Will Pack use early picks to beef up the line?

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/packers-still-too-soft-to-be-favorites-td9klcm-203946331.html

With the NFC getting beefed up again with teams like the 49ers, Seabags, and Giants are the Packers too soft to be the conference favorites? I think most of us have agreed that the Pack needs more nastiness and physicality in their play to be the elite team. Even though I would like to see bigger offensive linemen (road graders) and a bigger defensive line (taller, larger, and nastier) what will TT do if a Lacy or high ranking BPA is there for the plucking? Most likely BPA. I also doubt he goes OT after investing #1 picks in a few OT's over the last several years.

If this draft is deep in linemen, I wouldn't mind seeing a trade down and finding bodies in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. My wish list is: 1) DT/DE 2) DT/DE 3) C/G 4) S 5) NASTY LB 6) WR ........Fire Away!

I'm with you Ed. Trade down and take 2 DL within the first 3 picks.

I am all for 'beef' on D as well...just can't come up with the guys I hope to see picked. And that was before I read today that 5 Pack D-Linemen will be in the last year of their contract this season (not that most would be missed ).
Hope it's not out of desperation, but I am really coming around to Hunt being a possibility, age and all. Just hope it doesn't have to be at #26, though. Still would love a trade down since I see no way the Pack moves up for Floyd, Richardson, or the kid from Utah.

"I am all for 'beef' on D as well...just can't come up with the guys I hope to see picked."


Sylvester Williams, Donte Jones

I'll defer to you, lutzz, as I remember you pegging Chandler Jones last year when I really didn't think much of him. Think either would still be around in the 2nd if the Pack could move down a bit?

I suspect at least one will be available in the early second but I find this draft hard to predict.

It is going to be interesting to see what moving Theodore does, particularly in the first three rounds where there is so little difference between player and many teams will likely want to be drafting for need more than a usual draft.

There are a lot of guys to like on the DL/WR, less so at some of the other positions.

I'm as excited as I have ever been due to the incredible unpredictability of this years draft.

lutzz wrote:

"I am all for 'beef' on D as well...just can't come up with the guys I hope to see picked."


Sylvester Williams, Donte Jones

Bob McGinn's mock draft (1st round only) has Sylvester Williams coming to Green Bay. His rationale is that the Packer offensive and defensive lines are too soft to be Super Bowl caliber and will most likely use the pick to draft beef on the line. He further stated that he expects TT to draft solid players who don't have medical histories.

If Williams falls into our laps, I would be very satisfied. The odds definitely will increase when the first GM panicks and leads the "Gold Rush" mentality for QB's!

That article stunned me when I read it. Apparrently Both Raji and Pickett showed up overweight and out of shape.

Considering he’s playing for a new (large) contract this season, how Raji could let himself go in the offseason is really immature. For the Packers to have a superbowl shot this year, he’s a guy who needs to have a repeat of his 2010 play.

I thought Lutzz was really overstating his point when he stated the Packers should go 1 and 2 for DL’men in the draft…after that article he suddenly looks like a prophet.

Jack Vainisi wrote:

That article stunned me when I read it. Apparrently Both Raji and Pickett showed up overweight and out of shape.

Considering he’s playing for a new (large) contract this season, how Raji could let himself go in the offseason is really immature. For the Packers to have a superbowl shot this year, he’s a guy who needs to have a repeat of his 2010 play.

I thought Lutzz was really overstating his point when he stated the Packers should go 1 and 2 for DL’men in the draft…after that article he suddenly looks like a prophet.

Good point Jack. TT can't be happy with what he's seeing, so this could be a Day 1-2 draft for defense with a few offensive positions on Day 3....who knows. Jolly wasn't doing himself any favors either for a guy who wants to make a comeback.

Ed Hochuli #85 wrote:

lutzz wrote:

"I am all for 'beef' on D as well...just can't come up with the guys I hope to see picked."


Sylvester Williams, Donte Jones

Bob McGinn's mock draft (1st round only) has Sylvester Williams coming to Green Bay. His rationale is that the Packer offensive and defensive lines are too soft to be Super Bowl caliber and will most likely use the pick to draft beef on the line. He further stated that he expects TT to draft solid players who don't have medical histories.

If Williams falls into our laps, I would be very satisfied. The odds definitely will increase when the first GM panicks and leads the "Gold Rush" mentality for QB's!

Way to go lutzz, spot on with Datone Jones. With Sly Williams there I was more surprised they still went with Jones, but you had that oen absolutely nailed. Well done Sir.

Have to agree with WSS, you nailed that one Lutzz. Initially, like Randall Cobb, I thought it was a stupid selection based on weight. But the more I read on the guy, the more I liked him.

As of today, he’s only 284 pounds. (IMO) this pick is only part of the puzzle for the packers D line this season. Thompson needs to add some bulk today in order to boster the run defense.

Any thoughts on any run stuffers Thompson might add to the roster tonight? At this point, I wouldn’t rule out a trade up if a player falls beyond his value point.

We need to add some quality posters for next years draft debate. Guys who are really into the draft and can keep up with WSS and Lutzz.

Kudos, lutzz, you were on Jones from the start. You really need to be getting paid by a team to scout. And when you do, hire me as your assistant!

Thanks guys. One thing I learned after studying the draft for 40+ years was that players who do well i n the Senior Bowl generally do well in the pros. Or, more accurately, bust less often. Even showing up means something IMO so I ding big name guys who don't play there unless there is an injury excuse.

The 2 best defensive players at the 2009 senior bowl were Raji and Matthews. If Matthews didn't do that he would not have been a first rounder. Jones is similar. Everyone talks about how the SB made Fischer the first pick. He shut down everyone he went up against except Jones.

Jack Vainisi wrote:

Have to agree with WSS, you nailed that one Lutzz. Initially, like Randall Cobb, I thought it was a stupid selection based on weight. But the more I read on the guy, the more I liked him.

As of today, he’s only 284 pounds. (IMO) this pick is only part of the puzzle for the packers D line this season. Thompson needs to add some bulk today in order to boster the run defense.

Any thoughts on any run stuffers Thompson might add to the roster tonight? At this point, I wouldn’t rule out a trade up if a player falls beyond his value point.

Seems like 4 guys will go in the second or at least before the Packer's third round pick. Jenkins, Hankins, J Williams and B Williams. I prefer Brandon Williams. He played well at the Senior Bowl. He has a thick, not fat body like Jenkins and Hankins and is a hard worker. I had Jesse Williams in my first round wish list for a while because I thought he was really good in all the Alabama games I saw, but I can't get over his body type. Almost all of his weight is above the waist. He has skinny legs and a small butt so I wonder if he will be able to get power against NFL caliber lineman.

You need to remember that most of the time these guys play against guys who won't even get invited to an NFL camp. Another reason the Senior Bowl is so telling. Jesse Williams didn't play in the Senior Bowl, not sure if it was an injury or not. He was originally on the invite list and I was looking forward to watching him.

I remember reading Vic at Packers.com mentioning that J. Williams didn't play in the Senior Bowl 'because he didn't need to'. Of course, Vic also said that Jenkins wouldn't make it past the middle of the 1st Rd. as he was the most dominant DT during the week.
Wish I had ever seen B. Williams play. He sounds like a very good prospect.

Anyone see Mayock last nite on NFL Network? Good thing he and Eisen were on opposite sides of the desk because one more mention of Te'o would have put him over the edge. Cracked me up.

"Anyone see Mayock last nite on NFL Network? Good thing he and Eisen were on opposite sides of the desk because one more mention of Te'o would have put him over the edge. Cracked me up."

During the Tebow draft I thought Mayock might even walk out.