This year more than others, the Packers have had to let starters walk in free agency. Although holding on to their own talent has been a staple of the Packers, 2017 proved to be a very expensive year. So far T.J. Lang, J.C. Tretter, Jared Cook, Eddie Lacy, Micah Hyde, and Datone Jones have signed deals that average nearly $38M collectively. Mike Pennel will soon be added to the list as he was claimed by the Jets.
Clearly retaining these players was impossible with the Packers current cap space at about $23M.
Fortunately for the Packers, however, the 2017 NFL Draft is right around the corner. A great opportunity to replace these overpriced geriatrics with hungry young rookies for a few hundred thousand dollars. Basically indentured servitude.
With that, let’s take a look at the players that have left Green Bay for a new garbage team that will pay them a lot of money to lose, and find out which draft prospects would best fit as replacements.
T.J. Lang, Lions
6’4 318 lbs
5.15 (40), 30 (bench), 26.5 (vert)
Dion Dawkins, OG, Temple
6’4 314 lbs
5.11 (40), 26 (bench), 26 (vert)
A tackle in college, Dawkins is seen primarily as a guard in the NFL. This obviously bodes well for Thompson and the Packers considering their love of tackles at all positions along the line of scrimmage.
Although the Packers haven’t taken a player from Temple in the draft since 1987, Packers scouts were in full attendance for the Temple pro day.
Thought to be a second or third round prospect, Dawkins may have a hard time staying on the board if any of the other 31 teams think he makes for a good starting left tackle.
If he does, however, Dawkins could make for a fantastic 3rd round pick that fills a pretty large hole in the guard spot.
J.C. Tretter, Browns
6’4 307 lbs
5.09 (40), 29 (bench), 29.5 (vert), 109 (broad), 7.48 (3 cone), 4.69 (shuttle)
Corey Levin, OL, Tennessee
6’4 307
5.16 (40), 26 (bench), 26.5 (vert), 106 (broad), 7.55 (3 cone), 4.73 (shuttle)
The other lineman to leave the Packers high and dry was J.C. Tretter. Although a solid player, Tretter was never going to get as big of a contract from the Packers as the Browns were willing to pay him.
A cheaper solution? Draft Tretter all over again. This time, however, the Packers probably won’t have to expend a 4th round pick. Ranked as the 42nd highest ranked offensive lineman by NFL.com, Levin could be a late round selection, if not a UFA.
Levin struggles a bit with his speed which could cause problems with interior rushers and is also said to have limited strength which could hurt him in run blocking. Honestly I’m not sure what else there is for him to do outside of run blocking and pass protecting but he has all the tools necessary to be a good blocker in the NFL.
Julius Peppers, Panthers
6’7 287 lbs
4.74 (40), 36.5 (vert)
Tanoh Kpassagnon, OLB, Villanova
6’7 289 lbs
4.83 (40), 30 (vert)
I really wanted to put Malik McDowell in here because I think he would actually be a pretty decent fit. Although McDowell is more of an interior defender, his ability to play anywhere along the line, including the edge, makes his versatility alone a pretty decent comp.
Still, with the little information I have about Peppers, there is no better physical comparison than Tanoh. I talked a little bit about him in a previous article where I said he would make an ideal DE for the Packers based on his dimensions.
Kpassagnon has some decent burst off the edge and can use his long arms to play strong side, but let’s be honest, if Tanoh is the contingency plan for Peppers we’re all in trouble.
Jared Cook, Raiders
6’5 246 lbs
4.50 (40), 23 (bench), 41 (vert), 123 (broad)
O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
6’6 251 pounds
4.51 (40), 22 (bench), 30 (vert), 121 (broad)
It’s unlikely the Packers take a tight end in the first round considering they signed 2 free agent tight ends.
It’s also unlikely that Howard makes it all the way down to pick 29. Still, at some point the Packers will need to stop paying out big time money for tight ends in their 30’s. If the goal was to find the next Jared Cook, the first round is the only shot you’ve got.
If Howard, the top TE in the class, did fall down the board, I wouldn’t be happy with the pick… but I kind of would.
Eddie Lacy, Seahawks
5’11 231 lbs
4.64 (40), 33.5 (vert), 7.33 (3 cone)
Samaje Perine,RB, Oklahoma
5’11 233 lbs
4.65 (40), 33 (vert), 7.26 (3 cone)
When I first mentioned Samaje Perine, I didn’t necessarily care for the idea of drafting him; he’s just the only guy you’re going to find that’s even close to the dimensions of a guy like Eddie Lacy. The more I thought about it, however, the more I really start to like the idea of it. By the way, how dead on of a comparison is he? It’s kind of incredible.
Perine, would make for a perfect compliment to Ty Montgomery. A ying to his yang, if you will. Perine played second fiddle to the extremely talented Joe Mixon at Oklahoma and could act in almost the exact same capacity.
Perine is a great pass blocker as well as a pretty decent run blocker, he runs in a zone blocking offense, has plenty of speed (Lacy speed), and can catch the ball when asked.
In my opinion he is a perfect draft pick for the Packers, especially considering he most likely won’t be drafted until the third or even fourth round, freeing up the first two days drafts to help shore up the defense.
Micah Hyde, Bills
6’0 197 lbs
4.56 (40), 12 (bench), 33 (vert), 121 (broad), 6.78 (3 cone), 4.2 (shuttle)
Nate Hairston, CB, Temple
6’0 196 lbs
4.52 (40), 14 (bench), 35.5 (vert), 118 (broad), 6.85 (3 cone), 4.47 (shuttle)
Another Temple man, Hairston mostly played wide receiver throughout his football career. Never really finding his groove, Hairston was converted to corner.
In only his second year as a corner, in his senior year, Hairston managed to accumulate 27 tackles, 3 pass deflections, and 2 picks.
Although he isn’t 5’11, Thompson’s favorite corner height, something about this guy screams UFA that finds his way in the starting lineup fast.
Mike Pennel, Jets
6’4 332 lbs
5.23 (40), 28.5 (vert), 102 (broad), 7.94 (3 cone), 4.84 (shuttle)
Nazair Jones, DT, North Carolina
6’5 304 lbs
5.11 (40), 24.5 (vert), 101 (broad), 7.93 (3 cone), 4.63 (shuttle)
Although it isn’t the best comp, it’s hard to find 332 pound guys coming out of college ball. With the emphasis on passing, interior pass rushing is all the rage and guys in the 330 range aren’t really quick on their feet. It’s really depressing considering I’m still waiting for the next Gilbert Brown.
At one point Nazair was a pretty big name. I was shocked trying to find info on his how hard it was to find any details. Jones slid from a second round prospect to possibly a 4th round prospect.
Jones is a pretty strong guy that is slotted to play in a 3-4 system as a run defender. His inability to get pressure on the quarterback might not sit well with Capers but depending how far he slides, Jones could be a steal.
Datone Jones, Vikings
6’4 283
4.8 (40), 29 (bench), 31.5 (vert), 112 (broad), 7.32 (3 cone), 4.32 (shuttle)
Jeremiah Ledbetter, DE, Arkansas
6’3 280 lbs
4.84 (40), 29 (bench), 32.5 (vert), 112 (broad), 7.55 (3 cone), 4.56 (shuttle)
Although Ledbetter primarily played DT in a 4-3 defense, I think he would be better suited if he were moved outside a bit more. He held his own in the middle but could be blown off the ball at times.
By moving him to the DE position, he could use his strength to anchor against the run, which he’s used to, but would also be used to get after the quarterback a little more.
If you find yourself depressed about the departure of Packers like Eddie Lacy, you’ve got some ideas of who to pull for in the draft. On the other hand, if you were glad to see them go you may want to pray the Packers never call these names.