With their 1st Pick in the 2018 NFL Draft the Packers select...

[Pokerbrat2000]

I would be fine with the Packers drafting a tackle at #14 if the team needed a starting left tackle. With Bakhtiari performing at an All-Pro level there's no need to spend the pick on an offensive lineman as it's definitely possible to draft a serviceable right tackle later in the draft.

If the Packers think Bulaga won't be ready to go in Sept. and his backup/replacement isn't currently on the team, I would hope that they find his immediate replacement via a FA and not think about doing that through the draft. Call me a doubter, but I find it hard to look at the draft as a source of immediate impact players. Draft and develop for the future, but your starters should have a bit of seasoning on them.

 

[jetfixer]

What's wrong with taking a G at 14?

The rise of 3T's with pass rushing ability is at an all time high. Teams need good guards to block them, and Nelson is one of the best. If we didn't have other needs, I'd have no issue spending an early pick on him. Heck, I'd still probably be fine if we drafted him with all of our issues...he's that good.

I didn't say it was wrong, I said I wouldn't do it.
I'm of the opinion that Campen can develope his guys, when other coaches haven't had the same success. If Nelson gets to us, and we pick him, I'll be okay too.

 

[4zone]

We are only going to get one immediate starter out of this draft. Who should it be?

 

[PikeBadger]

I’m ok with the Packers trading out of the first round if they are underwhelmed with the available prospects at 14.

In many years, the difference in athletic ability between actual picks 15 and 40 is marginal. At that point, intangibles and unmeasurables play a much bigger role in determining a players value imo. Getting three top 50 picks for pick 14 could provide much better results long term.

 

[AmishMafia]

I didn't say it was wrong, I said I wouldn't do it.
I'm of the opinion that Campen can develope his guys, when other coaches haven't had the same success. If Nelson gets to us, and we pick him, I'll be okay too.

Although the OL has done very well lately as far as players developing, Campen only 3 years ago was seriously underperforming. I would have called him the worse position coach at the time. I am optimistic that recent success is a trend and not just lucky player acquisitions. I believe campen has impoved, but not certain.

 

[OldSchool101]

Just throwing this out there but so far Gute has been aggressive (like the moves or not) in FA. My gut tells me he’s going to continue that tendency and be aggressive. IMO there’s as high as a 50/50 chance he trades up round 1.

That said it can be costly to do that, but this seems to be his MO and it’s the platform he ran for office on. So far he’s keeping in line with that promise and whether he fails or not he’s been pretty much going to go up or down swinging. I actually like that part better than the conservative approach. It’s time to get on stage and rock. Let’s do this.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I don't think he has to trade up to get a decent player. With at least 4 and possibly 5 QB's coming off the board before the Packers pick, there should be plenty left to choose from. That first round trade can be very expensive. I would prefer seeing them trade up in the second or third rounds, we don't need 12 drafted rookies.

 

[OldSchool101]

I don't think he has to trade up to get a decent player. With at least 4 and possibly 5 QB's coming off the board before the Packers pick, there should be plenty left to choose from. That first round trade can be very expensive. I would prefer seeing them trade up in the second or third rounds, we don't need 12 drafted rookies.

I 100% agree. I’m sure you’ve seen all my scenarios of trades and there endless possibilities as long as we find the right trade partners.
If needed, we can trade up once in the 2nd or 3rd and again in the 4th round and still end up with plenty of quality picks.

 

[4zone]

I’m ok with the Packers trading out of the first round if they are underwhelmed with the available prospects at 14.

In many years, the difference in athletic ability between actual picks 15 and 40 is marginal. At that point, intangibles and unmeasurables play a much bigger role in determining a players value imo. Getting three top 50 picks for pick 14 could provide much better results long term.

I think it would take Cleveland's two second rounders to get us to move back from #14 into the second round. We could probably get Chark, Keys and MAYBE Hughes with those three picks.

 

[jetfixer]

I'd trade up in the first a few spots if we think the guy there is super special. I have no problem doing it in the second round either, I suspect we will do it on one of the first 3 rounds.

 

[jetfixer]

Many times I hear the ex GM's on the NFL radio say there are only about 15 or so first round grade guys, if this is the case we need to get one of these guys for sure, we don't need more picks we need quality players.

 

[Dantés]

Although the OL has done very well lately as far as players developing, Campen only 3 years ago was seriously underperforming. I would have called him the worse position coach at the time. I am optimistic that recent success is a trend and not just lucky player acquisitions. I believe campen has impoved, but not certain.

Campen was underperforming 3 years ago? Say what now?

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Many times I hear the ex GM's on the NFL radio say there are only about 15 or so first round grade guys, if this is the case we need to get one of these guys for sure, we don't need more picks we need quality players.

Could be true and the "beauty" of this years draft for the Packers sitting at #14 is that there are 4-5 QB's that will probably get picked before the Packers are on the clock. With at least 2 or 3 of them probably not being first round talent, but because they are QB's, wanted by QB desperate teams, they are.

 

[GleefulGary]

Campen was underperforming 3 years ago? Say what now?

Lololololol

 

[Jerellh528]

The more I see of Hughes the more I like him on this team. I think he fits well. If we can get him in the second round or I wouldn’t even mind trading up into the bottom of the first to get him. My ideal scenario would be trading down a couple spaces in the first and selecting Vander Esch and using the draft capital from that trade and our second to trade for another first and select Hughes if the board fell that way.

 

[AmishMafia]

Campen was underperforming 3 years ago? Say what now?

How quickly we forget.

https://www.packerforum.com/threads/card-game-studs-n-duds.64646/page-4#

studs: Daniels with a great int.

Duds:

OL. Worst performance by an OL I have seen
James Campen for not having the young guys ready and the vets for mediocre play.
MM: for keeping James Campen
Agnes Milton (payroll pay clerk) for giving Campen a pay check
Mark murphy: for signing Campen's pay check.
Arty Kentwell: (travel coordinator) for not burning Campen's return flight ticket

The worst performance of a Packer offensive line. Ever. And there was crap before and after this game.

2 years ago they were okay. Last year they were good, and when the next player had to step up because of injury, he was ready. But 3 years ago? They were mostly sucked.

 

[Dantés]

How quickly we forget.

https://www.packerforum.com/threads/card-game-studs-n-duds.64646/page-4#



The worst performance of a Packer offensive line. Ever. And there was crap before and after this game.

2 years ago they were okay. Last year they were good, and when the next player had to step up because of injury, he was ready. But 3 years ago? They were mostly sucked.

I’m not sure what that’s supposed to be telling me, Amish.

 

[4zone]

The more I see of Hughes the more I like him on this team. I think he fits well. If we can get him in the second round or I wouldn’t even mind trading up into the bottom of the first to get him. My ideal scenario would be trading down a couple spaces in the first and selecting Vander Esch and using the draft capital from that trade and our second to trade for another first and select Hughes if the board fell that way.

I don't think Hughes falls to the second round. The more I look around, the higher he is moving up most boards, even as high as #13. He can be a weapon in the return game and knows how to catch the stupid ball when it hits his hands. He's my top CB target in the draft and there is no way he falls to us in Rd. 2. We need press cover corners and end the ridiculous 10 yard cushions on 3rd and 3. With him, King and Williams we would have three solids to start. I'd target him in Rd. 1 and Key in Rd. 2. If we can drop down a few slots and still get him and more draft collateral at the same time, all the better.

 

[AmishMafia]

I’m not sure what that’s supposed to be telling me, Amish.

3 years ago, in the 2015 season, the packer offensive line as a whole, under performed as it had throughout Campens coaching career. It's only been the last 2 years that they have done well. Now, did Campen finally develop as a coach or is there another explanation? I think he has improved but I am not 100% sure.

 

[jetfixer]

The more I see of Hughes the more I like him on this team. I think he fits well. If we can get him in the second round or I wouldn’t even mind trading up into the bottom of the first to get him. My ideal scenario would be trading down a couple spaces in the first and selecting Vander Esch and using the draft capital from that trade and our second to trade for another first and select Hughes if the board fell that way.

I’d be happy with this, but these two may get drafted within 5-10 spots from each other, seem to be rated close to one another.

 

[Dantés]

3 years ago, in the 2015 season, the packer offensive line as a whole, under performed as it had throughout Campens coaching career. It's only been the last 2 years that they have done well. Now, did Campen finally develop as a coach or is there another explanation? I think he has improved but I am not 100% sure.

I just disagree with that premise. 3 years ago, he was in the process of turning a 4th rounder that most pegged for a transition to guard into an elite left tackle. And he had already overseen the development of two college left tackles into premier guards. He got very good center player from a rookie in Linsley, and yet had a mid-round and tackle convert ready to fill in as well or better when Linsley missed time. Bulaga became a very good RT under Campen's watch, and he even got solid play at RT from Don Barclay before his injury. He had even begun the development of Lane Taylor in 2015, who has since turned into a very good left guard. I don't know what fans' opinions were of Campen during the 2015 season, but if they thought that he couldn't coach I would say they were definitely mistaken.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

What's wrong with taking a G at 14?

The rise of 3T's with pass rushing ability is at an all time high. Teams need good guards to block them, and Nelson is one of the best. If we didn't have other needs, I'd have no issue spending an early pick on him. Heck, I'd still probably be fine if we drafted him with all of our issues...he's that good.

The Packers having way more pressing needs makes me believe it wouldn't be smart drafting a guard at #14. Otherwise I would be excited about selecting Nelson.

If the Packers think Bulaga won't be ready to go in Sept. and his backup/replacement isn't currently on the team, I would hope that they find his immediate replacement via a FA and not think about doing that through the draft. Call me a doubter, but I find it hard to look at the draft as a source of immediate impact players. Draft and develop for the future, but your starters should have a bit of seasoning on them.

I'm optimistic the Packers could find a right tackle capable of starting immediately in the draft.

We are only going to get one immediate starter out of this draft. Who should it be?

Currently the Packers desperately need a cornerback to be that player.

I’m ok with the Packers trading out of the first round if they are underwhelmed with the available prospects at 14.

In many years, the difference in athletic ability between actual picks 15 and 40 is marginal. At that point, intangibles and unmeasurables play a much bigger role in determining a players value imo. Getting three top 50 picks for pick 14 could provide much better results long term.

On the other side the Packers could end up passing on an elite player by trading out of the 14th spot.

The more I see of Hughes the more I like him on this team. I think he fits well. If we can get him in the second round or I wouldn’t even mind trading up into the bottom of the first to get him. My ideal scenario would be trading down a couple spaces in the first and selecting Vander Esch and using the draft capital from that trade and our second to trade for another first and select Hughes if the board fell that way.

I don't consider Vander Esch to present the best value for the Packers at #14.

I don't think Hughes falls to the second round. The more I look around, the higher he is moving up most boards, even as high as #13. He can be a weapon in the return game and knows how to catch the stupid ball when it hits his hands. He's my top CB target in the draft and there is no way he falls to us in Rd. 2. We need press cover corners and end the ridiculous 10 yard cushions on 3rd and 3. With him, King and Williams we would have three solids to start. I'd target him in Rd. 1 and Key in Rd. 2. If we can drop down a few slots and still get him and more draft collateral at the same time, all the better.

I wouldn't feel comfortable with the Packers selecting Hughes in the first round. While he performed at a high level in 2017 he has only started at the FCS level for one year.

In addition him being charged with misdemeanor assault with a deadly weapon/inflicting serious injury during his time with UNC raises a red flag.

 

[AmishMafia]

I just disagree with that premise. 3 years ago, he was in the process of turning a 4th rounder that most pegged for a transition to guard into an elite left tackle. And he had already overseen the development of two college left tackles into premier guards. He got very good center player from a rookie in Linsley, and yet had a mid-round and tackle convert ready to fill in as well or better when Linsley missed time. Bulaga became a very good RT under Campen's watch, and he even got solid play at RT from Don Barclay before his injury. He had even begun the development of Lane Taylor in 2015, who has since turned into a very good left guard. I don't know what fans' opinions were of Campen during the 2015 season, but if they thought that he couldn't coach I would say they were definitely mistaken.

If they were all good players, then why did they suck?

I think Bulaga and sitton were good from day 1 and NFL ready. I will give you Bahk. I still say they played poorly for much of the season as a group. They were good in pass protection but inconsistent. They were awful in run blocking.

 

[GleefulGary]

The Packers having way more pressing needs makes me believe it wouldn't be smart drafting a guard at #14. Otherwise I would be excited about selecting Nelson.



I'm optimistic the Packers could find a right tackle capable of starting immediately in the draft.



Currently the Packers desperately need a cornerback to be that player.



On the other side the Packers could end up passing on an elite player by trading out of the 14th spot.



I don't consider Vander Esch to present the best value for the Packers at #14.



I wouldn't feel comfortable with the Packers selecting Hughes in the first round. While he performed at a high level in 2017 he has only started at the FCS level for one year.

In addition him being charged with misdemeanor assault with a deadly weapon/inflicting serious injury during his time with UNC raises a red flag.

Regarding Hughes, the charges were dropped. Non-issue.

Denzel Ward started one year. Marshon Lattimore started one year. Josh Jackson (your crush) started one year. Not that big of a deal.

 

[Dantés]

If they were all good players, then why did they suck?

I think Bulaga and sitton were good from day 1 and NFL ready. I will give you Bahk. I still say they played poorly for much of the season as a group. They were good in pass protection but inconsistent. They were awful in run blocking.

Well I don't agree that they sucked... Bakhtiari and Bulaga were not the stud OT duos that they would become, but they were still pretty good.

Sitton barely played as a rookie, so it's hard to say that he was a good starter immediately. It's also hard for me to believe that a guy transitioning from OT to guard successfully got no help from his OL coach. Bulaga, while capable immediately, has ascended to the peak form that we saw in 2016.