When a board-topper like Blake Fisher slides to the Round 4 slot, you do not overthink it, and the Packers did not.
The Packers indulged a want in Gray while a need in quarterback, tight end and other spots stayed open. If this class has a fault line, it runs straight through quarterback. Job largely done: edge rusher settled and 5 of 8 of the wish list covered.
The Evan McPherson deal gives the class an established piece to lean on.
A workmanlike haul that should hold up just fine.
Pick-by-Pick
R1.25
· Pick 25
· Dallas Turner
· LB-EDGE
· rank 14
In pick 25 they get a problem off the edge, outstanding value to boot. The biggest hole, addressed.
R2.9
· Pick 41
· T.J. Tampa
· CB
· rank 39
They paid sticker price for T.J. Tampa in Round 2, Pick 9, and that is fine. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
R3.16
· Pick 80
· Christian Mahogany
· OG
· rank 79
Christian Mahogany in the 80th overall pick is fair value, right on his grade. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
R3.28
· Pick 91
· Marist Liufau
· LB
· rank 86
They did well to land Marist Liufau in slot 91, just ahead of his grade. A minor need, but a need all the same.
R4.15
· Pick 115
· Jaden Hicks
· S
· rank 107
A quiet steal in the 115th pick: Jaden Hicks for less than the market said. A minor itch, scratched.
R4.20
· Pick 120
· Blake Fisher
· OT
· rank 100
They will replay Blake Fisher at pick No. 120 for years; that is how good the value is. It plugs a real leak on the depth chart.
R4.25
· Pick 125
· Malik Washington
· WR
· rank 119
Good price on Malik Washington in the Round 4 slot, a hair ahead of his grade with no real quibbles. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
R4.35
· Pick 135
· Cedric Gray
· LB
· rank 135
A want over a need in No. 135: Cedric Gray adds a linebacker while quarterback, tight end and other spots keeps waiting.
R6.28
· Pick 203
· Michael Wiley
· RB
· rank 190
They let Michael Wiley come to them and pounced at the Round 6 slot. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.
R6.42
· Pick 217
· Kenny Logan Jr.
· S
· rank 210
Kenny Logan Jr. in No. 217 is fine work, a shade of surplus and no downside. Insurance at a position that did not really ask for it.
R6.44
· Pick 219
· Myles Jones
· CB
· rank 214
Fair-plus on Myles Jones, a quiet win that adds up over a draft. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
R7.21
· Pick 241
· Dylan McMahon
· C
· rank 243
Dylan McMahon in pick No. 241 is exactly on the number, no argument either way. A sensible fit for a spot that needed help.
R7.26
· Pick 246
· Zakhari Franklin
· WR
· rank 229
They read the board right and Zakhari Franklin was the payoff at the 246th pick. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.