Perceived Strengths Can Quickly Become A Weakness

Mock drafts and opinion articles tend to emphasize teams’ most obvious positions of need in the run up to the draft.

Certainly the Packers need to address cornerback, edge defender and running back.

However, it is important to keep in mind that positions we perceive as strengths heading into the year do not always stay that way. One injury can change a lot. So, a good football player at any position is always welcome even if in that moment you are not sure where they fit in.

The common assumption is always that the Packers' top three wide receivers are solid, and most of the time they have been, but they aren’t as dominant as some of the rhetoric makes them seem.

I have stated frequently this offseason that I worry a bit about the wide receiver group on this team, particularly with its lack of distance speed. This is the same cast of characters who still struggled to get open at times last season, and that doesn’t tend to improve with another year of age.

Blanket coverage of the receivers was the story of the 2015 offense and we all believed it was because Jordy Nelson was missing. Well, he’s back and doesn’t run like he used to. Davante Adams certainly picked up a lot of that slack last season with his improved play, but I think the Packers are missing a piece there.

Perhaps Trevor Davis can be an explosive receiver down field, but that remains to be seen. Currently, the Packers have a lot of the same player – not overly fast, but savvy, good route runners with good hands (except when Randall Cobb’s aren’t that good).

This is not all to paint a doomsday picture of the receivers by any means, but simply to wipe away some of the green and gold from our goggles and see that they are not a lock to be great, as the recent past has already shown us. I think this group should be very good, but I think it's a position to keep well-stocked for the future and never let it become a need. 

I would be happy with the Packers taking a wide receiver in the early rounds, though not the first round, if one falls and provides great value. And preferably provides speed.

I think another area the Packers could use reinforcement for is the safety position. The starting lineup is excellent. However, Morgan Burnett is getting a little older. Kentrell Bryce will improve, and it's easy to see he has the ability to really hit, but he was still all over the place at times last year.

Many are saying this year’s safety class is really good. Like, historically good. I think the Packers would be smart to capitalize on that level of talent. Solid cover guys do not have to be officially labeled as cornerbacks to be able to help a defense that spends most of its time in nickel and dime formations. 

Again, this is no indictment whatsoever of any starters at these positions. I simply want to point out that when a name gets called at some point in the draft, and we either don't know who they are or don't believe that position is needed, that we would keep a bigger perspective on roster building over the long run. 

0 points
 

Comments (15)

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

April 25, 2017 at 06:55 pm

Safety is our deepest position, but if Obi Melifonwu dropped to us...

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

April 25, 2017 at 08:07 pm

Obi Melifonwu = Aaron Rouse 2.0.

At safety, like Josh Jones (NC State). Brings the lumber.

0 points
0
0
stockholder's picture

April 25, 2017 at 08:46 pm

Aaron Rouse never was the athlete Obi is. I understand you don't like him. But he did better at the combine than Rouse or Josh Jones. His Size is needed, and he can play CB. Makes plays all over. We have a problem getting good safeties. And Burnett is going to be a FA. Obi is a BPA. I believe Josh Jones is Kilebrew from last year drafted by the lions. The lions still want a safety.

0 points
0
0
Colin_C's picture

April 25, 2017 at 09:38 pm

Obi's physical traits are 1st round worthy. His tape is not...

0 points
0
0
TKWorldWide's picture

April 25, 2017 at 07:09 pm

Gimme good players.
Gimme gimme good players.

0 points
0
0
Bert's picture

April 25, 2017 at 07:10 pm

You can never have too many good players regardless of position. That's why I am a big proponent of drafting BPA regardless of immediate need. A strong roster gives a GM so much flexibility in filling needs as they arise.

0 points
0
0
4zone's picture

April 25, 2017 at 08:13 pm

When a player of exceptional value drops to you, ala AR, then grab the guy, sure. When it's a coin flip, take what you need first. If value at your pick is too low, try to trade down or take the best guy and hope for the best. Hopefully at a position of need.

It will be interesting to see who remains when we are on the clock. No more speculation as to who's available. Then you have a 40% chance at best at guessing who TT will take, or trade down. (if he hadn't traded up already) In this draft, with a lot of depth there, I don't expect a trade up this year.

I think it depends on if the knee jerk run is on Edge guys or CBs, or both. If so, it should leave someone open who should have gone well before us.

0 points
0
0
Bert's picture

April 25, 2017 at 10:44 pm

Always take the guy with the highest ceiling. I think you'll see over time that picking for immediate need rarely fills the need immediately anyhow. Most of these guys are 2-3 years away from actually being productive. An immediate need prior to the draft will still be a need after the draft regardless of who you draft unless you hit the jackpot which is very rare drafting in the lower part of the draft like the Packers.

0 points
0
0
MarkinMadison's picture

April 25, 2017 at 08:30 pm

I think the Packers are likely to go with a WR in the first three rounds, Partly to restock, partly as insurance against Adams leaving in FA. Whomever they pick needs to have some speed.

0 points
0
0
TKWorldWide's picture

April 25, 2017 at 08:38 pm

If they open with three consecutive receivers I will flip my lid.

0 points
0
0
NickPerry's picture

April 26, 2017 at 06:18 am

I agree Mark, the Packers can't assume they'll lock up Adams during the season or offseason, he's really not a #1 anyways. Nelson will be 33 at the start of the 2018 season so how much longer will he put up numbers like last season? Cobb is NEVER going to be a #1 WR and it's possible he won't be on the roster next season, at least at the money he's being paid now.

When you look at it this way, which is pretty realistic the Packers cupboard IS getting a little bare. If the Packers are able to draft either Chris Godwin or Zay Jones in the 2nd round you take them IMO. I'd take a WR before a RB this year considering the depth at RB this year.

0 points
0
0
MarkinMadison's picture

April 26, 2017 at 07:28 am

We are on the exact same page.

0 points
0
0
Colin_C's picture

April 25, 2017 at 09:46 pm

While nobody is saying our ILB corps is a strength, it certainly will become a massive weakness real quick with an injury or two. Taking someone like Foster if he falls, or Biegel a bit later could go a long way. Bringing in a FA like Gerald Hodges wouldn't be a bad idea either. Other than ILB, with this deep class, a late round safety would be nice.

0 points
0
0
croatpackfan's picture

April 26, 2017 at 07:43 am

Biegel is OLB - he played opposite to T. J. Watt

0 points
0
0
Colin_C's picture

April 26, 2017 at 06:05 pm

He can play both positions I'm pretty sure.

0 points
0
0