Keith from Avon, IN
I'd say Friday's II went much better than expected. Maybe we're learning.
That it did…Before I begin, I want to give a shout out to the only three readers who had the Packers picking Quay Walker: KJ from Cheyenne, WY; Shannon from Ovilla, TX; and Mark from Homewood, AL. A tip of the cap to you all. Let's take 31 more submissions before I eat these pancakes.
Cam from Pekin, IL
Thursday night is the reason I don't get hung up with mock drafts. You can't predict accurately who will be available when your turn comes. And I don't have the ability to get inside Brian Gutekunst's head. All I care about is the performance of who we do choose. If they translate into WINS, then we got the right guys!
Mock drafts are great if you enjoy being wrong in your free time.
Bil from Stateline, NV
Well, I'm glad I tuned in early.
Poor Spoff didn't have enough time to finish my dinner.
Kevin from Kalamazoo, MI
So, we got a new Devonte in the first round, though not a WR. And with our track record with receivers in the second round, how good will a receiver be that we used TWO second-round picks on?
Double your pleasure, double your fun, right? Christian Watson was the receiver most Packers fans wanted and Gutekunst made it happen. Like I said last week, Watson's situation reminded me of Jordy Nelson in 2008 – a first-round talent who might be there in the second. The Packers didn't tempt fate, though. They moved up and got their guy. Watson will need time to develop but he's a big play just waiting to happen. I can't wait to watch him this summer.
Lori from Heredia, Costa Rica
Gutey was cool as a cucumber Thursday night saying it wasn't absolutely necessary to draft a WR in the second round. Then, Friday night, he works an early trade showing how much he really did want Watson. Well done, Gutsy. Well done.
There's no reason to advertise. The proof is in the pick.
Joe from Las Vegas, NV
Great job by both of you. In 1993, the Packers drafted Watson's dad. How many times have the Packers drafted a father and then son? It must be something special.
We're still looking into that. It may be unprecedented. Either way, it's not a long list.
Keith from Bakersfield, CA
I know there's no math in II, but how does the trade up in Round 2 stack up on the draft value chart? I'm really glad they got Watson, but it seems like a steep price.
Many of you wanted Watson in the first round. Now you're saying they gave up too much by trading up to No. 34. Which is it? Stop looking a gift receiver in the mouth and be thankful there's a present under the tree at all.
Jeff from Los Feliz, CA
I'm 56 years old now, so, I like to think that at this point in my life I don't get too overly excited about anything, especially my favorite football team since I was born, but I'm doing back flips over the Christian Watson pick. Am I overreacting? I honestly believe he has WR1 in his future and is an off-the-charts athlete. I need to calm down a bit, right?
No, I much prefer this reaction. Just don't hurt yourself.
Keith from Indianapolis, IN
Provided the first-round rookies start on this defense, that makes seven first-round draft pick starters. All by the Packers. Is the tone around the Inbox more "Get Rodgers a WR" or "Get Rodgers a defense"? I can remember a whole lot of angst in recent years about the poor defensive results and how it was ruining Rodgers' best years.
In all seriousness, Friday's Inbox contained mostly level-headed responses to the Packers not drafting a receiver on Day 1. I think most fans understand it's not "Get Rodgers a WR" or "Get Rodgers a defense." It's been get Rodgers AND the Packers the best available players. Gutekunst and his team did that through the first two days.
Mark from Westminster, CO
And immediately the Bears and Vikings take a CB after the Packers pick Watson. I'm still laughing.
I've never seen anything like this, with all these trades within the NFC North division. Receivers and cornerbacks, living together – mass hysteria.
Kelly from Kimballton, IA
Is Sean Rhyan a tackle or a guard?
Yes.
Gardner from Circle Pines, MN
Day 2 of the draft was as sweet as Day 1. Rhyan just looks like a Packer lineman! The trade up for Watson was necessary as he would have been snapped up within five more picks. That may go down as Gute's best trade up ever. As you can see, I am excited!
I didn't know much about Rhyan before the Packers picked him, but he checks all the boxes Green Bay looks for in its O-linemen – a big, athletic left tackle with positional versatility. He's also a true junior who played a lot of football at UCLA.
Paul from West Allis, WI
Good morning. Now that the team has an ILB, DL, WR, and added OL depth, what else can be expected in these latter rounds besides mostly ST's contributors?
Well, the Packers have picked up their share of All-Pros and Pro Bowlers on Day 3, so don't disregard this as a throwaway day. Plus, Green Bay also has fourth-round picks to utilize for the first time in three years. This is a big day for building the future.
John from Sherman Oaks, CA
I don't know a lot about Watson, but I see a lot of people comparing him to MVS. I have to imagine that's pretty reductive considering one player was a late-round pick and the other essentially cost two seconds. What's the differences to their game and do you foresee Watson bringing in a more complete route tree than MVS?
They're both tall and fast, but otherwise completely different players. It's like when everyone wanted to compare Adams to James Jones in 2014. You can't. For as much as they're similar, Watson and MVS have different strengths. For example, Watson posted a 38½-inch vertical compared to MVS's 30½ at the combine in 2018. Green Bay didn't just trade up for a good receiver Friday. It's getting one of the better athletes in the entire draft class.
John from Palmdale, CA
With the addition of Watson and Sammy Watkins to the receivers' room, do you think we have enough weapons for AR to play with? I kind of like there not being an official No. 1 target. Unpredictable is a good thing.
The 2022 NFL Draft is still far from over. The Packers have six picks to make some more noise today. It wouldn't surprise me at all if two or three of those selections are skill-position players. Whatever the case, Green Bay still has plenty of offensive options to build with on its current roster.
James from Appleton, WI
It wouldn't surprise me that someone spending enough time watching film of the Georgia defensive line couldn't help but notice Quay Walker behind them. I'm not going to complain about a guy who insists upon being drafted.
Brian Gutekunst said assistant director of college scouting Patrick Moore, who scouts the Southeast region, was high on Walker from the start and identified him as a good fit for Green Bay. Georgia's defense was dominant the last two seasons with a dozen draftable players. If you're ever going to invest three straight first-round picks into a single college program, the Bulldogs are the one you want.
Neil from Mukwonago, WI
How would you rate this draft?
The first chapter has me excited to read the entire book.
Lori from Brookfield, WI
Wes, what has surprised you most about the 2022 draft?
Probably Nakobe Dean's fall. It initially sounded like injury might have been a factor, but the Eagles are saying he'll be a participant at their rookie minicamp. It's important to remember mock drafts are not draft boards. Guys rise and fall every year. Just look at Malik Willis and Matt Corral.
Josh from Waukesha, WI
Quarterbacks go 20th, 74th, and 86th? What the hell is going on out here?
The year of the QB, this draft was not.
Dennis from Beavercreek, OH
I know I am a day late and a dollar short but to get back to the Sam from Germantown, WI, comment about Walker before Nakobe Dean. Is it possible that they took Walker over Dean because he can go outside in place of Preston Smith or Gary at times?
Dean's fall notwithstanding, I don't think it can be any clearer why the Packers drafted Walker – he's long, rangy and has a high athletic ceiling. The Packers want to keep two inside linebackers on the field more often. Walker is the type of player who can help accomplish that goal. Learning from an All-Pro like De'Vondre Campbell is a nice luxury, as well.
Jeffrey from Taylors, SC
Loved the video of Quay Walker getting the call and the pick coming in! What is your favorite video of a draft pick getting the news?
Rashan Gary. Without question, it's Rashan Gary.
Michael from Pound, WI
Gents, the last couple years I appreciated Gutey's tendency to double up on positions. Sign a FA lineman then draft one, sign a FA LB then draft one, sign a FA WR...Or vice versa, draft a QB then sign a veteran QB :). I love the constant replenishment of players before they're needed. With Gutey and the gang the shelves are never bare. GPG!
And you've seen the flexibility those moves give the Packers. Green Bay entered the draft feeling better about the defensive line after signing Jarran Reed – and now feel great after adding Devonte Wyatt. The Packers eased their burden at receiver with the Watkins signing – and now are over the moon to get Watson in the fold.
Perry from Ishpeming, MI
Happy Saturday! Am I the only one that was begging Gute not to sell the farm when all the receivers were flying off the board? And how about that flurry of trades?! I couldn't keep up, geesh! Only time will tell how good these players will be at this level but I for one am happy with the two first-rounders! Welcome to Green Bay gentlemen! Go Pack Go!
Gutekunst trusted his board and made the Packers' defense better on Thursday night. Then, he did the same exact thing with the offense. You all know how much Spoff and I liked Treylon Burks. But once the Arkansas standout was gone, you can't overact and draft a receiver just 'cause. The fact there wasn't another wideout taken until Watson says everything that needed to be said.
Bradley from Watford City, ND
You say Watson reminds you of Jordy Nelson. I fear he's more of a Jeff Janis.
I suffer from Astraphobia, but that doesn't mean I get to stay in my house forever. There's a great big world out there, Bradley from Watford City. You gotta step outside and see what's out there.
Chipper from Fairbank, IA
Boy, are we gonna have fun keeping Sammy Watson and Watkins straight!
You're doing great, Larry.
Shawn from Fort Worth, TX
With the addition of Walker to a solid linebacker team, how do you see the role of Krys Barnes evolving this season?
Barnes is still an important player. He not only will compete with Walker for playing time on defense this summer, but Barnes also is going to factor into special teams. As we learned in 2020, Barnes is still one injury away from having a critical role on defense.
James from Oshkosh, WI
Not a question, but Mike's answer about having the draft in Green Bay and having the picks run through tailgaters was spot-on funny! That would be awesome!
I can't wait for the first photo of a player hugging Roger Goodell whilst holding a brat with sauerkraut.
Matt from Bloomington, IN
I thought for sure when the Lions traded back up to 12 that they were taking their choice of quarterbacks. I know none of us have a working crystal ball, but I can't help but wonder if one day they'll look back and wish they'd gotten a first-round QB this year.
Maybe I'm creating an unnecessary receipt for myself, but I think the Lions did well not to reach for a quarterback this year. This QB class feels more like 2013 than 2005 to me.
Scott from Albertville, MN
Has a Green Bay Packers' draft pick ever gone on to be a head coach?
Yes. There was a guy by the name of Bart Starr. He coached the Packers for nine years. Then, there was this other fella, Forrest Gregg, who came to Green Bay after leading Cincinnati to a Super Bowl.
John from Superior, WI
Does a team draft a player based on the helmet logo they wore in college?
If memory serves, I believe that's the 258th or 259th tiebreaker when deciding on the "Best available player."
Johnny from Fort Myers, FL
Not that I care, but just out of curiosity, I love to look at the so-called experts grading the first round of the draft. Much to my shock the Packers' first-day draft is taking a beating from all the critics. The best grade they got was a B-minus, I believe. That's simply ridiculous! Don't they realize that our best receiver since Don Hutson, namely Donald Driver, was a seventh-round pick? I can't wait until those critics start eating their words!
Nobody eats their words, Johnny. They just send them back and order new ones. The Packers remain unfazed by it all.
Margeaux from Tallahassee, FL
We picked Walker, Wyatt and Watson. Is there anyone we can pick with a last name starting with a W that can play right tackle, safety or edge?
As an honorary member of "Team Dub," I like what I'm seeing so far. We have one more day to add some more today. Enjoy the marathon, folks.
