I want a list of the good Packers draft picks that weren't given second contracts over Rodgers' career. Because that claim that they "don't like to pay veterans" is trash.
I think that has been what the Packers have done best over the seasons is retaining their home grown stars.
If you think about guys that we let walk over the seasons.
Earliest I can see looking throughout the seasons is 2006 draft Daryn Colledge who was replaced by TJ Lang.
* 2006 Draft Greg Jennings? He got a second contract from us. But him leaving allowed Nelson and Cobb to thrive and Jennings showed nothing for MN.
* 2007 Draft at best you could argue James Jones who also got a second contract and didn't come close to the impact with Oakland that he had with Green Bay. We eventually brought him back on a cheaper contract one season later. Was a total win for the FO.
*2008 Draft Matt Flynn? We all know how that ended up for Seattle giving him the pay day.
*2008 Draft Josh Sitton? He was rewarded a second contract with us. Some will argue we should have paid him. He would argue that. But one thing we have always drafted well is offensive line under TT. I still feel good about letting him walk.
*2008 Draft Jordy Nelson? He got a second contract but it looks questionable certainly but everyone saw how bad he played without AR12 last season and he is well past the prime of his career.
*2009 Draft TJ Lang? Also given a second contract with us. Another Sitton situation. We draft well at oline and he was heading for a pay day.
*2010 Draft Morgan Burnett? Jury is still out on whether he plays great elsewhere and how good Jones and Brice can be. Outside chance we still draft a safety too.
*2011 Draft Davon House? lol FO won big here when Jax paid out the *** for him.
*2012 Draft Casey Hayward? This is about the best case someone can bring up but when it happened everyone was certainly fine with him leaving. Helps that he plays secondary behind a pass rush that includes Ingram and Bosa. Also remember that we retained Daniels and Perry from this draft.
*2013 Draft Datone Jones? Amounted to nothing once he left.
*2013 Draft Eddie Lacy? Couldn't even make it a season with the Seahawks.
*2013 Draft JC Tretter? Replaced by Corey Linsley.
*2013 Draft Micah Hyde? Still up for debate. He wasn't going to move to safety for us and that is where he plays for Buffalo now.
*2014 Draft nothing lost of real value.
*2015 Draft Damarious Randall? Another one up for debate still.