MintBaconDrivel
11 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
    11 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
    Fan Shout
    Zero2Cool (1h) : Raiders hired someone from the elderly home.
    dfosterf (4h) : I'm going with a combination of the two.
    beast (5h) : Either the Cowboys have no idea what they're doing, or they're targeting their former OC, currently the Eagles OC
    Zero2Cool (22h) : Fake news. Cowboys say no
    Zero2Cool (23h) : Mystery candidate in the Cowboys head coaching search believed to be Packers ST Coordinator Rich Bisaccia.
    beast (23-Jan) : Also why do both NYC teams have absolutely horrible OL for over a decade?
    beast (23-Jan) : I wonder why the Jets always hire defensive coaches to be head coach
    Zero2Cool (22-Jan) : Still HC positions available out there. I wonder if Hafley pops up for one
    Zero2Cool (22-Jan) : Trent Baalke is out as the Jaguars GM.
    dfosterf (22-Jan) : Jeff Hafley would have been a better choice, fortunately they don't know that. Someone will figure that out next off season
    Zero2Cool (22-Jan) : Aaron Glenn Planning To Take Jets HC Job
    dfosterf (22-Jan) : Martha- C'est mon boulot! 😁
    Zero2Cool (22-Jan) : Thank you
    wpr (22-Jan) : Z, glad you are feeling better.
    wpr (22-Jan) : My son and D-I-L work for UM. It's a way to pick on them.
    Zero2Cool (22-Jan) : Thank you. I rarely get sick, and even more rarely sick to the point I can't work.
    wpr (22-Jan) : Beast- back to yesterday, I CAN say OSU your have been Michigan IF the odds of making the playoffs were more urgent.
    dfosterf (22-Jan) : Glad to hear you are feeling a bit better.
    Zero2Cool (22-Jan) : I've been near death ill last several days, finally feel less dead and site issues.
    Zero2Cool (22-Jan) : It is a big deal. This host is having issues. It's frustrating.
    Martha Careful (22-Jan) : just kidding...it was down
    Martha Careful (22-Jan) : you were blocked yesterday, due to a a recalcitrant demeanor yesterday in the penalty box for a recalcitrant demeanor
    dfosterf (22-Jan) : Was that site shutdown on your end or mine? No big deal, just curious
    beast (21-Jan) : That way teams like Indiana and SMU don't make the conference championships by simply avoiding all the other good teams in their own confere
    beast (21-Jan) : Also, with these "Super Conferences" instead of a single conference champion, have 4 teams make a Conference playoffs.
    beast (21-Jan) : Also in college football, is a bye week a good or bad thing?
    Martha Careful (21-Jan) : The tournament format was fine. Seeding could use some work.
    beast (21-Jan) : You can't assume Ohio State would of won the Michigan game...
    beast (21-Jan) : Rankings were 1) Oregon 2) Georgia 3) Texas 4) Penn State 5) Notre Dame 6) Ohio State, none of the rest mattered
    wpr (21-Jan) : Texas, ND and OSU would have been fighting for the final 2 slots.
    wpr (21-Jan) : Oregon and Georgia were locks. Without the luxury of extra playoff berths, Ohios St would have been more focused on Michigan game.
    wpr (21-Jan) : Zero, no. If there were only 4 teams Ohio State would have been one of them. Boise St and ASU would not have been selected.
    Zero2Cool (21-Jan) : So that was 7 vs 8, that means in BCS they never would made it?
    Martha Careful (21-Jan) : A great game. Give ND credit for coming back, although I am please with the outcome.
    Mucky Tundra (21-Jan) : FG to make it academic
    Mucky Tundra (21-Jan) : and there's the dagger
    Mucky Tundra (21-Jan) : ooooo 8 point game with 4 minutes to go!
    Mucky Tundra (21-Jan) : ooooooooohhhhhh he missed!
    Mucky Tundra (21-Jan) : Ooooo that completion makes things VERY interesting
    Mucky Tundra (21-Jan) : Game not over yet
    beast (21-Jan) : Oh yeah, Georgia starting quarterback season ending elbow injury
    beast (21-Jan) : Sadly something happened to Georgia... they should be playing in this game against Ohio State
    beast (21-Jan) : I thought Ohio State and Texas were both better than Notre Dame & Penn State
    Mucky Tundra (21-Jan) : Notre Lame getting rolled
    Martha Careful (21-Jan) : Ohio State just got punched in the gut. Lets see how they respond
    Mucky Tundra (21-Jan) : Notre Lame vs the Luckeyes, bleh
    Mucky Tundra (21-Jan) : Oh snap!!!
    Zero2Cool (21-Jan) : Even Stevie Wonder can see that.
    Zero2Cool (21-Jan) : Nah, you see Lions OC leaving to be HC of Bears is directly related to Packers.
    Mucky Tundra (21-Jan) : ohhhhhhh Zero is in TROUBLE
    Please sign in to use Fan Shout
    2024 Packers Schedule
    Friday, Sep 6 @ 7:15 PM
    Eagles
    Sunday, Sep 15 @ 12:00 PM
    COLTS
    Sunday, Sep 22 @ 12:00 PM
    Titans
    Sunday, Sep 29 @ 12:00 PM
    VIKINGS
    Sunday, Oct 6 @ 3:25 PM
    Rams
    Sunday, Oct 13 @ 12:00 PM
    CARDINALS
    Sunday, Oct 20 @ 12:00 PM
    TEXANS
    Sunday, Oct 27 @ 12:00 PM
    Jaguars
    Sunday, Nov 3 @ 3:25 PM
    LIONS
    Sunday, Nov 17 @ 12:00 PM
    Bears
    Sunday, Nov 24 @ 3:25 PM
    49ERS
    Thursday, Nov 28 @ 7:20 PM
    DOLPHINS
    Thursday, Dec 5 @ 7:15 PM
    Lions
    Sunday, Dec 15 @ 7:20 PM
    Seahawks
    Monday, Dec 23 @ 7:15 PM
    SAINTS
    Sunday, Dec 29 @ 3:25 PM
    Vikings
    Sunday, Jan 5 @ 12:00 PM
    BEARS
    Sunday, Jan 12 @ 3:30 PM
    Eagles
    Recent Topics
    4h / Green Bay Packers Talk / Martha Careful

    22-Jan / Random Babble / packerfanoutwest

    21-Jan / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

    21-Jan / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

    20-Jan / Green Bay Packers Talk / Martha Careful

    20-Jan / Green Bay Packers Talk / bboystyle

    20-Jan / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

    20-Jan / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

    19-Jan / Random Babble / Martha Careful

    18-Jan / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

    17-Jan / Green Bay Packers Talk / bboystyle

    17-Jan / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

    17-Jan / Green Bay Packers Talk / Martha Careful

    16-Jan / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

    16-Jan / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

    Headlines
    Copyright © 2006 - 2025 PackersHome.com™. All Rights Reserved.