If confidence were a draft strategy, the Packers would have aced it. Dallas Gant at pick 255 is 63 spots clear of where he belonged.
Spending an early pick on safety with quarterback, tight end and other spots open is the decision the grade keeps circling back to. The quarterback spot stays a question, and it was the one they most needed an answer at.
They went 5 of 8 on their needs, which is most of what a draft is for.
Add it up and it is a good, unfussy class.
Pick-by-Pick
R1.25
· Pick 25
· Graham Barton
· OT
· rank 25
Graham Barton in slot 25 is exactly on the number, no argument either way. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
R2.9
· Pick 41
· Edgerrin Cooper
· LB
· rank 48
Edgerrin Cooper at Round 2, Pick 9 is right where the board had him, plain and simple. A minor need, but a need all the same.
R2.26
· Pick 58
· Max Melton
· CB
· rank 67
Max Melton at pick No. 58 jumps the queue by a touch more than is comfortable. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
R3.25
· Pick 88
· Cole Bishop
· S
· rank 92
No drama and no debate, Cole Bishop went about where he belonged in pick 88. Useful depth more than a marquee fix.
R3.28
· Pick 91
· Braelon Allen
· RB
· rank 113
A real head-scratcher, Braelon Allen in the Round 3 slot is miles ahead of his ranking. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
R4.26
· Pick 126
· Malik Mustapha
· S
· rank 132
A curious use of the 126th pick. Quarterback, tight end and other spots needed the pick; a safety in Malik Mustapha did not.
R5.33
· Pick 169
· Walter Rouse
· OT
· rank 167
A market-rate offensive lineman, with the board and the slot shaking hands on Walter Rouse. It plugs a real leak on the depth chart.
R6.27
· Pick 202
· Ryan Flournoy
· WR
· rank 195
Ryan Flournoy at pick No. 202 is a sensible buy, a touch better than market for the wide receiver. A real hole, addressed with a reasonable pick.
R6.44
· Pick 219
· Eyabi Okie-Anoma
· DL-EDGE
· rank 235
They went early on Eyabi Okie-Anoma in No. 219, and the value did not follow. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
R7.25
· Pick 245
· Frank Crum
· OT
· rank 254
They jumped the gun on Frank Crum, taking him earlier than his grade liked. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
R7.35
· Pick 255
· Dallas Gant
· LB
· rank 318
Value said wait; Dallas Gant in pick 255 says they were not listening. They doubled down on a strength rather than a need.