Inbox: That's how this draft game is played

Paul from Ledgeview, WI

Mike, considering rush and cover, my bias is an improved rush will do more to improve the defense than a cover corner, and so I would expect the Packers to draft a defensive lineman in the first round. That is the area of greatest need. We will know in about 15 days if I am channeling my inner Brian Gutekunst or just making a mock of things.

You aren't alone, Paul. We can talk and talk and talk until the cows come to casa de Spofford, but all that matters is what happens during those 10 minutes. Even Gutekunst doesn't know the exact gameboard he's playing on until the Packers officially go on the clock at No. 23.

Steve from Flagstaff, AZ

I think the Packers go defense with their first two picks. I could be wrong, but looking at last year, I thought the Packers were actually going to draft Edgerrin Cooper with their first pick. Glad he was still there at pick No. 2. Would he have been a reach then? But this year I could see a corner and D-line player being picked in Round 1 or 2.

After everything Cooper did last year, I don't think you could call him a "reach" at No. 25. Most re-drafts have Cooper as a first-round pick now. That said, he was a brilliant find at 45, which is where teams gain an edge every April. That's how this draft game is played.

Jack from Black Mountain, NC

I enjoyed the Tucker Kraft feature, especially the personal details about enjoying the Green Bay community and becoming a father soon. Having a baby will likely help Tucker think more about his professional longevity and providing for his new family. Would you agree that an aggressive Tucker Kraft who plays smarter but with somewhat less reckless abandon will help the team and himself/his body?

I think the phrase "picking your spots" is perfect because the Packers don't want to prevent Kraft from doing what makes him special. They just want to be smart about when Kraft chooses to lower the boom. Because he's no longer just a playmaker in this offense – Kraft is quickly becoming one of the best tight ends in the game. While the 24-year-old is as tough as a two-dollar sirloin, the Packers must keep Kraft healthy and on the field at all costs.

Jonathan from Wilmington, NC

Hi guys! Love II and all the great content. I was wondering if any current Packers will attend this draft, or do they ever attend any draft (besides introducing a drafted player)? GPG!

The first week of the offseason program will be virtual for the Packers, but I still could see a few players popping into town for the event. Kraft mentioned during the Tailgate Tour sendoff he'll likely stop by and check it out.

Darrel from Pueblo, CO

II, the questions about players' upside vs. age made me wonder. Does GB have a schedule about what positions have an age-related component to their upside? It seems like the DL/OL guys probably take a beating in the trenches and might have a shorter upside window.

It probably runs in concert with their position. For example, running backs face greater pressure to produce from Day 1 because of the nature of their position, whereas premier offensive and defensive linemen routinely play into their 30s. This question made me dig a little into the Packers' history in the first round, though, and I was startled by how many young players Green Bay has drafted over the past decade. Over that time, Devonte Wyatt is the only player Green Bay has drafted who was older than 22. However, Kenny Clark plays the same position and might be the team's youngest pick ever (or at least in the modern era).

Jeffrey from Eveleth, MN

Regarding the question of a rookie cracking the starting lineup for the Pack, I would think a No. 1 pick at defensive tackle could have a good chance?

I don't think so. Barring injury, it's gotta be Clark and Wyatt with a potential rookie rotating in with Karl Brooks and Colby Wooden. I agree with Spoff's assertion about cornerback or receiver possibly being positions where a top pick could start straightaway depending on how things sort out during training camp.

Duane from Bangor, WI

Mike's answer to Mike from New Orleans...I'd add to the fans that freak out about how much better their division rivals got during FA, you can't just look at who they got but also whom they lost. Detroit signed a big DB but also lost a starter. Same with the Vikings. They've signed a lot but also lost a lot, to include their starting QB to go with a guy that's never taken an NFL snap.

Correct. The net gain/loss formula applies to every team, not just the Packers.

Frank from Sun Prairie, WI

For players who reside in Green Bay year-round, are the training facilities available for their use in the offseason? Can they consult with the training staff during this time?

Like Kraft discussed on Tuesday, the training facility and cafeteria are available to any player who chooses to utilize those resources during the offseason. Although players are not permitted to participate in "club-supervised" workouts, practices or meetings, the collective bargaining agreement allows a team's strength and conditioning coaches to "direct an individual player's workout in the weight room and may supervise use of the weight room to prevent injury and to correct misuse of equipment." The CBA also states "players may participate on a voluntary basis in club-sponsored individual or group activities and instruction at the facility related to diet, nutrition, wellness, yoga, aerobics, swimming or other similar types of therapeutic exercise."

Jake from Lansing, MI

Insiders, thank you for your assistance during the offseason. I may have missed this, but how is Green Bay solving the hotel/hospitality shortage for the draft? I remember days when people were suggesting bringing in cruise liners into the bay. Thanks again!

I'm not an economist, but I know how to use Google. By the looks of it, there still are plenty of hotels and AirBnBs available in the Green Bay/Fox Valley area for the draft. Maybe folks will lock in their days once we get a week or two closer. To my eye, however, the Green Bay draft appears more commuter than settler right now.

Richard from Greenwich, NY

Hi guys, regarding yesterday's comment about having to play five prior year's playoff teams at Lambeau (so glad it's not some corporate name), I think it's better to play them at our place than theirs.

More specifically, I'd rather play Philadelphia (the crowd) and Washington (a talented young team) at home and Dallas and the New York Giants on the road.

Sheila from Milwaukee, WI

When is the 2025 schedule coming out?

There's no "official" date, but last year's schedule release fell on May 15.

Craig from Sussex, WI

Having never been a starter in college, would it be reasonable to think Lukas Van Ness could have been chosen in a later round?

Not at all. Van Ness was widely seen as a top 15 pick and a unanimous first-rounder when he came out early in 2023.

Richard from Greenwich, NY

Hi again guys, it looks like a lot of us are in love with Jack Bech (6-2, 214), TCU WR, with four drops over his college career. Not great speed, but good route-runner with great hands. I know the "you can't coach speed" axiom, but don't you think football savvy can trump physical metrics? Wonder if he's on the GB radar.

Lance Zierlein has a second-round grade on Bech. If that's indeed true, it may be a bit too rich for my tastebuds. Forty times aren't everything (see: Adams, Davante), but you gotta be an elite route-runner if you're running in the mid-4.5s.

Jay from Altoona, WI

Why does the NFL have such an aversion to starting the regular season on Labor Day weekend? I get that it is a big getaway and travel weekend but do they really think there would be less interest or fewer eyeballs than a Thanksgiving game or Christmas game? Pushing the Super Bowl to mid-February or later just seems wrong.

The NFL has tweaked its schedule recipe quite a bit in recent years, but Week 1 is a key ingredient it doesn't want to mess with. Starting after Labor Day weekend is a proven producer for the league. Plus, the NFL wants (not-so-secretly) the Super Bowl to fall over President's Day weekend.

Tom from Fort Myers, FL

If the NFL is serious about player safety, there should be no discussion of adding an 18th game. Also adding more international games adds travel time beyond normal, which also can impact a player's health. What is the major bargaining chip(s) the players' union has before allowing these proposed changes?

I'm sure the chip would be a major adjustment (and possible elimination) of the offseason program, but I would say it should be guaranteed contracts. With every additional game, players assume a higher risk of injury and depreciation of their long-term value.

Al from Green Bay, WI

Two. Weeks. Out. How does the scouting department "cram" for this upcoming exam?

If a scouting department needs to cram two weeks out from the draft, it's already lost. The work is all but done. There will be conversations over the next 14 days, maybe even some debate. But the Packers know these prospects inside and out by now. The challenge is determining which are NFL players and the select few who will be Packers.

Ray from Phoenix, AZ

I just cannot agree with Mike's answer to Al from GB. If you are close to a championship team, you should not take a development player as your first pick unless it is QB. In that light, you need to get a player that can come in and be a major contributor that first year. The easiest positions for that are positions of need for GB. So, the first pick will be a D-lineman or receiver. See how easy that is.

I'm gonna let you in a little secret, Ray. They're all developmental players. Some prospects may be a bit greener than others, but it's nearly impossible to project which draft picks will come in and bang the doors down on Day 1. If that were the case, Brock Purdy wouldn't have been Mr. Suddenly Relevant.

Chris from Marshfield, WI

The stage for the draft says it is facing Lambeau Field. Does that mean Lambeau Field will be visible behind the stage from the seating and camera viewpoints while picks are being made? Or does that mean you would only see it if you were on the stage, looking out at the spectators? Any thoughts on why it is whichever it is? Thank you, GPG.

The stage faces Lambeau with the Resch Center and Resch Expo in the back, which will serve as the green room for players. However, spectaculars are welcome to turn around and view the stadium. I'm not aware of any "only face in the eastern direction" mandates.

Flavio from Sao Paulo, Brazil

Hi Wes! In picture No. 13 of the first Tailgate Tour blog, there´s a person wearing a jacket with Seahawks, Packers and Texans patches on the sleeve, whose face can´t be seen. Who is he?

That's Ahman Green and the three NFL teams for which he played.

Jim from Tucson, AZ

I know this is picky, but does the insurance premium count against the cap?

I don't want to swerve much into this lane because I'm unfamiliar with all the legal mumbo jumbo related to insurance on players/contracts. However, I believe it only counts if the team needs to collect on it. Most notably, this came up when the New York Jets failed to have disability insurance on Aaron Rodgers in 2023.

Matt from Fitchburg, WI

I submitted my Andre the Giant remark halfway through reading Wes's Tuesday column, so color me tickled to finish reading and see "The Princess Bride" reference to round it out. I was hoping Mike might build on it, but maybe he doesn't care about avenging one's father.

Spoff did that on purpose. He didn't have to miss.

Ryan from Rosemount, MN

Will Matt's Andre the Giant prospect be available to us at pick 23? I'd hate to miss out on a prospect like that. It might require trading up, which we don't normally do. Is he worth multiple picks?

Bobby "The Brain" would say yes.

Jeff from Indian Lake, NY

I got you Chris from Ashland. My most recent mock (with no trades for the sake of time). 1. DT Walter Nolen, Ole Miss. 2. CB Trey Amos, Ole Miss. 3. WR Elic Ayomanor, Stanford. 4. WR Tai Felton, Maryland. 5. CB Tommi Hill, Nebraska. 6. C Jonah Monheim, USC. 7. DT Ty Hamilton, Ohio State. 7. Edge Barryn Sorrell, Texas. Not my favorite of the gazillion I've done but there you have it. Call me GM Jeff.

#FireJeff!

Markus from Sea Ranch, CA

Time can be fast and slow at the same point of time. Actual time is relative to the observer's location within space time. Basically, the faster one moves the slower time progresses. For example, astronauts traveling at high velocities age less than those on earth. Perceived time is relative to the individual's state of mind and age. Time seems to go quicker for the old as a unit is a smaller percent than their total life. Acute awareness and mental excitement will seem to increase time.

Sure, fine, whatever, but does the guy run a 4.3 or not?

David from Janesville, WI

Gents, a little more than two weeks to go until the draft. Will the Insider Inbox tent be open entry, or will we need an access code? Will the root beer and brats be included, or do we need to bring some form of payment? I assume Wes is busy those days, so asparagus is no guarantee on the condiment table. Can't wait to work on some Insiders secret handshakes; I hope the rest of the submitters wear their name tags, so I know who is who!

The "WesHod" asparagus brat/root beer combo needs to be on the menu somewhere at Lambeau. Give the people what they want!

George from Lacey, WA

Who do we pick in the second round?

Whom (did I do that right, Spoff?).