Dantes 2022 Draft Thread

[gopkrs]

1-22. George Pickens, WR, Georgia: Pickens is my favorite receiver in this class. He's young (just turned 21), has an early breakout age (49/727/8 as an 18 yo in the SEC), a great athlete (9.36 RAS), he is one of the best receivers in the class against press coverage, despite smallish hands he has the best drop rate in this class (2.1%) and makes the fantastic catch regularly, he's a ferocious blocker, a vertical threat who knows how to stack defenders, and a great option in the red-zone. Pickens is being devalued because he missed most of 2021 with a torn ACL. But he's 100% healthy and would be a great addition as a new X receiver.

1-28. Travis Jones, iDL, Connecticut: If the Packers want to find quality iDL snaps in this class, they had better make a selection early. Jones is a stellar athlete (9.39 RAS) who was hard-working and productive on a bad football team. He was virtually unblockable at the senior bowl and isn't overaged like some other top iDL prospects (e.g. Devonte Wyatt). He has the length (34" arms) that the DL group currently lacks and would help Barry be able to execute the vision of playing the run with very light boxes. Clark and Slaton are the only DL players under contract in 2023.

2-53. Skyy Moore, WR, Western Michigan: My second favorite receiver in this class, Moore would be a capable complement to Pickens as a do-everything option. His size suggests "slot only" (5'10" 195#), but he can line up anywhere. He isn't terrible against press because of his quickness, but would primarily be a Z. What's special about Moore is his start/stop quickness. His official 10 yard split came in at 1.46, which is excellent, but Jim Nagy of the Sr. Bowl tweeted that some scouts had him in the 1.3's. He likewise has fantastic hands (3.3% drop rate) and should be able to create separation at will at the next level once coaches harness his explosive movement.

2-59. Drake Jackson, ED, USC: The Packers need depth at pass rusher, and Jackson is just the style of rusher that I could see complementing their current starters. Jackson just barely turned 21, and at 18 he put up 11.5 TFL and 3 PBU in the PAC12. Jackson isn't likely to become an annual double-digit sack player, but he is versatile as he has the size and athletic profile to drop into coverage when asked and thus disguise defensive intentions. The Packers were rumored to be interested in Uchenna Nwosu, and Jackson fits that sort of profile.

3-92. Nick Cross, S, Maryland: With both safeties due to his FA after this season, I would be surprised if the Packers didn't select one in the top 100, maybe as early as the 1st round. Cross is one of the guys in this class who has all of the peripheral indicators of success. He has excellent size (6'0" 212#), athleticism (9.87 RAS), and production (12 PBU and 6 INT in 29 career games). Furthermore, he's another young guy in a very old class, not having yet turned 21.

I won't pretend to know all these players but I sure like the first 3 picks. I've read good things about Jackson though you don't make him sound real appealing to me and I just don't like big guys dropping into coverage. If Cross is good...another good pick. imho

 

[Dantés]

I won't pretend to know all these players but I sure like the first 3 picks. I've read good things about Jackson though you don't make him sound real appealing to me and I just don't like big guys dropping into coverage. If Cross is good...another good pick. imho

Jackson wouldn’t be drafted for coverage, but today’s defenses want and need to be multiple and disguised. You don’t want to become predictable in terms of who is coming and when. So having an edge who is capable dropping is a good thing. They’ve tried it with Preston Smith, but he isn’t really suited for it. So having a quality 3rd rusher who brings that skill set just makes sense. That’s probably why they were rumored to be interested in Nwosu.

 

[wist43]

I had Pickens ranked #2 just on outside WR skills and physical upside, but after learning about the immaturity issues, I've lowered him.

His stock will depend on how teams feel about their interviews with him. Plus he doesn't like to block, which is all-important in MLF's offense.

I have Pierce #2 behind William's now.

 

[tynimiller]

I had Pickens ranked #2 just on outside WR skills and physical upside, but after learning about the immaturity issues, I've lowered him.

His stock will depend on how teams feel about their interviews with him. Plus he doesn't like to block, which is all-important in MLF's offense.

I have Pierce #2 behind William's now.

Watching tape I’ve never come away with the doesn’t block item.

 

[Dantés]

Cluster Time

I'm just going to bucket these guys as day 1, day 2, and day 3. It gets so murky trying to pin guys' draft positions down after the first 20 picks or so, so I'm not going to get really particular about the round. Obvious within these buckets, especially day 3, some guys deserve to go a lot higher than others. But we're all just throwing darts when we pretend like we can distinguish a 5th rounder from a 6th rounder, etc.

Players who I am assuming are gone before the Packers make a selection (barring a trade up): Two QB's, Drake London, Garrett Wilson, Evan Neal, Ickey Ikwonu, Charles Cross, Jordan Davis, Devin Lloyd, Aidan Hutchinson, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Travon Walker, Jermaine Johnson, Sauce Gardner, Derek Stingley, Kyle Hamilton.

Favorites of mine are bolded.

Day 1:

-G. Pickens, WR, UGA
-T. Burks, WR, ARK

-G. Karlaftis, ED, PUR

-T. Jones, iDL, UCONN

-D. Hill, DB, UM

-T. Penning, OT, UNI*

Day 2:

-A. Pierce, WR, CIN
-S. Moore, WR, WMU
-K. Shakir, WR, BSU
-J. Tolbert, WR, SAU

-D. Jackson, ED, USC
-J. Paschal, ED/DL, UK

-P. Winfrey, iDL, OK
-D. Leal, iDL, TAMU

-J. Brisker, S, PSU
-N. Cross, S, MAR
-B. Book, S, CIN

-T. Smith, OL, TULSA

-T. McBride, TE, CSU
-C. Kolar, TE, IAST

-T. Andersen, LB, MSU
-L. Chenal, LB, WISC
-C. Muma, LB, WYO

Day 3:

-J. Metchie, WR, UA
-R. Doubs, WR, NEV
-T. Thornton, WR, BAY
-K. Austin, WR, ND
-B. Melton, WR, RUT
-K. Philips, WR, UCLA
-V. Jones, WR, TENN

-D. Malone, ED, WKU
-C. Allen, ED, UA
-J. Gunter, ED, CCU
-M. Rose, ED/LB, IAST
-Z. Carter, ED/DL, FLA
-E. Otomewo, ED/DL, MINN

-E. Uwazurike, iDL, IAST
-M. Butler, iDL, TENN
-M. Henningsen, iDL, WISC

-T. Anderson, S, TOL
-S. Monday, S, AUB
-A. Taylor, DB, TENN
-J. Watson, CB, WSU
-G. Junior, CB, OBU

-L. Bruss, OL, WISC
-Z. Tom, OL, WF
-C. Mays, OL, TENN
-L. Goedeke, OL, CMU
-T. Munford, OL, OSU
-V. Lowe, OL, ILL
-Z. Thomas, OL, SDSU

-J. Woods, TE, UVA
-D. Bellinger, TE, SDSU
-C. Allen, TE, IAST
-J. Babicz, TE, NDSU

-M. Rodriguez, LB, OKST
-M. McFadden, LB, UI
-C. Campbell, LB, MISS

*Penning as a 1st round option would be contingent on keeping Jenkins at guard in the long term.

 

[tynimiller]

I'm just shocked Booker doesn't make your Day 3 iDL cluster. Love the buckets overall....curious of a few posed questions:

Baylon Spector LB...I love him as a member of Day 3 bucket familiar? He and Rodriguez would be my bolded ones.

Zach Tom I believe is borderline end of Day 2, so just loving the love he is getting from someone else. I would be curious if Austin Deculus from LSU makes your Day 3 if you're familiar?

Curious of how Logan Hall didn't make a cluster...isn't that he isn't a defined position and will need to figure out where he falls OLB or down and in?

I love the Kolar love...I'm high on him, not as high as you but I love it! Ditto with that same thought on Travis Jones, I've gotten slack for taking him early in second and saying he is borderline first round - you fully put him there.

Love it

 

[GleefulGary]

I had Pickens ranked #2 just on outside WR skills and physical upside, but after learning about the immaturity issues, I've lowered him.

His stock will depend on how teams feel about their interviews with him. Plus he doesn't like to block, which is all-important in MLF's offense.

I have Pierce #2 behind William's now.

Somebody just admitted they’ve never seen Pickens play. He certainly gives effort towards blocking.

 

[GleefulGary]

I don't think that the Packers will use all their picks (I suspect one or more will be traded for a veteran WR), but here's one scenario in case they did:

1-22. George Pickens, WR, Georgia: Pickens is my favorite receiver in this class. He's young (just turned 21), has an early breakout age (49/727/8 as an 18 yo in the SEC), a great athlete (9.36 RAS), he is one of the best receivers in the class against press coverage, despite smallish hands he has the best drop rate in this class (2.1%) and makes the fantastic catch regularly, he's a ferocious blocker, a vertical threat who knows how to stack defenders, and a great option in the red-zone. Pickens is being devalued because he missed most of 2021 with a torn ACL. But he's 100% healthy and would be a great addition as a new X receiver.

1-28. Travis Jones, iDL, Connecticut: If the Packers want to find quality iDL snaps in this class, they had better make a selection early. Jones is a stellar athlete (9.39 RAS) who was hard-working and productive on a bad football team. He was virtually unblockable at the senior bowl and isn't overaged like some other top iDL prospects (e.g. Devonte Wyatt). He has the length (34" arms) that the DL group currently lacks and would help Barry be able to execute the vision of playing the run with very light boxes. Clark and Slaton are the only DL players under contract in 2023.

2-53. Skyy Moore, WR, Western Michigan: My second favorite receiver in this class, Moore would be a capable complement to Pickens as a do-everything option. His size suggests "slot only" (5'10" 195#), but he can line up anywhere. He isn't terrible against press because of his quickness, but would primarily be a Z. What's special about Moore is his start/stop quickness. His official 10 yard split came in at 1.46, which is excellent, but Jim Nagy of the Sr. Bowl tweeted that some scouts had him in the 1.3's. He likewise has fantastic hands (3.3% drop rate) and should be able to create separation at will at the next level once coaches harness his explosive movement.

2-59. Drake Jackson, ED, USC: The Packers need depth at pass rusher, and Jackson is just the style of rusher that I could see complementing their current starters. Jackson just barely turned 21, and at 18 he put up 11.5 TFL and 3 PBU in the PAC12. Jackson isn't likely to become an annual double-digit sack player, but he is versatile as he has the size and athletic profile to drop into coverage when asked and thus disguise defensive intentions. The Packers were rumored to be interested in Uchenna Nwosu, and Jackson fits that sort of profile.

3-92. Nick Cross, S, Maryland: With both safeties due to his FA after this season, I would be surprised if the Packers didn't select one in the top 100, maybe as early as the 1st round. Cross is one of the guys in this class who has all of the peripheral indicators of success. He has excellent size (6'0" 212#), athleticism (9.87 RAS), and production (12 PBU and 6 INT in 29 career games). Furthermore, he's another young guy in a very old class, not having yet turned 21.

4-132. Logan Bruss, OL, Wisconsin: Bruss played RT and RG for the Badgers, the two positions where the Packers figure to be weakest in 2022 (until Jenkins returns at least). He is pegged as a guard at the next level, but he at least has the length necessary to serve as an emergency tackle (33+" arms). He is well versed as a zone blocker, while possessing the frame to develop in gap schemes, suiting the Packers' multiple approach in the running game. Overall, he fits the profile of the type of OL that the Packers have drafted since Gutekunst took the helm.

4-140. Daniel Bellinger, TE, SDSU: Bellinger has been pegged as a blocking first guy who doesn't have the movement skills to contribute in the passing game. As an alum who pays attention to the Aztecs, I think that's at least in part due to the offense he played in. SDSU is a run-first team that has had terrible QB play for some time. So there may be more to tap into with this athletic prospect (9.65 RAS) and he is certainly a willing and capable blocker. Tight end doesn't appear to be an immediate pressing need, but the depth chart in 2023 says that they will be drafting one somewhere in the top half or so.

5-171. Micah McFadden, LB, Indiana: McFadden is a stoutly built downhill playing linebacker. He isn't going to be an asset in coverage, but could provide some competition for Krys Barnes and help on special teams. He wracked up an impressive 36 TFL and 14 sacks over his three seasons as a starter.

7-228. Velus Jones, WR, Tennessee: Overaged WR with speed who has experience in the return game and covering kicks/punts.

7-249. Gregory Junior, CB, Ouachita Baptist: Gifted, small school corner to compete for a roster spot (I'm just picking names at this point).

7-258. D'Vonte Price, RB, Florida International: RB3 competition who has some ST coverage work in his background.

Me gusta

 

[tynimiller]

Somebody just admitted they’ve never seen Pickens play. He certainly gives effort towards blocking.

Same person who is basically sluffing Karlaftis off as a Day 3 prospect - grain of salt as they say. I appreciate good takes that are not of common thought...but some are just head scratchers.

 

[Dantés]

Me gusta

Me? Or the list?

 

[Dantés]

I had Pickens ranked #2 just on outside WR skills and physical upside, but after learning about the immaturity issues, I've lowered him.

His stock will depend on how teams feel about their interviews with him. Plus he doesn't like to block, which is all-important in MLF's offense.

I have Pierce #2 behind William's now.

I’m not trying to pile on here, but I’d go back and check on that regarding Pickens’ blocking. I’d be more concerned with him getting flagged for burying a guy after the whistle than with a lack of effort.

 

[Dantés]

I'm just shocked Booker doesn't make your Day 3 iDL cluster. Love the buckets overall....curious of a few posed questions:

Baylon Spector LB...I love him as a member of Day 3 bucket familiar? He and Rodriguez would be my bolded ones.

Zach Tom I believe is borderline end of Day 2, so just loving the love he is getting from someone else. I would be curious if Austin Deculus from LSU makes your Day 3 if you're familiar?

Curious of how Logan Hall didn't make a cluster...isn't that he isn't a defined position and will need to figure out where he falls OLB or down and in?

I love the Kolar love...I'm high on him, not as high as you but I love it! Ditto with that same thought on Travis Jones, I've gotten slack for taking him early in second and saying he is borderline first round - you fully put him there.

Love it

The reality is that if I listed every guy who I liked to some degree in terms of their peripherals (by which I mean testing, size, age, production, etc), the lists would get too long. Booker and Spector are fine day 3 prospects. Also, my conviction on these guys diminishes the further down you go.

On Hall— he’s a fine prospect. I’m personally hoping they find some elite length on the interior. Hall is tall, but he’s not long in terms of arm length or wingspan. So when I narrowed it down, I cut him from the list. Would not balk at the pick at all.

 

[Dantés]

Jerry Montgomery recently commented that they'd love to add someone to the DL who has some juice to create some interior pressure on passing downs. That's what Keke was supposed to be, but he obviously flamed out.

One guy who could do that but would also bring some pretty elite length to the table is Perrion Winfrey. He was definitely an upfield disrupter at Oklahoma, but he also has 35+" arms.

 

[OldSchool101]

One guy who could do that but would also bring some pretty elite length to the table is Perrion Winfrey. He was definitely an upfield disrupter at Oklahoma, but he always has 35+" arms.

My Lord. I hope your talking length.

 

[GleefulGary]

Me? Or the list?

Yes.

 

[gopkrs]

I'm gonna throw this out there and probably get shut down immediately. But every time I watched the Badgers (did not really get to see them much), I was usually impressed with the TE. I guess he is slow, but he seemed to get open and catch the ball. Is 4.7 just too slow for a TE? I think he ran that at his pro day.

 

[wist43]

I’m not trying to pile on here, but I’d go back and check on that regarding Pickens’ blocking. I’d be more concerned with him getting flagged for burying a guy after the whistle than with a lack of effort.

I'll look more at his blocking... I'm starved for time, so I have to adjust my take as I have time to look.

Still, it is the attitude/immaturity thing that is troublesome. So-called, character issues, can see a 1st round talent out of the League in a New York minute.

P.S. We all miss on guys, and a beauty contest is subjective.

One of the players I hated drafting was Oren Burks - despite his off the charts athleticism. Athletically he was a 1st round pick; as a player he was undraftable; you had him as a 4th round pick; I had him as an UDFA.

I was right on that one - going against the combine hype. The Packers do tend to be swayed by workouts.

 

[wist43]

Jerry Montgomery recently commented that they'd love to add someone to the DL who has some juice to create some interior pressure on passing downs. That's what Keke was supposed to be, but he obviously flamed out.

One guy who could do that but would also bring some pretty elite length to the table is Perrion Winfrey. He was definitely an upfield disrupter at Oklahoma, but he also has 35+" arms.

Winfrey is my fallback DT assuming we miss out on Wyatt.

I agree that we need more DL talent.

 

[tynimiller]

I'm gonna throw this out there and probably get shut down immediately. But every time I watched the Badgers (did not really get to see them much), I was usually impressed with the TE. I guess he is slow, but he seemed to get open and catch the ball. Is 4.7 just too slow for a TE? I think he ran that at his pro day.

Ferguson to me is the second most ready inline blocking blessed TE that can catch also when asked behind Ruckert. I am a Ferguson fan on Day 3

 

[Dantés]

I'll look more at his blocking... I'm starved for time, so I have to adjust my take as I have time to look.

Still, it is the attitude/immaturity thing that is troublesome. So-called, character issues, can see a 1st round talent out of the League in a New York minute.

P.S. We all miss on guys, and a beauty contest is subjective.

One of the players I hated drafting was Oren Burks - despite his off the charts athleticism. Athletically he was a 1st round pick; as a player he was undraftable; you had him as a 4th round pick; I had him as an UDFA.

I was right on that one - going against the combine hype. The Packers do tend to be swayed by workouts.

The Packers are swayed by athletes. They bet on traits and untapped ability. It’s a better approach to the draft, odds wise. Obviously doesn’t always work.

I clearly don’t know for sure, but my read on Pickens is that his immaturity mostly entails struggling to control his emotions on the field, a la Metcalf. I don’t think he lacks effort.

 

[nitwit248]

Film Study on Penn St S Jaquan Brisker. Saw he made a pre-draft visit today so I looked for film. Really nice breakdown on him.

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[tynimiller]

Film Study on Penn St S Jaquan Brisker. Saw he made a pre-draft visit today so I looked for film. Really nice breakdown on him.

You must be logged in to see this image or video!

Yup, Brisker is a prototypical Packer prospect and fit, @Dantés and I both really like him - despite the negative he'll turn 23 April 20th (age is only non-Packer trait really)

 

[tynimiller]

@nitwit248 I am seeing no claims of Jaquan visiting the Packers as one of the official 30? Where did you see this?

 

[Dantés]

Like all of us, my focus has been primarily been on wide receivers. I've watched some, looked through a lot of data, read a lot of reports, and listened to a lot of opinions. So my own view of these guys is starting to come into focus, especially as to what kind of players these prospects are.

Some definitions. A X receiver is a guy who could live on the LOS against press and usually is a player who has a vertical element to his game. He can, of course, play inside and as Z. A Z receiver is designating a guy who can play inside and out but who you probably don't want to have on the LOS, trying to beat press (at least not immediately-- one can never predict development). Some guys I would consider to be almost exclusively outside Z's because they lack the ability to block that you want in the slot. And a Slot is a guy who you almost never want on the outside.

Any of these guys could develop into more at the next level, but this is how I see them now. And this is fluid. Guys who I think could offer some vertical threat are starred.

X Receivers:

1. D. London, USC
2. G. Pickens, UGA
3. A. Pierce, CIN
4. C. Watson, NDSU
5. J. Tolbert, SAU
6. K. Austin, ND

Z Receivers:

1. G. Wilson, OSU
2. J. Williams UA
3. C. Olave, OSU
4. S. Moore, WMU
5. J. Dotson, PSU
6. B. Melton, RUT
7. R. Doubs, NEV
8. D. Gray, SMU
9. T. Thornton, BAY
10. J. Nailor, MSU

Slot:

1. K. Shakir, BSU
2. K. Philips, UCLA
3. C. Austin, MEM
4. J. Metchie, UA
5. D. Bell, PUR

Wildcard: Treylon Burks; I have no idea what he is or what he will be. He has traits that could make him a gadget player, an X, a big slot...

If I stacked them all up (and this is very rough), it would be something like this:

1. D. London, USC
2. G. Pickens, UGA
3. G. Wilson, OSU
4. J. Williams, UA
5. T. Burks, ARK
6. A. Pierce, CIN
7. C. Olave, OSU
8. C. Watson, NDSU
9. S. Moore, WMU
10. J. Dotson, PSU
11. J. Tolbert, SAU
12. B. Melton, RUT
13. K. Shakir, BSU
14. K. Philips, UCLA
15. R. Doubs, NEV
16. K. Austin, ND
17. C. Austin, MEM
18. D. Gray, SMU
19. J. Metchie, UA
20. T. Thornton, BAY
21. J. Nailor, MSU
22. D. Bell, PUR

 

[ThePerfectBeard]

Perrion Winfrey

I can't believe this guy isn't talked about more. He has some elite inside pass rush moves at times like the ability to swim, bullrush, and more. I also think he has the versatility to be a 3 or 5 tech.