#PackersDaily: Opportunities Inside
The middle of the Packers defense presents ample opportunity for someone to step in and become a key part of Jeff Hafley's new defense in Green Bay.
By PackerAaron
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Comments (8)
golfpacker1
March 18, 2024 at 05:31 pm
B/S Isaiah Simmons: Who knows how Simmons would fit in Jeff Hafley’s defense, but the eighth pick of the 2020 draft has put up some impressive numbers, including 105 tackles, seven passes defensed and four forced fumbles in 2021 and 99 tackles, four sacks and seven passes defensed in 2022. Traded to the Giants for a seventh-round pick, he had 50 tackles in 17 games (four starts) in 2023. According to PFF, he played 166 snaps in the box, 137 on the defensive line and 65 in the slot.
Play him exclusively @ LB and blitz him alot. Say Micah Parsons.
LLCHESTY
March 19, 2024 at 12:56 pm
Whoa guy, you might be obsessed with Simmons.
golfpacker1
March 20, 2024 at 11:33 am
Yeah, I do like him to the Packers because of the potential he has not reached LL. He also reminds me a lot of former Iowa Hawkeye/ Minn Viking Chad Greenway. Greenway was never a thumper LB in college or the NFL. In fact it was noticeable how most of his tackles were grabbing the runner's legs to bring them down. But he did it really well. He was also really strong in coverage. Simmons is faster for sure, but all of their measurables are similar, and Greenway played faster on the field than his 40 time.
Even though we are choosing from a very small group that is left @ LB, while trying to fill our needs, I think Simmons is an upgrade LB that can offer way more than the average player. The position versatiliy, strong coverage skills, and untapped as yet potential of using Simmons in a Micah Parsons role, sure seems like a player the Packers could use. Who knows, maybe if Simmons and GB commit to playing primarily LB, the Packers could unlock the star that Simmons came into the NFL with.
Coupled that with Simmons is still young, heathy, doesn't miss games, can play special teams, would at worst be better depth than we have @ LB, and is projected to be really cheap salary wise, makes a good argument to sign him.
Like with a lot of players who come into the NFL, the team that drafts you has so much to do with the players success. Arizona and the NYGs were both bad teams for Simmons to be stuck with. If it was SF, Pittsburg, KC, or any of maybe 10 other teams, this guy could be signing a really big contract right now.
golfpacker1
March 20, 2024 at 12:08 pm
Think of the difference in the Packers defense if we had drafted Greenway, with the career he had as a premier sideline to sideline LB, vs drafting A J Hawk. Surprisingly as fast as Greenway played, he ran a pedestrian 4.76 40 time. He sure played faster than that.
golfpacker1
March 18, 2024 at 05:36 pm
Barring trading for a backup from another team, I have been scouring the Practice Squad rosters and see 3 potential LB upgrades we could steal for nothing, these 3 look as good as what's in the 2024 draft.
Brandon Smith-Eagles via Penn State- 6'4 250lbs 4.5 @ combine in 2022, he was the #3 LB in 2022 and has sky high potential- as good or better LB than anyone in the 2024 draft-perfect fit for GBs need this year.
Smith was rated higher than Quay Walker in the 2022 draft. He is better than Cooper too.
Shaka Heyward-Bengals via Duke- 6'3 240 4.5 @ combine in 2023, more tackles senior year than Edggerin Cooper had his last year, is better in coverage than Cooper too. Shaka would be a Top 10 LB in the 2024 draft, another perfect fit for GBs needs @ LB this year.
Malik Jefferson-Cowboys via Texas 6'3 240lbs 4.5 @ combine in 2019-3rd round pick by Bengals strong tackler and good in coverage.
None of them have clicked yet and had their careers take off but all 3 are potentially as good as the top LB in this draft-E Cooper. Every player we draft has potential, but will they reach it is the dilemma. At the worst they are better than the depth we have at LB now.
WD
March 19, 2024 at 07:32 am
I agree completely. There is absolutely no need to take an OL with our first pick. We have three picks in rounds 1-2. If we take O- line first there will be the opportunity cost of not getting a premier position at ILB or even Safety. Certainly not Cooper. On the other hand I think we might still get a premier LB like Payton Wilson at 41. Bottom line the Pack has three picks from 25-58. There are needs at multiple positions. I vote ILB, OL and Safety but depending how it falls no specific order betwixt them. When in doubt be mindful of the RAS scores. With a little luck we can have a great draft
LLCHESTY
March 19, 2024 at 12:55 pm
The OL needs an injection of talent and, just as importantly, toughness. This draft there's a nice collection of players that are good athletes that also like putting guys on their butts. I'd be fine with the 1st two picks being O linemen. Myers is FA next season and Tom, Walker and Rhyan FAs the year after.
golfpacker1
March 20, 2024 at 11:54 am
It's so important when making the picks to be able to grab the best players at our biggest positions of need, before there won't as good of options with later picks. Strength of position groups and where they are projected to come off the board is equally important. And even though drafting Best Player Available is a popular method. It works better with really good teams with few needs, or really bad teams with a million needs. Green Bay is neither.
Hypothetically but this is reasonable I think,
If we pick OL with #25 or our first pick, we get a Top 10 OL. And it fills a huge need.
If we pick Safety with #41, we get a Top 3 Saftey, maybe our favorite. And fills a big need for now and the future.
If we pick LB with #58 through #70 we get a Top 5 LB. Wallace and Colson are the best and safest fits.
Choosing a LB or CB with our first pick, whether @ #25 or after a trade back, will really impact whether we fill our top 5 needs with the best players we can get, at each position group. OL really needs to be our first pick.
From there it is not quite as clear but we can get a Top 12 RB, a Top 10 CB, or another really good OL, between #88 and #128? Even if we trade back, which gains us more picks in 4th, 5th, and 6th rounds.
This could be one of our best drafts ever that could propel us to the biggest games if we nail it.