Leisher's week 15 Packers mock and offseason. Warning, this is a little bizarre.

[jleisher]

Again, used fanspeak.com GM simulator and Draft simulator.  Used Steve's big board updated 12/19/23.  I used the random setting for big board usage for this draft.  Nfldraftbuzz is used for scouting reports.

 

Gutes and Ball go crazy rebuilding the defensive side of the ball.

Gutes gives LeFleur the choice, make the changes or be one of the changes made.

Packers fire Joe Barry DC.

Packers fire Luke Butkus OL coach.

Adam Stenavich is offered his old position as OL coach; he decides to move on.

Rich Bisaccia is hired as the LVR new HC.

Packers hire Ejiro Evero as their new DC.

James Campen is hired as OL coach.

Packers hire 49ers WR coach, Klint Kubiak as the new OC.

Packers hire Ryan Ficken as STC/Asst HC.

2024 Packers Cap Space:  $6,459,114

Let the rebuilding begin.

Trades:  

     Packers send Alexander and pick #18 in the 3rd rd to Steelers for    WR George Pickens and pick #16 in the 2nd rd.

2024 Cap space after trade:  $1,525,611

     Packers send Clark to Houston Texans for picks #17 in rds 2 and 4.

     Packers send Smith to the Bills for pick #18 in rd 4.

2024 Cap space after trade:  $7,297,611.

Packers release the following players.

     BAK, cap saved $21,400,000.

     Royce Newman, cap saved $1,055,000.

     DeVondra Campbell, cap saved $2,779,000.

     Aaron Jones, cap saved $11,500,000 (post June, but will be free to work out a deal with his new team before this date.)

     Eric Stokes, cap saved $1,143,104.

2024 cap space:  $48,810,222 before NFL increase of $20m.  $68,810,222.

Resigned:

     Keisean Nixon DB/RS 3yrs. $5m 70%, cap hit $3.75m.

2024 cap space:  $65,060,222.

Free Agents:

     Derrick Henry RB Titans 3yrs. $10m 60%, cap hit $7.5m.

     Jaylon Johnson CB Bears 5yrs. $18m 70%, cap hit $10.8m.

     Antoine Winfield Jr. FS Bucs 5yrs $16m 70%, cap hit $9.6m

     AJ Epenesa Edge Bills 3yrs. $10m 70%, cap hit $7.6m.

     Isaiah Simmons LB NYG 3yrs, $7m 70%, cap hit $5.25m.

     Kamren Curl SS Commanders 4yrs. $10m 70%, cap hit $7m.

     Michael Pierce 3yrs. $8m 70%, cap hit $6m.

     Kendall Fuller CB 5yrs. $12m 70%, cap hit $7.2m.

2024 Cap space:  $4,110,222 (Packers make smaller moves to free up more cap space.)

NFL Draft:

#11.  Packers select:

Maason Smith DL LSU SUB-POSITION: NT/DT

TACKLING:		92%
PASS RUSH:		83%
RUN DEFENSE:		65%

 

• His closing burst is outstanding, and Smith routinely finishes plays. He has some range and toughness as a run defender, showing the ability to set the edge, though he could work on his straight-line speed and tackling range.
• Made Bruce Feldman's Freak's List - ranked #12. He wrote "The former five-star recruit is one of the most gifted players in college football. In the offseason, Smith hit 19.5 mph on the GPS and can touch 11 feet in his standing vertical jump."
• Possesses the length and power to ward off offensive tackles, though he needs to better utilize his length.
• While his frame is relatively tall, he generally plays with adequate pad level and natural power to push the pocket with the bull rush. However, maintaining a lower pad level consistently could enhance his performance.
• Agile run-stopper at end, extends to grab backs from the backside and possesses foot quickness and hustle to chase plays downfield or to the sideline.
• A high-motor player who thrives on physicality, he’s generally able to fight and win in the phone booth, though there are instances where he could hold up better at the point of attack.
• His spin move is already NFL-caliber, and he displays a very good motor.

#39.  Packers select:

Cooper DeJean DB/RS Iowa ROLE: OUTSIDE MAN/PRESS CB

QB RATING WHEN TARGETED:	46.9
TACKLING:		79%
RUN DEFENSE:		87%
COVERAGE:		82%
ZONE:		78%
MAN/PRESS:		80%

 

• Good energy and toughness, although he needs to improve his tackling technique for consistent results.
• Has the violent hands to discard receivers and smaller tight ends, and DeJean is a reliable tackler. In coverage, he shows good instincts when sitting back in zone, with click-and-close ability and good ball tracking.
• Good agility and balance when shadowing his target. Competitive player.
• While aggressive in the run game, he needs to become more physical in his tackling.
• Generally accurate angles to the ballcarrier, but there's room for tightening his angles in pursuit.
• Has good body control and balance to redirect and break down in the open field.

 

#43.  Packers select:

Tailese Fuaga T Oregon St. RIGHT TACKLE

PASS BLOCKING:		79%
RUN BLOCKING:		91%

 

• At his best mauling in the run game, playing with a nasty demeanor and consistently keeping it going through the whistle.
• Fuaga has long arms that allow him to survive as a pass protector on the edge, and Fuaga typically plays with good balance.
• Plays with natural leverage and has the strength to anchor against the bull rush. He also packs a violent initial punch that can stand up pass rushers.
• Hand placement is excellent, and he shows a good understanding of angles when climbing up field.
• Coordinated when moving to the second level as a run blocker, capable of landing blocks on the move.
• Has a powerful lower body and enough leg drive to knock defenders back at the point of attack. Fuaga 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.

 

#48.  Packers select: (Texans)

Jordan Morgan T Arizona LEFT TACKLE

PASS BLOCKING:		93%
RUN BLOCKING:		80%

 

• Exhibits excellent awareness when faced with stunts and blitzes and collaborates well with teammates on combo blocks.
• Has broad shoulders and shows glimpses of playing strength and power to overwhelm at the point of attack but could use more consistent power and functional strength.
• Shows good patience in pass protection, maintaining balance instead of leaning and lunging.
• In the run game, he plays with a mean streak and does a commendable job generating a push at the initial point of attack, though needs to establish his worth in a straight-ahead running game. He can get outside and land blocks in space decently.
• As a pass protector, he plays with good balance and resists the bull rush. Has strong hands and effectively grips and latches on once he has his hands on the pass rusher.
• A solid positional run blocker who flashes the aggressive demeanor and killer instinct scouts covet.

 

#49.  Packers select: (Steelers)

Graham Barton OL LEFT TACKLE can play all 5 OL positions.

PASS BLOCKING:		78%
RUN BLOCKING:		74%

 

• Barton consistently plays beyond the whistle. He has good enough feet to hold his own in pass protection, particularly when factoring in his effort.
• Fires out of his stance with a good pad level, consistently winning at the point of attack.
• In the run game, Barton explodes off the line of scrimmage and consistently gets out to the second level to do damage.
• Hand placement is excellent, and he shows a good understanding of angles when climbing up field.
• Has the football IQ to handle setting protections at the line of scrimmage, and he displays excellent instincts and awareness after the snap, effectively adjusting to twists and stunts.
• Barton does a nice job working with teammates to build the pocket, anchoring against bull rushers and displaying good awareness against stunts and twists.

 

#75.  Packers select:  

Tyler Nubin S Minnesota ZONE SLOT/NICKEL SAFETY

QB RATING WHEN TARGETED:	25.7
TACKLING:		85%
RUN DEFENSE:		76%
COVERAGE:		91%
ZONE:		86%
MAN/PRESS:		90%

 

• Can get up under a receiver’s chin and has the speed to flip his hips and run downfield. Nubin has the quick and surprisingly powerful hands to jostle receivers early. But he’s at his best peeking into the backfield.
• Very active pre-snap and shows natural awareness.
• Straight-line speed to take a pick to the house. Can punish receivers with closing speed and desire to hit at max impact.
• Can track the ball downfield and gets his head around when playing in a trail position, and Nubin shows excellent ball skills when breaking on a route. He’s a plus tackler in run support as well.
• He’s tall framed with long arms to match. With his powerful hands, straight-line speed, and fluidity in his hips, turning and chasing downfield shouldn’t be a problem.
• Versatile with experience as an in-the-box safety and in-man coverage.

 

#111. Packers select:

Trey Benson RB Florida St. WORK-HORSE BACK

RUSHING:		89%
BREAK TACKLES:		81%
RECEIVING/HANDS:		59%
PASS BLOCKING:		72%
RUN BLOCKING:		55%

 

• Benson has very good vision and a knack for picking out cut-back lanes and then breaking off chunks of yardage.
• Cuts on a dime with lightning-fast feet and the quick-twitch explosion of an Olympic sprinter out of the block. Very good vision.
• Once Benson plants his foot, he’s explosive moving up field, and his 0-to-60 acceleration is enough to catch defenses off-guard.
• His initial burst is excellent, and he’s capable of running out of a traditional setup or taking the ball lined up next to a quarterback in shotgun.
• He’s at his best working in space, showing the quickness and vision of a return specialist. His stop-start ability allows him to create initial separation.
• An excellent blocker on the outside, he also adds value in the running game.
• He often thrived in the screen game, transitioning up field quickly and showing a knack for following his blocks. Benson has the size and strength to pass protect.

 

 

#116.  Packers select: (Texans)

Cade Stover TE Ohio St. INLINE MULTI-ROLE TE

QB RATING WHEN TARGETED:	133.5
HANDS:		88%
SHORT RECEIVING:		85%
INTERMEDIATE ROUTES:		86%
DEEP THREAT:		88%
BLOCKING:		66%

 

• Stover has great size, tall with the broad shoulders to carry his weight with ease, and Stover has an enormous catch radius to match.
• Good burst off the snap, quick hands and good balance to gain a clean release.
• Can break tackles, run through defensive back tackle attempts and convert short passes into long gains.
• He can be nearly unbeatable on contested-catch opportunities, not only because of his length and explosive leaping ability but also because of his strong hands and outstanding body control.
• An excellent blocker on the outside, he also adds value in the running game.
• Stover tracks the ball well downfield and consistently runs under long throws.
• Competes to the whistle. Good effort at both stages on combo blocks. Looks to help teammates downfield.

 

#118.  Packers select: (Bills, Smith trade.)

Junior Colson LB Michigan MULI-ROLE LB

TACKLING:		95%
PASS RUSH:		67%
RUN DEFENSE:		85%
COVERAGE:		78%

 

• Colson 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 has an excellent feel for working off blockers and knowing how and when to counter as the play goes on.
• He will always try to plow into the largest piles and has a good knack of ending up glued to the ballcarrier.
• He disrupts plays in the backfield regularly. He also has the agility and pure speed to cover sideline to sideline, moving like a safety and then finishing as a violent and consistent tackler.
• Flashes strength to punch or stiff-arm to get off blocks. Stays with plays downfield, often making tackles even after being hit by multiple linemen.
• Colson shows good speed and closing burst when blitzing.

 

#169.  Packers select:

Jackson Powers-Johnson C CENTER

PASS BLOCKING:		96%
RUN BLOCKING:		90%

 

• In the run game, Powers-Johnson plays with a mean streak and does a nice job generating a push at the initial point of attack. Powers-Johnson can get outside and does a decent job landing blocks in space.
• Fires out of his stance with a good pad level, consistently winning at the point of attack.
• Quick out of his stance with the footwork to be effective in front of screens. Willing to get out in front of ballcarriers to take out defensive backs and linebackers.
• In the run game, he explodes off the line of scrimmage and consistently gets out to the second level to do damage.
• Shows a good feel for combo blocks, and he displays good quickness and flexibility when moving to the second level, capable of sealing the back side on reach blocks.
• Powers-Johnson does a nice job working with teammates to build the pocket, anchoring against bull rushers and displaying good awareness against stunts and twists.

 

#186.  Packers select:

Dylan Luabe RB New Hampshire DUAL-ROLE BACK

RUSHING:		80%
BREAK TACKLES:		58%
RECEIVING/HANDS:		92%
PASS BLOCKING:		72%
RUN BLOCKING:		60%

 

• Shows a surprising burst to beat linebackers to the edge. Can plant his foot in the ground and explode, showing better straight-line speed than expected.
• Laube aggressively finishes runs and consistently falls forward in a crowd. His low pad level and a bit of wiggle keep him from absorbing big hits.
• He’s equally dangerous in catch-and-run situations as Laube is taking the top off a defense.
• He 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.
• He keeps his pads low and consistently falls forward. Unlike most backs his size, he has the lateral movement and stop-start ability to make defenders whiff. Laube has breakaway speed in the open field.
• An instinctive runner, he has a knack for setting up defenders and making people miss in space. He’s at his best in space and on the perimeter, where he shows the balance and acceleration, plus pure speed, to make a move and then take off.

 

 

 

 

#216. Packers select:

Darius Robinson DE/Edge Missouri VERSATILE DL

TACKLING:		66%
PASS RUSH:		81%
RUN DEFENSE:		87%

 

• Robinson has violent hands and the long arms to ward off blockers. He plays with a good pad level and can win with power as a bull rusher.
• 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.
• He’s quick to react and locate the ball, and Robinson shows enough speed to succeed in backside pursuit. He plays with excellent balance and a strong, flexible core, rarely ending up on the ground.
• He could be molded to fit as a three-technique, five-technique, or edge rusher at the next level. Robinson has the ability to thrive as a versatile pass rusher as well as a run stuffer.
• Challenges inside with quickness and strong hands. Run-and-chase defender who can leave a mark.
• Combines excellent power with initial quickness, but one of his best attributes are his violent hands, which he uses with impressive precision.

 

#218.  Packers select:

Isaiah Davis RB S. Dakota St. WORK-HORSE BACK

RUSHING:		96%
BREAK TACKLES:		86%
RECEIVING/HANDS:		65%
PASS BLOCKING:		41%
RUN BLOCKING:		63%

 

• Difficult to bring down one-on-one in space, regularly sidesteps would-be tacklers and uses offhand to use oncoming defenders' momentum against them without slowing down significantly.
• Possesses quick feet and straight-line speed but doesn't have the elite burst to be a constant big-play threat. Improving patience as a runner, following pulling guards and makes good decisions on his cut.
• Davis has a prototypical running back build, well-proportioned and thick through the lower body, and he’s at his best picking his way between the tackles with quick, choppy steps.
• He consistently falls forward, and Davis will also bounce off of or shake loose from a couple of tackles to turn minimal gains into big runs.
• Davis blends good size and speed, as well as the competitive demeanor of a playmaker.
• Well-built with a thick frame and powerful lower body which keeps his legs pumping through contact. Patient behind the line of scrimmage, allowing blocks to create openings, and looks for cutback lanes with accurate vision. Hits the hole hard and runs with power to get the tough yards and a physical attitude.

 

#230.  Packers select:

Sam Hartman QB Notre Dame MOBILE POCKET PASSER

RELEASE SPEED:		78%
SHORT PASSING:		75%
MEDIUM PASSING:		79%
LONG PASSING:		92%
RUSH/SCRAMBLE:		55%

 

• Good (not elite) arm strength and can easily make all the NFL throws with effortless deep passes.
• Possesses a strong arm and is capable of making every NFL throw easily. Can drive the deep out to the sideline from the opposite hash and has no problem threading the needle between closing defenders. Easily zips to all areas of the field, demonstrating very good touch on underneath routes to running backs and receivers, as well as down the sideline on deep passes.
• Sprays the ball anywhere on the field, especially when given a pocket from which to deliver. Will step up into pocket while looking downfield, reset his feet and deliver.
• Ball placement is a strength. Hartman has the natural instincts to make plays when forced to improvise.
• Good accuracy overall, including excellent accuracy on short timing routes to backs and receivers, placing the ball slightly in front to lead receivers to potential yardage after the catch.
• Good zip and ball placement on the quick slant. Good touch down the seam and on post-corner, flag routes to attack the defense vertically and horizontally.

 

UDFA's:

     Luke McCaffrey WR Rice

     Tony Gimes CB Texas A&M

     Jordan Toles S Morgan St.

     Willis Patrick G TCU

     Logan Jones C Iowa

    MJ Tafisi LB Utah St.

 

53 Man Roster:

     

Love QB                Clifford QB

                 

Henry RB              Benson RB    Luabe RB     Davis RB

                         

Pickens WR           Heath WR             Doubs WR             Reed WR               Watson WR           Wicks WR

                         

Musgrave TE        Kraft TE                 Stover TE              Sims TE

                                                    

Wallace LT           Jenkins LG          Myers C              Rhyan RG            Tom RT                Morgan LT   Fuaga RT    Barton IOL   Powers-Johnson C     Jones T

      

Carlson K            Whelan P             Orzech LS

                      

Pierce NT            Slaton NT           Wooden DE         Wyatt DE            Brooks DE            Smith DL      

         

Simmons LB       Walker LB             McDuffie LB       Colson LB

            

Gary Edge          Epenesa Edge     Van Hess Edge   Enagbare Edge   Robinson Edge

                 

Johnson CB        Fuller CB              Nixon CB           DeJean DB   Valentine CB      Ballentine CB

                

Winfield Jr. FS     Curl SS              Nubin S           Anderson S

Enjoy and Merry Christmas to all!

[Old Guy]

You didn't need the disclaimer if you know what I mean. smh

I guess we are going to get one of these a week until the draft. 

[Leader]

Ha! Too funny Okay....a little bizarre MD...so be ready for anything....here comes Gute's pic....so what? Gute resigned or something?
But I broke out laughing with your first transaaction Jaire to PIT for Pickens!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL See lead balloon.....watch it go over! Let me see the rest...

[Old Guy]

2 minutes ago, Leader said:

Ha! Too funny Okay....a little bizarre MD...so be ready for anything....here comes Gute's pic....so what? Gute resigned or something?
But I broke out laughing with your first transaaction Jaire to PIT for Pickens!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL See lead balloon.....watch it go over! Let me see the rest...

Pickens, the guy who refused to block last week because he didn't want to get hurt! LMFAO! Dude is poison. 

[Leader]

The only name I recognize is DeJean - good selection. I dont know the guy, but it'll keep @MacReady happy which is a good thing. He'll complain less and his posts wont all be Dictionary length

[OneTwoSixFive]

Yeah. Just too radical for me as you intimated in your headline. Some of the coaching hires were good thinking, though I'd be more interested in changing some defensive coaches (along with Barry of course). Unless they were viewed as being hamstrung by Barry's scheme, guys like the DB coach and the passing and running game coordinators.

Butkus (O line) might be a good call though, it's hard to say for sure when some players prove to be not good enough or have regressed, like Newman, Runyan, Myers and Nijman, while others (like Tom, Rasheed Walker (recently) and just possibly Rhyan (to be decided) have been good, or improving towards good. On balance I think I'd just tilt towards making a change of O line coach, but you'd have to be inside 1265 Lombardi to get a proper feel for it.

Edited December 20, 2023 by OneTwoSixFive

[Leader]

Btw....although I'll admit to limited knowledge of the full field of potential DC's and their qualifications, I like the hire you mention.

[wgbeethree]

If you're going to go through all this effort use anything other than fanspeak to do you draft. It's SO bad. 

[coachbuns]

I appreciate  your efforts in doing mocks.  That being said, I like the ideas presented on coaching changes for the Packers.  Not sure you are getting good value for the Packers you traded .. could be/should be more than what you got.  Player wise, I don't know much about players .. there are good draft picks and $$ available to improve in both draft and free agency.

[Norm]

21 minutes ago, wgbeethree said:

If you're going to go through all this effort use anything other than fanspeak to do you draft. It's SO bad. 

I promised I wouldn't post in these anymore but I swear he's trolling some days

[MantyWrestler]

A for effort, F for the draft. lol. Lots of work here but this seems like such fantasy 

[vegas492]

[GHARMON9]

You get an F for the Derrick Henry signing alone. Dude has been terrible for me fantasy wise there year lol

[Rainmaker90]

I’ll echo, A for effort , everything else…

 

Trading Kenny Clark is a terrible thought.

 

Trading Ja is very bad, trading for Pickens is even worse . 
 

[Pugger]

We don't need to make a deal for a veteran WR.  Nor do we need another TE in the draft unless the TE you listed is the BPA in that round.  Instead of Henry I'd get a younger one later in the draft.