The Green Bay Packers season ended in Arizona after a valiant comeback to tie the NFC Divisional Playoff game with a Hail Mary, only to see the Cardinals score 3 plays into OT. As soon as the season ended reports started to surface that Head Coach Mike McCarthy and General Manager Ted Thompson have a rift due to Thompson’s perceived lack of interest in acquiring veteran talent via free agency or through trades. McCarthy also put running back Eddie Lacy on notice by saying he cannot play at the weight he did this year and he needs to take his offseason training and conditioning more seriously.
(Photo courtesy of A/P)
McCarthy knows he has 3 or 4 more really good years left with Aaron Rodgers at the helm of his offense. He also knows that he can carve a nice place in Packers history if he were able to win another Super Bowl, becoming only the second Packers coach to claim two Super Bowl victories, with the other being Vince Lombardi. In order for that to happen Thompson would need to help him by adding quality veteran depth and continue his stellar drafting.
Jason Cole of Bleacher Report reported that Thompson denies any frustration between himself and McCarthy. A source I spoke with told me that while there is no rift or animosity from McCarthy to Thompson, he did said that McCarthy and other members of the Packers player personnel department have been more vocal about Thompson adding help through free agency or trade. The source also said that McCarthy is in no danger of losing his job and there is no ill will from Thompson towards McCarthy after the head coach voiced his frustrations about lack of help when players started to get hurt this past season at his end of the year press conference.
The Packers salary cap room is in decent shape (as usual) but they could free up even more money by resigning offensive guards Josh Sitton and TJ Lang who’s contracts are up after the 2016 season (pointed out here on Acme Packing Company’s Blog). The Packers also could restructure or add a year to Julius Peppers’ contract or they could cut Peppers gaining over $8 million dollars in salary cap space. The Packers currently have $22.5 million dollars in cap space (14th most in the NFL).
There are a couple players that would really help the Packers (on paper at least) that could be available as free agents, but as you know this is just conjecture and a pipe dream for most Packers fans. Although I was told that the Packers would be more active in free agency this off season, I will take a wait and see approach.
Von Miller, the Broncos outside linebacker, is scheduled to be a free agent. If the Packers were to cut Peppers, Miller could be an amazing bookend on the opposite side of Clay Matthews and make the Packers pass rush one of the best in the NFL. The Broncos also have two additional free agents that have my interest, defensive end Malik Jackson, and inside linebacker Danny Trevathan, both of whom are 26 years old and entering the prime of their careers.
Chiefs inside linebacker Derrick Johnson is also available and would fill the Packers biggest need and allow Mathews to move back outside. Lastly, a player I would love to see the Packers add is Chiefs safety Eric Berry. I know the Packers have Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Morgan Burnett, but Burnett’s play has not been up to par with what he is getting paid and he could be a cap casualty should the Packers want to add Berry.
If the Packers and Thompson were to sign a big ticket free agent, it will be only one and not more than that and that Thompson would then look to add players at his normal bargain (or what he describes as fair market value) prices . While adding a few would be nice, the Packers under Thompson have been great at keeping enough salary cap space to resign their own young talent and ensure they keep a surplus of cash.
One player that the Packers will do everything they can to keep in Green Bay is Mason Crosby. The 31 year old kicker doesn’t want to leave the Packers and is coming off another stellar season and is regarded as one of the, if not the top kicker in the NFL. The same can not be said for John Kuhn. While the Packers would like to retain their All Pro fullback, the price has to be right with Aaron Ripkowski waiting in the wings. Casey Hayward is also a player who the Packers are unlikely to retain since rookies Demetrius Randall and Quinton Rollins played so well in their rookie years and with Ladarious Gunter showing promise as well.
My WAY TO EARLY Mock Draft:
I know the draft process has just begun for many people, but draftniks (like myself) have been watching film and already preparing for the 2016 draft. Here are the Packers biggest needs to me:
- Inside Linebacker
- Nose Tackle
- Outside Linebacker
- Change of pace Running Back
- Offensive Line depth (the tackle position in particular)
- Tight End
Here is my way to early mock draft (v1.0)
Round 1: Jaylon Smith– ILB- Notre Dame:
A playmaking inside linebacker that many compare to Cheifs inside linebacker Derrick Johnson (when he came out of Texas). Smith would’ve been a top 5 pick if he didn’t tear his ACL and MCL in the Irish’s Bowl Game and because it is uncertain whether he’ll be able to play in 2016 he will slide. He has all the traits the Packers need in the middle of their defense. He is highly athletic and can cover well as well. I would like to see him make more plays behind the line of scrimmage, but I feel he will be a better pro player then college. He may be forced to be on the PUP list to start his career (best case scenario) or miss the entire year all together because of his knee injury. With Sam Barrington returning and Jake Ryan entering his second year, the Packers could take Smith knowing they have a stud when he returns to full health.
(Photo courtesy of A/P)
Round 2: Vernon Butler– NT- La Tech:
The Packers may not bring back BJ Raji, who had a decent year coming off an injury but none the less need to upgrade the nose tackle position. Butler is a big guy (6’3/325) who carries his weight well and is surprisingly athletic for a big man. Scouts compare him to Muhammad Wilkerson (NY Jets) and with some good coaching, he can become a force. There is a lot of tape that has him not being as active or impactful as some scouts would like to see, but he is talented and raw. He could be a gem with proper coaching.
Round 3: Shawn Oakman– DE- Baylor:
A physical freak. He is 6’7, 268 pounds and an athletic specimen. He his built like former NFL defensive end Sean Jones (who also won a Super Bowl with Green Bay) and can develop into that type of player. Oakman is a terrific run stopper and can get to the QB as well, although he will need some work there in the NFL. He plays with a nasty streak and that is something Green Bay would love to add to their defense. He is powerful and plays with violent hands, something defensive ends need. While he may have the best upper body (and facemask) in this draft (making him look like a modern day Darth Vader), he will need to be coached up as a pass rusher. He may go higher in the draft because he will blow up the combine.
(Photo courtesy of A/P)
Round 4: Jordan Jenkins– OLB- Georgia:
Nick Perry and Mike Neal are both free agents and Julius Peppers may not be brought back so OLB is somewhat of a need pick. Jenkins is a plug and play guy who has been in a 3/4 defense his entire college career. He is good in coverage and vs the run, but lacks that burst you would like to see as a pass rusher. While I anticipate the Packers resigning Perry and restructuring Peppers, Jenkins would provide much needed depth and a quality reserve who could see a lot of playing time.
Round 5: Kenyan Drake– RB/KR- Alabama:
Drake is not an every down back and had some injury questions while at Alabama, but when he was on the field he was electric. He is a difference making return man and would be an excellent back-up and change of pace back to Eddie Lacy. He has good size (6’/200) and should run a fast 40. He needs to let the game come to him and slow down a bit when he has the ball, but he is a threat to score whenever the ball touches his hands. Opposing teams would have to scheme for his talent, but Drake in McCarthy’s offense with Rodgers hitting him out the backfield in flat or on screens could make the Packers even more dangerous.
Round 6: Kyle Murphy– OT- Stanford:
When the Packers lost David Bakhtiari for the final few games of the season, it was a mess (and I am being overly nice to say the least). While JC Tretter did an admirable job, Don Barclay, who is a free agent, was a disaster (as usual). Murphy has the size (6’6/300) that NFL teams like, but he needs to get stronger. Once he gets with a strength staff and build up his strength, he could be a starter down the road, but the Packers don’t need that now, they need quality depth that if called upon can do the job, and Murphy could be that type of guy.
Round 7: Jake McGee– TE- Florida:
McGeee is already 24 after completing his 6th year at Florida. He missed a lot of time due to injuries, but is the type of TE that can be a valuable contributor to whomever drafts him. He has nice size (6’5/250) with good football speed, but he won’t blow you away when he runs his 40. He is a good blocker but needs to learn to get separation when he is a receiver. He will be good underneath and in the Red Zone.
Alternate Round 7 pick:
Round 7: D.J. Reader– NT- Clemson:
reader is a plugger. He is an old fashioned nose tackle that has the ideal size (6’3/340) to be a force against the run. He moves well for being a big guy, but he needs to be coached up to use his hands more and shed tackles. He has to be double teamed because he will win most one on one match-ups, which would free up the inside backers.
Joe Arrigo
The Cover 1 Blog 