Inbox: You gotta love it to live it

Kurt from Frisco, TX

Thought you guys might find this interesting. My son blocked for UDFA Jaden Nixon in high school. Do you know who Nixon's backup was? Ashton Jeanty. Same high school that produced Nick Bolton, Marvin Mims, Jaylon Ford and Thorpe Trophy winner Trey Taylor. Frisco Lone Star High School.

Who needs six degrees of Kevin Bacon when you have two degrees of Kurt from Frisco?

Joe from Ashburn, VA

Best draft pick for immediate impact?

I shook Dani Dennis-Sutton's hand Friday and lived to tell the tale. He is a tall, powerful dude who worked his tail off in practice. With Micah Parsons likely to start training camp on the physically unable to perform list, DDS should get plenty of team reps this summer. Dennis-Sutton is a rookie, but he also played a lot of Big Ten football the past few years. What's more, DDS could give Green Bay something on special teams straightaway, too.

Jeff from Eau Claire, WI

Let's not forget that as Micah Parsons and Tucker Kraft return to the field, it's likely others will be helped off. It's not a question of how far we could have gone with a healthy team, it's a question of why we can't get over the hump when we lose a quality player or two. "Next man up" sounds great in a locker room, but it hasn't delivered squat on the field. Like every year before, we'll see just how good our entire roster is, and not just our stars.

That's what makes it tricky building this roster because Parsons and Kraft are going to eat a ton of snaps once they're back up to speed. So, you don't want to necessarily bring in a veteran that's going to fall down the depth chart once those stars return. So, you lean on your youth and depth to step up. And who knows? Maybe you find the next Malik Willis, Emanuel Wilson or Dontayvion Wicks.

Jessi from Sterling, KS

Rookie interview you particularly enjoyed? What stood out most to you?

That's also Dennis-Sutton. I appreciated him taking time to introduce himself to all the reporters before beginning his media scrum on Friday. That's the first time I can recall that in Green Bay.

Laura from Arlington, VA

Do you have a favorite draft pick this year?

Brandon Cisse because he fits so well into what the Packers want to do in the secondary. He's a fast, physical cornerback who is in the advantageous position to learn from those around him. The other thing that struck me during practice Friday was how big Cisse and Domani Jackson are. They're not the tallest cornerbacks you'll ever see, but they're solid and well-proportioned.

Phillip from Wonder Lake, IN

Has there been any decision on backup QB for Jordan Love?

It's a three-man battle right now among Desmond Ridder, Kyle McCord and undrafted rookie Kyron Drones, whom the Packers brought in on a pre-draft visit. The former Virigina Tech standout is a big-armed, athletic quarterback, which has been a solid base for Matt LaFleur and Co. to mold over the years.

Brianna from Broomfield, CO

On the premise of most NFL players are close to even par on physical talent: How much does the mental approach and/or attitude contribute in winning those physical battles?

When talent and athleticism is a wash, what wins out is work ethic, attitude and who wants it most. Lucas Patrick's name was brought up again during Friday's rookie minicamp. I remember talking to Lucas about his tryout in 2016. He didn't get signed right away and went back to his hotel room that night thinking his football career was over. Two weeks later, Green Bay brought him back and I doubt he's taken a day off over the last 10 years.

Thomas from Jacksonville, FL

Mike, fans may not fully realize how right you are with this comment: "Players truly must love the game, and need the game, to put their bodies and minds through what it takes to be successful at this level. That's the best way I can put it." I played with a defensive tackle who started for the Miami Dolphins in 1989-94. He said he arrived at the stadium for practice at 6:30 a.m., Dan Marino was already there. Next day at 5:30 a.m., Marino was already there. Next day at 4:30 a.m., Marino was there. 4 a.m. was a tie. Wow.

Everyone has their limit, I suppose. But you gotta love it to live it.

Matthew from Racine, WI

Since the Packers didn't pick up a running back in the draft or in free agency, is it safe to say they are expecting MarShawn Lloyd to be our No. 2 back this season?

It's safe to say the Packers believe the men competing behind Josh Jacobs can produce a No. 2 RB this season whether that's Lloyd, Chris Brooks or one of these other young running backs. Three years ago, Wilson wasn't a proven RB2. He was an undrafted rookie out of Fort Valley State who signed with Green Bay after a three-day stint with Denver. You never know where that next man up will originate.

Erik from Rydal, GA

With players transferring several times in their college career, how has this had an impact on scouting players? With the constant changes in position coaches and schemes as a whole, does this prove to be a harder task for scouts to truly zero in on a player's potential?

It just requires more communication and collaboration among scouts as players move from one region of the country to another. I use Mike Washington Jr. as a prime example of that – a running back who played at Buffalo and New Mexico State before finishing his college career at Arkansas. That means, at minimum, three different regional scouts needed to do work on him. The transfer portal is a challenge but also an opportunity…and it's probably gonna happen more and more in the coming years.

Don from Boise, ID

Which (whom?) of this year's UDFA crop are you most intrigued about, expect to make the team? My monopoly money is on J. Michael Sturdivant. As someone wiser than me once said, you can't teach height or speed for that matter. He certainly has the specifications of a big-time player.

He has the pedgiree, too, as the nephew of Pro Football Hall of Famer Floyd Little, who passed away in 2021. Really, any of those UDFAs at positions the Packers didn't draft have a real shot. It's a rare year where Green Bay has no incumbents at QB2, RB2, WR5 or TE3.

Matt from Fitchburg, WI

Trey Smack has Quadzilla's old number? There's gotta be some conspiracy/joke in there about a kicker getting that number, I'm just too tired to see it right now.

You're going to see more of that, too, with more offensive and defensive players taking single-digit numbers.

Tallon from Castle Rock, CO

So much for NBA playoffs, no Bucks and now no Nuggets. Maybe 2027 will be a better year for my team's playoffs. With the upcoming kicker competition, should it be judged on whoever has the best percentage over camp or will there be other factors? Hopefully draft pick or contract situation doesn't factor in because this team is too talented to fall short because of a kicker.

The Packers will weigh all the factors to determine who'll be their kicker come Week 1 and have no shortage of leg talent to make their assessments. While nothing is certain on May 4, this is shaping up to be the biggest kicking competition we've witnessed in Green Bay since Mason Crosby and Dave Rayner squared off in 2007. Brandon McManus has 12 years of pelts on the wall while Smack checks every box you want in an NFL kicker. Oh, and as Spoff pointed out, Lucas Havrisik owns the longest made field goal in franchise history. May the best kicker prevail this summer.

Dave from Radcliff, KY

Regarding trading up, on what information does the GM rely on to determine that he needs to trade up for his targeted player? Team's perceived needs, scuttlebutt, mock drafts, gut feeling?

It's a few things. First, the Packers are in constant communication with NFL teams leading up to the draft to get a gauge of potential trade partners. Green Bay also runs its share of mock drafts and has a fairly good idea of every team's needs. Gutekunst predicted a run on defensive linemen near the end of the third round and moved quickly to get his man in Chris McClellan. Sure enough, Jacksonville took Albert Regis and Minnesota drafted Domonique Orange a handful of picks later.

Jim from Mundelein, IL

Love the thought…you pick them because you believe in them. Love that Lukas Van Ness's option was picked up. Draft and develop; don't draft and discard. Gambling is illegal in Bushwood…But opinions are OK. Would you take the over or under for LVN sack total of 10?

I love the move, especially with where the market for pass rushers is right now. Two months ago, Kingsley Enagbare got $10 million from the New York Jets. As far as projecting Van Ness' 2026 season goes, I care less about sack totals and more about impact. Van Ness will be lining up across from Parsons on a more regular basis this season. He has a chance to shine on third downs while also being a solid run defender. Still only 24 and getting back to full health, Van Ness has everything right in front of him.

Jeffery from Monticello, WI

Hi guys, how did Chase Claypool look at practice? If he can stay healthy, he could be a solid signing.

You can always count on a surprise or three at rookie minicamp. This year, it was Claypool. I commend him for coming up to Green Bay and competing on tryout. It was a walkthrough-type practice, so there's only so much information you can glean, but Claypool is a big man and still only 27. We'll see what Green Bay does. The Packers clearly had interest in the past.

Dave from Phoenix, AZ

You mentioned scouting departments spending millions to evaluate players. Does the NFL have a financial cap on how much scouting departments can spend? Is there a limit on how many scouts a team can have?

Nope, which is why you've heard Ed Policy talk so much about the financial challenges the Packers face in the private-equity era. Yes, there is a salary cap on players, but franchises can throw as much money as they want at coaches, scouts, facilities and other areas to gain a competitive advantage. Fortunately, Green Bay has been proactive with investing in all those areas to keep up with the Joneses. As Policy has stated, his goal is to make sure Gutekunst, LaFleur and Russ Ball have every available tool in their toolbox to produce a winning football team.

Cliff from Alexandria, VA

The Packers traded a couple picks for a kicker. Time will tell if that was smart, but it's unusual to draft a kicker, let alone trade picks to draft one. I see two possible options: They credibly feared someone else would draft him before they could, or they had no one on their board with a draft-worthy grade in the seventh, so they moved up just in case knowing they could do the rest of their roster building through undrafted free agents. Is there a different, more likely explanation?

Some of you may not remember this, but Ted Thompson often threw seventh-round picks like they were fun coupons. In fact, Green Bay went back-to-back years without taking a player in the seventh round in 2015-16. Whatever the board looked like, Gutekunst clearly valued Trey Smack enough to go get him. Still, Gutekunst has drafted as many players in the seventh round in eight drafts (19) as Thompson did in 13.

Jerry from Rockford, IL

Good morning, all Insiders, and Wes and Hod. Garrett asked Friday what's the best way to spend your time between OTAs and eventual training camp. I suggest watching games you haven't seen in a while or at all and not necessarily the Packers, but I love to rewatch some of the greatest Packers games in history. GPG

Formula One was back, too, this weekend in Miami. I got a chuckle out of seeing Jeff Hafley, Jon-Eric Sullivan and Malik Willis on the paddock Friday. On the football front, I enjoy watching old NFL Drafts. Talk about hindsight is 20/20.

Dennis from Parrish, FL

I know the 2026 schedule should be out in the next 10 days or so. Let's just go ahead and book the Packers into Raymond James Week 13, on Dec. 6. Normal temperatures that week, around low 70s. Make this happen! Please forward this to Ed Policy for his approval.

There is nothing I would love more than the Packers playing a December game in Tampa Bay…just without the post-game thunderstorms like 2014.

Mike from New Orleans, LA

Is there a new backdrop for press conferences? Looks crisp.

The "Packers Unscripted" studio wasn't the only upgrade this offseason.

Jon from Temecula, CA

Everything about 2026 is speculation right now, except…of the road games scheduled, what food, drink, dessert, etc., are you excited about that you can't get in Wisconsin? You guys are spoiled by your option to get cheese curds on anything in Green Bay, including ice cream and coffee. But what itch can't Spoff or Hod scratch unless they are at one of our opponents' homes this year? (The correct answer is actual NY style pizza during the Jets trip, but I'll let you answer.)

It is New York, but it's my friend Giovanni's place, Via Della Pace, in the East Village. I've eaten there a half dozen times now and never had a bad meal…and I've now roped Spoff in on it, too.

Markus from Aurora, CO

Congratulations. We made it past the draft and it's now May. Now we wait for the schedule release.

I, for one, cannot wait for it. I've never been more excited about a schedule release in my 10 years with packers.com.