The Packers’ visit list is all but finalized
Kentrell Brice Jersey , and the top new name on the list is a possible top-50 pick."Each year, news trickles out little by little about the players who come to visit the Green Bay Packers as part of the team’s 30 official pre-draft visits. This year, we at Acme Packing Company knew the names of 22 such players as of this weekend, with a handful of additional players who visited the team as part of the local Pro Day.On Monday morning, Packersnews.com published its annual list of confirmed visitors, and this year’s batch has seven names on it that APC did not yet know about. Here’s a quick look at each of the new names on APC’s list, which you can find in its entirety here.Sean Bunting, CB, Central MichiganBunting has been a riser throughout this draft process, and now has a chance to go in the top 50 picks. He had a great workout at the Combine, with a 4.42-second forty-yard dash and a 41.5-inch vertical, then recorded a solid 6.89-second 3-cone drill at his Pro Day. In addition, he has good size at a shade over 6-foot and 195 pounds, and has great ball skills as shown by nine interceptions in three years.Kahale Warring, TE, San Diego StatePossessing ideal size and speed, Warring measured in at 6-foot-5 and 252 pounds in Indy for the Combine, then ran a 4.67-second 40. A likely day-three pick, he could be an excellent consolation prize for the Packers as an all-around tight end if they miss out or choose not to select one of the top options earlier. Warring was not a hugely productive receiver in college, posting just 51 career receptions, but he did have eight touchdowns.Curtis Bolton, ILB, OklahomaWhile the Big XII conference had few defensive players at the 2019 Combine
Geronimo Allison Jersey , Bolton could easily be considered a snub after a stellar senior season. The 6-foot, 228-pound Bolton recorded a whopping 142 tackles in his one year as a starter, totaling 12 TFLs and 4.5 sacks. He also ran a reported 4.59-second 40 at Oklahoma’s Pro Day and clearly projects as a speedy coverage linebacker.E.J. Speed, ILB, Tarleton StateA college edge rusher who projects as an inside backer in the NFL, Speed lives up to his name thanks to a reported 4.60 forty and 6.90-second 3-cone drill at his Pro Day. He’s a long, lanky player at around 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, and after recording six sacks in 2016 and missing most of 2017 to injury, he bounced back with another five sacks in 2018. He’s likely to go undrafted but could make for an intriguing free agent signing.Nate Herbig, G, StanfordThe Packers have had good luck in the past with finding guards on day three or as undrafted players, and Herbig seems to fit that mold. Though not a great athlete — his agility testing at the Combine fell well short of what the Packers typically like in offensive linemen — he did earn two All-Pac 12 honors, named first-team as a sophomore in 2017 and second-team last year. Leaving Stanford after just three years, Herbig is a young prospect who may just be tapping into his potential.Greg Gaines, DT, WashingtonTackles from the “other” UW have been high draft picks in recent years (Vita Vea and Danny Shelton come to mind) and although Gaines won the Pac-12’s award for the conference’s best defensive lineman last year, he probably will be a day-three pick. Still, Gaines did have a nice career as a pass-rushing tackle, racking up 9.5 sacks in three-plus years as a starter, including 4.5 last season. Gaines measured in at 6-foot-1 and 308 pounds at the Combine, putting him at almost the same size as Mike Daniels. Perhaps he could be a long-term replacement at the 3-technique position?John Wirtel, LS, KansasThe Packers drafted long snapper Hunter Bradley last year in the seventh round
Aaron Jones Jersey , grabbing the Mississippi State product who had two ACL surgeries. Wirtel has a similar injury history, and was granted a sixth year of eligibility for 2018 as a result. Wirtel measures in around 6-foot-3 and 243 pounds, and he could be an undrafted free agent signing to push Bradley in camp.Packers’ dissolving 2017 draft class is following a dangerously similar path as 2015 For a lot of NFL draft picks, a fourth season with their respective teams is supposed to be a significant one. For most, it’s a “contract season” with a lucrative second contract on the line as they begin surging into the prime of their careers.But for the Green Bay Packers, there are not many fourth-year players to speak of. A shocking two players remain in the organization from the eight-man 2015 draft class, which enters its fourth year: Ty Montgomery (round three), and Jake Ryan (round four). Montgomery, while a jack-of-many-trades, may not be re-signed following the season. Ryan will sit out the year after tearing his ACL early in training camp.New General Manager Brian Gutekunst has also swung two trades in his short time in charge involving two members of the class in Damarious Randall and Brett Hundley. The final two picks of that draft class, Christian Ringo and Kennard Backman, failed to make it past year two. Second-rounder Quinten Rollins and sixth-rounder Aaron Ripkowski were the latest casualties, released in final cuts on Saturday (Rollins being waived with an injury settlement). It has not been a lengthy or very productive stay for the 2015 crew.That trend of disappointment does not bode well for the Packers’ 2017 class, either. Just one year in, five of the 10 players selected have been released. An easier view of both the 2015 and 2017 drafts can be seen in the tweet below.The releases of Vince Biegel, Devante Mays, DeAngelo Yancey, and Kofi Amichia this weekend, coupled with Malachi Dupre’s release after last year’s training camp, has put a damper on the Packers’ draft-and-develop philosophy. The Biegel release in particular cuts deep for the Packers, not just because he is a former Wisconsin Badger but because the Packers desperately need pass rushing depth. Still continuously in search for production, the Packers spent the coveted first pick of Day Three on Biegel instead of the sliding Carl Lawson. As Biegel nursed a foot injury throughout his rookie campaign, Lawson tallied 8.5 sacks for the Cincinnati Bengals.Yes
Lane Taylor Jersey , the third day of the 2017 draft has already been mostly a failure, with running backs Jamaal Williams and Aaron Jones acting as the saving graces. Still, the jury is still out on both after just one season in which each took turns stepping up in the other’s absence.And the Packers’ first three picks last season? Well, they are far from certain to have an impact on the team in the long term. Kevin King played in only nine games a year ago, as a nagging shoulder injury was the one that finally ended his rookie season prematurely. Though his size, speed, and athleticism certainly give King a chance at developing into a solid pro, he was raw as a rookie and the Packers’ 2018 draft picks, Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson, already seem more polished in limited preseason action. For the Packers, who have experienced the ups-and-downs of 2015 draft picks Randall and Rollins, the unknowns surrounding King are a bit concerning.Second-round safety Josh Jones had a monster training camp as a rookie, providing enormous optimism for his role as the “Nitro” linebacker. But issues in coverage and poor angles in run support doomed Jones in his first season. A prompt return to safety ensued for Jones after Mike Pettine’s hire in Green Bay and, once again, there were high hopes for him to earn a starting job in 2018. But so far, Jones has not separated himself at all from the likes of Kentrell Brice or Jermaine Whitehead. That is very unsettling at this juncture.Although Montravius Adams flashed some signs of becoming a reliable depth player on the defensive line this preseason, the former third-round pick was either injured or unheard from as a rookie. That isn’t a great sign for Packers fans who have seen defensive linemen like Donnell Washington and Jerel Worthy take similar paths after being drafted in rounds two and three.It’s very early, but the Packers’ 2017 draft class is trending dangerously similar to the underwhelming group from 2015. While the 2018 class has impressed as a collective whole thus far, Green Bay needs its remaining 2017 players to take a second-year leap due to the positions and roles they play. History cannot repeat itself.
The Packers’ visit list is all but finalized
Kentrell Brice Jersey , and the top new name on the list is a possible top-50 pick."Each year, news trickles out little by little about the players who come to visit the Green Bay Packers as part of the team’s 30 official pre-draft visits. This year, we at Acme Packing Company knew the names of 22 such players as of this weekend, with a handful of additional players who visited the team as part of the local Pro Day.On Monday morning, Packersnews.com published its annual list of confirmed visitors, and this year’s batch has seven names on it that APC did not yet know about. Here’s a quick look at each of the new names on APC’s list, which you can find in its entirety here.Sean Bunting, CB, Central MichiganBunting has been a riser throughout this draft process, and now has a chance to go in the top 50 picks. He had a great workout at the Combine, with a 4.42-second forty-yard dash and a 41.5-inch vertical, then recorded a solid 6.89-second 3-cone drill at his Pro Day. In addition, he has good size at a shade over 6-foot and 195 pounds, and has great ball skills as shown by nine interceptions in three years.Kahale Warring, TE, San Diego StatePossessing ideal size and speed, Warring measured in at 6-foot-5 and 252 pounds in Indy for the Combine, then ran a 4.67-second 40. A likely day-three pick, he could be an excellent consolation prize for the Packers as an all-around tight end if they miss out or choose not to select one of the top options earlier. Warring was not a hugely productive receiver in college, posting just 51 career receptions, but he did have eight touchdowns.Curtis Bolton, ILB, OklahomaWhile the Big XII conference had few defensive players at the 2019 Combine
Geronimo Allison Jersey , Bolton could easily be considered a snub after a stellar senior season. The 6-foot, 228-pound Bolton recorded a whopping 142 tackles in his one year as a starter, totaling 12 TFLs and 4.5 sacks. He also ran a reported 4.59-second 40 at Oklahoma’s Pro Day and clearly projects as a speedy coverage linebacker.E.J. Speed, ILB, Tarleton StateA college edge rusher who projects as an inside backer in the NFL, Speed lives up to his name thanks to a reported 4.60 forty and 6.90-second 3-cone drill at his Pro Day. He’s a long, lanky player at around 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, and after recording six sacks in 2016 and missing most of 2017 to injury, he bounced back with another five sacks in 2018. He’s likely to go undrafted but could make for an intriguing free agent signing.Nate Herbig, G, StanfordThe Packers have had good luck in the past with finding guards on day three or as undrafted players, and Herbig seems to fit that mold. Though not a great athlete — his agility testing at the Combine fell well short of what the Packers typically like in offensive linemen — he did earn two All-Pac 12 honors, named first-team as a sophomore in 2017 and second-team last year. Leaving Stanford after just three years, Herbig is a young prospect who may just be tapping into his potential.Greg Gaines, DT, WashingtonTackles from the “other” UW have been high draft picks in recent years (Vita Vea and Danny Shelton come to mind) and although Gaines won the Pac-12’s award for the conference’s best defensive lineman last year, he probably will be a day-three pick. Still, Gaines did have a nice career as a pass-rushing tackle, racking up 9.5 sacks in three-plus years as a starter, including 4.5 last season. Gaines measured in at 6-foot-1 and 308 pounds at the Combine, putting him at almost the same size as Mike Daniels. Perhaps he could be a long-term replacement at the 3-technique position?John Wirtel, LS, KansasThe Packers drafted long snapper Hunter Bradley last year in the seventh round
Aaron Jones Jersey , grabbing the Mississippi State product who had two ACL surgeries. Wirtel has a similar injury history, and was granted a sixth year of eligibility for 2018 as a result. Wirtel measures in around 6-foot-3 and 243 pounds, and he could be an undrafted free agent signing to push Bradley in camp.Packers’ dissolving 2017 draft class is following a dangerously similar path as 2015 For a lot of NFL draft picks, a fourth season with their respective teams is supposed to be a significant one. For most, it’s a “contract season” with a lucrative second contract on the line as they begin surging into the prime of their careers.But for the Green Bay Packers, there are not many fourth-year players to speak of. A shocking two players remain in the organization from the eight-man 2015 draft class, which enters its fourth year: Ty Montgomery (round three), and Jake Ryan (round four). Montgomery, while a jack-of-many-trades, may not be re-signed following the season. Ryan will sit out the year after tearing his ACL early in training camp.New General Manager Brian Gutekunst has also swung two trades in his short time in charge involving two members of the class in Damarious Randall and Brett Hundley. The final two picks of that draft class, Christian Ringo and Kennard Backman, failed to make it past year two. Second-rounder Quinten Rollins and sixth-rounder Aaron Ripkowski were the latest casualties, released in final cuts on Saturday (Rollins being waived with an injury settlement). It has not been a lengthy or very productive stay for the 2015 crew.That trend of disappointment does not bode well for the Packers’ 2017 class, either. Just one year in, five of the 10 players selected have been released. An easier view of both the 2015 and 2017 drafts can be seen in the tweet below.The releases of Vince Biegel, Devante Mays, DeAngelo Yancey, and Kofi Amichia this weekend, coupled with Malachi Dupre’s release after last year’s training camp, has put a damper on the Packers’ draft-and-develop philosophy. The Biegel release in particular cuts deep for the Packers, not just because he is a former Wisconsin Badger but because the Packers desperately need pass rushing depth. Still continuously in search for production, the Packers spent the coveted first pick of Day Three on Biegel instead of the sliding Carl Lawson. As Biegel nursed a foot injury throughout his rookie campaign, Lawson tallied 8.5 sacks for the Cincinnati Bengals.Yes
Lane Taylor Jersey , the third day of the 2017 draft has already been mostly a failure, with running backs Jamaal Williams and Aaron Jones acting as the saving graces. Still, the jury is still out on both after just one season in which each took turns stepping up in the other’s absence.And the Packers’ first three picks last season? Well, they are far from certain to have an impact on the team in the long term. Kevin King played in only nine games a year ago, as a nagging shoulder injury was the one that finally ended his rookie season prematurely. Though his size, speed, and athleticism certainly give King a chance at developing into a solid pro, he was raw as a rookie and the Packers’ 2018 draft picks, Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson, already seem more polished in limited preseason action. For the Packers, who have experienced the ups-and-downs of 2015 draft picks Randall and Rollins, the unknowns surrounding King are a bit concerning.Second-round safety Josh Jones had a monster training camp as a rookie, providing enormous optimism for his role as the “Nitro” linebacker. But issues in coverage and poor angles in run support doomed Jones in his first season. A prompt return to safety ensued for Jones after Mike Pettine’s hire in Green Bay and, once again, there were high hopes for him to earn a starting job in 2018. But so far, Jones has not separated himself at all from the likes of Kentrell Brice or Jermaine Whitehead. That is very unsettling at this juncture.Although Montravius Adams flashed some signs of becoming a reliable depth player on the defensive line this preseason, the former third-round pick was either injured or unheard from as a rookie. That isn’t a great sign for Packers fans who have seen defensive linemen like Donnell Washington and Jerel Worthy take similar paths after being drafted in rounds two and three.It’s very early, but the Packers’ 2017 draft class is trending dangerously similar to the underwhelming group from 2015. While the 2018 class has impressed as a collective whole thus far, Green Bay needs its remaining 2017 players to take a second-year leap due to the positions and roles they play. History cannot repeat itself.
