Tag: Green Bay Packers

Unpacking Future Packers: No. 21, Arkansas OL Beaux Limmer

Up next in the Unpacking Future Packers draft preview series is Arkansas OL Beaux Limmer.

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2024 NFL draft.

The Green Bay Packers and Brian Gutekunst love versatile offensive linemen. Elgton Jenkins started games at left tackle, right tackle, center and left guard during his time at Mississippi State. Jon Runyan Jr started games at both tackle spots before kicking inside to guard when he landed in Green Bay. Royce Newman started games at left guard and right tackle. At Wake Forest, Zach Tom started games at left tackle and center.

That’s just a small glimpse of the versatile offensive linemen that Gutekunst has drafted during his time as Green Bay’s general manager. 

A lineman that offers versatility along the interior of the offensive line in the 2024 NFL Draft is Beaux Limmer. The Arkansas offensive linemen checks in at No. 21 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown. 

A three-star recruit out of Texas, Limmer finished his career at Arkansas with starts at all three interior spots along the offensive line. He started 28 games at right guard, 12 games at center and one game at left guard. This past season he started 11 games at center and one game at left guard. 

“Beaux Limmer was part of a core group of players under Sam Pittman who helped revive the Arkansas program over the past four years, but I think he leaves Fayetteville in a complex position,” Jackson Fuller, the Arkansas football beat writer for the Times Record, said. “The Razorbacks struggled during his final season and the offensive line was an issue. He proved enough over the past four years and is a very talented player, but fans expected more from him and the team in 2023.”

Limmer is as strong as a bull and creates a surge at the point of contact. He plays with a bully attitude and wants to get defenders on the ground. He’s a plus athlete with the easy movement skills to get out in space and hit his landmarks. 

“He’s a good athlete,” Fuller said. “I think he excels when he can get out in space. He was a foundational piece to the Hogs’ success running the football in 2021 and 2022. He’s a really good run blocker, especially in space. He also can make mid-play adjustments that are necessary to spring open holes.”

Limmer has quick feet and plays with good knee bend. He stays alert and has active eyes to not get fooled by any twists or stunts. Limmer has excellent grip strength. 

“He can be a little shaky against stronger guys on the interior, but he still holds up in pass rush,” Fuller said. “I think that’s why his ceiling is higher at center.” 

Limmer showcased his athleticism and strength at the NFL Scouting Combine when he put up 39 reps on the bench press, a 1.75 10-yard split, 4.57 short shuttle and a 7.47 3-cone.

Fit with the Packers

Dependable. That’s the word one could use to describe Limmer. The former three-star recruit was durable and never missed a game due to injury during his time at Arkansas. 

With his versatility, he could step in and challenge Sean Rhyan for the starting right guard spot and provide depth at center. 

“I would draft Limmer because you’re getting a smart, versatile lineman who could easily turn into a starter at multiple positions,” Fuller said. “I think he also presents good value. His play in 2021-22 was terrific, and he could be a steal if that kind of production returns at the next level.”

As it stands right now the Packers don’t have much depth on the interior behind Jenkins, Myers and Rhyan. It’s Newman and that’s about it in regards of depth. By adding Limmer, the Packers would be bolstering the depth at both guard spots and center.

 

Packers get Georgia OT Amarius Mims in Peter Schrager’s first mock draft

Peter Schrager’s first mock draft has the Packers getting Georgia OT Amarius Mims.

Peter Schrager’s first mock draft for NFL.com — which is based on his own conversations with coaches and general managers and other decision-makers — has the Green Bay Packers getting Georgia offensive tackle Amarius Mims at No. 25 overall in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft.

In a deep class of offensive tackles, the Packers would get a high upside developmental prospect in Mims, who started only eight games at Georgia but can likely play left or right tackle at the next level.

Here’s Schrager on the pick: “A massive offensive tackle at nearly 6-8 and 340 pounds, Mims has tremendous upside despite a lack of experience at Georgia. He’s shown enticing flashes in big games. This is a deep wide receiver and O-line draft. The Packers got plenty of production out of their young WRs and TEs last season; they bypass taking a first-round wideout and grab a gifted OT prospect.”

The Packers lost David Bakhtiari and Yosh Nijman at offensive tackle this offseason. While Bakhtiari has been injured for three seasons and Nijman was demoted to swing tackle in 2023, the Packers still need to rebuild the depth at offensive tackle and provide additional competition behind Rasheed Walker and Zach Tom, the two starters on the edges. Also, consider that Walker has only a half season of quality play at left tackle, and Tom is a legitimate candidate to move around the offensive line and could eventually settle in at center.

In Mims, the Packers would get a player to develop into a future starter at left or right tackle, based on Walker’s own development and Tom’s best position.

Mims (6-8, 340) is far bigger than the Packers have traditionally targeted at offensive tackle, but he checks a lot of boxes. He’s 21 years old and has a Relative Athletic Score of over 9.0, and he played at a major collegiate program. Mims does have a recent injury history, and his athletic testing profile is incomplete (no agility testing).

In Schrager’s mock, the Packers took Mims over Graham Barton and Kool-Aid McKinstry, two common picks for Green Bay at No. 25. Cooper DeJean came off the board at No. 22.

Sights and sounds from the first day of the Packers 2024 offseason workout program

The sights and sounds from Day 1 of the Green Bay Packers 2024 offseason workout program, which opened on Monday.

The Green Bay Packers opened their 2024 offseason workout program on Monday. Phase 1 opens the program with two weeks of meetings, strength and conditioning and physical rehab only. Everything is voluntary until mandatory minicamp in June.

The full offseason workout program schedule can be found here.

Here are some sights and sounds from Day 1 of 2024:

The Packers posted a gallery of 183 photos from Monday.

 

OTAs are a key date in Packers’ ‘championship offseason’

Voluntary OTAs kicked-off for the Packers on Monday April 15th and is an important date in what is supposed to be a ‘championship offseason’

Many players on this Packers team returned to Green Bay on Monday for voluntary Organized Team Activities (OTAs), a key checkpoint in what needs to be a “championship offseason.”

That mantra, championship offseason, was coined by Preston Smith in the locker room immediately following the Packers’ NFC Divisional Round loss to San Francisco. For a team with high expectations coming into 2024, it’s a reminder of how they need to attack each day over the offseason.

“We’ve got to have a championship offseason,” said Smith back in January, “so everything rolls into the season because, at the end of the day, those games come back to following your training, trusting your technique, and trusting everything you worked hard for this offseason. Coming into this next season, we’ve got to focus on the things that we can improve on, make sure that our weaknesses are our strengths, and we improve on the things we’re good at.”

The Packers’ locker room the day after that playoff loss was a mixture of disappointment, and understandably so with how close they were to playing in the NFC Championship Game, but there was also quite a bit of optimism about what lies ahead.

This is an offense led by Jordan Love that, for a fairly long stretch, was operating as one of the best in football. Even on the defensive side of the ball that battled ups and downs and never quite found the consistency that was needed, a strong foundation is in place, with players like Kenny Clark, Preston Smith, Rashan Gary, Quay Walker, and Jaire Alexander.

Outside of the building, there is already a lot of talk nationally about the Packers being a Super Bowl contender in 2024. And inside the organization, that is the expectation as well.

“To take it all the way,” said Elgton Jenkins at his locker in January. “Most definitely. Get better as an offense, trust in the process, and get better individually so that collectively, we can be better and take it all the way.”

A key element to Matt LaFleur’s parting message to the team as they wrapped up the 2023 season was that nothing was guaranteed in the NFL. While expectations are high heading into the new season, and in theory, with such a young group of players and now a new defensive coordinator, the team should be able to take a step forward, that isn’t a given either.

Capitalizing on the opportunity ahead starts with how each individual player approaches the offseason. April 15th, the first day of voluntary OTAs is a key measuring stick moment in the offseason to see how much progress was made.

Prior to each player leaving Green Bay back in January, their position coaches gave each of them one or two things to work on with the expectation being that those boxes can be checked in April with then more added to their plates.

“I also re-iterated to them that just because we got to a certain spot doesn’t mean that’s guaranteed moving forward,” said LaFleur. “So, what are we going to do to get better? And the expectation is that when they come back April 15th, they’re better than the team that left today and that’s not just going to happen by chance. You’ve got to work at it, and you’ve got to put in a lot of hard work, you’ve got to have a great plan.

“The coaches are meeting with each individual right now and giving them one to two things to kind of work on over these next three months, and then hopefully we’ll work on those things and then give ‘em something new when they come back.”

Monday, April 15th, is considered phase one of the offseason programs. It is two weeks long and will consist of strength and conditioning workouts, along with meetings with coaches. Once those two weeks have passed, on-field walkthrough drills can take place.

The next official week of OTAs will then be held on May 20th, 21st, and 23rd. Followed by May 29th, 30th, and 31st, with OTAs concluding with three practices on the week of June 3rd.

Mandatory minicamp will be held on June 11th, 12th, and 13th. Not to be forgotten about is rookie minicamp, which will take place as well, usually during the week after the NFL Draft.

“Like I told the team,” added LaFleur, “you’re either getting better or you’re getting worse. You’re never staying the same. I think the expectations are going to be higher. I think our standards that we’ve developed over the course of the year through our process, to how we practice, to how we go out and compete, I would expect them to continue to improve. I’d be disappointed if we didn’t get better.”

Unpacking Future Packers: No. 22, NC State LB Payton Wilson

Up next in the Unpacking Future Packers draft preview is NC State linebacker Payton Wilson.

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2024 NFL draft.

As it stands right now the Green Bay Packers have Quay Walker, Isaiah McDuffie and Eric Wilson as the notable linebackers on the roster. It’s a safe bet that Brian Gutekunst will use one of those five picks in the Top 100 on a linebacker.

A potential target is Payton Wilson. The North Carolina State linebacker checks in at No. 22 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.

A four-star recruit, Wilson recorded 69 tackles, five tackles for loss and one interception after he redshirted in 2018. The following season, the North Carolina native recorded 108 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and two interceptions. Wilson played in just two games during the 2020 season after suffering a shoulder injury. 

In 2022, Wilson recorded 82 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and one interception. Wilson was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year after he recorded 138 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, three interceptions and six pass deflections.

“He was the heartbeat of our defense and football team,” Tony Gibson, the NC State linebackers coach, said. “His leadership set the tone every day on and off the field. His practice habits and effort were as good as I have ever seen in my 30 years of coaching. He was the best linebacker in college football and in my opinion the best defensive player in the country.”

Wilson plays like his hair is on fire. He’s like the Tasmanian Devil on the gridiron. He has strong hands and a high batting average as a tackler. Once he gets his hands on the opponent he’s taking them to the ground. Over the past two seasons, Wilson was tagged with just 12 missed tackles. 

Wilson has sideline-to-sideline range and is quick to erase any running lanes.  He has exceptional closing burst and takes appropriate angles to hunt down his prey. Watching the NC State linebacker in pursuit is like watching the National Geographic Channel. 

The former four-star recruit shows good instincts and always seems to be in on the action. He explodes downhill and finished the past two seasons with 30 tackles for loss. 

“He’s a very smart player so he understands how teams tried to attack us in the run game,” Gibson said. “He is also a very physical player and loves contact. He has the mindset that if he doesn’t make the tackle the play will go for a touchdown.”

Wilson has the movement skills to hold up in coverage. He has outstanding lateral agility and shows he can flip his hips and run downfield. 

Movement skills to hold up in coverage. He has outstanding lateral agility. He gets appropriate depth in his drops. He trusts his eyes and finished the past two seasons with four interceptions and nine pass deflections.

Wilson is also a very effective blitzer. During his final two seasons at NC State, he recorded 10.5 sacks and 51 pressures.

“He will be elite in coverage because of how athletic he is,” Gibson said. “He also can run in man coverage with any tight end in the NFL. In zone coverage he has great awareness and length and can break on the ball.”

It was no surprise that Wilson put on a show at the NFL Scouting Combine. A former multi-sport athlete, Wilson clocked a 4.43 40-yard dash. At his Pro Day, Wilson clocked a 4.20 short shuttle and a 6.85 three-cone. 

Wilson logged 287 snaps on special teams during his time at NC State and recorded six tackles.

Fit with the Packers

If the Packers feel comfortable with Wilson’s medicals, he could prove to be a steal on Day 2 of the draft.

The NC State linebacker is an alien athlete, who plays like he was the turbo button smashed down at all times. 

“The effort that he plays with and the passion he has for football are reasons why I would draft Wilson,” Gibson said. “He makes players around him better by the way he plays.”

Wilson closed out his collegiate career with a bang. He was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year and earned the Butkus Award, which recognizes the best linebacker in college football.

If it weren’t for his medical history and to a certain extent his age (24), he’d be heralded by many draft pundits as a first-round talent. 

Wilson is an explosive athlete and has a well-rounded skill set that could see him develop into a four-down force. With the Packers having four Day 2 picks and a desperate need for another impact linebacker, Wilson to Green Bay makes a ton of sense. 

Will depth of 2024 NFL draft class result in more aggressive approach from Packers?

Will the depth of the 2024 NFL draft class lead to Packers’ GM Brian Gutekunst being more aggressive?

Will the overall depth of the 2024 NFL Draft class, which is considered to be not as strong as past years, lead to a more aggressive approach from Green Bay Packers GM Brian Gutekunst?

In an article from Dan Wetzel of Yahoo! Sports, prior to the NFL combine, it was noted that there were only 58 early entrants into the 2024 draft–the lowest number since 2011.

Wetzel adds that in 2019, the number of early entrants was 135, and from 2016 through 2022, the average number was 115 players.

This is an emerging trend, with only 82 entrants a part of the 2023 draft, with Wetzel pointing to the transfer portal, where players have immediate eligibility, and the NIL as factors contributing this recent outcome.

The result is 60-80 additional high-end talents returning to college football for the 2024 season.

“We were talking a little bit about it earlier,” said Gutekunst at the NFL Combine. “There are less underclassmen. I think the whole transfer portal and COVID and with the extra years has limited some of those guys from maybe coming out. NIL, as well, if you can make a little money and go back and try to improve your draft stock compared to coming out. But the overall numbers and the depth I think is there, especially at the top of the draft.”

As Gutekunst mentions, the top end of the draft will still be loaded with talent, but as each round goes by, the number of players available on the Packers’ board could be less than what it has been in previous years.

As a result, and Gutekunst would never tip his hand about this, but perhaps this leads to a more aggressive approach, with the Packers more willing to part with Day 3 draft picks.

Trading up is already something that we know Gutekunst is very willing to do–having done so at some point in every draft between 2018 and 2022.

We’ve already seen the Packers part with a fifth-round pick last season in the trade that sent Rasul Douglas to Buffalo in order to get a third-round pick in return. Using the Rich Hill trade value chart, the net difference between pick 91, which the Packers received, and pick 160 that they sent to Buffalo is 34 points—or pick 101, the first pick of the fourth round.

The Packers roster is also already built out a bit more than it was at this time last year, with 71 players under contract currently compared to 62 prior to the 2023 draft–meaning, there is less room for draft picks and undrafted signees.

Now, having said all of that, Gutekunst isn’t going to make a trade just for the sake of making a trade. We all know how valuable these draft picks are to him, even those in the latter portion of Day 3.

However, if the right player is out there, particularly at safety or linebacker, where there is already a small pool of players who meet the Packers’ thresholds, then perhaps we see Gutekunst more willing to part with additional draft capital to make a jump up the draft board.

In general, having 11 draft picks, regardless of the size or depth of the incoming draft class, would give the Packers quite a bit of flexibility to not only move around but to draft the best players available. Maybe this year there is more incentive to maximize the flexibility that is available.

Unpacking Future Packers: No. 23, West Virginia OL Zach Frazier

Up next in the Unpacking Future Packers draft preview series is West Virginia offensive lineman Zach Frazier.

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2024 NFL draft.

Do the Green Bay Packers think Zach Tom’s best position is at center? After putting together a good season at right tackle, would the Packers consider kicking Tom inside to center and leaving a hole at right tackle? 

Until that switch happens, let’s operate under the assumption that Tom will be the team’s starting right tackle for the foreseeable future.

With Josh Myers entering the final year of his rookie contract, the Packers will likely look to add a center in the upcoming draft. Even if they view Tom as a long-term answer at center, the Packers need to bolster the depth on the interior of the offensive line. 

A potential target is Zach Frazier. The West Virginia interior offensive linemen checks in at No. 23 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.

A three-star recruit with an impressive prep wrestling career, Frazier started eight games at left guard and one game at center during his first season at West Virginia. He followed that up by starting 37 games at center before suffering a broken leg in his final collegiate game. 

“Frazier was the engine of the West Virginia offense and the heartbeat of what the Mountaineers were able to accomplish upfront,” Keenan Cummings, the managing editor for WVSports.com, said. “The in-state native started all but one game during his career in Morgantown and spent his first season as a guard before shifting over to center. He displayed some significant growth over his career developing not only with his snaps but his recognition despite never playing there before in his career. Frazier is more of a lead-by-example type of player but over his career became more than comfortable addressing his teammates. The offensive line was a massive strength for West Virginia in 2023 leading power five teams in rushing and permitting just 10 sacks all year. Frazier was a major part of that success on many different levels.”

Frazier is a powerful run blocker. He explodes out of his stance to quickly get on top of defenders and shows no restrictions on the move. The former wrestler has strong hands and is able to latch onto his targets and control them like a ventriloquist dummy.

“Frazier has a stout frame and the former wrestler plays with great power and leverage,” Cummings said. “He plays with a high motor and is relentless in his blocking with a lot of strength. He also is very smart and understands the game as well as his role up front. One play that sums up the toughness, effort and smarts that Frazier brings to the table was in the season finale against Baylor, Frazier quite literally pushed Hudson Clement for a first down to stop the clock before getting rolled up on and sustaining a significant injury. Instead of allowing a ten-second runoff, Frazier quite literally crawled on all fours to the sideline before pulling himself up and hopping off the field. West Virginia would score on that final possession and win that game.”

Frazier is a technician in pass protection. Everything works in unison. He plays with good knee bend and doesn’t allow anybody to out-leverage him. Frazier is able to overcome his lack of length with his quick feet and instincts to close off any rushing lanes. This past season, Frazier gave up zero sacks and just six pressures. 

“Frazier doesn’t have the longest arms but makes up for it with his plus instincts and smarts,” Cummings said. “He is able to put himself in good position and has the athleticism to handle the role. Frazier didn’t allow a sack all season in 2023.”

Fit with the Packers

Given his history of playing guard, Frazier will be an even more attractive target for the Packers as they need to bolster the depth on the interior of the offensive line. 

In the short term, he could challenge Josh Myers for starting reps at center and also provide competition at right guard for Sean Rhyan. In the long term, Frazier could be the anchor of Green Bay’s offensive line during the Jordan Love era. 

“Frazier is not only a very impressive football player, he is perhaps even more so off the field,” Cummings said. “Frazier has a four-year body of work that is as good as any center in this draft and off the field is a strong representative for any organization. You won’t find any people in Morgantown who have anything negative to say about Frazier and replacing him is going to be no easy task for West Virginia.”

A leader on and off the field. Tough as nails. Highly intelligent. Versatile. Frazier checks a lot of boxes and with the Packers potentially looking for their future starting center, he could be a target with the 41st pick.

Packers to host Western Michigan edge rusher Marshawn Kneeland on top-30 pre-draft visit

The Green Bay Packers will host Western Michigan edge rusher Marshawn Kneeland on a top 30 visit ahead of the 2024 NFL draft.

The Green Bay Packers will host Western Michigan edge rusher Marshawn Kneeland on a top 30 visit ahead of the 2024 NFL draft, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. During the pre-draft process, Kneeland will have taken 16 visits to teams.

Teams are allowed to host up to 30 prospects on visits ahead of the draft. Packers Wire is tracking all the reported visits here.

Kneeland (6-3, 267) played in 38 games (23 starts) across four seasons at Western Michigan. He produced 28.0 tackles for loss, 13.0 sacks, three forced fumbles and three pass breakups. He was a second-team All-MAC pick and a team captain in 2023.

At the combine, Kneeland ran the 40-yard dash in 4.75 seconds, hit 35.5″ in the vertical leap, covered 9-11 in the broad jump, completed the short shuttle in 4.18 seconds and the three-cone drill in 7.02 seconds and finished 21 reps on the bench press. He has 34 1/2″ arms and a 83 3/8″ wingspan. His Relative Athletic Score is 9.08 out of 10.0.

Kneeland participated at the Senior Bowl.

Kneeland is the No. 60 player on the consensus big board. The Packers hold four picks on Day 2 of the draft: No. 41, No. 58, No. 88 and No. 91.

Packers to host South Florida OT Donovan Jennings on top-30 pre-draft visit

The Green Bay Packers will host South Florida offensive tackle Donovan Jennings on a top 30 visit ahead of the 2024 NFL draft.

The Green Bay Packers will host South Florida offensive tackle Donovan Jennings on a top 30 visit ahead of the 2024 NFL draft, according to Aaron Wilson.

Teams are allowed to host up to 30 prospects on visits ahead of the draft. Packers Wire is tracking all the reported visits here.

Jennings appeared in 55 games at South Florida, setting the school record. He started 45 games at left tackle. A starter as a true freshman, Jennings battled injuries across six seasons at the school. He is 24 years old and will turn 25 in November.

According to Pro Football Focus, Jennings allowed only two sacks, five quarterback hits and 24 total pressures across 570 pass-blocking snaps over the last two seasons.

Jennings (6-4, 323) ran the 40-yard dash in 5.02 seconds, hit 28″ in the vertical leap, finished 28 reps in the bench press and completed the short shuttle in 4.70 seconds and the three-cone in 7.60 seconds at USF’s pro day. His Relative Athletic Score is 8.93 out of 10.0.

His size and athleticism suggest a move inside to guard at the NFL level.

Jennings participated at the East-West Shrine Bowl. He is PFF’s No. 238 overall prospect. Dane Brugler of The Athletic ranks Jennings as a likely undrafted free agent.

Jennings missed 11 games to injury over the last two seasons. His injury history and the possibility of being an undrafted free agent likely contributed to the draft visit to Green Bay.

Duke’s Graham Barton mocked to the Packers in USA TODAY Sports’ latest mock draft

Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton was mocked to go to the Green Bay Packers in the first round in USA TODAY Sports’ latest 2024 mock draft.

Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton was mocked to go 25th overall to the Green Bay Packers in Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz’s latest USA TODAY Sports’ NFL mock draft, which was released on Monday morning.

Barton played four seasons with the Duke Blue Devils, starting at center as a freshman before moving to tackle for the final three years. He earned All-American honors in 2022 and 2023. Barton was also named a First-Team All-ACC honoree the past two seasons.

Barton, who is 6-foot-5 and 313 pounds, will likely return to the interior as a guard in the NFL. His combine and pro day measurables gave him one of the highest relative athletic scores in the history of guard prospects.

If he does go in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, he would be the third Duke player to be selected in the first round since 1988, joining quarterback Daniel Jones (No. 6 overall to the New York Giants in 2019) and offensive lineman Laken Tomlinson (No. 28 overall to the Detroit Lions in 2015).