don't worry be happy

Tucker Kraft was a very good pick, particularly where he was selected. He will be that dual threat/combo in-line TE & receiving TE. I had him as a poor Michael Mayer. Look for another TE in round 7 whether Fordham, Whyle, or Sims.

The New third Round Bust?
We only needed Washington.
But reports are his Knee is bad.

OK, day 2 is over. Gute picked WR & TE's to help out Jordan Love. Wow! And he got two more draft picks by trading down.

The Jaylen Reed pick is interesting. Doesn't measure up like Gute desires. But Reed sure looks dangerous after the catch and difficult to bring down. And another choice at punt returner. This is what Rodgers was supposed to be like a few years ago. Hmmm.

Will Musgrave and Kraft by the TE's of the furture? We will see. But overall I think good two days at the draft.

BOOM!!!!!!! TUCKER KRAFT!!!!

Fantastic pick of Athlon’s #18 overall player from their Top 100, at PICK #78.

Last year, Gutekunst picked 5 of Athlon’s Top 100 players.

Alright, now with the F TE Musgrave, the Z/Slot WR Reed, and the YTE Kraft, LaFleurs playbook just gained about 300 pages!!!

Jet concepts up the yang. Both 12 & 13 personnel concepts.

WITH MORE TO COME.

Welcome to the Packers, Jordan Love!!!

This is a great pick. I had hoped we we go back to back TE’s, but thought it would be Washington. Kraft is as good and/or better—reminds me of Dallas Goedert—who played at the same school.
Go Packers!!!

Sooo... I'm just going to make believe we picked VanNess at 13, Kraft at 42, Musgrave at 50, and Reed at 78. Then I can be happy. Plus an extra 5 and 6 rounder!
:-)

If you wanted to load up at TE, you’ve got to be happy.

Now this guy in the 3rd is awesome. Always wanted them to double dip at TE and Musgrave and Kraft could make a pretty dynamic duo.

If they somehow get me my draft crush at 116 I will be one happy camper. DT/Edge Adetomiwa Adebawore, I say screw the 3rd round curse and trade up to the end of the 3rd and take this guy, they won't be disappointed.

Love this pick as it makes a lot of sense. He can block. If Kraft becomes anywhere near the player Dallas Goedert (another former Jackrabbit) is, we will have finally passed the third-round test with flying colors.

Outstanding. Two TE’s and a WR. A day dedicated to offense. Are they the “right” players? I don’t know that will take some time to find out.

Packers also have a bunch of other picks to try and find some hidden gems. Hopefully more talent incoming tomorrow.

9.68 RAS
twitter.com/MathBomb/status/1652130810189737984

Okay,
Van Ness blocked two punts on SPECIAL TEAMS last year
Musgrave blocked a punt on SPECIAL TEAMS last year
Reed returned punts for touchdowns on SPECIAL TEAMS
Kraft was his high school team's PUNTER...ON SPECIAL TEAMS

I'm noticing a trend. :-D

Kraft is a great pick... it was reported today that Darnell Washington may have a serious knee injury??? Why is this reported just now??? Musgrave's college career has been sporadic due to injury in 2020 and 2022.

If Kuntz or Washington are available tomorrow. Draft one of them

Update, Washington taken by Steelers in the 3rd, we may long regret this. Gutey, take a draft risk on Kuntz. He graded a 10 RAS.

Love the draft so far, but really wanted Jordan Battle. Not sure I really understand the logic of having 9 day three picks, was hoping Gute would cash a few in and add a day two pick. Maybe we see that in the 4th round tomorrow.

I think the Packers have just come up with the FIRST SPITEDRAFT in the history of the draft world!

What I especially like about this pick is that this guy sounds like not only a very good athlete, but a very good football player. Willingness to block, toughness after the catch, and willing to play through "minor injuries".

Won't be shocked if they draft an offensive lineman in the 4th though. Go with what's worked historically.

OC Olusegun Oluwatimi
OG Braeden Daniels
OT Blake Freeland

A few of my favorites still available.

One of the draft sites, on noting that the Packers selected three pass catchers on Day 2, said, "Somewhere, Aaron Rodgers is sighing." I was thinking it's more like, "Somewhere, Aaron Rodgers is thanking his lucky stars that he doesn't have to play with a bunch of F-ing rookies."

Gunnar,

You have a typo with Kraft's 40 yard time - your other numbers are ok.

South Dakota State's Kraft (rival of Packer's Christian Watson's North Dakota State in FCS and South Dakota state this year won the National FCS Championship over Christian's North Dakota State) - according to NFL.com's combine numbers ran a 4.69 forty NOT a 4.49 forty and Packers.com has the same 4.69 NFL Combine forty time

First time the Packers have drafted 2 tight ends in a year since D.J. Williams (5th round, 141st pick ) and Ryan Taylor (7th round, 218th pick) in 2011 - remember them? . Probably not - 9 total career receptions for Williams and 8 for Taylor - I actually do remember them.

Musgrave (42nd) and Kraft (78th) are both picked much higher than Williams and Taylor.

For pick # 78, Kraft is not a disaster if you believe these draft ranking websites as NFL.com had him as 3rd round pick and ranked him at 61 and NFL Draft Buzz had him ranked 89th

Strange what went on with Darnell Washington, who ran a faster 4.64 at the Combine and dominated pass catching drills. And anyone that watched him play in the SEC this year and the National Championship game knows he is the best all around blocking and catching tight end in this draft with the highest ceiling.

Steelers picked Darnell at 93 and Darnell will dominate in the red zone - one of the biggest problems last year for Green Bay on offense was in the red zone - as a target and blocking.

So our priority with a 13th and 42nd pick - and a 45th pick to use to trade up - was a TOP POTENTIAL ALL PRO tight end and/or wide receiver and we instead got we got with our 4 picks:

PICK #1 AT 13) in the 1ST ROUND - a "tweener edge" rusher defensive lineman - according to Brian - in Van Ness with the 13th pick who was projected to go in the 20s - NFL.com had him ranked 27th and NFL Draft Buzz had him ranked 26th.

Ohio State's Zach Harrison went at pick 75 (NFL.com had him at 171 and NFL Draft Buzz at 80th) to the Falcons and would have sufficed and filled the Packer reserve edge rusher need behind Gary, Smith and Enagbare at pick 78 and will probably end up being a better edge rusher, which is what we were looking for AFTER tight end and wide receiver.

PICK #2 AT 42 IN EARLY 2ND ROUND- we got an injured - knee injury (MCL surgery) - tight end in Oregon State's Luke Musgrave (NFL.com had him ranked 12th behind Brian Branch at 11 and and ahead of Dalton Kincaid at 13 - must have been early rankings as they had Jalen Carter 1, Will Anderson 2, Bijan Robinson 3, Bryce Young 4 - and NFL Draft Buzz at 47th - 6 other sites had him at between 23 and 58 for an average of 47) the early/mid 2nd round with the 42nd pick

AFTER:

tight ends Dalton Kincaid (ranked 13 by NFL.com and 38 by NFL Draft Buzz) of Utah, Sam La Porta (ranked by by NFL.com and 94 by NFL Draft Buzz) of Iowa and Michael Mayer (ranked by 18 by NFL.com and 18 by NFL Draft Buzz)of Notre Dame and wide receiver Jonathan Mingo (ranked by 18 by NFL.com and 126 by NFL Draft Buzz) of Mississippi were picked

Luke Musgrave scout report:.

He’s a huge work in progress as a blocker, often playing too high and getting overpowered at the point of attack

Massively inexperienced has had only a single season where he's been on the field for more than 350 snaps (in 2021) and in his best season he still made just 304 yards through the air.
Not a powerful blocker - and doesn't drive defenders backward as you expect for a man of his size
Musgrave doesn't create the kind of separation you would hope given his elite timed speed
Musgrave didn't blow anyone out of the water at the NFL Combine either, that was Zack Kuntz of Old Dominion and didn't bench press at the Combine either - his 19 reps at Oregon State's pro day would have placed him 8th among tight ends at the Combine.

Musgrave best game was in 2021 vs. Oregon where he caught 7 passes for 85 yards. Only played 2 games in 2022 vs. Jordan Love's Mountain West Conference teams Fresno State (Davante Adams' college) and Boise State.

On tape Musgrave falls before ever getting tackled and on first contact.

Not much yards after contact unless a defensive breakdown and he is all alone.

Watch Darnell Washington tape and compare. Washington is NIGHT AND DAY stronger in yards after the catch and blocking.

Kraft - although he is playing for an FCS school rather than FBS school like Musgrave and Washington - also looks much better in YAC and blocking.

Musgrave does get open and seems coordinated - other than looking off balance and falling down before contact - and sure handed, but his films are not going to show his drops.

3) PICK # 3 AT 50 IN THE MID 2ND ROUND - after trading down from 45 and then 49 - we got Jayden Reed who was projected to go in the 4th or 5th round by NFL.com and was the 133 ranked player by NFL Draft buzz.

To draft Jayden - ranked 170 by NFL.com and ranked 133 by NFL Draft Buzz - we passed on:

a) USC's Tuli Tulpulotu edge rusher (ranked 36 by NFL.com and 95th by NFL Draft Buzz and my pick for 45th pick after choosing Jaxon Smith-Njigba at 13 - ranked by 19 NFL.com and 10th by NFL Draft Buzz) - and Darnlell Washington at 42, ranked 37 by NFL.com and 27 by NFL Draft Buzz) who was picked 54th by the Chargers ,

b) Rashee Rice WR (ranked 157 by NFL.com and 73rd by NFL Draft Buzz) picked at 55th by the Chiefs,

c) Luke Schoonmaker TE( ranked 44 by NFL.com and 107 by NFL Draft Buzz)TE Michigan at 58th,

d) Brenton Strange TE, Penn State (ranked 89 by NFL.com and 166 by NFL Draft Buzz) picked by the Jaguars at 61,

e) Marvin Mims WR (ranked 62 by NFL.com and 61 by NFL Draft Buzz) of Oklahoma, picked by the Broncos at 63,

f) Tank Dell WR (ranked 58 by NFL.com and 46 by NFL Draft Buzz) of Houston picked 69th by Houston and

g) Jalin Hyatt WR (ranked 9th by NFL.com and 15 by NFL Draft Buzz ) and Cedric Tillman (ranked 34 by NFL.com and 54 by NFL Draft Buzz) from Tennessee, picked at 73 and 74 by the Giants and Browns.

Jayden, small 5 foot 11, 187 pound wide receiver (Greg Jennings - picked in 2006 at 52 vs. Jayden at 50 - was 5 foot 11 and 197 pounds and never made the All Pro Team but did make the pro bowl in 2010 and 2011 when Aaron Rodgers was throwing to him) who is not a burner by any means - had the 16th fastest forty in the wide receiver category at 4.45 wide receiver. - Jennings ran a 4.46 at the Combine, Jennings 4.16 in the 20 yard shuttle, Reed 4.29, Jennings 6.68 in the 3 cone drill, Reed didn't run it, Jennings 36.5 vertical jump, Reed 33.5, Jennings 9 foot 9 broad jump, Reed 10 foot 1, Jennings 1.56 in the 10 yards split, Reed 1.57.

Good punt return numbers and receiving numbers were good at Michigan State and played at Western Michigan University - where Matt Lafleur playing wide receiver - before transferring to Michigan State, so that Western Michigan conntection probably has something to do with this pick - probably a relative of some player that Matt Lafleur played with at Central Michigan. .

Watched the 2 punt returns for a TD - 1 against Nebraska, where Nebraska's coverage was all to the right and Jayden just ran down the right side of the field = and 1 against Western Kentucky where Michigan State's blockers just pushed the slow Western Kentucky coverage team out of the picture. Don't expect Jayden to be able to to this in the NFL.

Big receiving game for receptions against Rutgers and yards against Youngtown State, but very little against Ohio State (though 1 impressive contested catch for a TD), Michigan, and Penn State. Good game against Wisconsin.

To his credit Jayden gets open and catches the ball in traffic (game winner against Wisconsin) and in the snow (Penn State game) and Lafleur will use him on jet sweeps and in motion plays, which you can see on his tapes. Some see so many contested catches as an indication the receiver can't get open - Doubs last year during the regular season - but I don't think that is the case with Reed, looks like this QB just didn't lead him and he had to wait for the ball several times - not many Aaron Rodgers around.

4) PICK # 4 AT 78 IN THE MIDDLE 3RD ROUND we chose Tucker Kraft (ranked 61st by NFL.com and 89 by NFL Draft Buzz) tight end and we passed on:

a) Josh Downs WR (ranked 16 by NFL.com and 43 by NFL Draft Buzz), picked 79th by the Colts and

b) Darnell Washington TE from Georgia (ranked 37 by NFL.com and 27th by NFL Draft Buzz), picked by Steelers at 93, and

c) Michael Wilson WR (ranked 159 by NFL.com and 113 by NFL Draft Buzz) from Stanford, picked by the Cardinals at 94, and

d) Tre Tucker WR (ranked 136 by NFL.com and 366 by NFL Draft Buzz) from Cincinnati, picked 100th, and

e) Cameron Latu TE (ranked 139 by NFL.com and 185 by NFL Draft Buzz), picked by the 49ers out of Alabama at pick 101.

Tucker Kraft was also injured and missed 6 games with a ankle injury. Played small school competition - other than Van Ness' Iowa in the first game of the season where Kraft got injured.

Kraft on film looks like a better blocker and YAC player than Musgrave.

Last year Christian Watson's film SCREAMS OUT AT YOU AND BLOWS YOU AWAY - nothing like that in Musgrave, Kraft, or Reed's film.

But now after this relative disaster of wounded and/or 5TH ROUND PICKED IN THE 2ND ROUND small "weapons" for Love - and a "Tweener" for the 13th overall pick at a less urgent edge rusher need - we have an extra 5th (159th) and 6th (179th) round pick - OH BOY!! - to go with ONE 4TH at 116, ONE 5TH at 149, ONE 6TH AT 207 AND FOUR 7THS at 232, 235, 242 and 256 - 3 short of this year's Brock Purdy, "Mr. Irrelevant".

So barring more trades, Saturday, we have 9 more picks::

1 - 116
2 - 149
3 - 159
4- 179
5- 207
6 - 232
7 - 235
8- 242
9 - 256

1. How many of these 9 picks will still be on the Packer Regular season 53 man roster at the start of the 2025-26 season (i.e. 2 years from now)?

2. What is the over/under?

I say two unless Brian and Russ get real CHEAP.

3. How many of the 9 chosen with salary cap hits of between $941,982 (pick 179) to $769,444 (pick 256) will play better than the relatively cheap lower salary cap hit signings of:

1) Kyrs Barnes $1,035,000 2023 cap hit Cardinals
2) Bob Tonyan $2,650,000 cap hit Bears
3) Jarran Reed $3,030,000 cap hit Seahawks
4) Allen Lazard $3,264,000 cap hit Jets
5) Mason Crosby estimate $3,000,000 cap hit for whomever signs him
6) Mercedes Lewis estimate $2,500,000 cap hit for whomever signs him
7) Randall Cobb estimate $2,500,000 cap hit for whomever signs him

4. Anyone that listened to the Aaron Rodgers January 8, 2023 press conference following the Lions game and the Aaron Rodgers appearances on Pat McAfee show in January and February 2023 - rather than EATING THE PACKER MANAGEMENT "SKY IS FALLING", SALARY CAP HELL" "DUE TO AARON RODGERS" knows that Aaron Rodgers said that we would be looking to restructure his contract with the Packers in 2023 so the Packers could sign their free agents with Aaron specifically naming Tonyan, Lazard, Lewis, and Cobb.

Packers Salary Cap Space for 2023 was $22.4 M (1st 51 players) assuming Aaron Rodgers played for the Packers in 2023.

That $22.4 Million in Salary Cap Space was the 4th most of the 32 NFL teams and approximately $8 M more in salary cap space could be added by the Packers converting workout and game day active bonuses to signing bonuses, giving the Packers approximately $30.4 M in salary cap space. .

Because of the trade of Aaron Rodgers, the Packers cap hit for Aaron for 2023 increased from $31.6 M to $40.3 - by approximately $8.7M (as the net effect of recognizing the entire remaining 2022 bonus in 2023 minus the savings of the 2023 1/4th pro ration of the $58.3 option and minimum 2023 veteran minimum league salary is greater by $8.7M).

This trade of Rodgers thus lowers the Packers $22.4 M in salary cap space - which was the 4th most salary cap space in the NFL - to approximately $13.8 and the additional pick #42 and exchange of Jets 6th for Packers 5th round choice lowered the Packers cap space for 1st 51 players further to approximately $12.7M.

Now Aaron has done for the Jets exactly what he said that he would do for the Packers

"Before the trade, Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers converted a $58.3 million option bonus, payable in 2023, into a 2024 base salary, a source told ESPN's Dan Graziano. As a result, he's making only $1.165 million this season -- the base-salary minimum. That also represents his cap charge.

Under his previous contract -- the three-year, $150 million extension from last year -- the Jets would've inherited a $15.8 million cap charge. That's relatively low for a player of his stature, but it would've put the Jets several million dollars over the cap."

In the Packers case the same change Aaron made with the Jets would have decreased the $31. 6M cap hit from Aaron playing for the Packers in 2023 to $31.6M minus $14.6 ($58.3 M divided by 4 years) to approximately $17 M.

That additional $14M in cap savings by Aaron's restructure would have given the Packers $30.4 + $14M = $44.4M in salary cap space to sign the aforementioned Packer 2023 free agents and other free agents too.

One thing for sure, just like the acting in a B Movie relative to a Classic, the NFL entertainment (i.e. football games) are ever more inferior - with these rookies replacing quality veterans on the Packers ESPECIALLY due to Brian's insecurities and fear of Packer Veteran players and decision to attempt to intimidate and threaten them rather than communicate with them - and to a smaller extent across the league - the more REVENUE the 31 Billionaire Parasites take of the total shared with the players.

Below is more on Aaron's new contract with the Jets which now has been extended beyond 2026, the 4 years remaining with the Packers to 2027.

Rodgers will end up playing through at least the 2026 season and lead the Jets to playoffs those 4 years while are Packers are cursed by Brian and Russ.

ESPN:

"By pushing the $58.3 million option bonus into next year -- the bonus is fully guaranteed -- Rodgers' 2024 compensation balloons to $107.55 million. That consists of an original $47 million option bonus, plus $1.21 million in minimum salary, plus the $58.3 million bonus from this year.
Once the Jets exercise the $47 million option bonus, they can spread the cap hit over the remainder of the contract, which runs through 2027. They could add a void year to spread it over five, lowering the cap charges. If they do nothing other than pick up the $47 million option bonus, his 2024 cap hit would be $71.26 million.
The Jets and Rodgers' agent, David Dunn, already are having discussions about restructuring the deal again, Rodgers confirmed after Wednesday's news conference. Chances are he will have a new deal in place by training camp.
Rodgers, 39, didn't commit to playing in 2024, but he strongly hinted that he plans to, saying, 'They definitely gave up some picks for me to be here, so this isn't like one-and-done in my mind.'
The compensation package included a 2023 second-round pick and a 2024 conditional second-rounder that improves to a first-rounder if he plays at least 65% of the offensive snaps."
For now, though, the placeholder contract allows the Jets cap room to sign draft picks and pursue free agents. They are $7.4 million under the cap, according to NFLPA data. On Wednesday, they created about $3.5 million in space by tweaking defensive end John Franklin-Myers' contract, a source told ESPN's Field Yates."

Rodgers and the Jets will convert the now 2004 $58.3 in guaranteed salary and $47 Jets option (which they have to exercise before the 1st game in September 2024) , totaling $105.3M to signing bonus and spread it over 5 years through 2008 at a salary cap hit of about $20M a year and if necessary Aaron will renegotiate (lower his salary)/restructure the contract again.

THE KEY IS A MATURE, SECURE, COMMUNICATIVE, GENERAL MANAGER THT TREATS THEIR VETERAN PLAYERS AS COMRADES RATHER THAN ENEMIES.

jannesbjornson
April 28, 2023 at 07:00 pm
Now he whiffs on damaged goods@ the TE spot. This StarrtoRodgers dude is pretty reliable in his assessments.

Thanks Jannesbjornson,

My Summary of Thursday Night's day 1:

In sum, the Packers would have been fine and better off choosing Jaxon Smith Njigba with the 13th pick and then choosing a tight end with pick #42 and fine adding an edge rusher with pick #45, the 2nd of their 2 second round picks, or even selecting an edge in the third round.

The Packers need offensive play makers more than an premier edge rusher - which I don't think they got with Van Ness.

Hopefully now - with this unnecessary use of pick #13 on an Van Ness , a "tweener" - the Packers get tight end Darnell Washington at 42 and a wide receiver at 45 and another wide receiver at 78.

None of the 14 Packer Cheese Head TV writers chose Van Ness as their first pick - 5 made the most logical choice of Jaxon Smith Njigba, which was also the choice I had written several times in the last couple weeks - instead Seahawks got him at #20. .

12 out of 14 of the Packer Cheese Head TV writers had the Packer choosing offense and
15 of the 31 picks in the first round were offense, including 10 at the skill positions: 3 QBs, 2 RBs, 1 TE, and 4 WRs.

In the Packers last 12 drafts, 11 times Brian and Thompson before him, picked defense with the 1st choice - only the pick of Love was an offense 1st pick.

Beyond the illogical choice of defense again, when Brian has been destroying the offense's weapons - loss of Davante, MVS, Lazard, Tonyan, Lewis, Cobb - if the Packers were not going to pick Jaxon Smith-Njigba with #13 with such a deep draft for edge rushers, couldn't Green Bay have traded down into the 1st round - maybe with a team in #14, 15, 16, 17, 18 or 19 and still chosen Jaxon Smith-Njigba - and picked up another pick, maybe a 2nd rounder (or a 3rd) and still drafted a good edge rusher?

Given Packers faux "Salary Cap Hell" and "Aaron's the problem", blah blah blah Propaganda to hide Brian's alienation and loss of Davante and MVS and to help get rid of the longest tenured 18 year Packer Rodgers - and his friends Tonyan, Lazard, Lewis and cobb -- the main reason the Packers were even in the playoffs 11 of the last 15 years, pressing needs were created by Brian:

1) the need for receivers for Love

along with:

2) an edge rusher and some might say 3) safety and 4) a QB as a backup - or alternative - to Love should Jordan be a failure.

Was Lukas Van Ness even the best choice at Edge rusher , which is what the Packers needed?

Is Van Ness even an "edge rusher"?

NFL Draft Buzz had Van Ness as the 5th ranked defensive lineman behind Jalen Carter (1st d lineman, 4th overall, drafted 9th by the Eagles at ), Myles Murphy(2nd d lineman, 6th overall, drafted 28th by the Bengals),, Bryan Bresee (3rd d llneman, 19th overall, drafted 29th by the Saints) , and Calijah Kancey (4th d lineman, 21st overall), and ranked 26th overall.

At Edge Rusher NFL Draft Buzz ranks Van Ness as the 5th ranked player behind Will Anderson (1st edge rush, 2nd overall, drafted 3rd by the Texans), Myles Murphy (2nd edge rush, 6th overall, drafted 29thh by the Bengals), Tyree Wilson (3rd edge rusher, 11th overall, drafted 7th by the Raiders), Nolan Smith (4th edge rusher, 20th overall, drafted 30th by the Eagles)

The Packers would have been fine and better off choosing Jaxon Smith Njigba with the 13th pick and then choosing a tight end with pick #43 fine adding an edge rusher with pick #45, the 2nd of their 2 second round picks, or even selecting an edge in the third round. The Packers need offensive play makers more than an premier edge rusher - which I don't think they got with Van Ness.

After Nolan Smith for edge rusher there still was or is Will McDonald (6th edge, 39 overall) , BJ Qjulari (7th edge, 41 overall), Keion White (8th edge, 48th overall, , Isaiah Foskey (9th edge, 49th overall), Felix Anudike-Uzomah (10th edge, 51st overall), drafted 31st by the Chiefs), Adetomiwa Adebawore (11th edge, 52nd overall) , Derick Hall (12th edge, 56th overall), Andre Carter (13th edge, 69th overall) , Drew Sanders (14th edge, 70th overall), Byron Young (15th edge, 76h overall), Zach Harrison (16th overall, 80th overall), Nick Herbig,(17th edge, 84th overall) and my pick USC's Tuli Tuipulotu (18th ranked Edge, 95th overall) - who led the Nation in sacks with 13 and had 22 tackles for a loss in 2022 - in the 2nd or 3rd round after the Packers had secured a WR (had hoped Jaxon Smith-Njigba) and TE. Darnell Washington.

Or is Van Ness neither a D lineman or a edge rusher, but an outside/inside "tweener" DE/DT as Gutekunst in his interview seems to think the Packers are going to use Van Ness inside and outside?

Do the Packers need a jack of all trades "tweener" and is it realistic to think Van Ness can excel inside as a pass rusher and run stopper?

And Van Ness' coming in 24th among Edge Rushers in the bench press with 17 reps - relative to Rashan Gary's 26 reps in 2019 - is NOT due to Van Ness arm length as Ven Ness 34 inch am length is shorter than Gary's 34 and 1/8 inch arms and Keion White with the same 34 inch arms did 30 reps, coming in tied for 2nd.

No excuse for Van Ness' 31 inch vertical leap either vs. Rashan Gary's 38 inch vertical.

This interview of Lukas Van Ness though is interesting because I think it is the PRE DOMINANT REASON that Brian chose Van Ness::

https://www.hawkcentral.com/videos/sports/college/iowa/football/2022/09/...

Brian sure got what he wanted in one way - he got a young, relatively ignorant, malleable, company man, a yes man, that is going to follow orders, not think or question much. A TRUE "COMPANY MAN" and Order Taker and OBEDIENT YES MAN who will ALWYAYS stick to the Company Line SCRIPT.

Brian (and Russ too I am sure) is intimidated - intellectually and other wise - by veterans that have been around the block and the know the game of football much better than Brian does and also know the business side.

Brian clearly from his words and body language views the VETERAN players as THE ENEMY.

It was clear early that Murphy was put in a tough spot with GM Ted Thompson - who like Murphy had played for years in the NFL and knew his way around the block - sudden terminal illness diagnosis.

Mark did not see Brian or Russ Ball as having the skills or presence or gravitas to fill Ted Thompson's position as GM, so Murphy divided responsibility for their duties and kept them both on the same level and put Lafleur at the same level too in the Packer organizational chart, all reporting to Murphy.

The more you watch and listen to Brian, not only his actions, but words and body language you see why Murphy made the choice he did in 2018 to divide up responsibilities keep Brian and Russ on the same level and have Lafleur and Ball AND Brian report directly to him. .

From the start Brian was insecure in his position as GM and viewed experienced solid and star veteran players and leaders in the locker room as his enemies, especially Aaron Rogers.

And in Brian's early choices of Jaire in 2018, as good as he is, rather than offensive playmaking receivers like tight end Hayden Hurst or wide receivers DJ Moore or Calvin Ridley, and Rashan with the 12th pick in 2019 rather than trading up for TE TJ Hockenson or trading down for TE Noah Fant, WR Marquise Brown, WR N'Keal Harry, WR Deebo Samuel, WR AJ Brown, WR Mecole Hardman, and especially in 2020 with the choice of Love rather than trading up for Justin Jefferson or staying in place and drafting Tee Higgins or Michael Pittman Jr.,Brian spited Aaron and spited the Packers organization and players and spited the Packers' TRUE fans/shareholders.

With Ted terminally ill and sick in 2017 - and not functioning well probably much earlier:

"Late in the 2017 season, Mark Murphy and I had a conversation about my health and future with the Packers," he said. "At that time, we mutually agreed that it was in the best interests of myself and the organization to step away from my role as general manager. In consultation with team physician Dr. John Gray, I began a complete health evaluation that has included second opinions over the last year from the Medical College of Wisconsin, the Mayo Clinic and the UT Southwestern Medical Center.

"I have been diagnosed with an autonomic disorder. I feel that it’s important to mention that based on the test results and opinions of medical specialists, they feel that I do not fit the profile of someone suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)."

the 2017 draft - with the Packers with pick #29 and ignoring TJ Watt (picked 30th by the Steeler) or an offensive playmaker (TE Njoko, WR Zay Jones, WR Curtis Samuel, RB Dalvin Cook) - and trading down 2 slots to pick Kevin King - and then picking Josh Jones in the 2nd round with pick #61 with Ju Ju Smith Schuster being taken neXt by the Steelers, has Brian's fingerprints all over it.

Brian is a contrarian, in his actions and the source of that contrary behavior is worrisome as it seems to be based on Brian's insecurities.

When the players and fans or anyone that is logical thinker, think through the situation and make their wishes publicly known, Brian does the opposite.

And if a player or fan or anyone QUESTIIONS Brian, Brian's youth and inexperience as a GM is magnified PUBLICLY by his REACTIONARY and impulsive actions.

I view Brian as A SPITEFUL and insecure GM that is in over his head

All you have to do is go back and listen to the various Packer Press Conference interviews of Aaron and Brian - this year go listen to the January 8, 2023 Rodgers press conference following the Lions game, then listen to Brian's press conference on January 13, February 28th and Aaron Rodgers appearance on Pat McAfee from January through February 2023 and then Brian March 28th and April 24, and Aaron and Brian on April 26th. .

For any TRUE Packer Fan - those who, unlike the 31 Billionaire Parasite NFL owners, purchase Packer Shares wanting to help the team knowing full well that that not only are they not going to profit from their shares, but they are also not going to ever get their money back - it is VERY IMPORTANT to listen to the actual press conferences and interviews, NOT the Media's reporting of the press conferences, as the NFL Media is owned by the NFL and its 31 Billionaire Owners' and their talking heads deliberately turn reality on its head to demonize charismatic veteran players that are showing other players that they have the keys to their chains and there is power in numbers.

Rodgers EXCELLENCE hid Packer Management's shortcomings and insecurities in Brian and incompetence in the case of Brian and Russ and now we are going to see the realities as the next 4 years of Aaron Rodgers contract - hopefully the Jets/Giants disastrous artificial turf (still artificial turf despite the Billionaires changes this year) does spell Aaron non contact leg injuries or end Aaron's career as it has so many other NFL players - and Jordan's time as starter with the Packers play out.

Now Brian knows that his drafting of a wide receiver, running back or tight end, in the first round, for Jordan's first year as a starter - WHICH IS THE LOGICAL THING TO DO - will be perceived CORRECTLY as Brian having been SCREWING the longest tenured Packer - AND THE PACKER TEAM AND THEIR FANS - over the last several years.

So Brian doesn't draft an offensive play maker in the first round.

Now Love gets screwed too.

This is interesting. His combine official forty time was 4.69. His most recent pro day forty was markedly lower at 4.49. The pro day time would make him the fastest TE in the draft. If true, you have to really love this pick. In fact with his speed and size he would look great as a receiver anywhere on the line. I think he would look great in the slot. This could be one of our best picks. I understand he used to play Running Back as well? Time to get creative! I would have loved Darnell Washington here but they said there were medical concerns. Give Gute an A+ on this pick.

Unicorns do exist. The ever-Packer-hating Mel Kiper rated the Packers as having one of the best drafts on Day 2. He’s just a big headed talking machine like a certain individual on this site. But hey, maybe there is some good karma coming our way!!

Why does this article list his 40 time as 4.49? Kraft ran a 4.69 in the 40 at the NFL Scouting Combine and a 4.62 time in the 40 at his pro day. One of these times should be listed and not a 'better' time gotten who-knows-where. Across all players, we want to compare apples to apples in stats.

IDK...having already gotten a solid/known commodity TE in Musgrave earlier, if I was going to double up on TEs, I would have taken Washington instead. Higher risk/higher reward...but much higher reward possibility than will be gotten with Kraft. Let's see how Washington does in Pittsburgh and revisit. Already having gotten the solid TE, take the slight more risk. I'm all 'you-ra-ra Packers', but I'd've gone the other direction. Washington suffered a foot injury in the lead-up to the 2021 season opener against Clemson as well as in the spring of 2022 which has been cited as reason for his drop. He seemed fine in all of 2022 season and afterwards.

To learn more about how pre-draft injuries translate into success/failure in the NFL: https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/2017/4/6/15164198/nfl-draft-injury-his...

Curious...do people like trading out of spot 45 and not taking Branch (safety) there?

Thoughts on why this choice was made?

There a nice video showing him taking the call from the packers on getting drafted.

Can anyone IP ban this StarrtoRodgers clown? At least the job "opportunities" posts were fairly short.

The way Kraft leverages the defenders and creates a honey hole down the seam around the 2:05 mark of the video is... extremely encouraging. He plays bigger than he is, makes him look sloppy, but he's actually a very nuanced route runner.

This kid has a chance to be dynamite. wow.