Are the Packers Still Looking to Add to LB Room?
The Green Bay Packers' roster is at full capacity, but after the draft, Brian Gutekunst told us that the team would look into veteran linebackers. Is adding to that position still on their radar?
By Paul_Bretl
Although typically the Green Bay Packers haven't valued the inside linebacker position very highly -- oftentimes relying on Day 3 picks, undrafted free agents, or cheap free agents to fill the need -- apparently, that was one position that was of somewhat high priority for GM Brian Gutekunst in this year's draft.
The Packers would take Isaiah McDuffie from Boston College in Round 6, but as Gutey told reporters after the draft, he was hoping to address the position early on, but the opportunity never presented itself. And that, of course, is one issue when it comes to relying on the draft to fill a need--you have no control over how the board falls.
Now I do believe that the Green Bay Packers are completely fine starting the season with Krys Barnes and Kamal Martin as their top-2 options at the position. By the end of the season, Barnes had assumed the Mike linebacker role and was wearing the green dot, while Martin is a big play waiting to happen the way he flies around the field--although he does need to play with more control.
With that said, Barnes is a former UDFA and Martin a Day 3 selection who will both be entering just their second NFL seasons. Meaning they are still learning, and there will likely be bumps in the road. On top of that, both did miss time with injuries in 2020.
After Barnes and Martin on the depth chart, Oren Burks has primarily been a special teams player, and at this point in his career, I think we know who he is as a player. Ty Summers took 203 defensive snaps in 2020 but struggled--especially in coverage, and is also more of a special teams player. De'Jon Harris spent the season on the practice squad, and like the others, McDuffie's impact will likely be felt on special teams more so than the defensive side of the ball.
Below Ross Uglem of Packer Report provides us with an excellent look at what to expect from the linebacker position in this Joe Barry defense via the CheeseheadTV Draft Guide:
"Even suggesting this will drive Packers fans nuts, but the Staley system doesn’t require an amazing set of inside linebackers. One of the Rams’ more significant personnel departures after the 2019 season was highly sought-after linebacker Corey Littleton. Littleton was tied to the Packers (mostly by fans) during the 2020 offseason. Despite his departure (and despite less-than-stellar play from his replacements), the Rams defense didn’t skip a beat. Rather, they improved. Once again, the key to a great Green Bay defense doesn’t necessarily mean a great “man in the middle.”
"The Staley/Fangio scheme does an excellent job of keeping the linebackers clean because of the alignment of the front five. Therefore, the smaller, more athletic linebackers are just fine for this system."
So as I said, while I do believe that Green Bay is fine entering the season relying heavily on Barnes and Martin, it wouldn't hurt to add to the position either. Although Gutey may have missed out on an early-round prospect, he is still looking to add to the position, also telling reporters that the Packers might be bringing in a veteran at the linebacker position, as reported by Bill Huber of SI.
With the recent additions of Blake Bortles and Kurt Benkert, the Green Bay Packers' roster is at full capacity with 90 players. So any new signing would also have to result in someone getting cut. However, given the sheer number of offensive linemen on this roster -- particularly along the interior -- that is one position they could potentially cut someone from. Ben Braden and Zach Johnson are two names that come to mind.
We also have to always factor in the salary cap. At the moment, Over the Cap has the Packers with $2.37 million in cap space, with Eric Stokes and Amari Rodgers as the only picks from this draft class that remain unsigned. While $2.37 million is likely enough cap space to make a signing, Green Bay is going to have to make additional room at some point in the coming months, whether that be via contract extensions or any post-June 1st cuts. However, that isn't really anything new; as Gutey told us before the draft that "there are a lot of contracts that we will need to address over the next 4 to 5 months."
So, yes, we need to be mindful of the salary cap, but in this situation, that isn't something that would stop them from making a veteran addition at linebacker.
A few names still on the free-agent market include Kwon Alexander, Avery Williamson, BJ Goodson, Patrick Onwuasor, De'Vondre Campbell, KJ Wright, and Deone Bucannon, among others. Jordan Hicks of the Arizona Cardinals is also reportedly up for trade.
Whether or not we will see the Green Bay Packers make a late addition at linebacker still remains a bit of an unknown. But it was a position along with quarterback that Gutekunst mentioned still wanting to address following the draft, so at a minimum, it's worth keeping our eyes on.
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__________________________
Born and raised in Green Bay, WI and I still call it home. After my family, watching the Packers, sharing my opinions on the team through my writing and interacting with other fans is my greatest passion. You can find me on Twitter at @Paul_Bretl.
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Comments (71)
Packer_Fan
May 17, 2021 at 11:10 am
I think the Packers need to resolve the Rodgers issue first. And that won't happen until around June 1st. Just wish they would have done that back in March.
PackBacker
May 17, 2021 at 01:37 pm
You're absolutely right. And from what I just read it's a "respect issue" to Rodgers. And that's usually one of the hardest issues to resolve because it's more than anything else about emotions.
But let me put the "respect" issue into perspective. I'm retired. I have a college degree. I worked in professional jobs including lower level management. And if I add up every penny I earned in my entire career it doesn't equal what Aaron Rodgers earns in a single football game. I'd have been more than happy to endure such disrespect if someone had just given me one of Aaron's game checks.
I've been a lifelong Packers fan but if Aaron feels disrespected then the Packers need to take the haul of returning assets he would bring back and move on to the next phase of the organization.
TarynsEyes
May 17, 2021 at 05:22 pm
Rodgers' sense of disrespect didn't come from the paycheck or lack of it, but it most certainly is a way for him to have GB feel sorry for the disrespect he feels they shown toward him, which they have verbally conceded in doing.
The disrespect appears so deep for Rodgers that simple apologies with a handshake aren't enough and appears that he wants some, bloodletting to appease the situation. What exactly and how much that entails is what all are waiting for, and some with fainting breath.
greengold
May 17, 2021 at 05:39 pm
SO true.
Alberta_Packer
May 17, 2021 at 06:08 pm
A little personal psychotherapy might serve him better - than the heads of his enemies publicly served on a platter.
TarynsEyes
May 17, 2021 at 06:26 pm
I think most passive-aggressive people deep inside want/like to see heads on the platter.
jurp
May 17, 2021 at 06:29 pm
He can disrespect himself out of town, for all I care. We don't need a narcissistic diva as our QB.
Good luck fighting for third place in Denver, Aaron.
Alberta_Packer
May 17, 2021 at 06:10 pm
Certainly within the Capitalism lexicon - money is synonymous to respect. However, relative to a literal, moral and higher meaning plane - "respect" is often misused (as a ploy) by athletes and their agents - when they have no other cogent argument to make. And, by and large, many accept this 'presentation' - mindlessly and without question - thereby perpetuating the folly.
MainePackFan
May 17, 2021 at 06:55 pm
The man said he wants to finish his career with the team that drafted him, then has an MVP season, and he gets crucified for wanting the Packers to commit to him beyond this year. I don't get why so many here are willing to move on. Count me in the Rodgers camp on this one.
murf7777
May 17, 2021 at 09:37 pm
You are right it is about contract negotiations, Rodgers wants X years of guarantee and a no trade clause and the Packers want to give Y. He will be a Packer for how many years is still being negotiated.
Packer_Fan
May 18, 2021 at 08:57 am
Packbacker, your career is just like mine. I'm retired and respect is ebbing. I'm just glad I wake up every morning
Packer_Fan
May 17, 2021 at 11:10 am
I think the Packers need to resolve the Rodgers issue first. And that won't happen until around June 1st. Just wish they would have done that back in March.
Rebecca
May 17, 2021 at 11:25 am
You can say that again.
Coldworld
May 17, 2021 at 06:07 pm
Or not. It won’t happen before June first but when after is a lot less certain.
Lphill
May 17, 2021 at 11:22 am
Kwon Alexander if he stays healthy he is the best of the bunch.
Alberta_Packer
May 17, 2021 at 11:36 am
Agreed - if he has recovered from the achilles injury (Dec. 2020) - as it takes anywhere from 4 to 12 months for recovery.
LambeauPlain
May 17, 2021 at 01:12 pm
He certainly fits the Barry profile....smaller, fast, prolific tackler. And he is only 26...if healthy he could be a prime addition to the D.
The torn achilles is an issue but most athletic younger patients can recover to normal activity within 6 months.
It depends what he wants in a contract.
Rebecca
May 17, 2021 at 11:28 am
The Packers can’t afford anyone worth getting. If the linebackers are kept “clean” by the front five then they don’t have the need.
greengold
May 17, 2021 at 11:47 am
I like #57 from the Rookie Minicamp, ILB Ray WIlborn, 6-4 224 out of Ball State. Gutekunst signed him to a futures contract on January 8th of this year after he was cut loose by PIT. He's more in that tweener mold S/ILB compared to Kamal Martin at 6-3 240. But he's fast, has a nose for the ball and is great in coverage.
He had 83 tackles, 10.5 TFL, 3 sacks, 4 PD and 2 INT as a Junior, playing ILB primarily.
As a Senior he also had 83 Tackles, 2.0 TFL, 0.0 sacks, 4 PD and 2 INT after a switch to Safety.
Wilborn really does look like he belongs when you watch him play. He's got the great size you covet in a hybrid, with exceptional length, speed, footwork, hip flips, just super smooth in coverage. He's tough too. Wingspan for huge tackle radius. For a guy his size, he ran a 4.56. Hits a ton, nose for the ball v. run or pass. I think he and Christian Uphoff are tailor made for what Barry & LaFleur want to do defensively - in terms of having versatile players on the field.
This is coming from me, a guy who loves big mauling ILBs who can cover. I look at the position as having transformed over the last 10 years or so. Length, size and speed are prime now.
If the Packers do make a trade with DEN, I do wonder if Baron Browning won't be coming our way...???
Alberta_Packer
May 17, 2021 at 12:34 pm
I understand that Wilborn was the best cover LB in the MAC when he played - which is a big positive in the NFL game. However his Negatives: Slow to shed blocks despite his size and gets washed up in the trash. Often slow to locate the action or ball carrier. It seems the Packers already have a LB with these traits. Still there may be time for development and improvement during training camp - something that Burks never accomplished.
Also I'm particularly intrigued with Uphoff . Ultimately, could Wilborn and Uphoff be an upgrade over Burks and Summers?
greengold
May 17, 2021 at 12:37 pm
EXACTLY. I do believe that is what will happen there, if they don't also grab another ILB in trade or off waivers along the way.
I'm always kind of careful with the draft descriptions written on players. I like to see for myself.
Alberta, have you seen him play? Wilborn puts a lot of that stuff to rest with his reel...
https://youtu.be/6iksVuG9pl4
Alberta_Packer
May 17, 2021 at 01:53 pm
Liked the link! It also occurred to me that Packers have been deliberately seeking and drafting big, physical, athletic, versatile DBs - Black, Scott, Samuels. Stokes, Uphoff, Gaines et al. Even Jean-Charles, while not meeting certain physical specs, is an in-your-face DB. I recall Gutekunst saying that he likes a big O-line (another reason they drafted Myers). Well it seems that he's doing the same for the D - bigger, aggressive and athletic than before.
greengold
May 17, 2021 at 02:22 pm
Glad you liked that.
I have to agree. Seems in keeping with being able to adjust on the fly to stop run or pass equally well. The Packers want DBs who are good at run stop. Makes a lot of sense too. They also don't want the undersized guys who can be routinely thrown over, like Asante Samuel Jr., who I like but feared GB taking for that reason.
They went with size and speed in Eric Stokes, which I'm grateful for. Shemar Jean-Charles is another one of those guys Ben Fennell said is a Miami guy - they have the size and keen ability in coverage. I can see him primarily used on STs to start his career, which he really likes, but his ball skills are uncanny. He's not a speed guy, but he makes up for it by reading plays well & being where he needs to be to make a stop almost every time.
I really can't wait to see what our D looks like in action this year, with a lot of promising players fighting for positions. This whole hybrid use is intriguing, and somewhat of a departure from the Raven Green body type to players who are much longer. All of these guys look to be pretty aggressive. Man, go watch that Innes Gaines reel. WOW. Impressive!!!
Alberta_Packer
May 17, 2021 at 03:25 pm
I see what you mean about Gaines - boy does he like to finish his tackles - which he does well (and refreshing if he makes the team). Also I noted his play-speed is "fast," plus, his athleticism - running, jumping, diving, catching - in all types of plays. So officially on my Must Watch list for training camp. Also, as a father there is probably a little extra motivation in making the team - kids can be expensive.
greengold
May 17, 2021 at 05:47 pm
Isn’t Innes Gaines something, Alberta? Your descriptors were exactly my thoughts after seeing that. Attacks like a freaking heat seeking missle and not out of control. Very controlled. Very sure. Long highlight tapes like that are long because there are a ton of great plays on ‘em!
I think we see more UDFAs make this 53 than we might have thought after Gutekunst’s comments.
Coldworld
May 17, 2021 at 06:15 pm
Gaines is intriguing, another quiet Gute pick up, but he, like Uphoff is small for a true ILB, even a lighter ILB. I understand that the new system allows lighter but probably not that light. As DB support yes, or extra safeties playing nearer the line, however one terms them. I think we will see more of that type (Scott and Black are in the mix).
One other point, I did think Summers showed signs of clicking late last year and actually played decently in our last game. He’s quite an athlete fit a bigger ILB. I am not writing him off yet. I could be mistaken, but one I plan to watch.
Alberta_Packer
May 17, 2021 at 06:27 pm
If Summers makes a 'jump' this training camp - a win-win - for him and the Packers. However, he may mind the words of the great Satchel Paige - "Don't look back. Something may be gaining on you."
Coldworld
May 18, 2021 at 09:38 am
Very true and I’d be the first to say it’s hardly proven, but I will be watching Summers none the less.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
May 17, 2021 at 06:59 pm
Good post GG!
Alberta_Packer
May 17, 2021 at 04:53 pm
Gutekunst does not drop casual comments about position(s). Yes, Barnes and Martin are fine - except Martin hasn't proven to be the sturdiest of players, thus far. Meanwhile the depth at LB is not great. Oren Burks would be great at (flag) football but the next time he get's off a block - will be the first. And Ty Summers reminds me of Wile E. Coyote - always over-running the Roadrunner - and off the cliff. I think that he'll do the Christian Kirksey add-on again this year but discount shopping.
greengold
May 17, 2021 at 12:29 pm
TOTALLY agree.
Seems to me this is the year we see big changes on our roster. Some underperforming mainstays will probably wind up on the street as a result. Oren Burks has to go. I really wonder about Ty Summers. I was a fan of his when he was drafted, but I have seen the limitations as an ILB. He's alright on STs, but not dominant enough there to be considered untouchable.
I see both of these players as the ones Gutekunst wants better overall play from. ST play is great, and a huge need area for new, improved talent. He did draft for that, I believe, in Isaiah McDuffie and Shemar Jean-Charles, and added signings ILB/S Ray Wilborn, ILB/S Christian Uphoff and S Innes Gaines to help overtun that part of the roster. I do think Wilborn will provide some good pop as a backup ILB. McDuffie is all run stuffer.
Man, if you haven't watched Wilborn, Uphoff and Gaines play before, check out their highlights. You won't be disappointed. Gaines and WIlborn have a ton of good tape. Uphoff's was limited after the COVID season cancellation.
Maybe a trade with AZ for ILB Jordan Hicks would be a good move after all this AR dust settles.
Alberta_Packer
May 17, 2021 at 04:10 pm
Could it be "THE REPLENISHING" ?
Egress - Lowry, Lancaster, Burks, Summers, Hollman, Jackson, Redmond, Sullivan, Ento, King...?
Ingress - Slaton, Keke, Wilborn, McDuffie, Uphoff, Gaines, Samuels, Scott, Black, Jean-Charles, Stokes...?
wildbill
May 17, 2021 at 03:12 pm
Not saying that wouldn’t be a nice athletic upgrade to our team but that would be a huge addition of youth to a playoff team. The learning curve could prove a detriment, especially the first half of the season.
Alberta_Packer
May 17, 2021 at 03:39 pm
I'm thinking more of a transition over months, games and even into next year. Agree - doing it all, at once, will probably not work well.
Coldworld
May 18, 2021 at 09:41 am
That should be the objective, to keep raising the roster floor. Some will be gone before the season commences, some will fade out over the season, if we are lucky.
greengold
May 17, 2021 at 05:59 pm
They can bring anyone who earns the spot in regardless. Some of the players being challenged have legit challengers for a reason. Every player you listed “Egress” is difficult to argue.
I wouldn’t look back. Go for it with your best guys. The ones you don’t keep could wind up playing you. Keep the absolute best players.
Alberta_Packer
May 17, 2021 at 07:24 pm
To your point - one has to consider the possibility that all of the Egress players could very well be gone or replaced by season's end.
TomFisher
May 17, 2021 at 11:53 am
Here's a question I would love to have answered: why did Ty Summers get 27 defensive snaps against Tampa Bay in the NFC Championship? I've seen nothing about this, and I am beyond curious considering he didn't play a single defensive snap the prior week against the Rams.
Alberta_Packer
May 17, 2021 at 12:32 pm
Didn't Barnes play with a club cast in that game? Perhaps it limited him too much.
Coldworld
May 18, 2021 at 09:39 am
Mounting injuries, next man up.
splitpea1
May 17, 2021 at 11:53 am
I don't know if there's any way it can be done, but KJ Wright would add experience and leadership to a defense that could use a little more of it. And although creating a roster spot wouldn't be the prime issue here, reducing the glut of interior OLs is certainly the way to go.
Alberta_Packer
May 17, 2021 at 12:25 pm
I too like KJ Wright - except he may not accept a contract around the veteran's minimum - which may be Gutekunst's only option. Also it makes sense that the OL numbers are reduced - for overall roster balancing.
mnbadger
May 18, 2021 at 09:15 am
GreenGold, I love your scouting report on Ray Wilborn. If he's half what you say he is, we're in better position than I fear. Fear happens when OBurks or tSummers line up on the defensive LOS. Cold sweats. Makes me want to go back and be an offensive lineman again because I loved playing against bad defenders. It was so easy to make them look silly and I wasn't that good! FAS! & GPG!
greengold
May 17, 2021 at 12:55 pm
I know man! I feel the same. Can't line either of Burks or Summers up IMO, at ILB. I was a HUGE supporter of Ty Summers, then after watching him closely in all his action, it made me think Gutekunst will never again draft an ILB with short arms, or in Burks' case, one with zero instincts.
Ty is all business, love the way he handles himself as a pro, but the poor guy can get there, then whiff because his arms are too short.
These two players prove MEASUREABLES -and- INSTINCTS are huge factors in playing ILB. Have to find those players who have both. Gotta have the speed and the length to be a good cover LB. Gotta know where to go to make a stop or a play on a ball.
Since'61
May 17, 2021 at 02:22 pm
Very simple. There ain’t no Nitschkes in our current ILB group. Thanks, Since ‘61
wildbill
May 17, 2021 at 03:17 pm
There ain’t no Nitschkes on anybodies roster, nuff said.
Since'61
May 17, 2021 at 06:07 pm
You got that right wildbill! Thanks, Since '61
greengold
May 17, 2021 at 03:32 pm
Yeah. he was probably my #1 all-time favorite player. I have one autographed football, and it is from Ray Nitschke H.O.F.1978. He was a special, special man.
Since'61
May 17, 2021 at 06:09 pm
greengold, I started with Hornung as my favorite Packer. Then Nitschke as Hornung began to go down with injuries. By the time the Ice Bowl Nitschke and Starr became my co-favorites. Even during the seasons following the end of the Lombardi dynasty Nitschke continued to give us everything he had.
Regrettably from 1968 on Starr was often injured but Nitschke kept showing up and playing hard. He was the heart of Lombardi's defense and the Packers defense after Lombardi moved on until he finally retired. Just a phenomenal player.
We both have Nitschke as our avatar. My from a great magazine photo which says, "Didn't have a nickname, didn't need one." Yours looks like it is from the Nitschke page in the NFL publication "The First Fifty Years", which I have an original copy of. Nitschke was named the starting MLB for the NFL's All Fifty Year's Team.
Thanks, Since '61
greengold
May 17, 2021 at 07:57 pm
Yup!!! What a guy. Hit like a ton. And I had to laugh when you brought up his outlasting both Lombardi & Starr... wasn’t that something?
He was such a great, caring man too.
Didn’t Lombardi stand over him bombed out of his mind on the floor, and yell, ”you can be either a great linebacker, or a great alcoholic! You choose!” ??? You remember that story, Since?
Since'61
May 17, 2021 at 09:08 pm
Sure I remember that story. That was in the early days of Lombardi's coaching tenure. One of the many great stories from the Lombardi era. Thanks, Since '61
wildbill
May 22, 2021 at 03:10 pm
I’m with you ‘61. I had two on offense, Starr and Taylor, and two on defense, Nitschke and Wood. I was more upset when Nitschke retired than Starr. Felt sorry for Carter when he replaced Nitschke in the starting lineup as most fans, including myself, were hard on him and he was a good player and didn’t deserve it as he played hard.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
May 17, 2021 at 07:02 pm
When was the last truly dominating LB the Packers have had?
Alberta_Packer
May 17, 2021 at 08:18 pm
Searching, searching, searching... Timed-out.
4thandinches
May 17, 2021 at 10:43 pm
Brian Noble???
Roadrunner23
May 17, 2021 at 02:37 pm
There will b some cap casualties at ILB this summer and the Packers will grab one cheap off the old scrap heap, it’s what they do.
greengold
May 17, 2021 at 03:24 pm
You know it Since'61 & nostradanus.
I didn't make the connection, but, RB Aaron Jones' twin brother, Alvin Jones was at the Rookie Minicamp... 5-11 230 His last season at UTEP was 2017. 343 career tackles. 40 TFL. 15 sacks. He's fast. Powerful. Tackle machine. Would be great on STs and in run stop situations...
Looking at our 2020 STs:
Punt Return Yds Allowed 291 (8th highest - NOT GOOD)
Kick Return Yds Allowed 1.088 (DEAD LAST in the NFL)
Punt Return Yds 53 (DEAD LAST in the NFL)
Kick Return Yds (22nd in NFL)
Gutekunst had to have been looking at his roster and wondering why he still had Burks & Summers on his roster... Changing those guys out along with some others had to be a big part of his plans with Draft & UDFA. Turning STs around will be very welcome in 2021.
Since'61
May 17, 2021 at 06:11 pm
With or without AR improving STs is going to be critical to our success in 2021. Thanks, Since '61
Roadrunner23
May 17, 2021 at 07:09 pm
I’m optimistic about Special Teams, Drathon seems like a coach these guys are going to want to play hard for. The Packers seem to be committed to improving this unit talent wise. I hope the Jones kid is good enough to make it, that would be a cool story
greengold
May 17, 2021 at 08:02 pm
Wouldn’t that be awesome! I watched Alvin’s highlights, and, man! He brings it too!
Funny. Twin brothers, one rusher, one run stop. Hilarious.
Bear
May 17, 2021 at 10:30 pm
If you look at Alvin Jones RAS score it’s 1.77. He rates poor to very poor….Check him out. I think the Packers are doing his brother a favor bringing him in.
greengold
May 20, 2021 at 04:24 pm
I wouldn't be so sure about that, Bear. I like to look at more than RAS scores and 40 times, which do have their place.
Have you seen Alvin Jones Jr.'s highlights? THE DUDE IS A WRECKING CREW TACKLER.
Have you seen his stats? Let's compare these players last seasons:
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah ROUND 2 PICK 52
Tackles 62, TFL 11.0, Sacks 1.5, INT 1, PD 3, FR 2, FF 3
Nick Bolton ROUND 2 PICK 58
Tackles 95, TFL 8.0, Sacks 2.0, INT 0, PD 5, FR 1, FF 0
Alvin Jones Jr. UDFA
Tackles 103, TFL 10.5, Sacks 5.5, INT 0, PD 1, FR 0, FF 3
Alvin Jones had more than 40 TFL in his career at UTEP, and 16 sacks. Those are big numbers for an ILB.
In 3 years at Missouri, Bolton had 17.5 TFL and 4 sacks. In two years at ND, JOK had 24.5 TFL and 7 sacks. There are people here who wanted us to take JOK in R1.
Alvin is put together very much like Bolton. Check his highlights out... "The most underrated linebacker in the country." - can't post them myself here.
MainePackFan
May 17, 2021 at 06:43 pm
I was hoping that they would take a shot on Dylan Moses. Guess that's why I will never be a GM in the NFL .
Roadrunner23
May 17, 2021 at 07:10 pm
Your guess is as good as theirs sometimes ;-)
stockholder
May 17, 2021 at 08:37 pm
Nicely put.
Alberta_Packer
May 17, 2021 at 07:31 pm
Don't give up hope. If you're a dear friend of Aaron Rodgers - there may be a position opening soon in Green Bay.
P.s. you're not a family member - are you?
greengold
May 17, 2021 at 08:04 pm
No shit. I could NOT figure that one out, at all. He was ranked something like a ridiculous #32 overall best player in the draft by Athlon... who knows? Maybe a character thing?
Alberta_Packer
May 17, 2021 at 08:23 pm
Knee problem(s) and not a stellar 2020 season. Thought to have come out a year early.
Coldworld
May 18, 2021 at 09:48 am
Long term and multiple knee problems that remain unresolved. Almost certainly off most boards if not all for medical reasons. He’s currently on the NFI list.
MITM
May 18, 2021 at 01:01 pm
Heres a name to remember this offseason at ILB. Scoota Harris, who I was excited we were able to pickup at some point last year when he was a rookie. He was very productive in the SEC at Arkansas.
greengold
May 18, 2021 at 01:42 pm
Thanks for the heads-up MITM.
I checked out his highlights. That dude knows where to go and makes plays. VERY similar to Aaron Jones' twin brother Alvin Jones Jr. Have you watched his highlights? Check them out. Nearly identical size, speed, instincts, play making... Alvin's stats are even better. Same profile player though, and not too far off from the Isaiah McDuffie pick. 3 very similar players and offerings. Tackle machines.