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Cheech's 1st ever mock offseason


Cheech

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Last year the Packers were last in running attempts per game under MM.  That number is clearly going to go up under La Fleur.  While I've seen quite a few people having us go after a slot player in UFA, I don't see it.  With more offensive plays going to our running backs, targets and snaps are likely to decrease for our receiving crew.  Adams, Allison, MVS, EQ and Kumerow might not scare anyone in MM's offense, but a little more creativity with La Fleur at the helm could bring some explosiveness back to the offense with the athleticism that is already present in the WR room.  A late round draft pick to compete with Lazard and Moore is likely as well.  

The other concept that I keep coming back to is what @AlexGreen#20 has consistently explained on defense - while we want to put an emphasis on acquiring edge talent (it is a need) we have to remember that Pettine likes to have a nasty interior DL and then uses overload blitzes where he's sending one more player on one side of the line than they can block.  It absolutely does reduce the need to have elite edge rushers and puts much heavier emphasis on interior DL and DB/S type players that can cover in the slot as well as blitz effectively.  Guys like Ibrahiem Campbell (112), Tony Brown (287), Eddie Pleasant (86), Jermaine Whitehead (221), and to some extent Breeland (300+) and Greene (43) are going to play - even if we find a starting free safety to fill the 900+ snaps left by HaHa and Tramon at free safety.  Brice and Josh Jones combined for over 1,100 snaps at SS as well.  The need to improve the secondary is just as important as the need to improve the talent at EDGE.  

Packers Cuts: 

Nick Perry, Tramon Williams

Packers Free Agents Retained: 

Brashuad Breeland - Breeland isn't a perfect DB, but he competes at a high level and he really started to come on late in the season.  He can play multiple positions at a fairly high level. 

Ibrahiem Campbell - Like others have said, I really liked what I saw from Campbell in limited action.  I think he understands Pettine's defense well and can play 500 - 600 snaps effectively.  He shouldn't break the bank, either.  

Clay Matthews - Much of this depends on his contractual demands.  He shouldn't ever be asked to play 800 snaps.  IF he comes at a reasonable deal and is willing to play both inside and outside LB, I think he can still provide some value.  

Jake Ryan - Will get a 1 year deal for the minimum.  

All RFA's - (I realize now that Campbell is a RFA?)  As much as we like to hate on Brice, he played injured last year and he should at least be brought back to compete for a spot.  Allison is a no-brainer, IMO.  

All exclusive rights FA's. 

Unrestricted Free Agency: 

Safety: I'm not sure Gute makes a huge splash here, but I'm quite certain we'll see a player like Jimmie Ward, Adrian Amos, etc. in the 2nd wave of free agency. 

EDGE:  If money is going to be spent this off-season, this is where it will be.  I think Barr is the perfect fit with his ability to drop as well as rush.  I think he'd be excited to see more opportunities to rush the passer under Pettine.  

TE: Maxx Wiliams - Comes in as a blocking tight end.  AJ Derby - Gute takes a flier on a bottom of the roster-type.  

NFL Draft: 

  • Round 1, Pick 12 (12th overall) - DT - Jefferey Simmons OR Rashan Gary - I think one of these guys are going to drop.  If so, the value is just too good to pass up.   
  • Round 1, Pick 30 (30th overall) – EDGE - Jachai Polite OR Monteaz Sweat OR Byron Burns  OR Ferrell - Again - I think one of these guys will fall to 30 (probably not Burns or Ferrell).  Gute will gladly take one of these four pass rushers to pair with Barr. 
  • Round 2, Pick 12 (44th overall) - TE - Noah Fant OR Irv Smith Jr.  Yeah - hopeful thinking here.  Iowa players always fall.  Best guess would be Irv Smith Jr. here.  
  • Round 3, Pick 12 (76th overall) - IOL - Gary Bradburry  - IOL is solidified.  Might have to use a day 3 pick to move up a bit?  
  • Round 4, Pick 12 (108th overall) - DB - Amani Hooker - Pettine would quickly fall in love  with a guy he could move around quite freely.  
  • Round 4, Pick 16 (112th overall) – RB - Bryce Love or Karan Higdon
  • Round 5, Pick 12 (140th overall) - CB - Montre Hartage 
  • Round 6, Pick 12 (172nd overall) - WR/LB/OL - best available
  • Round 6, Pick 22 (182nd overall) - WR/LB/OL - best available
  • Round 7, Pick 12 (204th overall) - WR/LB/OL - best available

There are some guys that I'd love to see if they fall - David Montgomery would be a wonderful addition to the backfield, but I think he'll go in the top 50 picks.  I would really like to see Sutton Smith if he's still available after the 3rd round.  

 

QB (3): Rodgers, Boyle, Kizer -    I think Boyle overtakes Kizer in LF's system.  

RB (4): Jones, Williams, Love, UDFA FB

WR (6): Adams, MVS, ESB, Allison, Kumerow,             (Lazard OR Moore OR Rookie)         Maybe a simplified offense helps Moore play to his athletic ability? 

TE (4): Fant, Graham, Williams, Tonyan

OL (8): Bakhtiari, Taylor, Linsley, Bradburry, Bulaga, Spriggs, Light            (McCray OR Rookie)

DL (6): Clark, Daniels, Simmons, Lowry, Lancaster, Adams

EDGE (5): Barr, Polite, Matthews, Fackrell, Gilbert    

ILB (3): Martinez, Burks        (Ryan/Rookie)                 Matthews, Josh Jones, and Hooker can all play snaps here as well.  

CB (6): Alexander, Breeland, King, Jackson, Brown, Hartage

S (5): Amos, Hooker, J. Jones, Campbell,           Brice/Green/Rookie UDFA

Specialists (3): Crosby, Scott, Bradley

 

I don't like that I don't have a true FS on the roster.  I'd like to see Brown and Breeland given a shot there in training camp.  But with the nasty front 7 that Pettine now has, we could see a lot more two-deep coverage with Hooker/Campbell/Amos/Breeland patrolling the back end.  

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I like your draft. You have many similar thoughts about the team as I do. Even though I went heavier offense to start my draft, I like all of your first 3 picks. I also like Boyle’s upside vs. Kizer although it is possible that LaFleur will determine that we need a veteran backup and that might affect Boyle or Kizer’s status on the roster. 

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1 minute ago, 66fan said:

I like your draft. You have many similar thoughts about the team as I do. Even though I went heavier offense to start my draft, I like all of your first 3 picks. I also like Boyle’s upside vs. Kizer although it is possible that LaFleur will determine that we need a veteran backup and that might affect Boyle or Kizer’s status on the roster. 

I think both Kizer and Boyle will both take a step forward if they get more PA/rollout opportunities and have the ability to lean a bit more on a productive running game.  I see Boyle really taking a step if LF runs more stacked sets and route combinations that allow him to read half of the field and then check down if need be.  He has the arm talent.  

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16 minutes ago, Arthur Penske said:

I know it’s only January but that seems like a lot of wishful thinking that certain players will be at those picks. Gary at 12? Maybe but most think after his combine he goes very early.  I really really doubt Polite is there at #30 unless he measures in at about 6 foot flat

Yes.  

With the number of teams needing QB's, I think it is possible that Simmons or Gary fall.  Gary's evaluations are all over the place right now.  Some people have him ranked in the 40's.  Others have him at 2nd or 3rd overall in mock drafts.  I think Simmons is likely gone before 12 as well, but again, this is my wishful thinking. 

If those 2 are gone at 12, maybe we go after Burns or Ferrell  at 12, Fant at 30 and then look for an interior DL like DreMont Jones, Omenihu,  Wilkins, or Tillery at 44.  

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53 minutes ago, Gopher Trace said:

 Dude, no.  None of this "X *or* Y *or* Z *or* XX prospect here"-business.  Just pick the guy you think is best.

I pretty much did if you look at the final 53.  I also wanted to do something slightly different than the rest.  

 

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3 hours ago, Gopher Trace said:

 Dude, no.  None of this "X *or* Y *or* Z *or* XX prospect here"-business.  Just pick the guy you think is best.

It's his mock. He can do what he wants. Why don't you go post a mock? I'd love to tear it to shreds. 

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Do you think Hock is going to go before Fant?


Don't love it but I don't hate it either.  Not sure I love either Love or Higgy in the 4th.  I  LOVE Love's speed but I've got concerns about his ability as a receiver.  Loved watching Higgy for my squad in college but I'd prefer more of a receiving back at that spot.  None of our current RBs are all that natural of receivers.  

Also really want a quality WR added whether it's in the top 3 rounds of the draft or in UFA.  I have doubts that our offense is going to be more successful next year with less talent at WR.  

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4 hours ago, Slinky said:

It's his mock. He can do what he wants. Why don't you go post a mock? I'd love to tear it to shreds. 

:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o

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3 hours ago, SSG said:

Do you think Hock is going to go before Fant?


Don't love it but I don't hate it either.  Not sure I love either Love or Higgy in the 4th.  I  LOVE Love's speed but I've got concerns about his ability as a receiver.  Loved watching Higgy for my squad in college but I'd prefer more of a receiving back at that spot.  None of our current RBs are all that natural of receivers.  

Also really want a quality WR added whether it's in the top 3 rounds of the draft or in UFA.  I have doubts that our offense is going to be more successful next year with less talent at WR.  

Swap Bryce Love with Darwin Thompson.  Super Bowl.

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8 minutes ago, MaximusGluteus said:

Swap Bryce Love with Darwin Thompson.  Super Bowl.

He's fun to watch.  Don't know enough about him to know how good of a receiver he is but damn is he powerful and electric.  

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13 hours ago, Cheech said:

While we want to put an emphasis on acquiring edge talent (it is a need) we have to remember that Pettine likes to have a nasty interior DL and then uses overload blitzes where he's sending one more player on one side of the line than they can block.  It absolutely does reduce the need to have elite edge rushers and puts much heavier emphasis on interior DL and DB/S type players that can cover in the slot as well as blitz effectively

True, but Pettine has also asked his OLB to stunt inside and bull rush too and blitz a DB for the edge, and he showed how he can use Wilkerson as both an interior DL and edge player

So I'm definitely thinking physical edge OR athletic DL that can play both inside and out.

 

As for your draft, 

Is Gary a DT or edge? I see him lining up at edge in game videos but usually listed as a DT. But he potential is that tweener type that could fit perfectly in Pettine scheme. 

Simmons, is very talented, but I've wondered if the video with his hands on a woman might hurt him... but the Packers do have their offensive coordinator from last year as their new QB coach, so it's possible that they might have some inside scoop on the guy.

I'm not sure Ferrell is gonna be there at #12, so you having him as an option at #30 blew my mind

Overall, I love the general feel, hitting needed areas and getting better and more physical on the lines, just wish there was better long term options at FS.

13 hours ago, Cheech said:

I don't like that I don't have a true FS on the roster.  I'd like to see Brown and Breeland given a shot there in training camp.  But with the nasty front 7 that Pettine now has, we could see a lot more two-deep coverage with Hooker/Campbell/Amos/Breeland patrolling the back end.  

Yeah I'm thinking the Packers might go after Earl Thomas (and not get him, Dallas will) and be watching the top two FS in the draft, from Bama and Delaware?

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I agree, you can do your mock however you like.  IMO, what you posted is possible.  I did cross over into the Vikings forum and read up on Barr.  I was also on that bandwagon, but after reading what their own fans posted, I am thinking of passing on Barr.  I think it's time to walk away from CM, the only resign I do like is Breeland.  I most agree with Gopher Trace, I do prefer selecting one player with each round.  I also prefer that mocks are complete, not stopping at round 4 or 5 and skipping the last rounds.  Yeah, it's hard trying to come up with those lower picks, but it makes the mock more complete, IMO.  Please, don't take this as a rip against you, I like what you did.  I just wished you would have continued into the later rounds.  Thanks for you work!

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