Exclusive Premium Content For Subscribers
With an annual subscription. Learn More
Explore sample content below to see what you're missing.
Exclusive Premium Content For Subscribers
Explore sample content below to see what you're missing.
Exclusive Premium Content For Subscribers
With an annual subscription. Learn More
Explore sample content below to see what you're missing.
Senior Analyst Since 2004 New Jersey
Staff Writer Filmroom and Draft Expert Visalia, CA
NFL Draft - 1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Travon Walker, Edge Rusher, Georgia
Drafting Georgia edge rusher Travon Walker does not crack the top five biggest mistakes in Jacksonville Jaguars history. But that’s only because they have such an illustriously mistake-filled history.
Hiring Urban Meyer last season was obviously a larger mistake. So was allowing Tom Coughlin to retake over the franchise for a few years and alienate the entire Jalen Ramsey/Yannick Ngakoue/Etc. playoff team. Blake Bortles and Blaine Gabbert were obvious draft mistakes, and there have been too many regrettable free agent moves to count, from Laurent Robinson to Nick Foles to (probably) Evan Engram. Remember when the Jaguars selected Arkansas quarterback Matt Jones 21st overall as a wide receiver? The Jaguars do dumber stuff than drafting Walker, who should at least turn out to be a capable defender, all of the time.
Still this may be the most glaringly obvious “own goal” in Jaguars history, or perhaps second to hiring Meyer. The risk-reward ratio on Walker as a first-round pick, when compared to the other options on the board (including broadly similar players in Aidan Hutchinson and Kayvon Thibodeaux), is simply indefensible.
This selection reminds me of one of those viral social-network memes: “Would you rather have one million dollars right now or fifty bucks per week for the rest of your life? I, Trent Baalke, would take the fifty bucks because unlike you I realize [insert completely cuckooballs reason here]. No, dips**t, you aren’t being clever, just contrary for its own sake because you think it makes you look clever.
I predict that Walker will have a Jadeveon Clowney career. He might reach a Pro Bowl or two. He’ll flirt with double-digit sacks in his best seasons. Know-it-alls will post Tuesday morning GIFs on Twitter (soon to be renamed Amazon Hate) explaining what a great job he did on run defense to help hold Jonathan Taylor to a 96-yard afternoon.
Clowney was a better prospect than Walker, and he is in the process of wrapping up a decent career, but he never came close to his expectations or (really) had much impact on the Texans’ fortunes. And in this draft, there were two potential Khalil Macks just waiting to be selected instead.
Travon Walker is headed to the #Jaguars with the first pick in the draft. @MikeTanier and @QBKlass break down what Jacksonville is getting in the Georgia Edge Rusher.#NFLDraft #Jaguars #DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/35IA7D6xNZ
2. Detroit Lions: Aidan Hutchinson, Edge Rusher, Michigan
Dan Campbell hasn’t been this thrilled since the last 75% off all camo gear sale at Bass Pro Shoppe!
Aidan Hutchinson heads home to the #Lions with the second pick in the draft. Did the Lions get an early steal in the draft?@MikeTanier and @QBKlass break down what Detroit is getting in the Michigan Edge Rusher.#NFLDraft #Lions #OnePride pic.twitter.com/Y2qf1BrNvQ
3. Houston Texans: Derek Stingley, Cornerback, LSU
Derrik likes this pick. I worry about a defender that I have not seen play really well since before I had to carry a mask around in my back pocket all the time.
Derek Stingley heads to the #Texans with the third pick in the draft. The Texans go with a high upside player who has difficulty staying on the field.@MikeTanier and @QBKlass break down what Houston is getting in the LSU CB.#NFLDraft #Texans #WeAreTexans pic.twitter.com/ijbcTyRNRQ
4. New York Jets: Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner, Cornerback, Cincinnati
I prefer Sauce to Stingley and think the Jets got a steal here. Derrik believes that the blind squirrels have found a pretty good acorn to help a pass defense which ranked 32nd in DVOA last year.
Sauce Gardner heads to the #Jets with the fourth pick in the draft. The Jets bolster their secondary with this selection.@MikeTanier and @QBKlass break down what New York is getting in the Cincinnati CB.#NFLDraft #Jets #TakeFlight pic.twitter.com/LsdEb0OT7f
5. New York Giants: Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge Rusher, Oregon
Thibodeaux sat atop the FO 40 draft board from pillar to post. A shrewd pick for a franchise that somehow STILL must rebuild their defensive and offensive front after years of Dave Gettleman obsessively flailing to upgrade both of them.
Kayvon Thibodeaux heads to the #Giants with the fifth pick in the draft. The Giants get what some consider the best pass rushers in the draft.@MikeTanier and @QBKlass break down what New York is getting in the Oregon ER.#NFLDraft #Giants #TogetherBlue pic.twitter.com/4lSvC2RnBy
6. Carolina Panthers: Ickey Ekwonu, Offensive Tackle, North Carolina State
I love Ekwonu and take brief offense to Derrik’s suggestion that he’s a Travon Walker-like “swing for the fences.”
Ickey Ekwonu stays home going to the #Panthers with the sixth pick in the draft. The Panthers sure up their oline with the pick of Ekwonu but pass on QB…for now.@MikeTanier and @QBKlass break down what Carolina is getting in the NC State OT.#NFLDraft #Panthers #KeepPounding pic.twitter.com/luA1KeTIDM
7. New York Giants: Evan Neal, Offensive Tackle, Alabama
It’s not even 9 PM and the Giants get an A-plus for the draft.
Evan Neal heads to the #Giants with the seventh pick in the draft. The Giants add a big time OT prospect to boost their line.@MikeTanier and @QBKlass break down what New York is getting in the Alabama OT.#NFLDraft #Giants #TogetherBlue pic.twitter.com/9eb4YjECei
8. Atlanta Falcons: Drake London, Wide Receiver, USC
Derrik thinks that London and Kyle Pitts can be a pair of “pterodactyl” wide receivers. I think Tom Brady just won another trip to the NFC Championship Game because he will play four games per year against teams with zero quarterbacks.
Drake London heads to the #Falcons with the eighth pick in the draft. The Falcons add a big WR with speed concerns. @MikeTanier and @QBKlass break down what Atlanta is getting in the USC WR.#NFLDraft #Falcons #DirtyBirds pic.twitter.com/vCxvG4yJJ1
9 Seattle Seahawks: Charles Cross, Offensive Tackle, Mississippi State
An uninspiring pick at a position of need. Perhaps boring will be good for the Seahawks, who have a habit of overthinking their selections. Notably: we have passed through the gauntlet of quarterback-needy teams with no Kenny Pickett or Malik Willis sightings.
Charles Cross heads to the #Seahawks with the ninth pick in the draft. The Seahawks get one of the best pass blockers in the draft class.@MikeTanier and @QBKlass break down what Seattle is getting in the Mississippi State OT.#NFLDraft #Seahawks #GoHawks pic.twitter.com/bHBVIou3D9
10. New York Jets: Garrett Wilson, Wide Receiver, Ohio State
I am a huge Wilson fan. Derrick worries that he’s “more sizzle than steak” right now but is still upbeat about the pick and the Jets offseason to date.
Garrett Wilson heads to the #Jets with the tenth pick in the draft. The Jets get one of the top pass catchers in the draft.@MikeTanier and @QBKlass break down what New York is getting in the Ohio State WR.#NFLDraft #Jets #TakeFlight pic.twitter.com/NMYARDp0fS
11. New Orleans Saints: Chris Olave, Wide Receiver, Ohio State
The Saints traded a 2023 first-round pick and a 2024 second round pick, plus extra mid-round picks, for the second Ohio State receiver on the board and perhaps the third-best Ohio State receiver on the field last year. You do you, Mickey Loomis.
Chris Olave heads to the #Saints with the eleventh pick in the draft. What are the Saints doing with their draft strategy?@MikeTanier and @QBKlass break down what New Orleans is getting in the Ohio State WR.#NFLDraft #Saints #WhoDat pic.twitter.com/azdz7UJX5W
12. Detroit Lions: Jameson Williams, Wide Receiver, Alabama
The run of trades up to select wide receivers is on! The Lions got a better player than the Saints (once Williams’ ACL heals) and gave up far less overall. Strong, bold move that both Derrik and I like.
Jameson Williams heads to the #Lions with the twelfth pick in the draft. Lions make a big trade up, was it worth it?@MikeTanier and @QBKlass break down what Detroit is getting in the Alabama WR.#NFLDraft #Lions #OnePride pic.twitter.com/zYdntRxxGi
13. Philadelphia Eagles: Jordan Davis, Defensive Tackle, Georgia
The Eagles have replaced Fletcher Cox with Son of Fletcher Cox, also known as the Godskin Noble. I get a little TOO excited in the video clip.
Jordan Davis heads to the #Eagles with the thirteenth pick in the draft. Eagles appear to jump the Ravens to get their pick@MikeTanier and @QBKlass break down what Philadelphia is getting in the Georgia DT.#NFLDraft #Eagles #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/tO1lHMhUHS
14. Baltimore Ravens: Kyle Hamilton, Safety, Notre Dame
A potential perennial Pro Bowl safety for a team that set an Adjusted Games Lost record in 2021 and was hit hard by injuries throughout the secondary.
Kyle Hamilton heads to the #Ravens with the fourteenth pick in the draft. The Ravens stand pat and get a top defender in the class.@MikeTanier and @QBKlass break down what Baltimore is getting in the Notre Dame S.#NFLDraft #Ravens #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/MzFXylN866
15. Houston Texans: Kenyon Green, Guard, Texas A&M
A “tone setter” and a “bully,” per Derrik, for the 32nd-ranked offense in adjusted line yards. Derrik and I also liked the fact that the Texans traded down for some extra picks so they can clean up all the Patriots leaf litter in the corners of their roster.
Kenyon Green heads to the #Texans with the fifteenth pick in the draft. The Texans bolster the interior of their offensive line.@MikeTanier and @QBKlass break down what Houston is getting in the Texas A&M OL.#NFLDraft #Texans #WeAreTexans pic.twitter.com/dS4TAfd5Ws
16. Washington Commanders: Jahan Dotson, Wide Receiver, Penn State
Dotson is a solid overall player who felt like a reach here.
Jahan Dotson heads to the #Commanders with the sixteenth pick in the draft. Can Dotson help take the top off for Wentz and the Commanders?@MikeTanier and @QBKlass break down what Washington is getting in the Penn State WR.#NFLDraft #Commanders #HTTC pic.twitter.com/FMIGjJKTif
17. Los Angeles Chargers: Zion Johnson, Offensive Line, Boston College
A player Derrik and I both like a lot, but he does not solve the Chargers’ most pressing needs at right tackle (Johnson is a center-guard) or, of course, on run defense.
Zion Johnson heads to the #Chargers with the seventh pick in the draft. Johnson will come in to help protect Justin Herbert@MikeTanier and @QBKlass break down what Los Angeles is getting in the Boston College OL.#NFLDraft #Chargers #BoltUp pic.twitter.com/YfHgnYZDLB
18. Tennessee Titans: Treylon Burks, Wide Receiver, Arkansas
Burks arrives as the Titans trade A.J. Brown to the Eagles. It’s an odd move for the Titans, who should not be trying to get younger at wide receiver during a win-now window. As for the Eagles? NO MORE JALEN REAGOR.
Treylon Burks heads to the #Titans with the eighteenth pick in the draft. Did the Titans make the right move trading Brown and drafting Burks?@MikeTanier and @QBKlass break down what Tennessee is getting in the Arkansas WR.#NFLDraft #Titans #TitanUp pic.twitter.com/1M710ZonT2
19. New Orleans Saints: Trevor Penning, Offensive Tackle, Northern Iowa
I am a big Saints skeptic but love Penning as a player, and he fills a need. As Derrik points out, Penning’s film doesn’t quite match his Senior Bowl accolades and buzz. Still, the Saints filled their two biggest needs with Penning and Olave.
Trevor Penning heads to the #Saints with the nineteenth pick in the draft. Saints take the small school standout to help solidify their oline.@MikeTanier and @QBKlass break down what New Orleans is getting in the Northern Iowa OT.#NFLDraft #Saints #WhoDat pic.twitter.com/Aa3MUhKI44
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kenny Pickett, Quarterback, Pitt
In which Derrik goes ham.
Kenny Pickett stays home going to the #Steelers with the twentieth pick in the draft. Who was the better option for the Steelers, Pickett or Willis?@MikeTanier and @QBKlass break down what Pittsburgh is getting in the Pitt QB.#NFLDraft #Steelers #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/lqcL46AAC4
21. Kansas City Chiefs: Trent McDuffie, Cornerback, Washington
The Chiefs trade up to fill a position of obvious need.
Trent McDuffie heads to the #Chiefs with the twenty first pick in the draft. The Chiefs were in dire need of secondary help.@MikeTanier and @QBKlass break down what Kansas City is getting in the Washington CB.#NFLDraft #Chiefs #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/H0e4u6nvAh
22. Green Bay Packers: Quay Walker, Linebacker, Georgia
Derrik likes Walker, but not at No 22. I think he was the third-best linebacker at Georgia.
Quay Walker heads to the #Packers with the twenty second pick in the draft. Walker becomes the first LB off the board.@MikeTanier and @QBKlass break down what Green Bay is getting in the Georgia LB.#NFLDraft #Packers #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/A8ZmN3nDdj
23. Buffalo Bills: Kaiir Elam, Cornerback, Florida
Bills doing smart, logical 2020s Bills things.
Kaiir Elam heads to the #Bills with the twenty third pick in the draft. The Bills get good secondary help from the Florida CB@MikeTanier and @QBKlass break down what Buffalo is getting in the Florida CB.#NFLDraft #Bills #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/UhnuSOAdSD
24. Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Smith, Offensive Tackle, Tulsa
The Cowboys don’t draft for need, folks. Smith is raw as heck but could someday replace Tyron Smith without anyone having to change the tags on their lockers.
Tyler Smith heads to the #Cowboys with the twenty fourth pick in the draft. The Cowboys beef up the line with the Tulsa olineman.@MikeTanier and @QBKlass break down what Dallas is getting in the Tulsa OL.#NFLDraft #Cowboys #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/PdbBHYGNWr
25. Baltimore Ravens: Tyler Linderbaum, Center, Iowa
As Derrik said off camera: “That’s so Ravens.”
Tyler Linderbaum heads to the #Ravens with the twenty fifth pick in the draft. How concerning is Linderbaum’s size?@MikeTanier and @QBKlass break down what Baltimore is getting in the Iowa C.#NFLDraft #Ravens #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/PQMpOkssmj
26. New York Jets: Jermaine Johnson, Edge Rusher, Florida State
The Jets are having themselves a night!
Jermaine Johnson heads to the #Jets with the twenty sixth pick in the draft. Johnson’s slide ends after the Jets trade up to take him. @MikeTanier and @QBKlass break down what New York is getting in the FSU ER.#NFLDraft #Jets #TakeFlight pic.twitter.com/BC5k8sgGYr
27. Jacksonville Jaguars: Devin Lloyd, Linebacker, Utah
I like Lloyd, but both Derrik and I like Nakobe Dean much better. As Derrik points out, “Trent Baalke likes length.” #phrasing.
Devin Lloyd heads to the #Jaguars with the twenty seventh pick in the draft. What do you think of the draft strategy from the Jags?@MikeTanier and @QBKlass break down what Jacksonville is getting in the Utah LB.#NFLDraft #Jaguars #DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/UFR6ERsQV3
28. Green Bay Packers: Devonte Wyatt, Defensive Line, Georgia
The Packers did not draft a wide receiver. I cannot think of anything more hilarious.
Devonte Wyatt heads to the #Packers with the twenty eighth pick in the draft. The Packers opt to go defensive line and not WR…thoughts?@MikeTanier and @QBKlass break down what Green Bay is getting in the Georgia DL.#NFLDraft #Packers #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/WF5IUeHs2s
29. New England Patriots: Cole Strange, Guard, Tennessee-Chattanooga.
Activate the BeLiCHick kNowZ moRe tHaN U hive for this reach.
Cole Strange heads to the #Patriots with the twenty ninth pick in the draft. The Senior Bowl stand out goes to New England. But is it a reach?@MikeTanier and @QBKlass break down what New England is getting in the Chattanooga OL.#NFLDraft #Patriots #ForeverNE pic.twitter.com/u14gFrczTq
30. Kansas City Chiefs: George Karlaftis, Edge Rusher, Purdue
Derrik is a huge Karlaftis stan, and I dig him too. We’re both high on the Chiefs draft class.
George Karlaftis heads to the #Chiefs with the thirtieth pick in the draft. The Chiefs add to their pass rush with Karlaftis@MikeTanier and @QBKlass break down what Kansas City is getting in the Purdue ER.#NFLDraft #Chiefs #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/z0tZT32IaH
31. Cincinnati Bengals: Dax Hill, Safety, Michigan
I like Hill but am clearly getting a little punchy by the time this video rolls around. One problem was that I kept mixing him up with Lewis Cine in my head, especially since the Cine pick had just been announced.
Daxton Hill heads to the #Bengals with the thirty first pick in the draft. The Bengals get a versatile piece for their secondary@MikeTanier and @QBKlass break down what Cincinnati is getting in the Michigan S.#NFLDraft #Bengals #RuleTheJungle pic.twitter.com/nZJ35kTQ0k
32. Minnesota Vikings: Lew Cine, Safety, Georgia
The 55th Georgia player taken in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft. A likely and worthy successor to Harrison Smith. The Vikings made a shrewd decision to trade down for a high second-round pick and lots of change as they begin reshaping their roster.
Lewis Cine heads to the #Vikings with the thirty second pick in the draft. The Vikings get a hard hitting safety for their secondary@MikeTanier and @QBKlass break down what Minnesota is getting in the Georgia S.#NFLDraft #Vikings #Skol pic.twitter.com/61IFiR5xLg
79 comments, Last at 01 May 2022, 12:29pm
by Tundrapaddy // Apr 28, 2022 - 7:54pm
by Raiderfan // Apr 28, 2022 - 8:18pm
That the Jags needed so long to make the first pick.
by mansteel // Apr 28, 2022 - 8:28pm
In reply to Incredible by Raiderfan
I wonder if that is the NFL telling them to hold off for a while so that they have sufficient time to hype the the first pick for all the people tuning it at 8:00?
by ImNewAroundThe… // Apr 28, 2022 - 8:47pm
In reply to I wonder if that is the NFL… by mansteel
yeah lol they do this every year which is fine with me since it gives me time to tune in
by Aaron Brooks G… // Apr 28, 2022 - 8:24pm
by Spanosian Magn… // Apr 28, 2022 - 8:33pm
That piece a couple of weeks ago about how combine performance augurs well for DEs more or less convinced me that Walker is an ok pick, given the nature of this particular draft.
I heard Baalke likes Walker because Walker reminds him of Aldon Smith, though, which is...... definitely a reason, I'll say that.
by mehllageman56 // Apr 28, 2022 - 9:38pm
In reply to That piece a couple of weeks… by Spanosian Magn…
As long as he isn't like Aldon Smith off the field, it might work out....
by ImNewAroundThe… // Apr 28, 2022 - 8:46pm
With One Mic background song is good. Great song
by Aaron Brooks G… // Apr 28, 2022 - 9:47pm
I worry about a defender that I have not seen play really well since before I had to carry a mask around in my back pocket all the time.
by LionInAZ // Apr 29, 2022 - 1:34am
Can't complain about the Lions' picks. Maybe Thibodeaux might have been a little better but too close to call and Hutchinson is a local fan favorite. A high-level mid-round WR is a smart addition.
Lots of surprises in the first round picks otherwise. Three safeties in the first round?
On the other hand, it's hilarious that the Packers did not pick a WR in the 1st... again. Rodgers gets just desserts for putting himself above team.
Beyond this, my complaint is that trades are barely mentioned here. I depend on FO as a news feed as much as an analysis feed. What else is this thread for?
by Joey-Harringto… // Apr 29, 2022 - 7:45am
In reply to Can't complain about the… by LionInAZ
There's enough disagreement among the draftniks about whether Hutchinson or Thibodeaux was better, so I would have been fine with either one, honestly (the chatter about Thibodeaux "not liking football enough" was pretty silly).
As far as Williams, at first I didn't like it. I'm against trading up in general, and especially not for a player coming off a major injury (and may miss part of his rookie year). But the more I thought about it, the less I hated it. They didn't give up that much to move up 20 spots (a 3rd rounder and a 2nd round pick-swap), and the injury is less concerning when you remember that they're playing the long game, and building more for 2023.
by BobbyDazzler // Apr 29, 2022 - 2:26am
"I hate everything the Saints do, I hate everything the Saints have ever done"
I stopped listening right there, not going to bother with whatever hilarious analysis you gave for Penning.
I'm curious where this all stems from though? Did Mickey Loomis reject your advances & this is you acting like a spurned lover or something?
I don't get it, but hey, you do you Mike, cos Mickey definitely won't be.
by LionInAZ // Apr 29, 2022 - 2:38am
In reply to Stay classy Mike by BobbyDazzler
I guess the words "Taysom Hill experiment disaster" mean nothing to you.
by Rufus R. Jones // Apr 29, 2022 - 10:59am
In reply to Stay classy Mike by BobbyDazzler
I'm curious where this all stems from though? Did Mickey Loomis reject your advances & this is you acting like a spurned lover or something?
That's sort of a weird question.
by LondonMonarch // Apr 29, 2022 - 3:51am
Afraid I have to say I really hate this "pivot to video".
So much harder to follow than being able to read commentary while you have the draft on (do you mute the draft? Have 2 lots of sound simultaneously (and antisocially)?
Also harder to follow if you want to see the comments on the train or at your desk the next morning,
And just much slower to digest because people are much quicker at reading than talking. I could read Mike's 32 brilliant pen portraits in 10-15mins. 32 2-minute videos will take an hour and won't tell me much more.
No doubt you will have numbers on these things (including from twitter), although 12 comments on this thread doesn't look great. But my feedback is that this is not a good format.
by TimK // Apr 29, 2022 - 5:36am
In reply to Video Ick by LondonMonarch
by OmahaChiefs13 // Apr 29, 2022 - 6:07am
In reply to Video Ick by LondonMonarch
by Lost Ti-Cats Fan // Apr 29, 2022 - 6:33am
In reply to Video Ick by LondonMonarch
Sadly, the entire world seems to have moved to podcasts. I have no idea when people suddenly found all the extra time to listen to people natter on instead of reading three articles in the same span of time, so I can only assume that the state of education is such that the younger generation can't read as fast as they should. And of course, the more they listen to podcasts instead of reading, the slower their reading skills will get.
Also, get off my lawn.
by NYChem // Apr 29, 2022 - 7:18am
In reply to Sadly, the entire world… by Lost Ti-Cats Fan
Same. These 2 min vids aren't something I'll be clicking on during my morning quiet time or while I'm going on a mental break at work. Or during my commute. So, well then never.
And those 1-3 hour podcasts everyone is putting out there? Tried listening while exercising, but would miss something, be too annoyed to try to rewind (or whatever it's called now) while running, so it's back to Jethro Tull and Metallica for that.
But yeah, the kids these days....
by Joey-Harringto… // Apr 29, 2022 - 7:48am
In reply to Lol by NYChem
I'm in my mid-40's and I guess I'll be the lone voice in the thread that likes podcasts (but I also like long-form articles). I listen to them while doing monotonous tasks that I can't do at the same time while reading (doing the dishes, fixing things around the house, folding laundry, driving, etc).
by LondonMonarch // Apr 29, 2022 - 8:33am
In reply to I'm in my mid-40's and I… by Joey-Harringto…
Not the lone voice as I also like podcasts as "long-form", particularly where they are dialogue not just someone reading something out.
But these awkward snippets aren't podcasts, and they aren't very watchable when doing housework etc, because you have to be clicking on something new every 2 minutes.
by Rufus R. Jones // Apr 29, 2022 - 11:02am
In reply to I'm in my mid-40's and I… by Joey-Harringto…
by Joey-Harringto… // Apr 29, 2022 - 12:08pm
In reply to Being a Lions fan by Rufus R. Jones
It's actually not. Exasperating, frustrating, sometimes depressing, often darkly amusing (at least to me), and sometimes shocking, but never monotonous.
Losing a game on record-breaking field goal (twice in your history!), or losing because the NFL suddenly chooses to enforce an obscure rule (such that the rule is nicknamed after your star player), and a litany of other incidents wash away the usual monotony that comes with chronic losing.
by Aaron Brooks G… // Apr 29, 2022 - 12:42pm
In reply to Au contraire by Joey-Harringto…
or losing because the NFL suddenly chooses to enforce an obscure rule (such that the rule is nicknamed after your star player)
I'm glad you clarified player vs coach, because we had one of those on a coach as well.
So notoriously that they stopped enforcing it the week after and quietly killed the rule in the off-season. Their refusal to enforce it after that almost eliminated the Vikings from the playoffs, because they let GB get away with it.
\They let GB get away with a lot of things.
by LionInAZ // Apr 29, 2022 - 8:27pm
In reply to or losing because the NFL… by Aaron Brooks G…
Hell, it took a special dispensation from the rules to keep GB in the NFL.
by colonialbob // Apr 29, 2022 - 7:42am
In reply to Video Ick by LondonMonarch
I don't disagree with liking text over video, but he clearly laid out good reasoning. There is a text brief about their feelings on the pick, and then the video's available if you want a bit more. I read the reactions and just watched the video on the Cowboys pick. As for comments, most of us love commenting were in the other Draft thread.
Tbh, I don't really feel like expecting a bunch of text throughout the draft makes sense. There isn't enough time to do more than regurgitate the stuff you've prewritten, and trades in particular shake things up without necessarily giving you time to fully digest. I for one would much rather see capsules on each team's draft as a whole once it's over than prospect profiles combined with kneejerk reactions.
by stoste // Apr 29, 2022 - 5:24am
So he won't be able to step up and takeover the burden of being the no.1 WR for them.
by Theo // Apr 29, 2022 - 6:26am
In regards to the Kenny Pickett pick, what does "mad" mean?
by big10freak // Apr 29, 2022 - 8:43am
GB took two really athletic guys who played against quality competition. The d line fellow being 24 years old is a deviation from Packer draft patterns as they often get guys on the younger side. Plus the off the field incidents.
Once London went 8th I figured GB would get shut out on a receiver unless the team was willing to trade up which BG has done during his tenure. One can only presume that the right deal was not presented.
Separately I am a bit perplexed on why everyone at FO seems determined to sound like ESPN when it comes to GB. This constant yammering about receiver is just weird. GB’s roster construction approach being unconventional would have appealed to the FO of bygone days. It would have writers here curious. Instead more than one sound like Mike Francesca constantly bleating about poor Aaron Rodgers.
Maybe GB is screwing things up 20 ways from Sunday. Or maybe they are a first mover in a market moment that will only become clear down the road. I don’t know
But it is legit interesting. And given the teams success both in the short and long term I will give them the benefit of the doubt.
by big10freak // Apr 29, 2022 - 9:33am
In reply to RE; Packers by big10freak
Nobody should know better than FO on how casual observers overestimate the impact of a single player (non qb) on a football team. So certainly losing Adams matters but almost certainly nowhere to the degree casual fans believe. (Love MVS but he is a below average player who was wildly overpaid by KC). Plus by FO’s own metrics GB had a below average defense in 2021.
So by just common sense investing in the defense is a reasonable approach.
by ImNewAroundThe… // Apr 29, 2022 - 9:44am
In reply to Brief follow up by big10freak
going into 2022 with Lazard and Watkins as starters. That's what people are getting at.
Common sense to KEEP investing in something despite it clearly not working the last decade?
Man...can the Pack do anything wrong in your eyes? I don't think I've seen you disagree with anything they've done. Yeah I'm glad they didn't pay MVS that much but he turned himself into an average player. Below average is harsh just because the team let him go.
by big10freak // Apr 29, 2022 - 10:00am
In reply to It's really weird by ImNewAroundThe…
It’s fairly obvious that your approach is to argue for the sake of arguing while also thru sheer volume be deemed the Packer poster grand poobah. So any exchange is almost certainly pointless especially since your go to response is mockery via the constant use of “lol”
That being stated over the many years of FO Packer posts I have disagreed with GB management on the below which is not meant as an exhaustive list but certainly I think demonstrates a goal of being objective:
—the faith in Atari Bigby
—the fascination with taller stiff linebackers from Brandon Chiller to Brad Jones you name it
—the faith in Andrew Quarles
—the complete and systemic failures with special teams
—retaining of Dom Capers at least 3 years beyond his shelf life
—retaining Mike M after the dead cat bounce season of 2016
I believe that should suffice.
I suspect what you and others may interpret at support of the FO is me trying to explain the strategic approach. I thought it would be helpful to share that GB’s front office foundational philosophy goes back now 30 years. If folks think My history lessons are a form of cheerleading that is a mistaken impression
by ImNewAroundThe… // Apr 29, 2022 - 10:10am
In reply to RE: GB front office by big10freak
seems to be to just defend whatever the team does.
So theres nothing the CURRENT regime has done that you disagree with? That confirms your approach. Disparage people out of the building (like calling MVS below average too). Gotta go with examples from decades ago.
We KNOW their approach. Why do you keep acting like your some gate keeper insider that knows everything about them while everyone else doesn't? Go look in the open thread, people knew we wouldn't draft a WR because it soooooo clear they just don't care about the position. It's not rocket science.
The point is people DISAGREE, you're never there going "yeah that wasn't the best use of resources because I don't understand why and when"
You were "perplexed" on why people were obsessed with giving a team, with a WR room of Cobb, Watkins, Lazard and Amari, a WR! Like...come on man!
by big10freak // Apr 29, 2022 - 10:29am
In reply to And your approach by ImNewAroundThe…
I thought some history would be useful given that my more recent objections are easily referenced such as my constant criticism of the complete bungling of special teams
And what is wrong about the MVS assessment? FO writers here have regularly pointed out that the guy for all his speed has not produced The metrics are there This is just being factual
And no, I don’t think people understand GB
Look, I have a different perspective. Plus in the interests of candor don’t think you are interested in discussion as much as ridiculing others.
by ImNewAroundThe… // Apr 29, 2022 - 10:55am
In reply to Brief feedback by big10freak
Well that's one thing so I guess that's cool. Anything else though? Fan of the Kevin King re signing? Drafting a 2nd RB then paying big bucks to another? Jordan Love trade up??
A below average WR doesn't get $10m AAV. An average might. Why think that about one of the better deep threats in the league (especially when it was apparent he was kinda valuable to us last season)?
WHY do you think they don't know us? They literally mock us because they're so predictablely anti WR. Why does it even MATTER if they do or not? No one understands Jacksonville, who cares? Just talk about the reality of what happens and the Travon pick is sus.
I think YOU aren't interested in discussing because any slight push back you get and you start finger pointing about...well others not wanting to...discuss. However that makes sense.
You rhetorically asked why people kept mocking WR to a team that needs one. Like, brother, idk what to tell if you think trusting day 2+ WRs to contribute right away with an aging QB is the greatest plan in the world to, idk, win the SB.
by Spanosian Magn… // Apr 29, 2022 - 1:41pm
In reply to Easily referenced? by ImNewAroundThe…
Fan of the Kevin King re signing? Drafting a 2nd RB then paying big bucks to another? Jordan Love trade up??
I would like it noted for the record that I am a fan of all of those moves.
A below average WR doesn't get $10m AAV.
I can think of one!
idk what to tell if you think trusting day 2+ WRs to contribute right away with an aging QB is the greatest plan
I humbly submit that trusting day 1 WRs to contribute right away is also not the greatest plan. For every Justin Jefferson, there's a Jerry Jeudy who needs a year to get his bearings. And there's a Jalen Reagor.
This is what's so frustrating to me about the "They must draft receiverzzzzzzz!!1!" meme: no contender should be counting on a rookie as a significant contributor, especially before they get through preseason. A properly-run franchise ought to have players already on the roster ready to step into bigger roles as cap and injury cycles the starters out - and they did. Adams, MVS+Lazard+St. Brown, now Amari Rodgers. The latter admittedly had a rather grim season last year, but I'd bet he's as likely to put up, say, 100 DYAR in 2022 (average-ish contribution) as any single receiver they could have traded up for.
All that said, 1) I was hoping they would somehow swing a trade for AJ Brown, though I figured there was almost no chance of that, and 2) if they somehow come out of this draft without another receiving prospect or two, I'll be at Gutekunst's office with torch and pitchfork with the rest of the cheeseheads. I'm confident they will, though.
by Aaron Brooks G… // Apr 29, 2022 - 1:59pm
In reply to Fan of the Kevin King re… by Spanosian Magn…
And there's a Jalen Reagor.
The Eagles have a selection of Jalen Reagors in a variety of shapes and sizes.
by ImNewAroundThe… // Apr 29, 2022 - 2:16pm
In reply to Fan of the Kevin King re… by Spanosian Magn…
Right? So not surprising. Otherwise I'll just show you Kevin Kings dead cap.
Name that one! I bet he's actually decidedly average.
I humbly submit that trusting day 1 WRs to contribute right away is also not the greatest plan.
Absolutely agree 100%! Which brings up more questionable decision makings that I wonder if OP would agree with Gute on. Went from the 6th round of 2018 (EQ) to the 3rd round of 2021 (Amari) without a single WR! And the 2020 class was indeed stacked yet they couldn't find it in themselves to take ONE at ANY point! Just HAD to take an extra pick to secure a backup QB. Just HAD to pick a backup RB. Just HAD to pick a backup TE. They did this nonsense to themselves! Which is my entire problem with them!
With that being said what's done is done (and oh boy hindsight doesn NOT help them). They went in last night and passed on one again. That's alright because they have they're pick of their choosing at 33...oh it's 53 actually. Well...surely no more will be gone by then right? Thankfully none that we want that is! What a coincidence!
But crazy how the OROTY last year was...a first rounder! And the year before that it should've been a 1st round WR in Jefferson. So yeah, the strike rate is better! Their QB is aging, why do they expect them to hit right away in the 2nd+ (late 2nd if we're being honest) when not even Davante, Jordy, Cobb or Jennings hit right away (the common retort to "fIrSt RoUnD wRs SuCkZZZZ")!
The fact of the matter is they WILL "be counting on a rookie as a significant contributor" unless...they're dumb enough to trust the room they have now which isn't great and can be easily exposed in the playoffs like they have been the last few years. "They have plenty of time" yall will say. Guess what bros? Expecting Washington to give up McLaurin for a 7th is a horrible plan too! Maybe it does happen, but it's still a horrible thing to bet on!
by Aaron Brooks G… // Apr 29, 2022 - 11:03am
In reply to RE: GB front office by big10freak
I think he does actually capture a real contingent of Packer-dom -- the more lactocephalic of the Packer Backers.
by Noahrk // Apr 29, 2022 - 11:48am
In reply to RE; Packers by big10freak
It's not interesting, it's that all the WRs that provided good value had been taken. Necessity, then. What turns it into a joke is that every year there's something. At some point you got to draft for need. Or sign a FA, for chrissakes.
by ImNewAroundThe… // Apr 29, 2022 - 12:24pm
In reply to It's not interesting, it's… by Noahrk
A run of WRs also happened early in 2020, where they supposedly also tried to trade up, and ended up selecting a position they were already good and was lower value at too.
That was the 2nd round and with RB this year it was the 1st and LB.
Was a dangerous game to enter the draft such a way. And they just keep putting off. That's what's perplexing. Yes we know they clearly don't value WR but you last won a SB with room of Jordy, Jennings, Driver, and Jones! Why don't you like that? Because you lost a fluke playoff game the next year? To the eventual champs? After going 15-1? Wild thought process.
by Aaron Brooks G… // Apr 29, 2022 - 2:02pm
In reply to It's coincidently too often imo. by ImNewAroundThe…
Yes we know they clearly don't value WR but you last won a SB with room of Jordy, Jennings, Driver, and Jones!
None of those guys were 1st rounders.
by ImNewAroundThe… // Apr 29, 2022 - 2:17pm
In reply to Yes we know they clearly don… by Aaron Brooks G…
Tell me when they broke out.
Or just run away and try to be funny elsewhere because your silly quip argument backfired.
by colonialbob // Apr 29, 2022 - 1:49pm
In reply to It's not interesting, it's… by Noahrk
Right, it's hard to really plot a path for GB to have done something different - the WR run started much earlier than their first pick, and even Burks went pretty far before their pick, making a trade up a dicey prospect. Obviously they could've explored a trade like the Cardinals or Eagles made, though, and ultimately the biggest problem isn't that they didn't draft a WR last night, it's that they put themselves in a position where that was their only real option to get one, and they needed a bit of luck that they obviously didn't get just to get that.
by Noahrk // Apr 29, 2022 - 3:34pm
In reply to Right, it's hard to really… by colonialbob
And we haven't even mentioned that the one WR they had, and a great one at that, they traded away. If it's true they have an alternative roster-building philosophy that doesn't value WRs, all I can say is, it doesn't seem to be working so well, considering they've had a transcendent talent at QB for over a decade now.
by Aaron Brooks G… // Apr 29, 2022 - 4:28pm
In reply to And we haven't even… by Noahrk
You've gone 103-56-2 and gone to four NFC Championship Games in the last ten years.
If you want to go to a dozen, you've gone 128-63-2, with five NFCCG appearances and a SB win.
It's worked out pretty well.
\you're basically only behind NE
by Noahrk // Apr 29, 2022 - 6:01pm
In reply to You've gone 103-56-2 and… by Aaron Brooks G…
Because of their philosophy or because they have Rodgers? My money is on the latter.
by Dan // Apr 29, 2022 - 5:02pm
In reply to Right, it's hard to really… by colonialbob
by Dan // Apr 30, 2022 - 4:11am
In reply to a path to Jameson Williams by Dan
If they'd given 59 to move up from 22 to 12, they could've gotten Jameson Williams in the first and then maybe LB Troy Andersen at 53, or a second receiving option like Alec Pierce, Skyy Moore, or Trey McBride.
Instead they got Quay Walker in the first, and then gave 59 to move up from 53 to 34 to take Christian Watson.
by Tutenkharnage // Apr 29, 2022 - 10:44am
Doesn’t matter how good Chance turns out to be. He drafted someone he could have taken in round 2–maybe even round 3! It’s like the Raiders didn’t have a first-round pick this year, and the Je TD and Giants started doing smart things, so the Pats and Saints and Jags had to work overtime on the inanity.
by Scott P. // Apr 29, 2022 - 3:36pm
In reply to LOL at Belichick by Tutenkharnage
Both Belichick and others have suggested Strange wouldn't have been on the board by the time the Pats pick next. Word is the Bears would have taken him with the 39th pick.
by KnotMe // Apr 29, 2022 - 3:47pm
In reply to Both Belichick and others… by Scott P.
Maybe, but sounds suspicious given that most of the internet have him around 100. Yeah, teams and the intarwebs don't often line up, but they arn't usually off by that much and usually the wisdom of the crowds is right in these cases.
It was such a surprise we can't even use the obvious adjective to describe it.
by Chuckc // Apr 29, 2022 - 4:35pm
In reply to Maybe, but sounds suspicious… by KnotMe
I'll take Belichick and other football people's opinions over the crowd of randos on the internet. At some point, you have to acknowledge the experts know more than the crowd does.
by Noahrk // Apr 29, 2022 - 6:02pm
In reply to I'll take Belichick and… by Chuckc
Not just randos, did you see the McVay video? He was laughing his ass off.
by Scott P. // Apr 30, 2022 - 12:12pm
In reply to Not just randos, did you see… by Noahrk
If you want to go there, we saw the gulf in their respective abilities in Super Bowl LIII.
by DocPossum // Apr 29, 2022 - 10:51am
As a Pats fan, what really bothers me about these 2 round reaches is that they could just take a guy lower on their board but higher on other boards and still get their guy in the 2nd.
Stand pat and take McDuffie or Elam. You think he’s only a low second round talent? Who cares! You just drafted a 3rd-4th rounder in the first. He’ll be there in second. Draft one of the second round WRs who won’t be there at your second round pick. You still get the guy who you have graded better than every other team.
by KnotMe // Apr 29, 2022 - 11:00am
In reply to Pats doing Pats things by DocPossum
Not that it would happen but NE needs an actual GM and let Belichick focus on coaching which he is still good at. They seem like the biggest loser in the draft so far. Might as well have taken Willis and held him hostage for a QB needy team. lol
by Rufus R. Jones // Apr 29, 2022 - 11:24am
In reply to Not that it would happen but… by KnotMe
Easy to say he knows more than everybody else when they are winning.
When they are average to below, it just looks like bad draft picks.
by Noahrk // Apr 29, 2022 - 11:53am
In reply to Pats doing Pats things by DocPossum
Exactly. People say, stay true to your board. No, don't stay true to your board, be smart about it. Maximize your value. Even if you lose out on the player, are you so certain you know better than everybody else? You may lose some, but in the end you'll win more.
by KnotMe // Apr 29, 2022 - 11:55am
In reply to Exactly. People say, stay… by Noahrk
Well, if you have a player on your board WAAAAY higher than everyone else, you should strongly think about why that is.
It's like being an Evil Overlord. If a 5 yo thinks your plan for world domination is stupid....
by Harris // Apr 29, 2022 - 12:09pm
In reply to Well, if you have a player… by KnotMe
Man, is that a blast from the past. We're old.
by Chuckc // Apr 29, 2022 - 12:49pm
In reply to Well, if you have a player… by KnotMe
The Internet and "draft experts" think a lot of guys drafted in the first round are worthy when they ultimately will be busts. Why should we assume they're right about one guy and not another? All it takes is one other team to want the guy in the 2nd round and then you miss out.
by ImNewAroundThe… // Apr 29, 2022 - 1:05pm
In reply to The Internet and "draft… by Chuckc
it doesn't matter who's selected. It's all justified and therefore any further discussion is kinda pointless. In reality if the Patriots picked me (or any of us!) last night it would 100% be a horrible pick.
by Chuckc // Apr 29, 2022 - 1:23pm
In reply to With that attitude by ImNewAroundThe…
It's not justified until you know if the guy pans out or not. Everything else is speculation, especially "they coulda had him in a later round." We'll never know if that's true or not.
by KnotMe // Apr 29, 2022 - 1:43pm
In reply to It's not justified until you… by Chuckc
It's true you don't really know, but most of the boards had him in the early third round. They could easily have taken him at 54 for example as less of a reach if they really really liked him. Just a super odd pick there.
by ImNewAroundThe… // Apr 29, 2022 - 2:20pm
In reply to It's not justified until you… by Chuckc
Then we STILL have nothing to talk about with that attitude.
We're talking process here. Not results. We don't need to wait 5 years to say "hey that doesn't seem like great value" to know whether or not if one of us were picked there last night was good process. Just like we don't have to wait til it happens to tell kids not to stick things in the outlets.
by Chuckc // Apr 29, 2022 - 4:41pm
In reply to Ok by ImNewAroundThe…
The value in the pick is getting a good player. If you draft a starting caliber player in the first round, that's good value. And it beats picking someone else who is better value but doesn't fit your team or its needs.
What's the evaluation of the process that says "he was the best player left on our draft board but we figured we'd wait and get him later because a bunch of Youtubers thought he was a 3rd round value?"
by ImNewAroundThe… // Apr 29, 2022 - 4:48pm
In reply to The value in the pick is… by Chuckc
And hopefully you're not talking about scheme fit because oof.
But whatever. You've fallen back on the appealing to authority fallacy. So yeah STILL nothing to discuss. Great pick Bill. You, a genius, have never, especially recently, made a bad pick.
by Chuckc // Apr 29, 2022 - 7:17pm
In reply to And they could've gotten a better player by ImNewAroundThe…
Suggesting experts might know more than others is a fallacy? That explains so much about the last 20 years
by ImNewAroundThe… // Apr 29, 2022 - 7:43pm
In reply to Suggesting experts might… by Chuckc
We know Bill OBrien made a great trade with Hopkins.
You must be fun at parties.
by Scott P. // Apr 30, 2022 - 12:15pm
In reply to And they could've gotten a better player by ImNewAroundThe…
BB has made many bad picks. But what made them bad picks is that they were bad players, not because they were 'overdrafted'.
It frequently seems that many fans want their teams not to draft the players that the team thinks are best, but the players other teams and especially Mel Kiper think are best.
by ImNewAroundThe… // May 01, 2022 - 12:15am
In reply to BB has made many bad picks… by Scott P.
And not all the blame goes on the player. Might have to do with a GM overvaluing what said player can do.
Bill readily admitted they would've picked Strange at 21. But then 8 picks went and he was still there. That literally just SCREAMS overvaluing. Come on, we don't need to defend him on it. That's all of us + those other 28 picks that said no to the value. The last 8 being deafening.
Not everyone outside of the good ol boys club of the NFL is stupid. Game tape is not behind lock and key.
by Spanosian Magn… // Apr 29, 2022 - 1:57pm
In reply to The Internet and "draft… by Chuckc
Totally agree - I feel kind of on an island around here in that I don't think there's a ton of advantage to getting cute with draft slots, or at least not enough of one that it outweighs the risk of missing out on the guy you want. Every single person who comes to the public side from front office will tell you that team draft boards often differ wildly from public ones; "consensus" about round-valuations (within reason) doesn't exist. Just take the guy you want.
At the end of the day, the main thing that matters is evaluating the prospect correctly. Belichick's generally quite good at this (aside from RB and WR, weirdly), especially for linemen. We'll see if he's right about Strange; maybe he's losing it, but I won't believe that until I see it.
by Noahrk // Apr 29, 2022 - 6:13pm
In reply to Totally agree - I feel kind… by Spanosian Magn…
Every single person who comes to the public side from front office will tell you that team draft boards often differ wildly from public ones; "consensus" about round-valuations (within reason) doesn't exist.
Some teams -for example, the Ravens- rarely seem to reach for players. Straight off that implies there is a consensus (further evidence of that in the grinding the mocks articles). Furthermore, either the Ravens evaluations are usually very close to the consensus, or they do elect to wait on certain players to get better value. I suspect the latter. I like their way of doing things.
by johonny // Apr 29, 2022 - 12:23pm
Almost felt like the Pats were expecting another trade offer to get out of the first round and when it didn't come, took the player they were planning to get in the 2nd round.
After a few years of high dose picking, this was the dullest first round for a Dolphins fan in years.
by ImNewAroundThe… // Apr 29, 2022 - 4:00pm
The Wentz to Indy trade is fully wrapped. Him being traded for what turned out to be DE Chauncey Golston (2 AV after 1 year) and WR Jahan Dotson.
by KnotMe // Apr 29, 2022 - 4:53pm
In reply to Looking at some more completed trades by ImNewAroundThe…
Interesting to compare what Indy got for him when that completes.
by KnotMe // Apr 29, 2022 - 5:16pm
Steelers had kinda an underrated decent night. They didn't do anything stupid like trading up, really needed a QB and had their pick of the class. Yeah, next years class would be stronger, but you probably won't be bad enough to be in the top 3 anyway, so getting your pick of weaker class vs looking the third to fifth in a stronger one? don't really blame them for going for it here.
They have handled the whole "need at QB" thing fairly well.
by ImNewAroundThe… // May 01, 2022 - 12:23pm
In reply to Steelers had kinda an… by KnotMe
I wonder how much Tomlin passing on Willis spooked the rest of the league for Maliks slide (shouldn't have though,*looks at Seattle that didn't even pick one QB*).
Maybe don't double up at QB in the 7th with Rudolph, Trubisky, and Pickett there though. Seems like a throwaway pick/why I didn't like the stealth Rudolph extension or Trubisky signing. Although DEriq would've been acceptable. Higher on the consensus big board with multiple years of legit WR experience as well.
They should be in the range for Jordan Addison though next year. Addison, Claypool, Pickens, Tyreek Lite, and Gunner O would be preeeeetty nice.
Recent and Trending topics from Football Outsiders.
Get news, picks, promos, & more!
We know you are here for the FREE analytics, not the ads.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | Responsible Gaming