What? Too early to talk about already? Well, I'm avoiding work so humor me.

Let's say, for the sake of arguement, we lose Clifton, Kampman, and Harris next year. I think these are 3 guys that could all realisticly be traded or not resigned (more likely Kampy and Clifton).

Let's also say we get a mid 1st rounder for Kampy and that the Packers Pick in the bottom of the first round.

So with 2 first rounders again in this draft, who or what do we target?

I think our first priorities should be...
OLB - to replace Poppinga. Matthews will take over Kampy's spot.
Safety - Will need an upgrade from Bigby.
LT - A franchise left tackle would be a great pick in the first if we can find one.

Secondary priorities - CB, DE, NT, P
What do you think?

Like I've said over at Donald's Designated Driver's site , It's really unrealistic that we'll not see Kampman in GB in 2010, at least not for the right price. If he thrives, he's re-signed. That simple. If he fails, he'll still have tons of value as a 4-3 DE, based on him being the 3rd sacker since 2006, and also in him playing every snap. So, if he doesn't want to sign, we tag him and trade him for at least a 2nd rounder. Unless all the OL, Williams and Collins don't want to sign, which I highly doubt. I could see Clifton and Harris, specially Clifton, not signing with GB though.
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I doubt TT will take based on need at the draft. I mean, need sure is a tiebreaker, but if a Dez Bryant falls to us, and we're picking at the bottom of the round, which I expect, it'll be hard to pass on him. The guy I would like most to see wearing the Green and Gold next year is Taylor Mays, he's the next Reed/Polamalu, but I doubt he'll fall to us.

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"It's not wheter you get knocked down, it's wheter you get up." Vince Lombardi.
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Credit to Jess

Mays would be a great pickup. But barring an injury by him, he'll be a top 10 pick.

Kampman does all depend on how he plays this year. But TT might think that the value he can get for him in trade is greater than what he gives the team. Who knows, there is a lot of time until then.

And signing guys this next offseason is going to be harder than usual with the uncapped year coming up. Even though most players don't know what the hell that means.

What if Ryan Grant gives the same performance he did last year with his measly 3.9 average? I think the running back position will need to be addressed if that happens too. I think the smartest thing to do would be to draft a left tackle because that is an ultimate need. The next position to be looked at is Cornerback since Woodson and Harris are old and some of the speculation that Harris might not be with us next year. Jerome Murphy from South Florida seems like a perfect physical guy for the Packers who can make plays. I do agree that it would be great if the Packers got Mays, but we'd have to do some serious trading for that to happen. Of course, if Kampman is traded, then Outside Linebacker is a must have. Sean Weatherspoon seems like a reliable linebacker that could be a huge factor in games.

I agree with ya for the most part, but I don't know about Matthews as Kampman's replacement. I think Gocong would be the right guy for the LOLB position. He will be a UFA in 2010. FA and the draft will be weak, especially at safety. Pittsburgh's FS Ryan Clark will be a UFA in 2010 so he is a possibility - other then that it will be slim pickens unless someone is traded or released. Can Clark or Collins play SS? Chargers LT McNeil will be a UFA, but I would put money on SD re-signing him. Tyson Clabo, RT Atlanta, will also be an UFA, but again I expect Atlanta to pay him the money to keep Ryan upright. Penn and Trueblood will be free agents, but Tampa has a ton of cap room. I think GB will have a better shot at finding their future RT (if Barbre fails this year) in the draft then a LT. The big question is if Colledge can play LT - don't count last week his foot was injured. The next couple of games will give TT an idea if Colledge is the guy. I think GB will end up drafting in the 20's so a CB, 3-4 OLB, 3-4 DE/DT and RB are more likely to be one of the picks then SS or OT. Spiller or Best could be an option - I think they would upgrade the return game and add a home run threat to the run game.

An Upgrade of Bigby why?

Why not? What has Bigby shown us outside of infrequent flashes of talent, some big hits, and several trips to the medical staff?

Add in that he's 28 already and I just don't see a future for him on this team as a starter. I want someone who plays better and on a more consistent basis.

We haven't had good production from the safety spot in a long time. And don't argue Collins. I'm still not sold on him either. Misses just as many big plays as he makes, and is nicked up himself too much.

Safety is my least favorite spot on this team. As of week 3, linebackers are my 2nd. Need better play out of Barnett and Hawk especially. Only guy I'm really liking is Matthews so far. Chillar has been decent, but think they are asking more out of him than they should.

I think 3 games have shown us that we need O-linemen.

I'd go Ron Wolf 1999 style and take O-linemen with like our first 3 picks.

(FYI: That was the year Wolf took 3 corners in 3 picks. Antuan Edwards, Fred Vinson, Mike McKenzie)

And that goes to show you that Ron Wolf made a lot of mistakes on the draft. He more than compensated on FA and trades, but that's another issue... My point is, projecting an NCAA player is one though job, and nothing guarantees that we'll get a good OL by drafting one early.

__________________
"It's not wheter you get knocked down, it's wheter you get up." Vince Lombardi.
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Don't feed the Trolls.


Credit to Jess

We are fine in our safety dept. Bigby isnt bad and collins may be a probowler. I do feel that to be a true contender we definitely need to fix up our O line. I don't know if we can realistically get any solid linemen from the draft but many say it is one of the deepest draft classes to come out in years. Also a cb should be relatively high on our priority list. Woodson won't last forever even though hes playin like hes 25. He only has a few years left in the tank. Also a defensive end could be a priority as well...