Inbox: You gotta get creative – and they will

If you’re too busy looking back, you’re going to miss what’s coming

Mar 30, 2020 at 08:24 AM

Wes Hodkiewicz

packers.com senior writer

Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and Head Coach Matt LaFleur

Jean from Lakeland, FL

How are all you writers doing throughout these changes in our life?

We're still standing. I hope everyone here made it through last week OK, wherever you may be in the world. I've probably done more home-cooking over the last two weeks than I did in the last two years. Reading, video games, Netflix, raking and my son have kept me busy otherwise. I'm just thankful for my family's health. Good morning!

Bret from Hertel, WI

Stay safe and stay strong, Packer Nation! Wes, if you were a GM, would you value more picks in all rounds of the draft or less picks but all in the first three rounds? Thanks! Bret

You guys know I'm a big proponent of Ron Wolf's theory of getting as many swings at the plate as possible. The second and third rounds are so much more of a crapshoot than people care to admit. Don't get me wrong – the teams that hit on those picks benefit greatly from it but every year there are plenty of misses, too. Sometimes those fourths and fifths don't amount to much either, but there is still a lot of value. Just look at David Bakhtiari, Corey Linsley, Dean Lowry and Micah Hyde.

Flavio from Sao Paulo, Brazil

Hello, Insiders! Thanks for the excellent job you're doing during these hard times! My question is regarding more free time due to this social isolation period. I'm a chemistry professor in a huge public university and have been "forced" into online teaching. This has actually made my classes more creative in a sense, and I'll adopt many of these new strategies when this all ends. Do you think this might also happen with football coaches? Do you think we'll see more new "magic" scheme-wise next season?

Necessity is the mother of invention, right? I'm sure there are strategies and techniques front offices and coaching staffs have developed over the past month that may change the way they do business whenever the stoplight turns green again. COVID-19 is a historically significant event we must take seriously, but professionally speaking, NFL coaches have been through challenging offseasons before (e.g. 2011 lockout). You gotta get creative – and they will.

Derek from Des Moines, IA

What is the plan to replace Bryan Bulaga?

It starts with Rick Wagner. Based on Wagner's contract, right tackle appears to be his position to lose – especially if there's a shortened/cancelled offseason program. If that happens, you need a veteran who can slide in and make that position his own.

Patrick from Valrico, FL

I was skeptical early on but the moves by the Packers are really starting to look like great deals as the contract details come out. Which one of the additions made do you feel has the best chance to be the biggest steal?

Christian Kirksey. I love him as a player and I think he brings a skill set this defense needs in the middle of the field. Financially, he makes a lot of sense, too. Since Kirksey only played in two games last year, 14 of his 16 game-day bonuses wouldn't go on the books until 2021 (should he play in every game).

Chuck from Gold Canyon, AZ

Since most workout bonuses are probably considered as 'likely to be earned," will that have any effect on cap space or will the Packers pay these based on other means of proof if offseason programs are most likely to be condensed?

The only way to earn them is to earn them. If "likely to be earned" incentives aren't reached, then Green Bay gets credit entering the 2021 league year.

Jim from Fairview Heights, IL

Now that Aaron Rodgers is closer to 40 than 30, do you see any added incentive to keep as many of the veteran offensive linemen around to keep Rodgers' uniform clean? I understand the Bulaga situation and I'll miss him, but I really want to see Corey Linsley around for a few more years!

Sure, which goes back to my comment a month ago about the importance of a pragmatic approach to these decisions. Bulaga is a terrific player but tough calls must be made, especially with Bakhtiari and Linsley coming up for contracts next year.

Ron from Bethesda, MD

How are the Packers keeping in shape during this crisis?

Here is your answer.

Steve from Lake Stevens, WA

If the Packers were to consider trading out of the first round, is there a rule of thumb on what the 30th pick is worth?

If we're talking the same draft, it's usually an early second- and fourth-rounder or a late-second and third. Maybe you can find a team to throw in an extra sixth or seventh, too.

Craig from Johnson City, TN

I still don't see drafting a WR with the first pick unless Gute trades out of the first round. I think it will be OL or best defensive player. It seems that TE and WR take the most time to get up to speed with the playbook besides QB. Am I wrong? In any case it will be exciting to see who we get. Thanks Wes and Mike for making our days brighter. To all II, "be excellent to each other" in these trying times.

Maybe it's because of the unique circumstances, but I feel there's nothing the Packers could do at No. 30 that would surprise me. As things stand today, anything is possible.

Louis from Wauwatosa, WI

Thanks II for giving us a morning goal during this period. Contrary to many, I believe drafting Jonathan Taylor (if available) offers the best long-term value. He and Aaron Jones would force the defense to play a safety in the box and thereby create better passing lanes. Further, he would solve the run position over the next four years and thereby make AR's job easier.

I like Taylor a lot but the Packers don't have any recent history of using first-round picks on the position. It not only isn't a position of need but there's also a long track record of the middle rounds producing quality NFL running backs, like Jones for example.

Tom from Emerado, ND

Did you have a chance to meet and interview Chase Claypool from Notre Dame? A Prospect Primer of him would be great to see. His film on his playing style looks great and would be a great fit for our offensive schemes. Have you seen much tape on him?

I came away impressed with both Claypool and Notre Dame tight end Cole Kmet in Indy. Both made good accounts of themselves at the podium and impressed in drills. Claypool is a blue-chip athlete. You don't see a ton of 6-foot-4, 238-pound guys who can run a 4.42. He has all the hybrid traits teams drool over in today's NFL.

Dave from Huntsville, AL

Welcome back Weston. Is the little one driving yet? What's your take on why Jadaveon Clowney is still unsigned?

Ha. Not quite yet. It's been fun getting to spend some more time with the little dude, though. Clowney's market was set the day Chicago signed Robert Quinn to his five-year deal. I imagine some team is going to have to meet that threshold for Clowney to sign on the dotted line.

Christopher from Savage, MN

Are you guys willing or able to fact check something for me? I read that even though Bulaga and Blake Martinez signed similar base value contracts and Martinez will likely net us a fourth-rounder, Bulaga can only net us a max of a fifth-rounder because he's a veteran with 10 or more years of experience. Is that accurate? What might be the reasoning behind such a cap for comp picks on 10+ year vets?

That is correct. It's a little known-rule I wasn't aware of until this offseason. It's intended to keep the market healthy for veteran players in unrestricted free agency and not scare teams away.

Terry from Sun Prairie, WI

Who are the top five running backs for the Packers of all-time?

Jim Taylor, Paul Hornung, Ahman Green, Tony Canadeo and Clarke Hinkle.