AARON RODGERS is back under a ball busting new contract. The contract is for 3 years, but RODGERS himself… who knows? The second biggest news is that DAVANTE ADAMS is actually the guy who really wanted out of Green Bay, no matter what. So ADAMS is a RAIDER with his old buddy DEREK CARR, his college QB. It might also be noted that ADAMS calls the Vegas area home and already has a house there. And yes, RODGERS was made aware of his probable exit. The team also had some financial house cleaning to do, so the roster is gonna look pretty different in 2022.
Accordingly , the DRAFT is a really big deal for the PACKERS this year. On that front, the good news is the RAIDERS had to surrender their 1st & 2nd Round Picks in the ADAMS trade. Now GM GUTEKUNST must find immediate roster help in this year’s Draft to retain the crown in the NFC North. Having lived in Wisconsin for 40 years, Pigskin Paul is more than happy to help GM BRIAN “choose wisely”, as the Knight Templar said to Indiana Jones.
Pick 22 BOYE MAFE ER/OB Minnesota 6’4/255 One of the hottest rising prospects in this Draft group. MAFE has flashed the energy, athleticism and desire to be an outstanding NFL player. His numbers are off the chart and are causing scouts to backtrack to the game video for more careful scrutiny. He had flashed at times for Minnesota with his quickness and bend into opposing backfields. And he took the top off with his work during Senior Bowl week. He was almost unblockable no matter what the drill session was. After a standout performance at the Combine, he graded out with a 9.91-RAS. It was his 4.53/40 at the Combine that caused the first stir. If you need confirmation of his explosive leg drive, then how about a 38″ Vertical and 10’5″ Broad Jump. He spent a lot of time doing off-field training working on his hand usage. Combining that with his natural bend around the edge, I would expect him to be similar to RASHAN GARY.
Pick 28 CHRIS WATSON WR/KR North Dakota St 6’4/211 He played just two states away in the cold of North Dakota, so the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field should suit him just fine. WATSON may be from a smaller school, but his talent is Big Time. His 4.36/40 @ the Combine should adequately replace MVS as the deep threat. He also sprouts hands that measure 10 1/8″. Explosive? How about a 38 1/2″ vertical in Indy! And he still managed a 6.96 second 3-Cone in Combine testing. He may take a while to mesh with the Pack offense and QB RODGERS, but when he does, watch out. Could be their top receiver by the end of his Rookie season.
Pick 53 CHARLIE KOLAR TE Iowa State 6’6/256 Right now the Packers have one of the best blocking TE’s in the League. But MARCEDES LEWIS will be 38-years old when Training Camp opens. KOLAR would be looked at as the MARCEDES in training this coming season. KOLAR is a decent blocker right now but has the frame and attitude to be better. He is already one of the best full size receivers at the TE position. He also lined up in the slot at times in the 3-TE sets at Iowa State. He has 10″ hands at the end of 34 1/2″ arms. He ran a 4.62/40 at his Pro Day. His 7-second 3-Cone drill at his Pro Day was also considered excellent for his size. He should be ready to play in the NFL now. A healthy TE room featuring TONYAN/LEWIS/KOLAR/DEGUARA could be quite productive, in more ways than one.
Pick 59 PHIDARIAN MATHIS DT Alabama 6’4/313 One of the issues for a player going to a school with a football factory reputation is that he can play well and still get overshadowed by another elite athlete in his position group. MATHIS caught my eye two years ago with his hustle and natural feel for the game as a “big guy” battling along the line-of-scrimmage. MATHIS seems to have a better motor and more stamina than your average college DL. He also finds and penetrates thru gaps in opponent’s blocking schemes. His length is surprising, and I believe it also gives him an advantage over some of the blockers trying to control him. MATHIS has 10 3/8″ Hands, 34 5/8″ long arms, and a Wingspan of 83 7/8″. He should make a nice puzzle piece in a DL group that is a bit thin to say the least. He and another former Crimson Tide standout, VFA JARREN REED, should be solid additions to the PACK DL room.
Pick 92 MATT WALETZKO OT North Dakota 6’7/310 No the Packers don’t usually pick from small schools, within driving distance of Green Bay. But they do go where the talent is. WALETZKO is another amazing specimen, who may become their starting RT. He ran a 5.03/40 at his above size, and his arms measured 36 1/8″ at the Combine. Looked just fine dealing with big school stars during Senior Bowl week. He may not be ready to start I the NFL this season, but grooming him for that RT slot could pay off for a long time. If they wait into Day 4, I would expect him to be taken before they pick again at Pick 132.
Pick 132 KYRON JOHNSON LB/ER Kansas 6’0/230 Speaking of Special Teams, this young man may contribute greatly to improvement in that facet of play. A late add-on at the Senior Bowl, he was a revelation. Talk about a really good player trapped in a lousy football program… The biggest surprise with JOHNSON may be for what he brings to the field at his size. He is explosive off the snap of the ball, and hits with force that belies his relatively small frame.
Pick 140 LUKE GOEDEKE G/T Central Michigan 6’4/318
Pick 228 MARKQUESE BELL SS Florida A&M 6’2/212
Pick 249 TYSHAUN JAMES WR Central Connecticut St 6’2/216
Pick 258 T.J. PLEDGER RB Utah 5’8/191
Read between the lines on this Draft group. Some of these smaller school guys will get extended chances to play from scrimmage, but maybe not this coming season. Hopefully, some of them will step up to help improve the performance of Special Teams. It is not a coincidence that one of their biggest additions to the team is the hiring of vet Special Teams Coach Rich BISACCIA. And he has to have the talent and Special Teams mentality in enough guys to impact a trouble spot for a long time in Green Bay.
Also keep your eyes peeled for RFA and some mid-tier VFA signings the first couple of weeks right after the Draft. That is the PACKER way going all the way back to Ron Wolf.
Pigskin
