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2016 NFL Mock Draft

Since the official draft order is set I thought it would be a fitting time to do a mock draft. Things will change of course after free agency and the combine but here is my best guess at where players could potentially go and with what team they'd fit with.

1. Tennessee Titans- Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss. Top priority is to protect your franchise quarterback. Tunsil is arguably the best player in this year’s draft.

2. Cleveland Browns- Jared Goff, QB, California. New coach Hue Jackson has made it clear they need to find a quarterback; Goff has the all the tools you are looking for to be a franchise quarterback.

3. San Diego Chargers- Joey Bosa, DL, Ohio St. Not an ideal fit in a 3-4 defense but Bosa is too good of a football player. He'll make plays wherever he lines up.

4. Dallas Cowboys- DeForest Buckner, DL, Oregon. Indications are that Hardy won't be back. Buckner is a good run-stopping end with pass rush potential.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars- Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida St. The Jaguars are desperate for a playmaker in their secondary; Ramsey can help deep or in the slot.

6. Baltimore Ravens- Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame. Kelechi Osemele is a free agent and Eugene Monroe can't stay healthy. Stanley has the makings of a franchise left tackle.

7. San Francisco 49ers- Myles Jack, LB, UCLA. Tough spot here for the 49ers - they need wide receiver help and potentially offensive tackle help. Instead, they opt to go best player available and take Jack to team up with NaVarro Bowman.

8. Miami DolphinsEzekiel Elliot, RB, Ohio St. Lamar Miller is a free agent, and with a new coaching staff it's hard to say if they will bring him back. Elliot is a difference maker and could be the focal point of the Dolphins offense.

9. Tampa Bay BuccaneersNoah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky. The Buccaneers will have to do their homework on Spence off the field, but on the field he's arguably the best pass rusher in this class.

10. New York Giants- Robert Nkemdiche, DL, Ole Miss. Nkemdiche has some concerns about effort and some questionable off the field mistakes but when he is "on" there might not be a more athletic football player than him.

11. Chicago Bears- Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida. The Bears have some free agents at the position and could really use a boost. Pairing up Hargraeves with an ascending talent in Fuller would be wise.

12. New Orlenas Saints-Shedon Rankins, DT, Louisville. Rankins next to Jordan on the defensive line should be a scary thought for NFC South teams. Rankins wreaks havoc on the inside with elite quickness.

13. Philadelphia EaglesNick Martin, OL, Notre Dame. This may be a reach to some but to me Nick Martin is the premier interior offensive lineman in this class. The Eagles desperately need help solidifying the inside of their line. 

14. Oakland Raiders- Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame. Probably a top 5 talent in this class, Smith more than likely won't be able to play this next season due to a severe knee injury in his bowl game. The Raider's aren't expected to make a lot of noise next year so their patience could pay off in 2017.

15. Los Angeles Rams- Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota St. The Rams are moving to a new city and get a new face of the franchise. They would be fortunate to have Wentz drop to them after a great career in college and a solid week at the Senior Bowl.

16. Detroit Lions- Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor. Billings landing in Detroit should make Lions fans extremely happy. At only 20 years old Billings was an absolute force for Baylor, disrupting plays in the backfield and holding the point of attack.

17. Atlanta Flacons- LaQuon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss. Many project Treadwell to go higher than this and while he does have great body control and ball skills he lacks top end speed most top 10 wide receivers have. He'll be a great #2 for Atlanta opposite Julio Jones.

18. Indianapolis Colts- Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana. Spriggs has been a really steady player for the Hoosiers the last few years. He could come in and start right away at right tackle and kick Jack Mewhort inside to guard.

19. Buffalo Bills- Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio St. Cordy Glenn is a free agent and he may see some big money thrown at him in free agency. The Bills would be smart to draft Decker, who is excellent in the run game, to replace him should he depart.

20. New York Jets- Shaq Lawson, OLB, Clemson. Lawson isn't your prototypical 3-4 OLB, but then again neither was Calvin Pace. Lawson has the ability to get to the quarterback consistently and would help out the Jets pass rush.

21. Washington Redskins- A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama. Terrance Knighton is a free agent so the Redskins should be looking for a replacement. Robinson is an ascending player who is just scratching the surface of what kind of player he can be.

22. Houston Texans- Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis. I had a hard time not mocking Christian Hackenberg here due to the Bill O'Brien’s connection but I think Lynch is by far the better prospect. The Texans desperately need a quarterback.

23. Minnesota Vikings- Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama. Despite addressing the defense in the first round for the last several years Ragland is too good to pass up. He'll take over Chad Greenways spot and form a really solid young core of linebackers.

24. Cincinnati Bengals- Braxton Miller, WR, Ohio St. Both Muhammed Sanu and Marvin Jones are free agents for the Bengals. Miller showed in the Senior Bowl that he's quickly learning the position and could turn into a special playmaker.

25. Pittsburgh Steelers- Mackenzie Alexander, CB, Clemson The Steelers secondary leaves something to be desired and to have one of the top ranked corner backs drop is a gift. 

26. Seattle Seahawks- Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan St. The Seahawks need upgrades on their offensive line if they want to protect Russell Wilson and continue to run the ball down defenses throats. Conklin can start immediately.

27. Green Bay Packers- Jarran Reed, DL, Alabama. BJ Raji and LeTroy Guion are both free agents. Raji was inconsistent this past year and may be seeking more money than the Packers think he's worth. Jarran Reed would be a great fit with his versatility to play the nose or end in the Packers 3-4 defense.

28. Kansas City Chiefs- Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor. Despite the addition of Jeremy Maclin, the Chiefs could still use more weapons in their passing game. Coleman can stretch the defense and has a penchant for making tough catches.

29. Arizona Cardinals- Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia. The Cardinals need to get younger pass rushers and Floyd is a versatile piece that can be put to good use for an already stingy Cardinal defense.

30. Carolina Panthers- Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson. The Panthers already have a tough defense but could still use a difference maker on the edge. Dodd was overshadowed a bit at Clemson but make no mistake, he can make offensive tackles look silly.

31. Denver Broncos- Jonathan Bullard, DL, Florida. The Broncos have lots of pending free agents including Malik Jackson, their interior disrupter. Bullard made a living in SEC opponents backfields and would be a great replacement.

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Comments (44)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
NickPerry's picture

February 12, 2016 at 06:06 am

HUNTER HENRY!!!!! DL are deep in this draft, Henry is a week one starter who makes a huge difference on this team.

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Packer_Pete's picture

February 12, 2016 at 06:31 am

I thought the same thing. If the draft really falls this way, then there is no way to pass up the one TE who could actually start. DL is deep. Plenty of time to get one in rounds 2 - 4 (along with ILB and OT).

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RCPackerFan's picture

February 12, 2016 at 06:33 am

I would be happy with Henry. He is the best all around TE in the draft.

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dobber's picture

February 12, 2016 at 07:22 am

It doesn't matter if your pass-catchers are TE or WR or RB, as long as you have pass-catchers. Henry's got great upside, but it's a weak TE class and he might look good because the others look so meh. My guess is that Henry will run well and show well at the combine, and someone will take a flyer on his potential ahead of the Packers, anyway

The game is won in the trenches. The Packers need to be solidifying their lines and finding pass rushers in this draft. No issue with Reed at this spot. He'd be an asset and improve the DL.

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RCPackerFan's picture

February 12, 2016 at 08:02 am

Completely agree...

The game is won in the trenches. Essentially the best teams win from the inside to the outside on both sides of the ball.
Packers weakness is in the middle of the field on both the offense and defense. Their DL is good, their Safety's are good, but they need help in the middle of the field. Finding an ILB that can go sideline to sideline is crucial for them. But they also need more pass rushers especially if they lose both Perry and Neal.

Offense they need more ways to attack the middle of the field. A pass catching TE would really help them.

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WKUPackFan's picture

February 12, 2016 at 07:53 am

The 2/11 update of Walt's mock on Walter Football has Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State, going to GB. Hunter Henry has been the pick off and on, depending on how the teams above change.

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RCPackerFan's picture

February 12, 2016 at 08:05 am

Lee could be an ILB for the Packers. Right now I think he will go higher then the Packers pick. (But we have a lot of time before the draft).

Right now I think odds are greater that the Packers go with someone on the DL. Just based on depth at the position.

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Packer_Pete's picture

February 12, 2016 at 10:03 am

Darron Lee really doesn't impress me. Converted QB, WR, S, and just played 2 full seasons in college after missing almost complete first season with injury...

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NickPerry's picture

March 03, 2016 at 05:50 am

I like Reed a lot like Dobbler mentioned and Lee would be interesting too. My concern about Lee is will he hold up? Shaizer who EVERYBODY love including me missed 7 games as a rookie and 4 games last year. Truth be told I'd be happy with any combination of Reed, Lee, Dodd, Ragland, Bullard, Brothers, Billings, Butler, Conklin, Henry, Hooper, or Vannett with 2 of the first 3 picks. Love Vannett and I think he could contribute his first year, maybe not like Henry but he'll be a good one too I believe.

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dobber's picture

March 03, 2016 at 07:55 am

The love for Vannett is on the upswing in general. I think a rookie TE can contribute meaningfully right away IF you give him a defined role from the start and slowly grow from it throughout the season. I wouldn't ask him to do everything right away.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

February 12, 2016 at 08:22 am

Full disclosure: I haven't done any work on the draft yet. From what I've read, Hunter Henry is an early 2nd to mid 2nd round talent that might go higher because the TE prospects are few and then later dreadful. Henry is a fit and might well help GB, but he is a reach based on what I've read and heard. He is a complete player (okay blocker, okay routes, okay speed - just enough to threaten the seam), but one without an outstanding trait. I'll wait for the combine, but pass on Henry for now. Also, not that thrilled in this cap era of using a 1st rounder on a player who can't play in his rookie year, like Jaylon Smith. Lose the rookie year, develop the 2nd year, maybe get 2.5 years out of him before big money sets in - the best case scenario.

Philosophically, I hate reaching. The best player available is likely to be a DL or OLB, which are also both fits, though I would prefer a 3-4 DE to a DT or NT. That said, if Ragland falls, he would be an obvious choice since he is a legitimate 1st rounder. There might be a decent ILB available in the 2nd round, but the drop off between Ragland and those guys is steep.

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Packer_Pete's picture

February 12, 2016 at 10:05 am

maybe Ted can trade back into the 2nd, pick up another pick, and get Henry and another good player. would be the best scenario to me then. The ones that are available towards the bottom of the 1st round will not necessarily be 1st round talent. But then again, nobody had Randall on the radar last year, and that pick turned out well.

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NickPerry's picture

February 13, 2016 at 07:09 am

I agree drafting Henry is a reach at 27 but he'll go early, early, early in the second round IF he made it out of the first. The guys is an excellent TE who can also block. IMO he's worth a bit of a reach. Most Mock drafts I've seen (Like their EVER correct) have Henry going somewhere in round one. Drafttek, and Walter Camp both have him going in the first or by like 35 in most of the Mock Drafts they've projected. He's been a pretty consistent going in the first 35 picks or so.

One Mock draft I saw had Ragland going to Minnesota (God DON'T let that happen). I don't think Ragland makes it that far unless he has a really poor combine and even then someone would still take a chance. If the Packers could get Ragland I'd be all for that, even over Henry. Then Ted could target Hooper out of Stanford in the second. I think we'd all be doing backflips with Ragland and Hooper screaming SB!!

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dschwalm's picture

February 12, 2016 at 11:57 am

Dream on. They won't get him where they are picking!

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

February 12, 2016 at 01:59 pm

He can block too. I love to see his speed stretching the seam and keeping the safeties back.

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dobber's picture

February 13, 2016 at 06:48 am

For a team that doesn't seem to value the TE, I'd rather see them fortify other key positions first and get a TE on day 2-3. Nick Vannett from OSU is an underrated, all-around TE who was underutilized in college. I think he'll be really good.

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mrtundra's picture

February 13, 2016 at 08:47 am

I agree, Nick Perry! Hunter Henry could fall to the Packers' first round pick spot as other teams needs do not include TE. If Henry is available, I'd snatch him up. What TT does, of course, is an entirely different matter, as we have seen in recent drafts. The TE position is a need for the Packers and Henry is as good as it gets in this draft.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

February 13, 2016 at 05:03 pm

I'm hoping this is the year TT trades up and gets the player (or players) he loves and that the player(s) turn out to be a stud(s). Regardless of the position...

Let's see how TT responds to Coach MM's end of the season press conference statements about the lack of over the middle threats and moving CM3 back to OLB.

Does TT go into next season just hoping Lacy gets his stuff together or does TT draft/bring in legit competition? And when I say legit, I mean a 3-down back -- not a "change of pace" RB.

Does TT and or MM want to stick with R. Rodgers being TE1 and play him to his strengths? Or does TT get a TE that can offer more of a threat?

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Bryce Hansen's picture

February 14, 2016 at 07:55 am

Defensive tackle is deep this year. Getting one in the first round is wise. I'd be pleased with this pick.

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J0hn Denver's Gavel's picture

March 07, 2016 at 03:59 pm

lol

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RCPackerFan's picture

February 12, 2016 at 06:32 am

Reed won't be the sexiest of picks, but he is exactly the type of player you want on your team.

With the Packers first pick, I am thinking they will be looking LB, DL. Possibly TE.
Depending on who is available.

DL right now is the deepest position at the top of the draft. As many as 12-13 could go in the first round. If the Packers find one they really like there I could see them going that route.

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Razer's picture

February 12, 2016 at 06:46 am

I sure don't like seeing 'Reggie Ragland' going to division foe Minnesota. TE can wait till 2nd or 3rd round were the talent dictates. Jalyon Smith would be a nice catch if he dropped.

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WKUPackFan's picture

February 12, 2016 at 07:55 am

It would be worse if they got Sheldon Rankins or Noah Spence.

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Brett Bolzenthal's picture

February 12, 2016 at 09:06 am

Linebacker is said to be deep. Guion was just re-signed to 3 year deal. Since losing Jermichael Finley the TE position has done next to nothing. McCarthy was quick to point out, we had no one to threaten the middle of the field this past year. Trenches are a key, that we seem to have covered. With Linebacker being available later or perhaps finally addressed in free agency this year...Hunter Henry is Ted's guy. Ted likes to take players everyone else has going in the second round. Just look back, how many mocks had Datone Jones in the first round? How many had Damarius Randall? Many had Quinton Rollins Rated higher...some expert's in later rounds didn't even have Richard Rodgers getting drafted...
So the best TE in this draft and a position of desperate need is finally addressed with Hunter Henry...Ted doesn't seem to care if he's a reach

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dobber's picture

February 12, 2016 at 09:35 am

I agree with you on several counts, but two things:

1. ...by the time you get to #25+, the only substantive difference between the player you pick and someone else picks in the late 30s is preference and need. The talent distribution is pretty flat at that point, so what dictates a reach and what doesn't is largely a matter of what the media and draftniks think you should do.

2. ...there's going to be at least two if not three new starters on the OL in 2017. They just signed Guion to help solidify the DL, but they're going to likely lose Raji, who played a lot of snaps in the middle. That's a a large number of bodies that you need to be thinking about replacing in short order...you don't want to have to do it with rookies learning on the fly.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

February 12, 2016 at 10:35 am

Another sensible comment, Dobber. At #27, GB likely is in the tier 4 type player (Tier 1: Pick 1-4 or so - Studs and QBs; Tier 2: 5-14 or so -very good bets to be good; Tier 3: 15 to 24 or so - should be good 1st round grade). So, yes, you're spot on that at #27 usually it is preference and need. This year, depth (both lack thereof and bounty as some positions), QBs and such might just push a legitimate 1st rounder/Tier 3 type of player down to GB's pick. I don't give Hunter Henry a solid 1st round grade for instance, he is a tier 4 guy, but he is the only TE in my tier 4 so far. He is a reach as I view late thirties as more appropriate for him, but it is not a giant reach. Funny things happen during the draft sometimes.

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dobber's picture

February 12, 2016 at 04:46 pm

I'm an academic...hypotheticals are my strong point! ;)

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Ibleedgreenmore's picture

February 12, 2016 at 10:41 am

I guess TT likes him more than I do but oh well he is a plug.

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4thand1's picture

February 13, 2016 at 07:06 pm

No one will ever know who TT likes. One thing for sure is, the viqueens will take who ever they think the Packers like. We shoulda lost the Wash game.

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Since'61's picture

February 12, 2016 at 09:37 am

To me the Packers primary needs are OT, TE, ILB in that order. It's time the Packers use the draft to focus on their offense. We have 6 1st rounders starting on defense if we count N. Perry and D. Jones. We have only 2 on offense and it's beginning to show. We need to upgrade our OL and TE at least, maybe WR and RB as well. If Conklin is still around I would take him, put him at LT and we're done there for 10 seasons or more. TE, Hunter is the best of the bunch, but I don't see a great player there. Sign Antonio Gates and wait for a better TE to come out in '17 or '18. Take an ILB or DL in the second round. Or if we take a DL in round one then take an OT or ILB in the second round. After that look for OLs, a WR and RB. Priority 1, protect Aaron Rodgers, Priority 2, give him some legit skill players at WR and RB. If we find a solid ILB while we're rebuilding the offense great, otherwise sign a FA ILB and get it over with already. Thanks, Since '61

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Tundraboy's picture

February 12, 2016 at 04:19 pm

Good plan, one that I wouldn't mind seeing play out that way. Gates and FA ILB, that would be something.

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Since'61's picture

February 12, 2016 at 09:39 pm

Tundra - TT may go for Gates, but he probably will not be willing to pay the price for an FA impact ILB which would cost him a draft pick in 2017. But if he did we could focus this draft on the OL, plus pick an RB, WR and a DL or 2. If we stay healthy Gates and a playmaker at ILB probably get us over the hump and into the SB next season. We'll see. Thanks, Since '61

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Pack88's picture

February 12, 2016 at 09:40 am

I am of the opinion that a player not listed will affect the real 1st round of the draft; Noah Spence almost certainly will go in the 1st and hopefully a guy like Darron Lee from Ohio State to slip to GB or an offensive tackle would be my bet. It may be M3's goal to move clay to the outside but let a pass rusher that TT likes slip and clay will continue to be Nitschke not Reggie White

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RCPackerFan's picture

February 12, 2016 at 10:07 am

To all the people that are saying OT is a top need. Are you saying that backup OT is a top need or they need to replace Bakhtiari or Bulaga at OT?

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dobber's picture

February 12, 2016 at 10:26 am

All of the above? When your 3rd tackle is also your backup C and scheduled to become an FA after 2016 (as is your OLT), I think you're looking for an OT.

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RCPackerFan's picture

February 12, 2016 at 10:38 am

Yeah. My opinion is that their Starting OL is fine. Its backup OL that they need help with, especially OT.

I am just wondering when people are saying they have a huge need at OT or that its a top need if they are saying they need a starting OT or a backup OT.
I mean your not going to draft an OT in the 1st round to be a backup. Perhaps they draft one if they are planning on replacing Bakhtiari after this year. But I would rather find a backup OT in the 3rd - 5th round area. (Where Thompson has been really great lately).

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Since'61's picture

February 12, 2016 at 07:18 pm

I'm saying that a starting OT is a primary need. If they draft one in the first round and he can start then Bakh can be a backup. If they draft an OT later on he would probably be a backup. But with 4 OLs contracts up in 2016 and in 2017 the Packers will need to replace at least 2-3 starters. Bulaga has injuries every season. Sitton and Lang aren't getting any younger and both slipped during the 2015 season. The Packers needs to begin rebuilding their OL. With the exception of JC Tretter their OL depth is poor. If they can get a blue or red chip OT in the first round they should take him. Thanks, Since '61

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Rossonero's picture

February 13, 2016 at 03:11 pm

I agree that OL is a need, but except for Bulaga, the rest of the OL was drafted in the 4th or 5th round. TE and OLB are much more pressing needs while there's plenty of value on offensive linemen in the later rounds.

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croatpackfan's picture

February 12, 2016 at 03:31 pm

Packer signed Letroy Guion 3 years 11,5 mil

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Since'61's picture

February 12, 2016 at 07:24 pm

Underwhelming. Thanks, Since '61

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PackFan247's picture

February 12, 2016 at 11:05 pm

I'm a big fan of winning the battle in the trenches. I think big athletic guys go a long way in winning football. The packers can't go offensive line in the first round tho. The player would only see the field if they had a player go down for an extended period of time, which you don't plan on. If Ragland is there that would be awesome but I think they will have to trade up for a chance to draft him (not a popular choice by TT). I think they go defensive end. If guion is set to move back to NT like he played when raji was hurt, they could use a defensive end.

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4thand1's picture

February 13, 2016 at 03:58 pm

Yippeeeee!!! it's draft speculation time. The Packers already have their board pretty much figured out, and they won't be peeking in here to see where they may be fucking up.

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TKWorldWide's picture

March 26, 2016 at 06:30 am

LOL

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DrealynWilliams's picture

February 13, 2016 at 05:08 pm

I haven't followed College football in a few years now, so I don't know much about any of these prospects, but if TT feels the Packers are just a playmaker or 2 in certain positions (when healthy) away from the Super Bowl -- I want TT to do whatever it takes to get those couple of players he loves in this upcoming Draft (or Free Agency).

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