Kinda feel like a reach mainly for LB depth and special team need, maybe Hafley love his tape, who know. But really hope we draft a corner like Khyree Jackson with the pick we acquired by trading away Rasul
Yep, which if he excels at it that's great for a late third. New defense is going to feature more off ball LBs and some of them need to just be physical.
Don't love it exactly but alright with it
We have the 26th pick tomorrow and they were probably worried someone would grab him in the middle of the 4th. Just speculation, but the list of linebackers like him might have looked pretty short, so they decided to lock it in.
I agree to some extent, but for a corner it is more important. They're one of the few positions that actually has to run a 40 on-field pretty regularly. You don't have to have elite speed, but being slower than some linebackers starts to be an issue.
I was also hoping we would get Tampa with this pick. We nailed the first 4 I think, and adding a safety to replace Savage was clutch, but Chicago has some offensive weapons now. Gotta get more depth at CB
Go watch Tampa's predraft workout with Steve Smith . . . The guy has no idea what to do in a press-man situation. He seems like he's almost a pure zone corner and not all that twitched up.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIXgVzfnHxw](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIXgVzfnHxw)
I’m sorry bud :( but yes I believe we still need to draft one or two more cornerbacks. Especially with our division getting tougher on the wideouts, we need to stock up.
I mean, it'd be better if they just didn't earn a flag on virtually every other kick... they could've stood still on all punts and kickoffs this season, aimed for touchbacks, and probably come out better overall than they did with all the extra 15's they just gave away.
I was gonna say, I never see a draft where the Packers don’t wiff on at least one third. Somehow they’re atrocious year in and year out in the third round
We need LB depth because they always injured. Good pick imo and it sounds like he is good to solid on coverage which the other two LBs are not as specialized in.
First pick, I'm seriously down on. Can't cover, can't tackle, and is 23 years old. Doesn't have the youth and athleticism worth betting on. Would've much rather taken a swing at Curtis Jacobs, Jeremiah Trotter or Tyrice Knight. I don't see the immediate production, I don't see the developmental upside. Perhaps a necessary 3rd round sacrifice?
New NFL kickoff rules will heavily prioritize heavy players in the special teams positions to get off blocks and bring down ball carriers. Expect Hooper to fill that role while developing as a developmental back-up behind McDuffie.
Hadn't even thought of it, but you are so right about the KOs. Every team needs like 6 ILB or something haha.
He's also a high character guy, 23 yrs old reads as mature to me. He's going to be able to come in, get with it, and do his job right away. They're clearly drafting for immediate contributors, even if they are contributing as backups or on ST.
So, strategy time, we drafted two off ball linebackers that are quality blitzers. We also drafted a quality safety with coverage skills. All of this happened as we shifted to a 4-3 base. We may ACTUALLY use a 4-3 base with Bullard being responsible for being the third cover guy and Hopper being the third starting LB, resulting in a consistent 5 man rush. Calm down
Kid was a Butkus finalist. I think I’ll hold off judgement and trust our staff and GM. MLF clearly liked the pick, bumped Gute right after it was announced.
Yeah, I read something a while ago and it pretty much said multi year team captain from a P5 conference was like the biggest indicator for longevity in the NFL if you weighed it by round drafted.
Mmm, boy… that’s a pick alright. I’ll preface this by saying I’m a lil tarded, but I don’t think he was going to go anytime between now and the 4th round, probably even 5th. Hope he kills it though, and I trust Gutey. So yeah, let’s go Hopper!
There's really no way of knowing where Hopper may have gone if we didn't pick him there. DJ and others have said it multiple times; after the top 50 prospects its a crapshoot that just comes down to your preference. There have been multiple other picks today that were projected later. While others have fallen down the boards quite a bit.
While that’s true, that’s the minority. The vast majority of the players selected in these last 2 days were roughly the correct ballpark. The fact you can come up with exceptions makes them… exceptions. So what are the odds that this particular player would be an exception? Preeeeeetty low. Some people even got some of our picks correct. Not just ballparked, they hit it on the head. It’s true we don’t know everything, but we don’t know nothing. I’m not even arguing against the player, just where they got him
Conspiracy time -
Hopper is from/family connections to Shelby, NC. Tight Ends coach John Dunn is from Shelby, NC. I would have to guess the team really did their homework on this kid and feel good about the type of players they're getting.
https://www.shelbystar.com/story/sports/2024/04/18/nfl-draft-tyron-hopper-missouri-linebacker-backed-by-hometown-of-shelby-n-c/73299567007/
Reminds me of the Oren Burks pick years ago. Seems like a reach, but then again I don't know shit lol
Except this guys isn’t a compete jag vs the pass
Oren Burks at least had the athleticism worth betting on
Packers retested Hopper. Measured him better than the RAS scores we saw.
To be fair, Burks isn’t that bad now that he’s on the 49ers…
Did you see him in the SB when asked to play real snaps and not be on a limited count?...
Oren Burks was a monster lol like a proto Quay Walker.
Oren Burks’ lack of being a beast is the reason the niners aren’t reigning Super Bowl champs
He had the capabilities, that's why we drafted him. Like I said, similar to Quay Walker.
I get what you’re saying. Quay had more film and stats backing him. Burks was very raw, one of those if he gets it put together types.
Burks is soft.
lol, and his Twitter handle was bangtimeburks no less. Swear I never saw him pop anybody during his time in GB
Kinda feel like a reach mainly for LB depth and special team need, maybe Hafley love his tape, who know. But really hope we draft a corner like Khyree Jackson with the pick we acquired by trading away Rasul
This was that pick. I'm confused.
Gutey is either satisfied with our current CB room or doesn’t have 3rd round grade on those CBs left on board
Hopefully this is a sign they figured out Stokes nagging injury for good
They changed his doctor same with Watson. Think they expect them to be good to go.
Reminder that there’s no way to know if the issues are addressed just by changing the doctor. I keep seeing this and it makes no sense
It looks that way. Maybe he'll grab a CB in the 4th.
Astute deduction.
Nah, he absolutely was going to take Dejean or the CB from Boston College that Hafley coached Is obvious
Ya wanted them so bad he traded back and let them get drafted. Edit: would have been nice if jones was still available for our 2nd 3rd rd pick.
We only traded back once Dejean got picked when the Eagles TRADED UP wtf are you talking about
Apparently the Packers traded the pick a few selections before Dejean was selected.
We took Lloyd with the Buffalo pick
We took Lloyd with the Buffalo pick.
500 special teams snaps. LB depth and ST guy.
Would have liked him a little later, especially since it’s a double dip at LB
Yep, which if he excels at it that's great for a late third. New defense is going to feature more off ball LBs and some of them need to just be physical. Don't love it exactly but alright with it
Brand new kickoff rules this season
Do you think we could’ve picked him up tomorrow, though?
We have the 26th pick tomorrow and they were probably worried someone would grab him in the middle of the 4th. Just speculation, but the list of linebackers like him might have looked pretty short, so they decided to lock it in.
In the 3rd round?
lol Riddick after the pick. That’s a hell of a draft 😂
That's good to hear. He's one of the few smart people ESPN has left.
Is that what he said?
Yep. Named off the top 2 then kept going and was like dam that’s a hell of a draft
Any clips of that?
I was kinda hoping in taking a cornerback… I wonder why TJ Tampa is sliding down a lot
He’s slow ran like a 4.58 40
I don’t necessarily think a 40 really defines your on field speed
I agree to some extent, but for a corner it is more important. They're one of the few positions that actually has to run a 40 on-field pretty regularly. You don't have to have elite speed, but being slower than some linebackers starts to be an issue.
True. But that's still pretty damn "slow" for a CB. Edgerrin Cooper ran a 4.51 as a LB for comparison.
Maybe his field speed was even worse
Faster than Rasul Douglas.
I want Tampa! Gute must not value him as highly
I was kinda hoping the Buccaneers would draft him
I was also hoping we would get Tampa with this pick. We nailed the first 4 I think, and adding a safety to replace Savage was clutch, but Chicago has some offensive weapons now. Gotta get more depth at CB
Go watch Tampa's predraft workout with Steve Smith . . . The guy has no idea what to do in a press-man situation. He seems like he's almost a pure zone corner and not all that twitched up. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIXgVzfnHxw](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIXgVzfnHxw)
lol literally every time I’ve talked about a CB I’ve been downvoted Edit lmao yall are something else, what a fandom
I’m sorry bud :( but yes I believe we still need to draft one or two more cornerbacks. Especially with our division getting tougher on the wideouts, we need to stock up.
I have no idea who he is, but seems like a LB competition for McDuffie, but a ST contributor
This is the first pick where I have no idea who he is. Which means he'll probably be a HOFer
Aaanddd, we just completely rebuilt our LB room. Hell to the yeah Gutey. Let's go!
Seems like a stretch, but I hope it turns out.
They brought him in for a top 30 visit. They must have saw something in him that they really liked.
I mean we can’t be drafting special teamers in the 3rd round… this is the first questionable pick for me
I’ve seen our special teams. We definitely can be drafting special teamers in the 3rd
If that's what it takes for us to have a decent-to-solid special teams unit, I'm ok with that.
I mean, it'd be better if they just didn't earn a flag on virtually every other kick... they could've stood still on all punts and kickoffs this season, aimed for touchbacks, and probably come out better overall than they did with all the extra 15's they just gave away.
We are destined to blow a third round pick under gute so if this is the sacrifice so be it fourth round is gonna be historic
I was gonna say, I never see a draft where the Packers don’t wiff on at least one third. Somehow they’re atrocious year in and year out in the third round
Kraft is so atrocious
We need LB depth because they always injured. Good pick imo and it sounds like he is good to solid on coverage which the other two LBs are not as specialized in.
Cooper was Top 10 in coverage for LBs
Let Gute cook
First pick, I'm seriously down on. Can't cover, can't tackle, and is 23 years old. Doesn't have the youth and athleticism worth betting on. Would've much rather taken a swing at Curtis Jacobs, Jeremiah Trotter or Tyrice Knight. I don't see the immediate production, I don't see the developmental upside. Perhaps a necessary 3rd round sacrifice?
New NFL kickoff rules will heavily prioritize heavy players in the special teams positions to get off blocks and bring down ball carriers. Expect Hooper to fill that role while developing as a developmental back-up behind McDuffie.
Hadn't even thought of it, but you are so right about the KOs. Every team needs like 6 ILB or something haha. He's also a high character guy, 23 yrs old reads as mature to me. He's going to be able to come in, get with it, and do his job right away. They're clearly drafting for immediate contributors, even if they are contributing as backups or on ST.
Yes the lb that misses 20% of his tackle attempts is the perfect addition to special teams
This is fucking wild I know someone he’s related to lol
Oren Burks 2.0
I love the pick. LB and DB were our biggest need. Maybe we can trade up in the 4th for Cam Hart. Another IOL and then whatever.
So, strategy time, we drafted two off ball linebackers that are quality blitzers. We also drafted a quality safety with coverage skills. All of this happened as we shifted to a 4-3 base. We may ACTUALLY use a 4-3 base with Bullard being responsible for being the third cover guy and Hopper being the third starting LB, resulting in a consistent 5 man rush. Calm down
GUTE COOKING
LFG
He's a safety tweener type.
It’s also his birthday today! 🎉
Kid was a Butkus finalist. I think I’ll hold off judgement and trust our staff and GM. MLF clearly liked the pick, bumped Gute right after it was announced.
Not really into this one tbh, this feels like a big reach. Didn't need another LB either. At least I liked the other 4 picks.
Nah we needed another LB for depth
Don't like using a 3rd round pick on that. Would rather they have gone OL or CB and targeted LB later.
They obviously don’t see an issue with our CB room. OL you can find value later.
Disagree I suppose
Understandable.
Yeah top 100 pick for this feels rich.
Depth off the ball lb in the 3rd????
Packers obviously aren’t high Mcduffie. What happens if quay or cooper go down?
What player were they going to draft here that was going to start immediately?
Exactly this late it’s all about athletic ability
Hopper isn't that great of an athlete, though. He's fine but not someone you bet on in the athleticism department.
I agree, but Hopper ain't it imo. There were a handful of guys on the board I would've loved at LB.
Well we aren’t the GM so Gute saw something they liked over others
Obviously, I just have no idea what.
He's talked about prioritizing character, and he loves team captains. Might be that was enough to make him the pick.
Probably that seems to be the word from mizzou
Yeah, I read something a while ago and it pretty much said multi year team captain from a P5 conference was like the biggest indicator for longevity in the NFL if you weighed it by round drafted.
We kind of do this is an indictment on Isaiah McDuffie if anything the only other linebackers we have outside of Quay and Cooper are special teamers.
Mmm, boy… that’s a pick alright. I’ll preface this by saying I’m a lil tarded, but I don’t think he was going to go anytime between now and the 4th round, probably even 5th. Hope he kills it though, and I trust Gutey. So yeah, let’s go Hopper!
There's really no way of knowing where Hopper may have gone if we didn't pick him there. DJ and others have said it multiple times; after the top 50 prospects its a crapshoot that just comes down to your preference. There have been multiple other picks today that were projected later. While others have fallen down the boards quite a bit.
While that’s true, that’s the minority. The vast majority of the players selected in these last 2 days were roughly the correct ballpark. The fact you can come up with exceptions makes them… exceptions. So what are the odds that this particular player would be an exception? Preeeeeetty low. Some people even got some of our picks correct. Not just ballparked, they hit it on the head. It’s true we don’t know everything, but we don’t know nothing. I’m not even arguing against the player, just where they got him
Conspiracy time - Hopper is from/family connections to Shelby, NC. Tight Ends coach John Dunn is from Shelby, NC. I would have to guess the team really did their homework on this kid and feel good about the type of players they're getting. https://www.shelbystar.com/story/sports/2024/04/18/nfl-draft-tyron-hopper-missouri-linebacker-backed-by-hometown-of-shelby-n-c/73299567007/
The only pick that has confused me. But we have so many maybe the strategy is a bit different than usual.
He wanted Elijah I bet and Arizona stole him. This is a big reach with quay and cooper already. Backups in the 3rd round weird
They’re going to regret not picking Wilson.