Chris from Fort Wayne, IN
How will the Packers' defense stack up this year?
It's only one night and three picks, but Ted Thompson made no bones about it – the Packers are out to get bigger and faster on defense in this draft. It's not like that hasn't always been the goal, but they found three players Friday who line up perfectly with that philosophy. The day belonged to the defense.
Matt from Lisle, IL
Did we get the next Richard Sherman?
The question you should be asking is did you just get the first Kevin King?
Nick from Lima, OH
Have to say I was disappointed about not getting Dalvin Cook, but I trusted TT would make a good decision. Kevin King looks very promising, and his name sounds like a potential household name. What do you think of the pick?
For what it's worth, I had King second on the highly respected Hodkiewicz draft rankings behind Marshon Lattimore. It's easy to fall in love with his size, but what impresses me is how he uses his length to win in coverage. He's 6-foot-3 but has the athleticism and maneuverability of a small, fast cornerback. Of course, there are some areas where he needs to refine his game, but the measureables are there. This is a truly elite prospect for Joe Whitt to develop.
Matt from East Lansing, MI
I like Kevin King. His rare height and arm length are great intangibles that make him a player of value without the first-round price tag. If this man can flip his hips and change direction (despite his size) he's the whole nine yards.
By all metrics, he definitely has that ability. It's those characteristics that allowed him to lead all cornerbacks in the short shuttle and three-cone drill, and propelled him up draft boards over the past three months.
Rishit from Clarington, Canada
Do you think that we picked the best player that was available in Kevin King, or was the best player that was available someone else?
Being invited to the NFL Draft doesn't happen by accident. King was the best player at No. 33 and perhaps even when the Packers were picking at 29. The fact the Packers weren't willing to trade back on Friday probably speaks to Green Bay maximizing the value of its first pick. The Packers didn't forsake speed for size or size for speed with their first two picks. They got the best of both worlds.
Andrew from Savanna, IL
What do you think about Josh Jones at 61? Seems like an athletic utility DB, but I don't know much about him. I was a fan of RB Kamara or OLB Tim Williams here personally.
I thought Packers director of player personnel Brian Gutekunst put it best – "6-1, 220, 4.4 – that's impressive in its own right, but then he backs it up on tape." He can cover. He can hit. He played free and strong safety at NC State and has the size to play down in the box as a hybrid linebacker in the sub-packages. The Packers wanted to get bigger and faster on defense – Jones accomplishes both of those things.
Per from Odense, Denmark
One analyst said of the Adams pick: "He's a pocket pusher. He's not gonna get a lot of sacks, but he'll allow the linebacker to roam free." Do you think this pick essentially met the need for a pass-rusher, meaning that the Packers already had the pass-rusher on the roster, they just needed someone to eat up blockers? I really like how this draft is shaping up. In TT I trust!
Adams put it all together during his senior year at Auburn. His negative-yardage production – 8½ tackles for loss and 4½ sacks – is nothing to sneeze at in the SEC. He produced a 4.87-second time in the 40-yard dash at the combine, but felt he could've run even faster. Don't underestimate the value of interior rushers who can get guards and centers on their heels. If you're making the quarterback uncomfortable, you're doing your job.
Ana from Wisconsin
People talk about players who were not chosen, but I saw the Packers, the Seahawks and the Patriots were not shy about trading out of the first round and picking later. Does that mean, perhaps, that there were good players in this draft, but few worth a first-round pick?
I'm not sure what played into Seattle's and New England's decisions to move back, but in the Packers' case, I think it was because they had enough first-round caliber options still available. If they didn't feel that way, Thompson wouldn't have moved back. In the end, the front office felt there were enough quality players still on the board that it could move back.
Paul from Los Angeles, CA
Montravius Adams wore No. 1 in college. How does a DT wear No. 1?
*I thought the same thing, but college players can wear any number they want. *
Tyler from Myrtle Beach, SC
I'll admit, at first I was perplexed and disappointed when the Packers selected Jones. But then I read up on him. Size, speed, and versatility. Sounds exactly like the kind of player Dom Capers loves to have on his roster.
Jones might not have the name of a Jabrill Peppers or Chidobe Awuzie, but he's the type of defensive back who can be used in a multitude of different ways. He's also incredibly enthusiastic about learning from Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Burnett. Safety continues to grow in importance and the Packers again made a significant investment in the future of the position in Green Bay.
Chris from Prior Lake, MN
Before the second round, people were saying that TT will be judged by how well Watt does in the NFL. Now that we're done with the second round, would you say TT will be judged by how well KK and JJ do instead? BTW, how's everyone feeling?
Teams should be judged by who they draft and not who they don't because what-ifs are a natural part of the game. Four years ago, there was a group of fans who were outraged when the Packers passed on Montee Ball and took Eddie Lacy. That's just the way it goes. Also, who's to say they wouldn't have taken Kevin King at 29?
Don from Superior, WI
Thompson keeps talking about how strong his draft board was after he traded the first-round pick away to get more picks. I thought that was a good strategy. I like the idea to pick up a good corner. Why do you think TT picks a safety and a defensive tackle when we needed a pass-rusher and a running back?
*You guys probably notice I use the phrase "perceived need" fairly often in this column. I do that because the public perception doesn't always equate with Thompson's decision-making process. Do the Packers need another running back? Yes. Would another pass-rusher help? Of course. However, the Packers felt they were getting good value in Jones and Adams on Day 2, and acted accordingly. Now, we'll see what the third day begins. *
Jesse from Bismarck, ND
I can sleep easy tonight. Samaje Perine is there and we have the first pick.
That's the benefit of pulling that deal off with the Browns on Thursday. Thompson and his scouts again can go back to their draft board and reassess with six more picks Saturday. Spoff and I are both fans of Perine. In addition to being a natural pounder, it sounds like he's a terrific guy and teammate from a couple folks I've talked to.
Marcus from Chicago, IL
Kevin King and Josh Jones: If you like alliterations and depth in the secondary, you like the Packers' second round.
I'm eagerly awaiting the litany of future headline possibilities.
Erik from San Diego, CA
Hey guys, interesting draft Day 1. Who loves what Chicago did to get Mitchell Trubisky?
Like the great philosopher Ron Wolf once said – if you don't have a quarterback, you don't have a chance. The Bears doubled-down on the signing of Mike Glennon by selecting Trubisky. Will it work? Maybe, but I agree Chicago had to do something to overhaul the position this offseason.
Matt from La Crosse, WI
Say your team primarily runs a 3-4 defense and the best available player at your pick is a prototypical 4-3 DE. What goes through your mind?
*Does he have the positional flexibility to make a switch? Nick Perry and Julius Peppers did – two very different players who had the necessary athleticism to transition. I'll also add that I think it's easier to make that move now than probably 20 years ago. That line continues to get blurred with more teams relying on nickel as their base defense. *
Luc from St. Thomas, Canada
Bummed we missed out on D'Onta Foreman, but still excited to see who pick up for the running back room. James Conner, Marlon Mack and Samaje Perine all intrigue me.
Oh, the depth at running back is real and it's spectacular.
Nathan from Baltimore, MD
Can you envision the Packers NOT taking a running back today?
No. I can't.
Tom from Warwick, NY
What about the other homegrown talent Vince Biegel?
As of this writing, he's still on the board. He could go anywhere from Round 4-6. He might not have Watt's credentials, but he was steady and productive for the Badgers. Plus, he's another homegrown talent coming from Wisconsin Rapids.
D'Miroche from Milwaukee, WI
Is it OK to get really nervous right about now for all the other NFC North picks?
Hey, they get to pick players, too. It's no different than any other year. The Vikings didn't surprise me. With no first-round pick, they needed to make some moves.
Mark from Stevens Point, WI
It seems like projecting whether a player will be successful at the QB position is really tough. What position is easiest to project success at the NFL level?
Great question – maybe kicker? I guess I'd say receiver since the league is becoming so pass-heavy. In general, it's hard to say because there's always a high prospect at every position whose game just doesn't translate to the NFL.
Aaron from Madison, WI
All we can do as fans is watch. Some fans watch with excitement and joy, other fans watch with anger, but regardless of our complaints or expectations, the outcome is always going to be the same. The choice is ours how to watch the outcome unfold. Why do so many fans choose to watch with anger?
Because anger is easy.
Dan from Rothschild, WI
Something I didn't think about until this morning. I know when a team is late getting their pick in, other teams can jump ahead. What happens when the last pick of the round/day is late? Do they lose that pick? Can the team picking first the next round/day pick ahead? I won't sleep until I get an answer.
Great question. It's never happened before. I guess they'd just have to wait for them.
Paul from Roseville, CA
Do you think there are any salary-cap considerations taken when trading back in the draft? Couldn't having large investments to make in high draft choices that are unproven in the NFL be seen as risky?
It's not as big a risk as it used to be due to the rookie wage scale. There is a small difference in terms of how the signing bonuses are allotted, but not much. It is only four picks later, after all.
Bob from Verona, WI
Do you think the Packers got a fair deal in trading back? A fourth-round pick is all we got? I would have thought a third pick would be the right price.
If you go by the ol' draft-value chart, the Packers got a good deal. The total value of the Browns' two picks was 658 compared to the 640 the Packers' 29th pick carried.
Margeaux from Tallahassee, FL
TT takes Willis at 33, Moreau at 61. How'd I do?
Not bad.
Glenn from Naples, FL
What are the chances GB can host the draft as part of the 100-year anniversary?
That would be neat.
Travis from Bozeman, MT
The constant boo-birds are getting a bit old. Just enjoy the draft for what it means for your team and stop the negativity.
Have you ever been to Philadelphia?
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