Packers Want To Jump Up In Draft?
By Aaron Nagler on Apr 19, 2010 with 79 Comments
According to Adam Schefter earlier today:
Packers, Eagles have expressed interest in trading up to 10-12 range. But it could depend on how board falls. Good prospects everywhere.
Myself? I don’t think there’s a chance in hell this happens. I think it’s a total smokescreen. But what the hell, it’s fun to guess, right? Who do you think the Packers would be targeting just outside the Top 10? The floor is yours, dear readers…
Filed Under: 1265 Lombardi Ave • NFL Draft • Ted Thompson • Trade rumours
If they do move up you have to believe it would be for one of the top Tackles. If they do trade up you can kiss getting McCluster in the 2nd round goodbye.
No worries. They’ll pick up McCluster in the 5th.
You’d have to think so, but which one? If Thompson really was looking to jump, he’d have his eye on someone specific. Any ideas?
Perhaps one of the bigger oline prospects? Buluga or Iupati? Weren’t they pretty interested in him at the Senior Bowl?
Maybe even Eric Berry?
I think it’s a smokescreen too. Can’t trust anything that’s ever said around this time of year.
Spiller? Could be the only game-changing player that the Packers would need to move up for. LT isn’t game-changing. S? CB? As you eloquently mentioned in a blog post earlier, unlikely. Pass rush? Some of those guys should be there at 23.
I’m thinking it has to be Spiller. Use as 3rd and long or KR, or change-of-pace, guy has the speed to take it to the house.
Look at how Percy Harvin improved the Vikes offense last year…
LT isn’t gamechanging until you think about what Aaron Rodgers could do if he wasn’t constantly worrying about a defensive end blowing past whoever is backing up Clifton this year when he goes down with his yearly injury.
Right on Jayme. NOTE: Don’t the Seahawks have the 14th overall? The first of TWO first rounders? GM’d by TT’s buddy John Schneider?
I personally think Bedard is too strict on Mr Thompson. Just because Thompson has traded down in the past doesnt mean he won’t this year. He just showed LAST year that hes willing to trade up if necessary. In the same token of course, as you mention, just because there’s rumors that he will doesnt mean he actually will.
In other words I don’t think Thompson cares either way…it depends on the situation and who’s available.
And I’m no draftnik so I wont even hazard a guess.
Edit: Just because Thompson has traded down in the past doesnt mean he won’t [trade up] this year
I think you’re right about it being a smoke screen, and especially not for a tackle even if they do pull the trigger. TT is on record saying that drafting a tackle high isn’t a “necessary thing.”
I doubt he’s going up there, and if he does, I really doubt it’s for a tackle. But who knows, the earlier stuff about how he’s really happy with the line could have all been smoke and mirrors to try to get a tackle to slide to them.
As much crap as TT gets for being aloof…I think you have to give him the benefit of the doubt when he says something like that a week before the draft. Especially when you just mentioned the idea of a smoke screen..
I believe that out of the top 10, they’ll hardly consider it for Okung and Berry, and could make a move for McClain, Spiller, Haden, Williams or Bulaga.
But I doubt they will.
What could be a much more plausible trade up is if McClain, Spiller, Haden, Williams, Bulaga or Earl Thomas fall out of the top-15. And even then I also have many doubts that it’ll happen.
These are the situations in which I think they would CONSIDER moving up, but in this draft, I doubt they do.
I could see TT moving up to the early 2nd, though, if Huges, Brown, McCourty, Best are still there…
When you read “hardly consider”, it’s supposed to mean that they’ll give it a long, hard look, and not that they won’t look into it much, as I made it sound like…
Haden?
Or Wilson.
Very little seperating Haden, McCourty and Wison. Crazy to move into the top 10 when you can find a damn good kid at the #23 spot or in the 2nd round. Makes far more sense to trade up into the beginning of the 2nd to get a top corner.
Edit: If they trade into the top 12 – 15 they either fell in love with Graham or Earl Thomas. The run on first tier tackles will be done by then and it’s way too high to take Iupati (unless you think he can play right tackle).
My 2 cents….
I think that you are right. They can get their OLB at 23 and if they trade up in the second round could get their DB or a pretty decent RB and won’t cost them nearly as much.
If you think I’m going to tune in before :15 are left on the clock for Patriots, you’re wrong Schefter. Dead wrong.
Fine, I’ll watch the late teens…well, maybe just from pick 10 on, but no earlier… OKAY! Jeez, Adam, you win, I’ll tune in for the whole damn night. Are you happy now?!?!
You’re a sneaky bastard, Schefter.
This is the best theory yet.
Sun Tzu says “the art of war is deception”. There is a lot of misinformation flying around at this time of year. Ted would really have to be in love with a guy for him to give up what it would cost him to jump that high.
On the other hand, the week before the draft is when a lot of potential deals are made based on contingency of somebody “maybe” being there. Once the draft starts the focus is on the dynamic in play. So those sort of deals are in your hip pocket, so to speak, and if the stars are in the proper alignment, they can quickly pull the trigger.
I’ve got to believe that 99% of those hypothetical deals never get done but since Aaron asks the question….CJ Spiller has the potential to be a game changer, Eric Berry, Earl Thomas, maybe Joe Hayden,or an OT (Okung,Bulaga or Williams).
Yep, he’d have to be in love with a guy. Like Clay Mathews III, for instance. How’d that work out?
If TT wants to trade up, that’s cool with me. Even if it’s for a HB!
I don’t understand the love for Wilson. He has a rep for shying away from contact.
Every writer I respect has said that every football person they talk to says Wilson is the best corner in the draft.
Maybe they all pass on Haden and he falls to us!
I actually mentioned this in CSS’s last draft post. I think with EVERY team looking to get a good deal by trading down (due to the amount of equal talent in the draft), the cunning move may ACTUALLY be to trade up. Every team will look to trade down, and with very little trade partners the buying pressure MAY BE, just may be a lot less than the selling pressures. It may be much cheaper than traditionally to trade up. And if anyone knows how to bargain, its TT.
If the prospect is right, I would totally say to go for it. I don’t think TT would do it for an OL, but for one of the premium corners, or maybe safety or OLB??? If one of the top corners or safeties fall out of the top ten (which they always do), I can see TT trading up. Totally!
But like everyone else is saying, this is probably a smoke screen, but I am hoping it is not.
As long as he isn’t giving up draft picks for next year, I’m totally fine with it!
VERY interesting point, about the trade value to move up possibly being cheaper than in past drafts…
That’s a good thought. My first instinct was to say that this is a prototypical trade down draft. I’d think TT might want to take another dip in the pool in round 2 – with as much depth as there is in most of the positions we need. But you’re right that this is probably what almost every other team is going to be looking to do also. Which means there won’t be any value there. If there is value in making a move, it’s probably in going the other way. Only after you see someone slip, though.
I do get a kick out of some of these reporters trying to one-up everyone. So some of this “news” I take with a pound of salt.
I am sure that TT will move up or down the board depending on who is available. Not sure if it is worth it to move up with such a good draft this year.
I agree that for TT to trade up the scouting dept. must really be in love with the player. My question would be who would they be in love with? The two top corners I could buy. The various top left tackle prospects all seem to have some issue whether it’s work ethic, character, athletic ability, arm length, etc. that would make one think twice about trading up. If Spiller weighed a bit more I could see him being attractive in the upper third of round one ala Chris Johnson. I don’t see a safety being attractive to Ted as a value pick this high in the draft either. Same with RBs as the FSU kid Matthews will probably be on the board at #23. OLBs seem to be liberally scattered throughout this draft, so which one would the Pack choose over Kindle, Hughes or even Marshall, all of whom might still be in play when the Patriots pick immediately before the Packers at #22? The Pats have a similar need at OLB, so how about TT trading up to #21 or so to leapfrog the Pats if their guy is still on the board? Bottom line, I’m pretty sure this particular rumor is a smokescreen folks!
I’d hope it was Spiller or Berry. I know Ted was reportedly unhappy with Bigby’s choice to sit out the rest of the Arizona game in the playoffs and has stated our need for depth at the safety position going forward so there’s that. I cannot stand Ted Thompson most of the year, but come draft day, I tend to let Ted be Ted and do what he does best… draft.
agree… eric berry would be amazing
You better move up into the top 6 if you even want to sniff Berry.
nagler i agree with the wilson pick, that’d b an interesting choice
It has to be spiller if he is there at 10, then jax can pick tebow at 23. if its a tackle, i will flip
Aaron, off topic while still speaking of NFL “insiders,” are you going to post any thoughts on Mr. Grant working out with Jay Glazer in his MMA gym?
Grant ignores me as it is – my post on that would probably make him seek me out. But yeah, I have some thoughts…
I trained mixed martial arts for a decade and even had an offer to instruct at a school in Minnesota. Can tell you that MMA training benefits running backs the least (with the exception of cardio, but that’s universal benefit to all NFL positions).
Where the training really helps is along the lines (trenches) and WR/TE. Hand speed and hand position/fighting is grossly underrated when locking-on to a defender (benefits OL), removing the reach advantage and hand position of an OL/WR/TE (benefits the defender) or releasing from the line of scrimmage for a WR/TE.
Football players are already trained at to explode at the hips so there’s little benefit there. You choose a training method because it improves a desired skill set to become better at your respective position. The skill set/method for training in MMA benefits a RB in the least, more trendy for them……
I’m hoping that CM3, Barnett, and Hawk get in on it!! I think it would help them a lot!
CM3 needs to get on it? bro… he’s on the motherf*cker
Have you seeked out Rodgers yet? I see he’s on Twitter now. You have to get Barnett to get Rodgers to grace the podcast at least once! Then you can tell him how much you dislike the championship belt thing…I still love it though!
To trade up will cost a number 2 or 3. With a reportedly deeper draft, TT may want to stand pat or gather more draft choices by trading down.
If a number of QBs go in the higher first round, that will make other position players available.
As to who, it’s so hard to tell who will be left at 23 and the Packers have needs at a number of positions.
But that’s kind of my point. A first and third (remember, the Packers pick is a lower third) to move into the top 12-15 (from the Packers current position) is not what it would’ve cost in previous years. It would have been that, and then maybe another two lower round picks (a fifth, and next year seventh…or something like that). So the fact that you may be able to do it for a first and third, and if a player you thought would be long gone after the first 10 teams pick is still around, I wouldn’t be surprised to see TT move up.
Another thing, a lot of teams on the Packers upcoming schedule have taken some big risks and improved their rosters (Jets, Giants, Bears, Dolphins, Redskins). This is the forum for TT to improve his. I can see him thinking he has a lot of bodies for camp, so he may decide to cut down on his 8 draft picks.
I am in no way saying that I know what TT is going to do, or that I am certain he would trade up. I just would not be surprised at all, and to be completely honest, I’d love to see him move up for a player that can be an immediate cog in our system.
That assumes a team would settle for a first and lower third. Maybe if a team wanted to get rid of a higher salary… Is there much advantage in a team having two thirds (one being a lower one at that)and the 23 pick for it’s mid round pick? Some team may be that desperate, maybe Jax for a shot at Tebow?
My guess is TT would want his higher rounds – keep the first three since it is a deep draft. The talent difference may not be that significant. A lot will depend on where the QBs go.
Also, we don’t know what improvement TT sees in the current roster from a year ago. The Pack may be better at certain positions than we know.
And, he also likes to pick up players around the cut downs. So, there are options.
so packsmack25 grant is working out in a MMA facility, and finley did some boxing a few weeks back? is this correct? dang i like the aggressive transfusion being dicated in this offseason from our offense!!
If you’re choosing to train MMA/boxing because you want to expand on a specific skill set or cross-train in cardio then it’s a wonderful choice. If an NFL player, a guy that’s already reached the pinnacle of the sport where each play is the equivalent of a 10 mph car crash trains in this manner to ‘become m ore aggressive’ I can assure you he will never find it.
I would rather roll with St. Pierre then get hit repeatedly by an NFL defender…….
I have not seen any MMA guy run into his entourage and fall down on the way to the octagon.
I see what you did there….
I’ve actually thought that Ted is going to trade up for some time now. This team is deep, and I think we’d be better served landing 4 or 5 guys that Ted really likes as opposed to adding another 8-10 rookies. This Draft is deep sure, but if there’s a guy that Ted really likes sitting around the 10-12 area, there’s no doubt in my mind he’ll do everything he get to get there. If we trade up, my guess as to for who would be: OT Trent Williams and Bryan Bulaga, S Earl Thomas, or OLB JPP and Derrick Morgan. As always, just my .02.
The Packer organization is about as tight lipped as any team in the NFL. If it has leaked they want to move up it is because TT wants everyone to think he wants to move up.
Another tidbit, Gil Brandt(who has an inside w/ John Dorsey) also said the other day on Sirius Radio that we are looking to trade up.
Like others I don’t really see a guy worth moving up for except for Spiller and even that is debatable. I would think we would be looking to move up from our second round pick, not up from our first.
Let me throw this out there. Is there any player (and don’t say Bush) that we could use as a bargaining chip to move up?
How about Barbre?
James Jones and maybe Cullen Jenkins.
Colledge, and Jarrett…dammit.
That was funny right there and I don’t care who you are.
Wiscokid:
AJ Hawk- only if we move up for McClain.
Desmond Bishop
Daryn Colledge
Atari Bigby- if we move up for an Earl Thomas/Eric Berry.
TE Donald Lee- as a throw in.
S/CB Jarrett Bush- see above.
FB John Kuhn- see above.
Matt Flynn- if we move up for Berry w/ CLE, I think he’s included in the trade.
Other than Hawk it doesn’t look like you’re giving up too much. I’m not sure that Colledge won’t work out at guard yet. I just haven’t given up on him as much as so many others have. He really did get bounced around a lot last year. That isn’t to say I wouldn’t trade him.
How about Ryan Grant? Would you let him go if you landed Spiller out of the deal?
Not Matt Flynn. He’s worth more to GB than that. Who becomes the backup?
If we’re relying on Matt Flynn to carry the team, our season will be over anyway. Don’t get me wrong I like Flynn but he’s not a starter. Maybe in another year or two but not now.
Couple veteran guys on the market, maybe a Marc Bulger? There have been many QBs linked to GB this year, Jonathan Crompton in particular.
It’s going to be a LONG Tues & Wed, can’t wait much longer!
You can say that again brother!
I’d trade Grant FOR a 1st, or an early 2nd, if Best is there…
But not Grant PLUS a 1st…
Ted will move up in the draft and pick some guy projected to go in the 2nd. Mark it down.
Only the second? I’ve heard there’s a WR from a div-III college that TT absolutely loves…
I said “3rd” on Twitter.
i’d go after mcclain.
the pack needs someone who can create pressure between the tackles. they also need someone who can cover the middle of the field in passing situations.
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mcclain can do both those things.
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the ILB position in this draft is mcclain and then……….well, that’s it. there’s depth in this draft at cb, olb, ol, dl. you can get quality guys later. but if you want an impact mlb you gotta get one early cuz you’re not gonna find anything late.
But would getting mcclain really be worth it? We don’t really know if he’s better than hawk yet and even then is mcclain’s talent worth trading a.j. hawk and some other picks? if we trade up i’m thinking we trade for a position that would be a much bigger upgrade for us..not sure what that is though
but doesn’t hawk’s salary blow up next year?
yeah – a player picked this year is gonna be expensive as well, but at least he has the POTENTIAL to be a game changer… hawk is NOT a game changer – never will be. if i’m gonna be paying someone a boatload of $ at that spot i’d rather be paying it to someone who might be a difference maker.
The Romanian Ostrich himself, Zoltan Mesko.
Pure. Fluff.
Don’t get yer panties in a bunch here folks. If uncle Ted trades up 2 years in a row, IN THE FIRST… I will be expecting to see a pig fly by my window.
I was about to say “stranger things have happened”, though I’m not sure they have.
GBP 4 LIFE
Here’s what Rodger Goodell will say at the podium:
“The (insert trade partner) have traded the (9-12th) pick of the 2010 NFL draft to the Green Bay Packers. And with the (9-12)th pick the Green Bay Packers select Parker Brett, quarterback” TT loves to build for the future right? In a move to get back at Favre and get a 22 year head start Ted trades up to get a future franchise QB before anyone else can.
Random middle of the night thought, but what if TT is SO savvy that he knows that it’s a great year to trade into the top 10 and get a guy because of the lack of a salary cap? Think about it, look at what he’s done for guys like Clifton and Collins, front-loading their contracts like crazy. Won’t the smart GMs do this for rookies this season in order to sign them to future-friendly contracts? As in, give a top-10 guy an INSANE amount of up-front cash, but wiggle the back end of the contract so much that he’s paid like a 2nd rounder? I think TT would have something like this on his mind.
[...] on up – As Aaron over at CHTV posted, there is a rumor circulating that the Packers want to move up in this year’s draft. I’ve heard this rumor now from 3 different sources, so does it actually have some bite to [...]
I love draft week. Any theory can be presented and who can argue? With TT at the controls, I’d bet my last buck no one at NFL.com or anywhere else can accurately predict his move.
I’m just hoping beyond hope it’s an OT. So, not wanting to jinx that, I’ll say he’s going after Thomas.
Intriguing rumor, but I agree that I can’t see this big of a jump happening. Maybe a few spots to snag a guy they really want. But if they move up to 10-12, I would say it would have to be for one of the two safeties (Berry or Thomas) or if one of the top tackle prospects start falling (like Oher last year).
Iupati! Iupati! Iupati!
Or, I have to say while I’m no BSU Bronco fan, though I can see the stadium from my house, Wilson might result in the fact I no longer feel the need to freely apologize for his very presence on the team. Not that I had anything to do with it, obviously. But I just feel badly.