It’s a shame Matt LaFleur didn’t hire Wade Phillips as a senior assistant. Currently coaching in the XFL, the energetic 75-year-old could’ve been a real asset to the staff in a role now occupied by the likes of Jim Caldwell (Panthers), John Fox (Colts), and Mike Westhoff (Broncos). Anyway, here are more thoughts that ran through my mind in the past few days:
1) It’s impossible to know in the middle of February exactly which players will interest the Packers in the first round of April’s draft, but based on general manager Brian Gutekunst’s history, it’s safe to assume he’ll be looking at prospects from big schools who run very fast. Excluding Utah State quarterback Jordan Love in 2020, the Packers have selected corner Jaire Alexander (Louisville/4.38), edge rusher Rashan Gary (Michigan/4.58), safety Darnell Savage (Maryland/4.34), corner Eric Stokes (Georgia/4.25), inside linebacker Quay Walker (Georgia/4.52), and defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt (Georgia/4.77) on Day 1. These half-dozen players came from either the SEC, Big 10, or ACC, and all ran jaw-dropping 40s. If past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior, the upcoming NFL Combine will be must-see television. Some of the prospects who could be of serious interest to Gutekunst, assuming the stopwatch is their friend later this month, include outside linebackers Lukas Van Ness (Iowa) and Myles Murphy (Clemson), defensive back Brian Branch (Alabama), wide receiver Quentin Johnston (TCU), and offensive tackles Broderick Jones (Georgia) and Peter Skoronski (Northwestern).
2) Jarran Reed wasn’t an impactful addition to the defense this past season, but he more than earned his modest $3.25 million salary. For less money than the Packers paid Marcedes Lewis, Randall Cobb, Dean Lowry, and Mason Crosby, the 30-year-old defensive lineman played over 700 mostly solid snaps. Reed did a pretty good job versus the run and finished third on the team in pressures with 35. Only Kenny Clark and Preston Smith had more, and they earned $17M and $13M, respectively. Reed’s forced fumble and recovery against the Dolphins in Week 16 was arguably the biggest defensive play of the season. He’ll hit the open market next month and is among the handful of free agents Gutekunst would be wise to re-sign. The former Alabama standout shouldn’t be on the field for 40 or 50 snaps per game, but he would provide very solid depth behind projected starters Clark, Wyatt, and either ascending T.J. Slaton or a high draft pick.
On the aforementioned play vs. Miami, Reed (#90) disengages from tackle Brandon Shell, strips the ball from Raheem Mostert, and scoops it up.
3) The Packers have steadily regressed since reaching the NFC Championship game in 2020, and it’s not hard to figure out why. After adding corner Jaire Alexander, strong safety Adrian Amos, offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins, and outside linebackers Rashan Gary, Preston Smith, and Za’Darius Smith in 2018 and 2019, Gutekunst hasn’t been able to procure players of that caliber in the past three-plus years. While receiver Christian Watson and a few others have the potential to be very good or even great, only inside linebacker De’Vondre Campbell has reached that level from the many dozens of players who’ve either been signed or drafted since that brutal loss to Tom Brady and the Bucs at Lambeau. It’s easy to blame quarterback Aaron Rodgers and defensive coordinator Joe Barry for the mess that took place this past season, but winning big in the NFL ultimately comes down to talent, and the Packers, thanks to a bloated salary cap that limits signing impact free agents and too many misses in recent drafts, no longer stack up with the upper-echelon teams in the league.
I’m hoping for offense in the first round. I’m beginning to think this defense wouldn’t be good with a No. 1 pick at every position.
Aaron Rodgers has steadily regressed since reaching the NFCC game in 2020. Patrick Mahomes or Joe Burrow takes this Packer team to the SB. Everything hinges on Jordan Love. Is he a franchise QB or not? Can he be the next Jalen Hurts? Brian Gutekunst was clearly playing the “long game” when he drafted Love. It’s no secret Sean Payton left NO because there was no succession plan after Drew Brees retirement and now three years later they still don’t have a QB. I’d rather be where we are now, even with all the drama, than wandering aimlessly without a QB. Smart money says Gutekunst drafts a pass rusher with the 15th pick and not a TE like everyone wants. Gary won’t be back until mid season and Preston Smith could be a cap casualty.
Although we definitely need more playmakers on offense I don’t see a TE in round 1 being a priority especially the way we don’t make use of them and because there are more pressing needs. The biggest area of need is to get more stout on defense at the line of scrimmage on the interior or another edge rusher who can push the pocket/ make plays in the backfield. We haven’t controlled the line of scrimmage since the ice age . We certainly need more picks to address the many holes this roster has, TE, Wr, Stud OT, Inside Dl, Edge, Safety, and punter/ kicker. It’s what happens when you’re in cap hell and make poor use of your draft picks.