showcased as a potential top shelf guy at the beginning of the year that I really liked and thought would explode after coming off an incredible 2023 with a 85.9 PFF grade, 3 picks and a passer rating when targeted of sub 40. 2024 the team struggled and with it Riley also came down...still converted 2 INTs but rating when targeted jumped to 73.5 (still respectable) and had a 62.4 overall grade. The crazy thing is as sticky as he was in 2023 his man coverage grade was nearly sub 50 in 2024....which is why the senior bowl and 1v1 reps against top tier WRs had my eye. Quincy had some amazing reps at the Senior Bowl and earned the team voted National Team's top cornerback for the week. He's a 5'10' 192lb guy that reminds me a lot of Jaire, not the same level of prospect but awesome.
Honestly, while I would never bet on getting two starters for sure, I would be willing to bet one of Bryant or Riley provide us with CB help out the gate and grows into a starting outside CB for us. Who knows, maybe a kid from Louisville replaces Jaire from Louisville eventually...
5.160 - The pick that I didn't want to do happens....I share what is often GB's approach to OL, draft athletic OTs and move them inside...however, as much as I love Monk (he didn't prove anything year 1) and also feel that Jenkins might be the future at Center...there is a guy available that has three years of starting experience that includes over 700 snaps at RT, 300 snaps at RG, 750 snaps at LT and 800 at C....talk about a swing capable guy. Jonah Monheim from USC is a dude that has proven to be a jack of all trades, but arguably master of none. However, in 2024 USC moved him to center and at 6'4' but with sub 31 inch arms I think its for sure inside where he lives, however his athleticism and ability to be a LT in 2023 graded over 75 and a RT in 2022 graded over 81 show that as a center you might just have one of the quickest and best pass pro types...his progression will primarily to me need to be his leg strength and drive off the ball for when a nose is over him. However, in the run game where he's gotta get to the next level to cover of a LB, he may very well be one of the best equipped guys in the draft given his athleticism. He's that interior chess piece that you really like having in house, and wouldn't shock me if drafted he enters week 1 as our center.
6.199 - Gute has mentioned he is likely to keep drafting QBs...and honestly with Malik Willis potentially being a target of some trade calls it isn't a bad thing. I had three guys circled that I feel could be interesting development type guys behind Love that have some mobility as well...Riley Leonard (likely goes before I want to pick a QB), Kurtis Rourke who is a GUTSY gunslinger (dude played on a torn ACL all 2024) and Tyler Shough from Louisville. It's Tyler Shough's name who I call because the others are gone (Rourke just barely before)....Shough doesn't have the years of stats that Rourke does, but Shough showed out in 2024 with 3,195 yards on a 62.7% cmp / 23 TDs and only 6 INTs. He's a mobile QB having over 600 yards total in his college career as well. To me he is arguably the only QB that the Senior Bowl really showcased he needed to be elevated some in the process...not saying he is one of the best, but he was off some draftable boards entirely as a UDFA type but I believe between Senior Bowl, his 2024 and likely interview process going very well from what I hear I firmly believe he is a flyer type QB a team should draft. I love his size at 6'4' and 224 (nearly 10 inch hands) too.
7.251 - This is a spot I really wanted to go after a OT project...but there is a small school guy names Aaron Smith from South Carolina State that I couldn't ignore that I have a 6th round grade on and truly believe he could be one of the bigger rises in the process to many (if he sneaks into the fifth I'm not going to be shocked)....but he is that type that could go fifth or go undrafted. He is healing from a quad strain suffered at the end of the season but he still attended the East West Shrine activities and numerous teams noted or mentioned the impression he left them in interviews. Smith is 6 foot / 226lbs / 32+ inch arms and has the athleticism to get around the field. He rarely misses tackles and had a 73.2 coverage grade. Hungry is likely the best word I can use to describe Smith...he for sure will come in fighting for a role on STs and hopefully growing into a depth piece at off ball LB.
Summary:
1.23 - iDL Walter Nolen
2.55 - WR Jalen Royals
3.87 - CB Cobee Bryant
4.123 - CB Quincy Riley
5.160 - iOL Jonah Monheim
6.199 - QB Tyler Shough
7.251 - LB Aaron Smith
Strengths of the draft - Grab a blue chip iDL to add to the mix that should instantly upgrade our interior front...also takes multiple swings at cornerback on two guys with a lot of high level experience and who have seen success....also adding a swiss army knife guy along our offensive line when we might be facing a shuffling of pieces is a bonus that I know the coaching staff would embrace.
Weaknesses - No edges grabbed...yes in this scenario Mack is here...but LVN hasn't shown he is a future piece...Enagbare late started losing snaps to Cox and Gary wasn't always the destructive piece we all expect, not selecting an edge could be argued as a negative. With both OTs entering contract years, this draft did nothing to help Gute offset that potentially, especially an issue if Morgan isn't a tackle of the future.
What you got for thoughts...strengths, weaknesses in your opinion.
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