Upshaw Would Be Flattered by Trade
Alabama outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw might be out of reach for the Packers late in the first round, but he would be delighted by a trade.
INDIANAPOLIS––Alabama outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw, considered one of the best player at his position in this year's Draft class, would really fill a need for the Packers.
They're in desperate need to find a running mate for Clay Matthews to help improve a pass rush for a team that gave up the most passing yards in NFL history.
But unless the Packers trade up for him, it's probably not going to happen. Upshaw is a potential top 10 pick and almost surely will be off the board by the time Green Bay picks at 28th overall.
Should the Packers, or any team, trade up to grab Upshaw, he'd feel flattered.
"I would," said Upshaw at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Saturday. "It would feel good to me, but everybody's got needs. For some teams, I might not be that need.
"Of course I want to go first round, top 10, top five. But at the end of the day I just want to get drafted by a team that's going to make me feel good at the end of the day."
Upshaw acknowledged that he had not met with the Packers while in Indianapolis.
Erik Walden started at right outside linebacker for the first 15 games of the season, but after an up-and-down performance, he gave way to Brad Jones in the regular season finale and again in the divisional round of the playoffs. Both played well in spurts, but neither is a lock to start next season. Walden is a free agent in March and may or may not be back.
The Packers would have to give up a lot in order to trade up high enough in the first round to grab a player like Upshaw, perhaps too steep a price for Ted Thompson to pay in terms of giving up other draft choices.
But one way for the Packers to get additional ammunition is the potential franchise tag and subsequent trade of quarterback Matt Flynn, but at this point it is entirely speculation.
Comments (9)
February 25, 2012 at 06:02 pm
Think there is a decent chance ingram or upshaw could be available at 28. Mayock and NFP have ingram rated higher. Problem is I think a lot of 43 teams would want them just as much. Bears and Lions are two teams that come to mind
February 25, 2012 at 09:54 pm
" ..... perhaps too steep a price for Ted Thompson to pay in terms of giving up other draft choices. "
It's time for TT to quit luv'in all his 'project picks' & move up. The window won't remain open forever, nor is TT getting any younger. Now is the time for TT to show some balls & fix the "D".
February 26, 2012 at 06:37 am
+1
February 27, 2012 at 03:15 am
If I was TT I would franchise Flynn the final day tags can be put on players.
I find it hard to believe that of all the teams in need of a QB, at least one of them won't be interested in trading something better then what we could get in a compensatory pick for Flynn.
I really like Upshaw, he would make my draft. Melvin Ingram is another guy I would not mind landing somewhere in the first. Hes short but hes a badass.
February 27, 2012 at 03:24 pm
The Packers don't have the cap to tag Flynn without a deal in place, and with so little experience and game time, I doubt a team will give more than a 2nd rounder for him. The Kolb deal might serve as a cautionary tale for teams.
And if they simply let him walk, the probability of getting a 3rd rounder is big.
IMO if the Packers do tag Flynn, is because there's a deal in place already. But given the circumstances, the Packers have little to bargain with.
February 27, 2012 at 07:37 pm
They don't have the space now but with the impending release of Clifton and Drivers restructure they will be close.
What do you mean little to bargain with? The Packers have Flynn, will have about 10 draft picks and a glut of receivers they must thin out a bit. A package deal maybe?
Obviously im not TT so it really doesn't matter what I think anyway.
February 27, 2012 at 09:03 pm
I don't get all the hype about Upshaw. The more I watch his game film, the more he reminds me of AJ Hawk - slow, no push and always 10 feet away from the ball. I sure hope we don't make the mistake of drafting him
Brian Carriveau
February 27, 2012 at 09:40 pm
I suggest watching the national championship game. You'll see a big-time performance on college football's biggest stage.
February 29, 2012 at 07:34 pm
Just watched the Upshaw highlights again from that game. I could find only one play (where he tackled the LSU QB for a sack) where he showed First Round potential. All his other plays are average at best - certainly not deserving of a First round pick. Just my 2 cents.