Wes: A question about Kingsley Enagbare’s injury. We just found out a few days ago that the ACL was not torn and did not require surgery. Did the Green Bay staff find out about the same time we did, or have they known for a while? It seems like a long time for the staff to get this information if they found out on or around draft day. Possible smokescreen for the draft to let teams think Packers were going to draft an edge rusher? As always, your expertise response awaits! Thank you!
It seems they’ve known for some time given Gutekunst’s quip about how “we were able to keep it quiet, which was good, for at least a little while.” If surgery isn’t needed, I’ll be breathing a heavy sigh of relief for Enagbare. Seeing his pain and disappointment in Dallas was one of the saddest things that I’ve witnessed in an NFL locker room.
The Packers did not put much effort into drafting corners. While their assessment on their present corners with perhaps some confidence in the ‘Tines may have been part of the equation, would not the mentioned versatility of the three safeties to possibly play the “slot” also be a factor.
That’s a big part of it. Keisean Nixon is back as the nickel cornerback, but remember the Packers lost their “dime” cornerback when Jonathan Owens signed with Chicago. As much as Green Bay needs another safety alongside McKinney, the defense also has some openings in the six-DB “dime” sub-package. The more a DB can do, the better chance he has of playing.
On Dan’s question about not picking a corner sooner, our new safeties make me think the slot-corner position in the future is going to be more a part of the safety room than the corners. Possibly due to our new DC. More versatility?
There’s already quite a bit of synergy there already between the cornerback and safety rooms. I think that’s part of the reason behind the defensive backs beginning to meet jointly a few years ago.
Overall, I thought it was a solid draft. On the question of not drafting a corner until the seventh round, it’s one thing to say Eric Stokes looks great. The reality is he’s suited up for 55% of the games over three years. Very intrigued by Kalen King and you ca n’t help but think he is coming into a great situation to try and make his mark on him.
I mentioned this in “Three Things,” but I’ve never been part of a more emotional conference call with a draft pick than the one we conducted with King on Saturday night. He was obviously disappointed with how far he fell but also motivated to prove to everyone he’s still the cornerback he was for Penn State in 2022. The Packers still have options at cornerback (like they always do). We didn’t write much about it last month, but the Packers retaining Corey Ballentine was a big deal for this defense. veteran insurance policy behind Jaire Alexander, Stokes, and Valentine.
Wes, you were clearly touched by the Kalen King interview. It’s all speculation for now, but do you see him as a potential Carrington Valentine 2.0? A steal in the seventh round.
I compared the two on Twitter Saturday and some keyboard scouts criticized me. Yes, they’re different players but King’s age (he’ll play his entire rookie season at 21) and confidence remind me a lot of Valentine last year. King also needs to look no further than Walker, his former Nittany Lion teammate, for an example of what’s possible for a seventh-round pick in Green Bay.
Wes, Evan Williams certainly got a “Seale” of approval, eh? Trusting Gutey’s staff, I watched Evan’s tape and don’t want to heap expectations on him but reminds me of Micah Hyde.
I don’t know much yet about Evan Williams, the football player, but I cannot tell you how impressed I was by Evan Williams, the man. Hearing Williams address the media, I was reminded of Hyde’s conference call in 2013. Williams has a good head on his shoulders based on what I’ve read.
I think we all agree the team who moved into the Love era last year. While we’ve been in the post-Rodgers era for a while, can we finally sort out what we got for what we gave? The NY Jets’ picks translated into what exactly for Green Bay?
It’s complicated. While Luke Musgrave was directly tied to the Rodgers trade (New York’s 2023 second-round pick), Lukas Van Ness, Anders Carlson, Edgerrin Cooper and Jacob Monk were either byproducts of pick swaps with the Jets or trades with other teams.
Good morning, Wes. If you can believe what you read on the electronic interweb, at least two of the Packers’ undrafted free agents were also voted as team captains. Rodney Matthews from Ohio was captain three times and James Ester from Northern Illinois an incredible four times. Both are defensive linemen. Has character and locker-room leadership become as important as height, weight, and speed?
Character is the foundation upon which a successful football team is built. If your team lacks it, everything could crumble. With solid leadership, however, championship teams are constructed.
Buenos dias! Here’s a fun fact: The Packers are one of only three teams that did not draft a WR or TE. The other two teams are the Lions and Vikings. Granted, Detroit and Minnesota had fewer picks than most teams. But I think this speaks to the strength and depth of receiving talent in our division.
That’s actually pretty interesting. I stand by what I said before the draft – the competition Green Bay sought at receiver is already on the roster. When you hit that well on young players at a certain position, you can take swings at other spots.
Good morning, I love reading your articles and watching your videos. The question that I have is what happens with the player we have from Africa? Is he going to make the team? Or how long do the Packers have a roster exemption? Thanks for your input.
Kenneth Odumegwu is back on the roster exemption. He’ll only count towards the 53-man roster if he’s signed to the active roster. Otherwise, Odumegwu is eligible to be a 17th member of the practice squad.
If the last player selected is Mr. Irrelevant, are all those signs after that in the Irrelevant-er category?
I feel like Mr. Irrelevant should be called “A real Purdy pick” from now on.
Where will the Jeff Hafley statue be placed after this year? All joking aside I’m excited to see how this change works out with the talent we just acquired for the new guy. July is only three months away.
Please tell me the entire digital-video-social media team that works tirelessly for three days on draft coverage encompasses 16 individuals, one of whom is a new hire. Jury’s still out on the newbie.
Lauren knows a full-time position is never owned and rent is due every day.
Chuck from Sun Prairie, WI
I’m not worried about how many good players Packers management cuts the end of August. It just means the team is getting better. GPG
Fans realize the Packers can also trade current players for future picks, right? Green Bay has done it in the past with Cole Van Lanen, Ka’dar Hollman and Lerentee McCray.
Thomas from Cedar Rapids, IA
With next year’s draft being in GB, I was hoping (but not surprised it didn’t happen) for a trade or two acquiring future picks. I’m sure we will end up with more than our original seven picks but making hometown fans wait for the 32nd pick in each round of the 2025 draft is downright cruel.
I like the way you think. Have a great Tuesday.
