Cory's Corner: Devonte Wyatt's Story Arc Mimics Jordan Love's
Wyatt only played 22 percent of the Packers defensive snaps last year. What can the Packers expect?
Can the Packers rely on Devonte Wyatt?
That’s the question that Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst has to know heading into the draft. If the Packers don’t think that Wyatt can be an impactful player, then they have to seriously consider drafting his replacement at the end of this month.
On the other hand, I’m not sure what we really know. He only played 224 of Green Bay’s 1,034 defensive snaps last year. He had six games where he didn’t even log a double digit snap count.
I really liked taking Wyatt 28th overall in last year’s draft. He flashed a quick first step for a 6-foot-3, 315-pound player on a defense that went down in history as one of the best defenses in college football history. But Wyatt didn’t tally his first tackle until his fourth game.
Now, let’s get something straight. Wyatt isn’t expected to be the fulcrum of the Packers defense. He just needs to be a reliable starter.
Does that sound familiar? The Packers are going through the same mindset with Jordan Love. I don’t really know what the future holds for Love and the Packers really don’t either, because of his small sample size. You can say that he’s ready to play, but what does that mean? Is he just ready to take snaps or is he ready to potentially win games by himself?
Just think about that. If Love and Wyatt are on the precipice of potentially winning games on their own, how good could this team be? Love has been criticized plenty and he has only started one game in three years. Wyatt still has yet to start his first pro game and put his thumbprint on this team.
Wyatt sure ended 2022 on a good note. The season finale against Detroit was his best game of the season. He played 32 snaps, showed a staccato speed and opened up lanes for linebackers and even tallied a sack.
“It’s going to be a big year in terms of just the understanding of the game and reading keys,” said Packers coach Matt LaFleur from the NFL annual meetings in Phoenix.
The Packers know that Wyatt is physically ready for the NFL game. They just need him to prove that he is mentally ready. They need him to take the next step and make the mental jump which separates average players from good players. It could be learning a tell in an offensive lineman that gives the offensive play away or finding out that a quarterback moves his hands a certain way right before the snap.
Basically this is about the little things. Wyatt needs to tighten up the little things. Because those little things can easily turn into big wins. You can say the exact same thing about Love.
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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
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Comments (61)
NickPerry
April 11, 2023 at 06:44 am
"If the Packers don’t think that Wyatt can be an impactful player, then they have to seriously consider drafting his replacement at the end of this month."
Hmmm... I don't know about that Cory. IMO they have to let Wyatt actually play and get that time on the field. He'll make mistakes, how he learns from those mistakes is the key and does he stop doing it and LEARN from them is a sign of a good football player. I think he does. The Packers should add some depth on the D-Line, but not before addressing some other positions in the draft.
In no particular order I'd rather see the Packers draft an Edge, TE, WR, Safety, and maybe an OT before a D-Lineman is drafted. Personally I'd like to see an offensive loaded draft for once from the Packers. Hell, giving Joe Barry more to work with seems pointless anyways. It's not like he'll know what the hell to do with them anyways.
Rodgers had a LOADED WR room in 2008 when he took over AND they had just drafted Jordy Nelson and Finley in the 2008 draft. Right now Love has Watson, Doubs, and WHO? Obviously they'll need some veteran who hopefully can come in bring some leadership and hopefully some results on the field. But RIGHT NOW, Jordon Love doesn't have much help. Lets not just totally screw the kid before he even gets started.
croatpackfan
April 12, 2023 at 01:04 am
Pssst, Nick. JordAn, not JordOn Love...
Johnblood27
April 11, 2023 at 07:12 am
well Nick, you beat me to the first ridiculous sentence
so how about this one...
Just think about that. If Love and Wyatt are on the precipice of potentially winning games on their own, how good could this team be? Love has been criticized plenty and he has only started one game in three years. Wyatt still has yet to start his first pro game and put his thumbprint on this team.
Wyatt? Winning games on his own? WTF Corey? You have done it again, but Im not gonna fall for it! Hahahahahaha!!!
Keep on stirring the excrement...
greengold
April 11, 2023 at 07:21 am
Gutekunst has a chance to stack both sides of the ball, O and D, picking from a higher slot per round than he’s had in years.
Wyatt at 28 last year was a great pick, and I think we’ll realize that in his year 2. He was just one piece added to build a rotation, and the last 2 years were not deep DL drafts. 2023 is better there, and Gutekunst should be able to finish the job (NT, DE, EDGE) while addressing TE, WR, OL, CB and S with at the very least 10 picks.
Wyatt was taken to lighten Clark’s load without a drop off in play. After years of 70+ snaps/game for Kenny Clark, Wyatt kicking ass will be a welcome sight, as will a more effective Clark.
Look for more added to that D front for a formidable rotation.
Guam
April 11, 2023 at 07:38 am
I agree GG, the Packers need to add depth on the DL. They only have Ford and Slayton behind the likely starters and that is very unproven depth. I would like to see the Packers use their second or third round pick on a DL.
greengold
April 11, 2023 at 08:41 am
Yeah, Guam. We need 5-tech, along with a good nose. Ford & Slayton should anchor that well, but, another, better NT might tip the DL scales into a strength.
Bah dum… psssssh!
Gutekunst should consider adding one more DL to the roster total of 6 we normally keep.
RCPackerFan
April 11, 2023 at 07:40 am
If Gutey has 10 picks, I can see them potentially using multiple picks on these positions. WR, TE, OL, DL.
Just based on the current roster, they need to add multiple WR, TE and DL. OL, they drafted 3 the last 3 years. I don't see them going 3 this year, but I can see them taking 2.
Coming out of this draft I would not be surprised if we drafted for almost every position. Including Kicker.
greengold
April 11, 2023 at 07:58 am
Hey RC,
Safety may be a bigger need for 2, possibly CB depending on Stokes’ injury.
Double 2 positions w 10 picks. Add Jets trade and our depth improves greatly.
DL draft classes had poor depth 2020 - 2023. Glad we took Wyatt, and still can’t believe he fell that far.
RCPackerFan
April 11, 2023 at 08:17 am
I could definitely see us dubbling up on DL, WR, S. I will add TE and OL. I am not sure about Edge. Just because they have Smith, Gary (when he returns), Enagbare and Hollins. I'm not sold on them dubbling up at S also. We have a lot of numbers at that position already, though most are special teams type of players.
I wouldn't think they would draft 2 OL, but it wouldn't surprise me. The last 3 years they have drafted 3 in each year. But then last year they signed Caleb Jones who they really liked. Also during the season they picked up 6th round draft pick Luke Tenuta. Its almost a guarantee they draft at least 1. Since Gutey became GM they have drafted at least 1 in every one of his drafts.
Guam
April 11, 2023 at 09:37 am
RCPF: Not sure I see the Packers doubling on OL. They have six quality OL (Bahk, Jenkins, Runyan, Myers, Nijman, and Tom) and several question marks (Newman, Rhyan, Walker, Jones and Tenuta). If one or more of the question marks develops, the Packers will have the minimum of seven good players on the OL.
TE is just about vacant while Safety, WR and DL need starters and/or depth. I see the Packers taking one late OL (because Gute never doesn't draft OL), but doubling on the other positions.
RCPackerFan
April 11, 2023 at 09:54 am
Yeah, the only reason why I can see them doing it is because they have went multiple OL the last 3 years. Also I could see them taking a 2nd one in the 7th round.
If I were to guess, they will only draft one in the first 4 rounds.
This positions with greater needs that I could see them doubling up at are TE, WR, DL. I can see them doubling up at others, but to me those 3 are the positions with the greatest need for starters/key players/depth.
dobber
April 11, 2023 at 10:09 am
I think they draft 2 OL over the course of the first 5-6 rounds because Bakh is likely in his last season in GB, Runyan and Nijman are both in the last year of their deals and need to show they're worth longer-term higher-money contracts, Meyers has been inconsistent, and the depth beyond Tom is (at best) speculative and (at worst) icky.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
April 11, 2023 at 09:25 am
Wyatt was my draft crush last year and is a hell of a player. He will look good this year! The Packers still need help on the DL, but IMHO it likely needs to take place after a couple of picks offensively. If a defensive pick was actually taken in at #15 the guy most likely should be Myles Murphy at Edge.
Depending on the outcome of the trade I could see one or two defensive players taken in the early rounds & should that happen I'd like Edge & DL before the backfield. Pressure & stop the run first & foremost!
RCPackerFan
April 11, 2023 at 07:22 am
Of Wyatt's 224 snap counts, 90 of them came the final 3 games. That figures out to be about 40% of his overall snaps for the season. In those 3 games he played right around 50% of the defensive snaps. His numbers also improved. He finished the season with 1.5 sacks. 1 of those sacks came in the final game. The 1/2 sack came in week 14. He had 3 QB hits on the year. 2 of the 3 came in the final 3 games. The other one came in week 14 also. In week 17 he also forced a fumble. He was really coming on the final 4 weeks of the season. He just simply needs more playing time.
I feel like Wyatt needed to be on the field a lot more then he was last year. Lowry wasn't nearly as good as he was the year prior, and Reed wasn't as good as we hoped he was going to be. But the final 3 games, Wyatt started to get more playing time. Which will hopefully propel him into this year.
DT is one of the hardest positions to come into the NFL and dominate. Wyatt started to come on late in the year and hopefully takes that into the offseason and shows exactly why they took him in the first round.
They do need to add to the DL. Clark, Slaton and Wyatt right now would be our starting 3. They have to have a rotation and right now they don't have a lot else. Don't be surprised if they would draft a couple of DL in this draft.
HarryHodag
April 11, 2023 at 07:40 am
Lets see...Jordan Love is criticized because he's only played in a few games. Perhaps that is because the Packers had a Hall of Fame quarterback in front of him? Just sayin'.
Wyatt only played about 20 percent of the defensive snaps because, well, he had two veterans in front of him as a rookie?
This is a clear case of jumping the gun. I also would say it's another example of "Kiperization", my snarky analysis of folks who think because someone was a hot shot in college they automatically will be superstars in the pros.
The best example of how whacked out the current analysis of college kids in their underwear is think of Brock Purdy. The last NFL draft pick a year ago who looked great during his time last season leading the 49'ers.
Lets not punt on Love and Wyatt just yet.
stockholder
April 11, 2023 at 07:58 am
I thought Wyatt screwed up the draft.
Give credit to Gutey for that.
Didn’t Watson really make more sense?
And I would have drafted Travis Jones later.
But here we are. A guy who improves the DL.
Wyatt won’t be a Bust. He’s what we needed.
I feel his snaps were a method of protection.
Just look how many DL blow out their knees.
And let's just forget "your mindset” with Love.
We play the 3-4-4. And thats not changing soon.
Wyatt will be better than Lowrey. Even Daniels.
But to achieve that. More help is needed along the DL.
If that means moving Clark; like Raji. Do it.
If it means getting more Depth. Do it.
If it means more Georgia players. Do it.
Just keep your fingers crossed his knees hold up.
dobber
April 11, 2023 at 08:19 am
"I thought Wyatt screwed up the draft....
But here we are. A guy who improves the DL."
Circles...circles...circles....
"And let's just forget "your mindset” with Love.
We play the 3-4-4. And thats not changing soon."
Word soup.
"Just look how many DL blow out their knees....
Just keep your fingers crossed his knees hold up."
The guy has no history of knee problems.
We hope EVERY guy's knees hold up.
This rationale would have nobody using high picks on DL ever.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvYvqO6gPCo
schtockholder is the aunts.
stockholder
April 11, 2023 at 11:20 am
Jerel Worthy , Barmore. Etc.
If you wanted me to come right out and be negative.
I would have said something about Jordan Love instead.
I'm not the only guy that doesn't believe in Love.
And I'm not the one; that is predicting under .500 for the season.
But I have been the one that has said.,
"The packers won't win the super-bowl
with the DL they have."
And thats been the case since Gutey took over.
Johnblood27
April 11, 2023 at 11:57 am
where to start...
OK how about with "why in the hell am I even replying to a stocky post"?
What is a Bareman?
There will NEVER be 100% for or against anything or anyone, get used to it.
Your Messiah/Savior Rodgers was also under .500 in his first season under center.
Predicting that one team of 32 will NOT win the championship... you are really out on a limb there.
Poor DL since Gutey took over? So you admit that Gutey was left with a sh*tshow at DL when he began rebuilding the entire sh*tshow that TT (excusable) and Murphy (unforgivable) left him with?
If you're gonna play the blame game ad-nauseum at least identify the real culprit(s).
...and from your previous post - IF you could guarantee me that Travis Jones would be there for the GBP 2nd round pick, I would agree with the Watson at 1b and Jones with the first 2nd rounder, which would have preserved the second 2nd rounder for yet another valuable player. The selection did change the cadence and the beat may have been better, BUT there was a risk of not getting a good DL at all.
stockholder
April 11, 2023 at 03:45 pm
christian Barmore - All Rookie Team - Then IR when needed.
Poor DL ? - He had Clark in his prime. Daniels.
blame game - Murphy, Gutey, -----
- Going late? TJ was a NT.Dt// The last few years- They go late 2nd early 3.
Remember Liki Fotu - was brought in---. went 4.
I'm saying Wyatt was 2nd rd. And A TE WR could have been there if not Wr.
They went Dobbs. And got Lucky. I would have re-signed Reed.
croatpackfan
April 12, 2023 at 11:02 am
So, what you are saying is that when they pick someone who you do not like, they are incompetent. But when they find late draft gem, they are just lucky?
Btw, do you really believe that GMs watching all 1000 and so players from college and picking them by themselves? Or, maybe, just maybe they have whole department of employees whose task is to assess players and pick players to suggest GM who he should pick at draft and where. Not to mention whole organization of field scouts who actualy following all college and HS players and suggest to personnel department players they assess as talented ones.
Your hate of Brian Gutekunst is even larger than your love for ACR. Amazing!
jannesbjornson
April 11, 2023 at 08:37 am
Watson @ #22 was the cadence to move that draft on the right path.
dobber
April 11, 2023 at 08:09 am
"Cory's Corner: Devonte Wyatt's Story Arc Mimics Jordan Love's
Wyatt only played 22 percent of the Packers defensive snaps last year. What can the Packers expect? "
So...inactive QB in #3 slot for entire first season = DL who was active every week of his first season and played 22 percent of the defensive snaps.
stockholder
April 11, 2023 at 11:32 am
And Lowrey had a calf injury to end his season.
More depth? or Let a Rookie blow out his calf.
And put him behind the learning process?
Isn't that what you would plan for Wyatt?
Johnblood27
April 11, 2023 at 12:02 pm
My plan for Wyatt was to play him every snap until he blew out his elbow so he could have Tommy John surgery and come back in one year with a better fastball...
Coldworld
April 11, 2023 at 08:25 am
This is a preposterous waste of virtual ink. In that spirit, here’s some interesting hearsay from New York sportstalk personality and FS1 host Craig Carton, courtesy of Bill Huber as SI.com.
“According to Carton, the Packers-Jets trade would have been done two weeks ago if it were up to Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst. That’s when Packers President Mark Murphy allegedly intervened and “in-fighting” ensued.”
“Murphy, in Carton’s words, told Gutekunst: “Do you like your job because I like my job. We are not making a trade for what’s on the table.””
Carton goes on to say that if it’s not fine by the draft, the Packers will open it up to other teams and that offers have been made. “Allegedly, the 49ers have offered multiple third-round picks in this year’s draft and a first-rounder in 2024.”
I don’t know how much is fantasy in the above, but there is some specificity in those statements. It’s at least more interesting than a non existent parallel that we are reduced to here.
https://www.si.com/nfl/packers/news/report-time-running-out-on-rodgers-t...
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
April 11, 2023 at 09:35 am
“Murphy, in Carton’s words, told Gutekunst: “Do you like your job because I like my job. We are not making a trade for what’s on the table.””
Wonder where the hell this information came from?
I couldn't stand much of Carton's show this morning but the little I listened to he went on and on about how Douglas is screwing the trade deal up. Lot's of talk about OBJ being signed and how Douglas screwed that up. Talk about how Douglas should not have gone on that show the other day and stating Aaron Rodgers is in fact coming. Lot of talk about the Rodgers trade being in jeopardy & Douglas will lose his job if it doesn't happen. Not sure Carton has any insight about anything and speculating just like most of us are.
RCPackerFan
April 11, 2023 at 10:04 am
I also was wondering where it came from.
The one thing we can say though is that Murphy said he is involved in the talks.
Guam
April 11, 2023 at 09:49 am
I don't know if there is a kernel of truth in Carton's speculations, but Murphy's purported reaction made me laugh. Murphy was the guy that turned down the very rich deal with Denver a year ago to secure an 8-9 final season with Rodgers. Now he wants the king's ransom for a player who will turn 40, looks to be in decline and was 90% sure he wanted to retire. Seriously?
Murphy may really be an idiot.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
April 11, 2023 at 09:57 am
Guam,
True! However, if Carton's statement has a ring of truth to it maybe....just maybe after Murphy screwed up the Denver deal he is trying to save face by securing 'a little more' for Rodgers this year. No doubt, whatever happens with the Rodgers trade Murphy will always be linked to this whole mess. Save face!
RCPackerFan
April 11, 2023 at 10:08 am
Makes sense.
Murphy said he is actively involved. So it would make sense that he stepped in and said that he wants more.
Guam
April 11, 2023 at 05:30 pm
Knock,
The horse has already left the barn. Murphy trying to close the door now ("a little more") is both expected and comical.
dobber
April 11, 2023 at 10:12 am
"Murphy may really be an idiot."
No he's not...he told us so!
BirdDogUni
April 11, 2023 at 10:59 am
I didn't believe him when he said it and I don't believe him now...
greengold
April 11, 2023 at 10:32 am
Why trust anything Craig Carton says?
He was forced to resign from WFAN after his 2017 arrest on charges of wire and securities fraud. Catron was convicted in 2018. After 3 1/2 years in prison, he was released from Federal Custody in 2021.
Carton is a tool who doesn't know shit. He's all shock value, and shock value is cheap.
LeotisHarris
April 11, 2023 at 08:34 am
"Mimics?" Oh, man, Cory, werdz gots meanings and that ain't the one you was alookin' for. It's tough to be proactive when you shoot yourself in the foot right out of the gate.
What's this I hear about the Packers trying to trade Aaron Rodgers?
Lphill
April 11, 2023 at 08:48 am
Wyatt should have started not just played more, this was poor decision making by Joe Barry and MLF should have intervened but didn't, the Packers have a habit of spoon feeding rookies unlike other teams who allow them to play immediately .
Coldworld
April 11, 2023 at 09:05 am
Whether he should have started in September is open tk question, but his play late on showed that he should have been playing more earlier without a doubt. The same is true of Slaton. If a young guy isn’t noticeably worse, then play him. He won’t improve sitting it with the occasional snap.
This type of issue is not limited to D, in my view it’s a characteristic of LaFleur’s teams: excessive loyalty to those chosen to start and reluctance to reward good showings by alternatives when they do see the field with meaningful snaps. We saw that with Amari, Watkins, Wyatt, Lowry, Toure and others.
LaFleur clearly struggles to demote. That’s not a good recipe for getting the most from one’s roster. As with players so with coaches it seems too. A HC sets the tone in many ways.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
April 11, 2023 at 09:43 am
Mike McCarthy was the same way & I found it very frustrating and the main reason I wanted him gone starting about 2 years before he was terminated. ML is on the hot seat this year for me and if he cannot be creative and think out of the box on how to utilize players & their talent providing them valuable experience with an eye on the future than I think it is time for him to go. Certainly wins and loses are important but you have to dig down deeper. Nothing stood out more to me than Rodgers continuing to play during that 5 game losing streak with an injured thumb and ML continued to play Rodgers. We can never say with certainty, but I believe ML's bad decision to continue playing Rodgers vs Love is the biggest reason the Packers did not make the playoffs. Than to add insult to injury we now are entering 2023 with Jordan starting with virtually no playing experience. Inexcusable!
It doesn't inspire much confidence when I hear him down playing expectations for Jordan Love? Why? This is a #1 selection and heading into his 4th season. A QB he prevented gaining valuable experience in 2022 when Rodgers should have sat out a few games. This is on ML! I don't find it inspiring that ML wants veteran WR's, veteran TE's, and a veteran back-up QB. Players like Melton & Toure need game experience. Any high WR & TE drafted this year need game experience for the team to build for the future. Burying them on the bench and playing some older washed up veteran like Watkins/Cobb for one-year does zero to help the team for 2024. Just like sitting Jordan Love on the bench all last year. Step it up ML!
dobber
April 11, 2023 at 10:16 am
"It doesn't inspire much confidence when I hear him down playing expectations for Jordan Love? "
I dunno. I think he'd want to be keeping the pressure from openly building on him too much...it's a coach protecting his guy. You want him to be comfortable and not press too hard out of the gate. We all know the pressure is going to be immense, though.
"I don't find it inspiring that ML wants veteran WR's, veteran TE's, and a veteran back-up QB."
We all have wish lists. I wanted a new truck, a zero-turn lawnmower, and a new table saw for Christmas. I got a couple sweaters. But, hey, they were nice sweaters.
RCPackerFan
April 11, 2023 at 10:33 am
"I dunno. I think he'd want to be keeping the pressure from openly building on him too much...it's a coach protecting his guy. "
This is how I took it as well.
"We all have wish lists. I wanted a new truck, a zero-turn lawnmower, and a new table saw for Christmas. I got a couple sweaters. But, hey, they were nice sweaters."
Literally laughing out loud to this. Sorry for nothing on the wish list though.
BirdDogUni
April 11, 2023 at 10:57 am
Love my old truck.
Love my new zero turn Ariens mower.
Can't wait to see Darnell Washington in Green and Gold...
RCPackerFan
April 11, 2023 at 12:01 pm
I don't think there is a more perfect fit for GB then Washington.
Johnblood27
April 11, 2023 at 12:07 pm
yo doggie, you have a better shot at an ugly sweater than getting Washington in GB...
BirdDogUni
April 11, 2023 at 12:17 pm
You don't like Darnell Washington, or you don't think Gutey will draft him?
Johnblood27
April 11, 2023 at 01:37 pm
dont think gutey uses a high enough pick before someone else will.
Leatherhead
April 11, 2023 at 12:39 pm
IMO, if we wanted Washington in GB, we'd have to use our first round pick. And when you consider that TE is not a priority piece in the Packer passing offense I think it's really unlikely that we'll reverse 20 years of organization and take a TE in the first round.
I was a big Washington proponent initially, but once he started moving up earlier than 45 it became harder to draft him, because you either have to take him at #15 or trade down a little, but when you're doing that you're bypassing some other first tier talent.
AND...if it's a receiving TE you seek, why not Kincaid or Mayers instead? There's a lot to like about Washington, but there are things to like about other guys at the top of the draft, too. IMO, since the TE is a blocker on most plays, I'd get a guy on Day 3 that can block and maybe catch a pass or two.
BirdDogUni
April 11, 2023 at 12:47 pm
Fair enough. Kincaid is just a big WR for Utah. Mayer is slow compared to many TEs available in this year's draft. Washington is by far my favorite TE available. I suppose the other 31 teams think so too though.
greengold
April 11, 2023 at 02:10 pm
I think you might reconsider this line of thinking...
How was TE NOT a priority in LaFleur's offense with Bob Tonyan hauling in 11 TDs in 2020?
Tonyan had 59 Targets, 52 rec for 586 and 33 1Ds. Throw in another 17 Targets for Mercedes Lewis that year, and we're at 76 total at TE, which is just 1 Target less than what Gronkowski had in TB's 2020 Super Bowl winning season.
I'm thinking TE Michael Mayer might actually be our pick at 15. His rank is ridiculously high in nearly every TE category. 1st in Deep Catches. 1st in Contested Catches. 3rd in Deep Yards. 8th in Missed Tackles Forced.
Mayer has the highest floor. Washington may have the highest ceiling, and as a blocker, Washington may have the highest floor.
Washington (28 rec) staying inline more to block than Bowers (63 rec), doesn't mean he's not a capable receiver. Washington moved to TE after coming into Georgia as a regular 60+ rec/year WR.
Washington's YAC of 7.2 ranks 27th to Mayer's 4.9 (104th).
The bigger point is TE use actually is a part of LaFleur's offense, and now we have zero starters.
"Catch a pass or two?" Are you kidding me? We want great TE play, do we not? At Gronkowski's peak use he was getting over 100 targets per season.
Tonyan had 53 receptions on 67 targets in 2022... but he wasn't part of LaFleur's offense?
Allen Lazard, a quasi move TE in LaFleur's offense had exactly 100 targets in 2022.
Washington started out at 45? According to your draft simulator??? FFS.
LH, c'mon!
Washington was ranked #19 overall by Athlon, published pre Combine. Athlon’s been one of the best draft pubs going back some 50 years.
Leatherhead
April 12, 2023 at 09:04 am
GG, the Packers had 1051 offensive plays last year, and when you divide that by 17 games it gives you almost 62 plays per game.
The TEs got 96 targets,a little less than 6 per game. About 9% of our offense goes through the TE. Tonyan got 67 of those.
Yes, initially Washington was available at #45. After the combine, no. And yes, Allen Lazard got 100 targets, and that needs to be compensated for more than the TE spot. You may call him a move TE or whatever, but the point is that on every play, we want a total of 4 WR/TE on the field.
IMO, if we're going to spend premium picks on pass catchers, it makes more sense to add to Watson and Doubs in the WR room.
We aren't going to get Gronkowski at his peak. We're not getting Kelce at his peak. We're not getting Paul Coffman or Bubba Franks at his peak. We're getting a guy who is going to be a blocker on most plays and who will get a couple of targets. We can get that guy on Day 3.
mnbadger
April 11, 2023 at 12:45 pm
thank you. I may have said the same in earlier posts but I'm not sure I said it as clearly and directly as you just did KtSOoY!
In the middle of 2022 I thought of him not as MLF but MwtF!
I personally think we're weak at the top of the organization, specifically MM and MwtF.
I trust Gutey if MM stays out of his way and keeps his mouth zipped in public.
I wish Basacia was HC, my gut tells me he plays to win every play and cares very little about massaging prima donna egos.
JMO
GPG!
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
April 11, 2023 at 04:26 pm
You betcha MNBadger!
Plus, I agree about our Special Teams coach!
Lphill
April 11, 2023 at 11:37 am
I agree with your points but if I'm drafting someone in the first round my intention is that's a potential starter or at the very least a guy who gets no less than 50% of the defensive snaps.
PatrickGB
April 11, 2023 at 05:46 pm
I think that the interior DL has been ignored for too long.
greengold
April 11, 2023 at 06:20 pm
Agree completely, Patrick
We’ve been making do with Kenny Clark & a box of Band-Aids until TJ Slayton found his way to us R5, 2021, and the giant sucking sound too loud for Gutekunst to ignore, forcing his Wyatt pick #29 in 2022.
No wonder our run D has been complete garbage for years.
The Packers need 1 of each: NT, DE (5T), EDGE, at a minimum from this draft.
I’d like to see some top talents added there. So would the Packers DBs.
Leatherhead
April 12, 2023 at 11:07 am
I think you can win a lot of games, including playoff games, with the interior DL we've put on the field the last four years. Remember.....in our last playoff loss, you could point fingers at a couple of different spots, but the DL played well. Same with the playoff loss at home the previous season against Tampa.
Also, we have TWO first round picks on the DL already when we only play two about half the time. That's ignoring?
greengold
April 12, 2023 at 12:01 pm
Up until the 2021 and 2022 drafts, yes. Kenny Clark has been in need of quality rotation at NT for about as long as he's been a Packer. Always with a huge numbers in snaps, every year.
There's been FAs. Reed was phenomenal last year. But, we've had others who just didn't pan out, and we kept them on the roster, for quite a few years. Lowry. Lancaster. Datone Jones. Mike Daniels long on his last legs. Montravius Adams for his full contract span. Kingsley Keke. Fadol Brown. Damon Harrison. Billy Winn.
I'd like to stop, please... LOL.
It's funny. I remember talking with Santana Dotson about the Keke pick immediately following that draft. He's like, "Yeah, well..." Gilbert Brown has some funny takes too. Those two together are a riot.
The point is we need better quality selections added to our DL and EDGE, and that's been an issue for years. Wyatt is very promising. No question, and a step in the right direction.
Moving Clark out of his more effective NT position is not. Yeesh. Shove Clark back at NT and add 3T and 5T, and we're in business.
vin0770
April 11, 2023 at 06:58 pm
“Wyatt is physically an NFL player it’s the mental part of the game he needs to improve” 🤔 And how do you do that exactly? What if Ron White is correct….you can’t fix….
Leatherhead
April 12, 2023 at 11:21 am
This is the beauty of the game: If you're getting your ass kicked, it encourages you to improve.
I think we expect too much from these guys right out of college. When my son graduated and starting working as a military officer, he was given tasks associated with being a 2nd lieutenant, but mostly he spent a year training. Then he spent time abroad, then he returned and was assigned to train other people to do what he had just done. Then he was promoted, and given additional duties. He deployed again, this time in a more critical capacity, then returned, promoted to Captain.
So, after four years of college training and four years of active duty, he's still a company grade officer, whereas we expect these football players to be difference makers at 23. In what other field is that true?
I think that it's been less than a year since Wyatt was in college lighting farts with his buddies. In the last year, he's had to relocate to a strange place that he's never been before and set up a life. Home, girlfriend, dog. Paying bills. Doing laundry, etc. He's learning how to adult.. He's also spending some of that money on family and stuff. And he's working 50 hours a week at a new job.
Add to that the physical maturity in that 22-25 year range, the coaching, the weight room, the nutritionist, etc. and it's no wonder that so many of these guys are a lot better by their second season. Again, looking at my own kids, and remembering my own youth, you can see a big difference physically after a couple of years of weights. It adds up.
greengold
April 13, 2023 at 04:42 am
I can’t wait for this draft. This DT, NT and DE class runs deep. Moving Clark back to his natural NT position would make a lot of sense. I’d like to see Barry do that.
Kenny Clark was most effective working at his natural NT position, with greater production numbers.
Add a high quality 3-tech to rotate with Wyatt, along with a good 5-tech, and this defense will be back in business.
Pound EDGE twice, S twice and CB and we’re home free.
That’s 6 picks dedicated to D. Add the AR trade return and we should be able to add at least 6 picks on O.
—
Please forgive length of this last bit on drafting O.
Judging by Bakhtiari’s recent comments, he won’t be back in GB for 2023.
Common sense indicates AR would demand a stronger OL he can trust to achieve NYJ goals. They most likely agree. NYJ Guards and Center ranked near the bottom of the NFL.
Will the Packers to help fill those needs in exchange for more high picks?
If AR commands NYJ #13 pick outright, Myers should garner at least the #42 pick. Runyan, paired with either Hanson and/or Newman should be worth at least the 43 pick.
None of those players are irreplaceable, especially with the Packers starting a new era, and a handful more picks in their pocket.
One team between the Packers & Jets will be picking at least 3 OL in 2 weeks. I’ll put my money on that team being the Packers.
Common sense tells me Aaron would prefer having his guys who know Hackett’s system protecting him instead of untested rookies.
Who here wouldn’t want to re-draft:
Hanson
Newman
Myers
Runyan
Bakhtiari - given his cap figure & age
???
Makes me wonder if NYJ remaining 2023 picks are in play?
112, 143, 207
Bakhtiari would require a separate trade after June 1, likely involving a high 2024 pick.
I know it sounds nuts, trading 3-5 OL along with AR, but, I could see this trade being that big. Hanson + Newman + Myers = less than $3M cap hit. That could be recovered by the +$4M GB would realize in trading Bakhtiari, from what I gather at OTC.
It would leave us with:
OT Rasheed Walker
C/T Zach Tom
OT Luke Tenuta
OT/OG Sean Rhyan
OT Caleb Jones
OG Elgton Jenkins
OT Jean Delance
OT Yosh Nijman
Resetting those cap clocks would be huge, with an opportunity to add better upside talents for a young team beginning a new era.
We know AR, and this scenario is right up his alley.
Common sense tells me this is going to be huge.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
April 13, 2023 at 11:57 am
GG,
Should the above take place (and I am especially okay with DB being traded) my head would almost explode. I would not be adverse to it but it would depend on the compensation, as it would need to be extensive. The need for OL would be immense for the Packers likely making the drafting of OL their main priority even over the selecting of WR, TE, DL, Edge, and Safety. While there are many who say forget about Zach Wilson (very short-sighted....I'd say Zach should be included in this scenario because he is very young & talented needing time to develop. If Zach was included in a scenario like this the Packers do not have to use a 4th, or 5th round pick on a back-up QB. Instead, they could use the extra draft pick to select another OL.