Cwood is a nerd and so are all the Packer Favorite Prospects: 2023 Draft Discussion Thread

[beekay414]

Just now, CWood21 said:

Christian Gonzalez is a stud.  He's not quite that Sauce Gardner level, but he's easily in that next tier.

Is Christian Gonzalez going to be on the board at 15? 😉 

[CWood21]

23 minutes ago, beekay414 said:

Is Christian Gonzalez going to be on the board at 15? 😉 

Probably not.  But I think there's a strong chance that the top of the CB board is probably a bit more mixed amongst teams.  At this point, I'd probably say 20% of the league probably has Porter as CB1, 30% have Witherspoon as CB1, and 45% have Gonzalez as CB1, and 5% have something else.  Or along those lines.  Right now, I think there's going to be at least 4 CBs go in the first round (Gonzalez, Porter, Witherspoon, and Banks).  I think there's potentially 2 or 3 more (Forbes, Ringo, and Smith) that could go first round.

[beekay414]

4 minutes ago, CWood21 said:

Probably not.  But I think there's a strong chance that the top of the CB board is probably a bit more mixed amongst teams.  At this point, I'd probably say 20% of the league probably has Porter as CB1, 30% have Witherspoon as CB1, and 45% have Gonzalez as CB1, and 5% have something else.  Or along those lines.  Right now, I think there's going to be at least 4 CBs go in the first round (Gonzalez, Porter, Witherspoon, and Banks).  I think there's potentially 2 or 3 more (Forbes, Ringo, and Smith) that could go first round.

Don't sleep on DJ Turner.

[incognito_man]

1 hour ago, Green19 said:

I think the other “dark horse” for GB is Nolan Smith if he is there. LVN is more the model they have been going with… but if they change that model we can keep the Georgia Defense pipeline strong.

I can't quite figure out if he's Von Miller or a bust. All of his good plays his opponents look comically bad at times. I can't figure out if that's a great thing of a bad thing. Is he getting lucky or is he creating those comically bad attempts to block him?

I've seen him bullrush pancake and SEC OT that has 100 lbs on him. I've seen him violently shed hands and toss giant OTs. I've seen him win on inside moves where the OT literally doesn't get a hand on him. 

He's either a top 3 talent in this class or a nothing-burger I feel. I'm curious what others see who have watched more on him. It seems like the gym numbers back up the idea that he's really really ******* good and he makes opponents look ridiculous at times because he's dangerous.

@MrBobGray have you watched him this year yet?

[incognito_man]

Alright. I've watched more of Nolan Smith and read more. He's a top 3 player for me in this draft. 

EDGE, Georgia Bulldogs

Nolan Smith is an emotional leader on and off the field for the Georgia Bulldogs. Smith is viewed in high regard by his teammates and coaches as a dynamic leader in the locker room. He brings a level of energy that is not easily replicated. Smith became the starting OLB/EDGE for the Bulldogs in 2021. His impact was obviously felt early on, even on a defense with multiple NFL draft picks. 

 

When studying Smith, the three words I wrote down to capture/describe his game were: physical, violent, and relentless. As a result, Smith is a difficult task to block in the run game, especially for tight ends. His full-body strength is on display consistently but his base is where it begins. Smith digs his feet into the turf and creates a nearly immovable object versus the run. I appreciate the ferocity he plays with because that is not a teachable trait—you either have it or you don’t. He approaches every play with a “you can’t block me” mentality and I love it. To add to his power and physicality, he is an explosive downhill athlete. His first step, when used properly, can propel him upfield and into action quickly. His athleticism is shown when asked to drop into coverage even in small instances but he does not look like a fish out of water. 

https://thedraftnetwork.com/sr-prospect/nolan-smith-ac5c5034-dc60-422e-922a-43b430f0cdd3/

[beekay414]

3 minutes ago, incognito_man said:

Alright. I've watched more of Nolan Smith and read more. He's a top 3 player for me in this draft. 

EDGE, Georgia Bulldogs

Nolan Smith is an emotional leader on and off the field for the Georgia Bulldogs. Smith is viewed in high regard by his teammates and coaches as a dynamic leader in the locker room. He brings a level of energy that is not easily replicated. Smith became the starting OLB/EDGE for the Bulldogs in 2021. His impact was obviously felt early on, even on a defense with multiple NFL draft picks. 

 

When studying Smith, the three words I wrote down to capture/describe his game were: physical, violent, and relentless. As a result, Smith is a difficult task to block in the run game, especially for tight ends. His full-body strength is on display consistently but his base is where it begins. Smith digs his feet into the turf and creates a nearly immovable object versus the run. I appreciate the ferocity he plays with because that is not a teachable trait—you either have it or you don’t. He approaches every play with a “you can’t block me” mentality and I love it. To add to his power and physicality, he is an explosive downhill athlete. His first step, when used properly, can propel him upfield and into action quickly. His athleticism is shown when asked to drop into coverage even in small instances but he does not look like a fish out of water. 

https://thedraftnetwork.com/sr-prospect/nolan-smith-ac5c5034-dc60-422e-922a-43b430f0cdd3/

I think he's a darkhorse for the Eagles if they stay at 10.

[Packerraymond]

Nolan Smith needs to be used like Micah Parsons.

[incognito_man]

I want this dude in GB. This is why we're holding out for pick 13. We want to move up for Nolan Smith. If we pretend his senior year didn't happen and he was a junior right now he'd be a top 3 pick. 

https://thedraftnetwork.com/nolan-smith-nfl-combine-draft-2023/

[Green19]

3 minutes ago, incognito_man said:

I want this dude in GB. This is why we're holding out for pick 13. We want to move up for Nolan Smith. If we pretend his senior year didn't happen and he was a junior right now he'd be a top 3 pick. 

https://thedraftnetwork.com/nolan-smith-nfl-combine-draft-2023/

Yeah like Jacob Morley has mentioned… once GB invited McDonald as a top 30 visit, Nolan Smith is on the board for GB.

These guys haven’t been the model for GB recently (MLF era) it’s been Gary, Z smith, Preston Smith, Kingsley…

That’s why LVN makes a ton of sense if GB goes edge in the first. BUT if they are changing the model a bit…

Jacob says CMIII is thrown around a lot as a comp for Nolan. And in Daniel Jeremiah’s latest mock he has Nolan at… 13 to the Jets. So in range.

[Smidgeon]

6 hours ago, Leader said:

Paul Bretl -   My first mock draft of the year, and although it’s only 2 rounds, it includes 4 picks for the Packers.

Pick 15: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State

Measurements: 6’2″ | 193 pounds | RAS: 9.70

Stats to know: Porter has played 1,665 career snaps in college, with a majority coming lined up on the boundary. He’s been a very sound tackler throughout his career, and over the last three seasons, Porter has been targeted 116 times, allowing a completion rate of 59% with 10.3 yards per catch. He would also record an interception and 14 pass breakups, according to PFF ($$).

Fit with Packers: Cornerback certainly isn’t the Packers’ biggest need, but with four picks in the top 50, I felt that I had some flexibility to focus on who the best player available was rather than solely on what is the biggest positional need. Adding Porter to the mix allows for the Packers to move Rasul Douglas to safety, something Brian Gutekunst discussed at the combine, and hopefully provides some stability to that position. That leaves Porter, Eric Stokes – who is still working his way back from injury – and Jaire Alexander to be rotated between the two boundary and slot cornerback positions, depending on the matchup.

Pick 42: Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee

Measurements: 6’0″ | 178 pounds | RAS: 9.27

Stats to know: This past 2022 season was a breakout year for Hyatt. He would haul in 67 of his 89 targets at a whopping 18.9 yards per catch with 15 touchdowns. Hyatt was also one of the best at picking up YAC at the receiver positions, and he was targeted on average 14.1 yards downfield, the 15th-highest rate in college football last season. Most of his career snaps have come in the slot.

Fit with Packers: From a weight standpoint, Hyatt doesn’t meet the Packers’ usual threshold of 200 pounds, but Justis Mosqueda of Acme Packing Co. would report from the combine that a year ago, Green Bay was interested in Chris Olave, who weighed 187 pounds, and that the team holds Hyatt in similar regard. Hyatt would provide some more playmaking for this offense – which is still needed even with Christian Watson – and do so from the slot, where the Packers are without a go-to option currently.

Pick 43: Adetomiwa Adebawore, Edge, Northwestern

Measurements: 6’1″ | 282 pounds | RAS: 9.87

Stats to know: Adebawore has 1,854 career snaps with the Wildcats, most of which have come in the traditional edge rusher role, but he’s also played over 600 from the interior. During the 2021 and 2022 seasons, he recorded a total of 61 pressures and 11 sacks. In 2022 specifically, Adebawore’s 22 run stops ranked 28th out of 200 eligible edge rushers.

Fit with Packers: To put it simply, the Packers need more consistent pressure from the edge rusher position from those on the roster not named Rashan Gary. When Gary went down with his injury last season, Green Bay had issues generating regular pressure on the quarterback. Adebawore would immediately upgrade this edge rusher rotation, and his ability to play inside would also help the interior defensive line group, a position where, in terms of depth, the Packers are lacking.

Pick 45: Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State

Measurements: 6’5″ | 253 pounds | RAS: 9.75

Stats to know: It looked like 2022 was going to be a breakout season for Musgrave, who caught 11 of 15 passes at an impressive 15.4 yards per catch with a touchdown through two games before suffering a season-ending injury. In 2021, he hauled in 19 passes for 260 yards and a touchdown. He also has over 500 career snaps as a run-blocker in Oregon State’s zone-blocking offense, which is what Matt LaFleur utilizes.

Fit with Packers: It’s worth noting that most rookie tight ends do not contribute significantly as rookies–it’s a difficult jump at tight end from college to the NFL. But with that said, Musgrave has the potential to bring playmaking in the passing game to this offense and the tight end position–something that was very much missing in 2022. Many of this past year’s NFL playoff teams had this element in their offense. Musgrave is also a willing blocker, which is very important when it comes to playing tight end for LaFleur.

https://dairylandexpress.com/2023/03/24/packers-mock-draft-4-picks-top-50-aaron-rodgers-trade/

 

I like 2.5 of those. Not JP Jr, unsure about Hyatt (but not against).

[packfanfb]

1 hour ago, Packerraymond said:

Nolan Smith needs to be used like Micah Parsons.

Honestly, I don't see why we wouldn't use Quay in that fashion as well. Doesn't have a history on the EDGE but we sprinkled it in last year. 

[Mr Bad Example]

3 hours ago, packfanfb said:

Honestly, I don't see why we wouldn't use Quay in that fashion as well. Doesn't have a history on the EDGE but we sprinkled it in last year. 

When Quay was drafted he was listed as an ILB but his athletic profile said Swiss Army knife, it's criminal al he isn't being used in multiple roles.

[Uffdaswede]

1 hour ago, Mr Bad Example said:

When Quay was drafted he was listed as an ILB but his athletic profile said Swiss Army knife, it's criminal al he isn't being used in multiple roles.

If you’re saying Joe Barry is a criminal we just became best friends!

If you’re saying Quay should be used as a nail file or a screwdriver I’m less enthusiastic.

[Sandy]

3 minutes ago, Uffdaswede said:

If you’re saying Joe Barry is a criminal we just became best friends!

If you’re saying Quay should be used as a nail file or a screwdriver I’m less enthusiastic.

He's got a bottle opener too.

[VegasDan]

18 hours ago, incognito_man said:

Alright. I've watched more of Nolan Smith and read more. He's a top 3 player for me in this draft. 

EDGE, Georgia Bulldogs

Nolan Smith is an emotional leader on and off the field for the Georgia Bulldogs. Smith is viewed in high regard by his teammates and coaches as a dynamic leader in the locker room. He brings a level of energy that is not easily replicated. Smith became the starting OLB/EDGE for the Bulldogs in 2021. His impact was obviously felt early on, even on a defense with multiple NFL draft picks. 

 

When studying Smith, the three words I wrote down to capture/describe his game were: physical, violent, and relentless. As a result, Smith is a difficult task to block in the run game, especially for tight ends. His full-body strength is on display consistently but his base is where it begins. Smith digs his feet into the turf and creates a nearly immovable object versus the run. I appreciate the ferocity he plays with because that is not a teachable trait—you either have it or you don’t. He approaches every play with a “you can’t block me” mentality and I love it. To add to his power and physicality, he is an explosive downhill athlete. His first step, when used properly, can propel him upfield and into action quickly. His athleticism is shown when asked to drop into coverage even in small instances but he does not look like a fish out of water. 

https://thedraftnetwork.com/sr-prospect/nolan-smith-ac5c5034-dc60-422e-922a-43b430f0cdd3/

I have thought the biggest thing missing from the Packer defense is emotional/energy leadership. Sounds like this maybe the guy.  I'm jn!