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Gute Loot
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Some thoughts on positions and what the Packers might be looking for and where they might be looking for it. Offensive first, defense later:
Quarterback:
-What they have: An MVP who is basically contractually immovable through 2024 and a highly drafted backup.
-What they need: Nothing but camp arms; subject to change in the case of trading Love.
-Where they might look: This would currently be nothing more than a 7th round/UDFA position; if Love is traded, then I would say as early as round 3.
-Example: If Love is on the roster, someone like E.J. Perry from Brown would make sense; if not, than a guy like Sam Howell (UNC) or Jack Coan (ND) in the middle rounds could be targets.
Running Back:
-What they have: An excellent lead back that they're tied to through 2024, two more years of a quality "1b" runner, and two competitors for a roster spot in Kylin Hill and Patrick Taylor.
-What they need: Nothing but additional competition and camp bodies.
-Where they might look: Undrafted free agency unless a late rounder really appeals to them for some other reason (e.g. special teams).
-Example: One idea would be D'Vonte Price of FIU, an athletic back who has ST coverage work in his background.
Tight End:
-What they have: An "F" coming off an ACL tear, a quality blocking "Y" nearing retirement, and an "H" with competition (Deguara and Dafney).
-What they need: If they are willing to carry 4 tight ends, an heir apparent to Tonyan or Lewis would make sense, as well as someone who could contribute early while Tonyan is still recovering.
-Where they might look: From day 2 on, I wouldn't rule our TE; it's not a critical need, but if the right guy is there, I won't be shocked.
-Example: A guy who could help early and for the future would be Trey McBride of CSU; at "Y" Jelani Woods (UVA) is highly intriguing; a later target I like is Daniel Bellinger of SDSU.
Wide Receiver:
-What they have: Players for the slot: Lazard is a power slot, while Cobb and Rodgers are more traditional slot receiver options.
-What they need: A true X who can defeat press, a vertical threat who can stretch defenses, a YAC weapon, and a Z who can align outside. These would not all need to be different players, and I expect that this will be partially addressed before or during the draft with guys who are not rookies.
-Where they might look: Obviously as high as #22 or even a trade up, even if they acquire veteran help.
-Example: X Receivers: George Pickens (UGA), Alec Pierce (CIN), Christian Watson (NDSU) (all three vertical threats); YAC: Treylon Burks (ARK); Z Receivers: Skyy Moore (WMU), Jahan Dotson (PSU), Jalen Tolbert (SAU); Pure vertical: Tyquan Thornton (BAY).
Offensive Line:
-What they have: A locked up high end left tackle, a highly drafted center of the future, two young guards in development, a promising swing tackle, and an all-pro caliber OL whose positional future is uncertain (Jenkins).
-What they need: I have the worst grip on OL of any position group on the roster. Left tackle is set and so is center (including, I believe, the backup role). I believe that Runyan is going to be a fixture at a guard spot for a while. Now the questions start: do they like Newman moving forward, or would they prefer him to be a backup? Do they plan to bring Jenkins back at LG or RT? Do they like Nijman as a future starting tackle or is he just playing out the string as a backup?
Here's my best guess, and a guess is all it is. Because Jenkins has looked so good at tackle, he will want to be paid like one. If you pay him like a tackle, you better play him like a tackle-- here's your future right tackle when healthy. In that case, what they would need would be interior depth and/or competition at RG. But if the plan involves Jenkins at LG, then you need a tackle for sure-- either depth if you have long terms plans for Nijman, or a new starter.
-Where they might look: Depending on all the caveats above, this could be a round one consideration (new RT or RG) or just a middle round issue where you're looking for depth/competition.
-Example: If they need a tackle of the future: Trevor Penning, NIU; If they need a guard for the immediate future: Zion Johnson, BC; If they just want depth and competition: Logan Bruss (WISC), Zach Tom (WF), Thalyer Munford (OSU).
Quarterback:
-What they have: An MVP who is basically contractually immovable through 2024 and a highly drafted backup.
-What they need: Nothing but camp arms; subject to change in the case of trading Love.
-Where they might look: This would currently be nothing more than a 7th round/UDFA position; if Love is traded, then I would say as early as round 3.
-Example: If Love is on the roster, someone like E.J. Perry from Brown would make sense; if not, than a guy like Sam Howell (UNC) or Jack Coan (ND) in the middle rounds could be targets.
Running Back:
-What they have: An excellent lead back that they're tied to through 2024, two more years of a quality "1b" runner, and two competitors for a roster spot in Kylin Hill and Patrick Taylor.
-What they need: Nothing but additional competition and camp bodies.
-Where they might look: Undrafted free agency unless a late rounder really appeals to them for some other reason (e.g. special teams).
-Example: One idea would be D'Vonte Price of FIU, an athletic back who has ST coverage work in his background.
Tight End:
-What they have: An "F" coming off an ACL tear, a quality blocking "Y" nearing retirement, and an "H" with competition (Deguara and Dafney).
-What they need: If they are willing to carry 4 tight ends, an heir apparent to Tonyan or Lewis would make sense, as well as someone who could contribute early while Tonyan is still recovering.
-Where they might look: From day 2 on, I wouldn't rule our TE; it's not a critical need, but if the right guy is there, I won't be shocked.
-Example: A guy who could help early and for the future would be Trey McBride of CSU; at "Y" Jelani Woods (UVA) is highly intriguing; a later target I like is Daniel Bellinger of SDSU.
Wide Receiver:
-What they have: Players for the slot: Lazard is a power slot, while Cobb and Rodgers are more traditional slot receiver options.
-What they need: A true X who can defeat press, a vertical threat who can stretch defenses, a YAC weapon, and a Z who can align outside. These would not all need to be different players, and I expect that this will be partially addressed before or during the draft with guys who are not rookies.
-Where they might look: Obviously as high as #22 or even a trade up, even if they acquire veteran help.
-Example: X Receivers: George Pickens (UGA), Alec Pierce (CIN), Christian Watson (NDSU) (all three vertical threats); YAC: Treylon Burks (ARK); Z Receivers: Skyy Moore (WMU), Jahan Dotson (PSU), Jalen Tolbert (SAU); Pure vertical: Tyquan Thornton (BAY).
Offensive Line:
-What they have: A locked up high end left tackle, a highly drafted center of the future, two young guards in development, a promising swing tackle, and an all-pro caliber OL whose positional future is uncertain (Jenkins).
-What they need: I have the worst grip on OL of any position group on the roster. Left tackle is set and so is center (including, I believe, the backup role). I believe that Runyan is going to be a fixture at a guard spot for a while. Now the questions start: do they like Newman moving forward, or would they prefer him to be a backup? Do they plan to bring Jenkins back at LG or RT? Do they like Nijman as a future starting tackle or is he just playing out the string as a backup?
Here's my best guess, and a guess is all it is. Because Jenkins has looked so good at tackle, he will want to be paid like one. If you pay him like a tackle, you better play him like a tackle-- here's your future right tackle when healthy. In that case, what they would need would be interior depth and/or competition at RG. But if the plan involves Jenkins at LG, then you need a tackle for sure-- either depth if you have long terms plans for Nijman, or a new starter.
-Where they might look: Depending on all the caveats above, this could be a round one consideration (new RT or RG) or just a middle round issue where you're looking for depth/competition.
-Example: If they need a tackle of the future: Trevor Penning, NIU; If they need a guard for the immediate future: Zion Johnson, BC; If they just want depth and competition: Logan Bruss (WISC), Zach Tom (WF), Thalyer Munford (OSU).