2019 Green Bay Packers Draft Picks and Discussion

[CheezWizHed]

1.12 - Rashan Gary, DE/OLB Michigan

1.21¹ - Darnell Savage, S Maryland

1.30¹

2.44 - Elgton Jenkins, C/G Mississippi State

3.75 - Jace Sternberger, TE Texas A&M

4.114¹

4.118¹

5.150 - Kingsley Keke, DE Texas A&M

6.185 - Ka'dar Hollman, CB Toledo

6.194 - Dexter Williams, RB Notre Dame

7.226 - Alex Summers, LB Texas Christian

 

UDFA:

Yosh Nijman, OT Virginia Tech

Manny Wilkins, QB Arizona State

Randy Ramsey, EDGE Arkansas

Greg Roberts, EDGE Baylor

Javien Hamilton, DB Ole Miss

Kabion Ento, WR Colorado

Davis Koppenhaver, TE Duke

Curtis Bolton, ILB Oklahoma

Matt Eaton, WR Iowa State

Larry Williams, OL Oklahoma State

Nydair Rouse, DB West Chester

 

¹ Trade with Seattle 1.21 for 1.30, 4.114 and 4.118

[brewcrewdue80]

It looks even worse what they did. They'll go 75 picks between 3rd and 5th round. OL, LB, WR, TE needs. I'll have to guess Gary was the LB filler. Who i saw a comment with a 9 Wonderlic score. Let's see how well he learns a new position.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

My hope was to get three immediate sure-fire starters out of this draft. While Savage will likely start from Day 1, I see Gary as a rotational guy. That means they need to nail their 2nd and 3rd rounders tomorrow. I could see them go Guard/Tackle with #44, and hopefully TE or ILB at #75.

[HiAndTight]

It looks even worse what they did. They'll go 75 picks between 3rd and 5th round. OL, LB, WR, TE needs. I'll have to guess Gary was the LB filler. Who i saw a comment with a 9 Wonderlic score. Let's see how well he learns a new position.

 

They had extra picks. They used them on a guy who was played out of position last year as a 4-3 Tackle when he should have been an edge rusher. The one thing just about every scouting report I've seen has said about him, the guy loves to play football and he has a non-stop motor. 6-4, 280 4.58 40, he's explosive, quick first step....what is there to not love about that? And he's good enough to get consistent pressure up the middle when moved to DT in the Big 10!!!

 

AS for Savage, I don't know how good he is. If he's a All Pro and a Bob Sanders(I've seen the comp, don't know how valid it is other than he looks like the heat-seeking missile Sanders was) what looks bad?

 

We have some depth. What we really need is impact players. That's what makes or breaks a defense. A guy who can come up and get pressure, guys who can play the ball. We added...maybe THEE most talented player in the draft at any position and a safety that a couple of teams were reportedly going to draft ahead of us.

 

Go back and look at past drafts. The two picks we gave up could just as easily be Vince Beagal and Dave Tollefson or whoever. Or Moore, the kid we drafted in the 4th round last year who I don't believe will ever be good being a body catcher.

 

 

Gute had a solid first draft. I have a hard time judging this draft based on how long between the 3rd and 5th rounds we'll have to wait. Especially when we can trade up if we feel the need.

[HiAndTight]

My hope was to get three immediate sure-fire starters out of this draft. While Savage will likely start from Day 1, I see Gary as a rotational guy. That means they need to nail their 2nd and 3rd rounders tomorrow. I could see them go Guard/Tackle with #44, and hopefully TE or ILB at #75.

 

 

Again, just reiterating. I thought the problem with Gary was effort. I hadn't watched him. But just in watching a few highlights, and then especially reading scouting reports, it seems like the issues are not at all effort, it was that Michigan had other good outside pass rushers and they wanted to move him inside in a 4-3.

 

Put him on the edge in passing situations and that can be a big-time impact player, even if not technically a "starter."

 

I really hope they don't draft a guard at 44 unless it's a guy who can easily and definitively move outside to tackle also. We just spent a lot of money on a backup swing tackle/starting guard, we've got Lane Taylor and then good depth for that position.

 

I'd like to see a TE and a WR'er as the next two picks....unless somehow Taylor falls or Ford falls and they view Ford as a future tackle. But that both are still available tells me neither is likely as good as we believe.

[nodakfan17]

It looks even worse what they did. They'll go 75 picks between 3rd and 5th round. OL, LB, WR, TE needs. I'll have to guess Gary was the LB filler. Who i saw a comment with a 9 Wonderlic score. Let's see how well he learns a new position.

For what it’s worth, Gary is dyslexic and was actually an All Big-Ten Academic Team honoree (twice). I have reservations about the pick, but not about his Wonderlic score.

[homer]

It looks even worse what they did. They'll go 75 picks between 3rd and 5th round. OL, LB, WR, TE needs. I'll have to guess Gary was the LB filler. Who i saw a comment with a 9 Wonderlic score. Let's see how well he learns a new position.

 

Given Gute's comments about not really being thrilled at giving up three picks to move up, I bet he acquires more selections at some point.

[brewcrewdue80]

It looks even worse what they did. They'll go 75 picks between 3rd and 5th round. OL, LB, WR, TE needs. I'll have to guess Gary was the LB filler. Who i saw a comment with a 9 Wonderlic score. Let's see how well he learns a new position.

 

Given Gute's comments about not really being thrilled at giving up three picks to move up, I bet he acquires more selections at some point.

 

That's moving down from 44 and or 75. I'd probably look at what is here and think if anything they need to move up in to the 3rd and pick. The best options and for what the team needs are here with OL, WR, and TE.

[CheezWizHed]

Kind of interesting comparison between Gary and Clowney. Gary is the heaviest player ever to run under a 4.6 40yd dash.

[Jenkins5]

We got two guys I mentioned a good amount leading up to draft in Gray & Steinberger! I had to reserve myself from commenting on twitter to people. There is so much unwarranted Gary hate. Idiots that no nothing about football beside basic stats such as sacks. Kid is only guy at 278 to run a sub 4.6 in combine history. 40 in vert, 26 reps, and really just a freak athlete. That alone should peak interest. Michigan failed to put him in positions for him to individually succeed. Played him out of position, he got doubled nearly every play. Yet, he played great! Numbers weren’t there but he at gap, strung out runs. Pushed line of scrimmage, and was major force for that defense. Same people hating him should really hate on Clark which no sane Packer fan would do. Up to this past year, his numbers didn’t jump off page but he was excellent for us inside. Did all the little things that matter. Martinez like Devin Bush, owe a lot of their performance for the work those two did to eat blockers & let them run free.

 

Will Gary be a star... I don’t know but think Pettine will find ways to use him in roles he can excel at. We brought in an excellent OLB coach who can work with him. He doesn’t have pressure on him to produce & carry OLBs. With the Smith’s he has chance to learn and rotate to start career. Just think all these fans hating the pick because of sack totals is redic. Kid can play & is freakish.

 

Savage appears to be great fit to go with Amos! Tramon Williams also gives Savage chance to rotate at FS but also play a lot of slot as well. He has that Collins like Centerfield speed, closing ability, and ballhawk mentality. Not polished but plenty of positives to be excited for.

 

Then in 2nd we go get a versatile, athlete OL who fits Lafleurs zone system great! He can backup all three of Taylor, Lindsey, and Turner. Once Bulaga gets injuried (we know it’s coming) Turner can kick out to RT & Eltgen can slide in at RG

 

Love Steinberger! Has been my top TE outside of the Iowa duo for months now! He has chance to be a good one!

 

Be nice to trade back into 4th to fill few more holes such as DL.

 

At this point, seems like Packers May ride out this WR group. Value you get in 5-7 isn’t going to upgrade position really. St. Brown, MVS, and Kumerow flashed. Moore has a lot of talent. Hopefully he takes jump.

[xisxisxis]

Mixed draft so far. Day 1 was very disappointing, while Day 2 was a bounceback. Still hate the Gary pick and the more I read the more I dislike the selection, especially with Wilkins still available. PFF had a revealing article on Gary that really debunks all the scheme and double-team claims that are out their. Gary is a freakesh athlete, but he doesn't translated those skills into results. Maybe Pettine can find the magic elixir, but for a #12, it's a clear D- grade. Given what they gave up to move up for Savage, the Pack should have traded down from #12 to recoup a 4th round or additional 3rd round and picked Gary later or another option.

 

I don't have issues with Savage's potential as he does appear to be the best or top 2 safeties available, but they really paid a premium to get him. So Savage needs to be better than Abram (for example, taken #27 by the Raiders) and two unknown picks in the 4th round. Sure, there's a lot of uncertainty in 4th round picks, but the current defense has 2 key members taken in the 4th (Martinez and Daniels). I think they just gave up too much value. Now if Savage turns out to be a multiple pro-bowl player then it's worth it, if he grades out in top 25% somewhere, maybe, probably not. Grade B for talent/D for value.

 

I really liked both Day 2 selections. Risner and the other decent OTs were off the board by the time the Packers picked at #44 and Jenkins was a logical selection given his production (I believe only 1 sack given up in over 700+ snaps). I like his attitude as he was basically only offered a scholarship at ole miss and he was one of the best C in the SEC during his time. Started ~3 years and I think he's hungry as he's been ignored for a long time while being very very productive. His versatility is really a positive. Everything fell in place in the 3rd round as the best player available was probably Sternberger when the packers picked at #75. His film is really impressive and while his 40 speed isn't great, he plays fast. His blocking is an unknown as all the film I saw they either ran away from him or he appeared to be way out of the play on his blocks, so not clear on his blocking techniques, but he seemed to be wide open downfield all the time. He has the ability to really open the field for Rodgers and give him a reliable target. I got some Jordy Nelson vibes from him. I think he could easily be a major target for Rodgers come the second half of 2019 and will turn out to be a steal at #75. Grades B+ & A for Day 2.

[PeaveyFury]

Mixed draft so far. Day 1 was very disappointing, while Day 2 was a bounceback. Still hate the Gary pick and the more I read the more I dislike the selection, especially with Wilkins still available. PFF had a revealing article on Gary that really debunks all the scheme and double-team claims that are out their. Gary is a freakesh athlete, but he doesn't translated those skills into results. Maybe Pettine can find the magic elixir, but for a #12, it's a clear D- grade. Given what they gave up to move up for Savage, the Pack should have traded down from #12 to recoup a 4th round or additional 3rd round and picked Gary later or another option.

 

Two major ways I disagree with everything posted above- first, you're assuming that your own draft board matches with the other teams behind the Packers. If they wanted Gary and had reason to believe that another team wanted him, your trade-back scenario plays out in speculation only. As for another option, without knowing the Packers' board, it's very possible if not likely that they had Gary ranked enough ahead of the next tier of guys like Burns/Sweat/etc. that they didn't value the trade down there as much as you did.

 

Second, that PFF article is weak. They rank him vs. the other Edge guys in the draft based on his pass rushing stats, while failing to acknowledge that he DIDN'T ACTUALLY PLAY EDGE in college. Maybe, just maybe, Winovich's numbers as an Edge are better since he actually played Edge? It's the equivalent of defending a thesis that Sean Jones was a better defensive end for the Packers than Santana Dotson was. Well, no crap. Only one of them actually played defensive end.

[Jenkins5]

Mixed draft so far. Day 1 was very disappointing, while Day 2 was a bounceback. Still hate the Gary pick and the more I read the more I dislike the selection, especially with Wilkins still available. PFF had a revealing article on Gary that really debunks all the scheme and double-team claims that are out their. Gary is a freakesh athlete, but he doesn't translated those skills into results. Maybe Pettine can find the magic elixir, but for a #12, it's a clear D- grade. Given what they gave up to move up for Savage, the Pack should have traded down from #12 to recoup a 4th round or additional 3rd round and picked Gary later or another option.

 

Two major ways I disagree with everything posted above- first, you're assuming that your own draft board matches with the other teams behind the Packers. If they wanted Gary and had reason to believe that another team wanted him, your trade-back scenario plays out in speculation only. As for another option, without knowing the Packers' board, it's very possible if not likely that they had Gary ranked enough ahead of the next tier of guys like Burns/Sweat/etc. that they didn't value the trade down there as much as you did.

 

Second, that PFF article is weak. They rank him vs. the other Edge guys in the draft based on his pass rushing stats, while failing to acknowledge that he DIDN'T ACTUALLY PLAY EDGE in college. Maybe, just maybe, Winovich's numbers as an Edge are better since he actually played Edge? It's the equivalent of defending a thesis that Sean Jones was a better defensive end for the Packers than Santana Dotson was. Well, no crap. Only one of them actually played defensive end.

 

Love when people actually get it! There was a reason he was still 1st team All Big 10 2 straight years despite stats people go crazy for. He excelled at what he was asked to do. He wasn’t asked to play on edge & go get the passer nearly as much. With Hurst Jr gone this year... Gray was the main focus and schemed against. He was a strong side DE most often or kicked inside. Big 10 also is not the SEC. It has big lineman, strong TEs, and a lot of power. Outside of Ohio St. that is just the brand of football. Penn St, Michigan St, Iowa, Wisconsin, etc all are in line power base teams. Gary’s job was to set edge & beat up the OT/TE double teams. Passing downs, he moved around inside & outside. Chase Winovich was weakside Edge whose job was to win 1 on 1 weakside pass rush battle. No slide protections. TE goes out, Gary still had OT and backs to deal with. Sweat & Burns play in open offense conferences that throw at Will & don’t utilize TEs way big 10 does. They are able to just put hand down and go.

 

From Michigan’s DC

In the first line of questioning, Brown was asked why Gary’s talent didn’t match his production, and what Gary can do to produce in the NFL.

 

Brown’s response:

 

“I kind of disagree with it, it’s what you’re asked to do within the scheme. He’s a 280 pound defensive end that runs around like a 260 pounder. In our defense it all starts with knocking the tight end back. Who better in the country to knock the tight end back than him? Obviously we did a lot of inside movement and edge stuff. We asked him to be a complete football player and not just rush the passer, and he did it great and was a great teammate.”

[HiAndTight]

Mixed draft so far. Day 1 was very disappointing, while Day 2 was a bounceback. Still hate the Gary pick and the more I read the more I dislike the selection, especially with Wilkins still available. PFF had a revealing article on Gary that really debunks all the scheme and double-team claims that are out their. Gary is a freakesh athlete, but he doesn't translated those skills into results. Maybe Pettine can find the magic elixir, but for a #12, it's a clear D- grade. Given what they gave up to move up for Savage, the Pack should have traded down from #12 to recoup a 4th round or additional 3rd round and picked Gary later or another option.

 

Two major ways I disagree with everything posted above- first, you're assuming that your own draft board matches with the other teams behind the Packers. If they wanted Gary and had reason to believe that another team wanted him, your trade-back scenario plays out in speculation only. As for another option, without knowing the Packers' board, it's very possible if not likely that they had Gary ranked enough ahead of the next tier of guys like Burns/Sweat/etc. that they didn't value the trade down there as much as you did.

 

Second, that PFF article is weak. They rank him vs. the other Edge guys in the draft based on his pass rushing stats, while failing to acknowledge that he DIDN'T ACTUALLY PLAY EDGE in college. Maybe, just maybe, Winovich's numbers as an Edge are better since he actually played Edge? It's the equivalent of defending a thesis that Sean Jones was a better defensive end for the Packers than Santana Dotson was. Well, no crap. Only one of them actually played defensive end.

 

 

There are a few highlights of him lining up on the edge...one of them vs the Badgers. He threw a very large man very long way and then chased down Taylor from behind.

 

But I don't know how you can say the PFF article debunks the "scheme" or double team articles that are out there. They played him primarily inside. Often over the center inside. So....in that respect, sure, Wilkins would have been a better pick. If that's what you wanted. The Packers are starting him at OLB'er and if he struggles there, given that when he has the talent, Pettine will use a 4 man front consistently in pass rush situations, he can lineup as a 9 technique basically and rush the passer.

 

But I was just disappointed to hear all the comparisons of production between Winovich and Gary. It's like comparing Kenny Clark and Fackrell(for example, I actually think Winovich is pretty good and am not a fan of ClarkFackrell). One position you're going to get more sacks just by accident.

 

I think it should be a plus that the guy sacrificed and moved inside despite being more athletically gifted than the much smaller Winovich.

 

Savage, I had no opinion, but if you think he's Earl Thomas, even if you don't like it, give up 2 4th round picks and draft him.

 

Not a fan of a Center at #44. Especially not when he's unlikely to be able to even provide much protection at tackle. Would have rather seen a guy like Irv Smith there, but teams are placing a much higher emphasis on OL the last two years.

 

Don't really have a strong opinion on a small-ish TE who's not a great blocker and not a great athlete either. Still waiting for that Campbell type in GB, that Ty Hill type player that Rodgers can hit on a simple drag and maybe get 60.

 

 

I do know that at Rodgers age, we can't afford to be taking projects, and the Packers have acted accordingly, so they must believe that Gary can at least come in and be a helluva pass rush specialist early on while developing into an all-around player.

 

And a quick side note-He says there's nothing wrong with his shoulder and he did 26 reps at the combine. Tough to knock 225 out 26 times with a bad shoulder unless you've really rehabbed and built up the surrounding muscles.

[HiAndTight]

Kind of interesting comparison between Gary and Clowney. Gary is the heaviest player ever to run under a 4.6 40yd dash.

 

 

I'll definitely read that, but Gary was also a Clowney like recruit. He never got the same pup Clowney got in college, but both were the consensus top recruits in their HS class.

 

I wonder if people would have been happier with Jaylon Ferguson at #12 because he had great college stats?

[Jenkins5]

Also love when fans pretend to know what other teams draft boards are. Up to last month, Gary didn’t look like he would make it past top 10. People can say dumb things like mocks had him here or there. Well mocks also had Haskins top 5, Lock maybe going to Packers at 12. DK as top 15 pick.... all those lineman like Taylor who are mocked in top 10. Mocks are simply guesses based on rumors & smoke screens put out by teams. Loved Wilkins but not enough for me to not see massive upside of Gary. If you are high on a guy and board said he fits value of that pick.... it’s not a reach. If a guy had been mocked as a top 10 pick in loaded DL/Edge class for past year (besides last month) how is it a reach or a move we could have traded down for?

 

Same train of thought. For fans to say Savage would have been there at 30 & we reached with trade to get him... how do you know. Gute said he heard rumblings he was going soon & he was a guy they really wanted. They spend all year studying every detail of every player. They have more sources to know what teams like what guys. Packers saw a guy who could be a Collins like FS. Turns out or busts you have to trust your scouts & board.

[PeaveyFury]

Gute said he heard rumblings he was going soon & he was a guy they really wanted.

 

Rapoport confirmed yesterday that Savage wouldn't have made it to 30.

[HiAndTight]

Also love when fans pretend to know what other teams draft boards are. Up to last month, Gary didn’t look like he would make it past top 10. People can say dumb things like mocks had him here or there. Well mocks also had Haskins top 5, Lock maybe going to Packers at 12. DK as top 15 pick.... all those lineman like Taylor who are mocked in top 10. Mocks are simply guesses based on rumors & smoke screens put out by teams. Loved Wilkins but not enough for me to not see massive upside of Gary. If you are high on a guy and board said he fits value of that pick.... it’s not a reach. If a guy had been mocked as a top 10 pick in loaded DL/Edge class for past year (besides last month) how is it a reach or a move we could have traded down for?

 

Same train of thought. For fans to say Savage would have been there at 30 & we reached with trade to get him... how do you know. Gute said he heard rumblings he was going soon & he was a guy they really wanted. They spend all year studying every detail of every player. They have more sources to know what teams like what guys. Packers saw a guy who could be a Collins like FS. Turns out or busts you have to trust your scouts & board.

 

 

Exactly. We're all very-very ignorant about who fits where on what teams draft board. And Gute did not sound happy to give up 2 4th round picks, so he obviously felt confident that Savage was going to be gone. Both the Ravens and the Raiders were rumored to draft him. Just because Mel Kiper says they could have sat back at 30....

 

 

Also, again, I'm just going to always be optimistic about our drafts because I don't know. The most time or effort I put in is spending a few hours reading what other people say, other people who aren't good enough to work for NFL teams. So it ends up being just dumbed down opinions a few levels removed from the actual decision makers.

 

As for Savage, go back and both look at what they said about Earl Thomas and his combine numbers and then look at Savage. I'm hoping for more Earl Thomas than Landon Collins, but won't be upset about either.

 

 

---I will say, I'm not 100 pct thrilled that Gary has already started an agency and is talking about players earning more money....but I don't really have a good reason to not like that other than if he's really good, he's going not going to give us a very team friendly contract 5 years from now, and it seems like it could divide his focus. Really, it's kinda impressive that he's trying to capitalize on his NFL career in his early 20's.

[Jenkins5]

Two main things for Day 2:

Jenkins I think is great fit, more so due to the signing of Billy Turner. To start he can cover as main backup for all three interior spots. Madison is back so we will see how he does but versatility & athletic ability are huge in Lafleur’s zone scheme. Jenkins would only be an emergency RT. Billy Turner is the natural fit at RT when they finally move on from from Bulaga. Moreover, Jenkins was a great pass blocker in college. Don’t think he starts right away but still an upgrade over what we put out there at guard last year.

 

Sternberger was my favorite TE outside of Iowa boys. Elite athlete, no. Elite blocker, no. But kid is a player & competes. Playing at A&M hurt his ability to develop has a blocker. He simply was not asked to be in-line. He doesn’t need to play day 1 & be polished so he has time to learn how to block. He could be really good when he replaces Graham in 2020.

 

Take upside & coach them up. Find ways for them to excel in scheme. Hope they don’t turn out like Spraggs who gets manhandled like a child on a football field

[PeaveyFury]

Kingsley Keke certainly produced at A&M, with 7.5 sacks last year mostling playing interior DL.

 

https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/2019/04/24/dallas-cowboys-kingsley-keke-scouting-report-30-visit-2019-nfl-draft-prospect-profile/

[nodakfan17]

Kingsley Keke certainly produced at A&M, with 7.5 sacks last year mostling playing interior DL.

 

https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/2019/04/24/dallas-cowboys-kingsley-keke-scouting-report-30-visit-2019-nfl-draft-prospect-profile/

I read he can play all three positions up front. Good depth pick.

[MrTPlush]

Why does anyone care about the 40 yard dash of a DL? Wouldn’t the cone drill be more legitimate? What is his explosive speed...that’s where he will make his difference. He ain’t running routes.

 

Not saying Gary won’t be good etc....just don’t see any relevance in his 40 time.

[HiAndTight]

Kingsley Keke certainly produced at A&M, with 7.5 sacks last year mostling playing interior DL.

 

https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/2019/04/24/dallas-cowboys-kingsley-keke-scouting-report-30-visit-2019-nfl-draft-prospect-profile/

 

 

This pick is a bit of a head scratcher. We're pretty well set on the DL right now. I guess it's a given that Wilkerson isn't coming back, but sitll, we've got depth there. We don't have much at ILB and Mack Wilson was available and we have one solid starter at CB right now by my count. At least one that we can count on.

 

 

But...whatever.....we'll see. I'm just going off position at this point.

[Jenkins5]

Exploded this year after dropping 20 lbs to play DE. Had played closer to 305-310 prior to this season as DT. Good depth. All reports I’ve read have his biggest knock as not being quick/explosive off the ball but is a solid player who is again versatile. Intriguing player with a cool name. Fills another hole where we needed depth.

[HiAndTight]

Why does anyone care about the 40 yard dash of a DL? Wouldn’t the cone drill be more legitimate? What is his explosive speed...that’s where he will make his difference. He ain’t running routes.

 

Not saying Gary won’t be good etc....just don’t see any relevance in his 40 time.

 

 

I'd say his 10 yard split and his vertical would be the most telling for a OLB'er, but his 40 is very relevant as he's very well may be "running routes." Or at least covering guys out of the backfield.