"We felt like today went pretty good." Ted Thompson Addresses Media After Round One
For the first time since 2008, the Packers won't be picking a projected first-round talent from a crop of collegiate players aiming to make it big in the NFL. General manager Ted Thompson pulled the trigger on a late-first round trade that gave the Packers an extra second and an extra fourth round selection.
Trading out of the first round seemed to work out relatively well for the Packers the last time they did so under Thompson. They used the 36th overall selection they received from the New York Jets to draft the league's 2016 receiving touchdown leader, Jordy Nelson.
Prior to that, the last time Green Bay didn't pick in the first round was 1986. Clearly, this isn't much of a common commodity at 1265 Lombardi Avenue.
Thompson spoke to reporters following the culmination of Thursday night's first roulette of player selections in which he addressed his decisions.
"We felt like today went pretty good," Thompson said. "Some things fell, what we felt like was advantageous to us. Especially for the next couple of guys, and we actually didn't have to give up a whole lot to get a couple of breaks."
Many analysts and fans across the country were expecting the Packers to potentially take Wisconsin's own T.J. Watt, who would've helped bolster their pass rush which was non-existent in 2016.
Unfortunately, Watt was immediately snatched off the board by the Pittsburgh Steelers, who were picking at 30th overall — one spot after the Packers before their trade.
"Great player," Thompson said of Watt. "If he weren't a Wisconsin guy, I wouldn't say anything because I don't talk about players on other teams... But, good for him."
Thompson may not necessarily know who the Packers are taking on Friday or Saturday, but his elation with how strong the draft board was by the time Green Bay was on the clock was evident.
"You can tell tonight that the board was pretty strong there at the end," Thompson said. "We felt good about where we were."
Several running backs remained on the board including Florida State's Dalvin Cook and Oklahoma's Joe Mixon; both of which would instantly upgrade the Packers' thin backfield. A group that consists of just Ty Montgomery, Christine Michael and Don Jackson, the same trio who finished the 2016 season filling the depth chart.
The Packers have drafted for the defensive side of the ball in the first round each of the last five drafts. A running back to kick off the second round would be a rarity considering a running back hasn't fallen to Green Bay in round one since 1987.
"There's a couple different ways of looking at it, in terms of being helpful to us. It could be that we just highlight a player we know we can get and they can't take him away from us, so we sit there and pick him.
"It could be a team sees an opportunity to maybe trade up and get a player they didn't think they can get. It has to be a trade that works well for us."
Thompson said there were several teams who wanted to form a "partnership" to swap spots with the Packers. In a deep defensive class with talent stockpiling the board, trading back was almost inevitable considering where the Packers were set to make their selection.
"It just depends on where you are. In this particular instance, when you're in the first round, you're zeroing in on a couple of guys.
"But like I said, the board held up pretty strong. So, yeah, we felt pretty good about it."
NFL Media insider Ian Rapoport has already reported that teams are calling the Packers about potentially trading the No. 33 selection. Thompson said the Packers are "taking calls," so, in the likelihood that they choose to keep their pick, they'll commence round two at 6 p.m. CST, Friday evening.
__________________________
Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].
Comments (48)
Dzehren
April 28, 2017 at 12:01 am
BPA was Cook, Mixon Lamp and MIamI TE so we traded. GB brass will look to make a deal involving. kizor from ND or Webb to the Jets. Or we take Cook or King and mixon or best DE/OLB second second TD pick all are happy
badaxed
April 28, 2017 at 12:03 am
Maybee Thompson could trade the 33rd pick for a 5th,6th, and 7th picks ,after all in his mind more is always better than quality, plus lower costs to the stockholders.
Big_Mel_75
April 28, 2017 at 10:21 am
Couldn't agree more. Why take a guy who could help you out day one...
Irish_Cheesehead
April 28, 2017 at 11:37 am
Traditionally, we have more luck with our second round picks than our first rounders. I'm happy having two second round picks. For some reason, Ted has a lot of success in round 2.
al bundy
April 28, 2017 at 01:18 pm
a lot of us agree with you. Besides, anb you well know, when you let the guys you drafted and developed go once they are ready to really play some great football, you have plenty or room for more draft and development guys to bring along.
Dzehren
April 28, 2017 at 12:09 am
second round pro bowl picks by Thompson
Jordy Nelson Greg Jennings nick Collins Randall Cobb
Plus Eddie Lacey Davonte Adams darrin college etc.
RELAX all second round picks
Spock
April 28, 2017 at 12:18 am
Love the trade. People who say that Ted is not "on his game" need to pay attention, dropping four spots plus getting an 4th round pick is pretty darn good. Can't wait for tomorrow's picks!
hobbes
April 28, 2017 at 12:56 am
I get the feeling Thompson wasnt as high on Watt as Wisconsin fans were...his "good for him" comment was barely contained and about as flippant as I can remember him being. My guess was Thompson didn't have him as a 1st rounder.
MarkinMadison
April 28, 2017 at 07:23 am
I think the question mark for Watt is does he really have the initial burst to be productive at the next level. I thought he was a good fit (and I'm a Hawkeye) but I can understand how opinions will vary on him. I don't think TT was being flippant. Thompson has too much class to slam a young guy in that way.
NoNonsense
April 28, 2017 at 01:05 am
Id love to see them take DL Malik McDowell or OLB Tim Williams. McDowell could be a dominant player on the DL at 6'6'' 285 with 34.5" arms. Williams is a little smaller than I would like but hes relentless and explosive off the snap.
NickPerry
April 28, 2017 at 05:29 am
McDowell is Worthy 2.0 and Williams has lots of flags. Surprising he's quick at all considering all the weed he smokes.
dobber
April 28, 2017 at 06:10 am
I agree: Iwant nothing to do with McDowell. At some point, Williams will be worth the risk. TT is so risk-averse that I don't see either landing in GB.
fthisJack
April 28, 2017 at 07:48 am
on the other hand, i can see he taking Mixon...i hope he does.
GB Jacker
April 28, 2017 at 01:06 am
Delighted with the trade down, so long as TJ Watt doesn't turn into an all-pro like his brother.
In all likelihood we will trade down again tomorrow and hopefully acquire a 2nd next year or another 3 this year.
In the deepest defensive class in years all the offensive players went early, QBs, RBs, WRs and TEs. Still a run on O-Line upcoming too. All of this plays perfectly into GBs hands. There's a lot of talent left in this draft. Hopefully we can use at extra pick on Sidney Jones.
Seattle has 2 2s, 4 3s, and 2 4s. Sure they will come out of this draft looking very rosy.
Irish_Cheesehead
April 28, 2017 at 11:46 am
Still a lot of good RBs on the board. They didn't all go early. Hoping TT grabs one in round 2.
dobber
April 28, 2017 at 05:04 am
This is TT turning a very "meh" #29 pick slot into more capital. Many of us really liked Watt, but we all know there's more than one need on this team and that there's more than one way to address those needs.
Besides...many of those who are unhappy are the same ones who say "TT is better in the middle rounds than he is in round 1". If that's true, then logically this is the best use of the Packer picks, isn't it?
This is sport folks. He's not taking your 401k to Vegas. Enjoy the ride.
jh9
April 28, 2017 at 05:24 am
I like the trade. If TT can draft a first-rate edge rusher and a suitable replacement for Eddie Lacy in the 2nd round, a quality CB should be available for the Packers in the 3rd round.
Personally, I would like to see TT draft Jordan Willis as the edge rusher. If Joe Mixon has passed TT's character test, he would be the best RB. And in the 3rd round, either Cameron Sutton or Shaquill Griffin would be my choice for CB.
Bearmeat
April 28, 2017 at 06:11 am
Deep defensive draft at CB and OLB and we need defensive help. Unless you LOVE someone at 29, this was a great move. More bites at the apple equals more chances of a hit or two.
I hope we move back another few picks tonight and grab another 3rd rounder.
CAG123
April 28, 2017 at 07:17 am
How many "great picks" has TT made to where everyone wants more of them? I don't understand this infatuation with more 3rd and 4th round picks for someone who is likely to use it on a player from Arkansas Community College!
fthisJack
April 28, 2017 at 07:54 am
look at his draft history, dude. when he has traded down for extra picks it is always for ammo to go zooming up in round 2 or 3 or both and snag someone they really want. Mathews..... Sprague.....etc.
CAG123
April 28, 2017 at 11:31 am
He really wanted Tak that's the only reason he traded back I don't know what his deal is with PAC-12 players seeing as only Rodgers and Mathews have worked out for him and the verdict is still out on Perry and Randall, Jones was a bust and were still waiting for Clark yet I'm pretty sure he was going to pick Tak.
dobber
April 28, 2017 at 12:57 pm
We don't know what he really wanted and we never will know what he really wanted. We can paint that kind of picture over the actions TT took last night, but it's only conjecture. I don't believe that TT went into round 1 saying "McKinley or bust".
Lphill
April 28, 2017 at 06:31 am
TT is taking the women beater Joe mixon with 33 , by the time we get to our 2 nd pick all the pass rushers and corners will be gone. I guess bringing back House and signing Francois was the defensive fix.
CAG123
April 28, 2017 at 07:13 am
What's this talk about trading back again and acquiring more picks? I mean he isn't that much of a genius to where he should be trusted to do that.
dobber
April 28, 2017 at 07:43 am
If that's the case, then what does it matter WHAT he does?
stockholder
April 28, 2017 at 07:16 am
We call for Capers to be fired. MM is on the hot seat. We see to many TT picks not make it. We see him making that up by signing a Free Agent here and there. You people are crazy if you think TT wants to win another super-bowl. You pick late. And you show up at the bottom of the stat category. You get a less quality player. TTs plan suck, for the packer fan that wants to win it all. The rumors keep coming out of people being upset in the front office. All the other GMs are wrong but TT. He hates Wisconsin players. That forth round pick will be a 5th after TT is done. He continues to believe a player can be average, instead of using god given talent. WE are not rebuilding! And the revolving door of players should not put the veterans and more popular players on the street. Not when he still can't win it all. WE saw this in Seatle when he was there. They shipped him out. Got new LBs and were a great team again. WE are in the Mike Sherman years. One Bad season away from not crawling out of the cellar. Why? Because of the offense that is schemed for Zone blocking. Age, And A-rods window. Lack of All-pros. The youth movement only gives you a good team mate. And that all TT sees. Like any plant owner he only wants Loyalty. And you Fans that praise this move just gave it to him.
MarkinMadison
April 28, 2017 at 07:27 am
R-E-L-A-X
fthisJack
April 28, 2017 at 08:00 am
you are one miserable human being. why do you continue to follow the GBP if it makes you this miserable? you need help, dude.
stockholder
April 28, 2017 at 10:22 am
I'm not miserable. love the packers. Help? I think the packers need it more as expressed in my comments. Sorry we don't agree.
Houndog
April 28, 2017 at 07:20 am
Gotta' hope this all pans out but I remember the days they called CM3 'Bloodlines'. With Watt you have something similar with two brothers already in the NFL. And then you have Albino Ted basically trading him away for a 4th round pick! Maybe it was the right move, and maybe not, time will tell. But with a team that loves linebackers the way the Steelers do, I can't help but wonder what they saw that TT didn't?
Irish_Cheesehead
April 28, 2017 at 11:52 am
If TT picked at 29 instead of trading, there is a real good chance he wouldn't have taken Watt anyways. People have to get over their man-crush on TJ. Lots of good players in this draft.
PackEyedOptimist
April 28, 2017 at 08:00 am
DBs Obi Melifonwu, Budda Baker, Kevin King, Chidobe Awuzie, Quincy Wilson, TraDavious White; OLBs Jordan Willis, Ryan Anderson, Tarell Bashem (even Tyus Bowser and Carl Lawson); RBs Dalvin Cook, Alvin Kamara, D'Onta Foreman; OL Forrest Lamp, Cam Robinson, Dion Dawkins; TE Bucky Hodges; WR Juju Smith-Schuster, Curtis Samuel, Cooper Kupp--an that's just the first 21 I come up with.
If the Pack can trade down to #39 and #107 as Dobber suggests, it would be AWESOME. Pick #107 is going to have some real talent still available.
PackEyedOptimist
April 28, 2017 at 08:10 am
Just realized that trade would give us picks 107 and 108, where I expect to see some potentially GREAT players available. Getting two more picks in the top 100 (almost) of the deepest draft EVER (...in my opinion, but I've been a draftnik for over 40 years) would be FANTASTIC.
dobber
April 28, 2017 at 08:29 am
This is the big picture.
My prediction is that the Packers are still going to get two good edge rush prospects and a CB in these first 4 rounds. Most of us, just 12 hours ago, would have said that would be a good day's work.
stockholder
April 28, 2017 at 10:13 am
Dobbler there are; "No good edge rushers left". (That can impact immediately.) The guys that are left are projects. ( 3 years before they can make their present felt) . If Datone Jones can't make it at DE. After all his compliments. What makes people think their going to get an instant success? Tt can come up with a RB or Wrs in the forth. He's stuck now taking a CB. And he'll say it's to replace Shields or Hyde. (And is House that guy?) Case in point? The bottom line on his CB class, of Rollins and Randall have failed. Just more More draft failures. Most packer fans just wanted a good player that didn't become another TT excuse. I'm not trying to wreck your Hopes or others. But come -on it's so obvious. The super-bowl is not the Target.
Spock
April 28, 2017 at 10:41 am
stockholder, Yikes you are one pessimistic dude! "Rollins and Randall have failed". I think THAT statement is flat out ridiculous. Did they suck last year? Sure. But as rookies the pundits were all saying how high their ceiling was and how well they were playing. MAYBE they will "fail" for you, but it is way too early to write them off. "The super-bowl is not the Target" is an even more ludicrous statement. You need to chill out IMO. :) You're writing off this draft before it's even finished!!!
HankScorpio
April 28, 2017 at 10:48 am
The first two years of Rollins and Randall were mirror images of Davante Adams. In all three cases, there was a lot of promise and modest production in year 1. Year 2 was injury plagued and disappointing enough to erase year 1 in the offseason fan chatter. Instead of being excited about a bright future, fans are/were writing them off as busts.
Let's hope it continues and Rollins and Randall have the same kind of year 3 that Adams did.
marpag1
April 28, 2017 at 10:50 am
I think he means that Rollins and Randall have "failed" in the same way that he repeatedly said Davante Adams had failed.
stockholder
April 28, 2017 at 11:05 am
Nice burn / slant on Adams. Failed means you don't draft another CB. Unless your referring TT needs to replace House. LOL on that. But still almost liked your dig.
Samson
April 28, 2017 at 11:34 am
Finish ahead of the Lions, Bears and Vikes --- That's TT's target. -- That's the last six years and counting. ----- The only way AR sees another SB will be on his big screen TV. -- These TT apologists will see how it's done once Eliot takes over.
Doug_In_Sandpoint
April 28, 2017 at 12:18 pm
Eliot Wolf is like the backup quarterback...everyone's favorite until he has to see game time. I believe he will be great, but he will have some big shoes to fill.
dobber
April 28, 2017 at 01:09 pm
Listen: I think we all pretty much agreed a long time ago that this draft was going to be deep, but at pick #29, there was no way you could count on any guy they pick being a panacea. I think there are still CBs on the board who can step in and play credibly right away. I think they could still get TWO of those guys without having to give much away. What's wrong with taking a DB?
I didn't say there were good edge rushers. Go back and read my comment: it says good pass rush PROSPECTS. I recognize the need for those guys to grow and develop. In terms of high-end defenders who could be counted on to step in and boost a defense immediately? There were two in this draft and they went #1 and #3. Every other pass-rush prospect--including Watt--is speculation and learn on the job.
stockholder
April 28, 2017 at 04:22 pm
I knew what you were saying. All draft picks are prospects.
egbertsouse
April 28, 2017 at 08:23 am
The pundits are saying TT might trade down again today. C'mon Ted, keep stockpiling those late round picks. There are plenty of 5'8" CBs and running backs with 5.6 second 40 times out in the Dakotas who'll work for minimum.
dobber
April 28, 2017 at 08:33 am
I wouldn't call #108 a late-round pick. And even if the Packers moved down just 2-3 slots in round 2, the value chart says that would net a 5th in return...still not a late-round pick.
IN EDIT: Sorry, the 40 points between pick #33 and pick #36 would merit a mid 4th.
I don't understand why everyone gets caught up in TT wanting "cheap players". The bottom line is that EVERY team wants cheap players. The more cheap players you have, the more expensive players you can have...you're only following one of those teams. Get out of the bitter barn and play in the hay, dude.
Samson
April 28, 2017 at 11:38 am
The 2010 season -- last time GB was a participant in the SB. -- You're alright with that?? -- I'm not. -- Most aren't.
GB needs impact players on the "D". I don't care how, where, or when TT finds them. --- He needs to do it before AR retires.
dobber
April 28, 2017 at 01:11 pm
Um. OK.
PatrickGB
April 28, 2017 at 11:23 am
There are a lot of very good players still left on the board. I just hope we don't pick a OL or RB with the 33rd pick. They can be had later. However, if we pick a good CB I will be happy. And then again if we can drop down just a couple of more spots and get a guy almost as good and gain another pick for a RB or OL later I am most happy with that move.