Inbox: It's a unique fraternity

[Cheesehead]

Matt from Manhattan, KS


For his first two drafts, Gute had the "luxury" of a relatively high spot in each draft round, and for the most part I'd say he delivered with getting some great players. Now that he's going to be a good 10-15 spots back in the draft for each of the non-traded picks, how much harder will his job be this April?


It makes the task at hand a bit more challenging but it's not impossible to find an impact player at No. 30. That spot has netted some decent players over the years.


Jake from Milwaukee, WI


Hello! It seems clear to me that a focus of the offseason will be to add weapons at WR and TE. In looking at even Davante Adams' progression, it appears that rookie WRs tend to take some time to get on the same page with Aaron Rodgers and earn his trust. I imagine an early draft pick will be at WR, but I'm a little concerned with their ability to contribute effectively next year. Do you think there is any interest in trying to re-sign Randall Cobb to add an immediate WR that has Rodgers' trust?


Cobb had a nice bounce-back season in Dallas but I actually take the exact opposite approach as yours. I think it would make more sense for Green Bay to draft a young receiver to groom under Adams – much like the Packers did when they drafted the three-time Pro Bowler in the second round in 2014. It's been almost six years since the last time the Packers took a receiver on either Day 1 or Day 2 of the draft.


Ben from Pensacola, FL


A legitimate WR2 would be nice to have, and that receiver may or may not currently be on the roster. Allen Lazard could theoretically take it, but if another WR gets even a little close to Adams level – even just slight – Lazard becomes ridiculously dangerous as a WR3.


Again the more playmakers, the merrier. Did anyone really care how Nelson, Cobb, James Jones, Greg Jennings, Jermichael Finley and Donald Driver were labeled back in 2011? The end justifies the depth chart. That position has a storied history in Green Bay. It's a unique fraternity and there's room for more.


Andrew from Fullerton, CA


Vic and other writers bring up that the Smiths aren't as good against the run as pass-rushing. I know Rashan Gary didn't play much this year, but he's also a big man and seemed to have a decent amount of tackles in the snaps he had. How do you evaluate him against the run? Might we see him more on running downs as he makes a second-year jump?


I disagree with that. The NFC title game was not a banner game for the Packers' run defense by any means, but I felt Za'Darius Smith held the edge pretty well during his first season in Green Bay. Historically, Preston Smith has been solid against the run, as well. If Gary keeps developing, I do like the potential havoc he and Smith can create given their similar skill sets.


Tom from Lakewood, CO


Do you feel it is still too soon to judge Gute's first draft in 2018?


It's definitely too soon. For example, just look at how much we learned about the 2017 NFL Draft this past season.


Colin from Ossian, IN


Where is Josh Jackson? This being his second year, I anticipated an expanded role in our defense.


Frequent readers know my feelings on Jackson. I still think he can be a starter in this league. He was thrown in with the sharks as a rookie and then had a setback with the heel injury to start camp. With how healthy the secondary was in 2019, Jackson just didn't get a lot of opportunities on defense. I felt Jackson was exceptional on special teams, though. He did everything that was asked of him and has a good head on his shoulders.


Ryan from Noblesville, IN


What do you think about GB signing Reggie Begelton from the CFL?


I don't know much about Begelton but his stats sure jump off the page. The Packers did their homework with CFL prospects. I think they've signed three to futures deals so far.


Steve from Wichita, KS


A couple of questions. We signed Ryan Grant but he seemed a healthy scratch most of the year. Was there a reason? Also, do you see a possible reunion between Matt LaFleur and Marcus Mariota?


LaFleur has coached in a lot of places with a lot of QBs, so I find it quite humorous this Mariota question keeps coming up. The Packers signed Grant when they were really banged up at receiver. However, they healed up quickly and stayed that way the rest of the season. That's just the way it goes sometimes.


Marin from West Lawn, PA


Now after having one season under his belt, will Coach LaFleur perhaps play a greater role working with Gute in deciding potential free agents and with the college draft?


Those two have had an open-door policy with each other in terms of player acquisition since the day LaFleur was hired. But like anything, a full year working together should only help cohesion. Both saw what the 2019 team did well and where it needs to improve for 2020.


Dean from Leavenworth, IN


Hypothetical, you're the GM, first round and the 30th pick is on the clock. There are four players on the board that you have mid-first-round grades on – a WR, a TE, a MLB, and a QB. And the Bengals are on the phone offering the first pick in the second round and the first pick in the fourth round for the 30th pick. What's the call Wes?


The ole draft value chart says move back two spots and get the first pick on Day 3. I'd probably go that direction with that much depth still on the board.


Bob from Grand Rapids, MI


What is the status of Yosh Nijman? I know he was placed on IR. What do you think of his chances as a backup OT next year?


Nijman is a massive, massive human being. It's too bad the elbow flared up after he was activated to the 53. I think he could definitely be in contention for a roster spot this summer if he gets his pad level down and keeps developing his upper body.


Karl from Fort Collins, CO


Wes, your answer to my question from last spring looks prescient:


"There's a lot of work to be done between now and opening day, but is it wrong to think that some optimism is justified?"


The Eagles were 7-9 in 2016 during Doug Pederson's first year before going 13-3 and winning Super Bowl LII. Sometimes it only takes a season to turn everything around.


That's just the way things work in the NFL. A new voice leading the locker room, a few impact free-agent signings and the continued maturation from players already on the roster made all the difference for Green Bay in 2019.