How and When Will the Packers Address the Offensive Line in the 2024 NFL Draft?

The Packers may not be in on the consensus top offensive linemen in the 2024 class.

Offensive line is the only position group where the Packers really took a hit in free agency, with David Bakhtiari, Jon Runyan and Yosh Nijman all departing. For the first time since 2015, Green Bay did not select a single offensive lineman in the 2023 NFL draft.

Those two facts combine to leave the depth of the offensive line in a precarious position, and point towards GM Brian Gutekunst reverting to form and selecting multiple big men at the end of April.

But where will the Packers strike? There are plenty who believe they could address the position in the first two rounds, especially since this is an extremely strong class at the top. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah has 12 offensive linemen in his latest top 50.

Gutekunst, and the franchise in general, have done a great job of finding starters on day three though, and based on the very specific type of lineman they have generally looked for, there might not be an obvious candidate for the Packers early on.

What is Green Bay’s MO when it comes to OL you ask?

  • They do not draft college guards, they draft college tackles and centers, and turn some of them into guards
  • At tackle, Gutekunst has not drafted someone shorter than 6’4.2” or taller than 6’6.4”, lighter than 304 lbs or heavier than 321 lbs. His drafted tackles are Sean Rhyan, Zach Tom, Royce Newman, Cole Madison, Jon Runyan, Cole Van Lanen, and Rasheed Walker.
  • Players who have sub 33” arms will generally not be tackles for Green Bay, they will be kicked inside.
  • At center, the ideal measurements are between 6’4.1” and 6’5.2”, 303 lbs and 313 lbs. The centers Gutekunst has drafted are Elgton Jenkins, Josh Myers, Jake Hanson, and Simon Stepaniak.
  • It is also no secret the Packers like athletes. The lowest Relative Athletic Score (RAS) for a Packers offensive lineman drafted by Gutekunst in the first four rounds is Newman’s 7.59 out of 10 (when run as a tackle instead of a guard), although Myers did not test other than the vertical jump.
  • Specifically focussing on the first round, Green Bay has drafted only one player since 2005 who did not complete every single athletic test, when Kenny Clark missed the 3-cone in 2016.

For most of the offensive linemen in the consensus top 50 players, there are reasons to believe the Packers will not take them.

  • Joe Alt is 6’8.5” and is not getting anywhere near pick 25 anyway.
  • Taliese Fuaga is 324 lbs (a small difference, granted) and did not complete the agility testing.
  • J.C. Latham is 342 lbs and has done no athletic testing.
  • Troy Fautanu is 6’3.6” and has not done the agility testing, although he could at his pro day.
  • Amarius Mims is 6’7.6”, 340 lbs and did not do the agility testing.
  • Tyler Guyton is 6’7.6” and 322 lbs.
  • Jackson Powers-Johnson is 6’3.3” and 328 lbs, did not run a 40 or do agility testing.
  • Zach Frazier is 6’2.5” and has not done any athletic testing yet.

There are some players whom a better case could be made for, but even they are not perfect fits.

Olumuyiwa Fashanu appears to be a perfect Packers tackle, but has not done the agility testing due to an injury suffered at the combine.

Jordan Morgan did not complete the agility tests either, and with sub 33” arms, would probably be a guard for the Packers, where he never played in college. Are Green Bay likely to take what would be a guard for them in the first round? Or even at 41 if Morgan is still there?

Would the Packers stretch to 326 lbs for Kingsley Suamataia, who otherwise would be a tackle option for them, providing he runs agility tests sufficiently well at his pro day?

Graham Barton may be the most likely option, providing he tests at Duke’s pro day and puts up good numbers. His arms might be too short for the Packers to put him at tackle, but they could value his ability to play all three interior spots.

Based on how the top prospects fit (or rather do not fit), it feels more likely the Packers once again shop for offensive linemen later in the draft, where there are plenty of candidates who scream “Packer”, and where Green Bay is slightly less stringent about athletic testing.

Garret Greenfield, Roger Rosengarten, Walter Rouse, Karsen Barnhart, Nick Garguilo, Blake Fisher, Jacob Monk, Matt Lee, Trente Jones, and Charles Turner III have already proven themselves as Packers types at their respective positions, and more will come.

The tape ultimately matters most, and the Packers may well go slightly outside of their usual requirements to draft one of the uber-talented offensive linemen at the top of this draft, but it is more likely Gutekunst takes multiple shots later on, sticking to the kind of guys he traditionally goes after.

 

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Mark Oldacres is a sports writer from Birmingham, England and a Green Bay Packers fan. You can follow him on twitter at @MarkOldacres

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9 points
 

Comments (83)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
Bearmeat's picture

March 26, 2024 at 12:58 pm

The other factor: this is a good OL draft for depth. I expect a replacement at OC for Myers. Not for this year but next. Positional flexibility will be a bonus. I do think they’re set at OT unless value drops to them early.

And let’s not forget. They need TWO LBs and another S if not two. Two of which need to start. Those positions do not have the quality depth that OT and IOL do in this draft.

I would guess (and it’s only a guess) that S and LB are what take up two and maybe three picks of our first two days in the draft.

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TKWorldWide's picture

March 26, 2024 at 11:35 pm

Yes. And guess which two positions were rated weakest overall in the 2024 crop?
Does not mean that GB can’t find a few, though!

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golfpacker1's picture

March 26, 2024 at 01:00 pm

I guess I can go along not drafting someone 6'9 or 350 lbs, but alot of OTs are 6'7 & 6'8 and 325 to 335 lbs. Players are bigger and getting moreso. Would we turn down Alt if he fell?

2 points
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Alberta_Packer's picture

March 26, 2024 at 01:32 pm

I don't think Gutekunst would turn down Alt but he would definitely be an outlier. And the Packers will occasionally draft an outlier - with mixed results. For instance; Amari Rodgers and Jace Sternberger - bad results. Jayden Reed - good result.

3 points
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golfpacker1's picture

March 26, 2024 at 04:27 pm

We are talking about Offensive Linemen not slot receivers. Sternberger had the right size and speed for a TE, but he was a bust mentally and physically. The players are not going to get smaller or stay the same moving forward. Times change-things change.

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Alberta_Packer's picture

March 26, 2024 at 05:21 pm

Outliers can exist at every position. As for Sternberger his RAS of 5.18 was far below the usual Packers standard. Same with Reed with at 6.61. However that was mostly a height-weight deficiency. Now the Packers do have an OT outlier with Caleb Jones at 6'9" and 340 lbs. He's entering his 3rd year - with success / failure still t.b.d.

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LLCHESTY's picture

March 26, 2024 at 07:47 pm

Defensive lines actually have gotten smaller over the last 20 years as the importance of pass rushers increased. Look at the Packers D line in 2010 compared to last year.

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SicSemperTyrannis's picture

March 26, 2024 at 06:41 pm

We've got 4 OTs 6'6" or bigger, and only one of them has played.

I find this curious.

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LLCHESTY's picture

March 26, 2024 at 07:48 pm

Because the rest aren't very good? Taller OTs struggle with run blocking where leverage is important. Not counting the kickers and punters Jones and Telfort are the two worst athletes on the team.

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dobber's picture

March 28, 2024 at 08:13 am

True, but all besides Walker--the only one who has played--are UDFA projects. Even Walker was a 7th rounder, but certainly scouting reports ranked him better than that.

I'll be honest in that I'm not all that impressed by Caleb Jones. Most of his preseason snaps were against lesser competition, and while he has some snaps where he looks the part of the proverbial dancing bear there are many snaps where he looks reachy and clumsy. Since Milt Hendrickson came, the Packers have seemed to like these extra tall, long T prospects to try to develop. I'm not feeling it, though.

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Alberta_Packer's picture

March 26, 2024 at 01:00 pm

A good indicator as to what a person will do in the future - is what they have done in the past. That is why I think it is important to pay attention to the physical parameters - per position - as set by the Packers (which the author has outlined).

Historically, the premier OTs are found on Day 1 and 2 of the draft. Afterwards it's the IOL - which has proven to be right in the Packers wheelhouse. This year may deviate somewhat from the norm due to the number of quality IOL - which Teams seem to be thirsting for (if free agency is a sign).

I think that the Packers will go heavy O-line in this draft - by utilizing 3-4 of their picks.They need to replenish their O-line depth and try to establish a higher floor. Thus I expect that the Packers to draft on Day One & Two - 2 O-linemen. Plus on Day Three - 1-2 O-linemen. Plus a handful of UDFAs.

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GregC's picture

March 26, 2024 at 01:07 pm

Very interesting article. The author shoots down most of the O-linemen who have been mentioned as possibilities for the Packers in the first or second round. I wonder if they might step a little bit outside of their usual parameters and take one of these guys anyway, but the safe money is on them sticking to their usual plan.

I only recognize one name from the list of players who meet their usual standards and are expected to be taken later: Roger Rosengarten. His stock seems to be on the rise, and I even saw him being taken late in the first round in one mock draft. He played OT in college but fits the parameters of either guard or tackle for the Packers--probably more of a guard. Could he be a possibility in the second round?

I look forward to hearing what people who study the draft closely think of all this.

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Alberta_Packer's picture

March 26, 2024 at 01:42 pm

I would also add Branden Coleman, Tylan Grable and Jalen Sundell - who might meet the Packers specs.

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jannes bjornson's picture

March 26, 2024 at 02:27 pm

I like Coleman as the multi-tool. He can play inside and outside. He will need to be taken Rd Two. He and Beebe are in demand.

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LLCHESTY's picture

March 26, 2024 at 03:08 pm

I'd add Nick Gargiulo too. C that has played some G. Played LT for two years at Yale.

https://twitter.com/MathBomb/status/1769765708466987397?t=OTjlUcnCZOogAD...

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SicSemperTyrannis's picture

March 26, 2024 at 06:44 pm

I think there have to be lots more very capable draft candidates. Hopefully Gutey can find them ...

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stockholder's picture

March 26, 2024 at 02:30 pm

Who cares about MO-
Cooper Beebe would be a great pick.
I have him @58, and he's just what we need..
Even
Kiran Amegadjjie Yale.

6 points
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WD's picture

March 27, 2024 at 06:09 am

A great draft could draft three Coopers' with their first three picks. 1) Cooper De Jean 2) Edgerrin Cooper and 3) Cooper Beebe. Voila! Only problem is both De jean (safety) and Cooper ILB+ will probably both go in the first round. It would be worth trading up our third pick and then draft Beebe who would likely still be available in the third round. Or take Payton Wilson ILB at 41. Secondly .Opening day in Brazil? Seriously? What a bad idea.

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golfpacker1's picture

March 27, 2024 at 11:17 am

Nobody ever mentions that Cooper Beebe played 463 snaps @ RT his soph year. And 859 snaps @ LT as a junior. He played 1531 snaps @ LG his last 2 years @ Kansas. Playing 2 years @ OT he gave up 3 sacks and in 2 years of OG he gave up 1 sack.

Barton gets hyped a lot for playing those 2 positions, OT/OG, but would mainly kick inside @ GB. I think Beebe is absolutely better than Barton as OG. And arguably better @ OT too. At this point playing OC would be a tossup, but if Beebe is better @ OG, he would be a better Center too.

If we could find a trade back partner, we could gain at least a Day 2 pick and another later. That would make Beebe a big, valuable target for the Packers early day 2. I would be thrilled with 2 Coopers @ OL and LB, but I would prefer Colson as my first LB choice.

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Packer_Fan's picture

March 26, 2024 at 02:59 pm

My guy is Power's Johnson. Tough, mean and nasty. Immediately competing against Myers and Ryan for a starting job. Could be an immediate starter at two positions, give depth and fills center when Myers rookie contract runs out this year. I would take him at 25.

6 points
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bjkdad44's picture

March 26, 2024 at 03:28 pm

I like that idea!

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PackEyedOptimist's picture

March 26, 2024 at 03:46 pm

Yep. Cooper DeJean is about the only guy I want more than Powers-Johnson at 25.
With all of the QBs, WRs, and OTs who are first-round worthy, Powers-Johnson might just drop to us. I'd take him over several of the top tackles, because we have a greater NEED at C/G than tackle, and Powers-Johnson has a higher floor than several of the top tackles.

8 points
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Alberta_Packer's picture

March 26, 2024 at 04:11 pm

He's my 1st round wild card for the Packers. The center-right interior is the weakest part of the O-line. JPJ could remedy that. Moreover with Jacobs and Dillon - they tend to run more between the Tackles - which increases JPJs value.

If selected - JPJ could be the starting RG - with Sean Rhyan as depth. Rhyan can also train as LG depth - being his natural side is the left (as an OT). Also he can provide center depth. His selection addresses - at once - several areas of need and weakness. What more can be asked of a #25 pick?

3 points
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TKWorldWide's picture

March 26, 2024 at 11:37 pm

He’d have to be awfully quick to start at two positions. 😉

3 points
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dobber's picture

March 28, 2024 at 08:16 am

Bugs Bunny could do it.

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MooPack's picture

March 26, 2024 at 03:55 pm

Alt, fuaga, Latham, and Fashanu will all most likely be gone.
Fauntanu and Guyton I'd put at less than 50/50. I'd have no problem taking either at #25.
Mims I think is going to fall some, but I'd put him outside of the Packers top board. A bit too heavy. Not a lot of experience and some writeups that have said there could be some personal stuff.
I don't think JPJ or Frazier are going to fall in the athletic/physical enough traits for the Packers.

If the board falls a certain way and the Packers are looking for OL in the 1st:
These guys that should be in play @25 - Graham Barton, Jordan Morgan, King Sua
Barton and Morgan are most likely NFL inside guys only (sub 33' arms) but can play outside in a pinch. Barton the most plug and play ready.
I think King Sua starts RG and can eventually go to RT. My personal favorite. Only Sophomore. Highest ceiling. I'm not dinging him for 5 lbs when he can move like that. Sewell was 331 and there is no problem with him at RT. Sua the most likely to drop to 41.

Compare all the RAS scores (physical/athletic) of King Sua and Penei Sewell and Elgton Jenkins. Scary Identical. Jenkins was the lightest by about 15-20 lbs. Sewell the shortest arms. The rest very similar. Sua biggest weakness right now is experience.

Guys I like after those would be OT Roger Rosengarten, OG Brandon Coleman, OT Blake Fisher. Probably 2nd/3rd rd, 3rd/4th rd, 3rd rd respectively.

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LLCHESTY's picture

March 26, 2024 at 04:55 pm

My hope is Fautanu is there but, like you, I don't think it's likely. I think Mims and Guyton would have to be picked before him which means two teams taking traits before film. The one thing that I think is in the Packers favor is Fautanu's height might make some teams think of him as an inside guy only which could help him fall a bit more than people think.

My dream draft would start with Fautanu at 25 and Frazier at 41. Really take the worries out of the expiring contracts they have coming up the next two years(4 of the 5 positions).

3 points
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Tundraboy's picture

March 26, 2024 at 07:53 pm

Mooo! Thanks. Great info.

1 points
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gsd3's picture

March 26, 2024 at 04:07 pm

I hope they put the scale and tape measure away. They must upgrade over Myers. JPJ @ 25 or Fraizer at 41.

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SicSemperTyrannis's picture

March 26, 2024 at 05:31 pm

These are great problems to have! Gutey needs to pick 3 that are good. Can he get all of them as sleepers, in bargain draft spots? The odds say no. One? Ok. Two? Much less likely. Sheer mathematical probability says three is vanishingly improbable. So if Gutey's #1 O lineman is still available in round 2 or 3?

That's a good problem to have :)

There aren't that many positions of need left, but the few that are really need to be better than just good, at the NFL level. This would be a great year to draft 2 or 3 great O linemen on day 3. If Gutey can do that we might not know until 2026, mid-season.

I expect this off-season to be at least as exciting as last, and the regular season doesn't need to start with the team playing all that much better to translate to a lot more wins in the first 8 games.

GPG!!

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NoNonsense's picture

March 26, 2024 at 05:31 pm

All for Powers-Johnson at 25 should Dejean be gone, maybe Chop Robinson as 3rd option. At 41 Wilson, Cooper, or Colston. T'Vondre Sweat if available has to be a consideration at 58, if hes gone than Nubin, Sainristil, or Max Melton maybe. 88 and 91 I'd want Kitchens, OG McCormick, Dadrion Taylor-Demerson.

I see Gute drafting at least 3 OL in this draft. They do need depth but also potential upgrades across the line. Bring in 3 plus and let them compete.

3 points
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Leatherhead's picture

March 26, 2024 at 05:39 pm

After thinking about some of the excellent points some people have made, I can no longer support Graham Barton at #25, because although he can play different positions, he's eventually going to be a Center, and you just can't spend a first round pick on interior offensive linemen.

I got Kool Aid at #25 today, and Edgerrin Cooper at #41. Then I did a small trade down at#58 to #62 and I got Amegadjie. I got Brooks at #88, Mahogany at #91, and Jaylen Wright with the extra pick in the trade down. I'll take it.

1 points
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SicSemperTyrannis's picture

March 26, 2024 at 06:53 pm

I think GB should break rules like never taking IOL in the first round - under the right circumstances. Just imagine last season with a C who dominated consistently. And maybe Myers can be that player, without injury? We still need a developmental pipeline behind him, either way.

The right player to do that is worth a round 1 pick, especially now.

2 points
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stockholder's picture

March 26, 2024 at 06:55 pm

Good for you. Now about Kool-Aid.
The foot problem is huge.
And he wouldn't be dropping , if
the concerns weren't real.

D. Adams was taken over another WR
that had a foot problem.
TT ws right. So--
Stay away from foot problems
at all speed positions.

1 points
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LLCHESTY's picture

March 26, 2024 at 08:07 pm

He unknowingly played on it most of last year and ran 4.47 on it before having surgery last week. Doesn't sound like a big deal.

1 points
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WD's picture

March 27, 2024 at 09:57 am

I love E Cooper at 41. The problem is Cooper by consensus is the number 1 ILB in the draft. It is highly unlikely he gets to the second round. He will likely go between 20-24. As far as Kool Aid; I think we have at least three starters at CB and that does not even include Stokes. If anything we could use Cooper De-Jean who plays safety as well as corner. The most glaring need is ILB and I do not feel E Cooper or even Payton Wilson would be a reach even in the first round. Quay is a good starter but that is it. We have to see who is available at 25. If either Cooper De Jean or E Cooper are there you take him. Hopefully at least one of them would be there. If neither: Payton Wilson. O-line can be addressed in the third round. Priorities are ILB, Safety and then O-line.That is it for rounds one and two. Then do whatever Gute wants. I don't care.

-1 points
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golfpacker1's picture

March 27, 2024 at 11:34 am

Very, very few Mocks have had E Cooper-LB going in the first round WD. I suppose he could surprise, but it's more likely all the best LBs are available @ #41. I would be thrilled with him or Colson, but I prefer Colson because he is better all-around and can be selected later. Although we shouldn't chance waiting past #41 to grab LB.

I completely agree LB has risen to TOP Need, tied with interior OL. Safety is next level need after the McKinney signing. And the draft Safeties have fallen too, which helps us.

The Packers could really change the order of the player position groups they view/pick their priorities by doing 1 of 2 things or both. Signing another veteran Safety to fill that other big hole would push Safety farther back. And trading back for an additional 2nd or 3rd rounder would allow for a plethora of possibilities. Including picking a DT early, or doubling on OL with early picks ensuring best quality players.

1 points
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WD's picture

March 27, 2024 at 02:59 pm

This is what is puzzling to me golfpacker. A lot of folks here can see that ILB is our greatest need. Yet ironically, not needed enough to be a first round pick? Well..... if you are satisfied with McDuffie and Quay as the starters I guess we should not "reach" for an ILB. I think there is a greater chance that Payton Wilson will be there in the early second round, but we don't pick there until 41. One thing is clear to me. I think after Cooper and Wilson there is a marked drop off in quality.So, McDuffie who is good but not great will be the other starter. Without great ILB play you will not have a great defense. Moreover it's too late for free agency.

0 points
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golfpacker1's picture

March 27, 2024 at 04:38 pm

I just happen to like Colson more than Cooper. Cooper might make more splash plays, but Texas also put him in positions to play that way. Michigan did not use Colson that way. Colson is rated the best coverage LB in this draft. His missed tackle rate is also way better, like 6% and he is more consistent. Colson is almost as fast as Cooper, so he could be used as a blitzer more I guess.

Either would be good starters right away and I would be happy with either. The deciding factor is if we have to spend the #25 pick to get Cooper, that's an overreach. Colson will be there patiently waiting @ #41 where GB picks him and has a solid 10-year starter.

1 points
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stockholder's picture

March 27, 2024 at 11:59 am

But ILB would be the proper reach.
Still I think he would trade down with
the panthers. @33 and 101. For a ILB.
The other reach would be Nubin.
And many a Lions fan have picked him.
Beebe then would be the target at #58.
I've Focused on that for a reason.
We can't let DeJean go to the Lions.
So take DeJean.
(So Love doesn't get picked.)

0 points
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LambeauPlain's picture

March 27, 2024 at 10:09 am

You can spend a first rounder on an IOL. The Colts drafted Quentin Nelson 6th overall in 2018 and he completely changed their OL into a dominant group. He has been All Pro for 5 straight seasons since.

I do acknowledge Ts are by far the most first rounders on the OL...but if the Packers can get a stud to greatly upgrade their IOL, I believe Gutey would consider it worth a #25. Especially if he is a better football player than the highest rated T on their board during the selection.

Gutekuenst does not seem welded to conventional wisdom from the draft gurus. He won't be in April either.

0 points
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BlueOx's picture

March 26, 2024 at 08:54 pm

Given that the team is ready to win now and there are 5 functional OL starters in place, I can’t see them spending a D1 on a backup. There are too many other pressing needs. Unless they’re planning a crazy reshuffle (like Tom to OC) or someone like Fashanu falls in their lap, I’d bet they’ll draft defense first and address OL on day 2 and/or 3.

0 points
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Leatherhead's picture

March 27, 2024 at 09:43 am

Blue Ox, this is the kind of thinking that's going to have Newman and Jones lining up next to each other. We do have a decent starting five, but there isn't much help when we start taking injuries, and in a 17 game season, there are going to be injuries.

Also, it's not about this year, it's about the next several years. And there is no more pressing need than keeping our QB protected. As long as he's upright and healthy, we have a chance, but if he's injured or on the ground, not so much.

We should be trying to build the strongest Oline in the NFL.

3 points
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NoNonsense's picture

March 26, 2024 at 09:00 pm

Well we have witnessed Gute pull the trigger on interior OL twice in the 2nd round so I could see him doing that again. I'm not against taking a great player in the 1st round no matter the position except K, P and LS obviously. Especially when your picking outside the top 20 which in most years is where the number of 1st round talents kind of run out. This year I read quite a few opinions saying there are 18 to 20 true first rounders max.

After pick 20 it just comes down to that 5th yr option when considering the cost of extending a draft pick like WR or DT maybe who are north of $30 million a year these days. For instance, instead of extending Kenny Clark I could see GB drafting his replacement vs paying him $30+ million on his next contract. Especially with Love in line for a relatively monster contract of his own in the near future.

Only so much money to go around.

-2 points
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golfpacker1's picture

March 27, 2024 at 11:38 am

That scenario could 100% happen if Gutey can trade back and gain another 2nd or early Day 2 pick. Sweat could easily be in play the entire 2nd round. He is different than Clark, but better in other ways.

1 points
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canadapacker's picture

March 26, 2024 at 10:51 pm

My 2 cents - NO WAY do the Packers pick an Oline in any of the first 3 rounds. We need to build the Defensive linebacker/Dline/ safety etc - Get the development Oline projects later rounds. They are not going to start even if a first or second rounder with what we have now - so get this defense up and running.

-6 points
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canadapacker's picture

March 27, 2024 at 11:31 am

So already I have 5 downvotes and as Skydancer thoroughly listed before - his bottom line is that we are not taking Oline this year - as none fit Gutes past - until the later rounds. Goes along with what are needs. Unless someone terrific falls - anyway we will see after April 25th.

-1 points
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Untylu1968's picture

March 27, 2024 at 03:26 pm

I'll be you a cold beer that they do draft one in the first three rounds!🍺

2 points
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golfpacker1's picture

March 27, 2024 at 04:39 pm

Me too.

2 points
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canadapacker's picture

March 27, 2024 at 07:15 pm

gladly take that bet

1 points
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skydancer506's picture

March 27, 2024 at 02:28 am

I'm going to voice a minority opinion here (just because).

Everybody seems to talk about Rounds 1-3 for linemen, yet Brian Gutekunst has only used three picks in those rounds on offensive linemen over his six drafts and none of the were in the first round.

Here are the linemen drafted in the Brian Gutekunst era (highest to lowest draft position):

Elgton Jenkins, C, Round 2, PIck 44 - 2019
Josh Myers, C, Round 2, Pick 62 - 2021
Sean Rhyan, OL, Round 3, Pick 92 - 2022
Zach Tom, OL, Round 4, Pick 140 - 2022
Royce Newman, G, Round 4, Pick 142 - 2021
Cole Madison, G, Round 5, Pick 138 - 2018
Jon Runyan Jr., T, Round 6, Pick 192 - 2020
Jake Hanson, C, Round 6, Pick 208 - 2020
Simon Stepaniak, T, Round 6, Pick 209 - 2020
Cole Van Lanen, OL, Round 6, Pick 214 - 2021
Rasheed Walker, OL, Round 7, Pick 249 - 2022

The Packers did not pick an offensive lineman in 2023, his sixth draft.

If Brian stays true to form, then I do not expect to see pick #25 go to an offensive lineman. That's not to say that he can't deviate from his past history, but with more pressing needs at linebacker and defensive secondary, I just don't see him picking a lineman in round 1.

Round 2, with picks 41 and 58. It's possible that one of those two picks could be an offensive lineman, but with a deeper draft of offensive linemen, I really don't expect to see a Packers drafted lineman before Round 4.

The Packers have the following draft picks:
Round 1: 25
Round 2: 41 and 58
Round 3: 88 and 91
Round 4: 126
Round 5: 169
Round 6: 202 and 219
Round 7: 245 and 255

Of the 11 offensive linemen selected under Brian Gutekunst's watch, two were guards (Madison and Newman), three were centers (Jenkins, Hanson and Myers), two were tackles (Runyan and Stepaniak) and four were listed as "OL" on the Pro Football reference page, which I'm assuming is a hybrid designation that is fairly recent (Van Lanen, Rhyan, Tom and Walker), so the theory that the author posed of the Packers only drafting tackles and converting to interior offensive line doesn't hold as much weight, though I think we can all agree that the Packers like linemen who are versatile.

Here are the linemen that are confirmed that the Packers interviewed at the All-Star Games [PFF Rank in Brackets]:

Donovan Jennings, OL, USF (Shrine Bowl) [238]
Deiyantei Powell-Woods, OL, Central Michigan (Tropical Bowl) [No grade]

Here are the linemen that are confirmed that the Packers interviewed at the NFL Scouting Combine:

Taliese Fuaga, OL, Oregon State [12]
Graham Barton, OL, Duke [24]
Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU [45]

Only one offensive lineman, Zak Zinter, Guard, Michigan, [157] has been invited to a Top 30 visit.

Knowing the past history between Top 30 Visits and how our GM uses them to get more familiar with players, the Packers taking Zinter at either 126 or 169, if he's still on the draft board at either of those positions, is really the only thing that I'm almost sure about with the way he runs the draft board.

Jennings and Powell-Woods are usually cursory looks at All-Star games. I don't read too much into that. If they do get drafted by the Packers, it one or both of them could come off at either 245 or 255 if Brian sees enough draft and development value with either of them.

Combine visits with the three mentioned are the ones that the team could take if they fall to #25 and if they are the best option available when the team makes their selection.

My best guess is that offensive linemen will be taken with all or some of picks 126, 169, 202 and 219.

The Packers generally choose players who have been to at least one All-Star game and the Combine. The original pool of players who fit this criteria is 69. When you eliminate the players who will probably be off the board by the time the Packers select in Round 4 (assuming they pass on an OL in Rounds 1-3), we can probably eliminate about 20 players from the pool.

Out of the remaining 50 or so, I'm sure we can eliminate more from consideration based on RAS alone. (I just haven't done it yet.) By the time the Packers scouts and GMs put their Big Board together that there will only be about 20-25 candidates considered throughout all seven rounds.

I'm sure the names of the three interviewed at the Combine are on their board for Rounds 1 and 2, Zinter is probably on the board for Rounds 4 and 5.

Others to keep an eye on are:

- Cooper Beebe, OL, Kansas State
- Tanor Bortolini, OL, Wisconsin
- Frank Crum, OL, Wyoming
- Kingsley Oguakun, OL, Florida
- Zach Frazier, OL, West Virginia
- Matt Goncalves, OL, Pitt
- Garret Greenfield, OL, South Dakota State (probably with input from Tucker Kraft)
- LaDarius Henderson, OL, Michigan
- Roger Rosengarten, OL, Washington

I'm sure there are more on the list, but these are the ones that stick out to me as potential Green Bay Packers draft picks in Rounds 4-6. They have all been seen at All Star Games and the Combine. Some (Bortolini and Henderson) have also been seen at their schools Pro Days. My best guess is that Zak Zinter and two of the players on this list (maybe three) end up as Green Bay Packers draft picks.

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TKWorldWide's picture

March 27, 2024 at 07:44 am

Not very thorough, are you? 😉

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golfpacker1's picture

March 27, 2024 at 11:41 am

How many good OL are in that first group though. There is no 100% proven OL drafting method, but taking one earlier probably has better odds of succeeding.

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skydancer506's picture

March 27, 2024 at 03:39 pm

Everybody is a prospect. It doesn't matter if you are taken #1 overall or are Mr. Irrelevant.

Tony Mandarich, #2 overall, was a complete bust while Brock Purdy made the 53 man roster and led his team to the playoffs. There is no 100% proven drafting method for any player period. It's all a gamble. Less than a decade after the Packers took Mandarich, the Chargers took Ryan Leaf with the #2 pick in the draft. Both of them are known to be the biggest busts in NFL Draft history.

Now that I got that out of the way - we have a scouting department that does its homework on all of these guys. They have multiple reports filled out on each of them. Also, at the Combine and Pro Days, the teams get medical information. If they have further questions on medical stuff, they can invite the prospect over to Lambeau Field during a Top 30 Visit. The Packers have one of the best scouting departments in the entire league. They have great scouts, a GM who has been a scout himself for many years and grew up in the ranks, and a Pro Personnel department made up of scouts who have gone up through the ranks. They know talent when they see it. They know who has the best shot at developing into the player that fits their needs the best. Sure it might be easier to grab an OL higher in the draft and shave a little bit of time off the development cycle, but there are a lot of good linemen to be found after Round 4. Thankfully, Gutekunst and Company know where to find it, even if we may not see it at first.

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canadapacker's picture

March 27, 2024 at 07:25 pm

Bak in the 4th round , Tauscher 7th round - we seemed to have more success in the later rounds than the early. Point is that we have a starting line ( albeit some weakness) with a few projects still around Jones et al - and bigger needs elsewhere.

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jannes bjornson's picture

March 27, 2024 at 10:48 pm

Ted & Wolf made those picks. Gutey hit on Jenkins and maybe Tom will show Pro Bowl level of play. When he went down in the 49r playoff Game, the pressure consumed Love. Not convinced Walker is the real deal on the left flank. The O line is definitely in need of a Reload.

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WD's picture

March 28, 2024 at 06:09 am

My ideal draft scenario for the first 3 rounds: I have 25) Cooper De jean CB/S, 41)Payton Wilson ILB, 58) Cooper Beebe OT, 88) Blake Corum RB, and at 91) Tanor Bortolini Center.

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golfpacker1's picture

March 27, 2024 at 12:01 pm

This is a "Give a shoutout for Cooper Beebe" to be GBs first pick, and multiple reasons he is better than Graham Barton. Barton is a popular choice for GB because of his versatility and the ability to play 3 positions. My question is does he play them better than some other prospects that can be chosen later. The 2 players I suggest are easily better draft "values" because they can be chosen later, and they are better players @ multiple positions, but specifically OG. Cooper Beebe and a later pick, Mason McCormick.

Beebe is a better pick for GB because the majority of the snaps Beebe or Barton would play will be @ OG.

Nobody ever mentions that Cooper Beebe played 463 snaps @ RT his soph year. And 859 snaps @ LT as a junior. He played 1531 snaps @ LG his last 2 years @ Kansas. Playing 2 years @ OT he gave up 3 sacks and in 2 years of OG he gave up 1 sack. Barton gave up 10 sacks while playing LT.

Barton gets hyped a lot for playing those 2 positions, OT/OG, but would mainly kick inside @ GB. I think Beebe is absolutely better than Barton as OG. And arguably better @ OT too. At this point playing OC would be a tossup, but if Beebe is better @ OG, he would be a better Center too. Barton probably goes late first round. Beebe probably is there @ GBs #41. McCormick probably early Day 3.

King Sua would be another player who is probably a better OG candidate than Barton and definitely a better OT as well. And also, no first-round pick is needed.

If Gutey could find a trade partner, ideally to move to end of first or top 10 of the second round, we would gain another second or at worst an early 3rd rounder. And probably another later pick. We could grab Beebe and our LB choice with those first 2 picks and this draft would be off to the races.

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stockholder's picture

March 27, 2024 at 03:04 pm

I'm going to show you my latest draft.
You don't need a OL early. Staying put.
25. Cooper DeJean DB Iowa. Lions take Nubin.
41. Payton Wilson. ILB. NC Fast. + Coverage
58. Cooper Beebe. G. KS. Weight drops him
88. Cole Bishop. S Utah. Any safety here-
91. Zak Zinter. G U of M. Team leader
126. Tanor Bortolini. OL. WIS. Versatile +C
169 Jason henderson. LB. old dom Led Nation in tackles
202. JD Bertrand. ILB ND. Box ILB
219 Jowon Briggs. NT. Cinn. Back-up
245. CJ Hanson. G Holy Cross. Back-up G
255. Cody Schrader. RB. Missouri.

My OL are not a reach. Projection is correct.
I replaced both Guards, and Beebe can play RT.
And gave you 3 Ilbs And two guys that can play Safety

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golfpacker1's picture

March 27, 2024 at 04:47 pm

That's a really good top 6 picks Stock. It's not as easy to get that much talent with no trades. I guess we would be scouring the UFDA market RBs. Schrader is a real question mark, to do what he did in the SEC should be proof enough that he has talent. But he is still second guessed.

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stockholder's picture

March 27, 2024 at 06:08 pm

The highest Iv'e seen Schrader is 146.
So it's his 40 time and the scouting reports.
They suggest he can't turn the corner.
Remember Kylin Hill? 7th rd.
Thats why I put him at 7th rd,

But the top 6, are now easier for me.
Even if he trades up for Mitchell cb.
You just pull the ILB @41.

Regardless Don't over-draft the OL early.

And I picked some excellent sleepers which
is hard to do now

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jannes bjornson's picture

March 27, 2024 at 08:41 pm

I don't believe Beebe will go past #50. DeJean will have to show on Pro Day and prove he's as aggressive as Harrison Smith. A smart GM will grab Schrader because he knows how to put the ball in the endzone. I would get more picks in Rd Two. Don't expect this guy to get the Players Hafley will need to succeed.

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stockholder's picture

March 27, 2024 at 10:43 pm

If Beebe is gone.
I took enough OL.
so we can fill A OL position.
So I wouldn't worry about Beebe.
Don't let your heart rule your mind.

At #58 there are just so many good players to get.
Somebody has to Fall. To fill our Needs.
Beebe worked @58 because of the value boards.
If he was that great, it's a top 10 placement.

DeJean only set back is a past injury.
His 4o will keep him in rd. 1.

I'm sure Gute will pick somebody we both
won't like.

I thought my back 6 were the best yet.
And I didn't need to trade down to fill anything.

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jannes bjornson's picture

March 27, 2024 at 10:00 pm

The Simulator gave me #33 & #65. Staying the course:

#33 Jordan Morgan. LT Arizona
Beebe gone at # 36. Nubin gone # 38. DeJean picked in the top 22.
#43 T. Sweat to stop the run.
#58 Payton Wilson. LB NC State
#65 Kam Kinchens S Miami he will go higher.
#88 Devontez Walker WR N.Carolina
#91 B. Coleman OG/OT K.State
#109 Jaden Hicks SS WASU
#126 Jarrian Jones CB Fl State
#202 Sataoa Laumea OG Utah
#219 Omar Speights LB LSU
#245 Dillon Johnson RB WASH
#255 Nelson Ceasar Edge Houston

Repair the Wall. Bag a veteran LB via FA, or trade

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stockholder's picture

March 27, 2024 at 10:53 pm

Beebe gone at # 36. Nubin gone # 38. DeJean picked in the top 22.

Ok Let's say they are. Nubin is still a top 50 pick.
Do you want him to go to the Lions?
He's been mocked to them more than once recently.

Morgan is a guard. If your right= Beebe @36
should be Gute's pick.
Your too stuck on replacing Walker.

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jannes bjornson's picture

March 27, 2024 at 11:52 pm

Detroit has their safeties. They want CBs.

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stockholder's picture

March 28, 2024 at 05:34 am

both.

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golfpacker1's picture

March 28, 2024 at 09:25 am

JJ, I have liked Dillon Johnson for a long time. He is such a complete RB and he has 200 catches in college. Not huge YPC but he wasn't used that way. I have 2 questions. Why did you pick a WR so early? We are loaded and he won't play for 2-3 years.

And why not pick RB @ that pick when you have at least 6 of the Top 10 still available. RB is bigger need than WR. If you pick Jaylen Wright, Bucky Irving, Marshawn Lloyd, Audric Estime, Braelon Allen, etc, you have our next RB1 on the roster and he will get 150 carries this year, so he won't be sitting like a WR will be.

There are a lot of good players there, but I would have drafted an actual developmental OT like Crum or Vrable with a late pick.. And I like Nathanel Watson much better than Speights. He is bigger, faster, and more complete. He is Junior Colson #2.

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jannes bjornson's picture

March 28, 2024 at 01:49 pm

Walker is a deep threat receiver. If Watson goes down, he fills the vector. Load the talent, don't ignore it. Irving went before I could bag him. He's my guy as the A.Jones clone for this offense to get into open spaces. There is no reason to not go with five-wide looks if they feel like it with the WR group . Get Better. Dillon Johnson will go earlier. He's a complete back in the West Coast mould. Speights hits people, not another chase LB.

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gsd3's picture

March 27, 2024 at 04:38 pm

One thing that bugs me is that there is the general opinion that Barton can play all spots at a high level.
According to his profile, he has played LT only. While he did well, there are others rated lower who graded out higher.
Big transition to center for example if one has never played there.
What level of competition has he gone up against?
Not saying he is a bad player but I feel there are better options.

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golfpacker1's picture

March 27, 2024 at 04:53 pm

That's my point gsd3. Barton gets higher grades than Beebe, but if drafted by GB, they both would be playing OG 95% of the time. Another better value than Barton would be Powers-Johnson, and I would take him if both Barton and JPJ are there @ #25. Otherwise, I want Beebe more than Barton too. And we can get Beebe later. Mid second round.

Barton played OC for half the games his freshman year, so yes, he has some snaps there. Beebe played 859 snaps @ LT his 3rd year and gave up 2 sacks. He played 463 snaps @ RT his 2nd year. 1531 snaps at OG his last 2 years and 1 sack. How could anyone think Barton is the better pick for OG? Beebe is better @ OG & OT and probably OC if needed. Barton wasn't a Top 10 OT.

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Leatherhead's picture

March 27, 2024 at 07:32 pm

When you're a coach, you put your best horse at LT, then Center, then RT.

Guards, particularly RGs, aren't really prioritized positions. Ron Wolf famously said he could get a RG anywhere. It's the least important position on offense.

I have no doubt that Beebe will be a fine pro, and if we drafted him, he'd improve our IOL and eventually start.

I think Barton is better, but I've been persuaded that there's no point in spending our first pick on an interior lineman.

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Bitternotsour's picture

March 28, 2024 at 09:50 am

It's kind of odd that John Schneider, who came from the Ted Thompson/Ron Wolf tree values interior lineman a lot more than GB seems to.

Also, I realize that Jenkins was ostensibly a tackle/center when drafted is a guard now, and he's being paid like a tackle. I don't think there are any hard and fast rules that Packers are following right now, unless the plan is for them to kick Jenkins back to tackle now that he's recovered from his injuries.

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Leatherhead's picture

March 28, 2024 at 05:56 pm

The other alternative could be to put Jenkins at Center and draft Beebe at #41 to play LG.

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Coldworld's picture

March 28, 2024 at 10:30 am

Remember Jones tested at 370. That was down from over 400 in college. By camp he was in the 330s and Stenavich stated that he was a completely different player than anticipated (for the better) athletically. He also needed to add arm strength as did Telfort, but both have very long arms.

Telfort looked a lot slower footed to me personally than Jones. It matches his testing. Injuries mean I’ve really seen little of Tenuta, though he’s supposedly fairly athletic. He had a 4.71 RAS per the Bills, being heavily dinged on speed and particularly the bench (19 with short arms for his size—same as Tom and 7” less wingspan than Jones or Telfort). His agility is good.

Don’t know what we have got with those 3, but visually, Telfort looked like he tested, Jones did not. Yet they kept Telfort, so perhaps they see more than I do.

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dobber's picture

March 28, 2024 at 09:15 am

Bottom line is: do the Packers change what they do with their OL because they now have 3 bigger backs under contract (Jacobs, Dillon, and Wilson) and only one of them has close to the speed to threaten the edge in the wide zone run game (Wilson...and he's the project)? Dillon's not that guy, and Jacobs is more of an A/B gap runner than an outside guy?

They need to find a speed guy to threaten the edges in the draft.

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jannes bjornson's picture

March 28, 2024 at 09:28 am

Bucky knows wide-zone...

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gsd3's picture

March 28, 2024 at 09:42 am

Jaylen Wright and Trey Benson have the speed.

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jannes bjornson's picture

March 28, 2024 at 02:04 pm

One-cut runners.

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Leatherhead's picture

March 28, 2024 at 12:32 pm

No, they don't change what they do First and foremost, we're looking for pass protection from our linemen, . Second, we're looking for guys who can catch at RB.

I'm thinking we'll get a guy in this draft, and that this will be Dillon's last in Green Bay. Unless people get hurt, Wilson isn't going to get many opportunities.

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golfpacker1's picture

March 28, 2024 at 04:45 pm

Trade Dillon to the Cowboys. They need RBs. And a 6th or 7th round pick is better than a kick in the Ass, like we got by cutting Jones. Maybe they signed Dillon with the idea of trading him. That would be a smart move if true.

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Leatherhead's picture

March 28, 2024 at 07:11 pm

No, Dillon has been a good guy and I'm not going to reward that by sending him to Dallas.

You go with Jacobs/Dillon, just like we've gone with Jones/Dillon. We bring the rookie around slowly, and he doesn't see much action as a rookie (like Dillon, and Jones before him), unless we get guys hurt. With any luck, he'd be inactive most games his rookie year.

If we think we can trust him and we like what we've seen in the last year, we part company with Dillon. Dillon gets a lot of good exposure in the playoffs and is offered some decent money in FA. We replace him with the guy we drafted this year and developed. And the beat goes on.

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golfpacker1's picture

March 29, 2024 at 09:46 am

I like Dillon as well LH. And if he makes the team that's great. But GB is in a win-win situation with Dillon because he has trade value as well because he is an established NFL RB. He is an above average receiver, he gets tough yards, and he is a good blocker. Those skills would garner a lot of interest if it comes to that.

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