4zone
Cheesehead
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- Apr 22, 2015
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I see there is another Draft thread out there but not specific to the topic I wish to generate discussion on. I this thread I would like to see other people's opinions on what are the Packer's top 5 draft needs by position and whether that need is for a Starter or an Upgrade in Depth. If you would like, I would also encourage to iterate your position as to why you see the needs as you do.
To get things kicked off, here are my top 5 needs, ranked and my reasons for my ranking.
1. DB - This one is a no-brainer I think. Shields should retire and if GB lets him play again, TT should go to prison. We need a Starter here, plain and simple. Not a slot guy, but a shut down out on the edge guy. A healthy Randall or maybe Gunter can handle the other side and our other guys are decent in Nickle and Dime but not as starters on the edge. Whoever doesn't start of Gunter or Randall could serve as a decent backup.
2. NT - Pass defense isn't completely on the DB's out on an island, it also depends on pressure on the QB. I think CM3 and Perry should be quite a good combination on the edges with Elliot and Fackrell with a year under his belt as decent backups. But the only pressure we ever get comes from the edge. We need to get someone who can bring it up the gut so OL's can't just roll guys outside to help out against the edge. We need a guy who can collapse the pocket so that pressure comes from every angle. This alone will help our pass D improve greatly. Stater is needed here, even if it's not a 3 down guy.
3. G - We don't have any depth here at all. Barclay is a failure at every position he's tried. He may be a nice guy but he just can't play OL in the NFL. Spriggs did nicely as a fill in BUT, he is our primary backup at Tackle. Also, Tretter can fill in as well but is arguably our starting Center. The issue here as I see it comes down to this, if we lose Tackle, Center and Guard all at the same time, which has happened and after this year, we should expect to happen, we have no solution at all for Guard. We need a solid backup here otherwise we are playing with fire. Oh yea, if he can run block well too, that would be nice as well.
4. RB - I think it is clear that RB is a real need here. If everyone is healthy and Michaels can pick up the offense in the off season, we have 3 really decent backs. BUT, Michaels is no guarentee to pick up the offense, Lacy is no lock to re-sign and even if he is, he is prone to ankle injuries, this makes RB a pick of need. I am really tired of RB's who dance behind a line who isn't the greatest at run blocking to begin with. I loved how Michaels hit the hole for his 42 yard TD vs the Bears. That's the kind of running we haven't seen in these parts for years and that's the type of running we need to win championships.
This pick is highly dependent on what happens in our off season. This one could change but if Michaels doesn't pan out or Lacy doesn't re-sign, we simply need another back who can produce.
5. TE -I harken back to the days of Chewy and Jackson. A scary combination. If we could duplicate that again with AR...Look Out NFL. If nothing else, we absolutely need depth here, we have nobody after Rodgers and Cook.
Other needs include more depth at ILB. Thomas is a decent backup as long as he can play along side another starter. We need to keep CM3 outside so depth here is also a need.
I have changed my mind about WR now that MM has given Geronimo opportunity lately. I see a need for the WR of the future to take over for Jordy in a couple years but I get the same feeling with G-Mo as I did with Driver when I saw him make an insane catch at the back of the end zone on a throw away pass his rookie season. I think this kid will be big some day so WR is not such a hot ticket item this off season. It can wait.
Since the only Starters I see of need are at DB and NT, we very well could find them both in the draft. For once it may actually be of more value to trade up for a second 1st round pick this year than to hoard a bunch of later round picks. This team is just a few impact players away. Not development players away, impact players away. The question is, has this year had as much an impact on TT as the pre-season and mid-season trades and FA signings hint at? We shall see.
Well, what do you all think?
To get things kicked off, here are my top 5 needs, ranked and my reasons for my ranking.
1. DB - This one is a no-brainer I think. Shields should retire and if GB lets him play again, TT should go to prison. We need a Starter here, plain and simple. Not a slot guy, but a shut down out on the edge guy. A healthy Randall or maybe Gunter can handle the other side and our other guys are decent in Nickle and Dime but not as starters on the edge. Whoever doesn't start of Gunter or Randall could serve as a decent backup.
2. NT - Pass defense isn't completely on the DB's out on an island, it also depends on pressure on the QB. I think CM3 and Perry should be quite a good combination on the edges with Elliot and Fackrell with a year under his belt as decent backups. But the only pressure we ever get comes from the edge. We need to get someone who can bring it up the gut so OL's can't just roll guys outside to help out against the edge. We need a guy who can collapse the pocket so that pressure comes from every angle. This alone will help our pass D improve greatly. Stater is needed here, even if it's not a 3 down guy.
3. G - We don't have any depth here at all. Barclay is a failure at every position he's tried. He may be a nice guy but he just can't play OL in the NFL. Spriggs did nicely as a fill in BUT, he is our primary backup at Tackle. Also, Tretter can fill in as well but is arguably our starting Center. The issue here as I see it comes down to this, if we lose Tackle, Center and Guard all at the same time, which has happened and after this year, we should expect to happen, we have no solution at all for Guard. We need a solid backup here otherwise we are playing with fire. Oh yea, if he can run block well too, that would be nice as well.
4. RB - I think it is clear that RB is a real need here. If everyone is healthy and Michaels can pick up the offense in the off season, we have 3 really decent backs. BUT, Michaels is no guarentee to pick up the offense, Lacy is no lock to re-sign and even if he is, he is prone to ankle injuries, this makes RB a pick of need. I am really tired of RB's who dance behind a line who isn't the greatest at run blocking to begin with. I loved how Michaels hit the hole for his 42 yard TD vs the Bears. That's the kind of running we haven't seen in these parts for years and that's the type of running we need to win championships.
This pick is highly dependent on what happens in our off season. This one could change but if Michaels doesn't pan out or Lacy doesn't re-sign, we simply need another back who can produce.
5. TE -I harken back to the days of Chewy and Jackson. A scary combination. If we could duplicate that again with AR...Look Out NFL. If nothing else, we absolutely need depth here, we have nobody after Rodgers and Cook.
Other needs include more depth at ILB. Thomas is a decent backup as long as he can play along side another starter. We need to keep CM3 outside so depth here is also a need.
I have changed my mind about WR now that MM has given Geronimo opportunity lately. I see a need for the WR of the future to take over for Jordy in a couple years but I get the same feeling with G-Mo as I did with Driver when I saw him make an insane catch at the back of the end zone on a throw away pass his rookie season. I think this kid will be big some day so WR is not such a hot ticket item this off season. It can wait.
Since the only Starters I see of need are at DB and NT, we very well could find them both in the draft. For once it may actually be of more value to trade up for a second 1st round pick this year than to hoard a bunch of later round picks. This team is just a few impact players away. Not development players away, impact players away. The question is, has this year had as much an impact on TT as the pre-season and mid-season trades and FA signings hint at? We shall see.
Well, what do you all think?