Jeff from Janesville, WI
Almost draft day.
So close but so, so far away.
Dennis from Beavercreek, OH
I was hoping for Jarvis Landry, but the Sammy Watkins deal is well worth it. To get a good vet for $4 million is really good. Do you think we got a good deal because it was right before the draft? I often thought this time benefits the team and right after the draft benefits the player.
It was a quintessential Packers move. Whether it was Ted Thompson or Brian Gutekunst at the controls, Green Bay never likes to be painted into a corner with "need" going into an NFL Draft. They like having options. While Green Bay still needs to draft a receiver or two, Watkins gives the offense a low-risk, high-ceiling veteran. Like I said after MVS's departure, it would be helpful to have a veteran take some of the burden off the young receivers in September and October. Watkins is that guy, especially when it comes to regular-season openers. So, Watkins' signing didn't surprise me. That's how the Packers like to set their table.
Anthony from Madison, WI
Just a comment... I am immensely happy that GB has 11 picks this year. I believe in quality first, of course, but quantity has to be there as well. The mention of Miami only having limited picks, the earliest in the third round, makes me glad GB doesn't have that problem. How can teams like Miami ever really become elite teams with only four picks? Talk about signing FAs for the moment and putting all your eggs in one basket! How can they possibly hit on a keeper in the draft?
Draft picks are currency in the NFL. While money doesn't buy happiness, you can do a lot with it. Having fewer picks means having less flexibility. That's not necessarily a bad thing (See: 2021 Los Angeles Rams) but the future can look bleak if the investment doesn't pay off.
Nick from Springfield, MO
As a Packer backer in Chiefs' territory, I am excited about the Watkins signing. My brother is a huge Chiefs fan and was very disappointed they did not keep Watkins a couple years back. His reasoning was Watkins' ability as a blocker in open space. With Lazard and Watkins on the edges the RBs are going to have a huge year and will be bumped up in my fantasy draft big board. Great signing, Guty!
That's another plus for Watkins. He's a great athlete but also not afraid to get his jersey dirty.
Michael from Puerto Morelos, Mexico
The Watkins signing seemed to happen fast. It probably didn't though. Do the Packers send a team representative to interview or work out a veteran player before bringing them in? Do players normally pay their own airfare? In general, how does work or are they all different?
The Packers brought Watkins in for a visit on Thursday, which I assume was mostly a formality to give him a quick tour of the facility and check some boxes on his medicals.
Tyler from Cross Plains, WI
I see the list of players attending the draft was released, does that tell you anything about who is expected to be picked in Round 1? I saw there were two QBs on the list, maybe they were given word that they would be drafted in Round 1? I know, especially this year, I wouldn't accept the invitation if there was a chance I would slip out of the first round and be the poor guy with the camera in his face all Day 1-2.
You're offering a free ticket to Vegas and the opportunity to ride a ferry to the middle of the Bellagio fountain? Sign me up. I'd wait all three days for that. I couldn't care less about the wait. Aaron Rodgers and Randall Cobb endured long waits and it hasn't impacted their NFL careers. If anything, it probably helped.
Steven from Silver Spring, MD
Sammy Watkins seems to check off several types of boxes: He is a deep threat along the lines of MVS. He is also a veteran WR signing a one-year deal which fits the narrative of the relief pitcher prototype that seems to be trending in the league. For as much as we talk about Davante's greatness, it is hard not to look at deals like Desean Jackson and similar players who have been had at low-risk deals and can produce when the system and QB are good.
The price tag on the premium players is at an all-time high, but there also are solid veterans making just a few mill right now. For a receiver like Watkins, all it takes is one big year to be back in the mix to land a bigger deal – just like De'Vondre Campbell and Rasul Douglas did last year.
Jordan from Virginia Beach, VA
I feel like the holdovers at WR (Randall Cobb, Amari Rodgers and Allen Lazard) are all more slot and jet-motion type receivers. Cobb and Rodgers due to size and shiftiness and Lazard for his blocking skills. Does Sammy Watkins fall into that same category, and if so, who out of those four is best suited to line up outside? Which guy in the draft would be the best fit, size-wise, to play opposite of your choice? I really like Jahan Dotson and his ability to produce with subpar QB play.
Lazard and Watkins are probably the two perimeter options out of those four, though both have worked extensively inside. People sometimes forget Watkins is not a small dude. He hovers right around 6-1, 211 pounds. The Packers need an all-around receiver from this year's draft, but the good news is there are several solid candidates, Dotson among them.
Doug from Neenah, WI
Good morning, Wes. Do you think Sammy Watkins will be asked to participate on special teams? It could be either as a gunner or punt/kick returner. Thanks.
I don't think so. He's only played four snaps on special teams in his NFL career, none of them since 2017.
Steve from Land O' Lakes, FL
One observation about Christian Watson. He is already used to wearing GB colors.
I know there are a lot of Packers fans who would love nothing more than Watson and Alec Pierce finding their way to Green Bay. That would certainly cause media and fans a lot of grammatical issues with Watkins now here, too. And shout out to Bill Huber, too. I didn't realize Watson's dad was a former Packers draft pick (Tim Watson, 1993).
Dave from Germantown, TN
I have a question about Jameson Williams. He was at Ohio State and did not play because Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave were better in the eyes of the OSU coaches. Does this factor into the order that these three players are ranked or drafted?
Did it hurt Joe Burrow? The biggest question right now is Williams' knee. Beyond that, NFL scouts will judge all three based on their production and upside.
Jason from Austin, TX
Insiders, speaking of Elgton Jenkins, I think it's going to be very difficult to pay him his worth after his contract ends. He can play any position on the O-line extremely well, including LT. While he can play any position, I imagine he'll want to be paid like a top LT. Do you think that's a fair guess or is there more value in being a jack-of-all-trades tackle? Either way, I hope we extend him.
It's obvious what the Packers think of Jenkins. He just needs to focus on getting back on the field and the contract will take care of itself. His versatility probably will complicate negotiations somewhat, but I had no clue what the number would be on Rasul Douglas and the front office figured it out.
John from Coto de Caza, CA
The amount paid to players for performance incentives can't be known until the season is over. How do they figure into the salary cap?
It breaks down as likely and unlikely incentives. Likely means the player reached that incentive last season. Unlikely means they did not. If a player doesn't reach a LTBE incentive, the team gets credit for the difference on the following year's cap. If he hits an UTBE incentive, then that money gets drawn from the cap next offseason.
Todd from Brighton, MI
Does the "Packers Unscripted" hiatus end on April 29? Or will it need a week to let everything settle down (yeah, right).
"Unscripted" returns next week. The current plan is record two shows that'll recap offseason and then shoot our draft preview the following Tuesday (April 26).
H.R. from Las Vegas, NV
To add to Rich from Grand Rapids' submission, it's a good thing the two of you don't cover the Raiders this year. The draft is being hosted in Las Vegas, and the Raiders have one pick in the first two days (86 overall, in the third round), and then a fourth, two fifths, a sixth and a seventh. The majority of their picks are on Day 3, with nothing the opening night of the draft. In their home city!
It sounds to me like Spoff and I would get to enjoy the all-you-can-eat Vegas buffets for an extra couple days. I wouldn't have a problem with that.
Brian from Sussex, WI
I get student-athletes skipping bowl games to avoid risk of injuries as they enter the NFL. But with college football's progression of the business aspect and players earning money, at what point do college players become required to play bowl games?
Never. We crossed that bridge so long ago you can't even see it in the rear-view anymore.
Julian from Gastonia, NC
I remember all things (not really). Remember when Kiper used the term "reach" when the Packers took Jordy Nelson in the second round. Remember when Kiper said that Nick Collins was taken "a bit early" out of Bethune-Cookman in the second round. I'll be eating plenty of blueberries in the next two weeks to prepare those memory cells. Go Pack!
We all throw darts at the board and hope they hit, but nobody knows anything until they know everything.
Dar from Mansfield, TX
Regarding Simon from Baltimore moving to WI and wanting to be known as Simon from Brookfield, let me offer advice. In this space, I'd posted at various times as Dar from Irving, Bradenton, New Orleans, and Kenosha before I finally found my Inbox brand as Dar from Mansfield. Don't change your II city even if you move, Simon. You should always be the one and only Simon from Baltimore. Don't be perceived as (a vagabond) Bobby Bonds when you can instead be beloved as (a one-city) Robin Yount!
Or try Simon (Used to be) from Baltimore.
Linda from Lakewood Ranch, FL
Good morning, Weston! Will you be hiding real or plastic eggs for your son's Easter egg hunt?
Plastic eggs for the win. Candy is always better than a boiled yolk. I wish you all a wonderful Easter weekend.
