2026 Roster Thread - Semi-Live

[adambr2]

What is lack of production? We looking at solely pressures and sacks or everything?

Sacks are part of it, yes, I think we can agree that 8.5 in three seasons is not adequate.

Pressure rate significantly improved in 2025, I’ll grant that, and if he can sustain that performance while playing every week I think he could be a higher end rotational player.

But I also take his 2025 with a grain of salt because he only played half the season. We saw Gary really wear down with a full workload in 2025, so I’d really need to see how LVN does with more full time snaps to fully buy into his improvement.

 

[tynimiller]

Sacks are part of it, yes, I think we can agree that 8.5 in three seasons is not adequate.

Pressure rate significantly improved in 2025, I’ll grant that, and if he can sustain that performance while playing every week I think he could be a higher end rotational player.

But I also take his 2025 with a grain of salt because he only played half the season. We saw Gary really wear down with a full workload in 2025, so I’d really need to see how LVN does with more full time snaps to fully buy into his improvement.

The most impressive thing for me was this last year was his diagnosing of plays is getting special and his strength and technique in shedding and attacking the run is becoming one of his best features. I think the pressures will continue to increase, but like Mafa as example doesn't touch LVN against the run. He isn't bad but he is quite a bit worse than LVN from what I've watched.

 

[mradtke66]

LVN is probably a deal, even at the number he signed for.

Edge players are just expensive. Looking at Mafe, since that name is being thrown around. 3 years, 60m. 19m guaranteed at signing. LVN is getting less than 70% of that number.

Next, LVN is still young. The league tends to value that because (in theory) the player is less likely to be injured and probably play longer. Mafe is 28, LVN is still only 24 years old. Three years in the league and he's younger still younger than a handful of 2026 rookies.

Comparing him to other players in that price point. In terms of average per year, which is flawed, he's right behind Bradley Chubb and Dre'Mont Jones.

Chubb will average 14,500,000 per year. He's also 30. and got just shy of 22M in guarantees at signing.

Jones will average 12.1M per year. He's 28 and got 23.1M guaranteed.

The players who received in the ball park of 13m of guaranteees in this past off season are Mafe (19m), Malcolm Koonce (11m. less bonus money, but a 1 year deal. The whole contract is more or less guaranteed.), Arden Key (11m), K’Lavon Chaisson (11m), and our own Kingsley Enagbare (9m). None of those players really appeal to me more than LVN. AND even then, that is his number for 2027. It'll end up being an even smaller percentage of the cap that year.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

The Packers have had several "LVN like decisions" under Gute. That being trying to place a value on a young player that has not only not reached what is viewed as their potential ceiling, but has been injured during the process of getting there. So these are not easy decisions for either side. The player would like to get paid on his peak potential side, where as the team wants to pay on the fact that they haven't reach that potential and have been injured to boot. The team knows that if they don't lock the player up with a contract and they do have that successful year, resigning them will cost a lot more.

So in the case of LVN and his very expensive position of EDGE, it was probably worth the Packers paying a bit more than what some would perceive his market value is today, to lock him down for an additional season beyond this one. Let's face it, if he stays healthy and continues on his upward projection, it will be a wise investment.

 

[gopkrs]

I think if they like what they see this year; the 5th year salary won't even happen. If they don't; well it's only one year and they can try and trade him. Engabare got 9 million I think. So if LVN isn't better; it's unlikely we'll be able to trade him unless we eat a bunch of the 5th year salary.

 

[OldSchool101]

Lukas’ 2 year Cap (and Dead $) is $19,285,000. So we’ve got him at $9.64Mil impact per season through 2027. When all is said and done, by 2027 his $9.64mil average cap hit will be surpassed by several rookie contracts each year. That’s how cheap he is.

What’s crazy is that Lukas is just 24yrs old until this July. So he’s highly likely not at his peak. He came into GB as a Sophomore with very little college experience (25 games played).
In 3yrs at the NFL level he just recently cracked 1,000+ D snaps. Thats roughly 2 years of “regular starter” Pro snaps. I say this because he’s got very little wear n tear on his body.

I do agree with others though that we’ll need 2026 to see if he can surpass his cap hits. Yet if he improves even a smidge and has average health he’ll be an absolute steal at that $ number.

 

[gopkrs]

What’s crazy is that Lukas is just 24yrs old until this July. So he’s highly likely not at his peak. He came into GB as a Sophomore with very little college experience (25 games played).

This shows why I don't think drafting young players is important.

 

[OldSchool101]

This shows why I don't think drafting young players is important.

Well we will soon find out. Drafting a Sophomore wouldn’t be a good indicator for his first season or even first two. Last year was his break out before injury. His 16.1% Pass Rush Win rate ranked #19 in the NFL. That means only 18 players graded better in the entire league.
Luka’s Run Stop score in 2025 jumper 22% points. The highest increase of anyone on our team. He also had a 4.5% missed a tackle rate. Anything below 5% is “near elite” graded for tackling. His overall picture for PFF ranked him 27th/115 Edge Players.
So top 23% tile.

From another angle, His PFF 75.7% overall over last seasons 63% Grade puts him squarely as one of the most improved players year over year. Albeit in limited playing time.

The value of his draft pick is absolutely underwhelming, but NOW is why we drafted him. These next 2 seasons will define his draft value

 

[gopkrs]

Well we will soon find out. Drafting a Sophomore wouldn’t be a good indicator for his first season or even first two. Last year was his break out before injury. His 16.1% Pass Rush Win rate ranked #19 in the NFL. That means only 18 players graded better in the entire league.
Luka’s Run Stop score in 2025 jumper 22% points. The highest increase of anyone on our team. He also had a 4.5% missed a tackle rate. Anything below 5% is “near elite” graded for tackling. His overall picture for PFF ranked him 27th/115 Edge Players.
So top 23% tile.

From another angle, His PFF 75.7% overall over last seasons 63% Grade puts him squarely as one of the most improved players year over year. Albeit in limited playing time.

The value of his draft pick is absolutely underwhelming, but NOW is why we drafted him. These next 2 seasons will define his draft value

So we draft a young guy so he might mature and be ready to play when his contract is up? Makes more sense to draft a guy that is already a bit more mature

 

[Pkrjones]

PFT reporting that WR Chase Claypool is attempting an NFL comeback at the Packer's rookie mini camp this weekend.

 

[adambr2]

This shows why I don't think drafting young players is important.

I never understood why we care so much about that.

Okay, so we need to wait 3-5 years for this player to even be good and this is supposed to be a good thing?

 

[Firethorn1001]

PFT reporting that WR Chase Claypool is attempting an NFL comeback at the Packer's rookie mini camp this weekend.

Barring a significant change in attitude not sure I want him in the locker room.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

PFT reporting that WR Chase Claypool is attempting an NFL comeback at the Packer's rookie mini camp this weekend.

There's truly a blast from the past! I used to really like Claypool and there were a few other times when his name was mentioned as a potential Packer.

I don't think the dude has played since 2023. He was a total bust in Chicago after they traded a 2nd rounder, #32 no less, with the Steelers to get him.

• WR Chase Claypool is attending Green Bay's rookie minicamp for a tryout, head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed Friday. "He's had great film out there," LaFleur said. "He's been productive and he looks like he's in great shape. He's big. We'll see how it goes."

 

[Magooch]

That's....a rather interesting development?

He has had such a weird career trajectory. I feel like most players might have some ups and downs, or get to the league and take a while to get up to speed, or show some flash for a while, "peak" early and fizzle out....But Claypool was legitimately electric his first two years, he looked like a ready-made pro from the jump....and then just immediately and consistently declined from then on.

But as you may recall we were very interested in bringing him in from Pittsburgh, and if my memory serves correct we were ALSO willing to offer a #2....but they thought Chicago's would be picking higher than ours so they took their offer instead

We really liked him coming out of college too, and you know, besides the small detail that he hasn't played in a game since 2023 and was steadily declining after his first two years*, other than that he's got a lot of Packers-y traits at WR: 6'4", 235lbs, 9.98 RAS, 4.4 40, 40.5" vert...

*a real "other than that, how was the play, Mrs. Lincoln" type of moment

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

This shows why I don't think drafting young players is important.

I think it is case dependent to be honest. Meaning, Old doesn't always mean good and/or experienced and young doesn't always mean green and inexperienced.

Obviously, the more experience the better, but I have seen 24-25 year old guys in the draft and they are there because of medical redshirts for bad injuries, not playing, etc.

I think in the case of LVN, it was much like when the Packers drafted Josh Jackson, they were enamored by his limited work at Iowa and saw a big potential upside. Josh was a bust, I don't see LVN as a bust, but so far, not worthy of where he was drafted.

 

[mradtke66]

This shows why I don't think drafting young players is important.

Double edged sword.

Draft them young, they are more likely to get better. Draft them old, they are closer to their end state. They might be more pro ready on day 1, but they might also be "all that they will ever be."

Also a risk that they will be "too old" for a second contract when the time comes.

 

[gopkrs]

Double edged sword.

Draft them young, they are more likely to get better. Draft them old, they are closer to their end state. They might be more pro ready on day 1, but they might also be "all that they will ever be."

Also a risk that they will be "too old" for a second contract when the time comes.

Just saying the age of a YOUNG man should not be a determining factor. It really is not that important. And in fact could be detrimental. I cringe when fans say oh and he's so you. Big deal.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Just saying the age of a YOUNG man should not be a determining factor. It really is not that important. And in fact could be detrimental.

That is the line I use on women in bars a lot!

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Just saying the age of a YOUNG man should not be a determining factor. It really is not that important. And in fact could be detrimental. I cringe when fans say oh and he's so you. Big deal.

Again, very case dependent. RB Jonathan Taylor had just turned 21 in Jan. of the year that the Colts drafted him. Had he been able to, he would have declared for the draft the previous season. I am sure the Colts would have been happy either way. Some guys are ready at 21, some aren't.

I think with NIL and the Transfer portal, the average draft age is about to see a sharp rise. Hard to argue not staying in college when it means making a few million $$'s in NIL and potentially increasing your value in the NFL in the process.

 

[gopkrs]

Again, very case dependent. RB Jonathan Taylor had just turned 21 in

What in the world did I say that didn't mean it was case dependent? It's all case dependent and age is a moot point when choosing one player or another. It's an easy way rather than really choosing imho.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

What in the world did I say that didn't mean it was case dependent? It's all case dependent and age is a moot point when choosing one player or another. It's an easy way rather than really choosing imho.

Sorry if I misinterpreted your post. At first glance, it sounded like you were inferring that drafting a YOUNG man could be a detriment. My bad.

 

[gopkrs]

Sorry if I misinterpreted your post. At first glance, it sounded like you were inferring that drafting a YOUNG man could be a detriment. My bad.

The key word being "could."

 

[OldSchool101]

So we draft a young guy so he might mature and be ready to play when his contract is up? Makes more sense to draft a guy that is already a bit more mature

No that’s overshooting the other way.

Draft a Young player (21yrs) who has an outside shot of rising by year 2 of really fuller expectations by year 3. Now it just so happens Lukas popped a little bit last year, but then injured. So his year 3 was pretty much on schedule until he busted his ankle.

His improved play was consistent with us handing him a 5th year option. His cap will be spread over 2yrs. Just fyi Lukas Cap over 2 yrs is around $9.6mil PER
Had he played 100% last year he’s AT MINIMUM $7.4Mil Cap averaged across his last 3yrs when you expect him to pop (Junior season). So financially? Are we really going to put up stink on $9.6mil per verses $7.4mil yearly? Does $2.2mil yearly really throw our financials into such disarray? Obviously not.

Hard to judge a man in a season with 8 games played. He had 6 snaps against MN before bowing out. Btw Lukas came back at Chicago and had 1 TFL, 2 QB hits, 1 Sack. That doesn’t sound like a postseason failure in a what have you done lately league. Lukas highest graded (PFF 77%) season was Year 3. We just needed him on that field more.

 

[tynimiller]

What in the world did I say that didn't mean it was case dependent? It's all case dependent and age is a moot point when choosing one player or another. It's an easy way rather than really choosing imho.

I’m confused this was the statement no?

This shows why I don't think drafting young players is important.

Maybe I missed something?

 

[gopkrs]

I’m confused this was the statement no?



Maybe I missed something?

It's not complicated. I'm not against drafting a young guy. I just don't think it's an important consideration