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:


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    UserPostedImage
    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.”
    11 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
    11 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
    11 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
    11 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.
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    Mucky Tundra (13-Aug) : beast, reading about what happened, it sounded like one of those "two guys collide and are moving slow afterwards" type of deals
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    packerfanoutwest (12-Aug) : Matt LaFleur: “Highly unlikely” Jordan Love plays more this preseason
    dfosterf (12-Aug) : Doubs, Savion Williams, LVN, Musgrave all banged up to one degree or another, missing one here I forget
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    beast (12-Aug) : QB Jordan Love has surgery
    beast (12-Aug) : Martha said Morgan had a lot of help, I didn't watch the OL so I can't say.
    Zero2Cool (10-Aug) : Packers LT Jordan Morgan did not allow a single pressure across 23 pass-blocking snaps vs. Jets last night, per PFF
    Mucky Tundra (10-Aug) : With buckeye and the reasonable couple, we're currently sitting at 10
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    Zero2Cool (10-Aug) : If healthy after, then thats all I care. Well, no drops would be nice
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    dfosterf (10-Aug) : Just gotta figure out how.
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    beast (10-Aug) : Yeah, someone tell the Packers football season has started, seems like they weren't ready for it
    Mucky Tundra (10-Aug) : Sooooooo many penalties
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    dfosterf (10-Aug) : Well that half was fun
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    Zero2Cool (9-Aug) : Had Celebration of Life for my uncle up north. wicked rain hope it dont come south
    Mucky Tundra (9-Aug) : THE GREEN BAY PACKERS ARE PLAYING FOOTBALL TONIGHT!!!!!! THIS IS NOT A DRILL!!!!
    Zero2Cool (9-Aug) : Woo-hoo
    TheKanataThrilla (9-Aug) : NFL Network is broadcasting the game tonight, but not in Canada. Not sure why as no local television is showing the game.
    beast (8-Aug) : But the Return from IR designations had to be applied by the 53 man cutdown.
    beast (8-Aug) : It's a new rule, so it's not clear, but my understanding was that they could be IR'd at any time
    Mucky Tundra (8-Aug) : *had to be IRed at 53
    Mucky Tundra (8-Aug) : beast, I thought the designate return from IR players had to be IR at cutdowns to 53, not before
    beast (8-Aug) : It's a brand new rule, either last season or this season, prior, all pre-season IRs were done for the season
    beast (8-Aug) : But the Packers would have to use one for their return from IR spots on him, when they cut down to 53.
    beast (8-Aug) : I think the NFL recently changed the IR rules, so maybe the season might not be over for OL Glover.
    Zero2Cool (8-Aug) : Packers star Howton, first NFLPA prez, dies at 95 😔
    dfosterf (8-Aug) : Apparently it is too complicated for several to follow your simple instructions, but I digress
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