Leisher's 2023 rainy day mock draft and off season, 1-16-22.

[jleisher]

Before I start, I would like to congratulate the Minnesota Vikings for not letting us down.  We knew we could count on you.  With that said, let's move onto my mock draft.  We all realize the Packers are over the salary cap.  Moves are going to be made that we don't like or understand.  We just have to pray that Gute and Ball can make the right moves.

For this mock draft, I used PFF draft simulator.  NFL draft buzz for scouting reports.  Please keep in mind, this is all for entertainment purposes only.  It's way too early to predict players rankings.  Players will rise and fall plenty of times before the April draft.  My plan is to rebuild the TE position, and depth to the Edge.  I want to add 1-2 DB's and OL.  Add picks for 2024 draft.  Please enjoy!

Matt LaFleur stays true to his words.  No major changes in the coaching staff.  Although, I would love to see Joe Berry gone, but it doesn't happen.  However, LaFleur makes one small addition to his staff.  Matt hires little brother Mike to coach WR with Passing game Coordinator Jason Vrable.

 

Gute and Ball get to work on the cap space.  Gute makes 3 trades to free up $17,189,093 of cap space.

#1.

Aaron Jones RB is traded to Cincinnati Bengals for pick #58.  ($10,440,000).  (This one hurts.) 

#2. 

BAK to NE, yeah NE for pick #97 and 2024 4th rd pick.  ($5,934,480).  

#3.

Royce Newman IOL to Tampa Bay for pick #175.  ($814,613)

Packer Resigns and in priority order.

#1.

Keisean Nixon RS/CB

#2.

Justin Hollins Edge

#3.

Yosh Nijman T

#4.

Rudy Ford ST/DB

#5.

Robert Tonyan Jr. TE

#6.

Dallin Leavitt ST/S

 

Outside Free Agents:

David Montgomery RB Bears 3yrs $30m 50% Guaranteed.

Mike Gesick TE Dolphins 2yrs $20m 50% Guaranteed.

Marvin Jones WR 1yr $5m

 

2023 Packers Mock Draft.

#15.  Packers select.

Michael Mayer TE Notre Dame (TE group is now Gesicki, Mayer, Deguara and Tonyan Jr.)

QB RATING WHEN TARGETED:	106.7
HANDS:		73%
SHORT RECEIVING:		83%
INTERMEDIATE ROUTES:		85%
DEEP THREAT:		86%
BLOCKING:		62%

 

• Mayer fights his way off the line of scrimmage against press coverage, showing quick, violent hands and good balance.
• Mayer plays with smoothness and balance, and Mayer shows a knack for setting up defensive backs.
• Good quickness off the snap. Has good speed for the position to attack the seam. Shows burst out of his breaks to gain separation.
• Knee-bend and technique are good, and he shows decent power when his hands hit the target.
• Has the burst off the snap to be split out wide in the NFL.
• The best blocking Tight end in this year's class
• Mayer has soft hands and excellent ball skills.
• He effortlessly catches the football away from his frame.
• Mayer releases from in-line alignments effectively
• He has a well-rounded set of tools as a pass catcher.
• Possesses mismatch size and is adept at going up to make contested catches.
• He high points the ball well and has strong hands to control the ball while getting hit.
• Mayer has a nose for the end zone and should be an asset in the red zone.
• He has a nice feel as a route runner and knows how to separate.

 

#45.  Packers select.

Will McDonald IV Edge Iowa St.  (Adds depth behind Smith, Gary, Enagbare and Hollins.  #3 or #4 Edge LB.)

TACKLING:		69%
PASS RUSH:		95%
RUN DEFENSE:		73%

 

• McDonald has a high motor and does a solid job setting the edge against the run.
• He has a lethal spin move and the pure speed to close quickly.
• Crazy athletic skills -- Made Bruce Feldman's 'Freaks List' at number 5. He wrote: “He’s an elite athlete who can do backflips standing still and has videos jumping over cars. All of that along with sacking the QB,” Cyclones coach Matt Campbell said of the 6-3, 236-pound edge rusher. Campbell expects McDonald will vertical-jump 42 or 43 inches when he goes to the combine and should broad jump around 11 feet."
• He’s very instinctive when it comes to countering and solid with overall hand usage.
• He’s very good with his hands, a technician with the violence, quickness, and the long arms to ward off blockers. He has a great motor and enough creativity to make plays late in the down as a pass rusher.
• Challenges inside with quickness and strong hands. Run-and-chase defender who can leave a mark.
• He’s quick to react and locate the ball, and McDonald shows the speed to succeed in backside pursuit. McDonald plays with excellent balance and a strong, flexible core, rarely ending up on the ground.

 

#58.  Packers select.

Andrew Vorhees G/T USC (Pushes Runyan for starting LG job and adds versatility to the OL.)

PASS BLOCKING:		88%
RUN BLOCKING:		90%

 

• Bursts off the line of scrimmage and has tremendous natural strength and power, able to dominate at the point of attack and wipe out defenders in the run game.
• Has a naturally wide base, thickly build, and good length. Long legs to cover a lot of ground with his initial kick slide. Has the quickness to set up quickly with enough lateral shuffle to mirror and mobility to get to the second level.
• Made Bruce Feldman's Freak's List - ranked #99. He wrote, "The Trojans’ best O-lineman is also their strongest player and their resident “Freak,” according to strength coach Bennie Wylie. Vorhees can bench-press 225 40 times."
• Is effective when asked to pull, showing the agility, speed, and overall range to get out as a lead blocker, where Vorhees locates defenders and shows the ability to adjust and land blocks against linebackers.
• As a pass protector, he plays with good balance and holds up against the bull rush. Vorhees has strong hands and does a nice job gripping and latching on once he has his hands on the pass rusher.
• Has a powerful lower body and enough leg drive to knock defenders back at the point of attack. Vorhees flashes light feet as a pass protector, with the ability to mirror against quickness and the anchor strength to hold up against the bull rush.

 

#78.  Packers trade down with Jacksonville for picks #84 and #156.

#84.  Packers select.

Dawand Jones T Ohio St. (Adds to the tackle battle with Nijman, Toms and Caleb Jones.)

PASS BLOCKING:		90%
RUN BLOCKING:		95%

 

• Displays good awareness when it comes to reading moving bodies, effectively reacting, and adjusting. Jones also shows a good feel for combo blocks.
• He’s at his best fighting in a phone booth as a run blocker, where his sheer size and strength, combined with his natural knee bend and leverage, can take over.
• Effective in space and usually drops his hips to get leverage and sustain against shorter defenders.
• He has the measurables to stick at tackle, and Jones plays with a good, wide base in pass protection, allowing him to hold up against the bull rush.
• Jones does a nice job working with teammates to build the pocket, anchoring against bull rushers, and displaying good awareness against stunts and twists.

 

#97.  Packers select.

Zach Harrison DE Ohio St. (Pushes to replace either Reed or Lowry on the DL.)

TACKLING:		80%
PASS RUSH:		97%
RUN DEFENSE:		86%

 

• Possesses accurate snap anticipation and timing to beat blockers off the edge.
• Has ridiculous athletic skills runs 4.5 at 268lbs can overwhelm opponents and fly past bigger tackles in a blink of an eye.
• Has a solidly built frame with good upper body strength and tenacity. Works hard to get to the ball. Plays fast with good initial quickness and closing speed to create havoc in the backfield.
• He has the classic frame and long arms with some explosion, power, and ability to close.
• Looks the part. Possesses a long, athletic build with room for additional muscle mass. Flashes a burst off the snap, good enough to cross the face of collegiate tackles and put him in position to make big plays behind the line of scrimmage.
• Challenges inside with quickness and strong hands. A run-and-chase defender who can leave a mark.
• Fast in a straight line. Excellent wide and. bull rushes when he's first off, the snap.
• Plays with leverage at the point of attack whether inside or outside. Keeps eyes in the backfield when inside; moves linemen to either side with strong hands.

 

#116.  Packers select.

Christopher Smith S Georgia (Gets a shot at replacing Amos is he isn't resigned.)

QB RATING WHEN TARGETED:	51.5
TACKLING:		72%
RUN DEFENSE:		86%
COVERAGE:		84%
ZONE:		79%
MAN/PRESS:		83%

 

• Has good football awareness to read and react quickly and stay balanced and patient in space.
• His ball skills are very good. Smith tracks the ball well downfield and has the hands and coordination to come away with interceptions even when Smith isn’t targeted often.
• Has the change-of-direction ability to mirror underneath but did solid work out of press and off coverage.
• Does a good job getting his head around in time when playing with his back to the line of scrimmage. Has the ability to cover quickness underneath.
• An instinctive center fielder who flies around the field, has the tools to make up for a relative lack of size.

 

#150.  Packers select.

Keion White DE/Edge Georgia Tech (Adds depth to the pass rush with McDonald and Harrison added as well.)

TACKLING:		64%
PASS RUSH:		79%
RUN DEFENSE:		84%

 

• His motor is excellent, and he’s quick to locate the ball and make plays against the run.
• Made Bruce Feldman's Freak's List - ranked #20. He wrote "White was a devastating player for Old Dominion in 2019, making 19 TFLs. He was 265 then. He transferred to Tech, but then suffered an ankle injury that sidelined him. He’s now 6-4, 290, and primed to be a problem for ACC teams. White has hit 21 mph despite being almost 300 pounds. He also has vertical-jumped 32 inches and done 38 reps of 225 on the bench press."
• White has decent enough flexibility to bend the edge, and White shows a good closing burst.
• Tall, solid frame with adequate length and has done a nice job losing the bad weight and firming his body.
• He has a lethal spin move and the pure speed to close quickly.
• White has an excellent feel for working off blockers and knowing how and when to counter as the play goes on.
• He’s a high-motor player, and he shows good enough hand use, as well as a tight spin move, to win as an edge rusher.

 

#156.  Packers select.

Cody Simon LB Ohio State (Barnes replacement.)

TACKLING:		77%
PASS RUSH:		71%
RUN DEFENSE:		82%
COVERAGE:		60%

 

• Along with great instincts, he’s an explosive mover. Simon can disrupt plays in the backfield due to his ability to read and react quickly.
• He understands angles and takes very good paths moving downhill. He shows good ability in coverage, with the agility to mirror backs.
• He can be used as a rangy run defender inside, instinctive when it comes to locating the ball with the quickness to get to it before blockers can react at the second level.
• He’s a fluid mover in pursuit as well, capable of moving down the line and making plays in pursuit.
• Has a filled-out frame with good thickness. Plays at full speed at all times with an active motor and determined quickness in pursuit.
• Simon has good quickness and an excellent understanding of angles, often beating blockers to the spot.

 

#169.  Packers select.

Charles Jones WR Purdue (Gets a year behind Marvin Jones to take over the slot job.)  (He might go even higher?)

QB RATING WHEN TARGETED:	118.1
HANDS:		89%
SHORT RECEIVING:		85%
INTERMEDIATE ROUTES:		90%
DEEP THREAT:		91%
BLOCKING:		58%

 

• Although Jones is more of a possession target than a field stretcher, he fiercely competitive demeanor and run-after-catch ability make him a major threat in the middle of the field.
• A savvy, natural pass-catcher with reliable hands and very good focus. Snatches the ball out of the air and shows the concentration to make acrobatic catches look easy.
• Jones tracks the ball well downfield and consistently runs under long throws.
• Jones is a natural playmaker, at his best with the ball in his hands.
• His competitiveness and knack for high pointing the ball allow him to play bigger than his size.
•  

 

 

#175.  Packers select.

Payne Durham TE Purdue (#4 or #5 TE, TE position has been rebuilt.)

QB RATING WHEN TARGETED:	117.2
HANDS:		78%
SHORT RECEIVING:		74%
INTERMEDIATE ROUTES:		79%
DEEP THREAT:		59%
BLOCKING:		52%

 

• Gets a quick release off the line. Dips his shoulder and shows some savvy 8 as a route runner to avoid contact with defenders g to get into his route.
• A fluid mover capable of creating some separation over the middle of the field, Durham has the long arms and soft hands to provide a sizable catch radius.
• Durham has soft hands and uses his frame effectively to shield defenders, making him a major threat in the red zone. Durham can also turn up field and break a tackle.
• Looks to get involved downfield and will block multiple defenders on a single play when he can. Understands his role as a blocker.
• Knee-bend and technique are good, and he shows decent power when his hands hit the target.
• His long arms allow him to play bigger than his size, and he has a frame that can carry a little more weight.

 

#194.  Packers select.

Jartavius Martin DB Illinois (Can play all over the backfield.)

QB RATING WHEN TARGETED:	74.4
TACKLING:		91%
RUN DEFENSE:		86%
COVERAGE:		69%
ZONE:		66%
MAN/PRESS:		71%

 

• In the run game, he’s aggressive coming downhill and a sure tackler.
• Good strength to tackle. Plays with high energy and is a tough-minded overachiever.
• Extremely aggressive to come up and put his body in traffic to make tackles.
• He’s excellent in run support, a physical hitter who could also get a look at safety
• Can track the ball downfield and gets his head around when playing in a trail position, and Martin shows excellent ball skills when breaking on a route. He’s a plus tackler in run support as well.
• Transitions well from coverage to close on the ball. Strong hands, quick reactions for the interceptions.

 

#201.  Packers select.

Elijah Higgens WR Stanford (Depth #4- #6 WR.)

QB RATING WHEN TARGETED:	93.1
HANDS:		76%
SHORT RECEIVING:		73%
INTERMEDIATE ROUTES:		81%
DEEP THREAT:		77%
BLOCKING:		63%

 

• Higgins runs precise routes, showing an innate feel for setting up defensive backs to create separation.
• Top-shelf balance and the lower-body strength to power through arm tackles. Has very good vision to set up his moves with impressive run-after the- catch ability.
• Made Bruce Feldman's Freak's List - ranked #32. He wrote, "Stanford quarterback Tanner McKee said Higgins, despite his huge frame, is the fastest or one of the two fastest players in the program. McKee said one day this offseason, players were challenging each other on the Kaiser machine, putting 80 pounds on it to row it to see what their max power would be. McKee said most of the guys were registering around 1,600-1,700. “Elijah went up there and hit 2,100 and everyone started freaking out."
• He shows good initial quickness off the line of scrimmage, and Higgins has enough strength to be able to consistently escape the jam at the next level. He’s a coordinated hands catcher who effectively tracks the ball downfield.
• Higgins has strong hands and is extremely competitive, and he has an innate sense of timing when it comes to elevating and high-pointing balls.
• A versatile weapon, proving to be effective inside in the slot and outside on the perimeter. Makes plays at all levels of the field.
• Has a tall frame and long arms, plus strong hands, giving him a huge catch radius.

 

#213.  Packers select.

Avery Young DB Rutgers (Another DB that can play different positions in the backfield.)

QB RATING WHEN TARGETED:	86.8
TACKLING:		91%
RUN DEFENSE:		83%
COVERAGE:		73%
ZONE:		75%
MAN/PRESS:		69%

 

• Flashes good ball skills. Young has the fluidity and change-of-direction ability to mirror quicker receivers underneath.
• Has the fluidity, speed and quick feet to come down and defend slot receivers in man coverage. Young also does a nice job breaking down in space as a tackler after the catch.
• Fluid mover with decent speed and his length allows him to cover effectively downfield
• He’s also very good in zone coverage, showing a great understanding of routes and the ability to close quickly.
• Closes to the ball quite well and possesses the hands to ****** throws away from his frame.

 

#217.  Packers select.

Derek Parish Edge Houston (PS player.)

TACKLING:		67%
PASS RUSH:		84%
RUN DEFENSE:		76%

 

• One of the true straight-up edge burners in this draft class, Parish has the kind of skill set NFL teams covet in an edge rusher.
• Parish has electrifying change-of-direction skills and also the length and upper-body strength to discard blockers on the way.
• Made Bruce Feldman's Freak's List - ranked #49. He wrote, "The 6-2, 245-pound Parish, who has a 21-inch neck, is a beast in the weight room, power-cleaning 426 pounds and back-squatting 674. He benches 425 pounds for three reps but also runs a 4.58 40 and has hit 21 mph on the GPS."
• His spin is his best move, tight and quick to the point that blockers don’t have time to react to it. His closing burst is outstanding.
• Vision to locate the ball and recognize cut blocks. Can rip past blockers and pull down ball carriers when he cannot fully disengage from linemen.
• Parish has an excellent feel for working off blockers and knowing how and when to counter as the play goes on.
• Possesses accurate snap anticipation and timing to beat blockers off the edge.

 

UDFA's:

Clayton Tune QB Houston 109.8 QBR

SHORT PASSING:		76%
MEDIUM PASSING:		80%
LONG PASSING:		81%
RUSH/SCRAMBLE:		62%

 

Xazavian Valladay RB Arizona St.

RUSHING:		81%
BREAK TACKLES:		68%
RECEIVING/HANDS:		63%
PASS BLOCKING:		31%
RUN BLOCKING:		58%

 

Ben Sims TE Baylor

QB RATING WHEN TARGETED:	111.6
HANDS:		69%
SHORT RECEIVING:		68%
INTERMEDIATE ROUTES:		72%
DEEP THREAT:		74%
BLOCKING:		58%

 

 

Jacob Gall C Baylor

PASS BLOCKING:		80%
RUN BLOCKING:		79%

 

YaYa Darby DE/Edge Louisville

TACKLING:		61%
PASS RUSH:		77%
RUN DEFENSE:		78%

Dell Pettus S Troy

QB RATING WHEN TARGETED:	110.0
TACKLING:		75%
RUN DEFENSE:		69%
COVERAGE:		64%
ZONE:		62%
MAN/PRESS:		63%

Seth Benson LB Iowa

TACKLING:		74%
PASS RUSH:		71%
RUN DEFENSE:		76%
COVERAGE:		80%

 

 

 

[vegas492]

Saw the trades.  And if that all happened, put me squarely in the "Fire Gute" crowd.  Jesus.

You traded a RB to offload money...then signed one in free agency for kindda the same deal?  Only a lesser RB?  Makes no sense.

Kind of like re-signing Tonyan, only to grab one in the first round???

And that's as far as I got.

[PackFan13]

1 hour ago, vegas492 said:

Saw the trades.  And if that all happened, put me squarely in the "Fire Gute" crowd.  Jesus.

You traded a RB to offload money...then signed one in free agency for kindda the same deal?  Only a lesser RB?  Makes no sense.

Kind of like re-signing Tonyan, only to grab one in the first round???

And that's as far as I got.

Agreed on all this but tonyan isn't worth bringing back unless it's real cheap. He shouldn't be the starter. I can't imagine Marvin Jones only getting 5 million as an well.

 

[vegas492]

4 minutes ago, PackFan13 said:

Agreed on all this but tonyan isn't worth bringing back unless it's real cheap. He shouldn't be the starter. I can't imagine Marvin Jones only getting 5 million as an well.

 

Forget whether you should or should not bring back Tonyan.  He was re-signed in this mock...AND we used our first round pick on a Tight end.

I didn't read anything else.  But yah, $5M for Marvin Jones seems about right......  for this mock.

[PackFan13]

3 minutes ago, vegas492 said:

Forget whether you should or should not bring back Tonyan.  He was re-signed in this mock...AND we used our first round pick on a Tight end.

I didn't read anything else.  But yah, $5M for Marvin Jones seems about right......  for this mock.

Yeah I barely looked at it after seeing the Rb signing. I'm realizing now it says we signed the dolphins TE which I wouldn't be opposed to. I'm on board signing for a decent TE lord knows Gute can't draft them

[vegas492]

14 minutes ago, PackFan13 said:

Yeah I barely looked at it after seeing the Rb signing. I'm realizing now it says we signed the dolphins TE which I wouldn't be opposed to. I'm on board signing for a decent TE lord knows Gute can't draft them

Wait a minute....in this mock we re-signed Tonyan, signed another one in free agency, while drafting one in round one?

I don't even know what to compare that to.  

Maybe taking your aunt to prom in her brother's car, then back to your parent's place for after prom, while your parents are hosting a swingers party?

Aw my Brother in Christ....now I have to go read the rest of this mock.

Edited January 16, 2023 by vegas492

[15412]

As noted if we were going to sign Monty we'd extend Jones instead.  Simple as that.  We also got more for one of our O-lineman than he was worth and not enough for the other.  I'll let you guess which.

The only positive in this mock is we're sure deep at TE talent now!  That being said I don't like any TE as early as 15.

I don't care what the simulator says, Harrison will be gone by that pick.  I agree we need EDGE, more so than this draft predicts.

It's a jumble and a bumble 

[Mr. Fussnputz]

You trade Bahk, you better be drafting a T in round 1. You got a 40 yo QB who can't run no more. 

[ThatJerkDave]

It is always fun to comment on mock drafts so here I go:

Like:  Adding edge early.  Preston is on the back 9 and Gary will be coming off an injury.  Enagbare played well, IMO, and Hollins can be the third until the new guy gets back.  I would guess that Zach Harrison is more of our size profile for edge, while McDonald is about the same size as our ILBs.  

Don't like:  I think you put too many eggs in too few baskets.  Added a lot to the TE, Edge, OT, and WR rooms.  Didn't add a lot of Interior OL, DL, S.

I would also add that if we are cutting a RB for cap reasons, we shouldn't turn around and sign a RB for what we saved on the one that we cut.  Just draft a guy and have him compete with the guys in house.

 

Still, always enjoy these and getting a little info on new (to me) players. 

[Old Guy]

Stopped after you cut Jones and signed Montgomery. 

[Striker]

21 hours ago, vegas492 said:

Saw the trades.  And if that all happened, put me squarely in the "Fire Gute" crowd.  Jesus.

You traded a RB to offload money...then signed one in free agency for kindda the same deal?  Only a lesser RB?  Makes no sense.

Kind of like re-signing Tonyan, only to grab one in the first round???

And that's as far as I got.

I got stuck trying to figure out why the Bengals would trade for Aaron Jones when they have Joe Mixon.

[CWood21]

On 1/16/2023 at 3:12 PM, PackFan13 said:

Agreed on all this but tonyan isn't worth bringing back unless it's real cheap. He shouldn't be the starter. I can't imagine Marvin Jones only getting 5 million as an well.

I wouldn't break the bank on him by any means, but I'd bring him back if the money was right.

[vegas492]

13 hours ago, CWood21 said:

I wouldn't break the bank on him by any means, but I'd bring him back if the money was right.

But would you bring him back, while giving Gesicki $10M/year and while drafting a TE in round one????

[CWood21]

1 hour ago, vegas492 said:

But would you bring him back, while giving Gesicki $10M/year and while drafting a TE in round one????

No.  But I'm also not a huge Gesicki fan either.

[AlexGreen#20]

On 1/16/2023 at 1:12 PM, PackFan13 said:

Agreed on all this but tonyan isn't worth bringing back unless it's real cheap. He shouldn't be the starter. I can't imagine Marvin Jones only getting 5 million as an well.

 

Tonyan was 12th in receptions this year and 18th in yards. 

What the **** is a starting player in your head?

+++

Also, MJJ is 33 year next year and has been in very visible decline. $5m per seems extremely realistic.