Inbox: This is a really, really big deal

Edward from Sioux Falls, SD

Hello! With the 2025 NFL Draft only a week away, how is the extended weather forecast looking? Good, I hope. If Packers Nation wants a theme for the upcoming NFL season, I think I have it: "The Drive for Five in 2025!" I'll see myself out...

So far, so good…but now we probably jinxed it.

Dean from Leavenworth, IN

Seven days and counting. I'm curious where Mike and Wes will be spending their draft days? In your office, posted near the draft room, in a designated press area, near the stage, mingling in the crowd or a little everywhere? Can't imagine how many hours you'll be spending at 1265 Lombardi Ave. over those three days. Thanks guys!

It's the same scene for us, Dean. We'll be hunkered down like usual in the Packers' media auditorium, waiting anxiously to discover which stories we'll be writing and the videos we'll be shooting. I hope to pop out and walk around the NFL Draft Experience before the first day, though. The coolest thing is you can feel the excitement growing around the area. People recognize this is a really, really big deal.

Steve from Scranton, PA

It's comical that some people actually think Brian Gutekunst knows whom he will draft at No. 23. I'm sure at this point GMs are doing internal mock drafts to prepare for as many scenarios as possible. My question is, at what point in the first round does he make the decision whether to stand pat at 23 (knowing there are enough players still available with appropriate grades), jump up to grab someone he really values, or drop back (if a trade partner is found) for more bites at the apple?

There is no magic number, but I'd say when you get within 10 spots of where you're picking – that's when the board starts to reveal itself. But if the Packers are looking to trade out of their spot, Gutekunst and his scouts will be on phones well before they go on the clock.

Vince from Green Bay, WI

I have the opposite feeling regarding OL being taken in Round 1. For salary management, I think Packers might need to let Rasheed Walker go (I hope I'm wrong as I like him). By drafting two left tackles ( Jordan Morgan and this rookie) would allow for the better LT to play there and the other to be inserted into Sean Rhyan RG role. Yes, this means investing a lot of draft capital in OL, but with LG, C, and RT all about to make premium dollars, having two rookie contracts at LT and RG would help to offset that.

Offensive line is always a safe bet and LSU's Will Campbell is someone who could provide great value at No. 23. Josh Simmons, Josh Conerly Jr. and Grey Zabel could also be worth a first-round pick, too. I'm still shading a receiver or defensive lineman, though. I feel that's where a Packers team needing to take a step gets the most bang for their buck. Take that for what it's worth coming from someone who'll be in catering, not the draft room.

Joey from Wauwatosa, WI

Wes, don't think we didn't see what you did with the pre-draft picture with Luke Musgrave "regain(ing) his footing." I'm excited to see what our two TE sets can look like this year with both Tucker Kraft and Musgrave on the field. It seems that leaning into these sorts of formations would be right in line with LaFleur's system. If our TEs can occupy opposing safeties, would that provide enough of a cover/replacement to get through missing Christian Watson's field-stretching ability by taking away that safety coverage?

You need field-tilters in this sport, and I believe Musgrave can be one of those players. On paper, he and Kraft complement each other well. Kraft is your traditional, in-line tight end whereas Musgrave is more of a hybrid (ala Jermichael Finley). As I've written before, Green Bay won't be able to replace Watson with one person, but I'm confident Musgrave can be part of a well-rounded solution with how he threatens the middle of the field.

Ed from Hilltown, PA

Wes, there's been a great deal of talk regarding the WR position because of Watson's injury and the time he will be out next year. Along with Christian, I am also concerned about Romeo Doubs and the two concussions he experienced within a short period of time. First, has there been any updates on Doubs' condition? Knowing full well that the likelihood of a first-round WR pick is low, what is your sense as to how they address this issue? Do they share the same concern?

It sounds like Doubs is doing well. The Packers don't have any long-term concerns and that's worth something, too. When Sam Shields' situation got precarious in 2016, Green Bay wouldn't clear him, and he chose to finish his career with the Los Angeles Rams. It was an unfortunate series of events with Doubs but hopefully he can put it all behind him and make the most out of this contract year. Everything is still out there for him.

Ray from Phoenix, AZ

You are the Packers GM and you are on the clock. Both Kenneth Grant and Derrick Harmon are still on the board. Who are you selecting?

Harmon. Respect to Grant, a 6-foot-4, 331-pound space-eater whom NFL.com compares to T.J. Slaton, but I see Harmon as a foundational defensive tackle you can plug in for eight years. He also has functional size, like Kenny Clark, to defend the run and push the pocket; good hands, strong punch and tough.

Paul from Ledgeview, WI

Mike mentioned first-round grades are independent of the first round. Typically, how many players are assigned a first-round grade each year? Is it usually more or less than 32? If you draft a top 10 player at No. 23, obviously there is a benefit that accrues to the team. But if there is no player with a first-round grade at 23 (or any spot in any year) the team will want to trade out or will have to overpay for the player selected there.

From everything I've heard over the years, I'd say it's more likely to have fewer than 32 players with first-round grades than more. Once you get through that initial wave of prospects, the field gets more cluttered because the testing numbers begin to even out. More on that in the next answer…

Graydon from Menomonie, WI

Spoff's response yesterday – "The number of players with a first-round grade is independent of the number of picks in the first round" – got me thinking. If the Packers select a wide receiver with the No. 23 overall pick, but the team assigned that player a second-round grade, would this pick be considered a first-round or a second-round selection?

I think it would be called "trading back." But if the Packers stick, players get paid where they get picked. He would be a first-round selection even if there was a Round 2 grade on the draft board.

Jack from Wauwatosa, WI

Hey II, thanks for all the great info. Here is a little more to add to the heap of hype! Been a fan and serious follower for about 60 years and the Packers never once picked the guy the experts said they would pick except in 1989, when they chose Tony Mandarich. So, I am going to bet that Shemar Stewart is not their pick because he seems to be the consensus choice. GPG!

That's how I'm starting to feel, too. I started the season of mock drafts with Stewart as my guy at No. 23 but slowly pivoted.

Steve from Flagstaff, AZ

The next Aaron Donald? I think you guys have done a Prospect Primer on Walter Nolen already but man this guy has really hyped himself. Could be a good thing or also be very brash. I heard he was also in GB for a pre-draft visit. What do you guys think of this attitude?

I wouldn't call it attitude. I see confidence. Like I said recently, Nolen has impressive tools and plays to his potential. I mean, this kid works for it. Again, my only hang up is Nolen has a body type (taller, lighter) the Packers haven't really featured as a three-technique defensive tackle. Pad level is going to be important for him.

Don from Cedar Rapids, IA

Do you know of any past free-agent signings the Packers made in the week just before the draft?

During the Gutekunst era, Andre Dillard signed one week before last year's draft. Jahri Evans also joined the Packers two days before the 2017 NFL Draft.

Tom from West Palm Beach, FL

Regarding trading picks for cap space, it's kind of already happened. Just look back at the Brock Osweiler trade from Houston to Cleveland.

That's the first thing I thought of.

Jerry from Rockford, IL

Good morning, Insiders and our esteemed digital team. In relation to the college NIL, I believe it's been mentioned somewhere here, maybe, that players receiving NIL money should pay for their own college tuition instead of getting a scholarship. Seems fair. I'm not saying players shouldn't be compensated for their likeness but should also pay their own way. Is this a fair assessment?

But what do you do when a player inevitably blows the money and now can't pay for school? I get the NCAA is a feeder system for the NFL, but we still need to maintain some semblance of college athletics, right? Bueller? Bueller?

Rich from Grand Rapids, MI

Does the Dolphins' decision to put Jalen Ramsey on the trading block affect the market for Jaire Alexander? Why or why not?

If a trade goes down, it may help set the market for the other? Besides that, I don't think it matters a whole lot. They're different players in different cap situations at different junctures of their careers.

Kerry from Lakewood Ranch, FL

Assuming Alexander doesn't come back and play for the Packers, isn't the best scenario to cut or trade him with a post-June 1 designation to garner the most cap space savings?

For the very last time, Alexander doesn't have a roster bonus and the Packers have the cap room. There's no deadline on Green Bay needing to make a move there. If the Packers eventually choose to release Alexander, they could absorb the cap hit without using the post-June 1 exemption.

Dan from Minneapolis, MN

Even though Buffalo builds a new outdoor stadium, they won't get a Super Bowl either. The last outdoor SB was in New York as Met Life stadium opened. Just a little more to do in NYC than GB. No bench seats to deal with as well. Do people really believe GB has a chance to host a Super Bowl, or is this just a fantasy that you see in II from time to time?

It seems to be a topic of conversation whenever there's a lull in the NFL calendar. It's the "Are we there yet?" backseat bellowing of every offseason.

Phillip from Wonder Lake, IL

How and what is Jordy Nelson doing now that he has been retired for a few years?

He's farming down in Kansas but will be in town for the draft to announce a draft pick on Friday night, according to the NFL.

Mark from St. Pete Beach, FL

Gentlemen: The talk about undersized DTs brought to mind the fact the Packers had a great undersized DT during the Lombardi years named Henry Jordan who went on to great things after his football life. He was the chief executive officer of Summerfest in Milwaukee for many years and built it into one of the greatest summer festivals in the country. So much for being too small.

Learn something new every day. Jordan sure accomplished a great deal in his short 42 years. God rest his soul.

Arn from Kenosha, WI

Responding to Matt from Middleton's question re: attendance at Wisconsin events, the State Fair had 1,136,805 last year and Summerfest had 624,407 in 2023. (Too many numbers?)

No, I'm sure Mr. Jordan would be proud.

Dennis from Oak Ridge, TN

Comment for Wes: I applaud your dad for sticking to the Polish pronunciation of your surname. Heritage is important. As a 98% Buffalo-born Polish guy, I revere my heritage and regret my dad shortened our name when my twin brother and I turned 21. He never told us. We found the paperwork after he died. The 2% on the maternal side is Scandinavian which likely came from their invasion of Poland in the Middle Ages. Knowing one's roots helps one understand why we are as we are. Dennis Urban(owski)

That's awesome, Dennis. I appreciate my ancestry. I performed a deep dive on it with my grandparents about 10 or so years ago. To clarify, I don't forsake the Polish pronunciation out of spite. I think it has more to do with my dad being born in Northern Wisconsin compared to me growing up in the Green Bay area where the Americanized "Hod-Kuh-Wits" is the more common pronunciation.

Will from Morris, IL

"Economic developers"? Don't need 'em. Heck, I'll chip in $150. Maybe the others could scratch up the rest?

It could be like a good old-fashioned barn raising. Sounds like Will and the boys are open to building a few rooms.

Dennis from Parrish, FL

For some reason I have never been accused of having "Righteous Indignation!" So, I have that going for me...

Maybe if you were from St. Paul. Wind seems to blow a bit colder up there.

Arthur from Eau Claire, WI

Just a silly question. You (Mike or Wes or both) are invited into the Packer draft room for the duration of the draft, the caveat being you could never tell or write (even hint) at what you witnessed that day forever. Would you do it or would the restriction be way too much pressure for someone like you that has spent a lifetime giving informational truths?

I'm a lockbox. Let me in, Brian. I have cookies.

Mark from New York, NY

Now is the time to start spreading disinformation about the draft room. That way if you ever DO see the inside, people won't know if your comments are real life, or just fantasy.

Good call. The Packers' draft room has a Frosty station. You know what? I'm gonna grab one right now.