MintBaconDrivel
10 years ago

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Mel Kiper Jr. liked the Packers draft right away last April and with a full season to watch the rookies, the ESPN NFL draft analyst saw nothing to change in his mind.

In an ESPN Insider piece Insider, Kiper gave the Packers' 2013 draft class the same grade -- a B-plus -- after the season that he gave it right after the draft.

We can't give away everything Kiper wrote -- that's what Insider subscriptions are for -- but here are some snippets:
[list]

  • “At the time, I wrote, ‘I love what Green Bay got out of this draft, particularly at two spots -- defensive end and running back.'”
  • [/list]
    Of course, he was talking about first-round pick Datone Jones, the defensive end from UCLA, and running backs Eddie Lacy (second round) and Johnathan Franklin (fourth round).
    [list]
  • “After one season, I still love what the Packers got at running back, as Lacy has been everything they could have hoped for and completely changes the manner in which this offense can threaten you. But we'll need to see more from Jones, who was OK but not great and isn't yet a first-team player. But the draft was crucial elsewhere.”
  • [/list]
    Kiper went on to praise fourth-round pick David Bakhtiari, who started every game at left tackle, and fifth-round pick Micah Hyde, who played as the nickel defensive back and primary punt returner.
    [list]
  • “Name another rookie who played a whole season at left tackle. Fifth-rounder Hyde also was good in a return role. Not a bad start for this draft class, and you have to believe Jones can and will give them more.”[/list]

  • In all, the Packers have retained 10 of their 11 draft picks. Only seventh-round receiver Charles Johnson is gone. He was signed off the practice squad by the Cleveland Browns in October. Another seventh-round receiver, Kevin Dorsey, spent the entire season on injured reserve.

    Rob Demovsky  wrote:


    nerdmann
    10 years ago
    There were two LTs taken at the top of the draft, who did not play as well or extensively as Bakhtiari.
    “Winning is not a sometime thing, it is an all the time thing. You don't do things right once in a while…you do them right all the time.”
    10 years ago
    Grades also depend on where the team drafts and how many picks they have.

    The Packers have been picking late in the draft lately.

    Having 2 first round picks always helps a draft grade unless you are the 2005 viklings that picked Troy Williamson and Erasmus James instead of Aaron Rodgers.

    Ted does a pretty good job no matter what hand of draft picks he is dealt.
    blank
    play2win
    10 years ago
    Ted has been moving around a lot lately these last few drafts to get his targeted players. I'm hoping he does more of the same this year, and I hope he lands the talent we really need. Most recently, he has traded up for Jonathan Franklin, Jerel Worthy, Casey Hayward, Terrell Manning, Morgan Burnett and Clay Matthews.

    Rodgers fell in his lap after staying put, but he made the pick. Lacey fell in his lap after trading back in R2 with SF, but he made the pick. Both were exceptional choices.

    Since he's been GM he has traded away 10 picks and has received 26 in return. I'm hoping he goes less shotgun in this upcoming draft, and trades up to get the best impact players he can land to make our team better at any of these positions: OLB, ILB, S, WR, TE, NT, DE.

    That is 7 positions on this team that we need to fill with talent upgrades. It would be nice to fill at least one of those spots with a top veteran talent via FA or trade.

    I've got a lot of hope that Datone Jones and Jerel Worthy can make a name for themselves this coming season, as well as Josh Boyd on our DL. That would be huge. Adding David Bakhtiari and Micah Hyde to the mix, both gaining valuable starting time in 2013 should pay some dividends in their development. If Datone and Josh progress, and something comes of Nate Palmer, this could very well go down as one of Ted's best drafts. We need that. We'll be able to get a good measure in a year or two. And, who knows what Tretter may do…or Barrington, or Franklin, or Dorsey?

    Hell, after looking at that list, knowing of his 3 trades down in 2013, maybe I'm re-thinking my position on this… trade up or down? There is A LOT of potential from the 2013 class, much yet to be determined.
    steveishere
    10 years ago
    After year 1 this does look like a good draft. Unfortunately they'll all get hurt next year and everyone will think it was bad.
    StoicFire
    10 years ago

    After year 1 this does look like a good draft. Unfortunately they'll all get hurt next year and everyone will think it was bad.

    Originally Posted by: steveishere 



    It looks like a very good draft considering how much we leaned on the rookie class down the stretch this year.

    Kinda sad isn't it though. When we grade a draft 3 years down the road, we should remember to consider player's roles every year, not just where they are at the moment we grade them. If they had significant impacts early on or suffered significant injuries, I think they should be given a little bit of a pass when we look back.
    "the Quarterback can run if he wants to, but with this rocket attached to your body... who would?" -Aaron Rodgers
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    earthquake (3h) : Packers draft starters at safety ever few years. Collins, Clinton-Dix, Savage
    beast (5h) : Why can't the rookies be a day 1 starter? Especially when we grabbed 3 of them at the position
    dfosterf (8h) : Not going to be shocked if Gilmore goes to the Lions.
    dfosterf (9h) : I hear you dhazer, but my guess would be Gilmore Colts and Howard Vikings from what little has been reported.
    Mucky Tundra (30-Apr) : S learn from McKinney who learns from Hafley who learns from the fans. Guaranteed Super Bowl
    Zero2Cool (30-Apr) : could*
    Zero2Cool (29-Apr) : Safeties should learn from Xavier.
    dhazer (29-Apr) : And what about grabbing a Gilmore or Howard at CB ? Those are all Free Agents left
    dhazer (29-Apr) : out of curiosity do they try and sign Simmons or Hyde to let these young safeties learn from, they can't be day 1 starters.
    Zero2Cool (29-Apr) : I miss having Sam Shields.
    Zero2Cool (29-Apr) : Not that he's making excuses, just pointing it out
    Zero2Cool (29-Apr) : That's for dang sure. Make our erratic kicker have no excuse!
    packerfanoutwest (28-Apr) : having a great long snapper is gold
    Zero2Cool (28-Apr) : LaFleur looking like he had some weight. Coachin will do that lol
    Zero2Cool (28-Apr) : Thanks Mucky and whomever created topcos for each pick!
    Zero2Cool (28-Apr) : Insane about Kingsley
    dfosterf (28-Apr) : Putring it here so Mucky sees it. He was our guy!
    dfosterf (28-Apr) : Bowden long snapper Wisconsin. Consensus best LS in college.
    dfosterf (28-Apr) : We got Peter Bowde
    dfosterf (28-Apr) : I personally interpret that as a partial tear that can be recovered from with rehab
    dfosterf (28-Apr) : MLF said Kingsley Enagbare did NOT tear his ACL and did NOT require surgery, and that he is "looking good" for the 2024 season!
    beast (28-Apr) : T.O. son signs with the 49ers
    Mucky Tundra (28-Apr) : damn those vikings
    beast (27-Apr) : UDFA Vikings sign TE – Trey Knox, South Carolina
    beast (27-Apr) : Kitchen was all high from Miami, he was more lucky than talented in 2022 and it showed in 2023
    beast (27-Apr) : Reportedly Packers have UDFAs Jennings and Jones
    beast (27-Apr) : OL – Donovan Jennings, USF OT – Trente Jones, Michigan
    TheKanataThrilla (27-Apr) : Interesting draft. A bit shocked that we didn't select an early CB. Definitely have Safety help. Pretty happy overall.
    dhazer (27-Apr) : wow the last 2 picks are really stupid and probably will be special teams players Top 10 draft pick next year book it
    TheKanataThrilla (27-Apr) : I think he ended up with a terrible RAS score
    dhazer (27-Apr) : Anyone know what went on with Kitchens from Florida? At 1 point he was to be the Packers 1st round and he is way down the board now
    Martha Careful (27-Apr) : Z, could you please combine my thread with yours please. I obviously did not see it when I Created it
    Martha Careful (26-Apr) : Re: 'Kool-Aid' McKinstry. Other than Icky Woods, has there ever been a good NFLer with a childish nickname?
    Martha Careful (26-Apr) : Packers looking to trade up
    Martha Careful (26-Apr) : Flag?
    Martha Careful (26-Apr) : Sag?
    Nonstopdrivel (26-Apr) : It rhymes with "bag."
    beast (26-Apr) : Family? That's Deadpool's F word
    Nonstopdrivel (26-Apr) : Not THAT f-word.
    Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : fuck
    beast (25-Apr) : 49ers are Cap Tight
    beast (25-Apr) : Fuck
    Mucky Tundra (25-Apr) : Kanata, I will be when I'm on my lunch later
    TheKanataThrilla (25-Apr) : Love you NSD
    Nonstopdrivel (25-Apr) : Huh. I guess the F-word is censored in this fan shout.
    Nonstopdrivel (25-Apr) : Anyone who doesn't hang out in the chat probably smokes pole.
    TheKanataThrilla (25-Apr) : GoPackGo Thinking CB is the pick tonight
    TheKanataThrilla (25-Apr) : Anyone hanging out in the chat tonight?
    Zero2Cool (25-Apr) : whoa...49ers have had trade conversations about both Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk
    Zero2Cool (25-Apr) : I hope they take a Punter at 9th overall. Be bold!
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