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To develop he's going to need a new DC. Barry sticks around this kid future is uncertain
With their first pick in the 2023 draft GB selects Lukas Van Ness Iowa
- Thread starter Mark87
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No way, Datone was a maxed out senior with a hot/cold motor, a true interior guy who didn’t get buzz until the senior bowl if i remember. Many had him as a Rd2 guy but TT and Sam Seale loved Mora’s program and bought what he was selling.
LVN is more like Gary in that he’s a young, strong, explosive straight ahead sort of player but unlike Gary he seems to have a consistent motor. In both cases you look and say “better pro than college player”. Trying to look around but I think LVN is more a true edge than Gary; neither have that ability to bend and corner like Clay but Gute seems to like those guys (Z smith, P smith, Gary, Enegbare all fit that mold).
Opinions vary across the board but he was Dane Bruglers #10 over all prospect. He fits a position of need - no one who saw teams run all over our front 7 would argue that. My issue is with the trade off and lack of urgency in understanding how precarious the situation is for his QB, his staff and his own job. They need talent on offense - like, two years ago but blinking red now. The whole rest of the draft is in front of them but he’s in real danger of setting up his hand picked QB to fail.
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I think this kid is going to surprise a lot of people, and be more like Gary than they imagine. The one advantage he'll have over Gary is that he's bright enough to learn the system faster, and will offer help sooner than Gary did in the early part of his career.
To some, he's a reach, but I'm going to emphasize that I don't think the Packers are drafting for immediate help, but help beyond the 2023 season. I think they've resigned themselves to the fact that by the time they get fully back on track, even Gary could be gone, and this guy could end up his replacement.
It's build for the future, not instant success, because quite frankly, it ain't gonna happen!
To some, he's a reach, but I'm going to emphasize that I don't think the Packers are drafting for immediate help, but help beyond the 2023 season. I think they've resigned themselves to the fact that by the time they get fully back on track, even Gary could be gone, and this guy could end up his replacement.
It's build for the future, not instant success, because quite frankly, it ain't gonna happen!
I don't hate the pick. Also, don't love it. It's risky as heck not taking the top WR or TE off the board when you had the chance. Even had some top-rated OT on there. He's oblivious to the fact his 18-year vet QB isn't there to cover those talent holes....and yes I get the depth at DL need but still.
If that defense falters with that many high picks and the O struggles Gute's butt is going on the hot seat and Barry gets canned.
If that defense falters with that many high picks and the O struggles Gute's butt is going on the hot seat and Barry gets canned.
The comparisons with Gary are striking. Both are capable of playing right away, but need some development.
Gary - 6'403"- 277#, 34" arms, 4.58 40-time, 1.61 10-yd split, 7.36sec 3-cone, 4.29sec shuttle
LVN - 6'406"- 272#, 34" arms, 4.58 40-time, 1.64 10-yd split, 7.02sec 3-cone, 4.32sec shuttle
Gary had more bench reps, and a better vertical, but they had almost exactly the same broad jump.
Hopefully LVN will turn out to be just as good and they can hold down the left and right edges for the next 5 years.
Gary - 6'403"- 277#, 34" arms, 4.58 40-time, 1.61 10-yd split, 7.36sec 3-cone, 4.29sec shuttle
LVN - 6'406"- 272#, 34" arms, 4.58 40-time, 1.64 10-yd split, 7.02sec 3-cone, 4.32sec shuttle
Gary had more bench reps, and a better vertical, but they had almost exactly the same broad jump.
Hopefully LVN will turn out to be just as good and they can hold down the left and right edges for the next 5 years.
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We have to remember that Gary's contract expires this coming season. It's possible they could even turn that into a positive for the future, if they believe they won't be able to afford resigning him. Turn him into a first round pick in 2024, with someone else picking up the freight for what will be a new contract.
I realize Gary is only 26, but the roughly $11 mill he's getting for '23 is just a drop in the bucket compared to his next contract.
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Again the Gary comparison - 57 tackles, 9 sacks, 23 for loss. Those are Gary's numbers in 3 seasons of playing, LVN's are from two.
Risky yes, but I think risky in the same way. Betting on the upside of a young, ascending player. IMO Wyatt was way more of a risk last year, just in the sense that when LVN is the same age as Wyatt was going into the draft, he will likely already be on his second contract.
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I agree that it's risky. But the future for GB isn't 2023, it's beyond that. They have to look at who won't be there after this coming season. I see Jones gone, Bakh gone, and quite possibly Gary. That's just for openers. There will be others.
It's at this point you look at 2024 and beyond. You grab guys who could end up being real difference makers down the road. It is risky, but if you can turn losses of guys like Jones and Gary into positives, through the draft, you're seeing 2025 as being a real return to power in GB. That is, assuming Love does a respectable job. If he doesn't, you use some of that new draft power to find a new signal caller.
I can imagine the Packers ending up with as many as 5 picks in the first two rounds next year. A real opportunity to develop the new core of players who will bring you to the top of the heap.
I see the risk, and don't deny it's there. Would I make the same move? I don't know to be honest. I'd have to see how Ball is manipulating the cap money, and how they see it playing out beyond '23.