Here are my top three ones for the no trade scenario and trade scenario. A lot is contingent in each one on Jaxon Smith-Njigba and where he goes. In all of the scenarios I tried to set the parameters of a medium balance among each of the sliders so it should be fair...well, I could not resist, I did do one with "Randomness" cranked up just to see what would happen as well.
No Trades
This first one represents the best all around of the top of my no trade scenarios. I am left with being disappointed with the TE selection though. I am still questioning if LaPorta or Tucker Kraft is who I want after Darnell Washington is gone in the 2nd. Kraft will probably be the better long term player but LaPorta is more NFL ready. Higgins in the 7th is a projection to TE.
Again Smith-Njigba is the key here but getting 3 defensive backs is a nice bonus. Doubling down on the Brown and Johnson Jr could solidify the Safety position. Deuce Vaughn would be such a cool player to have on the Packers. He is role player but he plays like somebody six inches taller and 25 pounds heavier with great hands. I think the Darren Sproles comparison is off but the uniqueness of both is present. Iosivas in the 7th is a great developmental prospect, I doubt that happens though.
Smith-Njigba was gone in this scenario but Nolan Smith is a nice player to get in the first, just a gamble. Rashee Rice is the highlight here as he can be the savvy slot in the Packers offense. I think of him as very similar to James Jones. Josh Whyle is a player I am a huge fan of but I just did not have the opportunity to get him in a lot of my simulations.
This top one provides the most complete of the trade scenario drafts and only features a single trade up to get Darnell Washington and swap of fifth and sixth round picks. Getting Mazi Smith with 45 is a great haul. Riley Moss I am projecting to a role that is similar to L'Darius Sneed as a hybrid CB and S or perhaps strictly S.
This one features JSN as not available at 13 so a swap with the Buccaneers allows us to land Michael Mayer and some extra picks. The beauty with this one is that still grab a bunch of players I really like in Tippmann (as a guard or center), Rice, I am a huge fan of Sydney Brown and Anthony Johnson Jr., Trice is the bonus between them. Doubling down with two TEs that are good blockers with good hands allows for more versatility, though less speed.
Clearly, getting JSN would be top priority for me. This one also features a trade up for Darnell Washington but then having Jammer Gibbs still available at 45 is just too much for me to pass up. He is a top playmaker and could create for some creative formations in addition to a long-term option. I was heavy on Edge here because it is a gamble on talent with the three later ones. Brooks is really a DL but he is one of my favorite players for the mid rounds. Speaking of favorite players, Juice Scruggs is such a great one to watch because he just gets the job done even if it is sometimes ugly.
Runner Up
Making a trade up to grab both JSN and Michael Mayer would make this draft. I am projecting Ringo to Safety here then swinging back and grabbing Anthony Johnson Jr. The problem is that this one leaves me hanging with a few positions I would have liked to address, particularly a second TE.
Randomness cranked up
Not much more to say than this one creates a ridiculous scenario. No way that something like this would happen but it tells you the story of what happens with AI dreams. Clearly cranking the random just means that every GM loses their sense of mind.
Overall Assessment
I have some clear favorites here across virtually all of my simulations. JSN, Michael Mayer, or Darnell Washington are all catalysts for me. If the Packers can get JSN and one of those TEs or One of those TEs and Rashee Rice, I would consider that to be a very successful draft on that alone.
Anthony Smith Jr. is one I would absolutely love the Packers to have and they likely will double down on Safety and I like Sydney Brown in that mix too. Karl Brooks is one of my favorites that I would love to see on the Packers. He is a not quite as stout Mike Daniels in my book.
Trying to find a second TE was tough for me. Other priorities jumped ahead but the Packers probably need to draft two. I would even be in for combination scenario of Dalton Kincaid and Darnell Washington but that could be a bit of overkill.
There are a limited number of QBs that fall into the mid to late rounds that I like. Essentially, Clayton Tune or Stetson Bennett. Keeping in mind, I have total faith in Jordan Love but we need our Matt Flynn type to be a backup. Bennett is the most interesting to me because he has clear flaws but he has still managed to be successful.
Then the later rounds, I am consistent with wanting Jake Moody as the Packers probably need to draft a kicker. I am not positive that Robert Beal will be there but if he is I think he is better than advertised. Then of course, RYAN GREENHAGEN! Greenhagen made 31 tackles in one game. Watch that game, it was against Nebraska and he was all over the field. Is he a top athlete, nope. But he could be an interesting prospect to fill in at MLB in a pinch and be a demon special teamer.
Ones that were not a common theme but I am a huge fan of:
- Jammie Robinson, S, Florida State - This guys is getting so underrated by the media. Yeah he is a little short but he is good in coverage and sticks his nose in there. He reminds me a little bit of Tyrann Mathieu.
- Joe Tippmann, C/G, Wisconsin - Paul Alexander was working with him and made mention that he was asking a lot of questions and picking up on things quickly. That is good enough for me to want him as a challenger to the interior of the Packers offensive line.
- Juice Scruggs, C, Penn State - This guy gets my Scott Wells/AQ Shipley award. He is not going to be pretty but he will be very good in the NFL.
- Charlie Jones, WR, Purdue - A perfect sneaky slot receiver with quickness and good hands. I have seen a comparison to Jared Abbrederis but I think he is more like Ricky Proehl. He is going to find a way to be successful in the NFL.
- Xavier Hutchinson, WR, Iowa State - He got a little lost in the mix of the simulations but I feel as if he could be a very nice pick in the 5th and 6th rounds
- Andre Jones, Edge, Louisiana - He was a guy I looked into much later in the process so he kept slipping my mind in the simulations. With that said, I think he could be a late round steal and he has time to develop on the Packers
We are just one day away from the draft. I cannot wait!
I always like reading your different drafts because they always show a real plan across all the choices. Also I like how you find ways to address all the needs while still not reaching. You seem very good at letting the board come to you and thereby filling the needs.
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