Sean Rhyan is Riding His Way Into a Starting Job
With the right guard position seemingly up for grabs, is it the former UCLA lineman's time to shine?
By GregMeinholz
After being picked in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft, UCLA guard, Sean Rhyan only logged one snap on special teams before his season ended due to suspension. It was announced with six games left in the season, that Rhyan had tested positive for PEDs and would miss the remainder of the season as punishment from the league. Rhyan ruled that this was probably due to some supplements he had been taking but never figured out exactly which one. So, he just cut them all out of his diet, and he set his sights on proving to the Green Bay Packers that he was worth the trouble.
It would be a tough task to crack the starting lineup as the guard position with the Packers was pretty set in stone to start the 2023 season. Elgton Jenkins had the left side down as he’s one of the best in the league and Jon Runyan Jr had occupied the right since his second season. But Runyan’s contract was up at the end of the season, and it was no guarantee he would be re-signed. It was a make-or-break season for Runyan and his job could be in jeopardy. Especially if a younger lineman showed the ability to take over at the position. This would be Sean Rhyan’s opportunity to prove himself.
As the season went on, Runyan began struggling a bit with run blocking. He'd be caught out of position or sometimes just get beat. He wasn't terrible, but he could be better. So, the Packers coaches decided to mix it up a little. They began inserting Sean Rhyan into the line for a few snaps. It could go one of a few ways. Either Runyan would take this as a challenge and step up his game to gain back 100% of the snaps again, things could go downhill and it would impact the line as a whole, or perhaps they would find out Sean Rhyan has what it takes to eventually take over the position. Well, this worked out positively for the Packers where both players did pretty well after. But the big winner was seemingly Sean Rhyan. Rhyan had looked very good against the run where Runyan had been lacking and was also performing well in pass blocking as well.
As a result, Runyan kept his starting job, but would often be swapped with Sean Rhyan for a drive or two. Jon Runyan played about 85% of the offensive snaps in the 2023 season compared to Rhyan getting thrown in for about 15%. We're in the middle of seeing the results of that experiment play out. Jon Runyan Jr. has not been re-signed yet following the conclusion of the 2023 season and it seems very likely he will become an unrestricted free agent.
But the big question is, is the right guard position now officially in the hands of Sean Rhyan?
Is the position locked?
As we head into the 2024 off-season, we look at the guard position for the Packers. Okay, there's Jenkins, Rhyan, and Royce Newman at this moment. If Newman is thought of as the starting right guard, then we're in trouble in terms of talent evaluation. It has to be Sean Rhyan. But is Rhyan worthy of an uncontested spot? Absolutely not. While Sean Rhyan showed some great things in his time with the starting offense, he still showed he had work to do. The only way I look at Sean Rhyan as the guaranteed starting right guard come opening day of 2024, is if he undoubtedly beat out Jon Runyan during the season. If he made Packers coaches go, "forget Runyan, we need Rhyan out there for every snap" then yes, he's a shoo-in. But that didn't happen. So, competition should be brought in for the guard position.
There are a few free agents that if the Packers decide to upgrade the right guard position, may be in play. Ezra Cleveland from Jacksonville could be an upgrade at the position, as well as Damien Lewis from Seattle. Both would be considered upgrades from Jon Runyan Jr. and would likely start over Sean Rhyan if they decide to go that route. As you look at the rest of the available list, however, player ages are older and the skills may not be worth the price they could command. It boils down to, that they may have just been better off re-signing Runyan than going after any of these players. With Runyan's desire to continue with the Packers, he may not have commanded top dollar for his skill set as some of the others will. If you're going to bring in competition, you're almost better off bringing in younger.
Draft and develop
The Packers are very young right now. They have a core of offensive weapons that are only entering their second and third years. If you're going to bring in competition for Sean Rhyan, I'd draft them. You want someone who's going to be a Green Bay Packer until 2027 or later. Someone to grow with this young team and be there for the championship window they've opened up as long as possible. If they don't beat out Rhyan for the starting job, then they're there for development to stay in waiting if perhaps Elgton Jenkins' time comes. Or even beat out Rhyan down the road.
The Packers have five picks in the top 100 of the NFL draft. Three in the top 60. And then they have six more behind those to use for trading up if needed. They're going to have their pick of the top versatile offensive linemen if they want them.
One lineman that could intrigue them in the top 50 is Graham Barton. Barton is a 6'5, 314-pound lineman out of Duke. Barton was a mainstay at the tackle position for Duke, but he is viewed as a versatile lineman who could play the inside as well. This could place Barton at a few positions, possibly pressuring Sean Rhyan at right guard, or even making an argument for the left tackle position. The Duke Blue Devil is expected to go early in the second round. The Packers will hope for him to fall in their laps at 41, but there is a chance they may need to use some of that extra draft capital as ammunition to jump up to get him. Barton's a very tough run blocker and isn't afraid to bury a defender on every play, so his competition would be very welcome in Green Bay on the interior offensive line.
Sean Rhyan as of right now is likely penciled in as the starter. The job could be his as the off-season progresses. However, I would bring in some young competition to make sure it isn't easy to lock it down.
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Greg Meinholz is a lifelong devoted Packer fan. A contributor to CheeseheadTV as well as PackersTalk. Follow him on Twitter @gmeinholz for Packers commentary, random humor, beer endorsements, and occasional Star Wars and Marvel ramblings.
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Comments (67)
LambeauPlain
February 25, 2024 at 06:31 am
Unlike Jenkins who didn't take long to show in practice as a rookie he was one of the best 5, Rhyan is taking a while, part of the delay self inflicted.
He would be the 4th or 5th best OL today after Jenkins, Tom and Walker. Is he better than Myers? Not sure about that, he may be. The Packers need to get better at C and RG in my view. Walker is showing growth as a starter, but I am not yet sold on him as THE guy at LT. He needs continued camp competition from Caleb Jones, and probably from drafted OL, etc.
However, Rhyan is a far more dependable backup than is Newman.
If you aren't getting better you are getting worse. And with the OL, all 5 need to be getting better collectively.
golfpacker1
February 25, 2024 at 10:30 am
Rhyan was also making a big position change that slowed him down. I didn't read that he had played any position but LT @ UCLA, and he excelled for 4 years. You have to earn playing time, pedigree doesn't guarantee anything. Rhyan was highly rated, top 10 @ OT in the draft. I think this is his breakout year.
Why would you trade up for Barton and waste picks. Is he really better than Powers-Johnson, BeeBe, or Puni? I would stay put, if someone we want and need falls to us @ #25 then we grab them. Let the draft come to us.
Otherwise we can take advantage of the foolish team that wants to throw away picks by trading up, maybe we trade back for a boatload.
Leatherhead
February 25, 2024 at 12:03 pm
IMO, Barton's versatility gives him the edge over those guys.
But I agree with you that there's no need to be trading up. There is going to be a very good player available at #25. It may be DeJean, it may be Barton, it may be Morgan. Both Fautanu and Guyton are on the board still at Consensus when #25 rolls around. And of course, there's always the chance that somebody falls, and somebody wants to trade up to get Bo Nix or something. If you're talking about trading up from #41, that's perhaps a little more feasible, but I still think it's not as good as we can do.
We've got 5 picks between #25 and #91, so we don't have to be desperate. We're going to get to add 5 guys to our gameday roster, maybe more, plus any FAs we sign. That's a lot of improvement on a team that was catching their stride in the playoffs.
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Here's why I like Barton: You don't know where the next injury is going to strike. This guy could come right in and start in place of anybody except Tom and Jenkins. He could probably handle the LT position as well as Walker did last year, which would make Walker an experienced and capable backup. We could re sign Runyan and have another capable backup. And we could draft another guy on Day 3 who could become a starter at Center, giving us another experienced, capable backup.
IMO, The Plan should be to put a very effective offense on the field that scores on half their possessions and see if the opponent can keep up. Most of them won't be able to. And in order to do this, we've GOT TO have a stronger, deeper, offensive line. We have two plus players on that offensive line, and we have a chance to add two more. We should go for it and keep our QB healthy.
LLCHESTY
February 25, 2024 at 12:31 pm
One of Barton's weaknesses is slow feet, not something you want in an outside zone scheme. I'd much rather see them draft Fautanu, whose upside could be tackle, or JPJ.
dblbogey
February 25, 2024 at 11:31 am
Rhyan couldn't beat out Runyon. Supposedly a run blocker, PFF graded him poorly as both a pass and run blocker. He's shown nothing that would show he'll be anything more than average and he may continue to be below average. Draft some more OL boys, you win in the trenches.
Leatherhead
February 25, 2024 at 12:33 pm
That's not the point. Runyan/Rhyan can fight it out, but either way, we're going to have an experienced vet backup, whereas right now, we don't.
People gotta quit thinking about PFF as the Bible. But I totally agree that we need some OL talent early in this draft.
Bitternotsour
February 25, 2024 at 04:53 pm
Ultimately we want a line that is better than the sum of its parts. That's on coaching as well as talent. PFF is useful when you want to find some stupid numerical grade that confirms your already existing bias.
I'm so glad that our scouting department "does their own research"...
WD
February 25, 2024 at 07:21 am
Halfway through this article I was thinking Graham Barton. You have to love his versatility as he could play all five positions across the line. I could see him at Center. The problem is many mocks seem to have him going in the first round. It boils down to how the draft falls in addition to combine data. If he would by some chance fall to 41 it is a no brainer. However It would not surprise me if Gute pulls the trigger at 25 if he is there. Being a defense first favorite I still hope they go with secondary preferably Cooper De jean S/CB who is not expected to be in the combine because of a late season injury. Team needs are S/CB, ILB, and O-line not necessarily in that order. Moreover, if premier edge rusher would fall that should also be considered in the top three picks. Again it all depends on how it falls and how high the Packers have each player rated. It will be a great draft and I have confidence in General Gute. In a sense the draft is our first game. And, a must win.
Guam
February 25, 2024 at 08:27 am
I don't know whether Rhyan is the next TJ Lang (slow to develop but well worth the wait) or Royce Newman (slow to develop and not worth any wait), but I certainly hope the Packers acquire some competition for him through the draft. The Packers only have five O-lineman that are worth keeping right now (Walker, Jenkins, Myers, Rhyan and Tom) with Runyon potentially leaving, Newman who should be leaving and three tackles (Jones, Tenuta and Telfort) that we fans know little about.
I hope to see the Packers invest three draft choices in the O-line this year. With the quality and depth of O-linemen available this year in the draft I don't have any preconceived ideas about which draft choices should be used, but they need three to add depth and talent to this group.
Leatherhead
February 25, 2024 at 08:58 am
Ouch!! But I feel the same way about Newman, I feel the same way about us having only 5 OL worth keeping. I'm hoping one of the project tackles (Tenuta, Jones, Telfort) can help us this year. If not, maybe we need a new project.
I, too,hope to see the Packers investing in the line. Most of my simulations have me getting two in the top 91. I'd also try to keep Runyan. That would give us 8 worth keeping and if one of the project tackles has developed, we'd start the season with 9 worth keeping.
And we need at least two for the practice squad. A year on the practice squad sure seemed to work for Walker.
golfpacker1
February 25, 2024 at 10:42 am
2 picks used for Oline in the first 91 picks for us is 100% what we should do Leather. That gets us potentially 2 really good ones this draft and thats a huge need.
I was surprised to read that Rhyan only played 15% of the snaps last year. That's a pretty small sample size to condemn him or anoint him. I think he has a breakout year in 2024. At the absolute worst he is a valuable backup with great potential.
A question, how many 6'9 O-linemen are actually playing in the NFL now? Not just on teams, but actually playing?
Guam
February 25, 2024 at 11:54 am
I would be perfectly happy with two in the top 91 and a developmental pick early on day 3. I suspect #25 will come down to a choice between DB and OL. Gute seems to prefer defense in round one, but there may be more good OL to choose from at #25 than DB. It will be interesting to see how this draft falls.
LLCHESTY
February 25, 2024 at 12:33 pm
Newman wasn't slow to develop, he played over 1000 snaps as a rookie. The problem was he didn't develop beyond that and actually got worse.
Coldworld
February 25, 2024 at 01:52 pm
Which interior lineman has progressed under the current regime? Really no one has got better. Butkus’ handling of the OL interior training and their usage remains considerably in question and one that’s been overlooked amid the changes in D since the end of the season.
Leatherhead
February 25, 2024 at 02:40 pm
Well, Tom, who you insist was drafted as a center. Jenkins.
Which QB was the least pressured QB in the league last year? Love. He's getting protected.
Bitternotsour
February 25, 2024 at 04:55 pm
When in doubt, trust the evidence of your eyes, not the grades of PFF
Coldworld
February 25, 2024 at 05:12 pm
I do, on Myers.
Tundraboy
February 25, 2024 at 08:00 pm
I was just about to say that. Your eyes never lie., distort or spin.
Coldworld
February 25, 2024 at 05:20 pm
Gute said Tom profiled best at C after he picked him. I don’t insist he was, Gute made it clear he had C in mind.
Since Tim has not played C meaningfully, you fishing for that as a justification for everything being rosy on the IOL seems to emphasize my point that it’s not.
Runyon was out most improved player at the end of last year, and there is a good chance he’s not back. Certainly he’d not currently on the roster. Rhyan was better than Runyon before that, but not after. At this point he’s valid depth but not a proven starter level player of choice.
Yes we need reinforcements and yes we’d better hope that whoever plays at C and RG is consistently better than they or their predecessors were last year. So far in the Butkus era we have not seen a player really grow at C or G. That has to change or Gute has to achieve it by draft. To argue otherwise is plainly hands-over-your-eyes silly. That’s without the fact that we have no back up guard or C (who isn’t a starting T or our only proven starter quality guard).
Then again, for years you defended Lowry in exactly the same manner. If we are going to meet our potential then settling for borderline adequate when we don’t have to is not going to cut it. No, everything is not perfect and we need to strive to change that.
Bitternotsour
February 25, 2024 at 06:23 pm
Your recollection of the Gutekunst quote is different than mine, and it was contextually about his versatility. The true measure of the Packers belief about where Tom belongs is where he is playing. He's a tackle. Also, your assessment of Myers is rejected by the coaches. He's the starting center, he's still the starting center, and he'll likely be the starting center next year as well. But do go on.
When the Packers talk about getting the best 5 on the field, that ALWAYS includes Myers. Perhaps that is a tell.
LambeauPlain
February 26, 2024 at 07:54 am
Playing the BEST five is mostly just talk. Who plays are the FAVORITE 5. I recall Stenovich saying last season in the midst of the losing streak that Myers was playing his best football.
That was a big tell for me that he was "favored" at Center because anyone with vision could see he was the weak link.
Leatherhead
February 26, 2024 at 05:20 pm
Lambeau.....there will always be a weak link. If you improve Center, then somebody else is the weak link.
Myers was a Consensus Top 100 player, he's been a starter since Day 1 and he's started every game where he was healthy. During that time, we've consistently had above average lines and decent offenses. He's been part of that. He, and Runyan, were both part of the annihilation of Dallas in the playoffs. When we can do that to one of the best teams in the league, this stuff about how our line is bad and our coaches are clueless is just nonsense.
MooPack
February 26, 2024 at 07:26 pm
"there will always be a weak link. If you improve Center, then somebody else is the weak link."
LH, your only telling half the tale. I know you know this.
If you improve your weakest link, possibly by shuffling or what have you. You may still have someone that is weaker than the others...now wait for it. But your weakest link (now improved) may very likely be better than another teams stronger link and miles ahead of their weakest link. You, know the old adage - you are only as strong as your weakest link. Again if your weakest is stronger than theirs, your winning.
Leatherhead
February 26, 2024 at 05:16 pm
Gute might have said it once, but you've said it 20.
I like how you fixate on the interior line. I mean, it's part of the offensive line, a unit. RG is always going to be the least important piece, so it's good that you fixate on that. Just like your fixation on Lowry......in your eyes, he's clearly a major reason we didn't win Super Bowls. I mean, he was drafted the same year as Clark, and throughout his tenure in Green Bay, he was our 2nd best defensive lineman. I defended Lowry because he was our 2nd best DL and he didn't miss games.
You seem to believe that we should have above average players at every position, and that there's no room for an average guy. It just doesn't work like that. You're smart enough to know that.
You greatly over estimate your acumen on the line, and pretty much just parrot what PFF says. You didn't understand why we didn't move Tom to center, and Nijman to LT, but both decisions by the coaching staff turned out pretty well, and once again, we had an above average line on the field, especially during the stretch run and playoffs.
You say nobody has grown at guard or center. Jenkins isn't any better than he was as a rookie. Neither was Runyan. Rhyan hasn't gotten any better. Walker hasn't improved as rookie. Neither has Tom. If you truly believe that, then I can't help you. Butkus and Steno made chicken salad out of chicken feathers when Bakhtiari and Jenkins were injured. They don't deserve your repeated insinuations of incompetence.
PhantomII
February 25, 2024 at 05:31 pm
We had a very poor schedule against poor competition. STILL our biggest problem and THE reason we have been booted from ALL PLAYOFFS in recent memory is our 5 starting OL cannot match top tier defenses 4 DL toe to toe without TE's blocking a lot which was Big Dogs sole job his career in GB. When your RB and TE's HAVE to pass block so the QB does not get sacked the defense has 7 defenders to cover 2-3 WR's....That is the REAL reason we will not get past these teams until our OL is ELITE and our QB1 plays lights out.
WestCoastPackerBacker
February 26, 2024 at 02:28 pm
The way the line gelled and protected Jordan the last part of the seasons, along with Aaron Jones' 4.6 YPC in the regular season and 5.8 YPC in the playoffs indicate that Butkus is on top of things. They may be lacking in talent, but he got them playing very well for having a rotation at RG and Jenkins not playing his best (due to injury I suspect).
Guam
February 25, 2024 at 03:20 pm
Yes he played as a rookie, but more because the Packers had no one else to play than because he was good as a rookie. He never developed beyond what he was as a rookie.
Leatherhead
February 25, 2024 at 03:29 pm
I'd agree with that. As a rookie, he came in and took his beatings because we had no one else, and he fought back as best he could. But he never seemed to improve on that. I am really, really hoping that we have 10 guys better than Newman on the 90 man roster, and that he is released, and signed by the Vikings.
LLCHESTY
February 25, 2024 at 06:36 pm
I remember everybody talking about what an outstanding preseason he had he was the next 4th round Packer find. The regular season started and we found out he had serious problems with stunts but other than that he did fine for a rookie.
Guam
February 25, 2024 at 10:15 pm
You are correct that he was a decent run blocker as a rookie, but had trouble with stunts in pass pro. The big problem was opposing DC's soon figured out he couldn't handle stunts and that was all he saw for the back half of the season. He turned into a revolving door in pass pro.
That isn't all that unusual for a rookie, but he never learned to handle stunts and that appeared to impact his confidence in the rest of his game. He regressed in his second season.
gsd3
February 25, 2024 at 08:38 am
Rhyan graded out at 43 according to PFF. Newman was 40.9. Runyan was 56.5.
Rhyan will hopefully develop but I would not put my eggs in the Rhyan basket just yet.
Coldworld
February 25, 2024 at 09:10 am
Rhyan is shown by PFF as having a 51.7 season grade. Myers 55.8. Newman was 44.3.
Anything in the 50s indicates that the position needs to be improved in PFF’s estimation. The question with Rhyan is is he on an upward curve that will supply that? I don’t have a read in that, but he does look like at least an adequate depth piece, unlike Newman.
According to Demovsky, only four centers gave up more sacks than Myers’ 5. While he “finished in the middle of the pack in pass-blocking efficiency” he was the lowest of the 3 starters in run blocking. None of them, including Jenkins graded well in the run game. That to me suggests Butkus is a factor.
We need a better alternative to start at C and G. Rhyan may yet be better than his 2023 self, but it would be foolish to bank on that. He is an upgrade on Newman. Competition, real not just in name needs to be recruited for and then allowed to play out.
PhantomII
February 25, 2024 at 06:09 pm
It suggests to me Jenkins was signed to a fat contract for his past abilities next to BAK and he has never recovered to his previous self post injury....Injury is affecting his run blocking.....Too bad....One of my favorite OL. Maybe with a MUCH better Center his numbers improve as well. I like Myers story...But he is not a top C in the NFL as drafted #1...KC got the #1 C after GB picked Myers. Get back in the GYM OL.
Leatherhead
February 26, 2024 at 12:13 pm
You do realize that no team has above average players at every position? And that every team has to figure out how to win with some below average guys on the field?
You don't like Myers and Runyan. Fine. The coaches, who are infinitely more astute, liked them both enough to start them. You know, Butkus and Stenovich, who turned a practice squad guy into a starting tackle and put one of the better lines in the league on the field.
If our run blocking is so bad, then why are there such big holes for Jones? Why was our offense above average? Why was Love the least hurried QB in the league? Or was this all accomplished with below average talent getting below average coaching?
WestCoastPackerBacker
February 26, 2024 at 02:31 pm
Great post Leatherhead. I'm more stoked about getting the LBs and Safeties for the defense than I am making sure every offensive line guy is blue-chip. Butkus got them playing very well by the end of the season. Add at least some talent to the interior and another tackle and they will have the depth they need. But GB doesn't need to spend top picks on their offensive line. They've always found guys in lower rounds that more than got the job done.
PhantomII
February 26, 2024 at 02:48 pm
That's my main point....BECAUSE WE ARE CONSTANTLY USING TE'S TO PASS BLOCK. SF 4 man DL let's their secondary look like an 8 man box when they know we are going to pass. If your TE is inside blocking he is not going out for a pass which allows the Defense to use 7-men to cover our 3 WR's. THAT'S WHY!!!!! We have plenty of deficiencies to our secondary...especially ones who can't intercept a pass they did not have to make a step for, nor reach for. WE have 7-#2 WR's after previously having 1-#1 WR and 4-#5 WR's. If you have a bunch of talent they need to have their ass on the field....Not watching our team lose from the sidelines because our undersize 5-OL cannot stop 4-DL and must use TE's and a RB too pass block with their Defense not sending an extra blitzed. LH if we get this fixed with a MUCH better Center and 2 stud IOL...we will be able to MAX out our weapons in the pass OR rushing game. If YOU are pleased with all our post season failures you're right we should not improve the OL at all. Jones is special...If our holes were so good Dillon would have runs like Jones.
stockholder
February 25, 2024 at 08:40 am
Barton is a Risk pick. He Lacks length.
And when it comes to the IOL.
Most short arm OL; end up inside too.
It's the difference in a #1 and #2 Now days.
So unless the Packers take a True Center.
You don't take Guard at #1.
We've been down this road with Tonyan.
And Truthfully; Rhyan won't be Jenkins.
It's why Walker is our LT.
And the packers tried Hanson at guard.
It's time the feet match the position.
And the arms/ length fit at OT.
jannesbjornson
February 25, 2024 at 10:15 am
LT,OT and a Guard from this draft upper to mid-rounds. Love gets Protection. This is a draft I have worries regarding Gutey hitting the correct targets. He cannot have another Newman/Hanson meltdown.
stockholder
February 25, 2024 at 11:00 am
You want to beat the Lions to the Defensive guy.
They still need a safety/CB.
The packers still don't have that guard that can pull.
Oppy
February 25, 2024 at 10:19 am
Short arms are always a negative for a player regardless of where they play along the line.
If you ask your Center to execute a reach block on a outside run, he's going to struggle mightily if he's got shorter arms.
Sure, scouts want to see lengthy arms on tackles, but really, they want length across the line. Length will have an impact on when/if you get drafted, but movement skills are far more likely to determine where an OL draft prospect will be projected to play.
Leatherhead
February 26, 2024 at 12:14 pm
If a guy has short arms, and slow feet, then why do so many more knowledgeable people think he's one of the best linemen in the draft?
LLCHESTY
February 25, 2024 at 12:36 pm
Nice goobledygook there.
stockholder
February 25, 2024 at 12:52 pm
Gute must come away with 2 guys in the secondary.
SS has been a problem "to draft" since Morgan Burnett.
And if Campbell gets cut/traded.
You're looking at a second rd pick there.
golfpacker1
February 25, 2024 at 03:17 pm
Stock, don't you think GB will try to upgrade with a 2nd tier FA LB? Seems like they could easily come away with a better, faster FA LB for under $8 million. Bobby Wagner is projected to get $5million per year. Thats cheap for 175 plus tackles and a much better run defense.
Other reasonable but still upgrades would be Devin White, Willie Gay, or Blake Cashman.
I read projected $8 to $9 million for White is the high end. Gay and Cashman should be more like $3 to $5 million per year. Wagner and White clearly have the most production. Wagner is a 2 year stopgap who gives a bonus of teaching the other LBs how to play. The other 3 are younger and probably 4 year deals.
Cooper is the best LB in the draft and i am not sure he is even a 2nd rounder. The next 6 Colson, Gray, Wilson, Eichenberg, Wallace and Knight are probably rounds 4th to 6th. No super LB talent this year.
stockholder
February 25, 2024 at 05:08 pm
No. It's easier to draft one.
Especially this draft.
I had Cooper at #41.
PFF raised P.Wilson. Gone by #58 now.
(Regardless of past injuries. )
Colson and Gray could go @ 88-91.
Notable- Pff simulator will show you
the correct overall rating for each.
Those 3rd rounders are still money players.
Even if their RBs or back -up OL.
Hopefully Gutey won't trade anything.
In fact he could trade back from #25
jannesbjornson
February 26, 2024 at 08:22 am
If DeJean and Kinchens are gone, the trade back would work to the lower first rd. The catch is you may be giving your rivals the Player you should have taken. This is the Money draft for Gutedkunst. I would still seek Fuller as the free agent CB and bag a veteran LB like Willie Gay who knows the 4-2 flex defense. They have the cash. I don't see Walker making this defense run efficiently.
golfpacker1
February 26, 2024 at 09:08 am
And I don't think the tradeback hurts us at all. I wouldn't expect it to be a long way back. SF or KC are loaded enough that they could move up for someone.. If NE doesn't get a QB with their 1st pick, they could be players to move up from #35. So could the Giants. If there is a trade back from #25, GB scores at least a 2nd or 3rd plus something else. Maybe some picks to fill the big gaps on day 3.
What I am concerned about is if we don't choose a Safety with #41, we will miss out on the 2 top rated guys, Nubin(who I like) and Kinchens. And our 3rd round picks are so late that a large portion of the best could be gone by #88.
Ideal scenario is probably a top O-lineman @ #25 and there should be some good ones there. Follow that with a Safety @ 41, and there should be a CB like Tampa, Hart, Melton, or Khyree Jackson still available.
Thats my take on the starting picks. I know some posters disagree because of the BPA method. We are about down to a 1/2 dozen needs from making this a really solid roster, so for the first 3 picks I would have a plan to fill the 3 biggest needs first.
PhantomII
February 26, 2024 at 06:02 pm
Nope, fix the defense in FA with the 30 Mill CAP bump and at least 1-FA All Pro level Safety. This DC wants single high, so he has to be the best player in the Secondary. Plug and play FA keeps us in the playoffs and into the show. 2-IOL and the best Center in the draft. Unfortunately this could have been Douglas.
Tundraboy
February 25, 2024 at 08:07 pm
Totally agree. And I also think we need to not make versatility the number one or two factor. If we need a really good guard. Let's draft someone who's been a really good guard etc.
MooPack
February 25, 2024 at 09:19 am
Most likely it'll come down to OL vs DB in the first. I think the draft falls better for the Packers taking OL first. But what do we know, no one saw Quay Walker coming. Gute could do what he's done before in the 1st, make his pick then trade right back up into the first. I don't think that is necessary this year, but there is precedent. It could also be that he sees the draft falling his way with lots of players still on his top board and decides to trade back. Gotta love the unpredictable with Gute.
As for Oline:
Alt, Ol' Fashan, Fuaga, and Latham will probably be gone.
Mims, I hope will be gone, but have suspicion he will drop. Hopefully past Packers as well.
The next three guys could be in play:
Troy Fautanu - probably least likely of the three to still be there at #25
King Sua - my choice
Jordan Morgan - has dropped some, but still would be a solid pick
I don't think they'd go for Guyton or Paul. The next would be Barton, Beebe, and JPJ (who made a name for himself at Senior Bowl, but imo is below overall talent level of others).
Lots of options. Typically, you see 5 OL going in the 1st round on average. This year you could see eight. I believe someone on this list is going to be a Packer.
LLCHESTY
February 25, 2024 at 03:50 pm
If you like Fautanu you should check out this long thread of him putting guys on the ground. Fennell also had some clips of him destroying moving targets. A lot of fun. Not the biggest guy but his footwork and quick hands combined with his nastiness points to him being able to make a living at tackle and if not a top level guard.
https://twitter.com/BenFennell_NFL/status/1761161872760324192?t=3cL6Fa3L...
lou
February 25, 2024 at 09:29 am
People easily forget how the offensive line was the key to Love's stellar play in the last half of the season and playoffs, the group came together at just the right time. Also note that when Tom went out in the 49ers game it made a huge difference in Love's protection from that point on, he did not look as comfortable. They have to have competition at RG and C that provides an upgrade if they want to win it all and hope Walker continues to progress and their 2 Pro Bowl caliber lineman (Jenkins - Tom) stay healthy.
PhantomII
February 25, 2024 at 06:12 pm
There are always 2-sides. The OL were also the reason behind JL's fall-off earlier in the season. Kudos for the OL improving thru the season though. We need Elite OL play.....To get where we want to go....GPG.
Tundraboy
February 25, 2024 at 08:21 pm
Excellent points. My takeaway from that game as well. OL, Safety,OL, Safety,OL! And another RB to keep Jones alive thoughout the season!
Ferrari-Driver
February 25, 2024 at 09:34 am
"The Packers will hope for him to fall in their laps at 41, but there is a chance they may need to use some of that extra draft capital as ammunition to jump up to get him."
I'm just not a big fan of using draft capital to get a player unless the Packers are so enamored with the guy they can't stand it. While we have in the past landed gems like Clay Matthews and now a Jordan Love, I still remember the 5th round pick the Packers spent to move up to draft Oren Burkes and the two 4th round draft choices which were traded to move up to pick Darnell Savage. Those fourth round draft choices are very valuable and it where we have landed top performers like .David Bakhtiari.
PhantomII
February 25, 2024 at 10:09 am
30 million CAP bump helps us get a plug and play pro bowl level SS or even better All Pro FS as we are suppose to be running a single high look. We need an Elite OL...and we are not there yet. Our L/R Guards need to be maulers in the run game. The OL needs to get stronger for it. The CAP gift puts us in better shape to pick up 2-FA's and I'd almost pick up a plus SS and FS with it to end the doubt in the secondary....But if there is a young stud IOL/ Center there that is a big upgrade I'd go OL and FS in FA...Then draft the top 2 same as FA pick-ups. The FA CAP money makes my mind flood with the potential our OL/ DB's strength could be....GPG
LLCHESTY
February 25, 2024 at 06:40 pm
It's $13 million not 30.
golfpacker1
February 25, 2024 at 10:59 am
1000 % agree on that Ferrari. You could even throw the trade up for Watson in there. Watson was one of my 3 favorite WRs in 2022 and while I was thrilled when we picked him, it came at a steep price. That other 2nd round pick really could have benefitted GB.
I would have taken Watson @ #28 instead of Wyatt when all the other WR options were gone. Wyatt probably would have still been there at the end of the 2nd round. The DT we should have taken was still available too. Travis Jones-Conn. He was an actual run stopper @ 6'4 338lbs and he actually played a lot and shined his rookie year.
We did kill the 4th round in 2022 with Daubs and Toms though.
Ferrari-Driver
February 25, 2024 at 12:31 pm
By the way, I'm off to the golf course this morning and will be playing with my wife. She is a good athlete and plays with us guys periodically. Just have to keep the language cleaner and use the regular rest rooms instead of the big trees where my ball goes.
golfpacker1
February 26, 2024 at 09:20 am
Barton is far from a trade up guy. Moving up is such a crapshoot this late in the first. I am a big advocate of trading back for more picks, especially if where we are moving back to has a chunk of good players on our board.
This year I think 3 or 4 players we really like could fall to us @ #25 and we will have to make a choice we weren't expecting. More than 1 to choose from. Still need O-lineman first, but maybe multiple available we like. I am hoping for Suamataia, because he would really push our 2 incumbent OTs. If we move down only to the back of the first round, then Morgan, Powers Johnson, and Beebe should all be in play. All a starter quality.
As much of a Hawkeye fan as I am, If it's a pick of Suamataia or DeJean, Sua gets the nod from me. And then I pick Safety @ #41, hopefully Nubin because he fits best.
HarryHodag
February 25, 2024 at 09:51 am
If SR is the guy, don't look for the Packers to use a top pick on a guard. They are likely to look for one more in the draft in rounds 4-6. Folks forget David B. was a fourth round pick. Jenkins was a second rounder. You draft an immediate starter high in the draft, not a backup.
As I said before Royce Newman must have something on the coaching staff/management to retain his job. They do need to draft/sign another interior lineman.
PhantomII
February 25, 2024 at 09:58 am
Bigger, Stronger and mean streak edge to them is where our OL needs to be headed. We need an Elite OL in Run and Pass protection. As long as Rhyan puts the work in and has that potential...Otherwise keep churning...We don't need an adequate OL or even a good OL...We need an Elite OL that does not need TE's to block when we have 5-OL going against the best 4 DL in the NFL. That's what we must strive for for our offense to field TE's and WR's who are going out for passes instead of covering our OL weaknesses and limiting our bodies going out for a pass which allows DB's to double many pass catchers or flood the area in a zone...choking us off in the playoffs.
golfpacker1
February 25, 2024 at 11:10 am
You win in the trenches is so true Phantom. We need 3 good pieces in this draft and the Oline will be close to rebuilt and reloaded. My favorites are Suamataia, Beebe, and Puni.
We rebuilt the WR and TE groups the last 2 years. 2024 rebuilds the Safety, Oline, and RB groups, and hopefully upgrades @ LB and CB. This will be a really young and dangerous roster for years going forward. If GB cuts Bakhtiari and Campbell as expected this year, the oldest players we have will be P Smith, A Jones, and K Clark. All about 30ish.
FA pieces @ Safety and LB are big needs to be filled before the draft. Since we can't fill all the needs in the draft, maybe a good, young, rising talent @ Edge that fits our new defensive needs as well. But the price needs to be right. Especially with this probably being Preston Smiths last year in GB. The bonus of the bigger salary cap this year could land us a good FA pash rusher too.
golfpacker1
February 25, 2024 at 03:26 pm
For you guys that like the idea of drafting a DT in this draft, entertain the idea of waiting until 2025 when that position group will be stronger and deeper. I just read about a DT @ Alabama who is 6'5 370lbs and ran a 4.9 40. That shouldn't even be legal. It's like the William "Fridge" Perry had a son.
Georgia also has a good one who excels against the rush @ 6'3 and 330lbs.
2025 looks really strong @ S,CB and Edge. As well as O-line again.
ArlenWilliams
February 25, 2024 at 10:24 pm
Almost all draft picks need development over a bit of time. The OL needs shouldn't prevent drafting nearly the best players available, from what I see. BTW, the past is the past, but don't the Packers train players hardcore in making sure of what supplements they're taking? Don't they demand to know what they are?
cdoemel
February 26, 2024 at 01:37 am
Armchair GM season!! Everyone has an opinion! Here’s mine. The WR room is fine. Leave it alone this draft and free agency. Let them grow together. I can totally see using one of the top five on a running back in this draft. Later. Our defensive backfield needs immediate help. There are a lot of DB’s in this draft. I think Green Bay can take Nubin and Kinchens. That would be nice. I honestly think 25 will be bpa and might be DL. Benson or Estime would be nice in the top 5. Then ILB. I see Cooper, Colson, Liufau and Eisenberg showing up often where we pick.
golfpacker1
February 26, 2024 at 09:37 am
The problem with taking a DT or Edge @ #25 is you are kissing away a starting O-lineman or the Top Safety @ #41. We don't need an early DT or Edge in this draft. And the pickings really get slim later on for DT. 2025 looks like a much better and deeper DT draft class, lets wait.
There is no point in pissing away the strengths of this draft and where our picks come into play in the first 3 rounds. We could not do much better than by picking O-line, S, CB, O-line, and RB with our first 5 picks, Unless we move back from #25 for another premium pick.
Not to mention Kenny Clark is better than all of the Top 5 DTs in this draft. 5 picks for 5 potential starters.
Bring on the downvotes but you know I am right. We have good defensive line players already. We had a bad D-Coordinator. A good tackling, sideline-to sideline, offense busting, LB will make more difference that a 350lb DT in stopping the run. Sweat is a 2 down player.