It has been more than a week since draft day and no one knows about the Green Bay Packers plans. Everyone is making their analyses, grades, and predictions. Well I’m going to make a prediction of my own. Know that I’m no football expert. I’m just a fan of the sport making educated guesses with the information he knows. I think the way the Packers drafted tells a lot of what the Packers plans are for the season, especially in rounds two and three. Let’s jump right into it.
What Drafting Lukas Van Ness Means
Once again, for the millionth year in a row, the Packers have invested their first round pick on their defense. I’m not complaining because I’m a believer that defense wins championships. However, now that Jordan Love has signed a new contract with the team, I would have preferred adding more weapons to give him the best chance to succeed.
Looking back at the pick now, I’m actually a fan of what I think the Packers plans are. Lukas Van Ness will join Rashan Gary, Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt, Preston Smith, De’Vondre Campbell, Quay Walker, and Jaire Alexander for a pretty loaded defense. I also think Eric Stokes and Rasul Douglas are underrated. From the look of this, the plan for the Packers seems to be to not put so much pressure on Love’s shoulders. He won’t have to go and score 20 plus points week after week. The defense will be able to keep the game close and give Love time to settle in during the games.
A very good idea for a first time starter. Love still needs weapons though, which is why we now go into the 2nd and 3rd round.
What Packer's Picks In Rounds 2 and 3 Mean
After going defense in the first round, the Packers went offense with their next three picks. In the 2nd round, the Packers held two picks and selected TE Luke Musgrave and WR Jayden Reed. With their 3rd round pick, they selected another TE in Tucker Kraft. I don’t know about the rest of you fans, but that caught me completely off guard. I couldn’t believe it. Why would they go with another tight end after selecting one earlier? Then I gave it more thought and I think I understand the pick now and what the Packers plans are.
What Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft Bring
With Musgrave and Kraft, the Packers can now run a lot of double tight end sets. This will keep opposing defenses guessing on what they will do next. Along with that, it kills two birds with one stone. For the run game, they can both set the edge. According to NFL’s Rookie Prospect Profile for Musgrave, he gives it his all when blocking even though he needs to get leaner. On the Prospect Profile for Kraft, he is a much better blocker. They will create lanes for both Jones and Dillan.
In terms of the passing game to help Love, they are both great weapons. Musgrave is more refined in his route running and pass catching, but Kraft is still a good weapon. I wouldn’t be surprised if they are both on the same level of talent in a couple of years. They will wreak havoc on the middle of the field and help the defense fall for play action as well.
What Jayden Reed brings
The player comparison for Reed by many experts is TY Hilton. He brings speed to the Packers offense and will open up the field for other receivers. Defenses will now have to worry about not letting Watson or Reed run past them for deep connections. They can both also catch short passes and possibly take them to the house. All of these weapons give Love easy completions with potential to be big plays. It seems very similar to what the 49ers, I’m sorry everyone, did with Jimmy G. Give him easy passes to playmakers that have great YAC yards.
Conclusion
After taking a close look at the picks made in the first three rounds, I can only come to one conclusion about the Packers plans: The Packers are going to be run heavy with play action plays downfield while the defense keeps them in games. This could work if everything goes well. Both Jones and Dillan are great runners and defenses will focus on them first. Once the linebackers and safeties come down and hesitate, the play action passes to the receivers and tight ends over their heads will be open. I think this will work at first since there is no film on their game plans yet, but teams will eventually catch on. LaFleur has a lot of work to do and a lot to prove he can win without Rodgers at the wheel. I for one am excited to see how this year turns out.
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