Alright so the NFL Draft was over the weekend and I know I'm a little late on this recap but I'm gonna do it anyway. It was a relatively unexciting draft for Green Bay, but they don't have a lot of holes on their roster to begin with. I thought they did some weird things in the draft but I've learned to pretty much trust Ted Thompson all the time like Patriots fans trust Bill Belichick. I think there are multiple guys in this draft that can have a big impact for Green Bay in 2015.
First Round
Damarious Randall, S Arizona State
30th Pick Overall
The Packers took a safety in the first round for the second year in a row (they drafted Ha Ha Clinton-Dix last year) and the more I read about Damarious Randall, the more I like the pick. The Packers came into the draft with their biggest hole being at cornerback after Tramon Williams and Davon House left in free agency. So it might seem strange that they would take a safety, but the Packers always say they pick the best player available over position needs. But this kid is apparently the best cover safety in the draft and can play man to man, giving him some versatility in the secondary. The way Dom Capers likes to mess around with his defense, I'm sure we'll see Randall at safety and corner next year. Grade: A-
Second Round
Quinten Rollins, CB Miami (OH)
62nd Pick Overall
This pick was a little weird to me. Just drafted a safety with the ability to play some corner, and then come back in the second round and draft another defensive back. And the fact that he played four years of basketball at Miami before returning for a fifth year to play football again is a little strange. BUT what I'm reading about this guy is that he was by far the best defensive player in the MAC and that he has tremendous ball skills. It seems like he could definitely have a solid impact on the team in 2015. Grade: B
Third Round
Ty Montgomery, WR Stanford
94th Pick Overall
Another weird pick considering the Packers have quite possibly the best wide receiver duo in the game of football, and a number three WR who performed at a high level in some big games last season. But if there's one thing I've learned about Ted Thompson over the years, it's that if he likes a player and he's there when the Packers are on the clock, he'll take him. He seems like a pretty good receiver, but I think Mike McCarthy might want to use him kinda like he uses Randall Cobb sometimes. Might line him out of the backfield or have him return kicks or line him up in the slot and put him in motion or something like that. Grade: B-
Fourth Round
Jake Ryan, OLB Michigan
129th Pick Overall
I really like this pick for the Packers. Inside linebacker was a pretty big need going into the draft for the Packers and even though it may say outside linebacker, Ryan has the ability to play both inside and outside. He was First Team All Big Ten in 2014 and scouts have referred to him as a "thumper" or a "bruiser" who is a very good tackler. I think he has the potential to be a great addition to the Packers. Grade: A
Fifth Round
Brett Hundley, QB UCLA
147th Pick Overall
Another kinda weird pick for the Packers considering they have the best QB in the league, but Ted Thompson loves to draft quarterbacks and develop them even if they aren't a need, and he hadn't drafted one in a while. Scouts say Hundley needs a couple years to develop and learn anyway so now he gets to do it under Aaron Rodgers' wings which makes this pick better for Hundley than the Packers. He's clearly very gifted athletically but definitely needs to work on some things as far as being a quarterback are concerned. It's always nice to have a serviceable back up QB and I don't think Scott Tolzien is that for the Packers, so Hundley could become a decent back up in a couple of years. Grade: B-
Sixth Round
Aaron Ripkowski, FB Oklahoma
206th Pick Overall
Love this pick. Should fit in well in Green Bay. The next John Kuhn. Grade: A
Christian Ringo, DE Louisiana-Lafayette
210th Pick Overall
Defensive End was definitely a need for the Packers and while Ringo doesn't have the desired size of a typical DE, he should be able to get some playing time for Green Bay in 2015. He's also a long snapper so there's some added value with that as well. When I got the update from the SportsCenter app about this pick, they listed him as a long snapper and I thought the Packers drafted just a long snapper and freaked out. Didn't know he was a defensive end too, but that was relieving to find out later. Grade: B
Kennard Backman, TE UAB
213th Pick Overall
I think the Packers drafted Backman to replace Brandon Bostick on special teams who cost Green Bay a shot at the Super Bowl so I love the pick. I don't think they got him for his pass catching or blocking. Sounds like he's solely an H-Back type tight end. But if he can catch an onside kick that's kicked right into his hands then I'll take him. Grade: B+
Overall Draft Grade: B+
No comments:
Post a Comment