Stude’s 2019 Draft Preview – Offense

Quarterback

Rodgers still has years left as a starter so the focus is more about developing a backup than it is a true starter of the future. This draft doesn’t appear to be the time to get a long term franchise QB for the post-Rodgers era. I know that people are down on Kizer, but I don’t see much in terms of getting anyone better this year. When he was coming out, Kizer was a bit of a raw prospect with massive potential. Mike McCarthy’s staff was supposed to develop him and capitalize on his big arm and flashes of brilliance. Instead, the Packers continued to struggle on QB development.  I’m looking forward to Kizer getting another chance from a different staff. Tim Boyle also showed some decent backup capabilities, but I think both Boyle and Kizer need some competition. At this point, I’m not interested in investing high draft capital and there are only 2 that I think would be good value picks for this year.

  • 6) Brett Rypien: He has my top desired attribute in an NFL QB – Accuracy.
  • 7) Jordan Ta’amu: A bit of a developmental project, but has mobility.




Running Back

The Packers traded Montgomery and are currently filling that that spot with Tra Carson, Malcolm Johnson and Lavon Coleman. None of those guys are as good as Montgomery, and I’d really like to see the Packers be 3 deep at RB. Part of that is both Jones and Williams have had injury issues. I’m also a BIG believer if rookie running backs (and their contracts) and I think you get them in the middle of the draft. I think the pipeline needs to keep flowing and round 4 looks pretty sweet again this year. I would like at least one running back this year. Also, every year I pick my “target” middle of the draft (usually 4th round) running back. Some previous choices were Kareem Hunt, Kenyan Drake, Tevin Coleman and Devonta Freeman. This year, my pick is Darrell Henderson.

  • 4) Miles Sanders: An all around NFL feature back.
  • 4) Darrell Henderson: Great cuts and using blockers. I really love what I think he can bring to the passing game. A great compliment back.
  • 4) Devin Singletary: A terror to bring down and fun to watch. Has a lot of carries already.
  • 5) Rodney Anderson: Slight by extremely balanced. Medical risk that’s worth trying with a later pick.
  • 6) Bryce Love: Another guy that has a medical concern but would be a good compliment.
  • 6) Tony Pollard: Henderson’s teammate is listed as a RB, but he’s more of a jack of all trades. Can be a dynamic piece that is moved around, and will be both a return and gunner on special teams. He made my list as a value for many positions when a 53 roster is always tight.
  • 7) Devine Ozigbo: Has both power and quickness and would fit a zone system well. I love his feet. He doesn’t have long speed, but he is worth a spot on an NFL roster.

 

Wide Receiver

In a consistent theme, I seem to be higher on the Packers young receivers than most Packer fans. People always want immediate impact, but I think receivers take a while to adjust. What MVS and EQ have shown is really good for how fresh they were. I also think Moore still has the chance to be the best of the 3 (although the odds are decreasing). It isn’t time to give up on him yet. I also like what Allison brings. If you add Davante in the mix, then the WR room is already pretty full, and that’s not counting Kumerow or Trevor Davis (really for special teams). They also have Allen Lazard who is better than people might know. All that being said, I think the Packers should still take a WR this year, and it can be to fill any role. I also generally shy away from using a first round pick on receivers, and I think there is tremendous value for them in the 2nd. To that end I have my tradition of picking a second round target receiver. Previous choices where Keenan Allen, Jordan Matthews, Davante Adams, Nelson Agholor, Sterling Shepard, and James Washington. This year my pick is Hakeem Butler. I also know that D.K. Metcalf and Hollywood Brown are 2 of the most talked about prospects, but I’m not interested in either as I think they will go higher than their value.

  • 2) Hakeem Butler: He has amazing size, but I even more appreciate the contested catches. He would be an amazing weapon for Rodgers.
  • 2) A.J. Brown: Another guy that is good with contested catches. He seems like he isn’t getting much attention, but I think he would be a great fit in the slot pretty quickly.
  • 2) Kelvin Harmon: Ok, so I might like contested catch receivers. It’s pretty difficult to get open in the NFL, so you need to be able to create small windows and then come down with the ball (like Davante does). Harmon doesn’t have a lot of speed, but he uses his body and hands well and gets the ball from the air.
  • 3) Deebo Samuel: I love the way he can be moved around. A bit of a health question, if healthy he would be really fun in the offense.
  • 4) Terry McLaurin: Generally a player’s production dips when going from college to the NFL. On the right team, McLaurin’s might improve. A strong route runner that can beat man coverage. He can be a future starter and is a solid value in the middle of the draft.
  • 5) Andy Isabella: I think it would be fun to have world class speed and change of direction in the Packer’s offense, and Isabella is my middle round choice to do that. He’s really short, but he was ultra productive using that speed.
  • 6) Penny Hart and Stanley Morgan Jr.: 2 late round guys that run great routes.
  • 7) KeeSean Johnson: He has great hands and runs great routes, but is slow. He went to the same college and reminds me of James Jones (with less athleticism).
  • 7) Miles Boykin: Great athleticism guy that needs development.
  • 7) Terry Godwin: A good receiver that’s small and not fast. An end of the draft guy that gets a shot to play the slot.
  • 7) Jeff Smith: Plain name, versatile game. He must have run a million sweeps, reverses, and gadget plays at BC. As a receiver he doesn’t have hands, but he has speed and agility. He could be fun gadget guy at the end of the draft. Perhaps undrafted?

 

Tight End

At this position, it’s amazing to me that the Packers have so little for the long term. I wouldn’t be surprised if both Graham and Lewis retired after this year. Graham will likely stick around for all of the money, but he isn’t going to earn it. Tonyan is better than he probably gets credit for, but the Packers needs get at least 1 tight end this year. I think it’s vital to look for a TE that is both a blocker and receiver. I think LaFluer would like to see unpredictability on knowing what the offense is going to do. If the TE is available to do both, it puts more strain on the defense.

  • 1) T.J. Hockenson: He is at the bottom of my list of players that I would take with pick #12. But if everyone else is gone, I’d still take him that high.
  • 2-3) Irv Smith: He’s a bit short for TE, but he’s a good all around player. I’m not sure I’m sold on him being worth #44 as he seems more like a late 2nd/early 3rd round value.
  • 4) Kahale Warring: Good hands, but still a developmental pick with a high ceiling. He’s played water polo, tennis and basketball.
  • 5) Foster Moreau: He kind of reminds me of a smaller Bubba Franks. I think he would be a decent blocker/receiver combo that will be available without a high pick.



Offensive Tackle

David Bakhtiari is an absolute stud at the most important position on the line. Bulaga is a great right tackle that has injury issues and is near(or at?) the end of his career. The Packers need to have someone ready for both the inevitable injury as well being the future starter. Spriggs improved last year, but he still hasn’t lived up to his draft stock I’m hoping that he takes another step this year but I would still like to see an investment at the critical tackle position.

  • 1) Jonah Williams: A guy that is a very good left tackle, but doesn’t have the preferred length in the NFL.
  • 1) Jawaan Taylor: An absolute stud right tackle. Yes, right tackle isn’t as highly coveted, but this guy is one of the more “safe” picks in the whole draft. He’s great in pass protection in a passing league.
  • 1) Dalton Risner: I would be very happy with this guy at #30. A “nasty streak” right tackle that has the size, hands, and power. He can likely line up anywhere but LT.
  • 2) Andre Dillard: He is a perfect zone blocking left tackle. He would be a great selection at #44, and might even be worth #30. He does need some fundamentals development.
  • 4) David Edwards: A former TE that needs more development. Could be a starting RT.
  • 4) Greg Little: Needs to develop, but can be a starting left tackle.
  • 4) Kaleb McGary: A power player that has the size but needs development in pass protection. Available in the middle round with potential to be a starting right tackle.
  • 5) Isaiah Prince: Amazing athlete that underperformed in college. Developmental guy.
  • 7) Oli Udoh: Amazing athlete that needs an investment in time and coaching.
  • 7) Mitch Hyatt: The opposite of Price and Udoh. A guy that always outperformed his athleticism. He finds a way to get the job done and a great leader/locker room guy.

 

Interior Offensive Lineman

Corey Linsley is a solid player in his prime. He signed a contract extension and will be under contract for 2 more years (his contract ends when he’s 30). He’s generally healthy and I feel like  the center position has no immediate need. Guards of Lane Taylor and Billy Graham are decent (not the Sitton/Lang level) but keeping that pipeline going would be wise. I would really like to see what Cole Madison can bring. McCray, Patrick and Siragusa are interesting guys for the end of the depth chart, but after all of the issues last year, I’d really like to see more guys brought in and let the best man win.

  • 2) Chris Lindstrom: One of the best offensive linemen in the draft.
  • 2) Erik McCoy: He can play guard and center and is a pretty “safe” pick.
  • 2) Garrett Bradbury: A center that is a high effort high quality guy.
  • 4) Elgton Jenkins: A potential NFL starter in the middle of the line.
  • 7) Hjalte Froholdt: Doesn’t have the length, but would be competition for the current guys.

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