Breaking down the Green Bay Packers' 2018 draft class.
Round 1, No. 18 overall: Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville
My take: Another year, another high pick designed to fix the pass defense. No NFL team has taken more defensive backs in the first two rounds of the past five drafts than the Packers. Alexander was the sixth defensive back to fit those qualifications. It was perhaps the biggest position of need after the Packers finished 23rd in passing defense last season and 31st the previous year. To get the second cornerback (or third if Minkah Fitzpatrick ends up playing there instead of safety) taken in the draft at No. 18 suggests the Packers got good value. However, new general manager Brian Gutekunst passed on potential defensive stars Tremaine Edmunds, Derwin James and Marcus Davenport when he traded out of the No. 14 spot (where Davenport went to the Saints).
From 14 to 27 to 18: Gutekunst appeared to fleece the Saints when he traded back from No. 14 to No. 27 and picked up a fifth-rounder (No. 147) plus the Saints’ first-round pick in 2019. He may have given a little of that value back in his second deal to move up from 27 to 18 in a trade with the Seahawks, who got the 27th overall pick plus a third-rounder (No. 76 overall) and a sixth-rounder (No. 186 overall) from the Packers, who also got Seattle’s seventh-round pick (No. 248).
Sizing it up: At 5-foot-10¼, Alexander stands more than 4 inches shorter than Packers cornerback Kevin King (6-3), their top draft pick last year. “He doesn’t play like a little guy,” Packers director of college scouting Jon-Eric Sullivan said. “He’s very competitive. He gets in people’s business. He talks a little bit -- most corners do.” Said Alexander: “I’m a big believer in heart over height.” Sullivan said from a speed perspective, Alexander (4.38-second 40-yard dash at the combine) is in the same category with former Packers cornerback Sam Shields.
Round 2, No. 45: Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa
My take: One thing already has become clear in Brian Gutekunst’s first draft: He won’t stray far from the Ron Wolf-Ted Thompson philosophy of throwing multiple players at one position of need. Wolf did it in 1999, when he took three cornerbacks in a row (Antuan Edwards, who moved to safety, in the first round; Fred Vinson in the second and Mike McKenzie in the third). Thompson took two in a row in 2015 (Damarious Randall in the first round; Quinten Rollins in the second). Now, it’s Jackson to go along with first-round pick Jaire Alexander at No. 18 overall. Although the Packers have significant needs in other areas on defense, specifically in their pass rush, when you allow an NFL-high 21 touchdown passes last season and receivers average 9.1 yards per attempt against you (second highest in the NFL, according to ESPN Stats & Information), it’s understandable why Gutekunst wanted to double up in his first draft. “We all know the situation as far as getting depth at that position,” said Packers college scout Alonzo Dotson, who did the legwork on Jackson, “And we definitely did that.”
How he fits: Jackson, at a shade over 6 feet, is bigger than Alexander (5-10¼) but not as fast. He ran just a 4.56 40-yard dash at the combine compared to Alexander’s 4.38. But he made more plays on the ball. Jackson led the nation with eight interceptions last season, and Alexander had only seven total in his three seasons at Louisville. “[Jackson’s] speed never worried us because he’s so smart and is in the right place,” Dotson said. “He’s strong, smart and can jam people at the line of scrimmage with his long arms. He can get out of his breaks and play people down the field.” The Packers came away with two of Scouts Inc.'s top four cornerbacks in this draft.
Round 3, No. 88 overall: Oren Burks, OLB, Vanderbilt
My take: Maybe Dom Capers wasn’t the only problem on defense; it was a personnel issue as much as it was coaching. Yes, the Packers needed a change at defensive coordinator, but GM Brian Gutekunst has made it clear he thinks they were short on players, too. That was the message Friday, when he drafted two more defensive players -- cornerback Josh Jackson in the second round and Burks in the third round -- after taking cornerback Jaire Alexander in the first round Thursday. Gutekunst felt compelled to trade up into the third round to take Burks at No. 88. He didn’t have a third-rounder when the day started, but he gave up two fourth-round picks (Nos. 101 and 147). Last year, then-Packers GM Ted Thompson used his first four picks on defensive players.
How he fits: Burks played safety his first two seasons at Vanderbilt. He moved to a hybrid safety-linebacker position as a junior and then played exclusively at inside linebacker as a senior. So where will he play in new coordinator Mike Pettine’s defense? “He’ll play inside linebacker for us,” Packers director of pro personnel John Wojciechowski said. “The versatility that he brings to us, he’s athletic and he’s going to be able to cover the field side-to-side. Coverage wise, he’s definitely going to be able to help us there.” If Burks can play as a rookie, the Packers might not have to use Clay Matthews at inside linebacker very much -- or at all. Burks might be too small to provide much pass rush, but he could be an ideal dime linebacker, a role played by Joe Thomas for parts of the past two seasons.
Round 4, No. 133 overall: J'Mon Moore, WR, Missouri
Take a look a Missouri WR J'Mon Moore's college highlights.
My take: Well, the Packers had to go offense at some point. After taking three defensive players in the first three rounds, GM Brian Gutekunst got Aaron Rodgers some direct help after losing Jordy Nelson (Raiders) and Jeff Janis (Browns) in free agency. This is the highest the Packers have drafted a receiver since 2015 in the third round with Ty Montgomery, who’s now a running back. The two receivers they picked last year – DeAngelo Yancy (fifth round) and Malachi Dupre (seventh) – did not make the team. The only other receiver they’ve taken since Montgomery was Trevor Davis (fifth round, 2016), who has played sparingly on offense but is their No. 1 punt returner.
How he fits: It came as a mild surprise that the 6-foot-2 5/8, 207-pound Moore ran only a 4.6 40-yard dash at the combine. Some believe he will play faster than that. He ran a 4.49 40 at his pro day. "I think he plays closer to his pro day 40 time of 4.49," Packers director of college scouting Jon-Eric Sullivan said. "We were not concerned with his play speed at all. When he ran the 4.49 at his pro day that solidified what we saw on film." Moore had back-to-back 1,000-yard season at Missouri. The Packers’ depth chart at receiver before this pick looked like this: Davante Adams, Randall Cobb, Geronimo Allison, Trevor Davis, Michael Clark, plus practice-squad members Colby Pearson, Jake Kumerow and Yancy.
Round 5, No. 138 overall: Cole Madison, OL, Washington State
My take: Packers offensive line coach James Campen has a history of developing mid-round draft picks into starters. The list is long: center Corey Linsley (fifth round), left tackle David Bakhtiari (fourth round), guard T.J. Lang (fourth round) and guard Josh Sitton (fourth round) to name a few. Madison should be used to pass block considering Washington State’s uptempo passing game. New GM Brian Gutekunst has followed his predecessor’s penchant for taking offensive linemen. Ted Thompson picked offensive linemen in 12 of his 13 drafts, including eight years with multiple linemen.
How he fits: Madison is not a replacement for right tackle Bryan Bulaga, who is coming off ACL surgery. The Packers plan to try Madison at guard first, said college scouting director Jon-Eric Sullivan. "We like his position versatility, we'll [play him] at guard first," he said. Madison went to college as a tight end but played his entire career at right tackle, where he started 47 games -- including the last 39 of his career.
Round 5, No. 172 overall: JK Scott, P, Alabama
My take: A punter? In the fifth-round? The last time the Packers drafted a punter, it went down as one of then-coach/GM Mike Sherman's biggest draft mistakes. Sherman made it worse because he traded up to take B.J. Sander in the third round of the 2004 draft. Sander punted in 14 career games and was never heard from again. Three punters went in Saturday's fifth round. The Seattle Seahawks struck first at No. 149 overall with Michael Dixon of Texas. After Scott went at No. 172, Florida's Johnny Townsend went with the next pick to the Oakland Raiders, making it the first time since 1982 that punters were selected with back-to-back picks, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
How he fits: It was like pulling teeth to get special teams coach Ron Zook to say anything nice about last year's punter Justin Vogel, even though as an undrafted rookie Vogel set the team record for net punting average (41.6). Scott posted a 43.1-yard career net average at Alabama. "It's just competition, by no means is it over," Packers college scout Matt Malaspina said. "The NFL is based on that, so we want to bring out the best in every player, and the only way to do that is through competition. By no means is this is an indictment on anybody else. That's just what this business is all about -- competition."
Round 5, No. 174 overall: Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR, South Florida
My take: Last year, the Packers picked three running backs on Day 3 of the draft. This year, they doubled-up third-day receivers. After dumping Jordy Nelson, they can only hope it works out as well as running backs Jamaal Williams and Aaron Jones did last season. After taking Missouri’s J’Mon Moore, who has questionable speed, in the fourth round, GM Brian Gutekunst went with the fast Valdes-Scantling at No. 174. The Packers also picked a pair of receivers last year -- DeAngelo Yancy (fifth-round) and Malachi Dupre (seventh) -- but neither made the team. They’re probably going to need one or both of these drafted receivers to make it this year after they cut Nelson.
How he fits: Valdes-Scantling’s measurable stand out. He’s 6-foot-4, 206 pounds and ran a 4.37 40 at the combine -- it was the second-fastest 40 time among receivers who ran in Indianapolis behind only LSU’s D.J. Chark, who went in the second round. He averaged 15.3 yards per catch with 11 touchdowns in his two seasons at South Florida after he transferred from NC State. However, he has had issues with drops and his vertical jump (30.5 inches) was low for someone with his size and speed. “He’s smooth,” said Packers college scout Matt Malaspina. “He’s got elite speed. A fine athlete. I don’t know if you guys have seen him move around live, but a very loose, athletic, long guy with speed. Which is what this league is all about.”
Round 6, No. 207 overall: Equanimeous St. Brown, WR, Notre Dame
My take: This is what a team can do when it comes into the third day of the draft with eight picks; it can take receiver after receiver after receiver and hope that one of them works out. St. Brown became the third one the Packers took on Saturday after J'Mon Moore (fourth round) and Marquez Valdes-Scantling (fifth round). It worked out last season when former GM Ted Thompson took three running backs. Two of them -- Jamaal Williams (fourth round) and Aaron Jones (fifth round) -- turned into their top-two backs.
How he fits: St. Brown, who was a favorite target of current Packers backup quarterback DeShone Kizer in 2016, came out as a true junior even though his production declined last season to 33 catches, 515 yards and four touchdowns after posting 58 catches for 961 yards and nine touchdowns in 2016 with Kizer. Like the 6-foot-4 Valdes-Scantling, he’s another tall receiver. St. Brown measured 6-4 ¾ at the combine and ran a 4.48 40-yard dash. It appears the Packers targeted receivers who can make plays down the field.
Round 7, No. 232 overall: James Looney, DE, California
My take: This one might fall into the adage that you can never have enough big people, so it was probably about time the Packers took a defensive lineman in this draft. It also stopped a run of five straight non-defensive picks (four offensive players and a punter) after GM Brian Gutekunst used his first three picks on the defense (two cornerbacks and an inside linebacker). His brother, Joe, is a backup center on the Cowboys and was a fourth-round pick of the 49ers in 2012.
How he fits: He’s probably not an edge rusher -- and he might not be much of a pass-rusher at all with only eight sacks in three years at Cal after he transferred from Wake Forest. However, he played in a 3-4 defense in college at Cal, so he’ll have at least some base knowledge in how the Packers want to play. At 6-foot-2 ¾ and 287 pounds, he might be a tad small but he tested reasonably well at the combine (28 reps on the bench press, 4.89 40 and 38.5-inch vertical).
Round 7, No. 239 overall: Hunter Bradley, LS, Mississippi State
My take: Who drafts a long-snapper? The same team that takes a punter two rounds earlier. This was essentially a draft pick to ensure they didn’t lose Bradley in the post-draft scramble for undrafted free agents and a luxury when you have 11 selections. The Packers took punter JK Scott of Alabama in the fifth round, so perhaps a long-snapper shouldn’t have come as this big of a surprise.
How he fits: The Packers used three different long-snappers last year -- Brett Goode (for two different stints on the roster), Taybor Pepper (who was injured) and Derek Hart (who was cut to bring back Goode late in the season). The Packers have been trying to get younger for a couple of years but have kept coming back to the 33-year-old Goode. The other snapper on the Packers’ offseason roster is Zach Triner, who spent some time last offseason with the Jets, but has never snapped in an NFL game.
Round 7, No. 248 overall: Kendall Donnerson, LB, Southeast Missouri State
My take: It was a weak draft class from the edge pass rushing position, so perhaps that’s why GM Brian Gutekunst didn’t reach to take one earlier than this. That he drafted a punter (JK Scott) and a long snapper (Hunter Bradley) before he took a pass rusher was telling. At 6-foot-2 and 248 pounds, Donnerson had 12 career sacks in four college seasons.
How he fits: Seventh-round picks can be long shots to make the roster, but the fact that Donnerson was the only pass rusher the Packers took might give him a chance to beat the odds. The Packers don’t have any locks behind Clay Matthews and Nick Perry, so there’s a wide-open competition for those roster spots. Gutekunst almost certainly will add more outside rushers in rookie free agency.