Packers Trade 2017 First Round Pick

The Green Bay Packers traded their 2017 first round pick (29th overall) to the Cleveland Browns and moved back to pick 33.  This means the Packers will pick first on day two of the draft.

It's the first time general manager Ted Thompson has traded out of the first round since 2008 when he selected wide receiver Jordy Nelson in the second round.  Whether the player the Packers wanted most was off the board or they feel confident that they can still get the guy they want, the Packers opted to gather more picks.  Besides another second round pick, Green Bay also added another fourth round pick.

Linebacker T.J. Watt, heavily mocked to the Packers, was selected with the 30th overall pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers.  With Ted, it's anyone's guess what he does with his first pick on Friday but the heavy bet at this point is a defensive player.  Thompson could also opt for a running back now that he enters another area of value.  

Round two kicks off on Friday at 7pm EDT

-------------------

Jason is a freelance writer on staff since 2012 and also co-hosts Cheesehead TV Live, Pulse of the Pack and Pack A Day podcasts.  You can follow him on Twitter here

NFL Categories: 
0 points
 

Comments (92)

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

April 27, 2017 at 11:01 pm

Good move. Hope they go with King.

0 points
0
0
Spock's picture

April 27, 2017 at 11:03 pm

Went down 4 spots and got an extra pick. Works for me!!!

0 points
0
0
frank the fork's picture

April 27, 2017 at 11:20 pm

and saves a mil plus on cap…wake up fans this is great news.
I would never want my first pick…always trade for more picks plus you save on that signing. 2018 we will have 11 picks and plenty of cap!

0 points
0
0
Neil Champeau's picture

April 27, 2017 at 11:04 pm

#33 has a lot of value. Trade back some more and gain more flexibility in the 2nd and 3rd rounds to have a better chance to address all of the tip needs.

0 points
0
0
Mojo's picture

April 27, 2017 at 11:20 pm

Yup, sitting with the first pick on the second day is really sweet especially when you end up with the top pick in the fourth.

GM's around the league will have a full day to contemplate the must have player they missed out on in the first. All to GB's advantage.

0 points
0
0
frank the fork's picture

April 27, 2017 at 11:37 pm

Bingo. Most HOF players are in rounds 2, 3 and 4…looker up! Round 1's are overpaid and overhyped! I may trade our 33 for 37 or 38 and pick up another early 4th rounder. Look at our roster…we are stocked with talent.
It always comes down to injuries and heart..willing to get hurt for the team and still get back up and play.

0 points
0
0
Finwiz's picture

April 28, 2017 at 11:10 am

Stocked with talent? Oh really.
That's why GB routinely gave up 400+ yards last year.
Yeah that D is stocked with talent.
The wisdom you get here is underwhelming.

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

April 27, 2017 at 11:05 pm

Pick 108 will still be a good player (or ammo to move up from #61 or #93). This is what many of us wanted...

0 points
0
0
PackEyedOptimist's picture

April 27, 2017 at 11:08 pm

Got the first pick on day two AND day 3! Great trade! There are a lot of talented guys on the table; I'd pick Obi Melifonwu, but Forrest Lamp, D'Onta Freeman, Alvin Kamara, Budda Baker, Tim Williams, Chidobe Awuzie, Kevin King, Quincy Wilson, etc. would all be good picks.

0 points
0
0
johngalt's picture

April 27, 2017 at 11:14 pm

Not at 1 day 3 brother. Still a good move. I'd be down w/ King

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

April 27, 2017 at 11:09 pm

NFL network reporting Packers are already getting calls about pick #33. We'll see what happens there...

0 points
0
0
Mojo's picture

April 27, 2017 at 11:10 pm

Wouldn't have minded Watt, but love moving back. First pick of the second is advantageous.108th pickup isn't bad either.

Now a number of the other GM's, with another night to think about it, are going to be salivating over the likes of Cook or Kizer. Move back again if the price is right. There's still a lot of talent in the second.

Just what I wanted Ted to do, but don't take Cook. Just dangle the hook and see who bites.

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

April 27, 2017 at 11:12 pm

Yup, someone might overpay for that #33....

All these people posting here that the Packer roster is hurting for talent? This is the Packers parlaying a meh first-round pick into more talent.

0 points
0
0
porupack's picture

April 28, 2017 at 05:42 am

Ruben Foster is "meh"? That would have been a pick making a difference on Defense worth more than acquiring a 4th rounder IMO.

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

April 28, 2017 at 06:02 am

I meant the #29 pick slot was not necessarily one that we were all that excited about.

0 points
0
0
Finwiz's picture

April 28, 2017 at 11:28 am

Foster is an ILB - not sure they need that as much as edge. Don't think he was a priority on their board.

0 points
0
0
TKWorldWide's picture

April 27, 2017 at 11:11 pm

Great move. Lots of good players left to choose from. A veritable smorgasbord, I might even say.

0 points
0
0
stockholder's picture

April 27, 2017 at 11:39 pm

Disagree. If tt would have gotten the browns pick through Tenn. Then I would have said yes. By not swapping the @29 and 61 for clevs, #33 and Browns/Tenn. TT is getting less quality. And isn't that why the draft is set up to help the losers select first. Remember this guy reaches . So the 4th already is a 5th. But will get some red flag guy or small school player that takes 3 years if he develops.

0 points
0
0
John Galt III's picture

April 28, 2017 at 07:11 am

Bill Belichek is a draft genius most everyone agrees. Want to know why? The NFL Draft is a crapshoot and he knows that. In other words the more choices you have, the better. When you get the 1st guy in Round 4 think of it this way. There are 120 FCS schools. Let's say each has a best player. At the beginning of the 4th round, one of these best players is still available. He may not have played at Alabama, but so what.

I mean A Rodgers, Clay Matthews in Round 1 and then all the duds TT has picked that did nothing in Round One. I think TT thinks along the same lines which is why most of the time he has traded down more than up. Would you rather have only 1 in the 1st round or 2 in the second. TT and BB would take the 2 players - 99% of the time.

Here, read this and think like Belichek and TT.

http://www.businessinsider.com/bill-belichick-new-england-patriots-draft...

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

April 28, 2017 at 07:55 am

BB has two schools that he's drafted from regularly: one is Florida. No shock: good program, good recruiting, good players, good competition. The other: RUTGERS. Crappy football school.

Why? Supposedly...
1. Because BB had a strong relationship with Urban Meyer when he was at UF, and that's continued with later coaches.
2. Because his son, who was a lacrosse player, went to Rutgers and mined inside information for him on players.

A lot of this is about getting good information and maintaining the relationships that allow you to do so. It's not necessarily about college teams. Yes, there's an initial vetting that goes with being a player at Alabama, but there are good players to be found all over the place. I understand why some fans are fed up with TT choosing players from the Pac-12, but good players come from all over the place.

Loved the article, by the way. Best line: 2. "Bill is all about not falling in love with a player. Bill is looking at value." Ahem, TJ Watt.

0 points
0
0
TKWorldWide's picture

April 28, 2017 at 04:07 pm

In that case, you don't get to say "smorgasbord".
But it IS a fun word to say.

0 points
0
0
JerseyAl's picture

April 27, 2017 at 11:11 pm

Buckle your seat belts, folks - Ted is going to trade back again...

0 points
0
0
frank the fork's picture

April 27, 2017 at 11:25 pm

And why not…we have 9 picks now and 20 in Cap.
In 2018 its going to be huge…TT is going out with a bang.

0 points
0
0
vj_ostrowski's picture

April 28, 2017 at 01:11 am

Good point, I have no doubt in my mind that TT wants to set his successor up for success too.

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

April 28, 2017 at 08:10 am

In this case, I would argue that TT is about the long-term management of the roster...which accomplishes just what you said. ;)

0 points
0
0
TXBadger's picture

April 27, 2017 at 11:27 pm

If TT can get a lot of value for another trade back I'd be all for it. Another top 100 pick would mean a chance to get another CB, cover LB or safety or maybe take a chance on a guy like Joe Mixon.

0 points
0
0
Turophile's picture

April 27, 2017 at 11:34 pm

With the first picks on Friday (round 2) and Saturday (round 4), that is a very likely scenario, Al.

0 points
0
0
fthisJack's picture

April 28, 2017 at 06:59 am

if they trade down again and get a good haul, they could potentially have 5 players from the top 100...not too shabby.

0 points
0
0
John Galt III's picture

April 28, 2017 at 07:13 am

Exactly - well said.

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

April 28, 2017 at 07:24 am

That's the big picture approach. I'm with you.

0 points
0
0
Andrew Lloyd Peth's picture

April 28, 2017 at 09:20 am

I hope so. I'd like to see the Jets and Cards bidding.

If not, I like Mixon, Cook, or King here. Anything but reaching on Kamera works for me.

0 points
0
0
Samson's picture

April 27, 2017 at 11:17 pm

Impact players are drafted in the early rounds. (not in the 4th round or later)
The Packers need some impact players on the "D".
This is already shaping up to be another year where AR will have to carry MM, TT and the whole team. I hope he's still up to it.

0 points
0
0
sonomaca's picture

April 27, 2017 at 11:39 pm

These 4th rounders had no impact whatsoever: Bakhtiari, Lang, Sitton, Daniels

0 points
0
0
Spock's picture

April 27, 2017 at 11:40 pm

Samson:
Um, really? TT's track record with the 4th round is well documented: i.e. our current left tackle (Bakh), Linsley, Sitton, Tretter, etc. ( some may be even later rounds) Check your facts!

0 points
0
0
sonomaca's picture

April 27, 2017 at 11:46 pm

Samson just doesn't bother doing any research before spouting. Lazy and stupid.

0 points
0
0
stockholder's picture

April 27, 2017 at 11:18 pm

With the #33 pick, TT takes the first offer for a #1 next year. Watt gets picked by pittsburgh because they want to go to the super-bowl. TT wants picks, because he wants to only win the division.

0 points
0
0
Samson's picture

April 27, 2017 at 11:22 pm

The Pack would be in deep $hit if the Vikes, Lions and Bears weren't so inept as franchises the last ten years or so. -- Face it -- you don't need to win many after going 5-1 or 6-0 against the follies of the NFC North.

0 points
0
0
frank the fork's picture

April 27, 2017 at 11:27 pm

You only need to win your division …packer fans are great but football dumb.

0 points
0
0
frank the fork's picture

April 27, 2017 at 11:47 pm

You win the division and your in the playoffs..isnt that the goal..to have a chance at a SB run?

0 points
0
0
johngalt's picture

April 27, 2017 at 11:35 pm

Stockholder-Do you really think that TT doesn't want to get to the SB? I'm personally psyched by how this is shaking out. Kinda don't get why your pouting

0 points
0
0
chugwater's picture

April 27, 2017 at 11:31 pm

You can't teach impatient or entitled.

0 points
0
0
stockholder's picture

April 28, 2017 at 12:10 am

The revolving door will keep the packers out of the super-bowl. He doesn't care . Gone, Sitton,Lang,Lacy,Jones,Shields. And before last year Favre,Bishop,Woodson, Collins ,Wilkins, etc. But he's the best GM that ever walked the earth. If you want to be like the Vikings, wear purple!

0 points
0
0
fthisJack's picture

April 28, 2017 at 07:05 am

stockwhiner...and if he would have taken Watt, you would be bitching about his pick. some people are never happy...feel for you, dude.

0 points
0
0
stockholder's picture

April 28, 2017 at 10:47 am

Ok Let's get to the meat. Where's your mock? Let me fill you in on whats left. First is Lamp @ BPA. Yes. But we want defense. No to Watt. Ok TT wins. That leaves Tim Williams -Red Flags, Jordan Willis - Trouble off blocks, Tyrus Bowser 50/50 chance a bust. Ok Lets go CB/S - K.King,does not tackle well. Melifonwu very good but slow to diagnose. Anyone after these two are rated in the 50- 100 range for BPA. You now have TT reaching. Reaches are SHOULD BE AN NFL PLAYER. Yes you now got it. TTs draft picks are failing. And no one will become an All-pro. So How does the future look with red flags, PED players, and non-athlete types. This equals SMOKED IN ATLANTA> Happy to bring back the past.

0 points
0
0
HankScorpio's picture

April 28, 2017 at 10:18 am

i agree that it was a poor choice by TT to make Nick Collins suffer a career-ending neck injury. Just was he was silly to give Sam Shields all those concussions.

And I have no idea why he let time advance so players got old.

0 points
0
0
chugwater's picture

April 27, 2017 at 11:30 pm

Stop over exaggerating. He only dropped four picks to get another Top 100 selection. It's a decent move.

My goodness.

0 points
0
0
frank the fork's picture

April 27, 2017 at 11:43 pm

It's the way to go…now you have 4 picks in the top 108. But you still can get 5 in of the top 115. TT good job, just gotta pick em right this time.

0 points
0
0
porupack's picture

April 28, 2017 at 05:53 am

I'm not convinced trading back is the best move. The logic of the argument is about picks. So from a statistician point of view, TT increases his chances by acquiring more picks in the top 200. But passing on a Ruben Foster, and acquiring picks might be like passing up on a Ray Lewis. I think I would have taken Foster. We don't just need more bodies. We need more playmakers. I guess its all a game of chance... we'll know in about 3 years.

0 points
0
0
fthisJack's picture

April 28, 2017 at 07:08 am

and Foster may be a total bust. its a crapshoot. but i like the odds when you have 3 or 4 more swings at the plate. more likely to hit a homer.

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

April 28, 2017 at 07:58 am

Especially when you're swinging at strikes.

0 points
0
0
pooch's picture

April 27, 2017 at 11:25 pm

Ted needs a blue chipper now not these 3-4 year projects.Look at cbacks taking 1 and 2,no one had them i top 64,look at 3rd round R.Rogers and Khri Thorton at best they were 6 round picks.I thinks he is out smarting everyone

0 points
0
0
stockholder's picture

April 28, 2017 at 10:54 am

pooch, your just knocking your head against the wall with the above TT worshipers. The more we print, the less they'll understand. = No Happiness in Green Bay . Hopes of Another trophy year just aren't going to happen. Smile :)

0 points
0
0
Spock's picture

April 27, 2017 at 11:27 pm

Unlike many here I just set up the DVR for the draft and check on it from time to time. Just happened to check it after TT's trade. :) Picking up a 4th to move back 4 spots? brilliant!! I don't watch any college ball so I wasn't as invested as some in TJ Watt. From what I've read (here!) I think that Vince Biegel may very well be a better prospect for the Pack! It will be interesting to see how this all shakes out! Been a nasty day for me: had 6 teeth capped then had a flat tire on the way back home! If there's any karma in the universe the Packer's draft should be awesome!!!

0 points
0
0
badaxed's picture

April 27, 2017 at 11:52 pm

Biegal,lol. The white Zombie will draft a DE from a small school and then try to convert him to a linebacker.

0 points
0
0
pooch's picture

April 28, 2017 at 12:12 am

Until Pitts drafted Watt

0 points
0
0
pooch's picture

April 28, 2017 at 12:15 am

You kidding me..he passes on Watt and now you think he is taking Biegel...WTF are you smoking

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

April 28, 2017 at 06:05 am

There's absolutely no connection between the two.

0 points
0
0
Spock's picture

April 28, 2017 at 10:27 am

Sadly I was drinking, not smoking as that is illegal in this state. What I MEANT was the Packers might pick up Biegal with the 4th rounder or later. Like I said I have no idea about college players, but I've read that Biegel might be a good fit in the later rounds. I definitely was NOT suggesting that TT take him with their 1st pick! Sorry if my comment came off that way. :)

0 points
0
0
johngalt's picture

April 27, 2017 at 11:29 pm

Moved to proper spot

0 points
0
0
Dzehren's picture

April 27, 2017 at 11:31 pm

Good move by TT. TT had Cook and Mixon and Lamp as BPA and his normal UCLA player TaK McKinley was gone. Good move.

0 points
0
0
sonomaca's picture

April 27, 2017 at 11:43 pm

Atlanta is always ready to move up. I think the McKinley concussion history may have scared the Pack off in any case.

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

April 28, 2017 at 08:00 am

...and the shoulder, of course. I don't know what you think, but I think McKinley was a better fit as a 4-3 end than as a 3-4 OLB even though he played both at UCLA (they switched back to a 4-3 last fall). Glad he went before the Packers had to make a decision on him...pushed more talent back.

0 points
0
0
CAG123's picture

April 27, 2017 at 11:43 pm

The packers get to face all the edge rushers mocked to them this year Watt, Tak, and Taco. I can't lie I was hoping one of them would slip to the 2nd.

0 points
0
0
stevebooth8739@gmail.com's picture

April 28, 2017 at 12:18 am

The more chances the better as long as we don't drop in comparable abilities. 4 places is okay and we pick up the 4th Round Pick. Thompson has spent a bit more time on this then we have. We need CB, RB, G & OLB. That's a lot. That's also why he's trading down.

Appears to make sense to me...

You don't necessarily need an All-Pro, you need them to be "good enough".

0 points
0
0
TKWorldWide's picture

April 28, 2017 at 06:36 am

"Has spent a bit more time on this than we have"....
Well played!!

0 points
0
0
MITM's picture

April 28, 2017 at 05:21 am

The only problem I have with trading back is the scenario where Reuben Foster who I thought was potentially the best player in the draft is there and he was. That being said, I still cant complain simply because of the ammount of talent to be had in this draft, it is better to have more picks than less. Even a kindergartener could tell you that.

0 points
0
0
fthisJack's picture

April 28, 2017 at 07:18 am

there was a reason Foster was there just like there's a reason Mixon is still there.

0 points
0
0
Razer's picture

April 28, 2017 at 08:02 am

Reuben Foster's drama at the Combine hurt him. He might be a good player but fell because he is immature and selfish. Trading down for great position and extra 'good' picks while missing out on Foster has a lot of pluses.

0 points
0
0
MarkinMadison's picture

April 28, 2017 at 07:10 am

OK, here is the deal. Desert/Stroh, count how many people you went after on this thread alone. Print it out. Take it to your therapist. Take it to your doctor. Get some F#C&I*G meds already. Anti-depressants. Or start smoking marijuana. I don't care. Your knowledge of football is far outweighed by the fact that you treat everyone like crap. Just stop.

0 points
0
0
Donster's picture

April 28, 2017 at 07:15 am

I feel that trading back was a good thing to do. TT still has room to maneuver for another pick if he so chooses. Many first round players turn into major flops in the NFL. The media builds them up to the point that the guys cannot live up to it. That being said, I do hope the picks TT makes are good enough to play immediately, with the exception of the late rounders. This off season he has made some unexpected, unlike TT moves. Last nights move wasn't normal for TT either. I'm wondering if he actually is feeling pressure not just from the fans, but there may be some from the Packers Organization. But hey, you got to enjoy the screw up that the Bears made last night! LOL!

0 points
0
0
fthisJack's picture

April 28, 2017 at 07:28 am

with the picks he collects he will probably move back up into round 2 and 3 and have 6 players in the top 100.

0 points
0
0
Handsback's picture

April 28, 2017 at 07:28 am

OMG, everyone has an opinion, they aren't stupid if you don't agree with it.....just different.
There have been two schools of thought about the 29th pick, and I think the only set of conclusions you can take is there's a camp that's very pro Watt. (Me included) We think he's CMIII again and he might be. HOWEVER none of us saw his medical. If you don't think it matters, see Ruben Foster. He also had the other issue, but Peppers had that as well and still got drafted higher.
The other school of thought was presented by Justis in his article of final TT's final draft board. The pick would not be Watt and if White wasn't there...you trade out.
So right after White is taken....TT trades out. So his board doesn't have Watt any better than some of the other guys like Willis, Rivers, or Hall.
We don't know how sound these players are and if TT passes...it's not because he's an idiot. There may be something else that is staring him in the face like an equal player or bad medical.

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

April 28, 2017 at 08:04 am

A voice of reason...

0 points
0
0
Razer's picture

April 28, 2017 at 08:32 am

Nicely said. TT and company have done their homework. Picking at 29 doesn't give you a lot of leverage unless you create leverage. The group of talent at this point allowed us to maximize both our picks and still get value.

Lot of win/win going on here.

0 points
0
0
TKWorldWide's picture

April 28, 2017 at 05:43 pm

Conversely, the TKstinator is capable of saying something stupid at any time. But at least he does it in the third person.

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

April 28, 2017 at 05:49 pm

If you use an English accent it automatically becomes credible, though.

I always type with an English accent...just in case.

0 points
0
0
sonomaca's picture

April 28, 2017 at 08:01 am

What people are missing is this: TT believes he and his organization are better talent evaluators. They believe they can find first round talent in rounds 2 thru 5. That's proven to be correct. So, why not stockpile picks that they can turn into 1st rounders.

0 points
0
0
egbertsouse's picture

April 28, 2017 at 08:15 am

Ted's a genius! Now nobody can criticize him for drafting a bust in Round 1.

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

April 28, 2017 at 08:40 am

Yours and my track records in drafting in the first-round also remain unblemished...

0 points
0
0
JohnnyLogan's picture

April 28, 2017 at 08:27 am

Accumulating picks in the top 100 can't be bad. But... when a top 10 or 15 pick drops to you at 29, that's almost equal to trading up, without having to pay a price. I sure hope Foster is a bust because if he plays to his grade, we made an awful mistake. Having said all that, I'd take Mixon now and be happy with the trade.

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

April 28, 2017 at 08:38 am

Maybe, but you can always reverse engineer any draft based on that 4th rounder who becomes a perennial pro-bowler that everyone passed on 3+ times. Some of these click-bait articles that talk about "redrafting the 201X NFL draft" are very fun to read. There are always really good players who outperform their draft status.

0 points
0
0
Razer's picture

April 28, 2017 at 08:43 am

Both the players that you cite have talent but also have issues that may be bigger cost than their pick number. Reuben Foster fell for a reason that TT and many other teams recognized. Maybe he'll grow up - maybe not - but he's not our problem.

As for Mixon - can you really see him fitting in with class guys like Jordy Nelson, Rodgers, Cobb or the general culture of this team. For a throwing team to take a flyer on a checkered RB seems like an unlikely scenario.

I do like the additional top 100 picks. Given the bubble of talent remaining, I would have no problem trading back from 33 to 37-39 and picking up an additional 3rd rounder (Jets).

0 points
0
0
Andrew Lloyd Peth's picture

April 28, 2017 at 09:05 am

I agree. Right now, Mixon is tops on my board.

0 points
0
0
TKWorldWide's picture

April 28, 2017 at 05:45 pm

I don't even HAVE a board.

0 points
0
0
Since'61's picture

April 28, 2017 at 08:43 am

The trade is a good move. We now have 5 picks in the top 108. If TT gets the right offer for the #33 pick we could pick up 2 more or we pick at 33 and we still get good value. Thanks, Since '61

0 points
0
0
TKWorldWide's picture

April 28, 2017 at 05:46 pm

You're welcome!

0 points
0
0
Matt Gonzales's picture

April 28, 2017 at 08:55 am

The ONLY beef I have with this trade is you lose the fifth year option of your first pick. The cap impact is negligible as any signing bonus on your first rounder would be amortized over the life of the contract.

If they were to trade back again, I wouldn't want to see it fall further than 40 or 41 personally. That's a long time to wait to make your first pick.

0 points
0
0
Andrew Lloyd Peth's picture

April 28, 2017 at 09:01 am

As long as we don't reach on Kamera, I'm happy. If we keep the pick, I'd take Mixon or King.

More likely, we'll let rhe Jets, Cards, and Saints bid on our pick.

0 points
0
0
Rocket's picture

April 28, 2017 at 09:12 am

great decision ted, i said hat would be a great move , a lot of talent left to pick from

0 points
0
0
al bundy's picture

April 28, 2017 at 09:49 am

Might as well take Mixon now and solve one problem Ted. Then let's get some d. Right now this team is worse than last year's. The draft must make up for that and Ted better make good decisions or it could be long season.

0 points
0
0
PatrickGB's picture

April 28, 2017 at 10:55 am

I am glad we traded back but cringe when I hear talk of us trading back again in the second. I sure hope if we do its for a lot of good picks and not in the 4th.

0 points
0
0
Patrick Helms's picture

April 28, 2017 at 11:45 am

I like the trade back too but not again. I would grab Cook. There are also plenty of Corners left in this grade as a late 2nd rounder.

0 points
0
0