Tag: Luke Goedeke

Dream selections for NFL teams with no 1st-round pick

Here are the dream selections for every NFL team without a first-round pick.

As NFL team-building philosophies evolve, the importance of first-round picks has diminished for some teams. There are eight clubs in this year’s draft that don’t hold first-round selections going into Day 1.

Clubs without first-round picks tend to get left out of mock drafts like the latest one the NFL Wire network put together. Instead of requiring a two-or-three-round mock to include all the teams, the sites for the Bears, Colts, Browns, 49ers, Broncos, Raiders, Dolphins and Rams all got together and threw their own kind of mock draft party.

While it’s nigh impossible to put together a fully-accurate one-round mock, deciphering which players will fall to certain spots on Day 2 is even harder. Our group of editors that weren’t included in the one-round mock took a look at some of the prospects that could fall into Rounds 2 and 3 and identified the dream scenario and pick for their teams.

Packers hosting official pre-draft visit with Central Michigan OT Luke Goedeke

The Packers are hosting an official pre-draft visit with Central Michigan offensive tackle Luke Goedeke.

The Green Bay Packers will host an official pre-draft visit with Central Michigan offensive tackle Luke Goedeke, according to Bill Huber of SI.com.

Goedeke, a potential mid-round pick, could be the developmental player the Packers need at offensive tackle entering the draft.

Goedeke (6-5, 312) is a Wisconsin native (Whitelaw) who transferred from UW-Stevens Point to Central Michigan and switched from tight end to offensive tackle. He made 24 starts at right tackle over two seasons. He was named a first-team all-conference selection after making 10 starts in 2021.

The athletic profile on Goedeke isn’t completed. He did the bench press at the combine (26 reps) and pro day (27) but a hamstring injury kept him from running the 40-yard dash and completing the jumps and agility testing. A visit to Green Bay could help the Packers complete his profile before the draft.

With arms measuring under 33″, some think Goedeke will need to move to guard at the next level. Dane Brugler of The Athletic ranks Goedeke – who he believes has starting potential on the inside – as his No. 5 guard and No. 76 overall player in the draft class.

Lance Zierlein of NFL.com called Goedeke a “rancorous run blocker” with a “surly field demeanor.” Like Brugler, Zierlein believes Goedeke has the traits and potential of a solid starter along the offensive line.

Goedeke, a redshirt senior who spent five years at the collegiate level, is 23 years old and turns 24 in November.

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Giants worked out OL Bernhard Raimann, OL Luke Goedeke

The New York Giants recently worked out Central Michigan offensive linemen Bernhard Raimann and Luke Goedeke.

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Central Michigan held its pro day on Tuesday and 11 NFL teams had scouts or coaches in attendance. Among them were the New York Giants, who sent offensive line coach Bobby Johnson to oversee the event.

While there, Johnson and the other O-line coaches got close looks at Bernhard Raimann and Luke Goedeke.

Although the Giants have spent what few resources they had this offseason on linemen, they are still likely to address that area of concern in the 2022 NFL draft. That will come via a first-round tackle and then depth later on.

Here’s what NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein had to say about Raimann, who drew a pro comparison of Sebastian Vollmer.

With alluring athleticism and an impressive skill set, Raimann is just scratching the surface of his potential. His initial transition from tight end to left tackle occurred in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, making his rapid transformation fairly remarkable. He is a much better technician than he should be at this stage, but his approach is also mechanical and he could struggle against sophisticated edge defenders until he learns to diversify his pass sets and hand usage. Raimann’s instincts and fundamentals at the position are still in a developmental phase so bumps in the road are expected, but his best football is ahead of him and he should become a long-time starter at left tackle.

Raimann is widely mocked to go in the second round, but some mocks have seen him go anywhere from Round 1 to Round 4. However, his stock is steadily rising.

Meanwhile, here’s what Zierlein had to say about Goedeke, who drew a pro comparison to Connor McGovern.

Tight end turned tackle whose final landing spot could be at guard due to a lack of necessary length. Goedeke is a rancorous run blocker with a talent for rooting opponents off the spot. He balances a surly field demeanor with above-average technique and frequently sustains and finishes the block like an NFL veteran. He has put the time in to build out his frame but shorter arms will offer matchup challenges from time to time. Goedeke had a strong 2021 season against modest competition, but his strengths profile well as a good starter with the ability to make an impact sooner rather than later.

Goedeke has been mocked as high as Round 3 but as low as Round 7. He was considered an undrafted free agent-like talent as recently as December but like Raimann, his stock has risen considerably.

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Titans worked out Bernhard Raimann, Luke Goedeke at Central Michigan pro day

The Titans got a closer look at a pair of offensive linemen at Central Michigan’s pro day.

The Tennessee Titans were one of 11 teams to send an offensive line coach to the Central Michigan pro day on Monday, which featured two offensive linemen in Bernhard Raimann and Luke Goedeke.

The news comes from Senior Bowl executive director, Jim Nagy, who noted that the Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets and Giants, and Philadelphia Eagles also sent a representative.

We’ve seen Raimann, an offensive tackle, mocked all over the place this offseason, anywhere from late in the first round to somewhere in the second. He could be an option for Tennessee at No. 26 overall.

Goedeke is also a tackle, but experts believe his best spot in the NFL will be at guard. He should go somewhere between Day 2 and Day 3 of the draft.

Much of the conversation this offseason has been about the Titans’ need at wide receiver, but one could argue that the needs at guard and tackle are just as dire after Tennessee’s group upfront struggled in pass protection in 2021.

On top of that, the Titans are looking at two new starters, one at right tackle and one at left guard, after letting Rodger Saffold and David Quessenberry go.

At the moment, the expectation is that Aaron Brewer and Jamarco Jones will compete at left guard, while 2021 second-round pick, Dillon Radunz, figures to be the favorite at right tackle. Radunz could also compete on the inside.

The problem is all three of those players are question marks and have limited to no starting experience, which is a major concern. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Titans opt for an offensive lineman in the first round.

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Lions OL coach Hank Fraley check out prospects at special Central Michigan pro day

The Chippewas held a special session for two OL prospects and Lions OL coach Hank Fraley was there

The Detroit Lions were among 11 NFL teams that trekked to Mt. Pleasant for a special Central Michigan University pro day on Monday. The workout featured two offensive linemen, Bernhard Raimann and Luke Goedeke.

Lions offensive line coach Hank Fraley was on hand for the extra workout. CMU already had its regular pro day in March, but this was a special workout featuring Raimann and Goedeke.

Both players were at the Senior Bowl, though they played for the National team coached by the New York Jets and not the American team run by the Lions.

Raimann is a potential first-rounder, a converted tight end with very impressive strength and movement skills. He’s a former exchange student from Austria. Fraley ran his workout at the initial pro day in March, and the Lions met with Raimann both in Mobile and Indianapolis at the scouting combine.

Goedeke is more pertinent from the Lions draft standpoint. A right tackle for the Chippewas, he projects as a middle-round prospect who can play guard or tackle. Before getting injured in Senior Bowl practices, Goedeke was working at center, too.

The Lions don’t have a need for an early offensive lineman with all five starters returning and valuable reserves Evan Brown and Ryan McCollum also re-signing for multiple years this offseason. But building the depth with a versatile player like Goedeke with starter-caliber upside at multiple positions is a good option for the Lions to consider with one of the team’s two third-round picks.

Eagles OL coach got an up-close look at Bernhard Raimann, Luke Goedeke during Central Michigan pro day

Philadelphia Eagles OL coach Jeff Stoutland got an up-close look at Bernhard Raimann, Luke Goedeke during Central Michigan pro day

The Philadelphia Eagles were one of 11 teams to send an offensive line coach to Central Michigan to see prospects Bernhard Raimann and Luke Goedeke work out at the school’s pro day on Monday, according to the Senior Bowl’s Jim Nagy.

Raimann and Goedeke could both be options for the Eagles who believe in building from the inside out, and value premium offensive line depth.

Raimann, 24 was a two-year starter at Central Michigan with 18 career starts at left tackle and should be a first-round pick, while Goedeke could be a day-two option for the Eagles at right tackle, and both players are intriguing, as offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland make the trip personally to see both players.

Philadelphia still has 10 picks in this year’s draft and secured an extra third-rounder as well after a Monday afternoon trade with the Saints that netted a 2023 first-round pick as well.

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Unpacking Future Packers: No. 32 Luke Goedeke

Central Michigan OL Luke Goedeke is up next in Unpacking Future Packers, a countdown previewing the 2022 NFL draft for Packers Wire.

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Since the Ted Thompson days, the Green Bay Packers have done a great job of finding offensive line talent on day three of the NFL Draft. Players like David Bakhtiari, Josh Sitton, TJ Lang, Corey Linsley and JC Tretter were all drafted on the draft’s third day.

An offensive lineman that Brian Gutekunst could target on the third day of the 2022 NFL Draft is Luke Goedeke. The Central Michigan right tackle checks in at No. 32 in the Unpacking Future Packers countdown.

Goedeke started his collegiate career at Wisconsin-Stevens Point where he played tight end. After one season at Stevens Point, Goedeke transferred to Central Michigan. Goedeke missed the 2020 season with a leg injury and finished his career with 25 career starts at right tackle. 

“After missing all of 2020 with a knee injury that required surgery, he bounced back to have a solid season as the Chippewas’ right tackle,” Christian Booher, the sports editor for CM Life, said. “With he and Bernhard Raimann, CMU had arguably the best bookend tackle duo in the Mid-American Conference. The whole offensive line was solid, but Goedeke stood out with his performance as a run blocker. With his help, running back Lew Nichols III was able to amass a nation-leading 1,848 yards on the ground. He was a very important piece in that puzzle.”

Goedeke is pro-ready as a run blocker. He has the movement skills that teams will love. He easily climbs to the second level and hits his targets. He has good lateral agility. Goedeke creates movement with his strong lower half. 

“When it comes to his performance as a run blocker, it goes back to his athleticism,” Booher said. “He’s able to get ahead of the play and make downfield blocks after setting the tone at the line of scrimmage. Movement is never an issue with Goedeke. It was impressive to see how well he moved in 2021 after the knee surgery. He doesn’t mess around with players away from the play, instead getting up field and providing downfield blocking for running backs.”

This past season Goedeke was graded as one of the best run-blocking offensive lineman in college football by Pro Football Focus. A big reason for his success as a run blocker is due to his athleticism. He has fluid movement skills with his agile feet and lower body flexibility. 

“A converted tight end, he is both agile and mobile,” Booher said. “After putting on the weight necessary to transition to the offensive line, Goedeke became very good at finishing blocks and pummeling opposing defenders. He blocks for the entirety of the play, putting defenders on their backs countless times. He uses his athletic ability to out-maneuver defenders and finish blocks emphatically. Watching him perform, especially in the run game, is impressive.”

In pass protection, Goedeke has quick hands, striking confidently with strong grip strength. He has quick, controlled steps in his lateral slide. Goedeke has a high football IQ and understands angles and pass sets. He has a strong core and good balance contact.

“Goedeke did not allow a sack in 2021, giving up a total of just four hurries,” Booher said. “He finished with a Pro Football Focus grade of 77.8 this season in the pass blocking department, indicating that he is growing. He can hang with edge rushers thanks to his athleticism. There were some tough games, including a week three matchup with LSU, where he struggled with faster defensive ends, but even then he did not allow a sack. He’s very efficient at the line of scrimmage in pass sets and is working to continue improving.”

Fit with the Packers

Goedeke has the versatility and athleticism to play tackle, guard or center. While he never played guard or center, he may be a better fit inside at the next level. 

Since taking over as general manager in 2018, Gutekunst has selected at least one offensive lineman every year. His commitment to building a great offensive line is a big reason why the Packers have been able to withstand key injuries (David Bakhtiari, Elgton Jenkins, Billy Turner, Josh Myers, etc.). 

A player like Goedeke could fight for starting reps at right tackle or guard. If the Central Michigan product doesn’t earn a starting role he could provide five-position versatility as a key reserve. 

“Some scouts believe he may wind up on the inside at the next level, though I believe he will do well wherever he is placed,” Booher said. “At 6-foot-5, he has great size and athleticism to go with it. He’s strong and has told reporters he loves finishing plays and putting defenders in the dirt. That’s the type of mentality I would like to have on my team. On a personal note, he was always polite with the media and gave us thoughtful answers. He was a great player to cover and I’m hoping he finds success wherever he lands.”

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Lions hit up Auburn, Central Michigan pro days in search of draft prospects

The Detroit Lions hit up Auburn and Central Michigan pro days in search of 2022 NFL draft prospects

The pro day circuit spread out across the country on Tuesday. Even in the midst of the free agency legal tampering period, the Lions still had reps in attendance for at least two of the college workouts.

The first of the day was close to Detroit, a short jaunt to Mt. Pleasant for Central Michigan’s pro day. All 32 teams were in attendance, with OT Bernhard Raimann as the primary attraction.

Raimann is an Austrian native who is often projected as a top-40 pick. The Lions don’t need another offensive tackle, but he’s an intriguing prospect who also met with the team during the Senior Bowl week. Linemate Luke Goedeke, another Senior Bowler, does have some potential to head to Detroit as a versatile reserve lineman in the later rounds. He can play all the OL spots and has some impressive people-moving skills as a run blocker. Both Raimann and Goedeke began their college careers as tight ends.

There were several prospects from D-II programs Ferris State and Saginaw Valley State at the workout as well. Another Chippewa prospect to know: WR Kalil Pimpleton, a lightning-quick but undersized slot receiver who has a lot of juice as a return man too.

Auburn Tigers

The bigger school on Tuesday’s schedule was Auburn, where all 32 teams were also in attendance. The Lions primary focus from the Tigers was likely in the secondary, where CB Roger McCreary and S Smoke Monday are both appealing prospects.

The Lions know McCreary quite well. They coached him on the American team in January’s Senior Bowl. McCreary measured smaller and with shorter arms than expected in Mobile, but he’s working hard to overcome his lack of desired length. His game film against Alabama is one of the best any cornerback in this draft can boast, however. McCreary did improve upon his NFL scouting combine workout numbers in the morning workout. CB in the 32-34 overall range isn’t generally regarded as a priority need for Detroit but McCreary fits the bill if they are looking in that range.

Monday is a hard-hitting safety with size and closing speed. In Detroit’s defense he would function more as an extra linebacker until he proves he can handle coverage assignments down the field, something he struggled with for Auburn. Monday is generally projected in the third or fourth round of most mock drafts.

Other Tigers who could interest the Lions include LB Zacoby McClain and LB Chandler Wooten.

The results of the testing, courtesy of Rivals’ Brian Stultz:

2022 NFL draft prospects for the Lions to watch this weekend

This week’s list focuses more on Day 2 and Day 3 prospects at positions where the Lions need to build up the roster

College football continues to bring us thrilling games and surprises every Saturday. We’re getting a better idea of the different levels of NFL draft prospects among the college players with each passing week.

This week’s Lions draft watch takes a look at some of the deeper prospects. There are some possible top-50 talents here, but most are Day 3-caliber players at positions where the Lions figure to be looking for youthful upgrades and potential at their positions.

Draft prospects for the Lions to watch in college Week 6

NFL draft prospects for the Lions to watch in college football Week 5