Packers Release Nate Palmer

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports the veteran linebacker has been let go. 

From Spoon: 

This move comes as no surprise.

Palmer should never have been more than a borderline backup. Instead, he was thrust into a starting role where his severe limitations were exposed early and often.

 

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Comments (66)

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egbertsouse's picture

April 08, 2016 at 04:40 pm

Good. He's just guy, you can pick up players like him anywhere

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

April 08, 2016 at 07:41 pm

He needed to play better but by all reports he was a very noce guy who worked hard. The NFL is tough, no need to kick a guy when he is on his way out.

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4thand1's picture

April 09, 2016 at 08:34 am

good guys finish last?

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Hematite's picture

April 08, 2016 at 05:14 pm

He was just another case of the Packers trying to pound a square peg into a round hole.

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Gianich's picture

April 11, 2016 at 12:19 pm

They try to sell it to us and put him at starter last year for how many games????? Why didn't they just let Ryan go?? I hate how much this team places into seniority. How is it possible that being here in GB for one year is more important that just being a better player??? Ryan should have been put in as soon as Barrington went down, but nope, they rolled with the experience of being here for a year!! That year was spent at OLB not ILB so why does that hold so much water with the Packers?? Took the organization 6 more freakin weeks to see what we all saw very Sunday on TV.... And now they cut him.... Great moves at ILB from top to bottom GB, great job!

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DrealynWilliams's picture

April 11, 2016 at 01:55 pm

I agree, it irks me too. Remember those games of Jarrett Bush starting? Remember that season of MD Jennings starting?

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Gianich's picture

April 12, 2016 at 01:50 pm

Oh I remember! Meanwhile everytime Tramon was on the field he made play after play after play, but they continued to march Bush back out there until Big Ben finally put the nail in Bush's CB coffin with a 500yard day and mostly one on one targetting Bush...WTF did it take Dom and Tater so freakin long to get Tramon out there in place of Bush even though it was clear Tramon was twice the player?? This type of crap has costed us games over the years and I hope it changes. Play the best player regardless of experience, seniority, draft position. JUST PLAY THE BEST DAMN PLAYER!

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J0hn Denver's Gavel's picture

April 08, 2016 at 05:34 pm

Hey, that clown "plays with his hair on fire."

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Crackerpacker's picture

April 08, 2016 at 10:51 pm

I am hoping we have selected two ilb's by the end of the 4th round, But if not the lack of depth should make us a key target of the best! udfa's.

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EddieLee's picture

April 08, 2016 at 05:40 pm

Least important spot of the defense. One comes off the field 65% of the time. I think TT and Capers are willing to go into season with Barringtion and Ryan as starters and Matthews at ILB occasionally to keep OL guessing. They just will not spend much at ILB in FA and I doubt they reach for an ILB early in the draft.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

April 08, 2016 at 06:05 pm

I disagree.

The Panthers Defense was so good last season in large part due to those 2 studs at MLB. Many people think Kuechly is the star, but it's really Davis who's the heart. Yes, their D-Line is stellar, but those 2 LB never come off the field.

We don't need 2 studs, but we do need 1 (at least) that can do a lil bit of everything. I mean, AJ Hawk and Desmond Bishop helped us get a ring.

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4EVER's picture

April 08, 2016 at 07:47 pm

Apples and Oranges

McDermott 4 -3 coverage design; requires 2 LB's on the field at all times, no matter the formation. Tackles KAWANN SHORT, and STAR LOTULELEI both are true NT, and both with the length to play 3 tech with control and violence, so the aforementioned LB's can roam and destroy. Throw in a single shut down corner. Hence, Carolina has the middle covered...and is recognized as top tier.

Capers 3 - 4 rush QB design; requires a true NT to be effective, and we've lacked one for some time now, hence the poor middle of the field work. Dime and nickel formations nulls out one of the ILB's. But agreed, would be nice to have a full-time three down talent, leaving Mathews as that moveable entity (Woodson) that seems to work for Capers.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

April 08, 2016 at 10:28 pm

It shouldn't null out an ILB though. It does for us, because we're so below average - average (without moving Clay). I truly believe none of our ILBs could start on any other team - and I like Barrington.

Navarro Bowman and Patrick Willis stayed on the field

Jamie Collins and Dont'a Hightower stay on the field

Bart Scott and David Harris stayed on the field

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RobinsonDavis's picture

April 11, 2016 at 02:49 pm

YEP!!!

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JerseyAl's picture

April 08, 2016 at 07:29 pm

My question is, why did they wait until now?

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DrealynWilliams's picture

April 08, 2016 at 10:38 pm

Same here. I remember asking what did people see in him during the preseason and the replies were that he looked good in camp and was showing promise before the cast.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

April 08, 2016 at 10:52 pm

My question is not why did they wait so long; my question is why now? What is the advantage to GB in releasing Palmer now? I see none. Palmer had no roster or work out bonuses coming up soon.

I suppose it might allow Palmer time to find a team. I can think of other reasons, though, but they are all speculation, and since I know nothing bad about Palmer, I will not express them.

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Gianich's picture

April 11, 2016 at 12:25 pm

Cause if Tinkerin Ted drafts them they bang their heads against a wall and try and try some more to justify the pick. Ryan should have been starter from week 2 on.

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RobinsonDavis's picture

April 11, 2016 at 03:06 pm

I agree, Al. Also agree with Dre & Rey. Makes it more probable they will go for 2 ILBs (or a situational safety that is becoming more common) in the draft. Note that Joe Thomas is still with us, which signals to me that the Packer staff recognizes the need to improve pass and lateral run coverage.

I think Nate gave what he could...a college DE-tweener, converted to OLB, then to ILB. ....just worked hard. Good Luck, Nate, and thank you!!

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Rossonero's picture

April 08, 2016 at 07:41 pm

His limitations were exposed consistently in awareness and coverage. He was a 6th rounder, so we can't have too high expectations. His career could be over, but I wish the young man the best.

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Guisado's picture

April 08, 2016 at 07:43 pm

Good. He's just a guy, you can pick up players like him anywhere.

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Point-Packer's picture

April 08, 2016 at 07:54 pm

I think he's generally just a guy. Good chance we'll be able to find another similarity skilled player elsewhere.

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Since'61's picture

April 08, 2016 at 08:13 pm

No loss here. I agree with Al, why did they take so long to come to this conclusion. Moving on! Thanks, Since '61

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Miisbigsur's picture

April 09, 2016 at 02:32 am

Well, he was a disappointment. The first sign of trouble was that, after he was supposed to be a pass rusher in college, he got nowhere in that role in GB. Then came the position switch, which we like to do with a lot of guys for some reason. Speaking of which, anyone excited about the Datone switch to outside linebacker? Wasn't he supposed to be an interior pass rushing specialist when we drafted him?

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4thand1's picture

April 09, 2016 at 08:42 am

Teams do his with players all the time to fill holes, Salary cap dictates it. You pay your core players and spread yourself thin for the rest of the team.

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holmesmd's picture

April 09, 2016 at 09:35 am

He was a 3-4 DE at UCLA. Ran a 4.8 forty. He's actually rather prototypical to play the elephant in a 3-4. He won't be asked to cover anyone in the passing game but I think he can develop into a nice pass rusher while standing up. The conversion makes sense IMO. Now the guy just needs to stay healthy!!

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DrealynWilliams's picture

April 09, 2016 at 10:35 am

"He won't be asked to cover anyone in the passing game..."

The same thing we thought about Neal and Perry, but that came to bite us in the ass from time to time.

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holmesmd's picture

April 09, 2016 at 02:24 pm

I'm not sure I agree. Elephants are by definition pass rushers, not cover guys. The scheme is supposed to account for the area they vacate. On rare occasion they may zone blitz and drop the OLB to confuse the offense. I'm almost sure that's what happened on JP's 2 picks in 2014?! My point is that Datone is a big athletic player and I think the staff saw that and started this experiment at the back part of last season. I trust that they know what they are doing:)

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DrealynWilliams's picture

April 09, 2016 at 03:01 pm

I'm not saying the coaches don't know what they're doing. Don't be surprised nor upset when you see Datone Jones trying to run with a RB or TE for any amount of time is all I'm saying.

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holmesmd's picture

April 10, 2016 at 07:36 pm

Again, that may happen but it won't often. Elephants rush the passer. That's what they do. The safetys and the inside backers are charged with the task of defending backs and TE's, not elephants. I think you are attempting to invalidate a strategy based on the exception, not the rule. Just my opinion. Yes occasionally elephants drop into coverage but they almost always get help from the WILL or the FS. These guys are all essentially DE's. No one is unaware that coverage is not their forte'. It's all part of the 3-4 philosophy. All of the elephant in the league have mostly the same limitations in coverage, thus they rarely if ever are asked to do it.

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TKWorldWide's picture

April 10, 2016 at 03:10 pm

Offenses have plans too.

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NickPerry's picture

April 09, 2016 at 10:05 am

Well this is no surprise, either is TT losing out on the last Free Agent ILB that could have helped the Packers as a coverage LB'er on 3rd down, Zack Brown. The Bills signed Brown to a 1 year $1.25 Million deal though I'm not sure of the breakdown of the deal. Well Packers fans, clearly it's Barrington and Ryan with Thomas in coverage and whomever they might draft or sign as an UDFA.

Palmer was a 6th rounder. Ted CAN'T pick in the 6th round and should trade his 6th round pick every year!!!

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DrealynWilliams's picture

April 09, 2016 at 10:40 am

"Well Packers fans, clearly it's Barrington and Ryan with Thomas in coverage and whomever they might draft or sign as an UDFA."

I'll be a shitty poster if we go into next season with those 3 as our rotating ILBs. Hell, I might get on Cow's level. Joe Thomas should be cut next.

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sonomaca's picture

April 09, 2016 at 12:11 pm

I'm guessing the plan is to have CMIII inside quite a bit. They ILB class this year is very weak. The best they're going to get is a developmental project who won't contribute this year.

There remains, however, the mysterious case of Carl Bradford. My guess is that they think Bradford will be at least as good as Palmer. Bradford's had two years to learn the position and scheme.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

April 09, 2016 at 12:35 pm

If that's the case, TT better hit on an OLB or either Nick Perry/Jayrone Elliot/Datone Jones better have a standout season.

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holmesmd's picture

April 09, 2016 at 02:26 pm

I actually like Thomas as a dime backer. Cutting him without an alternative would be reactionary and unwise. They brought him back onto the 53 for a reason.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

April 09, 2016 at 03:06 pm

I didn't say cut him now. I just said he's next.

I'm confident whatever LB TT drafts this upcoming draft will be better than Joe Thomas. What does he do that's so roster spot assuring? He's just quicker/fluid in pass coverage than any other LB currently on the roster. Which says.........

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NickPerry's picture

April 10, 2016 at 06:12 am

The knock on Brown is he's bad in run support, but a pretty decent coverage LB. The bottom line is Freeman, Dansby, Brown, and even Bruce Carter would have been HUGE upgrades over anyone the Packers have on the roster in a pass coverage roll at a very affordable price, especially the last 3.
We all talk about MM stubbornness but it seems Mike has nothing on Ted. Unless Ryan surprises us all and turns into even a decent coverage LB or they actually address the issue in the draft by the 3rd round, it could be a lot of what we saw last year.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

April 10, 2016 at 10:19 am

Oooo, I like.

If Ryan can do what Joe Thomas (can't do effectively) then Joe really doesn't have much value. I'm not sure if he's on any Special Teams or not.

For someone who's only asked to do one thing and not be able to do it will sucks.

I just found out he's 6'1 and 227 lbs. I thought he was a true LB. This makes it worse. Wow.

I'd like to apologize to the person who suggested Gunter should put on a few pounds and play the vacated Sean Richardson role. I think Gunter would be so much better than Joe Thomas in that role.

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Mags's picture

April 09, 2016 at 01:45 pm

Maybe they could release TT.

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ray nichkee's picture

April 09, 2016 at 06:10 pm

Good idea, man. That may be the key to superbowl LI. Wipe the drool of your mouth and stop staring at the sun.

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Mags's picture

April 09, 2016 at 07:21 pm

As soon as you pull your head out of TT's. Oh it isn't worth it.

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ray nichkee's picture

April 09, 2016 at 07:33 pm

You know he isn't going anywhere so get over it. Watch the games and enjoy or become a browns fan... Wait, i just took the browns to the superbowl, and then i flushed.

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Mags's picture

April 09, 2016 at 08:06 pm

Where have I heard that one before. Time for some new material, its getting old quick.

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ray nichkee's picture

April 10, 2016 at 12:15 pm

There will always be idiots wherever you go.

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holmesmd's picture

April 09, 2016 at 02:36 pm

The problem GB has at ILB is that they have all "Mikes". Every guy at that position is a thumper, which they are supposed to be. We have 4 Mikes and zero Wills. CMIII is the only guy on the roster who is flexible and fast enough to play Will. Therein lies the issue. Barrington & Ryan are fine against the run, they just aren't fast enough to cover. GB needs a true Will ILB to play base & nickel. Until they address that fact, we will continue to be frustrated. Interestingly most of the guys that I would love to draft at the position are listed as OLB'rs. Lee, Smith, Jack...the only players in this draft that could play Will. Raggland & Joshua Perry are the only guys even listed as true ILB'rs and I'm not convinced that they can play Will either? Raggland might because of his ability to quickly diagnose but unless the Packers trade up, he probably won't be there? Joshua Perry is intriguing and was very good at O State. Not sure how the Packers feel about him but the only LB taken that early MUST be able to play Will IMO.

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sonomaca's picture

April 09, 2016 at 05:54 pm

This could be a situation where they are willing to trade up and get Lee, depending on how far he falls. If they only have to give up the non-compensatory 4th, might be worth it. Doubt they'd part with the 3rd.

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NickPerry's picture

April 10, 2016 at 06:26 am

Perry was horrible in coverage, QB's completed over 60% of their passes when throwing at Perry. I like him in the run game but I'm afraid he'd be another "Mike" exactly what the Packers already have.

Cravens from USC in the 2nd, Jones from LSU in the 3rd might fit the need. Both are listed as OLB but could be used much like Arizona uses Buchannan. Martinez from Stanford might be an option around the 5th too. I really like Jones personally and think he'd be a good pick for the Packers.

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sonomaca's picture

April 10, 2016 at 09:39 am

I'd prefer Jones, since coverage is his forte. We know Ryan can tackle, but can either he or Barrington apply pressure from the inside? If not, I think you put CMIII inside on 3rd down, with Peppers, Perry, Datone Jones, and Elliott tag-teaming rushing from the outside.

Offenses are increasingly designed for the QB to step-up into the pocket. In a 3-4, you counteract that by either having a front 3 which can collapse the pocket, or ILB's which can rush the passer. I'm not sure the Packers have either at the moment.

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Oppy's picture

April 10, 2016 at 10:01 am

In a traditional 3-4, the front 3 are supposed to anchor and maintain their gap integrity, and keep the backers clean, not collapse the pocket. The OLB's are generally speaking the ones tasked with collapsing the pocket off the edge and turning running plays back inside.. the Mike inside backer is typically charged with taking on any free OL or lead block coming out of the back field, so the Will backer can come free and clean make the play on anything coming through the line.

Yes, if there's nobody to cover and no back with the ball, or if it's a designed blitz of course, the ILBs could rush the passer. But it is certainly not the general intent of the 3-4 to have the down linemen or the ILBs collapsing the pocket or rushing the passer... And, yes, JJ Watt. I get it. He's an anomaly playing a non traditional role because he's special.

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sonomaca's picture

April 10, 2016 at 07:41 pm

You describe perfectly how the 3-4 was designed. However, on passing downs, offenses have discovered that they can neutralize the edge rushers by having the QB step up. That forces the edge rushers to have to run all the way around the tackles and back up inside. That takes a long time. By the time they get home, the ball is gone.

If defenses don't counter, they'll be shredded. They can do this either by having an excellent front three which can push the guards and center back toward the QB, thus preventing him from moving up in the pocket. Of, they can have ILB's able to rush the passer from the inside, such as Matthews has done.

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ray nichkee's picture

April 10, 2016 at 01:49 pm

Sonomaca, i think we need a 3 down ILB with all the no huddle these days and we can't have 2 thumpers or mikes in the hurry up offense and in crunch time. We need a 3 down who can drop back any time. Clay can do it but i would like to see him inside only for speacial packages or just in case of injury. I'm sure TT and the coaches would love it but DL needs to be stocked up right now. We'll find out soon enough, i can't wait.

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sonomaca's picture

April 10, 2016 at 07:58 pm

The ILB position is definitely changing. That's why we see these converted safeties. I think the Packers need one of those guys. I leave it to the Packers brass to go find one.

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TKWorldWide's picture

April 10, 2016 at 12:45 pm

Seems like finding a guy who's both big AND fast is a tough job. A guy who's probably a little undersized but fast would best complement what GB already has at ILB. Who in this entire draft (heck, even in the entire NFL currently) has both great size AND great speed at ILB?

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holmesmd's picture

April 10, 2016 at 07:43 pm

Kuechley and Partrick Willis (retired) come to mind. Shazier is insanely fast but a touch undersized at 235 lbs.

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sonomaca's picture

April 10, 2016 at 08:00 pm

Packers wanted him. He's the new prototype. I remember that Pittsburgh vs. Cincy game. He was doing some serious damage.

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TKWorldWide's picture

April 10, 2016 at 08:56 pm

That's exactly what I mean. They are rare. GB has enough size at ILB. They need speed/coverage ability. If they can't get the total package I think they'd be better off adding speed at the expense of thump.

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dobber's picture

April 11, 2016 at 10:43 am

An interesting note from "Ask Vic" (please wait to hold your groans until after the post is done) was his comment that the Packers might be sending a message by releasing Palmer when they did. That could be interpreted to be: we're happy with who we have at ILB and we don't need Palmer; or we have a plan to acquire/draft a player at ILB and Palmer will not make our team.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

April 11, 2016 at 11:10 am

Oh shit, it just came to me. TT is about to start a trend.

Last draft was back to back DBs.

This draft will be back to back LBs.

Watch.

...ok, I'm bullshittin', but seriously, Who would be upset with that?

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dobber's picture

April 11, 2016 at 12:11 pm

I wouldn't...your scenario is more than just plausible. The 3-4 is all about the LB position and they need quality (not just quantity) at both ILB and OLB. Just so long as they get players for the trenches, I'm fine with two LBs to start this draft. Now, if TT drafts two ILB (especially if they're the same kind of ILB) in the first two days, I'll be head-scratchin' a little bit...

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DrealynWilliams's picture

April 11, 2016 at 02:06 pm

Talk about sending a message, lol....

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RobinsonDavis's picture

April 11, 2016 at 03:39 pm

I might be....I WANT an impact ILB in the first two rounds, but also recognize we could be passing up real stars. I am for Best Player Available within the following positions for the first 3 rounds, then drafting for need.
DE
NT
ILB
OT
OLB - Only if a real star falls to us
WR - Only if a real star falls to us in the first round.

However, one of these first 3 needs to be an ILB in my opinion.

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holmesmd's picture

April 13, 2016 at 09:20 am

How cool would it be to somehow get Jack/Lee, Brown, and Smith in r4?!;) Lol. Now there is a sweeping LB'r upgrade!!

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dobber's picture

April 12, 2016 at 08:15 am

FYI--Nate Palmer was claimed by the Tennessee Titans quick-like. Hmmm.

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RobinsonDavis's picture

April 12, 2016 at 11:38 pm

Interesting........Thanks for passing this on.

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holmesmd's picture

April 13, 2016 at 09:21 am

Good for him. He is a nice kid and I wish him well!

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